UA election reform gains support

A proposed referendum that would call for the student body to directly elect the Undergraduate Assembly chair and vice chair for external affairs has sparked strong reactions from many on campus, especially groups represented on UA Steering, the body of student leaders that meets to advise the UA.

The reform was proposed by College seniors Natalie Vernon, the Student Activities Council chairwoman, and Zac Byer, a UA member, who say it would give student groups more of a voice in student government.

College senior Sam Adelsberg, co-chairman of PRISM — an interfaith religious organization — said the referendum would also help the UA better represent groups like his.

Many students still don’t know how the UA works, he said, or even what it does, so the referendum has the potential to democratize campus by bringing the UA to students in a new way.

Adelsberg added that the reform will create new excitement among students during student government elections.

College senior Dennie Zastrow, Lambda Alliance chairman and Daily Pennsylvanian columnist, agreed that the change is necessary, citing problems with the UA’s current internal election process. He wrote a column in the DP to that effect on Sept. 9.

Under the current election system, students can go to the election meeting and ask questions of the candidates, Zastrow said, but there is not always time for every student to speak.

And on top of this, he added, UA members’ minds may already be made up, despite whatever concerns students share.

Latino Coalition chairman and College junior Cris Barrios voiced a similar opinion.

“If the Latino Coalition had a vote, [the UA chair and vice-chair for external affairs] would be compelled to listen to us and what we have to say,” Barrios said.

Zastrow also said the proposed candidate debates will hold candidates accountable, while allowing groups like Lambda Alliance to host a debate and have their voices heard.

Ali Huberlie, a College junior and the Student Activities Council secretary, agreed that a change would keep the two positions more accountable.

One of the more controversial reforms being discussed is not requiring that candidates for the chairman and vice chairman for external affairs positions have any previous experience on the UA to run.

College junior Christiana Dietzen, co-director of the Penn Environmental Group, said it doesn’t make sense for a potential UA executive board member to not have been on the body.

However, Adelsberg said the type of student that would be attracted to the positions would probably be someone who is open to making, or already has made, changes on campus, whether as a member of the UA or a different student organization.

“I can’t see a good reason not to go ahead with this initiative,” Adelsberg said. “I hope that students across campus, both in the UA and not in the UA, will give their entire attention to this proposal and evaluate its merits.”

College freshman and Class of 2013 President Jonathon Youshaei and United Minorities Council chairwoman, College junior and former Daily Pennsylvanian opinion artist Janice Dow both declined to comment, wishing to discuss the matter further with members of their respective groups.

For the proposal to become a referendum, it would require either 200 signatures on a petition or a two-thirds vote by the UA.

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