Last night in College Hall, approximately 50 students and some administrators gathered for the first annual State of the School Address.
Although the event lacked the morale-boosting sound bites typical to some State of the Union addresses, student speakers seemed to agree that the state of this University is moving in positive directions.
Organized by the Nominations and Elections Committee to serve as a venue for leaders from the six branches of student government on campus -- including each of the class boards, along with the NEC, the Student Activities Council, Student Planning and Events Committee, Student Committee on Undergraduate Education and the Undergraduate Assembly -- the exchange allowed students to communicate their achievements and their aspirations.
NEC Chairwoman Melissa LaVigne said that she realized "there were so many things that the student government organizations were working on that a lot of people had no idea about."
She said that she saw it as "an opportunity to start a new tradition" under NEC's Education Committee.
Although the event was advertised to the entire University, the majority of attendees were involved with student government.
Wharton senior Raisa Patron decided to attend even though she is not involved directly with any of the six groups.
"It's interesting to see what's going on with the student government because I don't know too much about it," Patron said. "It's a good way to reach out to the students and inform them about the school and the government and the different directions they're taking."
Campus leaders used the meeting to stress the importance of student involvement.
"We care a lot about your experience at Penn and about giving you an amazing four years," LaVigne said. "We encourage you to help us make this happen."
Director of Student Life Fran Walker agreed with LaVigne's call for student participation.
"People who are involved in the six branches work very hard," Walker said. "They can do an even better job in the future if the rest of the student body gives them feedback and suggestions."
"Accountability is our top priority," UA Chairman Jason Levy said of the vast measures the UA has assumed to increase their responsibility to constituents.
Levy mentioned that by working with different coalitions and campus groups, the UA has been able to address the needs of a wider range of students.
"Virtually every one of our projects has come forth because of student support," the College senior added.
SCUE Chairwoman Ophelia Roman said that her organization has been working to develop programs that "will bring education to the forefront of people's minds."
Besides reinstating the Penn Course Review with the help of the UA, SCUE has been developing programs that aim to increase students' intellectual commitment in and out of the classroom.
Such programs include improving preceptorials and holding "footnote recitations" where students have the opportunity to discuss class material more thoroughly.
Roman noted that one of the biggest SCUE events is slated for the next semester. "Design Your Education Week" will incorporate a slew of academic activities, including dinners with administrators and a research fair.
SPEC Treasurer Amy Liao said the group's "subcommittees work tirelessly to provide activities that will appeal to a wide diversity of student interests."
The presidents of all four class boards spoke of their successes at planning social events to foster a sense of unity among students.
LaVigne noted the NEC's development as a hub of student government. They have redrafted their Fair Practice Code and have worked to modify student government campaigns so they are more issue-focused.
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