Accomplishments from the week of October 30

International Student Financial Aid Resolution- In this resolution, the UA affirmed the importance of a socio-economically diverse international student body and the indispensable role of financial aid in ensuring this diversity, committed to partnering with Alumni Relations both to raise awareness of the financial need of international students and commits to partnering with Alumni Relations both to raise awareness of the financial need of international students and raise funds for this specific purpose, and urged the University to continue increasing international student financial aid based on the success of University fundraising efforts and to move towards need-blind admissions for all students, including international students, within a reasonable time frame. Questions about this project? Contact our Speaker, Cynthia Ip, at speaker@pennua.org

As always, you can find everything discussed at this week’s meeting here: https://docs.google.com/View?id=dnhzxtk_17d6xf3sdt

Accomplishments from the week of October 23

Flu Vaccine Clinic- The UA co-sponsored the 2011-2012 Penn Flu Vaccine Clinics. Thus far, SHS has administered flu vaccines to nearly 2,000 students via 3 successful mass immunization clinics. They hope to vaccinate about 1,000 more faculty, staff and students at their last clinic on Thursday, October 27^th at the ARCH. The UA, through marketing and “working the Walk” was key in spreading the word about the flu clinics and helped to significantly boost attendance. This collaborative effort, which involved student volunteers, student- and campus-organization co-sponsors, and Student Health staff, will likely serve as a model for future public health interventions at Penn. Questions about this project? Contact our Student Life Director, Jon Monfred, at studentlife@pennua.org

Holiday Absence Policy Resolution- This resolution encouraged professors to observe the University’s policy on religious holidays. Working with PRISM and the Council of Undergraduate Deans, this resolution created a letter to be sent to the faculty reminding them of the policy at the beginning of each semester. Questions about this project? Contact our Academic Affairs Director, Abe Sutton, at academics@pennua.org

Federal Government Pell Grant Funding Support Resolution- The UA affirmed support for the Federal Pell Grant program and sent a letter to Sen. Pat Toomey and expressed to him the importance of Pell Grants to students at Penn. Questions about this project? Contact our President, Tyler Ernst, at president@pennua.org

As always, you can find everything discussed at this week’s meeting here: https://docs.google.com/View?id=dnhzxtk_153×2hgdf

Accomplishments from the week of October 16

Penn Park Tennis Court Fees Eliminated! The UA worked with Penn Athletics to remove the user-fee for undergraduates at the Hamlin Tennis Courts of Penn Park. We are happy to report that it will no longer cost $5/user per hour of reservation. That said, it is extremely important to remember to still make a reservation before using the facilities. One can do so here: http://penntenniscenter.com/reservations.html Questions about this project? Contact our CPE director, Dan Bernick at cpe@pennua.org

As always, you can find everything discussed at this week’s meeting here: https://docs.google.com/View?id=dnhzxtk_9fw9ms2g9

Accomplishments from the week of October 2

Fraternity Recycling Completion- The UA is thrilled to announce that OSFA has created the signs to go on all recycling dumpsters and will be distributing them via the eco-reps program along with an information campaign about how to make the most of the recycling possibilities at Penn. Questions about this project? Contact our HSF Director, Sam Bieler at hsf@pennua.org

New Penn Apps Labs project- The UA voted to prioritize the creation of an online funding application, which would let student groups apply for event funding in one centralized location. This will lead to more resources for student groups, less waste of your group’s time, and most importantly, groups will have easier access to more money from more funding sources. Questions about this project? Contact our Online Services Coordinator, Matt Rosenberg, at online@pennua.org

As always, you can find everything discussed at this week’s meeting here: https://docs.google.com/View?id=dnhzxtk_13hfp8c3fw

Major Changes Coming to Penn Dining

After listening Penn students voice their concerns about dining , the UA is thrilled to announce that after much lobbying and advocacy on behalf of the student body, changes are coming to the way YOU dine. Here are four major points:

1) Taste of Penn Dining Event- This event sponsored by Penn Dining and the UA will allow students on dining plans to vote for foods that they would like to see in our dining halls. This is a great gesture on the part of Penn Dining and it will truly be your voices being heard.

2) New Dining Plans! Based off of student feedback from the UA and focus groups, there will be a major restructuring of dining plans. Plans will now be reduced, more customizable, and incremental additions will be available. Here are the plans:

Freshman Plans

• EAT Plan (Eat AnyTime)- Unlimited meals and $100 dining dollars
• BEN Plan (Balanced and Eating Naturally)- 370 meals and about $425 dining dollars total
• BFF Plan (Best Food Fit)- 200 meals and $800 dining dollars

Upperclassmen Meals

• OMW Plan (One Meal Works) – 175 meals and $1,150 dining dollars
• CAP Plan (Club and Activities Plan) – 100 meals and $1200 dining dollars
• FIT Plan (Food In Time) 75 meals and $700 dining dollars
• GTG Plan (Good To Go) 50 meals and $2,o00 dining dollars

3) New Dining Hall in McClelland- In partnership with the College Houses, Penn is creating a new and expanded dining experience at McClelland which will expand dining options for over 1400 residents of the Quad. The renovations of McClelland occurred during the summer of 2011 and will open on Thursday, September 7th. Cafe hours are below:

Full service: Monday – Friday 8 am to 8 pm

Express and retail grocery: Monday through Thursday 8 am to 10 pm; Friday 8 am, to 8 pm

Saturday and Sunday, Full service, express and retail grocery – Noon to 6:30 pm

Options include:

• Staff to prepare food while you wait (crepes, omelets, pasta toss, etc.)
• Continental breakfast (waffles, fresh fruit, yogurt)
• Toast and bagel bar
• Salad bar and soup station

There is also be a grocery and express food section with grab and go salads, sandwiches and sushi.  Also created is new soft seating and additional tables and dining space designed for maximum flexibility to accommodate a variety of uses.

4) Dining Advisory Board- Thanks to student feedback and the hard work and dedication of our student life committee, the UA recently passed the Dining Advisory Board Resolution. The DAB is composed of students from different organizations and stakeholders such as Hillel, MSA, RAB, and the College Houses who will meet regularly with representatives from Penn Dining, Bon Appetit, and Business Services. The dining advisory board will improve the quality of dining for student at Penn so that you can have it your way.

Want to get involved with great change like this at Penn? Have any ideas you want to share? It’s easy! The UA wants your feedback, so please make sure to check out pennua.org/outreach and get involved!