SGB inaugurates new board members, president

The new president and Student Government Board members reflected on what Chancellor Mark… The new president and Student Government Board members reflected on what Chancellor Mark Nordenberg called “the good, the bad and the ugly” of 2009 at last night’s inaugural SGB ceremony.

The newly elected members, the outgoing Board members and many student and faculty campus leaders met in the Lower Lounge of the William Pitt Union for the inauguration and reception.

Those in attendance included Nordenberg, Dean of Students Kathy Humphrey and SGB elections chair Sarah Heisey, who hosted the event.

Board member Molly Stieber said she felt anxious before the ceremony began.

“There’s a lot of work ahead, but we’ll be a united front,” she said.

Nordenberg thanked the retiring Board, reiterating the triumphs of the year, as well as “the ugly” — citing Mayor Luke Ravenstahl’s potential tuition tax and the G-20 Summit aftermath.

He asked the audience to remember that “even in a large and complex institution it is the students that are at the heart of what we do.”

Former SGB President Kevin Morrison also addressed the audience. He said he enjoyed working with his former board and “the people [he] respects.”

Incoming Board President Charlie Shull thanked his friends and his girlfriend before discussing the “important growth” the 2009 board made. He noted that he implemented Symplicity, a student group management system.

Change like this “starts with an idea by a student who then brings it to the University,” Shull said.

The 2010 SGB began its journey with an oath to uphold Pitt’s constitution and promote the concerns, interests, needs and welfare of the student body.

Each member stood and repeated the oath after Shull in front of the audience.

Humphrey said she is excited to work with the new board.

“My role is to be supportive and to listen to concerns. I try to assist them in any way,” she said.

Former board member Nila Devanath said she has faith in the new board.

She said the new board consists of all fresh faces and will be a more cohesive unit.

Shull said he couldn’t discuss specific goals the new board wants to accomplish, except that the board will try to increase its professionalism toward the administration.

“I can release more after the retreat,” he said.

The group will have a retreat this weekend at an undisclosed location. The two-day trip will allow the board to get to know each other, Shull said.

At the end of the ceremony, Shull encouraged students to reach out to SGB.

“I want to tell students that they can feel confident with SGB and don’t hesitate to come to meetings or the office,” Shull said.

Zachary Bombatch, David Gau, Phil LaRue, Ali Noorbaksh, Laura Paiewonsky, David Petrone and Sam Rezaeian will also serve on the 2010 Board.

Max Greenwald, Nila Devanath, Katlyn Jennings, Alexa Jennings, Lance Bonner, Andrew Freeman, Ada Noh and Shull served as members on last year’s board.