2011 Student Government Board members sworn in office

Shull is out. Stieber is in.

Responsibility for more than $2 million from the Student… Shull is out. Stieber is in.

Responsibility for more than $2 million from the Student Activities Fund changed hands last night in the Lower Lounge of the William Pitt Union as president Molly Stieber and the 2011 Student Government Board took their oaths of office.

Chancellor Mark Nordenberg and a handful of other Pitt administrators attended the cordial SGB inauguration ceremony, along with about 100 of the new Board’s family and friends. Former elections chair Lena Wickenden made opening remarks around 6 p.m., and by 6:24 Pitt’s undergraduate body had nine new student leaders who promised to bring further green innovations and other projects to campus.

Nordenberg made a brief speech after Wickenden, congratulating the 2010 Board on a job well done and inviting the new Board to work hand in hand with the University administration during the coming year.

“If snow is flying and it’s the first week of January, it’s a pretty good chance it’s SGB inauguration night,” Nordenberg said to laughter and applause. “First and foremost, I want to thank the outgoing board for its efforts to enrich the lives of the some 17,000 thousand students here at Pitt. I also want the new Board to know that we are prepared to work with you towards a tremendous new year.”

During his speech, the chancellor took time to commend the outgoing Board on a number of key accomplishments, including launching a student civic engagement month and registering almost 3,000 new student voters.

“For 15 years, I’ve been preaching that student voter registration is among our biggest concerns as a University, and this Board has done as much as anyone else to ensure that Pitt students’ voices are heard in the civic process,” Nordenberg said. “I’m certain that Molly and her colleagues will work to leave the University a better place than it was when they arrived.”

Nordenberg also mentioned the formation of the Pittsburgh Student Government Council, the establishment of the Green Fund and the expansion of eBook options in the Book Center as other significant victories for the outgoing Board.

Outgoing Board members include Zachary Bombatch, David Gau, John Hasley, Kieran O’Leary, Laura Paiewonsky, David Petrone, Sam Rezaeian and Stieber.

Board member John Hasley was the only 2010 Board member re-elected in November. He will serve this term with new Board members Ryan Gayman, Emily Hoover, Lauren Jentleson, James Landreneau, Matthew Riehle, Zach Weber and Alex Zimmerman.

During his farewell address, former president Charlie Shull shared three pieces of advice with the new Board. He said his experiences with the Board show it is vital to “find direction early, exercise your resources and remember to have fun.”

“Above all else I ask you all to always put the students of this great University first,” Shull said.

Shull also offered a piece of advice to all those who attended the formal ceremony: “Help your Board.”

“I know these new Board members will pour their hearts and souls into their work, and I know how important it is that they have support from all of you during the tough times,” Shull said.

Shull then swore in Stieber as the new Board president, who then swore in the new Board members and made her inaugural address.

“Those of you who know me know that I’m not often at a loss for words,” Stieber said. “But trying to express my love for Pitt into words is always difficult.”

Stieber said she is extremely proud of the work accomplished by the 2010 Board, but that she hopes this year will prove to be the most productive SGB year yet.

Chief among Stieber and the new Board’s campaign promises include pledges to increase the number of classes that fulfill general education requirements, further expansion and improvement of the University Book Center and the publication of the results of teacher evaluation surveys.

Other Board members promised to bring technological advances to Pitt, including smartphone applications for access to Pitt shuttle schedules and locations.

The Board’s first public meeting will take place next Tuesday in Nordy’s Place beneath the William Pitt Union.