The University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA) convened for the first time of the 2007-2008 school year, with President Hillary Lewis promising to do "beneficial stuff for the university" during the upcoming academic year.

Lewis began the meeting by welcoming the congregation, and proceeded to address such topics as the recent Association of Big Ten Students (ABTS) conference and a July Board of Trustees meeting, both of which she did not attend.

"I've been in contact with ABTS over the last couple days," she said. "It's important that UPUA does foster a relationship with ABTS."

The conference, held earlier this month at University of Michigan, passed a resolution which condemned UPUA's existence, as well as its current constitution, which Academic Affairs Committees chairwoman Katelyn Holmes called a "fiasco."

During the UPUA meeting's open forum, Safeguard Old State executive director Gavin Keirans addressed the congregation, saying that his "goal is to work with UPUA."

"Our goal is to see that this university become more like the [other] Big Ten [schools]," he said. "This year should be a year of production."

The chief of staff position, formerly held by Ricardo Torres who resigned this summer, was also officially appointed to Sean Flynn and Ashley Hill during the meeting.

Flynn, who will be graduating at the end of the semester, was formerly the facilities chairman. Pat Gordon now fills the position.

Attendees present at the meeting said they felt the first meeting kicked off the year in a positive way, despite extensive debates over appointees.

"I think it definitely was a better meeting," said College of Engineering representative Ralph Crivello. "It started off a little bit rough in terms of keeping everyone on the same page. By the end...we did make some significant debate. People got more into the element."

Hill agreed with Crivello.

"I think it went really well," she said. "I'm excited to begin my new position. I'd like to see UPUA efficiently work on the needs for the students."

Gordon was impressed by the debate within UPUA.

"I'm very optimistic about the new year and I think there was good debate, and I expect a lot more for things to come."