The Student Committee on Undergraduate Education -- charged with advising the school on issues related to curriculum -- selected its next governing board Tuesday night.
The organization will be led by College junior Farrah Freis. She will replace outgoing chairwoman and College junior Samantha Springer.
"I knew Farrah was someone I could trust to get the job done no matter how big or how small," Springer said, also noting that Freis' age will be a positive factor in her leadership. "That will have an impact ... that extra year of maturity will only help our committee."
Freis faces a number of pressing issues in her new position. Most importantly, SCUE will be studying the College curriculum, which is under review as the pilot test program comes to an end.
Freis was enthusiastic about the new Penn administration's willingness to work with SCUE on such issues.
"They are really incredible toward us," Freis said, "and I think that together, we can put some concrete stuff behind the topics that are predominant in the university."
Other matters SCUE plans to address include the publishing of the White Paper -- a public document published every five years by the group summarizing SCUE's accomplishments since the previous White Paper. Because much of the student government body's activity is not released to the public, the papers are one of best opportunities for SCUE to engage the community.
SCUE will also focus on undergraduate research, interdisciplinary education and Education Week. The week of events, which will held later this spring, will encourage Penn students to get involved in their education.
SCUE also has "a lot of student groups that [they] want to engage and work with to create good solutions," according to Freis. She noted that the organization is eager to work with student groups who are particularly interested in diversity.
Freis, who has served on a number of SCUE subcomittees, is looking forward to the coming months.
"We have the momentum after doing a thorough evaluation and the White Paper," Freis said. "We can really put some positive changes forward."
Also elected to the SCUE board were Vice Chair Danielle Qi, Treasurer Jeremy Gaspar, Secretary Jenny Stellar and Steering Members-at-large Phil Berkman and Gabe Kopin.
"I'm really excited. It's a great group of people. Almost all of them are experienced and know what SCUE is all about," Freis said.
