2.16

1. THE UNIVERSITY PARK UNDERGRADUATE ASSOCIATION
The Pennsylvania State University
16th Assembly
2021 – 2022 Session
Policy #02-16
April 28, 2021
Be it decided by the Assembly of Student Representatives,
having been brought to the floor by the Committee on Steering,
a
POLICY
Creation of the Department of Committee Relations
Nature of the Situation:
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Historically, the University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA) has had an informal system
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of connectivity between the Executive and Legislative branches, respectively. These conduits
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were conceived in the form of Directors of Committees and Coordinators of Committees (i.e.
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Director of Student Life and Coordinator of Justice and Equity).
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This has led to disconnection between both branches, which has impeded communication and
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progress within the UPUA. To ensure a codified and sustained system that can progress acts of
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the Assembly and ensure cohesive effort, it is vital to establish a system that can generally
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connect both Branches. To increase efficacy, the following changes are recommended:
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Recommended Course of Action:
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It is recommended to establish the Department of Committee Relations, which will contain the
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Executive Boards for all five (5) of the Standing Committees. This Department will be housed in
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the Executive Branch but be tasked with supplementing the legislative committees’ logistical and
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operational matters.
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The Chief of Staff will serve as the Executive Director of the Department of Committee
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Relations. Additionally, the five (5) Executive Board Directors shall be considered members of
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the Executive Cabinet. Through their interactions in the Executive Cabinet, it will facilitate
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communication between the Executive and Legislative Branches for increased collaboration and
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efficiency.
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The University Park Undergraduate Association makes the following changes pertaining to the
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UPUA Constitution as seen in [Appendix A] and the changes pertaining to the Bylaws and
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Operational Code as seen in [Appendix B].
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The revisions to the Constitution are highlighted below:
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Change:
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Amended: March 17th
, 2021 April 21, 2021
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Change:
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§10.2.3 Directors, Committee Coordinators, Judicial Clerks, and Staff Members of any
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Branch or Subsidiary may be retained for a term at the discretion of their respective
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Branch head given that these members remain eligible Members of the UPUA.
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Add:
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§6.3.11 The Department of Committee Relations shall be a permanent Subsidiary of the
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Executive Branch. The Department, with its members, shall fulfill function to:
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cl. i Host the Departmental Staff of each standing CORE committees.
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pt. a The Departmental Staff shall be led by Directors, who shall be
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granted the same responsibilities and rights of Executive Directors.
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cl. ii Facilitate communication between the various Departments of the
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Executive Branch and the standing CORE committees.
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cl. iii Assist the logistical and operational aspects of the standing CORE
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committees’ various projects, programming events, and initiatives.
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Add:
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§6.3.12 Department Membership and Executive Staff:
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cl. iii Chief of Staff:
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pt. a Is considered the President’s chief Executive Staff Member.
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pt. b Is in charge of coordinating the business of the Executive Branch
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as prescribed by the Chief Executive Officers.
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pt. c Will fulfill the role of Acting Executive Director of Finance and
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therefore serve as UPUA Treasurer, should there be a vacancy for the
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position of Executive Director of Finance, and given that the application
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for Executive Director of Finance be made public no less than 48 hours
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following the swearing-in of the UPUA President, or, notice of resignation
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from the Executive Director of Finance.
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pt d. Will simultaneously fulfill the role of Executive Director of the
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Department of Committee Relations and will be responsible for managing
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the Department.
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Adjust section numbers accordingly.
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[See Appendix A]
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3. The revisions to the Bylaws are highlighted below:
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Change:
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Amended: March 17th
, 2021 April 21, 2021
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Adjust section numbers accordingly.
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[See Appendix B]
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Respectfully submitted,
Sydney Gibbard
College of Engineering Representative
Speaker of the Assembly
Samantha Browne
At-Large Representative
Chair of Student Life
Steering Vote: 5/0/0
Assembly Vote: 36/0/0
Speaker of the Assembly ________________________________________________
President of the Student Body ________________________________________________
The University Park Undergraduate Association
Erin E Boas