Despite 10 vacancies, many current members not returning and the possible implementation of University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA), Undergraduate Student Government (USG) Academic Assembly members said they remain optimistic about the assembly's future.
Cathy Neiderer, vice president of programming, said that she will not be returning next year due to scheduling conflicts.
She said the vacancies can be filled, but it is important to get the word out and recruit future members for that to happen.
"I would just like them to be more productive -- fill all the seats and use them wisely," she said.
George Chriss, faculty senator for the Eberly College of Science, will also not be returning to Academic Assembly next year due to his graduation in May.
Chriss said it is too early to determine where the assembly will be in the future.
However, Chriss noted the recent attention from surveys conducted last Thursday and this past Tuesday has sparked student conversation. He said he feels there will always be an interest in student representation.
Jeff Timmerman, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences vice president, will also not be returning due to graduation.
He said that many of the colleges with large, strong student councils, like the College of Earth and Mineral Science, will continue to have representation.
"I think that the people who work in Academic Assembly will continue to do the work it's always done," he said.
Scott Sherbine, faculty senator for the College of Liberal Arts, is another member graduating but said even if USG gets disbanded because of the implementation of UPUA, he will still work hard to make sure academic issues get noticed.
"I hope it still exists in its current form because I think what we do and how we do it is important," he said.
Sherbine's current position is to recruit new members.
He said that he plans to start this task by meeting with the associate deans of colleges who have no current representation in the assembly, like the College of Communications and College of Information Sciences and Technology.
Assembly Faculty Adviser Don Leslie said he plans on returning as adviser next year if the assembly still exists. Regardless of which form of representation prevails, "we hope there's a sub-unit comprised of students interested in the academic side of the house."
Ricardo Torres, faculty senator for the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, also plans to return to the assembly next year and hopes to encourage students in main organizations of different colleges, not just their student councils, to join.
"I have no doubt we'll be able to find people willing to step up," he said.
Torres said he believes Assembly President Ashley Harris and Vice President of Operations Sara Yerger will return as well.
Harris and Yerger did not return multiple phone calls.
