Campus in Brief

Jewish students debate Gaza Strip pullout

Jared Trent Stonesifer

Staff Writer

A… Jewish students debate Gaza Strip pullout

Jared Trent Stonesifer

Staff Writer

A panel of Jewish students and leaders discussed Israel’s controversial disengagement from the Gaza Strip in the William Pitt Union last Monday.

“Our main goal for the panel was to give the students more information about the disengagement and to show that we, as Israelis, share different opinions about the process,” said Yael Sasson, organizer of the debate from the Hillel Jewish University Center.

The debate came on the heels of escalating violence in the Gaza Strip.

On Friday, Sept. 23, an ammunitions truck exploded during a parade, killing more than 20 Palestinians in Gaza. Israel denied any involvement in the explosion.

Soon after, rocket fire started to bombard Israeli towns surrounding the Gaza Strip.

“It is unthinkable that the children of Israel once again cannot sleep peacefully in their beds and go to school without fear,” Sasson said.

Rainbow Alliance supports anti-bullying bill

Konrad Klinkner

For The Pitt News

Pitt students joined a national campaign to put a stop to bullying Wednesday.

As part of the Drop the Labels Gender Youth campaign, members of the Rainbow Alliance ran a booth in front of the William Pitt Union to promote awareness of an anti-bullying bill that is entering Congress.

“With the Drop The Label campaign, we are trying to help prevent the use of labels negatively,” said Corie Berk, the social chair of Rainbow Alliance.

Students passed out fliers that explained the bill, HR 284, and defined harassment and bullying as “conduct that is threatening or offensive based on a student’s actual or perceived identity with regard to race, color, national origin, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion or other characteristics.”

The flier said that clearer language is needed to protect all students adequately.

The Drop the Labels campaign proposes adding the phrase “gender identity and expression” to the list of characteristics defended by the bill, stating that the bill would protect not just gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender, but all students.

Lawn becomes international fair

Nana Ama Sarfo

For The Pitt News

The William Pitt Union lawn transformed into a global marketplace Friday as student international groups, study abroad organizations and vendors constructed Pitt’s International Fair.

Students were able to purchase goods and food from around the globe while learning about the international groups and study abroad options.

More than 40 study abroad programs, representing countries from Belgium to Tanzania, provided many options for students interested in broadening their perspective or international travel.

Student Ashley Boone called the fair “a great resource for students and a really interesting way to see all the different clubs and groups.”

International Week concludes with festival

Nana Ama Sarfo

For The Pitt News

Pitt’s week-long celebration of international cultures ended Saturday with the 26th Annual Latin American and Caribbean Festival.

Students and community members gathered in the William Pitt Union ballroom Saturday from 2 p.m. to midnight.

Members from the Center for Latin American Studies, Pitt’s Spanish club and the Panther Tango Club were in attendance. Community vendors sold traditional food, jewelry and decorations.

Dance and musical performances accented the event that vendor Jean-Pierre Nutini lauded as “a great way for the community to come together and celebrate its heritage.”