SGB to bring ‘power flower’ to campus in spring

Students running low on battery power will have a new place to charge up next semester.With the creation of a campus “power flower,” students will have access to outlets to charge their electronics as they engage in a sustainable public art project.

The Student Government Board — responsible for distributing funds from the more than $2 million Student Activities Fund — discussed the sustainability project and upcoming SGB election before about 10 people gathered for the public meeting in Nordy’s Place of the William Pitt Union Tuesday night.

Board member Julie Hallinan said that she and Board member Gordon Louderback have received a contract to build a power flower — a piece of sustainable public art that generates electricity through solar panels — for student use, but that they have not worked through the specific cost of the structure. Student Affairs will fund the project, which will take two months to design and develop.

The power flower will be designed by local artist Dave Edwards and will be built from one of the black tables that sit in front of the Union, with a pole extending from the table’s center and solar-panel petals reaching out from the top.

While the petals have the capability to also act as a turbine, Louderback said most of the electricity extended to the battery base will be generated by solar power, and the turbine will not be utilized to create the most cost-effective design.

Louderback said that the design has no set structure, which will give them the opportunity to create a piece with a true “Pitt feel.”

“We are working to make sure that it is affordable, reusable and reflects Pitt as a piece of art on campus,” he said. “It can have a light-up logo at the top, LED lights in its design, and it’s going to look really nice — not to mention it’s artistic and fully usable.”

Hallinan said she is excited for the project that she and Louderback have been working on since before they were elected Board members, and said that she feels it will “spice up” campus.

“This can be a big attraction for students and for tours that are given around campus,” she said. “Sustainability is a big thing not only for students, but for [Vice Provost and Dean of Students Kathy] Humphrey, administrators and the Pittsburgh community, as well.”

Board President James Landreneau announced that next week’s public meeting will be canceled because of Thanksgiving Break and that the Allocations Committee will not be meeting Thursday night to hear budgets because of the SGB election. He also encouraged students interested in getting involved with SGB to submit Allocations applications by Tuesday, Nov. 20.

Board member Olivia Armstrong urged students to vote in Thursday’s election, reminding them that all projects and initiatives take time to complete.

“You may not see the fruit of our labors, but it is coming,” Armstrong said.

Board member Halim Genus agreed with Armstrong’s comment, adding that student apathy will not bring any changes to campus.

“People say that SGB members don’t do anything, but we represent students, and you want people like us in these chairs to represent you all,” Genus said.

Elections Committee Chairwoman Annie Brown said that a candidate video will be playing on screens across campus starting today.

Students can vote electronically for five Board members and a president on the my.pitt portal from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday or in person at campus polling stations in the lower level of the William Pitt Union, Market Central, The Perch and in the Litchfield Towers Lobby. Students can find a guide highlighting candidates’ goals on the SGB website.

“I hope this crowd is not indicative of our voter turnout Thursday,” Brown joked to the empty chairs and sparse gathering of people.

Allocations

Panther Club Field Hockey requested $695.20 for lodging expenses for nationals in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The Board approved $632 and denied $63.20 in line with the Allocations recommendation for a readjustment for a tax estimate that was included.

PantheRaas requested $2,140.60 for registration, transportation and lodging expenses for a competition. The Board approved the request in full.

The Rainbow Alliance appealed a line item from their budget for their annual drag show. The Board approved $788.27 for show costs and costumes and denied $752.98 for disposable items.