Student Government Board discussed access to free student legal services and its advocacy for University weather policy changes after the recent snow storm at its weekly meeting Tuesday night at Nordy’s Place.
President Marley Pinsky highlighted SGB’s Student Legal Services, through which Pitt students have access to free legal consultations.
“You have access to three 20-minute legal services or legal consultations,” Pinsky said.
Pinsky said affordable legal assistance is important and that she will continue to work towards advancing these services.
“You can find out from our website that [Student Legal Services] is free and available to [students],” Pinsky said. “We are trying to advocate for an expansion of those services and I will hopefully be able to share updates on that soon.”
Following the recent snowstorm and negative temperatures in Pittsburgh, board member Andrew Elliott discussed his push for amending the university’s 2019 interim policy on campus closures and class cancellation as the effects of last week’s storm remain a challenge on campus.
“[We are] pushing the University to have new practices during winter weather, as it is still challenging to get around,” Elliott said. “I know just getting [to Nordy’s Place], I have to climb through snow banks.”
Board member Siya Saraswat said SGB’s advocacy for amending the current cancellation policy has reached the Office of the Provost.
“Yesterday, I got confirmation that it has been brought up to the team that makes snow decisions in the Office of the Provost that the interim policy is old and due for some updates,” Saraswat said.
Elliott added that he believes updates to Pitt’s current policy are necessary due to the lack of a specific plan in the current policy.
“We are hoping that the University will update its policies to a more permanent plan rather than the six-page determinant we are currently operating off of,” said Elliot.
Board member Kylie Baker addressed the successful turnout for SGB’s second Warm Clothing Closet on Jan. 30 and emphasized contributions from the College of General Studies.
“We had a very successful second Warm Clothing Closet pop up, [which served] 20 students,” Baker said. “[We owe] a special thank you to the College of General Studies who collected donations for us.”
Allocations:
Muslim Student Association requested $5,400.00 for an on-campus program. The board amended and approved this request to $7,680.00.
Pittsburgh Electric Propulsion requested $3,534.34 for a competition. The board approved this request in full.
Sargam A Cappella requested $2,199.34 for a competition. The board approved this request in full.
Women’s Volleyball Club requested $11,579.47 for a competition. The board amended and approved this request to $8,213.13.