In the year 2000, the SPNP/FAAP was approved by the University of Pittsburgh to undertake the building of a Philippine Nationality Room (PNR). For over 10 yrs., the FAAP worked tirelessly under the guidance of the University, raising funds in any way possible to complete this project. It was taking a long time but every event brought us that much closer to our goal. The University approved of and attended quite a number of our events.

On June 8, 2012, we were notified by the University, through Mr. Lawrence Feick, that the PNR project was going to be terminated. The reasons given stem from Pitt’s being bombarded by letters and phone calls regarding Board decisions affecting the PNR committee as well as threats by certain folks to withdraw their donations if Pitt declared the FAAP as the sole sponsor. We strongly aver that it IS, in fact, an FAAP project and insist that Pitt acknowledge these 3 basic principles:
1. That FAAP is THE sponsor of the project.
2. That the PNR Committee was created by the FAAP as one of its many standing committees and is, thus, subject to its oversight.
3. That the FAAP has not violated any of Pitt’s Nationality Room rules, as they allege in previous exchanges.

Had Pitt refused to listen to those negative diatribes and complaints, allowing FAAP to settle its internal matters, this problem might not have escalated to where it is today.

Pitt’s letter gave two reasons for the PNR’s termination:
Reason 1 - The PNR project is a joint project which includes the FAAP and other organizations, such as, the Philippine American Medical Association of Western Pennsylvania (PAMS).
FAAP strongly disagrees for the following reasons:
1. The project was initiated by the Samahang Pilipino ng Pittsburgh (SPNP) in 1998 and the fund was seeded by a donation of $5,000 from the SPNP. (The FAAP has since succeeded the SPNP).
2. All PNR fund raising events were sponsored solely by the FAAP.
3. All direct solicitations from granting agencies, companies and individuals were done by the FAAP.
4. The PNR committee was made an FAAP standing committee with the full knowledge of the PNR committee members.
5. The FAAP controlled the authorization of all disbursements from the University accounts.
6. The FAAP board of directors elected the PNR Committee chair annually as required by its by-laws.
7. The University in its actions clearly recognized FAAP control over the PNR committee from statements in Press releases, authorization of appointment of the architect of record, the approval of the contract between the FAAP and the design architect Popi Laudico, and the suspension of the project for alleged violation by the FAAP of Pitt’s NRIEP guidelines.
8. Over 90% of the monies raised came from FAAP donations, fund raising events and solicitation efforts.
9. The PAMS, which the University claims was a partner, directly donated only $1,000 over ten years or less than half a percent of all funds raised.

Reason 2 - The project will no longer be viable without the support of other organizations, such as, the PAMS.
FAAP strongly disagrees with this assertion. We have already pointed out that the FAAP is able to claim that roughly 96% of the monies donated came from FAAP fundraising efforts. The FAAP has in its accounts over $12,000 earmarked for the PNR project. In addition, the FAAP’s Capital fund raising committee has been able to solicit close to $40,000 in pledges which would cover the shortfall from any withdrawal of direct donations.
After the room is completed, the Philippine Nationality Room committee will have to participate in NRIEP events, which we already have been doing, but even more importantly, provide a scholarship for University of Pittsburgh students. The FAAP currently has $67,000 in its scholarship fund clearly showing our readiness to be a good citizen of the NRIEP program.

While we clearly have a problem within the Filipino community, this is an internal one and the parties should be given ample time to resolve their difference without outside interference

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