By Clare Sheedy, Staff Writer, Author at The Pitt News

‘We can only be as healthy as our community’: Pitt Concern Connection replaces AlertLine as new 24/7 reporting system

By Clare Sheedy, Staff Writer • June 30, 2021

When approaching creating a new resource for community members to submit concerns, Laurel Gift said Pitt “can only be as healthy as our community.” Gift, an assistant vice chancellor and head of the Office of Compliance, Investigation and Ethics, was involved in creating Pitt Concern Connection, Pitt’s new all-in-one reporting system.

OPDC discusses water line replacements, Dawson Street lot

By Millicent Watt, Senior Staff Writer • June 30, 2021

The Oakland Planning and Development Corp.’s monthly public meeting consisted of a property owner seeking community input on property construction and the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority explaining the process of replacing water mains.

Pitt Climate Action Plan release moved to late summer, early fall as student orgs demand answers

By Grace Stringer, For The Pitt News • June 30, 2021

While a special board of trustees committee said Pitt’s climate action plan would be released by the end of March, officials now say the plan will likely be released by late summer or early fall due to the original timeline being too “ambitious.”

Senate passes annual funding bill, Pitt to receive flat funding for third year

By Natalie Frank, News Editor • June 30, 2021

The Pennsylvania state Senate passed Pitt’s annual funding bill on Friday, sending it to Gov. Tom Wolf’s desk. The University is set to receive flat funding of $151,507,000, which would be the third year in a row that Pitt would receive the same level of funding.

Compass looks to further improve Pitt dining experience this fall

By Betul Tuncer, Staff Writer • June 29, 2021

Pitt’s dining contractor, Compass Group, is planning to bring more diverse menu options and let students serve themselves at the dining halls, rather than being pre-packaged meals like last year. Students can also expect two new dining options in the WPU.

Who’s who: Your guide to the big names at Pitt

By Colm Slevin, Staff Writer • June 27, 2021

It’s virtually impossible to remember everyone’s name at Pitt, let alone all the “important” people. So we’ve got you covered. Here’s a guide to the big names at Pitt that students will hear — and read in The Pitt News — most during the year.

‘The greater social good’: Preparations underway for the Year of Data and Society

By Grace Stringer, For The Pitt News • June 25, 2021

Eleanor Mattern, the director of the School of Computing and Information’s Sara Fine Institute, leads the committee for the Year of Data and Society — the upcoming 2021-22 installment in the annual “Year Of” series hosted by the Office of the Provost.

Health restrictions, spirits lift as Pitt updates COVID-19 guidelines

By Punya Bhasin, Senior Staff Writer • June 25, 2021

As more and more people become vaccinated, the CDC, Governor Tom Wolf and Pitt administration are not only lifting their COVID-19 restrictions, but also Pitt students’ spirits.

Gallagher ‘strongly’ recommends, expects community to be vaccinated by fall, unveils new strategic plan

By Natalie Frank and Jon Moss • June 25, 2021

Chancellor Patrick Gallagher said at Pitt’s Friday board of trustees meeting that while the University community can look forward to a more engaging fall semester, a fully normal academic year is unlikely unless those coming back to campus are vaccinated.

Nicola Foote ‘excited’ to take over as new Honors College dean

By Millicent Watt, Senior Staff Writer • June 24, 2021

Nicola Foote, the incoming dean of Pitt’s University Honors College, said being a first-generation college student at the University College London helped her experience and understand “the transformative power of a rigorous undergraduate education.”