The 20th Assembly of the University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA) met on Wednesday to swear in its Director of Design, pass four bills, and one resolution.

The meeting opened with two presentations. First, the UPUA Department of Internal Inclusion and Support presented information regarding UPUA and THON, including DonorDrive logistics and upcoming UPUA THON fundraisers. The presentation also included an overview of the roles of the directors within the department and how they work to support UPUA.

Next up was a presentation on parliamentary procedures by UPUA Parliamentarian Anthony Khuc. Khuc’s presentation included the mechanics for how to make motions during the general assembly meetings, including motions to extend time, suspend the rules, end discussions, and amend. Khuc also went over the comment of unanimous consent, and how representatives can make points during the general assembly.

Vice President Youcheff read a statement from President Rasha Elwakil, who was not able to attend the meeting. Following a report by Vice President Youcheff, the assembly moved into swearing-ins.

Swearing-Ins/Confirmations

The only swearing-in of the night was for Director of Design Katerina Dimitrova.

Following the swearing-in, the assembly moved into New Business.

New Business

The first piece of new business for the night was Bill #19-20: Funding for Light Up Night Fall 2025-2026. This bill will allow UPUA to purchase merchandise to be handed out during the Light Up Night event held on Thursday, November 20th. 

This annual holiday event features local performances, trolley rides, visits from Santa, and the lighting of the Allen Street evergreen tree. UPUA members will be tabling at the MLK plaza from 5 to 8 p.m. during the event, where they will hand out stuffed animals and candy canes to attendees. This bill also includes funding for a sponsored UPUA Instagram post for the event. 

Bill #19-20: Funding for Light Up Night Fall 2025-2026 passed unanimously. 

The second bill of the night was Bill #20-20: Funding for Energize with Ezra. This bill will provide funding for UPUA to purchase refreshments to be enjoyed during the “Energize with Ezra” event held on Thursday, October 30th, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the HUB. 

The event is an opportunity for students to meet and engage with State College Mayor Ezra Nanes. Attendees will be able to voice concerns and take part in productive dialogue to further strengthen the connection between the student body and the borough. 

Bill #20-20: Funding for Energize with Ezra passed unanimously.

Up next was Bill #21-20: 20th Assembly Fall Semester Identity Roundtable. This bill allows for UPUA to purchase catering for their fall semester identity roundtable, which is set to take place on Monday, October 20th, and will be hosted by UPUA’s Justice and Equity Committee. This roundtable will act as a space for identity organizations across campus to come together and engage in conversation to build connections and improve Penn State’s diversity initiatives and resources. 

The event itself consists of three segments, starting with an inter-caucus conversation, then a cross-identity dialogue, and finally ending with a UPUA engagement session. The roundtable will allow for student organizations to share their needs, advocate for change, and bolster collaboration to foster tangible impact on campus. 

Bill #21-20: 20th Assembly Fall Semester Identity Roundtable passed unanimously.

The last bill of the night was Bill #22-20: Funding for the What to Fix Day Tabling Event for Fall 2025. This bill will allow UPUA to purchase pizza and a pair of Beats headphones as incentives for students to fill out the “What to Fix Day” survey. “What to Fix Day” is a UPUA event that allows students to raise concerns or needs to UPUA representatives.

UPUA members will table in the HUB on Monday, October 13, and on Tuesday, October 14, in both Findlay and Redifer Commons. Here, UPUA representatives will help students access and take the survey to report their feedback. The survey allows UPUA to identify useful information that it can implement into its legislative process. The purchased incentives will aid in increasing the number of student respondents to expand the survey data. 

Bill #22-20: Funding for the What to Fix Day Tabling Event for Fall 2025 passed unanimously.

The final piece of new business for the night was Resolution #05-20: Support for Take a Professor/Advisor to Lunch Program. Within this resolution, UPUA showcased its support to create a version of the Take a Professor/Advisor to Lunch Program for each academic college at University Park.

Currently, the Eberly College of Science and the College of Health and Human Development have their own version of this program, where students can invite a faculty member to share a meal or coffee together with no cost to the student or faculty, as it is funded through the college. This will encourage more students to develop mentorships and informally discuss academics or professional interests with a faculty member of their choosing. 

Through this resolution, the Committee of Academic Affairs is charged with reaching out to the deans’ offices or student councils for each college that does not offer a version of the program, serving as an invitation to the colleges to take part in creating their own version.

Resolution #05-20: Support for Take a Professor/Advisor to Lunch Program passed unanimously.