SGB votes in Schaefer, talks athletics

Before starting last night’s town hall meeting to discuss athletics, the Student Government… Before starting last night’s town hall meeting to discuss athletics, the Student Government Board unanimously voted junior Erin Schaefer to replace erstwhile board member Joshua Carl, who has yet to publicly address his resignation.

Schaefer was selected out of eight candidates, who endured a much shorter than normal election process.

While candidates usually must win the majority vote of the student body, this special situation called for only a majority vote from the SGB to join the board.

“I don’t think it’s the ideal way to be elected,” Schaefer said, “but I’m looking forward to the opportunity to serve the student body.”

Schaefer said that she will not run for a board position in next month’s elections.

“In this situation, there was a position that needed to be filled and I was the best candidate,” she said. Schaefer was previously the SGB governmental relations committee chairwoman.

Once Schaefer settled into her new seat with the rest of the board, president Shady Henien opened the floor to students, who had the opportunity to express their concerns regarding Pitt athletics.

Interim athletic director Donna Sanft and other representatives from Pitt’s Athletic Department were present at the meeting to address students’ concerns.

Issues addressed included the relationship – or lack thereof – between club sports and the Athletic Department, student interest – or disinterest – in Pitt athletics and the new Pitt Panther logo.

“The changing of logos is not on the table to be done,” Sanft said.

Sanft said that the vastly negative student response to the new logo – which numerous students in attendance compared to an otter – was “eye-opening to the Athletic Department.”

But Sanft defended the department’s decision.

“You obviously can’t run an Athletic Department based on a vote,” she said.