Five things to be thankful for at Pitt

People often complain that news is too negative and nothing makes headlines unless it is… People often complain that news is too negative and nothing makes headlines unless it is shocking or disturbing. Violence, corruption and scandal run rampant in society and subsequently, newspapers as well. But today, on the verge of a very happy holiday, The Pitt News has decided to buck the trend, offering five things that Pitt students should be thankful for.

Thanksgiving break: Why not be thankful for five days dedicated to thankfulness? Not only does it come complete with desirable fanfare and socially accepted gluttony, but it gives students the better part of a week off from class. And since Thanksgiving is located strangely late in the calendar this year, it is followed by only one week of classes before the big winter break.

Campus safety: According to a director of the Oakland Business Improvement District, Oakland is safer today than it was last year at this time. OBID statistics show that over the past year, crimes such as public drunkenness, burglary, drunk driving, simple assault and drug violations have decreased significantly. Overall, crime in Oakland has decreased about 20 percent. These stats are impressive considering that Oakland is the third largest “downtown” area in Pennsylvania, but perhaps not so remarkable considering Oakland’s high level of comfort – nowhere in the world can one find a higher concentration of disheveled porch sofas.

Buses: As the weather gets colder and the precipitation makes the transition from cool rain to cold/freezing rain, Port Authority buses make themselves available to keep students warm and dry. Free rides come as evidence that at least some tuition dollars are well spent. And now, with a newly paved Forbes Avenue, students can expect a smoother ride and the sidewalk no longer has to live in fear of rising, sinister pavement.

Pitt sports: The football team is on pace for a bowl game and the basketball team is undefeated. Both teams are nationally ranked, and Pitt is more attractive than ever to highly anticipated recruits. The Petersen Events Center was christened in Saturday’s win against Duquesne, and Heinz Field will host a memorable season finale this weekend against a backyard rival. What’s not to love?

Improvements: Believe it or not, the administration hasn’t been twiddling its thumbs in recent years. Enrollment is up, applications are skyrocketing and new buildings are popping up all over. A Pitt diploma is looking better every day, meaning it will probably find you a job after graduation. But don’t get your hopes too high – you still won’t have any money when you retire.

Everything is coming up Pitt – sports, developments, prestige. But none of that is important right now. All that matters is tomorrow morning, when you will thankfully wake up to a beautiful, class-free Wednesday.