As the start of the semester approaches, the Undergraduate Assembly is gearing up for what board members promise will be an eventful year.
After getting back from a summer spent traveling through China and Capitol Hill, respectively, UA Chairman Jason Karsh and Vice Chairman Wilson Tong sat down for a chat with The Daily Pennsylvanian.
Karsh, a College senior, and Tong, a College and Wharton senior, discussed their plans for the upcoming year, how to get in touch with the UA and why dancing in front of the mirror is worthwhile.
The Daily Pennsylvanian: So, what were some summer highlights?
Jason Karsh: I went to Beijing and got to live with a Chinese family. [It was] quite a way to change your perspective on how we all live so differently over here.
DP: Any good stories?
JK: Er . I'm not sure if any would be DP appropriate.
DP: What about you, Wilson?
Wilson Tong: I was in D.C., working for the Democratic National Campaign Committee, and then I was in New York, working with the president of the Manhattan Bureau.
DP: And what did the UA do over the summer?
JK: There was a lot of brainstorming. But for the most part, just like the rest of the University, the UA takes a recess.
DP: Have the UA's goals changed since last year?
JK: Our momentum has built up . because we're more excited about making changes.
DP: How will the UA be more accessible to students?
JK: We already started with YouTube - I made an intro clip for NSO. We want to spread town-hall meetings to Hill [College House] or the [Quadrangle].
WT: I am working with UA Steering groups and reaching out to umbrella student groups. Meetings will also include an open forum, in which any student can join in the UA's discussion.
DP: What else is the UA doing for NSO?
JK: Providing information on how to get involved with student government. We'll have a booth at [Tuesday's] activity fair.
DP: What's your biggest challenge this year?
JK: Getting students to want to reach out back to us.
WT: Raising the awareness of the UA . trying to see what types of things will resonate with students so that they'll want to be engaged.
DP: What is the best way to contact someone from the UA?
JK: E-mail any UA rep or go to one of our meetings. Even Facebook us.
DP: Would you say you're given celebrity status on campus?
JK: No .
WT: I don't think people place a face to a name.
DP: Even despite your important role on campus?
JK: No, I only feel famous in front of my mirror dancing. But, hey, I guess everybody does.
