Pitt SGB Elections

Just past eight last night in Nordy’s Place, the results of the 2012 Student
Government Board were announced. James Landreneau will serve as President and
the Board Members – listed in order of highest votes – are Natalie
Rothernberger, Gordon Louderback, Alex Murdoch, Zoe Samudzi, Julie Hallinan,
Olivia Armstrong, Halim Genus, and Megan McGrath. This year, about 24% of the
student body voted – a 5% increase from last year. Together with the increase
of voters last year, the percentage of Pitt Students voting for Student
Government Board has increased by about 10%. With the increasing support of the
student body it is becoming clear that there is an increased interest regarding
what is going on at Pitt. The Student Government Board has the power to allocate
$2 million from the Student Activities Fund and in the past, the lack of
interest in the elections has been a concern. Last year, the board encouraged
students to come to allocations meetings, held informative sessions, and pushed
for students to come to Harrisburg to lobby against reductions allotted to Pitt’s
state-related funding. President-elect Landreneu hopes to begin a summit for
student leaders in the future that will continue to improve the interest
student organizations have in SGB. Student Government Board has the ability to
do a lot for the student organizations on campus and with the increase of
interest the future of the Student Government Board to be an efficient entity
is promising.