Sam Loewner

Biography
Sam Loewner is from Westminster, Maryland – just south of Gettysburg Battlefield in PA. He’s a sophomore majoring in political science who is considering a minor in rhetoric. He keeps busy in and out of classes, following the news about the University and the town. He’s active in charities like the Relay for Life. Sam’s political experience off campus comes from interning with Congressman Roscoe Bartlett; on campus, he has maintained active voting membership in the Liberal Arts Undergraduate Council. Sam works for a branch of the University, Penn State Hospitality Services, at The Penn Stater Conference Center. He enjoys relaxing, reading, movies, and hanging out with friends. One day, Sam would like a career in politics – serving on the staff of an elected official, or working in a Washington think-tank.

Platform
As an Off-campus student representative, I propose to make the meetings of the UPUA as transparent and as open as possible by making sure we take and keep excellent minutes through the use of audio/visual technology. The minutes must then be made available online or some other easy-to-access medium in the UPUA office. In addition to that, I believe that we need to bridge the communication gap between the State College Borough Council and the UPUA. This will help to assure off campus students that their needs are being met on each front. I will do this by regularly attending the meetings of the Borough Council. Lastly, I intend to work towards the creation of the Student – Landlord Resolution program as a joint venture between the Borough and the UPUA. This kind of arena for landlords and students to jointly voice grievances with one another will preserve the safety of people and property, and allow for more pleasant compromises in the event one side of a lease agreement feels shortchanged or otherwise wronged.

• Explore the possibility of a Student - Landlord Dispute Resolution Center (as a joint entity between UPUA legal affairs and the Borough)
• Record (audio and visual) minutes for every University Park Undergraduate Association for all students, faculty, and staff.
• Keep an open line of communication between the leadership of the off campus community and the UPUA

Other time commitments
In addition to the UPUA in the 2008-2009 school year, I will also be participating as an active, voting member of the Liberal Arts Undergraduate Council. I will maintain my job at The Penn Stater Conference Center. In the fall semester, I will also be actively involved in the presidential and other elections taking place in November. If elected, representing the off-campus students will be at the heart of my priorities.