Although UPUA's Five Year Strategic Plan of the Association proposes the dissolution of some on-campus organizations, representatives from several of the groups said they haven't been contacted about the proposal.
The plan, which outlines long-term goals for the University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA), was passed at its general assembly last week.
"Why wasn't everyone spoken to? I don't know. I mean, there's no particular reason for that, to be honest," UPUA Internal Development Chairman Justin Waddell said.
According to the plan, UPUA is seeking to dissolve the Student Organization Conduct Committee, the HUB-Robeson Advisory Board and the student advisory board for the Paul Robeson Cultural Center. The group also hopes to oversee policy and approve elected members for the Student Programming Association and the University Park Allocation Committee (UPAC).
In addition, the plan calls for an end to university administrative involvement with the Cabinet of Student Leaders; a stronger voice in Student Affairs policies; and the integration of Legal Affairs and the Off-Campus Student Union (OCSU) into UPUA.
Waddell (senior-economics) said the plan is intended to guide future UPUA administrations.
OCSU has been an independent organization for the past several years, but it was once controlled by the Undergraduate Student Government, said Adrienne Giannone (junior-film), OCSU vice president of development.
OCSU President Doreen Strauss (senior-psychology) said it seems UPUA is just trying to take over the organizations.
"I'm just speaking for myself and not the other student leaders, but the assumption is all these organizations exist and are functioning very well, but UPUA's not trying to learn about them," said Strauss, who also serves on the Cabinet of Student Leaders.
OCSU members voted Monday to reject the potential merge. Strauss said Waddell, also an OCSU member, was the only member who did not reject the initiative.
Strauss said OCSU rejected the plan because it is still developing as an organization and because UPUA needs to work more with OCSU.
UPUA President Hillary Lewis said the plan is "not intended to make anyone feel like we're going to do a hostile takeover." She said she had been informed that OCSU was "on board" with the plan.
Lewis said cohesion between on-campus groups is necessary for effective student representation.
"This plan is more ... to focus on student-centeredness," she said, "but how can you be student-centered when half of the students are appointed by administrators?"
UPUA's plan also seeks to dissolve the Student Organization Conduct Committee, which meets with groups that violate university conduct. The committee began formally hearing cases in January. If dissolved, the UPUA Board of Arbitration will assume its duties.
The committee's co-chairman Joshua Peles (junior-crime, law and justice) said he didn't know about the plan until it was passed, adding that his organization felt "almost disrespected."
Waddell said the Student Organization Conduct Committee's duties are "traditionally ... part of the elected student government."
While UPUA recognizes UPAC, which controls funding allocation of the student activity fee, as an independent organization, UPUA is seeking to oversee its policies and approve its elected members.
UPAC Overall Chairman Dan Green (senior-supply chain and information systems) said UPUA is already involved with his organization. Lewis serves on the Student Activity Fee Board.
Green said yesterday that UPUA members had not approached him formally about the plan, but he and Lewis plan to speak about it this afternoon.
