The 19th Assembly of the University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA) met Wednesday to confirm representatives and pass two bills. 

The meeting opened with four presentations. Before these presentations, a student from the Eberly College of Science spoke during the open student forum regarding the vandalism of the Palestinian memorial held last week. The student urged that the university and the rest of the Penn State student body must take these violations seriously and that the students involved must be held accountable.

Following this, the president of the Penn State National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) presented information about the extensive history of the council and its importance on the Penn State campus. The president discussed how the NPHC is dedicated to ensuring that all students have a voice and seeks to expand resources and community engagement opportunities at University Park.

Next, a representative from the Association of Resident Hall Students (ARHS) shared information about how the association functions to address students’ needs on campus. The representative explained the organization has three main pillars for improving the residence halls, dining districts, and common spaces. From holding weekly meetings with each resident hall and prioritizing student feedback, the ARHS is working to improve and expand upon the student experience on campus.

Then, Student Programming Association (SPA) representative Trevor McLeigh discussed SPA’s role on campus and the different types of events set to take place for the 2024-25 academic year. McLeigh went over the responsibilities of each of the four committees within SPA, including the concert, lecture, special events, and noontime committees. He ended his presentation by sharing how SPA and UPUA can collaborate to achieve mutual goals of improving the student experience and sponsoring new events on camps.

Lastly, UPUA Judicial Board members shared what the board does within the UPUA assembly, and how the branch issues decisions on various policies. They spoke about how the UPUA Judicial Board serves as the election commission and is tasked with rewriting election codes and moderating debates. The group ended its presentation by sharing three major goals for this academic year, including cross-branch collaboration, substantial voter turnout increase, and collaborative change.

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 confirmed the College of Communications Representative Megan Soto-Benitez. 

Soto-Benitez spoke about her leadership experience in leading multicultural events on campus and how she hopes to spearhead UPUA’s role in providing extensive communication resources to students on campus.

Next, the assembly confirmed At-Large Representatives Andrew Egan and David Waushabaugh VI.

Egan briefly shared his past experience with UPUA as an IST representative, and how thankful he was to be back working with the assembly as an At-Large Representative.

Waushabaugh spoke about how his hometown in rural Pennsylvania has taught him the importance of building community and listening to others, and how he promises to bring his best effort forward while serving the UPUA assembly.

Lastly, the assembly confirmed Associate Justices Samuel Akangbe and Vaishnavi Doma. 

The pair spoke about their excitement for the opportunity to be a part of the UPUA Judicial Board and shared their personal goals of improving the board’s overall outreach with the student body.

Following this, the assembly swore in Soto-Benitez, Egan, Waushabaugh VI, Akangbe, Doma, and Bijoy.

New Business 

The first piece of new business for the night was Bill #22-19: Revive the Roar Co-sponsorship. This bill provides funding for UPUA to purchase decorations and activities for the Revive the Roar event on Wednesday, December 4.

Hosted by the Lion Ambassadors, in collaboration with UPUA, this event aims to help students de-stress and recharge before the last week of the fall semester. From providing free food, entertainment, and other Penn State-themed activities, Revive the Roar seeks to create a sense of belonging for students on campus and strengthen student mental health in time for finals week. 

Bill #22-19: Revive the Roar Co-sponsorship passed unanimously. 

The last piece of new business was Bill #23-19: Funding for PSU Votes Presidential Debate. This bill allows UPUA the funding to book the Freeman Auditorium for the PSU Votes Presidential Debate from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 22. The event will consist of a debate between the presidents of the Penn State College Democrats and the College Republicans.

Ryan Klein from the College Republicans and Baybars Charkas from College Democrats will be asked a series of questions regarding topics of tax policy, climate, and America’s relationship with the broader world. The event aims to generate interest for the 2024 presidential election, increase voter turnout on campus, and model how to have a civil political debate.

Bill #23-19: Funding for PSU Votes Presidential Debate passed unanimously.