Student government leaders joined together yesterday to speak to freshmen about the possibilities of joining the various boards.
Over 100 students, such as College freshman Elizabeth Guise, attended the event in Logan Hall, in hopes of "getting involved for planning things for the school."
The meeting served to inform students of each of the six distinct branches of student government -- the Undergraduate Assembly, the Social Planning and Events Committee, the Student Activities Council, the Student Council of Undergraduate Education, the Nominations and Elections Committee and Class Boards.
Leading the way was UA Chairman and College senior Jason Levy, who said that he helps control what is considered to be the "overarching branch of student government, [which] is a lot of fun."
The UA helps "lobby administration about serious issues" that impact the Penn student body. In total, the UA has 33 open positions, eight of which will go to freshmen. To become part of the UA, students must obtain 118 signatures from their class, as well as fill out a candidate packet which must be handed in to the NEC office by Sept. 23.
Following Levy, Sophomore Class President Jack Cohen spoke to the freshmen. "It's so exciting to see the future of Penn leadership in this room," Cohen said.
According to Cohen, being a member of one's class board is an opportunity to ensure that "your class has a good time" by organizing class programs such as social events.
Wharton freshman Angela Bianco expressed interest in running for freshman class president.
"I got to know a lot of people around here lately, and I thought it would be fun to run for president," she said.
Like the UA, applications for class board are due next Tuesday. However, the number of signatures necessary for the different class board offices depends on the particular office -- running for president requires the most signatures.
On behalf of the NEC, College senior Melissa La Vigne said that members "sit on the body for your four years at Penn. We run all student body elections, we're the behind-the-scenes people [and] we are the one branch that ensures student government runs smoothly."
While the NEC -- which is not based on elections but rather on an interview and application, due by Sept. 19 -- ensures the fluidity of student government, SCUE controls the workings of education at Penn both inside and outside the classroom.
Meanwhile, SCUE Chairwoman and College junior Ophelia Roman said that "SCUE has been here since 1969. We helped form the pilot curriculum, put laptops in Rosengarten...."
With all these committees in control of academics, the only thing left is the social and extracurricular life at Penn.
"I did student government for four years in high school, and I want to get involved in SPEC because that's the kind of thing I did in high school," College freshman Makeda Kefale said.
SPEC, led by College senior Maahir Haque, helps produce events that unite the University community.
"Anyone who wants can join SPEC," Haque said. "We [also] have the money and we're willing to spend it."
College freshman Matt Malone added that he wants to "get involved in the planning of social events at Penn, and I thought the intro meeting was a good start."
Wharton senior Simon Bland spoke on behalf of SAC, which "plays an influential role in student activities, clubs and societies at Penn." He added that to become a part of SAC, one should get involved with the board of one or more of the 190 officially registered clubs at Penn.
