The University Park Undergraduate Association weekly meeting focused on discussions regarding the elections code and upcoming UPUA elections.
The meeting opened with a special presentation by Internal Development Committee Chair Dray Krishnan about a new, streamlined Code of Elections.
Krishnan described the code, beginning with the preamble. The code is “subservient to the constitution” of UPUA, he said.
The new code, which is shorter than the old code, featured a few changes, Krishnan said.
One change for the 2013 elections made attendance to a “Meet the Candidate” session a necessary component, he said.
In previous years, attending a session of “Meet the Candidate” was not mandatory.
Krishnan went on to outline the revised code, which contained guidelines for eligibility, registration, campaigning, election procedures and the choosing of elections commissioners.
The code was presented to the assembly so that members could vote to enact the code with a two-thirds majority vote.
However, the idea was met with strong objections from several assembly members.
Off-campus representative Anthony Christina voiced his concern that assembly members were not given adequate time to review the code in order to make an informed vote.
Christina said he felt a new code was unnecessary and the assembly should keep the current code.
He said, in regards to nearing election, that “the point of no return” has passed, so there is not enough time for a new code.
It is necessary to “focus on elections,” Christina said.
At-large representative Ryan Brown said he objected to the new code because it was introduced 3 weeks before elections.
Members introduced and passed a motion to delay the enactment of the elections code.
Krishnan said the new code will be reviewed and some “friendly amendments” and small changes will be made.
Chair of the Assembly Spencer Malloy said the new code will be sent to the assembly through the listserv and changes will be made.
Malloy said he hopes there will be “strong discussion” regarding the code at next week’s meeting.
Krishnan said the elections code would be brought to the floor again.
According to the elections code, there are two executive offices available – president and vice president of UPUA.
Available assembly offices include six at-large representatives, eight on-campus representatives and fourteen off-campus representatives.
Also available in the assembly are offices for every academic department, the Schreyer Honors College and the Division of Undergraduate Studies .
Registration for elections will take place during the seventh and eighth weeks of the academic year.
UPUA elections will be held during the twelfth week of the academic year.
Off-campus representative Anthony Christina was also confirmed as a new member of the Facilities Fee Board. He was confirmed with a vote of 28-3-0.
Vice President Katelyn Mullen read the president’s report because President Courtney Lennartz was unable to attend the meeting. The report stated that the video for State Patty’s Day is complete and should be released Monday, Feb. 11.
