Pitt Student Government Board members were at odds at their Tuesday evening meeting over whether to formally encourage Pitt’s faculty to vote in favor of unionization.

A top Pitt administrator praised students at Tuesday’s Student Government Board meeting for their part in minimizing COVID-19 cases last academic year. But students asked questions and raised concerns regarding Pitt’s move on Monday to fully in-person classes.

Top Pitt administrators spoke at a virtual town hall meeting on Wednesday, answering student questions and concerns about COVID-19 regulations for the fall semester and fully in-person classes, which start on Monday.

During the first in-person Student Government Board meeting since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, President Harshitha Ramanan welcomed students to Nordy’s Place on Tuesday evening.

Even though student organizations are allowed to have in-person meetings and events, one thing is stopping Annika Agarwal’s club, Mind Sense, from doing so — the lack of a COVID-19 vaccine mandate from Pitt.

After a tumultuous election season and a year of online classes, Pitt’s Student Government Board has big plans for the 2021-22 academic year. The Pitt News spoke with the board to learn about their top priorities and plans to improve campus life this fall.

Pitt’s dining contractor, Compass Group, is planning to bring more diverse menu options and let students serve themselves at the dining halls, rather than being pre-packaged meals like last year. Students can also expect two new dining options in the WPU.

While there are still events being planned for Pitt’s October celebration of Mental Health Awareness Month, organized by Student Government in cooperation with more than 15 student organizations, Eva Steele, vice-chair of the Mental Health Student Coalition, said mental health resources are always available and awareness can be raised year round.

SGB’s LGBTQIA+ task force released a petition and “live” report — which has been in the works for the past two semesters — on Friday to garner student support and attention before being presented to senior administration.

Student Government Board’s Tuesday evening meeting was filled with tears and gratitude as seniors gave their last reports. In his opening statement, outgoing SGB President Eric Macadangdang humorously said the year of virtual meetings is finally coming to an end.