The 19th Assembly of the University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA) met Wednesday to swear in the new associate justices and confirm two First Year Council representatives. 

The meeting opened with four presentations. First, representatives from University Park police presented information about scams currently targeting students on campus. The University Park police representative shared information about football ticket scams, and how students can avoid these scams by only using trusted, official Penn State websites to buy tickets.

The representative also spoke about internship announcement scams that claim to offer large amounts of money to students and explained the mechanics of how to identify these types of messages. Finally, he spoke about how students can access University Park Police Services if they encounter any scams.

Next up, Representative Mary O’Connor from the Panhellenic Council shared information about the functions of the council and previewed the organization’s upcoming events for the year. O’Connor encouraged any interested UPUA members to join the council and discussed the variety of leadership opportunities available for students to take part in. 

Following this, the Student Philanthropy Network (SPN) spoke about its mission of connecting organizations across campus to philanthropic efforts in the community. The representatives implored any UPUA members to reach out to the SPN if they need help organizing a fundraiser or wish to be connected with community engagement efforts across State College. 

Lastly, the Department of Finance presented information about how UPUA assembly members can be reimbursed for UPUA-related expenses. The department shared the process of check reimbursement, describing each step for filling out a check reimbursement form online.

Following reports from President Zion Sykes and Vice President Rasha Elwakil, the assembly moved into confirmations and swearing-ins.

Elections/Swearing-Ins

The assembly first swore in the First Year Council, the International Student Council Representatives, and Tanya Garg and Alan Bijoy. 

Next, the assembly confirmed Associate Justices Jack Wilder, Jay Mattis, Olivia Cunningham, Cristina Mac Cormac, Lauren Fetterhoff, and Nicholas Graviano. 

Each of the justices had time to briefly introduce themselves to the assembly and describe their excitement to be a part of the Judicial Board for the 19th Assembly of the UPUA. 

The assembly then confirmed First Year Representatives Destiny Ocha-Scott and Dara Sedaka. 

Ocha-Scott spoke about the importance of diversity and inclusion within the UPUA assembly and the importance of advocating for diverse and overlooked voices at Penn State. She also shared her overwhelming excitement to fulfill her duties and expressed her gratitude for the nomination. 

Sedaka spoke of her passion for volunteer work and her experience campaigning with activists across the globe. She shared how she will be dedicated to serving the First Year Council and will ensure that each member will feel as though their voice is heard on UPUA. 

Lastly, the assembly swore in Judicial Board Associate Justices Wilder, Mattis, Cunningham, Mac Cormac, Fetterhoff, and Graviano; and First-Year Representatives Ocha-Scott and Sedaka.