Best of Pitt

Class to sleep through | Pitt Pathfinders | Dorm security guard | Bus route | Class at Pitt |… Class to sleep through | Pitt Pathfinders | Dorm security guard | Bus route | Class at Pitt | Nationality Room | Secret organization | Way to pay tuition | Reason to skip class | Way to confuse a freshman |

Fraternity | Free thing | Thing to do on a Friday night | Greek tradition | Pitt scandal | Pitt sports team | Pitt tradition | Pitt student organization | Reason to call Telefact | Sorority

Class to sleep through

Biology

The lights are low and the seat is almost comfortable. A calm, low voice lectures about plant cells in the front of the room. Notes that were taken a few minutes ago now swirl dizzily in front of your eyes as if in a different language. The tiny wooden desk is so inviting. It wants you to lay your head down. There is no resisting such a powerful command.

What is it about biology that can be so sleep inducing? Maybe it’s the comforting fact that whether or not we learn how enzymes break down food, Lucky Charms are just as enjoyable.

Biology is a time-consuming class. Students can take it three times a week for 50 minutes or two times a week for an hour and 15 minutes. That adds up to a total of two hours and 30 minutes of biology lecture a week. Then there’s a one-hour recitation once a week, not to mention a three-hour lab. That seriously cuts into a college student’s required nap time.

So next time you find yourself nodding off during biology lecture, don’t feel too bad. At least you were there.

– Shani Alston

On-campus job

Pitt Pathfinders

You say you want to sway the impressionable minds of youth but you don’t have a teaching degree? Why not be a Pathfinder? It’s a paycheck and an opportunity to advertise your beloved home to potential freshmen.

Almost everyone remembers when they were led around Pitt by a Pathfinder tour guide; how their eyes glazed over when they were informed that for just one block they could “eat all they wanted” at the Marketplace, or how they developed a love for college sports when they were told students could get a great deal on season tickets.

To many, these ambassadors provided their first real taste of Pitt and college life in Oakland, and may be the person who talked them into coming to Pitt. And if that power to help change the future of someone isn’t enticing enough, just remember what really makes being a Pathfinder the best job at Pitt: the blue and yellow striped shirts.

– Mike Boyles

Dorm security guard

Joyce E. Beck

During her three years as a security guard at Pitt’s residence halls, Joyce Beck has seen a group of men punch a hole through the Towers lobby glass panels while fighting and has endured a woman throwing up on her shoe, among other dormitory happenings.

“You just have to treat kids with respect,” Beck said. “If they’re having a bad day, tell them something good.”

Beck, along with other guards, even alerted students to a fire in Tower B, before alarms sounded in rooms, when she heard the hallway alarm go off. She climbed the stairs to the 20th floor, where a resident’s mattress had caught on fire after he fell asleep while leaving a candle burning. Beck then knocked on doors telling residents to alert their floormates and to evacuate the floor.

“She’s the friendliest [security guard],” freshman Danielle Yanni said.

Beck says the best thing about her job is getting to meet many different people.

“I don’t put anybody down, and I don’t judge people by the way they look,” Beck said.

“She’s the most personable out of all the [security] guards,” freshman Megan Wunder said.

– Toni Bartone

Bus route

54C

The 54C doesn’t have a winning personality. It won’t share the last fry or buy you a drink on the weekend. The 54C is frequently late to parties, often forgets friends’ birthdays and occasionally sleeps around on his girlfriend (the EBO). But the 54C goes to the South Side, Oakland and the Strip District, and therefore (despite its many flaws) was voted the most popular bus route by you, the readers.

Port Authority cut service on the route this year, so it’s no longer a 24-hour ride. But it still hits all of the bars, classic Pittsburgh restaurants and vintage/novelty shops that a college student could want.

A ride on the 54C means that you, as a rider, get the Mook tour of Pittsburgh. Crossing the Birmingham Bridge during the trip, you’ll have a clear view of several of the infamous graffiti artist’s tags.

– Eric Lidji

Class at Pitt

History of Jazz

Write this down: Take History of Jazz before you graduate. Not only is it one of Pitt’s most popular and highly enrolled classes, but it’s taught by the coolest cat on Pitt’s faculty, Nathan Davis. After jamming with jazz-heads in Paris for a quite a few years, Davis chose to come to Pittsburgh to teach this course.

Keeping with his extensive experience as a performer, Davis’ lectures are inviting and interesting, filled with factoids, stories and jokes that he’s picked up along the way.

This class tracks the development of one of America’s most important cultural contributions, starting with call-and-response work songs on 19th century American plantations and ending with psychedelic, avant-garde jazz fusion.

From Charlie Parker to Ornette Coleman, from Dixieland to R’B and from blues to rock, History of Jazz is a blast.

– Clinton Doggett

Nationality Room

Italian Room

Things you will find in the Italian Room: a bronze bust of Dante Alighieri, the author of “The Divine Comedy;” bay benches covered in a red velvet that matches a red tiled floor; a wrought iron candleabra; and monastery-style benches.

Things you will not find in the Italian Room: Tony Danza, ziti and Lambourginis.

The Italian Room is based on a 15th century Renaissance design that emphasizes religion, music, art and education. Designed by architect Erzo Cerpi of Florence and dedicated on May 14, 1949, the Italian Room is on the first floor of the Cathedral of Learning. On the rear wall of the room hangs a portrait of Elena Lucrezia Cornaro Piscopia, the first woman in the world to ever be awarded a university degree. Ruth Crawford Mitchell, the founder of the Nationality Room Project, wrote a biography of Piscopia for the 300th anniversary of the event. Mitchell donated the proceeds of the project to restoring Piscopia’s tombstone.

– Eric Lidji

Secret organization

The Druids

There are so few student organizations that simultaneously do and don’t exist these days. Check the Student Organization Resource Center’s records, and the Druids haven’t been around since the mid-1990s. But hang out on the Cathedral lawn every night this year, and one night you’re bound to see a procession of students in black cloaks, led by one sword-bearing member. Their mysteriousness is not unlike that of the movie “The Skulls.”

Perhaps that’s why Pitt’s Druids received a nearly unanimous selection as Pitt’s best secret society. They’ve been around for decades, originating as an officially recognized, Pitt-funded club for male student leaders to promote themselves and their agendas. It’s changed only slightly in these recent, and increasingly secretive years.

But perhaps the best part of any secret organization is the McCarthyism that accompanies it. You can suspect and accuse each year’s Student Government president, Sigma Alpha Epsilon members, allocations committee chair and Pitt News editor in chief. But you’ll never know for sure: Druid membership is the best-kept secret since Pitt decided to tear down Pitt stadium.

– Dave Hartman

Way to pay tuition

Parents

“Hey Dad, can I borrow $10 to go to the movies?”

Answer: probably not.

“Hey Mom, can I have another $13,572 to cover Pitt’s out-of state tuition, room and board for this year?

Answer: Sure thing, honey.

Parents are suckers for educational enrichment, which is probably why most students are able to pay their scholarly dues the familial way. Though some students work numerous jobs, take out tens of thousands of dollars in loans, or simply drop out, most students will tell you that the best way to pay tuition is undoubtedly with the parental dime.

That way, students can spend their own hard-earned money on textbooks, food and bar tabs.

And there’s good news in store: If Pitt continues its recent trend of instituting massive yearly tuition increases, soon all of our parents will be filthy rich. After all, how else would they pay for it?

– Dave Hartman

Reason to skip class

Sleep

When you just can’t get yourself up in the morning to go to class, don’t. Hey, nobody’s doing it.

It is now official: The coolest thing to do when not going to class is not getting drunk, but is, in fact, sleeping. Well, you’re probably drunk from the night before, but even so, sleeping is definitely cool.

And if you want to be really cool, throw cautiousness to the wind and snore really loud and drool on your pillow. And when you alarm goes off, don’t even bother getting up to turn that off. Just throw something at it, roll over and go back to sleep.

But for those who absolutely cannot skip a class, never fear. You can still sleep during class. Especially biology.

– Rochelle Hentges

Way to confuse a freshman

Give bad directions

If you haven’t confused a freshman yet by this point in the semester, you aren’t doing your duty as an upperclassman. Close your binder, put a bookmark in whatever you’re reading and get to the Cathedral lawn pronto.

By this point in your college career, you really should be able to think of something creative like telling those cross-eyed newbies, “The Cathedral elevators don’t go past the fifth floor,” or, “Eddie’s is BYOB.” But, noooooo. You’re too busy with “work.”

For you, there’s the most popular way to confuse a freshman: Give bad directions. Tell them that the 61C goes to Shadyside. Tell them Registrar’s Office is in the basement of Bellefield Hall. When they ask for WWPH, point them to WPIC. And definitely mention the corner of Fifth and Forbes.

And freshmen, start thinking now because sophomore year is just around the corner and you’ll be called upon to perform that eternal task of confusing the new froshies. God bless. God bless us all.

– Eric Lidji

Fraternity

Pi Kappa Alpha

Outgoing, friendly and active in the community, Pi Kappa Alpha and its brothers are always visible on Pitt’s campus.

Whether they’re supporting fellow PiKA Bryan Thomas II in his bid for Student Government Board or raising money for charity, the brothers are always trying to reach down off frat hill, according to President Rocco Pacella.

Pacella said he takes more pride in PiKA’s “involvement with the community outside of our fraternity and outside of Greek life,” than anything else.

PiKAs are often easily identifiable with their hallmark red baseball caps, but there’s another way they stand out on campus as well. Choruses of “You’ve Lost That PiKA Feeling” can be heard outside of Amos Hall in the wee hours of some nights, as PiKA brothers have taken to serenading the residents there lucky enough to still be awake when the bars close.

– Greg Heller-LaBelle

Free thing

Buses

Even though Port Authority Transportation recently cut its service and raised its fares, it’s still the best free thing Pitt offers its students.

The Pitt ID allows Pitt students to ride any Port Authority bus as far as they need to, to any part of the city. Students can also ride the T and the Monongahela Incline for free. And, since so many bus routes pass through the Oakland, it’s not hard to get to the city’s other neighborhoods and their amenities, including the shops on the South Side, the markets and clubs in the Strip District, the boutiques in Shadyside, as well as the restaurants and theaters in Squirrel Hill and at the Waterfront.

Free fare on the buses isn’t just a free $1.75 per ride, it’s a ticket to get out of Oakland.

– Leslie Hoffman

Thing to do on a Friday night

Drink

In the five-block radius from the Cathedral of Learning, two nationally recognized museums sit, two great libraries can be found, concerts are held at Carnegie Lecture Hall and a variety of ethnic restaurants offer up foreign delicacies. With so many entertainment choices so close by, what’s a student to do on a Friday night? Drink.

Yes, the ever-popular “party/drink” option is what Pitt students prefer to do on a Friday night. Forget the opera, forget the symphony – we want Coors and Miller Lite.

Whether it’s partaking of the Mad Mex happy hour special, strutting up to the hill in tiny tops and black pants, or just sweating it up in the keg line of a packed South Oakland basement, Pitt students know what they like, and they like to party.

– Leslie Hoffman

Greek tradition

Greek Week

The Greek community contributes a large part of the fund-raising done on campus and one of the biggest Greek events is Greek Week.

From “Greek Sing” to the Cathedral award, the Greek community has annually raised thousands of dollars for charities.

Last year, the Greeks raised more than $88,000 for the Mario Lemieux Foundation.

“All the service work we do is so important and we contribute so much money to the community and charities,” said Jessica Belles, Pan Hellenic Association President.

The “Greek Sing” is an annual event that allows each fraternity and sorority a chance to show off its talent as a group. People within the University or community are the judges of the talent contest.

It’s just a few things that the Greek community does on campus.

– Christine Claus

Pitt scandal

Tuition hikes

The number 14 means something very different to Pitt students now. Following months of speculation, closed administrative mouths and terrified students, the bombshell was dropped on the student body of Pitt.

Fourteen percent.

Even higher than rival Pennsylvania State University’s tuition hike, Pitt’s Board of Trustees sent students running for second jobs and loan request forms in July.

And, despite teachers’ pay raises and the new buildings that continue to conquer the Oakland landscape, students are still wondering where all of that money went.

Pitt was far from alone in its raising of rates; public colleges went up an average of more than 10 percent nationwide. Still though, the blow to students’ savings was a sobering one, causing the Pitt population to seriously re-evaluate en masse if its school was still worth its price tag.

Applications were up again this year, indicating that people still think Pitt is a value, but anyone that remembers the sinking feeling they got in July will continue to be wary of Pitt’s administration for a while.

-Greg Heller-LaBelle

Pitt sports team

Men’s basketball team

Even if you’re not a big sports fan, you can find the love for Pitt’s men’s basketball team.

It’s your typical rags to riches story: In the 2000-2001 season, the team went 19-14 and critics picked the Panthers to repeat the disappointing season the next year. The team then blew through last year’s schedule with a 29-6 record and lost in overtime in the Sweet Sixteen.

It was a season to tell your grandkids about. Pitt’s campus united in celebration and in sorrow and the new regular season is only days away. The team is returning with all but one of its stars and the games will be in the brand new Petersen Events Center. You can once again watch the alley-oop duo of Brandin Knight and Julius Page, the unshakable Jaron Brown and the crowd-pleasing Ontario Lett.

Pitt’s men’s basketball team is more than a bunch of guys playing ball – it’s the feeling you get when walk into the arena, knowing the thrill of last season is starting all over again.

– Erin Brachlow

Pitt tradition

P-E-N-N-S-T SUCKS

A lot of Pitt traditions were wiped away with the removal of Pitt Stadium, as well as a lot of student support and crowd energy. But it’s no surprise to anyone that we are still the same Pitt student section. Apathetic at times, rude all of the time, we love Pitt and we hate Penn State.

One tradition that has remained in all Pitt Panther hearts is the P-E-N-N-S-T SUCKS cheer. Although several administrative maneuvers were made to eradicate it, the students still yell it. And even though we don’t play Penn State in football anymore, they still suck, and Pitt students will always be there to remind them of that.

– Brian Palmer

Pitt student organization

Pitt Program Council

So you’re sick of studying and you really don’t want to read one more critical criticism of “Frankenstein.” Who you gonna call?

Pitt Program Council.

Whether setting up movies in the William Pitt Union or bringing in national bands with the Fall Fest and Bigelow Bash, PPC continues to be the source of on-campus fun for students.

Receiving 35 percent of the student activities fee money and using it to plan more than 150 events, PPC Executive Board Director Jocelyn Gamble is always busy trying to keep everyone entertained.

From Blessid Union of Souls at the Fall Fest to the annual beer-tasting seminar, PPC events are designed so that there is a “program for every student on campus,” according to Gamble.

“We try to have something for everyone,” she said.

According to The Pitt News readers, they succeed magnificently enough to be chosen as this year’s best student organization.

– Greg Heller-LaBelle

Reason to call Telefact

To get phone numbers

In today’s fast-paced college environment, when you need to find someone’s phone number, you don’t have time for antiquated paper phone books or complicated systems of alphabetization. Students are in too great a hurry to look at three pages of Johnsons and try to determine based on first initials and vague addresses which one of them is the Johnson you need to speak to.

But fear not, fellow students. There’s no longer any need to leaf through page after page of names to find the person you need to get in touch with. No, ladies and gentlemen, we live in a golden age: the age of Telefact.

Just pick up a phone and dial (412) 624-FACT, and a team of experts is on-hand,. waiting to tell you almost any phone number – or almost anything else – you need to know. Up until this year, Telefact was also a great source of on-campus numbers, though the staff is no longer privy to that vital information.

But for the lazy student searching for an off-campus number, easy phone number discovery finally lies well within reach. And it’s all thanks to the heroic men and women who serve with Telefact.

– Sam Anderson

Sorority

Chi Omega

Begun in 1895 at the University of Arkansas by four women who wanted to gain a foothold in the male-dominated business and professional world, Chi Omega currently boasts more than 170 collegiate chapters nationwide, the largest women’s fraternal organization in the country. They are partnered with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to participate in philanthropy and volunteerism.

Based upon the six principles of friendship, high standards of personnel, sincere learning and creditable scholarship, participation in campus activities, career development, and community service, Chi Omega boasts such distinguished alumnae as actress Sela Ward, author Harper Lee, a former Miss Universe and a former Miss America.

Here at Pitt, Chi Omega sisters can be seen in high places. President Meggan Maromonte was co-chair of Omicron Delta Kappa’s Homecoming committee this year, and sister Emily Keytack was a member of last year’s Homecoming court.

These distinguished sisters are making the most of their time here at Pitt, and it shows.

– Melissa Meinzer