With the announcement of the semester's first political speaker, this week's Student Senate meeting sparked some controversy among attendants; still, with advances made in departments like dining and student affairs, the week was a progressive one for the governing student body.

After reporting on the cancellation of last Friday's McConomy movie due to sound problems, Activities Board chair Andrew Moore officially released his biggest news: "The whole Michael Moore contract should be signed today, hopefully."

Within the day, a deal with the controversial left-wing filmmaker was indeed finalized, but by the terms of Moore's contract, AB is not permitted to disclose the cost of his imminent visit. Some Senators were troubled by the fact that the cost of the lecture, an event funded by the student activities fee, will be kept confidential.

Senator Andres Bermudez called Moore's upcoming visit a "great event," but found it "very disturbing that the exact cost is being kept a secret."

Moore is slated to appear at Carnegie Mellon at 4:30 pm on October 6. Barring inclement weather, he will speak on a podium in front of Hamerschlag Hall; otherwise, the event will be moved down Forbes Avenue to the nearby CarnegieMusic Hall. Tickets will be available this Tuesday from 8 am – 12 pm at a table in Wean Commons, with any remaining tickets available afterward at the UC Information desk. One ticket is allowed for each student with an official student ID card.

A Student Affairs representative announced that the University Center Allocations Board process is complete, and all qualified organizations have moved into their new office spaces. Also, the Jeopardy! "Brain Bus" will be rolling onto campus this Wednesday to recruit potential contestants for the popular quiz show. From 3:30-6 pm, students can test their wits in the Rangos ballroom and vie for a spot in the upcoming college tournament.

A representative from Student Dormitory Council addressed the distribution error that prevented last Saturday's scheduled McConomy movie, Troy, from being shown. Due to massive crowd discontent, SDC is considering airing Troy later in the semester in lieu of another scheduled movie.

Student Body President Erik Michaels-Ober delivered several announcements, including one of a trial collegiate readership program sponsored by USA Today. For one month beginning October 2, copies of USA Today, The New York Times, and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette will be offered to students free of charge. Michaels-Ober said the initiative is designed to encourage students to tune into current affairs and be able to "make an informed vote [in the Presidential elections] come November 2."

Student Body Vice President Julie Beckenstein is optimistic that a unisex bathroom will soon be installed in either the basement or the third floor of the UniversityCenter.

"I find it a little difficult that there's not [already] a bathroom for all students in a building that is meant for all students to use," she said.

Beckenstein also met recently with Vice Provost for Education Indira Nair to ensure that next semester, professors will be forced to schedule classes "when they are supposed to." By banning classes during moratorium hours (4:30-6:30 pm) and by adhering to previously determined time rules — for example, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday classes only starting on the half-hour — Beckenstein hopes to alleviate many students' scheduling conflicts.

Senators also offered chances for students to become more involved in campus affairs: Vice President of Finance Steven Kling invited all students to the upcoming Joint Funding Committee meetings, and Dining chair Jay Pujara announced an upcoming series of surveys designed to determine the future use of Highlander Café.

Senators unanimously granted non-funded recognition to the Financial Advisory Club, Swing Dancers Anonymous, and Right On, an alliance of politically conservative students. Special allocations were also awarded to Dance Marathon and Tanah South Asian Dance Troupe.

9/28/04 Correction: This article originally labelled the moratorium as 4:30-6 pm. It is in fact 4:30-6:30 pm.