The 20th Assembly of the University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA) met on Wednesday to pass one policy and four bills. 

First-Year Council Members Nicole Schulz and Krishna Gupta were confirmed in their positions before new business began.

New Business

Policy #02-20 Amendment to the 2025-2026 Fiscal Year Budget: 

This policy discusses the justification for the necessary funds and the intended use of the funds provided. Funds will be appropriated for discretionary usage, operational usage, the UPUA Department of Internal Inclusion and Support, and the Assembly Discretionary, along with restriction guidelines. 

Policy #02-20 Amendment to the 2025-2026 Fiscal Year Budget was passed unanimously. 

Bill #29-20 Funding for Lyft Subsidies:

Hallo-Weekend is a student-created event held annually around Halloween. Large crowds and downtown traffic in late-night to early-morning hours increase safety risks. To reduce unsafe transportation and impaired driving, UPUA will partner with Penn State Transportation to offer Lyft subsidies. UPUA will fund and distribute 200 Lyft ride subsidies valued at $15 each, available from Thursday, October 30, through Sunday, November 2. This will include rides within a 3-mile radius of Old Main. Students can use the Lyft code: SAFERIDE25 for all eligible rides.

Bill #29-20 Funding for Lyft Subsidies was passed unanimously.

Bill #30-20: Funding for Penn State Votes Debate:

UPUA will host its annual PSU Votes Debate on October 28, featuring the Penn State College Democrats and College Republicans. The UPUA will fund the room booking of Heritage Hall on October 28. Members of the 20th Assembly will handle moderation, facilitation, and event management during the debate, and the UPUA, College Republicans, College Democrats, and the Civic Engagement Alliance will advertise and promote the event.

Bill #30-20: Funding for Penn State Votes Debate was passed with 32 in the affirmative and one abstained. 

Bill #31-20:  Sponsoring South Asian Student Association’s 2025 Diwali Celebration: 

Diwali, the festival of lights, is a significant celebration for Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs. UPUA will sponsor the 2025 SASA Diwali Celebration by funding $1,000 toward live concert setup and production costs. The event will be held on Friday, October 24, at 8 p.m. in Alumni Hall. 

Bill #31-20: Sponsoring South Asian Student Association’s 2025 Diwali Celebration was passed with 32 in the affirmative and one in the negative.

Bill #32-20: Funding for MULA Ball 2025:

The Multicultural Undergraduate Law Association will be hosting the MULA Ball, a formal celebration uniting students and faculty to honor diversity, excellence, and inclusion in the legal field. This bill seeks co-sponsorship of the MULA Ball and allocates $1,000 in funding to support the event. The MULA Ball will be on October 29 at 6 p.m. in Heritage Hall and is open to all through ticketing.

Bill #32-20: Funding for MULA Ball 2025 was passed with 28 in the affirmative, three in the negative, and two abstained.