SGB talks voter turnout at meeting

On Tuesday night, the Student Government Board held its last meeting before the members… On Tuesday night, the Student Government Board held its last meeting before the members officially become “lame ducks.”

The Board highlighted Thursday’s elections at its weekly meeting in Nordy’s Place at 8:45 p.m. Two Board members, seniors John Hasley and James Landreneau, will return to the ballot, battling it out for the presidential position, while 16 other students run for the eight Board member seats.

The Board primarily allocates money from the Student Activities Fee paid by every non-College of General Studies undergraduate student at Pitt. The terms run from January to January.

Elections chair Kari Rosenkaimer said that this year, she hopes to increase voter turnout to 25 percent, up from the 19 percent of the student body that cast a vote in the election last year.

“The most important thing we can talk about is the election on Thursday,” Board member Ryan Gayman said. “It’s about you guys getting out there and voting.”

This Thursday, students can vote for SGB candidates from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. through their my.pitt.edu account. On-campus voting locations will also be set up from 9 to 11 a.m. in Towers Lobby, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Sutherland outside of the Perch and 5 to 7 p.m. in Market Central. The election’s results will be announced at 9 p.m. in Nordy’s Place.  

Board member Matthew Riehle urged the audience of about 12 students to promote voting to their respective organizations and help improve student voter turnout.

“I really think 25 percent voter turnout is an achievable number,” Riehle said. “Talk to your students organizations, have your members vote. Talk to your friends and get them to vote.”

Students interested in learning more about the 18 candidates in the running can attend the second “Meet the Candidates” event in Market Central today from 5 to 7 p.m. The candidates’ statements are also available on my.pitt.edu, and the video featuring the candidates’ positions will continue playing on television screens throughout campus.

Hasley said he spoke with Kenyon Bonner, the director of student life, about the transgender housing policy. Hasley said that as of now, the issues of transgender housing will be handled on a “case by case basis.”

Landreneau said that the OCC Honors Society initiation will take place on Dec. 2.

Allocations

Students for Life requested $2,023 to fund transportation to a national March for Life event. The Board denied the request in full in accordance with the Allocation’s recommendation. Allocations chair Michael Bane said the event would promote national solidarity and not programming on Pitt’s campus.

Secular Alliance requested $421.67 to bring a secular issues lobbyist to campus for a speech. The request was approved in full by the Allocations Committee.

Pitt Club Baseball’s request for $1,600 was approved in full. The request will cover the cost of dues for the group’s competitive season.

The Tennis Club requested $5,039.76. The Board approved $2,720 but denied $2,319.76 to rent four courts two hours a week during the fall and spring semesters. The money denied was due to mathematical errors in the request.

The Board approved the Some of God’s Children Gospel Choir’s request for $1,900 in full.

The Allocations Committee approved Pi Sigma Alpha’s request for $306.75 to fund a Harrisburg trip that is in line with the purpose of the organization.

Robotics and Automation Society’s request for $301.35 was approved in full by the Allocations Committee. The funds will cover the costs of necessary robotics supplies.

Pittsburgh Electronic Musicians’ request for $500 to fund for electronic equipment and a performer was approved in full by the Allocations Committee.

Asian Student Alliance’s budget modification request for $2,406.15 was approved in full. This would allow the group to move previously allocated funds toward a better mode of transportation to a regional conference.