At the Undergraduate Assembly’s weekly meeting on Sunday, the UA discussed Penn’s 898-RIDE escort system, potential changes in the school year calendar, the Columbus Boulevard Shuttle project, the departure of two UA members and the annual Budget Recommendations.
College junior and UA Representative Grant Dubler raised the frustrations of securing driving escorts through the 898-RIDE system. Students may not get into a passing van without having called the hotline first, even if they have their PennCards on hand, he explained.
College junior and UA Chairman Alec Webley delegated the issue to the Civic and Philadelphia Engagement committee for follow-up.
Webley also spoke about the University Report, which discussed the possibility that Penn will make the ARCH a named building — a move which is expected to attract “significant donors.”
In terms of major calendar changes, Webley explained that the University is considering various options in order to restore fall break to two days.
Additionally, the New Student Orientation Coordinators have proposed moving the Student Activities Fair out of NSO. The body resolved to submit a position opposing the change to the Council of Undergraduate Deans.
The UA also addressed the developing Columbus Boulevard Shuttles initiative, which would transport students to and from affordable shopping venues.
The UA initially explored the idea as a potential House Council Project and is working together with the Fisher-Hassenfeld and Harrison College House deans. Additionally, the body is now considering seeking corporate sponsorship.
According to College senior and UA Executive Vice Chair Lucia Liu, implementing the program would cost $250 per day. She compared it to a current Harrison program which brings students to the King of Prussia Mall, charging $3 for Harrison residents and $5 for non-residents.
College House deans seemed willing to include non-residents in this program, especially if someone else would help subsidize the cost, according to Wharton and Nursing freshman and UA Representative Sophie Yu.
The body opted to continue considering the program and aims to launch it by the end of this semester or the beginning of next semester.
The UA also discussed College freshman Manya-Jean Gitter’s departure from the body. She did not contest her removal, according to Webley. College freshman Lucia Xiong stepped down because of time commitments, Webley added.
Wharton freshmen Tommy Yin and Andrew Jakubowski will replace them as the two next-highest freshmen vote-getters.
Finally, College senior and UA Treasurer Sakina Zaidi presented the budget committee’s Budget Recommendations to the body. These recommendations will be discussed at the Budget Meeting next Sunday.
