The 19th Assembly of the University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA) met Wednesday to pass and discuss nine pieces of new business.

Following reports from President Zion Sykes and Vice President Rasha Elwakil, the assembly moved into new business.

New Business 

First up for new business for the night was Policy #03-19: Revising the UPUA Election Codes. This policy stated the amendments added to the UPUA election codes for the 2025 election cycle, including refining the duties of the head commissioners, prohibiting candidate campaigning in off-campus residences where candidates are not tenants, and enforcing a new timeline for updating expenditures. 

 Policy #03-19: Revising the UPUA Election Codes passed unanimously.

Next up was Bill #38-19: Funding for De-Stress with the PRCC and UPUA. This bill provided funding for the UPUA to purchase a variety of de-stress items, such as fidget toys and essential oil rollers, for the de-stress event set to take place between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Monday, December 9. In collaboration with the Paul Robeson Cultural Center, this event seeks to boost student mental health and morale before finals week. The event will feature different relaxing craft stations, workshops, anxiety toys, and warm drinks for attendees.

Bill #38-19: Funding for Destress with the PRCC and UPUA passed unanimously. 

Following this was Bill #39-19: Establishment of the Fall 2024 Retroactive Withdrawals “Know Your Academic Rights” Campaign. This bill provided funding for sponsored social media posts highlighting Senate Policy 56-30 and Senate Policy J-1 as part of the UPUA “Know Your Academic Rights” campaign. Senate Polices 56-30 and J-1 address student withdrawal from courses and detail the procedure for retroactive withdrawal. During the normal withdrawal period, students can drop a class and receive a tuition refund.

However, retroactive withdrawal is only for significant student hardship and needs a formal petition to be considered. Senate Policy 56-30 and J-1 allow students to submit a formal petition with support documentation to be confirmed. UPUA aims to share more information about the retroactive withdrawal process and its effect on the student’s federal aid. 

Bill #39-19: Establishment of the Fall 2024 Retroactive Withdrawals “Know Your Academic Rights” Campaign passed unanimously.  

Bill #40-19: Funding for Light Up Night UPUA Tabling Food and Beverages was up next. This bill allotted UPUA funding to purchase hot chocolate and candy canes to be disturbed during the Light Up Night event from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, November 21. The event is set to take place at MLK Plaza on Fraser Street and the 100 block of Allen Street in downtown State College. Attendees can enjoy live holiday performances, free trolley rides, and the lighting of the evergreen tree at the Allen Street Gates. During the festivities, UPUA will be stationed at a booth in MLK Plaza, giving out stuffed animals, snacks, and UPUA shirts. 

Bill #40-19: Funding for Light Up Night UPUA Tabling Food and Beverages passed unanimously. 

Bill #41-19: Funding for Sexual Violence and Prevention (SVAP) Roundtable Catering was up next. This bill allowed UPUA to sponsor catering for the SVAP roundtable, which is set to have its first meeting on Tuesday, December 3. This roundtable, in affiliation with organizations such as It’s On Us, Greek’s Care, and the Panhellenic Council, will center around sexual assault prevention on campus. These roundtables will consist of semi-annual meetings of moderated discussions and useful workshops where organizations across campus can work to gather to prevent sexual misconduct at University Park. 

Bill #41-19: Funding for Sexual Violence and Prevention (SVAP) Roundtable Catering passed unanimously. 

Next was Bill #43-19: Interview Prep Workshop with WorkLink. This bill provided funding for food to be provided during the interview WorkLink workshop that will take place from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Friday, November 22 in the Cedar Building. WorkLink is a Penn State organization dedicated to preparing students with disabilities for the professional world. The goal of this workshop is to provide an information session about the mechanics of interviewing, and then conduct a series of mock interviews. This workshop will help WorkLink students master interview techniques and feel more comfortable with the interview process. 

Bill #43-19: Interview Prep Workshop with WorkLink passed unanimously. 

Following this was Resolution #10-19: HHD Building Mindfulness Spaces. This resolution stated UPUA’s support for the creation of new relaxation and mindfulness spaces for students in the Human Health and Development (HHD) Building’s empty faculty rooms. Due to many of the HHD staff working remotely during the week, there are vacant office spaces that could be repurposed. The resolution showcased UPUA’s support for a university space assessment of these vacant rooms and believes that creating new mindfulness spaces around campus where students can de-stress will help boost the student body’s mental health. 

Resolution #10-19: HHD Building Mindfulness Spaces passed unanimously. 

The last piece of new business for the night was Informational Report #01-19: More Wawas in State College. Due to the fact that Informational Reports are new to the UPUA Assembly, Speaker Fletcher Port created a fake report to have the assembly practice the process of Informational Report discussion. This report detailed the potential challenges and benefits of placing a Wawa in State College. From discussing the demand present on campus, the operational costs, and how Wawa can create new student jobs, this report mapped out what establishing a Wawa in State College could mean for the community.

These informational reports are meant to simulate discussion in the assembly, and the report ended with a series of discussion questions addressed to the entire UPUA assembly. The assembly discussed topics of whether the lack of Wawa’s “Hoagiefest” had affected their experience at Penn State and whether the UPUA should consider franchising a Wawa. Since these informational reports are new to the assembly, there was slight confusion regarding the process, and Port helped guide the assembly through the discussion process and hear feedback.