Chancellor Mark Nordenberg began yesterday’s Senate Council meeting by commending the recent… Chancellor Mark Nordenberg began yesterday’s Senate Council meeting by commending the recent efforts of Pitt students. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘We are lucky to attract the students we do,’ said Nordenberg. ‘They have caring hearts as well as active brains, and they are building bridges to the world around them.’ ‘ ‘ ‘ The first-ever Pitt Make A Difference Day brought about 2,000 students together at the end of October to volunteer at sites around Pittsburgh. ‘ ‘ ‘ Nordenberg also applauded students for turning out in record numbers to vote last Tuesday. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘It was our wish of students to become more involved in the electoral process, and that happened last Tuesday,’ he said. ‘ ‘ ‘ Though students waited in long lines to vote, Student Government Board President Sumter Link reminded the Council of the 2004 elections during which voting took place only in Towers Some students waited up to six hours in lines stretching from the Towers lobby, across Forbes Avenue and into Posvar Hall to cast their vote. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘The student turnout was impressive,’ said Senate President John Baker of this year’s election. ‘ ‘ ‘ Nordenberg said that he was inspired as he watched the local news coverage of Pitt students flooding the streets after election results were announced. Both Nordenberg and Link commended the Pitt police and Pitt students for their appropriate behavior. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘We should not take for granted that we have a culture of behavior grounded in respect,’ he said. ‘We’re lucky to have it, and I hope we never lose it.’ ‘ ‘ ‘ Nordenberg congratulated the University on being ranked as a top recipient of federal science and engineering research and development obligations. ‘ ‘ ‘ Pitt ranked sixth among the top 20 U.S. universities, according to the National Science Foundation’s annual survey, based on figures for fiscal year 2006. ‘ ‘ ‘ Every $1 million in research and development spending generates 36 jobs. Pitt spent more than $641 million in research and contributed to the health of the local economy by creating about 23,000 local jobs, he said. ‘ ‘ ‘ But he said that the times are challenging and unpredictable and that ‘colleges and universities are not insulated from the economic decline.’ ‘ ‘ ‘ Pitt, however, remains in a ‘relatively good position’ because it ‘has been conservative in the management of resources.’ ‘ ‘ ‘ Though the future is uncertain, the year ahead will bring a reason for celebration, he said. ‘ ‘ ‘ The Cathedral of Learning lights up at night as Pittsburgh awaits the celebration of its 250th anniversary. ‘ ‘ ‘ The Cathedral will see another reason for celebration as the Turkish American Student Association nears its $15,000 fundraising goal for a Turkish Nationality Room. The Association recently raised $1,400, the Council reported. ‘ ‘ ‘ The Senate Council also discussed upcoming December deadlines of four student scholarships given through the College of General Studies and other scholarships for books provided to children of Pitt faculty through the Staff Association Council.