The 19th Assembly of the University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA) met Wednesday to swear in the Eberly College of Science representative and pass nine pieces of legislation.

The meeting opened with four presentations. First, representatives from Lion Ambassadors presented information about the pillars and purpose of their program. They said Lion Ambassadors work to uphold Penn State’s traditions, hold events to promote alumni engagement, and plan countless projects across campus. The representatives ended the presentation by discussing the time commitment required to be a part of Lion Ambassadors and encouraged interested UPUA members to consider joining the program.

After this, the Middle Eastern North African Caucus presented information about their overall mission to promote learning, advocacy, and community building across the Penn State study body. The representative introduced the members of the executive board to the UPUA assembly and discussed how UPUA can support the caucus for the 2024-25 academic school year.

Next, UPUA Speaker Fletcher Port and Executive Director of Finance Yifan Bu spoke about the budget for the 19th UPUA assembly. This budget overview presentation included a funding breakdown per committee in UPUA and highlighted the additional funding that will be allotted toward membership wellness and internal spending. The pair said UPUA has not been spending as much money as it typically does and encouraged the assembly to think of new initiatives and projects to spend the budget.

Lastly, the UPUA Department of Finance discussed UPUA’s largest fundraising project, Giving Tuesday. Representatives from the department shared how the event is set to take place on Tuesday, December 3, and that UPUA’s fundraising goal is $2,000. They also urged the assembly to reach out to donors and attend the upcoming fundraisers, such as the “Pie in the Face” fundraiser on HUB Lawn.

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

Elections/Swearing-Ins

The only confirmation of the night was for the College of Eberly Science Representative Anthony Khuc. 

Khuc spoke about his excitement for the opportunity to join UPUA and create new connections across the assembly. He said he is eager to represent the Eberly College of Science and learn more about the intricacies of the UPUA from his fellow representatives.

Following the confirmation, the assembly swore in Khuc. 

New Business 

First up for new business for the night was Policy #02-19: Budget Update for the 2024-2025 Fiscal Year. This policy outlines the current budget for the UPUA assembly, detailing aspects such as marketing and outreach materials, payment of employees, and funding for the various UPUA programs. The overall budget is listed as $150,798.83, with $11,170.28 of that total carried over from UPUA’s 2023-24 budget.

Policy #02-19: Budget Update for the 2024-2025 Fiscal year passed unanimously. 

Next up was Bill #32-19: Meet the Legislators Advertisement. This bill allots funding for sponsored Instagram posts to promote a “Meet the Legislator” event, set to take place from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, November 21, in the HUB’s Lion Lair. This event, in collaboration with the Office of Government and Community Relations, Liberal Arts Undergraduate Council, and the Lion Caucus, provides students with the opportunity to connect with local, state, and federal representatives. Participants can expect refreshments, a Q&A session, and a meet-and-greet with the legislators, including State Representative Paul Takac and State Senator Cris Dush. 

 Bill #32-19: Meet the Legislators Advertisement passed unanimously. 

Following this was Bill #33-19: Funding for Fall and Winter Break Lyft Subsidies. This bill allows UPUA to provide Lyft subsidy codes for students to use for travel to and from the State College Regional Airport during fall and winter break. The funding would include 66, $15 Lyft ride coupons starting on Thursday, November 21, to Sunday, December 1, where students can access the coupons using the code “UPUAFALL2024.” The bill also includes funding for additional coupons for rides between Monday, December 16, and Sunday, January 13. Students can access the 66, $15 coupons using the code “UPUAWINTER2024.”

Bill #33-19: Funding for Fall and Winter Break Lyft Subsidies passed unanimously. 

Bill #34-19: Justice and Equity Identity Roundtable was next. This bill provided funding for the UPUA Committee of Justice and Equity to host a series of identity roundtables. The goal of this event is to bring together members of various identity organizations to take part in a discussion regarding topics such as intersectionality and accessibility on campus. The event will help UPUA see where it can aid these organizations and allot the needed resources to properly address these topics. The funding for the bill with help cater meals during the two planned sessions of roundtables. 

Bill #34-19: Justice and Equity Identity Roundtable passed unanimously. 

After this, Bill #35-19: Funding of Election Day Survey Completion Incentives was introduced. This bill allowed UPUA to purchase four, $25 Amazon gift cards as incentives to encourage students and faculty to complete a post-election day survey. The survey will ask questions regarding the use of asynchronous learning on Election Day on Tuesday, November 5. UPUA hoped to gather information regarding the awareness of the Senate Policy 42-27 policy of requiring an asynchronous learning option for students on election day, and how to improve awareness of this policy in the future. 

Bill #35-19: Funding of Election Day Survey Completion Incentives passed unanimously. 

The next piece of legislation was Bill #36-19: Job Search Workshop with Work Link. This bill provided UPUA with proper funding to purchase food for a Work Link workshop from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 13, in the Cedar Building. Work Link is an organization at Penn State committed to preparing and aiding students with learning disabilities for the professional world. During this workshop hosted by UPUA, students will learn how to use LinkedIn and discuss helpful job search strategies that Work Link students can utilize in their exploration of career opportunities.

Bill #36-19: Job Search Workshop with Work Link passed unanimously. 

Next was Resolution #08-19: Supporting the Implementation of the Sustainability Attribute at Penn State. This piece of legislation states UPUA’s support for implementing a Sustainability Attribute in the LionPath system. This attribute will function similarly to the “W” course designation for writing-intensive courses. UPUA hopes to promote student awareness about the attribute, encourage curriculum development, and advocate for new majors, minors, and certificates focused on sustainability education. This resolution also lists suggestions of how Penn State can promote community engagement regarding this attribute, such as collaborative workshops, outreach events, and campaigns. 

Resolution #08-19: Supporting the Implementation of the Sustainability Attribute at Penn State passed unanimously. 

Following this was Resolution #09-19: Awareness Campaign on Student Farm-Dining Hall. In this resolution, UPUA recommended that the University Dining Service make dietary information available on where the food served on campus comes from. The goal of this campaign is to increase transparency, promote agricultural organizations such as the Student Farm, and educate students on the importance of eating local. UPUA proposed organizing events such as “Meet Your Farmers Days” where students can connect with representatives from the Student Farm. 

Resolution #09-19: Awareness Campaign on Student Farm-Dining Hall passed unanimously. 

The final piece of legislation for the night was Bill #37-19: Funding for Mental Health and Wellness Week Tabling. In this bill, UPUA will prepare a week of tabling from Monday, December 2, until Friday, December 6. This tabling will seek to spread awareness on student mental health by handing out mental health resources, stress balls, cookies, fidget toys, and more. Students can even win prizes from a mental health prize wheel, winning items such as gratitude journals and essential oil rollers. The bill requests funding for the prizes and hand-outs, as well as funding for the tabling reservation. 

Bill #37-19: Funding for Mental Health and Wellness Week Tabling passed unanimously.