UA sets aside funds for safety proposals

The Undergraduate Assembly addressed concerns about safety during its full-body meeting Sunday night. The UA's Safety and Security Committee presented a two-part proposal that would give money to both University Police and Penn Watch -- two organizations that needed more money to start up new safety projects on campus. Penn Watch, a student-run group, asked for funding to help start up its operation that will put student volunteers on the streets to patrol certain areas for safety. Penn Watch Chairperson John Brightbill said students need to be equipped with flashlights, radios and remote scanners, as well as with identifiable fluorescent apparel. The Office for the Vice Provost of University Life has already allocated $2,000 to Penn Watch, said Treasurer Steven Schorr, a College freshman and Daily Pennsylvanian sports writer. The Graduate and Professional Student Assembly also donated $600 to Penn Watch's cause. Before voting separately on the different parts of the proposal, an amendment was proposed to give the total amount of $2,227 from the UA's Bullseye fund to Penn Watch. The amendment was suggested as an alternative to the original proposal because several UA members felt that the group should not be allocating money to non-student groups. Other members believed the money was being allocated to a group that will improve campus safety, and therefore, students would be benefitted in the long run. "I thought the debate was actually sort of irrelevant either way," said UA member Seth Gribetz, who is also on the Safety Committee. "It was a non-issue since the goal is to increase safety," the College sophomore said. "Everyone should have had safety in mind." Another UA member on the Safety Committee, College junior Lance Rogers, agreed with Gribetz. He said University Police should also receive funds, despite the fact it is a non-student group. The entire safety proposal -- giving money to both Penn Watch and University Police -- was finally passed by a majority vote, at which time, UA member Josh Gottheimer proclaimed, "the UA has done something!" Jeremy Chiappetta, vice chairperson of Penn Watch, said the $627 his group received from the UA was definitely a step in the right direction. "I think it's exceptional of the UA to allocate from the Bullseye fund since security concerns are at an all-time high," said the College senior. Penn Watch was founded three years ago, said Brightbill, but was originally run by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs. Starting this year, though, Penn Watch will not be limited to Greek students. "We'd like to work with everybody," Brightbill said. "There's an illusion or joke about us being cowboys or something, but it's definitely a two-gender thing." Brightbill said faculty members and graduate students alike could sign up for the list of volunteers, which currently has approximately 20 members. The University Police Department was given $1,600 toward the purchase of two police bicycles. Gribetz said the UA would throw a fundraiser, along with the Interfraternity Council and the Panhellenic Council, in order to raise enough money for the remaining eight bicycles that the police need. "I think Penn Watch can work in unison with Penn Police to insure safety," said Rogers. The UA also voted to give its 15th seat on University Council to Secretary Mosi Bennett. After debating over seven different proposals, the UA voted until only the top-two proposals were left. The runner-up proposal would have given the Council seat to a member of UA who would serve also as a United Minorities Council liaison.