The 21st Assembly of the University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA) met Wednesday for a special presentation of UPUA finances, to confirm and swear in new representatives, and to pass two bills.

The meeting opened with a special presentation given by Executive Director of Finance Alison Tawil, who discussed UPUA’s finances.

Following the UPUA finance presentation, President Kat Hogan and Vice President Maria Lopen Vera gave reports.

Hogan highlighted events attended in the past week, including a finance meeting that discussed selling two branch campuses.

She also attended meetings earlier Wednesday night discussing drug and alcohol addiction. Vera discussed the importance of out-of-classroom learning experiences, including discussions with board members on how to improve them.

Confirmations & Swearing-In

The meeting then moved into the new representative section, focused on confirming the at-large representative and associate justice.

Pavel Marin, a political science major, was first.

In his speech, he said student representation is important and that it “deserves to be discussed at the table.” He worked with Pittsburgh public schools to advocate for stronger student representation.

Marin said he’d be willing to work on any committee “that has AI work.” He emphasized that UPUA has to embrace AI’s growth rather than push it aside.

Up next was Satty Prahba, a business analytics and accounting student, interviewing for the position of associate justice.

Prahba discussed how, coming from the business school, she would bring skills she learned at Smeal to better the judicial branch.

After their speeches, the committee voted for both Marin and Prahba. Marin was sworn in as at-large representative, and Prahba as associate justice.

Three others were also called up to the front to be sworn in with them.

Josh Salinas was sworn in as programming director of academic affairs. Elliot Regan was sworn in as programming director of campus operations. Flora Nyakouma was sworn in as programming director of government community relations.

Afterward, the assembly broke into a five-minute caucus breakout.

New Business

The UPUA introduced two bills.

Bill #12-21: Frisbee Fun Day proposes a stress-free afternoon on the HUB lawn Thursday, October 8, from 5 to 7 p.m.

Students would be able to play frisbee and socialize with peers. Frisbee was chosen because it’s accessible and won’t prevent students from joining in.

UPUA recognizes the high levels of stress that come from being a college student and how many resort to alcohol as a coping mechanism.

A statistic stated that “around 90% of students turn to alcohol as a way to cope after a stressful event, and one in eight students report missing an exam due to drinking the night prior.”

To encourage students to come, drinks and snacks will be provided at the event.

The Frisbee Fun Day Bill was passed unanimously.

Bill #13-21: Co-Sponsoring the 7th Annual NAACP Block Party proposes that the UPUA cover the remaining block party expenses alongside the Office of Educational Equity.

The NAACP is holding its seventh annual Block Party on Sunday, October 4, from 1 to 5 p.m. on the HUB lawn.

The party celebrates Penn State’s cultural diversity and introduces first-year students to the diversity within the Penn State community.

Funding would cover entertainment and DJ services, rental and purchase of games and equipment, food and catering for attendees, and event supplies.

Bill #13-21 was also passed unanimously.