The University Park Undergraduate Association held a work-session on Wednesday night in place of its weekly assembly meeting.
“Basically, we’re holding it since it’s the second to last meeting of this legislative session, to ensure that committees can finish projects they’ve been working on, and ensure that they get carried out,” UPUA Vice President Katelyn Mullen said.
The work-session’s goal was to provide opportunities for individual UPUA committees to discuss legislation to propose to the general assembly at next week’s meeting, Mullen (junior-supply chain and information systems) said.
The meeting’s structure was different than typical UPUA general assembly meetings, with each committee — Internal Development, Diversity, Governmental Affairs, Student Life, Academic Affairs and Facilities — at a separate table discussing issues that they hope to address in the next week before the final meeting of the session.
The internal development committee discussed plans to propose amendments to constitutional bylaws at next week’s meeting, including changes to the current attendance policy, and potentially purchasing a safe to help UPUA manage their assets, according to At-large representative Elias Warren (junior-management).
The student life committee’s main focus was discussion of legislation it would like to propose to support sexual violence awareness week. Also discussed were plans to host a finals frenzy at Heritage Hall or Alumni Hall to help Penn State students through finals week by providing them with materials such as pencils, blue books and food from various local restaurants, according to Student Life chair Justin Laskowski (junior-philosophy).
Governmental Affairs plans to propose legislation to regulate Capitol Day, as well as to cosponsor a debate among political organizations on campus.
Discussed by the facilities committee was legislation for next week to get CATA maps printed for common areas on campus.
The decision to hold a work-session meeting was made by Chair of the Assembly Spencer Malloy in accordance with UPUA bylaws.
“I consulted with the steering committee, so all the committee chairs, and everyone thought it was a good idea and was on board,” said Malloy (senior-philosophy and agroecology).
According to the UPUA bylaws, “Attendance of the General and Work-Session meetings of the Association is mandatory for all members of the Assembly, Assembly Staff, Department Directors, and the Head of the Board of Arbitration.”
The meeting also included a brief presentation by Penn State Grassroots Director Alan Janesch, who discussed the importance of Capital Day, which will be held on April 9 this year.
