Lichtman rises from fluke start to UA chair

New Undergraduate Assembly Chairperson Jeffrey Lichtman's start in student government was a fluke. In the spring of 1990, he placed 17th out of 15 College representative spots, but was appointed during the summer to fill a position vacated by a member who resigned after the person who placed ahead of him transferred. Lichtman's quirky rise to the top continued when the College junior was elected to fill the vacant Nursing University Council seat this past year, Lichtman said in a statement. Although his rise to the UA chairmanship resembles Gerald Ford's rise to the presidency, Lichtman has paid his dues in student government. In his first year, Lichtman points out that he led the UA's PennCard Committee, helping to improve the card's use, and was instrumental in collecting signatures for a petition to keep tuition down. This past year, Lichtman served as treasurer of the UA and chairperson of the UA's Budget Committee. He was also an ex-officio officer of the Student Activities Council Finance Committee, which oversees the allocation of funds to over 100 student groups. Lichtman also points to his facilitating of a Joint Co-Sponsorship Board for activities betweemn SAC and the Social Planning and Events Committee. Some of Lichtman's present and past co-workers said this month they are optimistic about the future of Lichtman's leadership. Former UA steering board member and current UA-SAC liason You-Lee Kim described Lichtman as "someone willing to listen to all sides of the story." College junior Kim also praised Lichtman for his outreach plan to foster better communication between the UA and students. "It's about time someone did it," she said. "But I think it will take more than the effort of one leader." Lichtman's vice-chairperson, College sophomore Kirsten Bartok, also said she thinks highly of Lichtman. "[He has] always impressed me with his competence and dedication in dealing with student issues," she said. This year's UA Chairperson Mitchell Winston said, "Jeff is an extremly competent leader. He is knowledgeable and willing to work hard to get the job done." Student Committee on Undergraduate Education Chairperson Hallie Levin noted immediately after Lichtman's election earlier this month that he has a "new sense of realistic, achievable, valid goals" for the future. High expectations are set for Lichtman, and UA members and students are now waiting to judge if Lichtman's rise to the UA helm was also a fluke.

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