With seven days of grueling orientation coming to an end and the first day of classes under their belt, members of the Class of 2004 prepared for yet another adventure -- student government. Representatives from the campus' six different student government organizations gave pep talks to a group of 60 freshmen in Logan Hall last night. The interested students learned about the different groups and also got information on the upcoming freshman elections, which will take place the first week of October. Undergraduate Assembly Chairman Michael Bassik, a College senior, started off the evening by advising the incoming class to get the best out of their Penn experience. He concluded with a short speech, encouraging freshmen to get involved on campus -- specifically with student government. "Now is the time to get involved," Bassik said. "Don't let the opportunity pass you by." Other speakers included Nominations and Elections Committee Chairman and Wharton senior Nick Goad, UA Vice Chairman and Engineering senior Malhar Saraiya and Student Activities Council Chairman Jay Haverty, a Wharton and Engineering junior. The lineup also included Social Planning and Events Committee President Theo LeCompte, an Engineering senior, Student Committee on Undergraduate Education Chairman and College senior Josh Wilkenfeld and Senior Class President Ray Valerio, a College senior. Each of the representatives briefly explained the duties of their respective organizations and how to get involved. Some mentioned their recent accomplishments. Saraiya, for example, discussed the addition of outdoor basketball courts and the new financial aid plan concerning low- or non-paying summer jobs. LeCompte mentioned the upcoming visit by Bill Maher at Irvine Auditorium next Friday night, sponsored by SPEC. Finally, Wilkenfeld discussed the joint effort between the UA and SCUE to extend freshman orientation from three days to seven days this year. At the conclusion, College junior Anne Hankey, NEC vice chairwoman, discussed the upcoming freshman elections. Balloting will run from October 5 to October 10, and the NEC will announce the winners on October 11. The UA members said they were quite pleased with the night's event. "I think it went very well and people were very interested," Saraiya said. "We should get a very good turnout during election time." Bassik was equally content with the number of interested newcomers. "It was a great opportunity for freshmen to learn the ins and outs of student government," Bassik said. "We're trying to reach out to the freshman class and show them what is offered here at Penn." Freshmen said they were excited about getting involved on campus and liked the speeches. "They kept it short and the format was great," College freshman Mehreen Zaman said. Freshmen also liked what came along with the speeches. "There was free stuff and it was informative," Engineering freshman Meeraj Gupta said. "They gave us food and these cool flyers.
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