The Pitt News T h e in de p e n d e n t st ude nt ne w spap e r of t he University of Pittsburgh
Less cell time, more dicounts with student app
See which NBA players match up with politicians Page 8 February 10,2016 | Issue 103 | Volume 106
Leo Dornan Staff Writer
Students finally have a tangible incentive for staying off their phones in class — discounts on local bites and coupons for stores around campus. Pocket Points, a free app two California State University, Chico students invented and launched in late 2014, awards users one point for every 35 minutes their phones remain locked when in certain campus buildings. Users can then redeem these points for discount coupons to local restaurants. The app is available at more than 200 schools in the United States and Canada — including Pitt — amassing more than 100,000 users daily, according to the startup’s data. Brent Glowatch, the app’s administrative manager, said the company initially wanted to offer its users extra credit from professors, but then had a better idea. “What would incentivize students to stay off their phones more than free food?” Glowatch said. Apps like Pocket Points takes advantage of lock screen technology in a new way. Similar to an UNICEF app that donated See Pocket Points on page 2
Students for Liberty and the Marxist Student Association debate each other in the O’Hara Student Center Tuesday evening. John Hamilton | Staff Photographer
SGB officially launches call for state budget Lauren Wilson Staff Writer
Using pen, paper and Twitter, Pitt’s Student Government Board is appealing to Pennsylvania legislators to please — after seven months — pass a state budget. At SGB’s weekly meeting, Board members approved a resolution to officially in-
sist that lawmakers pass a budget through letters and a social media campaign. Board member Jack Heidecker and Governmental Relations Chair Pat Corelli introduced the legislation at last Tuesday’s meeting. Over the past week, the Governmental Relations Committee has worked with SGB President Nasreen Harun to shift the resolution’s focus. Heidecker, who helped
write the bill, said the changes were geared toward discussing how the budget impasse affects students, including the uncertain state of tuition costs at the University. The previous bill said the refusal to pass a budget would affect the University. “The resolution is part of a multi-prong approach to let lawmakers know we’re upSee SGB on page 6