Chase joins race

K. Chase Patterson announced his intent to run for Student Government Board president last… K. Chase Patterson announced his intent to run for Student Government Board president last week, making him the fourth candidate to do so.

Board members Zach Ransom and Joe Pasqualichio, along with former board member Joe Salvatore, have already announced their intensions to run.

Patterson, who ran a failed campaign for board member in 2003, contested the results of last year’s election.

He said that he now wants to bridge the communication gap between SGB and the student body.

“There is no reason members of the student body should not know what’s going on down the hall,” he said.

Patterson said that he wants to clearly identify the short-term and long-term goals of the board when it comes to the daily concerns of the student body by making a “structure for strategy.”

He plans to make the organization more conducive to allowing students to voice their concerns.

“I’ve followed SGB closely,” he said. “There is no general body input [from the students], no function of organization. There needs to be that function.”

Patterson, in his fourth year at Pitt, studies political science and communications. He plans on taking a fifth year and graduating in 2007.

Patterson is on the national board of directors for Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc., president of Pitt’s National Pan-Hellenic Council and a member of the Black Action Society.

“I have been a servant in every capacity of this University. I believe I have the qualities, the experiences necessary, to mobilize the student body. The experience of an active constituent makes the best leader,” he said.

Patterson officially turned in his application to run late last week, setting himself against Ransom, Pasqualichio and Salvatore.

“I think we are all capable of serving in this capacity,” he said. “It will come down to the members who vote.”

He added that his fear of public embarrassment makes him extra careful in his decision making, and, should he be elected, he intends to follow through with his plans.

“That’s what the students need, a fighter,” he said. “I’m a fighter. I’ll fight for whatever the students want, whatever the students need at this university. I have that spirit.”