As an indirect result of the UA’s lobbying the past year, Information Systems & Computing (ISC) has reconsidered its position on mandatory phone service in college houses and will no longer be charging students for the ‘10-’11 academic year. This is real savings – the money is going nowhere but back to your own pocket. That means $30 off your student bill per semester (if you live on campus), and if you consider the 7,100 students and residents who were previously required to use the service, that’s a total savings of $426,000 off of required residential billing next year! 
(Rumor has it that Lady GaGa and Beyonce created this song in celebration of this new policy change.)
After months of discussion, the Penn Garden has been given a semi-permanent location on campus: directly west of Rodin College House. Interested students have been working to start seeds for transplant as soon as the garden is completed, as well as other students discussing other operational aspects of the Garden. Furthermore, the Garden committee plans to submit a Management 100 project application for a group of freshmen to work on the Business and Organizational Plan for the Garden next fall. Project members are currently working to ensure the garden is staffed over the summer, and are installing a leadership structure for next year.
Last December, the UA funded a recycling bin pilot program, providing all residents of Fisher-Hassenfeld with a free recycling bin. The distribution kick-off party was held just last Sunday abuzz with free food, rubber ducks, and bins. If gauged successful, it is our goal to implement this on a much larger level. Stay tuned!
After meeting with Housing & Conference Services to address bathroom cleanliness, agreement was reached in principle to have adhesive stickers printed and put in the corner of bathroom mirrors in the Quad with the emergency number by which a number of different issues can be addressed. In the long term, we are working with Facilities to improve Facility Focus and explore the feasibility of a UA online form, in tandem with FacilityFocus servers, that would allow a more simple and intuitive submission of bathroom issues.
At yesterday’s Sunday General Body Meeting, the UA passed three documents. You can find the full meeting minutes here!
Through the Omnibus Recycling Resolution, the UA:
Supports efforts to fortify the student infrastructure for recycling,
Supports efforts to standardize recycling systems as well as material regarding on- and off-campus recycling,
Encourages University departments and centers to purchase recycled and recyclable plastics and paper,
Encourages the University to make use of its scale,
Encourages implementation and improved usage of Greek-recycling programs,
Encourages the University community to consider the true cost of products in their decision-making process.
Directs collaboration with other groups on ongoing recycling efforts.
In the ASL resolution, the UA
Affirms that American Sign Language is equivalent to spoken languages in complexity, cultural richness and educational value, and
Calls on the Wharton Undergraduate division to allow all foreign languages, including American Sign Language, to fulfill the language requirement.
Finally, the Bylaws Amendment:
shifted the duties of allocating certain seats amongst the NEC, SCUE, and the UA.
Categories: Academic Affairs, Housing, Sustainability, and Facilities, New Business, News Tags: Alec Webley, Andrew Roberts, Becca Elman, Dan Sanchez, GJ Melendez-Torres, Matt Amalfitano, Mike Chen, NEC
