SGB allocations chair to change, Yerace to step up

After four years on Student Government Board’s allocations committee and two of those years as… After four years on Student Government Board’s allocations committee and two of those years as chair, Jen Kolenda is done.

“I’m graduating in December and honestly, after four years, I’m a little burned out,” Kolenda said of her post as chair for Student Government Board’s allocations committee.

Taking over the reigns of the committee that dispenses money to student groups is Felix Yerace, who was approved by the board at last Wednesday’s meeting. Yerace brings experience to the job, having served as vice chair for the last two semesters.

According to SGB President Kevin Washo Jr., Yerace’s focus and knowledge will help him deal with the time-consuming post.

“It’s a stressful job and sometimes you take a lot of flack,” Washo said. “Felix has a good understanding of that as well as valuable experience.”

Yerace was chosen from four applicants, who all served on the allocations committee, by a board composed of Washo, Kolenda, SGB business manager Liz Culliton and two other board members.

Yerace’s duties will include selecting and training the new committee members in December’s selection process. Perhaps his most important job will be dispensing money to the many student groups that apply for it. According to Yerace, there has been a drastic increase in the amount of money student groups are asking for.

“In the past three fiscal years,” Yerace said, “it has gone from $560,000 to $1.07 million.”

He added that in order to continue to give money to student groups, SGB is looking into an increase in the student activities fee.

“I’m not sure if that means the fee will be raised or if we’ll just get a bigger percentage of the fee,” he said.

Washo said he and Culliton are researching other universities and their activity fees. He said that Pitt’s hasn’t increased in years, so there is no new money coming in to make up for the increase in student groups asking for funds.

“We’re trying to make sure our students have the best resources,” Washo said. “And that could possibly mean raising the activities fee by five or 10 dollars.”

Kolenda said that although the situation is stressful, acting as chair for the committee is a rewarding experience.

“In my opinion, it’s the best job next to being SGB president,” Kolenda said. “On a day-to-day basis, you’re interacting with people and trying to bring better life as far as programming and educational experience.”

She said she has the utmost confidence in Yerace taking over.

“He is going to do an absolutely wonderful job,” Kolenda said. “Probably even better than I did.”