University Park Fee Board
Understanding the Fee Board
The University Park Fee Board
Each year, students pay one comprehensive fee referred to as the “Student Initiated Fee.” In the 2016-2017 academic year, the inaugural University Park Fee Board was formed. The Board heard over a dozen allocation requests from various administrative entities as well as requests from the University Park Allocation Committee (UPAC), which allocates funds to student organizations. Currently, the Board funds over 23 units across the University.
The UP Fee Board is comprised of 13 voting members. The presidents of both the University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA) and the Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA) are members of the Board, and each appoints additional members. The UPUA President appoints three members, while the GPSA President appoints two. The final members of the board are six At-Large members who are selected through an application and interview process held each spring semester. The diverse composition of the Board allows for collaboration and deliberation on allocation decisions.
The Board also contains three non-voting members: the Chair of UPAC, a delegate from the Vice President for Student Affairs, and a delegate from the Senior Vice President for Business and Finance.
The University Park Fee Board
Representatives
Avery Landis
At-Large Representative
Secondary Education Social Studies
I serve on the University Park Student Fee Board to help maximize the impact of the Student Initiated Fee and support initiatives that enrich student life at Penn State.
Jonathan Smith
At-Large Representative
Architectural Engineering
I serve on the UPFB to maximize the impact of the Student Initiated Fee for all students.
Caleb Shuman
At-Large Represenative
Finance
I serve on the UPFB because I want to foster transparency in how the Student Initiated Fee is used and make a lasting ipmact outside of the classroom at Penn State.
Carlos Bennetts
At-Large Representative
Business Management
I wanted to be a member of the UPFB to ensure student fees are allocated fairly and responsibly while gaining experience in budgeting, decision-making, and advocating for the student body.
Ryan Greathouse
GPSA Represenative
Master of Finance
As the GPSA representative, I serve on the fee board to ensure that graduate and professional students have a strong voice in decisions about how our student fees are allocated. I want to help make sure these resources are invested in ways that directly support student needs, enhance campus life, and create a more inclusive experience for the Penn State community.
Ridwanul Hasan Tanvir
GPSA Represenative
Computer Science and Engineering
I serve on the Student Fee Board to help ensure that every dollar of the student fee enhanced the student experience–from wellness and inclusion to research and recreation–so that Penn State remains a supportive and empowering place for all.
Yifan Bu
UPUA Represenative
Finance
I serve on the Student Fee Board as I believe in investing in initiatives that are for the students, ensuring the Student Fee is utilized in the most effective, efficient way possible to benefit every student.
Dhriti Satish
UPAC Chair
N/A
N/A
Megan Soto-Benitez
UPUA Representative
International Politics and Public Relations
To promote fairness and transparency in how student dollars are allocated to support the needs of all students.
Maguire Younes
UPUA Represenative
Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations
I am a part of the University Park Student Fee Board to help students have their voices heard in the fee application process.
Chair and Vice-Chair
Mike Fowler
Chair
Political Science
I serve on the UPFB to help ensure that the student voice is represented and heard when deciding how the Student Initiated Fee will be disbursed. As voting members, we must ensure that the Student Initiated Fee is going to augment student resources in a fiscally responsible manner.
Adam Lieb
Vice-Chair
Integrative Science
I chose to serve on the UPFB as a way to give back to the Penn State community, as well as to help ensure transparency for our student body and the proper appropriation of funds.
UPUA and GPSA Presidents
Rasha Elwakil
UPUA President
Daniil Rose
GPSA President
School of International Affairs
As the GPSA President, I serve on the Student Fee Board to advocate for initiatives that better the out-of-classroom experience for all students at Penn State, both undergraduate and graduate.
Executive Committee
Vanessa Wasden
Chief Strategic Communications Executive
Advertising
I joined UPFB to enhance student awareness of how their dollars are allocated and to clearly demonstrate the tangible impact of those funds on campus programs and experiences.
Shreya Budakoti
Associate Strategic Communications Executive
Economics B.A and Philosophy B.A
I serve on the UPFB because I’ve seen how fee-funded resources shape student life, and I want to help make that impact more transparent and understandable for students. I’m committed to elevating student voice and helping more people see the value of the resources that support our campus experience.
Luke Nyatteng
Chief Budget and Planning Executive
Finance
I want to leverage my passion and knowledge in finance to make a positive impact for students here at Penn State.
Jude York
Chief Administrative Executive
Political Science B.A./ Sociology B.S.
I am a member of the Fee Board because I believe it is important to raise awareness to students of how their student fee supplements their college experience and to make sure that their fee money is spent responsibly.
Karla Zayas-Tatis
Data Analyst
Advertising
I serve on the UPFB because I want to help make student voices heard in how we use their resources.
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