UA members to elect steering committee next week

The newly elected members of the Undergraduate Assembly will meet next week to elect a steering committee. Thus far, only College sophomore and InterFraternity Council Secretary Noah Bilenker has announced his candidacy to be the UA's next chairperson. But Wharton junior Charley Margosian, College junior Meredith Hertz and College sophomore Jeremy Katz have also said they may be interested in running for the position. Bilenker -- who is beginning his third term on the UA -- said his experience and knowledge of the body's committee structure make him the strongest candidate for the position. He added that he wants to focus on alleviating the space problems that the Perelman Quadrangle renovations will cause student groups, strengthening the University's relationship with the city and improving the camaraderie of the student body. Bilenker, a Phi Kappa Psi brother, also said he wants to guarantee the recognition of all student groups, not only fraternities and sororities. But he added that he wanted to establish a committee on Greek issues. Although there has been some question as to whether the predominantly Greek UA will vote to fund InterFranternity Council parties next fall, Bilenker said he does not "foresee a major shakeup of the budget." Margosian -- an Alpha Chi Rho brother who served on the UA before going abroad last term -- said he is undecided as to whether he will run for chairperson or vice chairperson. He said he wants to continue "to do what the UA is doing right" -- but stressed that Greeks have the same interests as other students. And he wants to "make the UA more fun" and improve the atmosphere of its meetings by keeping political bickering to a minimum. College sophomore Samara Barend is currently the only member running for vice chairperson. Barend -- who ran for vice chairperson last year but lost to College junior Larry Kamin -- is serving her third term on the UA. "Historically the UA has had difficulty mobilizing," she said. "I want to bring in other students, which I have started with the tangible change committee, and make sure everyone does as much as possible." Barend added that she would like the UA to expand its role in the future, particularly by helping student groups relocate as renovations continue on the Perelman Quad project. And she said the UA could aid the IFC by either allocating monetary funds or by serving as negotiators between the IFC and the administration. Barend also noted the possibility of a resurrection of former UA member and College junior Larry Kamin's proposal for a $20,000 escrow account to help fund fraternity parties in the fall. College freshman Bill Conway plans to run for UA treasurer. "Our budget is what differentiates us from other branches of student government," he said. "I want to make sure funding is allocated properly." Conway added that he is "willing to walk the tightrope" between funding student groups and the IFC, and suggested paying for fraternity parties with money from the general fee undergraduates pay as part of their tuition. College freshman David Goldberger will the seek the position of University Council Steering Committee representative. Goldberger said he feels strongly about many issues that Council discusses, including the possibility of an additional seat for the United Minorities Council. "I believe the UA is the representative body of the student government," he said. "I don't think it's fair that the UMC should be singled out as the only group given a seat." As proposed, the UMC seat on Council would not be an elected position -- unlike the UA seat on Council. Hertz is also considering running for another term as Council representative. "I want to keep moving in the right direction," she said. "As long as [the UA] represents all students we will be successful." College sophomore Olivia Troye plans to run for secretary. Troye has had secretarial experience on the UMC and Student Activities Committee.