The University Park Undergraduate Association passed a resolution to install staplers and hole punches into high traffic computer labs on the University Park campus at this week’s general assembly meeting.
The meeting began in typical fashion with reports by UPUA President Courtney Lennartz, and UPUA Vice President Katelyn Mullen (junior-supply chain and information systems).
Lennartz (senior-health policy and administration) discussed the success of efforts by the State Patty’s Day Task Force. According to Lennartz, an official statement analyzing the success of the task force’s efforts will be released in the near future.
Preliminary numbers that were reported indicate a 37 percent drop in arrests, with 247 total arrests this year compared to 394 from last year, according to Lennartz.
The number of students treated for alcohol poisoning at Mount Nittany Medical Center also dropped from 72 in 2012, to 52 in 2013.
Lennartz also discussed a recent student leader round table meeting, and upcoming meetings with executive vice provost candidates.
Lennartz’s report was followed by reports by Mullen and various UPUA liasons, after which Election Commissioners Hannah Kendig (junior-economics and political science) and Paul Ferrera (senior-finance) were confirmed with a 30-3-1 vote by secret ballot.
Both Kendig and Ferrera spoke to the assembly about why they believed they were suitable and impartial candidates, also elaborating on their past experiences with student government.
“Both candidates came through Internal Development, and were interviewed,” said Internal Development Chair Dray Krishnan, expressing his full support for Kendig and Ferrera in front of the assembly.
Also discussed was Bill No. 02-07, which creates a Stapler and Hole Puncher Program and was passed unanimously by the general assembly.
The bill, submitted by At-large Representative and Student Life Committee Chair Justin Laskowski (sophomore-philosophy) and On-Campus Representative Caleb Fernandez (sophomore-communications), calls for 11 electronic stapler/hole punching devices to be installed in high traffic computer labs on campus. The program will require $2201.46 in funds, which will come out of the Student Life Committee budget.
“This was something we tried last year, but the program failed because the devices were stolen, lost, etc., so this year we’re working directly with ITS for permanent installation,” said Laskowski.
The bill received a large amount of support from the assembly.
“I really think this is a quality piece of legislation that allows us to provide a basic service to students for a pretty low cost for the utility,” said Chair of the Assembly Spencer Malloy (senior-agroecology and philosophy.
Also passed unanimously was Resolution No. 19-07.
“Basically this is a resolution to address problems a lot of students come into contact with across the board when interacting with [the Information Technology Department],” said Laskowski, who along with Student Life Committee Representative Rishi Mittal (sophomore-finance) was responsible for introducing the resolution to the assembly.
The resolution calls for the Student Technology Advisory Committee to “investigate and address the top ten concerns facing University Park undergraduate students in regards to information technology.”
The passing of the resolution was followed by reports by the Chief Justice of Arbitration, the Chief of Staff and Executive Officers, and UPUA committee chairs, after which the meeting was adjourned.
