The 21st Assembly of the University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA) met Wednesday for two special presentations and to pass four bills and three resolutions.

Speaker Ayden Meise discussed the different types of funds UPUA can access, including where money is spent within the 21st Assembly.

The second special presentation focused on a campus organization called Black Caucus, which provides a safe and uplifting space for Black American students at Penn State.

The 18th Annual Ashe Awards is a notable event the Black Caucus holds in December, allowing members to get together and celebrate one another before the end of the semester. Black Caucus representatives are interested in further nurturing a partnership with UPUA, such as through joint events and initiatives.

Confirmations & Swearing-In

There were no new confirmations or swear-ins.

New Business

UPUA then introduced five bills and two resolutions.

Bill #29-21: What to Fix Day Tabling Event for fall 2026 grants the student body the ability to voice its concerns about campus facilities to its student representative. The tabling events will take place in the HUB November 4 to 6, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Students will also be asked to complete a survey titled “UPUA: What-To-Fix 2026-2027,” where they can share their concerns. Cookies will be provided as an incentive for student participation.

Bill #29-21: What to Fix Day Tabling Event for Fall 2026 was passed unanimously.

Bill #30-21: 21st Assembly Energize with Ezra will give Penn State students the opportunity to speak with Mayor Ezra Nanes.

Nanes represents the Borough of State College and previously earned his MBA at Penn State in 2010. The event gives students a chance to engage directly with Nanes and learn how his decisions affect the lives of Penn State students.

“Energize with Ezra” will take place at the HUB from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on November 12. UPUA will provide Domino’s Pizza for attending students.

Bill #30-21: 21st Assembly Energize with Ezra was also passed unanimously.

Bill #32-21: The Pollock Lend-A-Calculator Pilot Program proposes letting students borrow a calculator for final exams.

UPUA will host tabling events at the HUB during finals week. There, students who need one can check out a TI-30XIIS Scientific Calculator for their exams using the Chaiken Center’s Starfish tablet.

To get a calculator, students must use their student ID on the tablet, and the system records that data on a spreadsheet to track where calculators go.

Bill #32-21: Pollock Lend-A-Calculator Pilot Program passed 31-1-0.

Bill #33-21: Job Preparation Workshop with Worklink proposes to provide Dunkin’ Munchkins for the Worklink session.

Worklink was designed by the College of Education for students with disabilities to earn a two-year certificate by learning how to navigate the workforce.

The Committee on Justice and Equity is holding a workshop with Worklink to help students prepare for jobs from 11 a.m. to noon on November 9.

Bill #33-21: Job Preparation Workshop with Worklink passed unanimously.

Resolution #31-21: Tuition Increase Town Hall proposes hosting a town hall event to help students better understand the University’s financial decision-making.

With rising tuition costs, UPUA hopes that facilitating conversation between students and university leadership will increase transparency while also answering students’ questions.

The event is planned to take place in the spring semester, and a specific date and time are not yet set.

Resolution #31-21: Tuition Increase Town Hall passed unanimously.

Resolution #05-21: Campus Bus Stop Heating Pilot proposes to initiate discussions with Penn State Transportation Services to install heating units at bus stops.

UPUA hopes installing a heating unit will make winter travel more comfortable and accessible for students. If the trial run is successful, UPUA expects to install more.

Resolution #05-21: Campus Bus Stop Heating Pilot passed unanimously.

Resolution #06-21: Support for the Removal of Roadside Automated License Plate Reader Cameras and Further Transparency with Public Safety Leadership proposes that UPUA support University Park & Public Safety’s removal of Flock Safety ALPR Cameras from campus.

In addition to the removal, UPUA proposes not to support any future Flock camera additions to campus. UPUA also plans to strengthen its relationship with University Police & Public Safety to increase transparency with the student body.

UPUA sent a survey to the student body asking for their opinions on the use of Flock cameras. When asked whether they were concerned about privacy, 80% of students responded “extremely or very concerned.”

Resolution #06-21: Support for the Removal of Roadside Automated License Plate Reader Cameras and Further Transparency with Public Safety Leadership passed unanimously.