Class boards work to promote student spirit

Planning social activities for the University's nearly 10,000 undergraduates is no easy task. But the four class boards have the job well under control. Each of the boards has been active this year in planning social events to promote class unity and spirit, according to board members. The Freshman Class Board has already completed many successful projects this year, according to Freshman Class President Clive Anthony Correia. In its first fund raising effort of the year, the board earned more than $1,000 by selling Penn basketball T-shirts, the Wharton freshman explained. The board members designed the shirts themselves, and will apply their profits to the cost of an upcoming freshman social event. On Saturday, the freshman board is hosting a gathering at the Newman Center during the Penn/Penn State basketball game in Atlantic City. Students will be able to watch the action on a big-screen television and enjoy free refreshments. The board's long-term goals include a Class of 1999 homepage and a freshman semi-formal. Correia said the board is also planning a finals tutorial session on December 13 for last-minute cramming and refreshment. The Sophomore Class Board is also planning a study break on December 13, which will be held in Steinberg-Dietrich Hall. According to Sophomore Class President Brett Lasher, his board "got off to a slow start, but is getting better." Between 100 and 125 people attended the first sophomore activity, a showing of Ace Ventura 2 at Cinemagic 3 at Penn in late November, the Engineering sophomore said. In the future, the sophomore board hopes to sponsor a community service day, perhaps in cooperation with Habitat for Humanity. Lasher also said the board plans to develop a tradition specifically for the sophomore class. "The seniors have Ivy Day, the juniors have Hey Day, the freshmen have Convocation," he said. "The sophomores need a tradition for themselves." The Junior Class Board spent most of the fall semester planning for Homecoming, said Junior Vice President of Corporate Sponsorship Jason Brenner, a Daily Pennsylvanian columnist. The juniors will spend most of next semester coordinating Hey Day, added Brenner, a College junior. According to Senior Class President and Wharton senior Lenny Chang, the seniors will soon be planning for their traditional end-of-the-year class events. They will be selling Class of 1996 hats and planning senior screamers for the spring as a part of the annual Feb Club. The senior class board has already sponsored several successful screamers, Chang said. The next one is planned for 10 p.m. on December 12 at Smokey Joe's. Chang noted that the tightly-knit senior board is also planning a ski trip to the Poconos after winter break.