Peter Sowa & Matthew Sabo

   

Biography
Pete Sowa is a sophomore (Finance & Economics) from Media, PA. He attended Penncrest High School, where he became an “All-State” musician on the saxophone, placing second in the state of Pennsylvania. He also plays the saxophone in the Penn State Marching Blue Band, where is also a squad leader. In addition to the Blue Band, Pete performs with the Pride of the Lions Basketball Pep Band, where he is the saxophone section leader. He also serves as the Vice President of the Penn State Networking Club. Pete is also a member of other organizations such as the Economics Association, the Penn State Investment Association, and the Blue & White Society.

Matt Sabo is a sophomore (Economics) from Delmont, PA. He attended Franklin Regional High School, where he served as his high school’s drum major. At Penn State, Matt recently completed his first year as the Drum Major of the Penn State Marching Blue Band. Matt performs the two ceremonial front flips before the start of each football game. Sabo is also an active participant in Blue Band Thon. He has also performed with the Symphonic Wind Ensemble and the Symphonic Band at Penn State. He is the President of the Penn State Networking Club. Matt is also involved in other organizations such as the Gymnastics Club, the Blue & White society, and the Economics Association.


Platform
Having been unsatisfied with the progress UPUA has made since its inception, Pete Sowa and Matt Sabo promise to make strong changes in how you, the students, are represented.

Understanding your frustration concerning UPUA, we are committed to changing the status quo. By working constructively with the school’s administration and the student body, we will advocate increased responsibility of UPUA, to produce a substantial change.

By demonstrating effective leadership within the Penn State community, Pete and Matt are ready to give you, the students, what you deserve: an effective student government.

We have identified the three most important issues we want to solve. We will:

  • Advocate University Park preference in allocating student football tickets. Incoming freshmen ought to have only the ability to purchase a three game ticket package. This will increase the number of full-season plans available for next year’s non-freshmen.
  • Increase the hours of operation of CATA buses. Offer service past 2:30AM on weekends. Let’s get students home safely!
  • Increase awareness of Greek contributions to the Penn State community. The Greeks do much more for the community than hosting parties.

We have also identified several other uniquely important issues to the community. We will:

  • Stress the necessity of better snow-removal services. Students shouldn’t have to brave unsafe sidewalk/street conditions.
  • Increase the hours of Penn State Fitness Centers. We believe they should open earlier, and close later, to properly accommodate students’ schedules.
  • Send e-mail alerts to students reminding them when their course scheduling is to occur.
  • Increase collaboration between UPUA and the Greek community. Have a Greek seat on the UPUA assembly, and vice versa.
  • Not allow the administration to take away Paternoville. Let’s keep our tradition alive!
  • Offer students the option to bill bookstore purchases to their bursar account.
  • Attempt to ensure uniform food pricing across campus. A cheese steak at the Big O shouldn’t cost 233% more than the same cheese steak at Redifer.
  • Create more student feedback and interaction between UPUA and students. An ANGEL group in which all students are enrolled in would be effective at gaining student input.
  • Create a counsel to the Faculty Senate in which student representatives from each college serve in an advisory capacity.

We also recognize that our plan is only half the battle. We need to be able to effectively solve, and respond to issues as they arise.

In an informal survey conducted by Pete and Matt, we polled 50 University Park students. We asked them, “Can you name one thing that UPUA has done this year?” Not one could mention a single thing! Let’s turn around the poor image of UPUA, and actually get important things accomplished next year. It’s time for a change! It’s time for Sowa & Sabo.

www.sowasabo.com


Other Involvement/Time Commitments

Sowa:
Penn State Marching Blue Band (Squad Leader), Pride of the Lions Basketball Pep Band (Section Leader), Penn State Networking Club (Vice President), Economics Association, Investment Association, Blue & White Society

Sabo:
Penn State Marching Blue Band (Drum Major), Penn State Networking Club (President), Economics Association, Blue & White Society, Gymnastics Club