SGB provides update on ICE-related ENS alert initiative at weekly meeting 

Student Government Board provided updates on its proposed ICE-related ENS alert initiative during its weekly meeting Tuesday night at Nordy’s Place.

Board member Kylie Baker said SGB recently met with Pitt Police to request the use of the university’s ENS system to alert students to the presence of federal agents on campus. However, Baker said, Pitt Police declined to implement the request.

“They made it clear to us that they have no plans of doing so,” Baker said.

Baker said SGB plans to continue pursuing this initiative through discussions with the Office of University Counsel. She emphasized the board’s position that ENS alerts would help students, faculty and staff stay informed and make decisions about their safety.

“We really, very strongly believe that we should be doing the most to protect our students,” Baker said.

Baker said the board has been using its social media platforms to share information about reported ICE sightings and is developing a “rapid response” training program which would allow students to act as “legal observers” and “assist however they can”.

President Marley Pinsky encouraged students to attend the third annual Pittsburgh Housing Justice Summit taking place on March 28 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Frick Fine Arts Building. 

“There are struggles that renters across the city face, and we want to come together and unite around fighting for better housing conditions for everyone in Pittsburgh,” Pinsky said. 

Organized by the Human Rights City Alliance, Pinsky said the summit will focus on issues like rent affordability and housing conditions for Pittsburgh residents and Pitt students.

“If you feel like your rent is too high and living conditions are not great for off-campus living, please come and learn how you can make a difference,” Pinsky said. “It is really a space for organizers, students and residents of Pittsburgh to come together and talk about housing conditions.”

Baker also announced SGB’s upcoming Global Food Market on March 23 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the William Pitt Union ballroom and provided details about the event’s programming and purpose. Baker said 15 cultural student organizations will prepare and share food and drinks that represent their cultures, with the event set up in a market-style format to encourage interaction.

“Students can come, talk to the clubs, learn about their culture, and learn about the food,” Baker said.

Baker said the board sees the event as a way to continue highlighting cultural diversity on campus. 

“We just find it really important that we, as a student government, can still promote diversity,” Baker said.

Allocations: 

Students for Justice in Palestine, MENASA, ACLU and Undergraduate Law Review jointly requested $23,500.00 for an on-campus program. The board approved this request in full. 

The Songburghs requested $2,359.00 for a competition. The board approved this request in full. 

Men’s Lacrosse Club requested $4,962.50 for a competition. The board approved this request in full. 

Latinx Student Association requested $3,332.12 for an off-campus program. The board approved this request in full.