Freshmen get inside look at student government at U.

Representatives from the six branches of student government addressed a group of about 30 freshmen last night in the Benjamin Franklin Room of Houston Hall. Undergraduate Assembly Chairperson and College senior Lance Rogers opened the meeting and then turned it over to Wharton senior Ning Chi Hsu, the chairperson of the Nominations and Elections Committee. Hsu explained that the NEC is responsible for overseeing UA elections and appointing students to University committees. NEC applications are due tomorrow, he added. Because Student Activities Council Steering Chairperson and College senior Graham Robinson was unable to attend the meeting, Rogers informed the freshmen that SAC distributes $500,000 to 150 organizations campus-wide. Following that, Student Committee on Undergraduate Education Chairperson Satya Patel, a College and Wharton senior, explained that his branch works with the faculty and administration in order to address educational issues. He added that while applications are available later this month, most freshmen do not apply right away. "Most freshmen apply in the spring after they find out what they really hate about the University," Patel said. College senior Nelson Telemaco then spoke about the Social Planning and Events Committee, which plans and coordinates social events for undergraduate students. "We are looking for students with a knack for planning events who want to make a difference and want to have fun doing it," said Telemaco, who chairs SPEC. Then several representatives from the Class Boards explained how they provide social activities for their respective classes as well as school spirit events to the University community. Finally, Rogers spoke about the UA and how to participate in elections. He said students will be able to pick up packets of petitions on September 26, and that elections will be held on October 10 and 11 for the eight available spots. Rogers then opened the floor to questions, which ranged from how much time each activity takes up a week to how can one run for a particular branch. The freshmen seemed to be overwhelmed by all of their options. "I came because I was interested in being involved in some student activities and I thought student government would give me the opportunity to have contact with students and the administration," said College freshman Robin Grossman, who added that she was unsure which branch she was most interested in.