SGB changes next meeting day, time because of national election

Students walking into Nordy’s Place next Tuesday will be met with a different crowd than usual.

Instead of the eight members of the Student Government Board delivering reports and reviewing Allocations recommendations, a general election student watch party will monopolize the William Pitt Union lounge.

SGB President James Landreneau announced to the 15 or so people gathered for Tuesday’s public meeting that next week’s meeting will be rescheduled for Monday at 8:00 p.m. in Nordy’s.

“This is underlined and bolded,” Landreneau said, stressing the change. “It will not be conducive for us to be talking up here about allocations requests at that time.”

With SGB elections approaching on November 15 and a new Board expected to be sworn in at the beginning of the spring semester, the number of meetings remaining for the current Board to complete their objectives is limited. At last night’s meeting, the Board looked to the future, addressing specifically the status of the Collegiate Readership Program and the SGB elections.

Landreneau first provided a glimpse of the next meeting, reporting that there will be a discussion concerning the Collegiate Readership Program.

As it stands, contract renewal for the program, which provides all non-College of General Studies undergraduates with a Pitt ID copies of The New York Times and USA Today, must be approved or denied by the incoming Board soon after they assume their positions in January.

Landreneau reported that he met with representatives from the newspapers for a quote to temporarily extend the program contract. The new contract would extend the program into spring to provide the incoming Board with more time to survey the program and decide on its renewal for the future. Landreneau chose to table the Board’s vote on the topic until next week, at which time he will know the official cost of the contract extension.

Elections Chair Annie Brown encouraged students to attend the SGB presidential debate from 5 to 7:30 p.m. in Nordy’s Place on the day of the national presidential election.

“There will be food — if you need a better reason to come,” Brown said about the Nov. 6 debate leading up to the Nov. 15 Student Government Board elections. “We still have about 17 exciting more days.”

Brown said that the Elections Committee is working to publish an electronic voter guide, which will be published on the SGB website and the my.pitt portal this Sunday.

Public Relations Chairwoman Shannon Held agreed with Brown, saying that SGB is working to increase the transparency of candidates around campus, as they work to get more sophomores and freshmen who typically don’t vote to do so.

Board members extended their good-luck wishes to students around campus, as Board member Megan McGrath referenced the upcoming SGB elections and Board member Alex Murdoch referenced a more frivolous competition.

“We were in your shoes a year ago — and it can be really stressful — but everyone has been doing great,” McGrath said, discussing current SGB campaigning efforts.

Murdoch took on a more jocular tone as he referenced students who may participate in letting their facial hair grow in the upcoming month.

“Best of luck to all kicking off ‘No Shave’ November on Thursday,” he said.

Allocations

Phi Alpha Delta requested $1,798.76 for the costs of a conference and a night of lodging. The Board approved $1,107.92 and denied $690.84 in line with the Allocations recommendation for attendance adjustments and a few days of lodging deemed unnecessary due to “shared responsibility.”

Panther Belly Dancers requested $575.47 for the costs of costumes for events for next semester. The Board approved the request in full in line with the Allocations recommendation.

Pitt Club Cross Country requested $2,008.80 for the cost of lodging and transportation for their national meet. The Board approved $1,779.80 and denied $229 in line with the Allocations recommendation to adjust for the number of hotel rooms rented.

Pitt Ballet Club requested $1,577.45 for costs concerning their yearly performance of “The Nutcracker.” The Board approved $1,417.45 and denied $160 for miscellaneous costs.

Hindu Student Council requested $2,631.20 for costs to host their annual event celebrating Diwali. The Board approved the request in full in line with the Allocations recommendation.

Lady Panthers Soccer Club requested $9,254.07 for the costs of lodging, registration and travel for a national tournament in Tennessee. The Board approved $7,037.04 and denied $2,217.03 for cost adjustments.