SGB gives money to recognize and encourage all student leadership, not just for chicken… SGB gives money to recognize and encourage all student leadership, not just for chicken

As the organizer of Student Government Board’s Red Carpet Event, I would like to clear up some of the inaccurate statements made in Greg Heller-LaBelle’s Monday column, “Better uses for student money than chicken.”

Heller-LaBelle stated that the event was self-congratulatory. That is a very misleading comment, considering that no one from SGB received an award or any form of recognition. This goes to show how far Heller-LaBelle’s research actually went. This event was geared toward all student organizations on campus, and if he was in attendance he would have known that.

Secondly, he stated that money could have been used to fund Indian Sub-continent Association for their trip that was, “mostly unfunded.” This statement is untrue. In reality, we will grant ISA $1,300 beyond the $1,500 they received in their budget for this event.

Also, this year SGB granted Pitt Program Council an extra $150,000 to increase its programming and allocated an extra $15,000 for Black Action Society to bring Kweisi Mfume to Pitt on Martin Luther King, Jr., Day.

It was also stated that “true recognition never comes from parties held with other people’s money.” This statement is interesting because, until last year, the Student Publications Board, which oversees The Pitt News, received $5,000 of the student activities fee to pay for sandwiches at lunches.

Furthermore, the people awarded were nominated by fellow students. While I am flattered that Heller-LaBelle thinks I have 698 “friends,” including Provost James Maher, if he would have done more research on the event, he would have known that there were representatives from every part of our University community.

Overall, I am disappointed that the editor of our school newspaper decided to bash an event geared toward students and the great things they do. The Student Activities Fee is to be used to promote student involvement, and recognition of student leadership is the best way for SGB to show our student leaders that we appreciate their hard work and dedication.

Maybe Heller-LaBelle should have tried writing about the amazing performances by groups like Black Dance Workshop and Heinz Chapel Choir instead of complaining about chicken. Just a suggestion from someone who is trying to be a great student leader.

Jennifer Anukem

Sophomore

School of Arts and Sciences

[email protected]