SGB promotes expressions of Pitt pride

Pitt pride was high on the list of priorities during the Student Government Board meeting Tuesday night at Nordy’s Place.

Board members encouraged students to complete the Princeton Review Survey, sign up for Pitt Day in Harrisburg and attend Chancellor Mark Nordenberg’s Address, which will be held on Jan. 28 at Alumni Hall.

“The Princeton Review Survey is a good way to rate your experience at Pitt,” Board President Gordon Louderback said. “It’s a good way to show off your pride.”

Governmental Relations Chairman Robert Beecher stressed the importance of Pitt Day in Harrisburg, and said that students meeting with legislators in person was crucial to ensuring the financial support from the state that allows for tuition discounts.

“It will keep Pitt affordable and keep the culture alive here,” Beecher said.

In their second meeting of 2013, SGB members discussed their personal projects and had committee chairpersons introduce themselves and speak about their projects for the first time since they were appointed last week. About 40 people attended the meeting.

Louderback updated the Board on the Collegiate Readership Program, saying that there has been a 75 percent pick-up rate since the installation of the swipe boxes that allow students free access to The New York Times and USA Today. Board member David Rosenthal, the readership program liaison, added that the Board members would work to advertise access to the digital versions of the newspapers.

In regard to his personal projects, Louderback said the link for his project-submission program, a way for any student to suggest campus improvement projects via the Board’s group Facebook page, was up and running. He also said that some students have already submitted a few project suggestions.

The rest of the Board members are at work on their projects, as well. Board member Amelia Brause said she was continuing to work with Student Health Services director Marian Vanek to further her efforts on the Healthy U campaign. As part of her efforts on the campaign, Brause previously stated that she would like to expand the campaign to include activities such as half-marathon training and acupuncture. Brause would be meeting with the director of Disability Services to increase resources for people with disabilities on campus. Board member Sowmya Sanapala said she will also be working with Vanek to raise awareness on sexual health on campus.

Brause further mentioned that she was getting started on an SGB Charity Spotlight so that each month, SGB could focus on raising money and awareness for a different charity.

Board member Mike Nites said his project to put the allocations process online was in a trial mode.

“I’m currently testing some of the features,” Nites said, adding that he would be able to give a report on its progress at next week’s meeting.

Board member John Cordier said sign-ups were ready for the Pitt Dance Marathon. Further, Cordier said he was researching ways to put an ice machine in Towers Lobby.

In their new positions, the committee chairs updated the Board on their progress in their individual committees.

Elections Chair Aaron Gish said he was communicating with other Board members to make possible revisions to the elections code.

Mizane Johnson-Bowman, the Environmental Committee chair, said she had reached out to the Student Government Association of West Virginia University and challenged them to a competition for Fall 2013. The competition, called “From Blue to Green,” will urge students to donate jeans that can be turned into insulation for community-rebuilding projects such as Habitat for Humanity.

Bowman also noted in her verbal report that about 600 people filled out a survey rating the Hydration Stations around campus, and that the committee was considering implementing one in the Petersen Events Center.

Academic Affairs Chair Nuwan Perera said that his committee is working on getting more desks placed in the William Pitt Union and extending the hours of study areas on campus.

All the committee chairs encouraged people to talk to them about their committees’ individual planning, as the committees are still newly formed and in the process of outlining their goals.

Allocations:

Men’s Ultimate Frisbee requested $3545.02 for a competition in Florida. The Board approved $2964.40 in line with the Allocations recommendation.

The Pittiful News requested $1,480 for newsprint for their publications. The Board approved the request in full in line with the Allocations recommendation.

Panther Swim Club requested $1982.78 for registration, lodging, and ground transportation for 24 people to go to a tournament at Penn State. The Board approved $1,064.87 in line with the Allocations recommendation.

Women’s Club Gymnastics requested $2,792.07 to rent vans to get to practice. The Board approved the request in full in line with the Allocations recommendation.

Nrityamala requested $3,534.42 for registration, lodging and airfare for 12 people to attend a competition at Duke University. The Board approved the request in full.

Pitt Women’s Volleyball Club requested $715.38 for lodging and transportation to a tournament at James Madison University. The Board approved $669 in line with the Allocations recommendation.

College Libertarians requested $561 for registration, lodging and transportation for a conference in Washington, D.C. The Board approved the request in full in line with the Allocations recommendation.

Panther Hurling Club requested $1,550 for equipment packages. The Board approved $1,337 in line with the Allocations recommendation. Nites abstained.

Chabad House requested $2,153 for a Shabbat dinner on campus. The Board approved $1,845 in line with the Allocations recommendation.

Chabad House requested $768 for advertising, refreshments and Passover kits for its Passover event. The Board approved $395 in line with the Allocations recommendation.