Last night, Houston Hall's Bodek Lounge was packed with freshmen eager for a formal introduction to Penn's undergraduate student government.
Representatives from the six branches of student government presented themselves to an audience of over 200 excited freshmen at the annual information session.
Penn's student government is comprised of the Nominations and Elections Committee, the Undergraduate Assembly, Class Boards, the Student Committee on Undergraduate Education, the Social Planning and Events Committee and the Student Activities Council.
Online elections for freshmen UA and Class Board positions begin on Oct. 2. The other four bodies do not hold school-wide elections to determine their officers.
UA Chairman Seth Schreiberg, a College senior, spoke on behalf of perhaps Penn's most visible government group. There are eight positions available for members of the freshmen class.
Schreiberg claimed the UA had already done a lot for the Class of 2006.
"How many of you have 10 meals [per week]? How many of you would rather have 19?" Schreiberg asked. "Were it not for the UA, you would all have 19 meals."
Senior Class President Billy Moore spoke about the opportunities provided by running for one of the 10 spots available to freshmen on their Class Board.
"You guys work to promote class unity," Moore explained.
SCUE Secretary Phillip Geheb described how his committee works for education reform school-wide.
"We have connections to some of the highest levels in the University," Geheb said. "You can do something right now to make your education more important."
SPEC President Lindsay Jaffe, a College senior, described her branch as the one that plans "all the fun."
And SAC Chairman Simon Bland spoke on behalf of his branch, which allocates funding to over 100 student groups on campus.
"Our mission is to give you guys an awesome extracurricular time on campus," explained Bland, a Wharton junior.
The last to speak was NEC Chairwoman Rebecca Silberman, a College senior.
"We are the administrative branch of student government," Silberman explained. "We are in charge of educating the student body on student government and what it can do for them."
Some students said they came because of their desire to get their feet wet.
"I came tonight because I'm looking for something to get involved in with the school," Engineering freshman Danielle Kuchinskas said. "I want to see if this interests me."
"I'd like to help the student body and bring new events to campus," College freshman Jeff William added.
Many others said they want to continue participating in activities that they enjoyed in high school.
"I was interested in the honor council section of the student government," College freshman Erica Jones explained. "In high school, I was on the high school honor forum, and it was really interesting."
"I was interested in planning," said College freshman Amit Friedlander. "I was involved at my old school, and I want to keep on doing it."
Tables were set up after the information session so that these freshmen could learn how to run for an election or apply for a committee.
The students present were also asked to do something more simple than serve on a committee or run for their class board.
"Its really important to get people to come out and vote," Moore said.
