New chair to redefine focus of UA

Tal Golomb wears khakis. Using the slogan from a recent GAP advertising effort, the khaki-clad College sophomore captured the attention of students last fall with his unusual campaign slogan. But his more serious commitment to student government brought his name to the forefront, recently earning him the title of chairperson of the Undergraduate Assembly. Golomb began his career on the UA with a freshman year election and continued his service as the UA's representative to the University Council Steering Committee. Golomb explained that to be an effective UA member, one must maintain focus on the job. "The key is knowing what you can do on the UA and how you can use your position to empower students, because it really is a unique organization on campus," he said. As chairperson, Golomb said he would like the body to stick to issues it has the ability to change. He also said he hopes to refocus efforts toward constructive problem solving rather than simply complaining about issues. "The biggest difference that I really want this body to understand is what type of things the UA can do," Golomb said. "Instead of just complaining about safety, [we can] help out a group like Penn Watch or work on community relations." Golomb, a History major, is very involved in community service through the West Philadelphia Improvement Corps. His main project involves technology training programs that show teachers how to make use of computer resources at their schools. Golomb noted that since he came from Ridgefield, Conn., a small all-white town, his parents took responsibility for instilling a sense of community responsibility in him. "My father is a rabbi and my mother is involved with Connecticut Legal Services, so I come from a tradition of providing service and also just being socially conscious," Golomb said. In high school, Golomb and his friends were involved in a program called "Safe Rides for Youth" that provided door-to-door pickup on Friday and Saturday nights to prevent teenagers from driving while intoxicated. Golomb noted that the new UA has a great deal of work ahead of it. In addition to tackling issues like the collegiate planning system, safety, Residential Living and Dining Services, Golomb said he would like the UA to take a more visible presence on campus. "You see [the Student Activities Council and the Social Planning and Events Committee] being attached to most activities on campus," Golomb said. "The UA has to see what type of things it can get involved with -- things like Celebration of Culture and Unity Week. It's a real shame that the student government doesn't try to get involved." Golomb said he would also like the UA to rethink how it communicates with students, possibly by attending residence hall meetings rather than going door to door. Golomb also explained that although he encourages increased communication with student groups, he does not believe that groups like the United Minorities Council should be given a seat on University Council. "[University Council] is meant to represent the issues that affect its constituents, and if the UA is failing in that job -- which I think it has -- that is our responsibility," Golomb said. Besides meeting many interesting people, Golomb said the best part of being on the UA is finding a goal and achieving it. "The best is when you really figure out how to use your strengths," he said. "Once you find your vision and you really see yourself working on that, that is the best thing about student government." Golomb said his relationship with former UA chairperson and College senior Lance Rogers could be symbolized by the video game rivalry between the two. "We were just sitting around one time in the UA office and I challenged him to Daytona Racer," Golomb said. "We made different bets, like the loser had to call the winner the Daytona Racer champion for the whole meeting." Golomb won, forcing Rogers to refer to him as "The Daytona Racer Champion" for an entire UA meeting. He recalled that some of their bets were so "dicey" that they both would lose intentionally so the other person did not have to keep the bet. So who wins? "I kick his butt in Daytona all the time," Golomb said. "But sometimes we cheat."