Demystifying the role of SGB and allocations

By the time most new students arrive at Pitt and learn about Student Government Board, its… By the time most new students arrive at Pitt and learn about Student Government Board, its board members have already spent countless hours planning for them.

SGB consists of one president, eight board members and 11 committees that try to improve student life on campus by bringing students’ opinions to their administrators and by lobbying for change.

SGB President Joe Pasqualichio said that his current board has reached out to students more than some of the previously elected boards.

“This board has been more open to students and more caring,” Pasqualichio said. “This is my third board so I have something to compare it to.”

Last semester, some of the board members tried to gather student opinions by setting up tables around campus and holding public office hours. The board also began holding town hall-style meetings once a month where the board members would listen to students’ opinions about specific issues, like campus safety and additions to the William Pitt Union.

After listening to students’ requests and concerns, SGB members plan to implement a file sharing system, make the Union more comfortable for social activities and build a food service center in Lothrop Hall during the upcoming school year.

Besides acting as the student body’s voice, SGB allocates the Student Activities Fee to the rest of the student organizations at Pitt.

Each incoming and returning Pitt student pays $80 per semester to the Student Activities Fee, which SGB and its allocations committee divide among approximately 350 student groups who can use the money for conventions and to fund events.

During the spring semester, SGB voted to take back some of the accountability of student organizations by requiring the groups to appeal to SGB instead of their advisers to move money to different events — a decision that coincides with Pasqualichio’s opinion that it’s students who should control students’ money.

“I’m sure that if administrators [allocated the Student Activities Fee] it would still get done,” Pasqualichio said. “But we are paying for our own activities. We are taking ownership of our activities and student life.”

Students elected the 2005-06 SGB board members during last fall’s semester in Pitt’s first online election. In the past, SGB’s elections committee erected polling centers in places like Towers, the Union and the Cathedral where students could vote for the candidates.

Board members elected in the fall will take office for one year, beginning in January and ending in December.

“The summer is a great time to get things done,” said Pasqualichio, who said that board members can’t always find as much time as they need to implement new policies and make changes while going to class. “Plus it gives you a break in between your two semesters.”

Pasqualichio advises incoming freshmen to join SGB committees if they are interested in leadership. He said that by joining a committee, students develop opinions and ideas about how to change or modify existing policies. Students can then run for a board seat or the president position and be able to execute their ideas.

Pasqualichio also said SGB has more resources than any other group at Pitt, including the ability to fund Pitt-affiliated groups and to help students voice their opinions.

“It’s a full-time job,” Pasqualichio said. “But I absolutely love it. I think it’s the best job on campus.”

The current board members are Jennifer Anukem, Shady Henien, Sheila Isong, Aimee Kleer, Joe Leinbach, Erica Lillquist, Will Powers and Alli Winn. Pasqualichio is currently serving his first year as president.

For more information on SGB go to www.pitt.edu/~sgb.