The 21st Assembly of the University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA) met on Wednesday to swear in IST and Black Caucus Representatives, and vote on five new bills.

The meeting began with Vice President Maria Lopez and student liaison reports, as President Hogan was absent for an exam. The committee moved special presentations to after the New Business portion.

Confirmations & Swearing-Ins

Black Caucus Representative Klarha Cajuste and IST Representative Jason Gallo were sworn in.

New Business

First up was Bill #24-21: Supplies for Tabling Engagement. This bill requested funding for stress toys such as fidget spinners, pop-its, and squishies. These toys would replace food, since so many people have different dietary restrictions, making fidget toys more inclusive.

Representative Dugery said this should not have been legislation and should have been discussed internally because of the legislation’s nature.

Bill #24-21: Supplies for Tabling Engagement passed 22-13.

Next on the agenda was Bill #25-21: Distributing Wepa Printing Vouchers. This bill discussed printing costs and how they can add up as classes become increasingly digital. The concept would introduce a voucher with a specific amount of money on it, similar to a gift card. Students could use the card to pay instead of using their LionCash.

Bill #25-21: Distributing Wepa Printing Vouchers passed unanimously.

Following this was Bill #26-21: 21st Assembly Fall Student Council Roundtable. This bill requests funding for the roundtable, which would bring student governments and councils across campus together to work with each other. It would help UPUA understand different perspectives and what it may need to do to support different organizations.

Bill #26-21: 21st Assembly Fall Student Council Roundtable passed unanimously.

Next up, Bill #27-21: Candy for Third Floor Open House. This bill requested funding for candy and other small trinkets for hand-outs, such as squishies and fidgets. The goal is a trick-or-treat-style open house that lets people receive information in a festive way.

Representative Dugery liked the premise, but individuals should keep purchases of food, squishies, and candy within their usual tabling budget.

Bill #27-21: Candy for Third Floor Open House passed 28-6.

To conclude voting, Bill #28-21, Know Your Rights: International Status Education Tabling, was presented. The goal is to create a space where international students can learn about their status under current federal legislation. The table will offer pamphlets and resources in person and online, along with candy and other tabling handouts.

Bill #28-21: Know Your Rights: International Status Education Tabling passed 32-0.

Special Presentations

Special Presentations ended the night with a presentation from Penn State Waste Management, Waste Reduction & Recycling Program Manager Ayodeji Oluwalana. He started his presentation with a recycling quiz that people could join from their phones.

The quiz discussed different pieces of trash and where to dispose of them. Afterward, Oluwalana discussed global waste statistics, focusing on the United States and Pennsylvania.

After explaining that Pennsylvania is a common dumping ground for surrounding states’ waste, Oluwalana discussed Penn State’s waste-reduction goals and its large recycling program, including its initiatives and successes.

To finish the presentation, Oluwalana discussed what students, faculty, and others can do to help, such as downloading the Recycle Coach app and paying attention to waste signs on campus to avoid contamination.