SGB hears almost $30k in allocations requests

Student Government Board allotted less than one third of the $27,000 in allocations requests it… Student Government Board allotted less than one third of the $27,000 in allocations requests it reviewed during last night’s meeting.

The Board denied many of the requests based on precedent. During the one hour and 15 minute meeting, the Board struggled specifically with two large requests that totaled more than $15,000.

The first was a request for the student organization Facilitating Opportunities for Refugee Growth and Empowerment, known as FORGE.

FORGE, whose purpose is to advocate for refugees and the poor, put on an on-campus conference in 2008. The organization now wants to host a follow-up conference at Pitt and requested $5,281.77 to fund a two-day conference with a keynote speaker and two additional speakers.

Historically, the Allocations Committee has not recommended allocations for on-campus conferences because those requests are not in line with the Student Activities fund, said Matt Grau, allocations committee chairman.

The Board approved funds for one keynote speaker after President Charlie Shull said the event could be considered “on-campus programming.”

Board member and President-elect Molly Stieber encouraged the group to meet with her to explore other sources of funding.

The other large request came from Lady Panthers Lacrosse. The team requested $11,631.82 to attend a tournament in California, where the team would compete with the top-10 ranked teams in the nation. The group’s request was sent back to the Allocations Committee for a second review.

Captain Brittany Whiteside said the group already had raised about $4,000 through fundraising. Grau suggested amending its request to a lower amount and possibly raising team dues.

The last order of business was to approve the incoming Allocations chairman, Mike Bane.

In accordance with SGB by-laws, a nominating committee chose the junior to lead the 2011-12 committee.

Allocation Notes:

Students for Life was denied the $1,530 it requested to attend a conference.

Pitt Men’s Club Volleyball received the $800 it requested for organizational dues for the spring term.

FORGE requested $5,281.77 for on-campus programming. It received $3,075.40 and was denied $2,206.37

Some of God’s Children received the $2,037.50 it requested for activities for the upcoming year.

The women’s water polo team received the $801.36 it requested to attend a tournament.

Women’s Fast Pitch Softball Club was allotted the $675 it requested for annual dues.

Theta Tau engineering fraternity was denied the $685.52 it requested for a social event.

Pitt Men’s Glee Club was denied the $663.60 it requested for an event.

The Newman Club was denied the $2,000 it requested to attend a conference.

University Christian Outreach requested $1,068.09 to attend a conference. It received $738.54 and was denied $329.55