This week's Student Senate meeting included ex-officio reports from Student Government, Student Affairs, and University Policy.

Laura Drogowski, MCS Senator, asked Sergeant Hunt of University Police to verify any truth to the rumors that a student was hit by a car on Margaret Morrison Street last week. Hunt confirmed the story and explained that University Police does not enforce traffic violations, as they fall under the jurisdiction of the Pittsburgh Police. The only response by University Police to reports of traffic violations is to put more units in the area. Student Body Vice President Julie Beckenstein said that she is still working to have a pedestrian crossing installed on Margaret Morrison Street.

The Sergeant also said that in the past month there have been numerous reports of cell phone thefts.

"Don't lose sight of your common street smarts," he said.

Student Dormitory Council President Debbie Hugh announced that SDC has elected a new Underground chair, filling its board. The organization is currently looking for student performers for Friday nights in the Underground.

Julie Beckenstein, student body vice president, spoke about the proposed cuts to Port Authority bus service. As they did last year, Port Authority has threatened to eliminate weekend and night bus service if they do not receive more public funding. They are also proposing large fare hikes and the elimination of 70 of the 210 bus and rail routes.

Beckenstein will be distributing literature across campus and asked that students send letters or e-mails to legislatures advocating more funding for the transit service. She will be speaking against the cuts at a town hall meeting next week and asked that students attend.

Student Body President Erik Michaels-Ober gave an update on the University's collegiate newspaper readership program. The program's one-month trial period ends next week. Michaels-Ober said The New York Times and USA Today were most popular. He will issue a summary report on the program next month.

Steven Kling, Vice President for Finance said the Joint Funding Committee (JFC) has held its first meeting and Nicolette Louissaint was named Chair. JFC meetings are open to all students.

Mosaic, the annual conference on women's issues, is bringing Gloria Steinem, writer, activist and a leader of the women's rights movement, to speak this year. The group received $2,500 to partially fund Steinem's honorarium.

Senate awarded $675 to OM, a spiritual organization for Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs, to help fund its Navaratri dance festival. SPIRIT received $800 for performers for Spirit Week.

The Visual Arts Association, a group dedicated to the appreciation of visual arts, was awarded non-funded recognition.

Pi Delta Psi received $1,500 towards a comedy show and a workshop by comedian and Asian activist Eliot Chang discussing how Asians are portrayed on TV and in film.

Finally, Senate voted to establish an ad-hoc committee on diversity, chaired by Josh Yearsley, to determine where and how Senate can take action on the recommendations for the broader community listed in the Presidential Commission's report on The Natrat.

Editor's Note: The Carnegie Pulse received an allocation of $1,314.34 to purchase a digital camera at this Senate meeting.