The top two vote-getters in the recent Undergraduate Assembly election will face off for the position of UA chairwoman tonight.
Current Vice Chairwoman and Wharton junior Cynthia Wong and University Council Steering Representative and College junior Rachel Fersh -- who have both served on the body since their freshman years -- are competing to replace current Chairman Jason Levine for the 2005-2006 Executive Board.
The 25 newly-elected UA members will vote on the positions of chairperson, executive vice chairperson, vice chairperson of external affairs, treasurer and secretary during an open transition meeting at 7:30 p.m. tonight in Houston Hall.
Both candidates already have plans in store for the upcoming year.
Improved communication between the UA, students and administrators and increased accountability were two of the main goals cited by both parties.
Both candidates hope to achieve accountability by meeting frequently with student leaders and top administrators to discuss issues at more regular intervals and possibly holding other student government branches accountable through the budgeting process.
In addition to maintaining strong relationships, Fersh said she hopes to encourage more students to attend meetings next year by personally inviting student group leaders to attend meetings when they may have an invested interest in a specific proposal.
"I really want the name Undergraduate Assembly to be a more common household name," Fersh said. "I think that the UA does a lot and it's a problem that students don't know about it."
Wong -- who has also served on the UA's budget committee and as education committee chairwoman -- emphasized the importance of getting more non-voting UA members involved through committee work, and following through on proposals.
"There's no point to a project if we're not going to implement it appropriately and efficiently," Wong said.
Fersh and Wong both claim different leadership styles which they believe will make them the best woman for the job.
Wong emphasized her professionalism and the breadth and depth of her knowledge of both the body's internal and external affairs.
"My personal mark is one of strong drive," Wong said.
Fersh highlighted her ability to listen.
"It's important for a chair to be someone who is extremely approachable and someone people feel they can trust," Fersh said, saying that her strong grasp of the big picture and ability to effectively empower the body are her greatest strengths.
