Leaders network at reception

Student leaders from 55 major student organizations on campus met at an informal reception last night in an effort to form more coalitions between University student groups. The reception, held in the Houston Hall auditorium, was co-sponsored by the Undergraduate Assembly and Larry Moneta, associate vice provost for University life. During the hour-and-a-half reception, student leaders took turns introducing themselves, and UA Chairperson Jeff Lichtman and Moneta each briefly addressed the assembled leaders of University-wide organizations. "We together make up the Penn experience," Lichtman told his enthusiastic counterparts. "All of our activities do impact on one another." Moneta said it was exciting to "watch the power in this room - power in the coalition [of student organizations]." "For the most part," Moneta told the leaders, "your [own personal] agendas are shared visions by most of you." Vice Provost for University Life Kim Morrison and Director of Student Life Fran Walker also attended the reception. Lichtman, a College senior, appealed to the chairpersons to send letters to University Trustees which encourage the building of the Revlon Center, a proposed new student center. The UA supplied each attendee with a model letter which they may or not not use as a prototype. "It's an important tool to begin networking so people can put faces to names and names to faces," said United Minorities Council Chairperson Pamela Urueta. "A lot of us have similar agendas." Tamar Climan, Performing Arts Council chairperson, also thought the reception was a good idea. "I've met people that I would have called but I haven't gotten around to it," said Climan, a College senior. "[This reception] gives people a good chance to make connections," said Norbert Hsu, chairperson of Students for Asian Affairs. "I've met a couple of people [who I didn't know before]." Members of the UA said that the reception, the first of its kind, was a success. "We can now all work together for the betterment of the University," said UA Member Jeff Lowe.