Opinion | Battle Royale: attack of the Fortnite clones
By Thomas Wick, Staff Columnist
January 16, 2019
While battle royale may be fun to watch, it needs a massive community to support it, lest it fall out of popularity. This spells a troubling future for the genre, if current gaming trends continue.
Opinion | Women’s March fails its principles
By Ana Altchek, Columnist
January 16, 2019
By eliminating a whole group of women from inclusion in the movement, the Women’s March is unfortunately succumbing to an equally harmful form of discrimination and inequality. No woman can write the story of another and the Women’s March has failed its commitments.
Opinion | Schumer and Pelosi are hypocritical in fight for border wall
By Hayden Timmins, Staff Columnist
January 14, 2019
Schumer and Pelosi seem more comfortable with spending taxpayers’ dollars on useless projects rather than giving Trump 0.14 percent of the yearly budget to help prevent the illegal entry and re-entry of criminals
Opinion | Point-Counterpoint: Forgive Kevin Hart already
By Cammy Morsberger, Staff Columnist
January 13, 2019
The best apology is said not with words but with action — Hart’s has grown and changed since his tweets years ago. His conduct indicates his regret, and it’s time that we forgive him.
Opinion | Point-Counterpoint: Nobody needs to forgive Kevin Hart
By Jason Henriquez, Staff Columnist
January 13, 2019
Supporting violence against gay children, even halfheartedly, is unacceptable. No one should have to teach a grown man in his thirties that saying or doing that is morally wrong.
Poetry | Veritas et Virtus
By Delilah Bourque, Senior Staff Columnist
January 10, 2019
Senior Staff Columnist Delilah Bourque drew upon various syllabi from her coursework at Pitt to write this poem.
Column | Veganism is not one-size-fits-all
By Leah Mensch, Staff Columnist
January 10, 2019
No matter its health or environmental benefits, veganism is not a practical lifestyle for many Americans, and nobody has the right to shame anyone for their dietary choices.
Opinion | Missionary training endangers other cultures
By Kim Rooney, Contributing Editor
January 9, 2019
Missionaries must respect the histories of other peoples and see their languages as more than gibberish. Failure to do so would only reinforce dehumanizing attitudes toward other cultures.
Opinion | SGB picks empty talk over data-driven solutions
By Jeremy Wang, Assistant Opinions Editor
January 7, 2019
The University of Pittsburgh Student Government Board released a letter calling for stricter gun control. But an apparent failure to properly research the subject led to a list of proposals that leading experts are reluctant to place any confidence in.
Opinion | Pa to Paris: Vignettes from winter break
By The Pitt News Staff
January 7, 2019
Pitt News staff writers share how they spent their winter breaks and reflect on their time at home and abroad.
Opinion | New Year’s Resolution: Talk Politics
By Julia Kreutzer, For The Pitt News
January 6, 2019
Filed under Columns
Just as our political identities have changed, we must radically transform the way such debates and conversations are handled. This key change in our approach to political discourse is the perfect resolution to ensure 2019 is better than years prior.
Opinion | 2019: New year, same me
By Allison Dantinne, Staff Columnist
January 6, 2019
Big goals don’t usually pan out. So instead of focusing on big changes that I’m not even sure will make me feel like a better, more interesting person, this year I made a list of fun and achievable goals.
Opinion | Self-care obscures altruism during finals week
By Anne Marie Yurik, Staff Columnist
December 9, 2018
Filed under Columns
Before you stress cry into your bread bowl at Panera then promptly throw on a face mask in the name of self-care, remember there are other ways to cope during finals season. One way to cope is through community care. Community care means students — after getting themselves to a place of relativ...
Opinion | If these walls could talk, they’d scream: a glimpse into life at Hillman during finals week
By Allison Dantinne, Staff Columnist
December 9, 2018
Filed under Columns
The students studying for finals in Hillman are fascinating creatures, plagued by insurmountable stress manifested as odd habits. They gather around power sources, lean back in their swivel chairs while staring up at the lines of fluorescent lights and occasionally fall asleep on the floor under the c...
Opinion | Students leave gift of stress management unopened
By Julia Kreutzer, For The Pitt News
December 9, 2018
Filed under Columns
The Cathedral commons and dorm rooms are filled with Christmas trees, Hanukkah menorahs and dazzling twinkle lights, but students must survive finals week before they can truly “Deck the Halls.” During the week of finals, thousands of students spend countless hours holed up in Hillman Library while cr...
Opinion | Poem: Brightening Winter
By Emily Pinigis, Staff Columnist
December 7, 2018
Oh, what a magnificent time of year! The snow twinkles in the colored lights’ glow It seems everyone is warm, and without fear As they sit ’round the fire to watch the snow
Opinion | Trump must push out Venezuela’s dictator
By Josh Beylinson, For The Pitt News
December 6, 2018
Only with more strategic sanctions and further diplomatic action against Venezuela’s dictator can the country become a democracy and give the right of self-determination to its citizens.
Opinion | Pitt sustainability initiatives insufficient
By Leah Mensch, For The Pitt News
December 5, 2018
It’s clear that students, who actually have the power to make a difference, are falling short of the University’s high sustainability standards.
Opinion | Disney-opoly and the streaming wars
By Victoria Pfefferle-Gillot, Staff Writer
December 4, 2018
While I absolutely love Disney and most of what it has produced, it’s dawned on me in recent years that the company feels less like a magical center of creativity and more like a capitalistic black hole — one that devours every intellectual property that makes money for it and spits out hollow, formulaic nostalgia bait.
Opinion | Recovering missionary’s body poses threat to Sentinelese people
By Delilah Bourque, Senior Staff Columnist
December 2, 2018
Retrieving Chau’s body poses a danger both to Indian officials and to the Sentinelese people, who remain some of the last uncontacted people on earth, which in anthropology means they live in isolation from the outside world.
Winter, the Oakland garbage pile of seasons
By Allison Dantinne, Staff Columnist
November 29, 2018
I’ve walked past a smashed-up pumpkin loitering on the sidewalk in front of my house several times a day in recent weeks. It reminds me of two things looming on the horizon, both of which I hate to think about — I am surrounded by other people’s garbage, and autumn is over.
Opinion | Hipster help wanted: Reviving old art forms
By Emily Pinigis, Staff Columnist
November 29, 2018
Millennials are quick to scoff at old art forms like the theater organ — but young ’uns shouldn’t write it off quickly. Many theaters put a modern spin on old art, making it fresh and entertaining.
Opinion | Master Plan will fail Pitt students
By Cammy Morsberger, For The Pitt News
November 28, 2018
Pitt's Master Plan promises stunning renovations to the university's campus, but these changes fails to make up for exorbitant costs and inconveniences associated with construction.
Pittsburgh dodged a bullet with Amazon HQ2
By Delilah Bourque, Senior Staff Columnist
November 27, 2018
The deals offered to Amazon in both New York and Virginia could spell disaster to some of the residents in Long Island City and Arlington — and in some cases it already has.
DeVos’ proposal hurts survivors of sexual assault
By Anne Marie Yurik, Senior Staff Columnist
November 26, 2018
Even though Title IX is usually meant to protect the victims of sexual assault, DeVos' new plan, which tries to protect those accused over the victims, is a step backward.
Ben Shapiro brings much-needed political diversity to Pitt
By Neena Hagen, Assistant Opinions Editor
November 20, 2018
Shapiro may be forceful in his arguments, but he’s a principled conservative who shouldn’t whip up the left into throngs of anger.
Donate blood all year round
By Mackenzie Oster, For The Pitt News
November 19, 2018
When mass tragedies strike, the prevalence of violence in our world resurfaces and the first impulse is to find a way to help. This is often why the influx of blood donations heighten around times that such unfortunate incidents occur.
Trump’s inadequate response to the Tree of Life shooting
By Mackenzie Oster, For The Pitt News
November 16, 2018
Trump’s initial response to the Pittsburgh shooting was to suggest the addition of armed guards in places of worship and a stricter implementation of the death penalty. Both of Trump’s suggestions model the behavior that they seek to prevent — the addition of more violence and death to society.
Middle ground necessary for housing options
By Mackenzie Oster, For The Pitt News
November 15, 2018
House and apartment hunting in Oakland leaves many students on the fence about where they’re going to reside the following school year — especially since the neighborhood has come to offer a narrow selection of decent student housing opportunities at this time of the year.
House Hunters: Oakland Edition
By Allison Dantinne, Staff Columnist
November 15, 2018
There comes a time in every Pitt student’s life when even grilled-cheese day at Market doesn’t make your on-campus living experience any less dismal. You’re ready to move on to bigger and better things. You’re an adult. You want to make grilled cheese yourself, whenever you want it.
Trump’s transgender policies disregard science, human rights
By Sandy Fairclough, Staff Columnist
November 14, 2018
The transgender community won’t be silenced by the Trump administration's transphobic policies.
Eating to help the environment
By Emily Pinigis, Staff Columnist
November 13, 2018
A recent U.N. report on climate change shows we have only a couple of decades before we feel the serious effects of global warming. It’s more crucial now than ever to make environmentally conscious decisions — and those start on your plate.
The president who cried ‘fake news’
By Kelly Loftus, Staff Columnist
November 11, 2018
Trump’s tumultuous relationship with the media has quickly become a defining characteristic of his presidency. But this war against the media not only signifies a lack of respect for both the Constitution and American history, it represents a threat to one of democracy’s most basic fundamentals rights — freedom of the press.
Stigmatizing mental illness causes harm
By Emily Pinigis, Staff Columnist
November 9, 2018
Everyone has had days when it seems people are just hard to be around. But you should not make anyone — especially those with hidden mental illnesses — the victim of your grumpiness.
Poem: Ode to my Juul
By Shahum Ajmal, Contributing Editor
November 9, 2018
USB they call you, To which I am left speechless. Yet, I persist to puff you.
The GOP’s white nationalism problem
By Aaron Lindstrom, For The Pitt News
November 8, 2018
One of the issues the Republican party focused on in these midterm elections was immigration — and Republican rhetoric on this issue continued to reveal how white nationalism is seeping into the party.
Populism sparks high voter turnout
By Delilah Bourque, Senior Staff Writer
November 7, 2018
Populist movements get people to the polls at home and abroad. This year’s historic midterm turnout is just one example of voters showing up to fight rhetoric they deem dangerous.
Bolsonaro: fascist dictator masquerading as president
By Jason Henriquez, Staff Columnist
November 6, 2018
Tolerating Bolsonaro's views isn’t just a controversial political stance — it actually enables atrocities.
Trump protests disrespectful to shooting victims
By Josh Beylinson, For The Pitt News
November 5, 2018
I was shocked to see so many protesters near where Trump paid his respects to the fallen. A memorial to the Tree of Life shooting victims is not the place to stage a political protest, and is downright disrespectful to Jews.
What a World
By Emily Pinigis, Staff Columnist
November 1, 2018
What a world we live in Where kindness is overshadowed by sin And inky skies are speckled with dying stars That light this dark world and all the souls’ scars
More tricks than treats: Halloween’s sexual assault problem
By Anne Marie Yurik, Staff Columnist
November 1, 2018
Halloween is a scary time, but not because of cobwebs and skeletons — for women, the dangers of sexual assault are very real.
Gab: a dangerous haven for white supremacists
By Neena Hagen, Assistant Opinions Editor
October 31, 2018
Gab, a fringe social media site frequented by Tree of Life shooter Robert Bowers, was taken down on Saturday — a great first step towards eradicating hate on the internet.
Spooky Sonnet
By Maggie Koontz, Senior Staff Columnist
October 31, 2018
Obey the laws on Halloween, All Hallows’ Eve, because not everything is what it seems. That night the veil between the worlds becomes quite obsolete.
PERSEPECTIVE | How the Jewish community hopes to heal
By Brian Gentry, Contributing Editor
October 29, 2018
The Jewish community has been strong in the face of such a horrific tragedy, a testament to its resilience and virtue. As community members mourn the loss of 11 of their family and friends, they look to heal their wounds.
Community support necessary to recover
By Ana Altchek, Staff Columnist
October 28, 2018
It is in bleak times like this that members of the community need to be proactive instead of reactive in order to bring comfort and safety to their fellow neighbors, and to prevent acts of violence like this from occurring in the future.
The Artist Autumn
By Emily Pinigis, For The Pitt News
October 25, 2018
Auburn hair and auburn leaves The fragrance of peace surrounds her Spread across the land by her radiant smile And all is calm in the world
Point-Counterpoint: Wonderful Wawa
By Neena Hagen, Assistant Opinions Editor
October 25, 2018
Wawa’s formula is simple — good food and good service makes for happy customers. And boy, am I one happy customer.
Point-Counterpoint: Splendid Sheetz
By Allison Dantinne, For The Pitt News
October 25, 2018
Sheetz and Wawa, Pennsylvania’s Capulets and Montagues, have battled for supremacy in the Keystone State for decades — Sheetz dominates the western part of the state.
Where to eat in the wake of the Market health inspection
By Delilah Bourque, Senior Staff Columnist
October 24, 2018
When Market was cited for 14 health code violations by the Allegheny County Health Department on Oct. 10, many were — and still are — left wondering if they should start looking elsewhere for lukewarm pizza at 1 a.m. on a Thursday. Here are a few suggestions for those who feel like they have nowhere left to go.
Pitt needs needle disposal containers
By Cammy Morsberger, For The Pitt News
October 24, 2018
Needle use is on the rise — hundreds of thousands of young people use needles to treat illnesses — yet Pitt has no needle disposal boxes in public restrooms.
What readers need to understand about journalism
By Brian Gentry, Contributing Editor
October 23, 2018
Widespread distrust of the media poses a threat to the free flow and sharing of knowledge, and journalists need to work with the community they inform to rebuild their relationship.
Stop colloquializing mental illness
By Kelly Loftus, For The Pitt News
October 21, 2018
Generalizations that trivialize the constant struggle that accompanies life with a mental illness, while also perpetuating stereotypes associated with certain conditions, jeopardize mental health treatment and the progress society has made in taking these issues seriously.
Phones are damaging our mental health
By Cammy Morsberger, For The Pitt News
October 19, 2018
October is Mental Health Awareness month, so it's imperative that we act to unplug our devices and not only enjoy the company of others, but also improve and support our mental well-being.
Trump administration: a worldwide embarrassment
By Josh Gaylord, For The Pitt News
October 19, 2018
Trump claims he’s “accomplished more than almost any administration” — but his “accomplishments” have hardly been good. The president has pushed archaic policies and eroded political alliances.
Trump mocks Ford: a tragedy for #MeToo and the country
By Kelly Loftus, For The Pitt News
October 17, 2018
Trump mocked Ford’s allegations against Kavanaugh — a harmful and disrespectful move. As the leader of the country, the president is responsible for emphasizing the legitimacy of important issues.
Pitt grad students deserve right to unionize
By Delilah Bourque, Senior Staff Columnist
October 17, 2018
Graduate students may be here for an education, but at universities, including Pitt, grad students don’t just function as scholars, but employees as well. They should have the right to unionize.
Corporations need to step up to limit climate change
By Sandy Fairclough, Staff Columnist
October 15, 2018
The scientific panelists at the U.N. have proved that if we want to avoid detrimental changes to our planet’s climate, someone needs do something to address the major impact human activity is having on the planet, fast. This responsibility lands on the large corporations who have most contributed to this environmental damage.
Don’t forget self-care during midterms
By Allison Dantinne, For The Pitt News
October 11, 2018
For many students, midterm season doesn’t end when tests are graded. The fear of failing or not doing as well as anticipated can loom over students and may contribute to problems later in the semester.
Op-Ed: Coming out can set you free
By Ravi Gandhi
October 11, 2018
I’d like to discuss coming out as the lengthy process it is and give tips from some painfully awkward experiences I’ve had. It can be a nerve-wracking experience, but very freeing as well.
Kavanaugh FBI investigation inadequate
By Allison Dantinne, For The Pitt News
October 10, 2018
The FBI investigation into Ford’s allegations initially seemed like a victory for those who opposed Kavanaugh, but from the start, it was clearly spun to favor Kavanaugh’s version of events.
How Global Studies helped Martinec on the path to success
By Elise Lavallee, Digital Manager
October 10, 2018
Filed under Blogs, Columns, Opinions
This page was made possible in part by a grant from Year of Pitt Global. At the age of 21, Alyssa Martinec boarded a plane to Shanghai, embarking on her second trip to China. This time, she was going to conduct research about air quality and the system justification theory. “Environmental issues are extreme...
Bill Cosby gets away with a slap on the wrist
By Ana Altchek, Staff Columnist
October 9, 2018
Bill Cosby was sentenced to three to ten years in prison for sexual assault. But that's not enough considering his horrific crimes.
Amazon wage increase is not good enough
By Jason Henriquez, For The Pitt News
October 9, 2018
Amazon recently announced an increase in the minimum wage for its hourly workers, but until the company enables unionization efforts, increases benefits to independent contractors and veteran workers and stops avoiding taxes, it shouldn’t receive any kudos.
Expand, don’t revise, Columbus’ history
By Kelly Loftus, For The Pitt News
October 8, 2018
Current American history education is inadequate and neglects the negative consequences of the actions of historical figures. On Columbus Day, it's important to recognize that our teaching of Columbus' past needs to include a full description of his actions, both positive and negative.
Respect the pumpkin spice latte as a cultural icon
By Delilah Bourque, Staff Columnist
October 4, 2018
The haters need to back off. Pumpkin spice deserves a spot in our fall landscape. It doesn’t deserve to be loathed so strongly, and neither does the demographic that loves it so much.
Homecoming should build community, scrap outdated traditions
By Angela Koontz, For The Pitt News
October 4, 2018
Homecoming court and football games are fun traditions, but they don’t make the most of what homecoming has to offer. Smaller networking events are better to help students interact with alumni.
Down with the monarchy
By Grace McGinness, Staff Columnist
October 3, 2018
There is no place for homecoming court in 2018. That may sound harsh, but after all it’s just a silly tradition for students who want to have fun.
Last-minute picks for homecoming court
By Brian Gentry, Contributing Editor
October 3, 2018
The nominees for homecoming court are decided, and it’s too late for any last-second additions. But there’s so many contestants who were disqualified just because they’re not students — and many would totally win if they could enter. If I could decide Pitt’s homecoming king and queen, these would be my choices.
Patience, not partisanship, required in Kavanaugh hearings
By Hayden Timmins, Staff Columnist
October 3, 2018
Senators attacked Kavanaugh and failed to ask Ford adequately probing questions — pointing to a hyper-partisan battle that hasn’t yet allowed room for a patient inquiry of the facts.
Communities play major role in solving environmental issues
By Brian Gentry, Contributing Editor
October 1, 2018
As state and national governments fail to adequately protect residents from industrial emissions and a changing climate, local communities must step up to effect change on their own behalf.
Pay attention to all gun violence, not just mass shootings
By Neena Hagen, Assistant Opinions Editor
October 1, 2018
There are many different types of gun violence in America today, and calling for simple, blanket solutions to such a multifaceted issue won’t solve anything, just exacerbate existing problems.
Eternal Evening
By Emily Pinigis, For The Pitt News
September 27, 2018
As the sky is painted orange and pink, I catch you leaning as if to see it. But your eyes remain shut, and so I think, For however long it takes, I will sit By your side, holding your hand till it’s time For you to leave me. I’ll touch the darkness, Push it far away with all of it...
Blind Devotion
By Emily Pinigis, For The Pitt News
September 27, 2018
With a tongue like a silver blade, He effortlessly entrances and seduces That velvety voice beckons not to be afraid Always a gentleman I am none the wiser I am under his spell of nightshade His precious little puppet I’ll play my part in his charade Captivating sovereign ...
Prisoners deserve to be evacuated too
By Delilah Bourque, Staff Columnist
September 27, 2018
In past storms, prisoners have suffered when they haven’t been evacuated, and during Florence two people in custody died. The issue isn’t one of safety — it’s one of morality.
Voting’s not a pain, it’s a privilege
By Anne Marie Yurik, Staff Columnist
September 26, 2018
Voting the core of America’s foundation. It’s how we distinguish ourselves from the idle subjects of a non-democratic ruler. Many modern Americans view voting as a hassle, but really it’s a privilege.
Exploring the Boot with Grace:
Embrace your inner tourist
By Grace McGinness, Columnist, Blogger
September 25, 2018
Since I have arrived in Florence, the problem of tourists has been a main point of conversation with my professors. Tourists stand in the road and mess up traffic, they don’t know how to speak any Italian or adhere to any of the local customs, they don’t take the time to appreciate anything that they see here.
Integrate Haredi Jews with secular society
By Josh Beylinson, For The Pitt News
September 24, 2018
The Haredim must integrate with mainstream Israeli society soon, or else Israel will become a country of two divided Jewish demographics unable to work together for the common good of the nation.
Kaepernick doesn’t give Nike the ethical high ground
By Sandy Fairclough, For The Pitt News
September 23, 2018
The only message that Nike is sending in partnering with Kaepernick is that the company is willing to capitalize on someone else’s humanitarian ideas while ignoring its own inhumane system.
Latest textbook editions put an extra burden on students
By Delilah Bourque, Staff Columnist
September 20, 2018
Filed under Columns, Opinions, Uncategorized
Being a college student is expensive. With average costs of books per academic year already soaring past the $1,000 mark, it only makes sense for professors to do everything they can to supplement information instead of mandating pricier new editions.
Dear Pitt: without waterless urinals, urine trouble
By Joshua Jordan, Staff Columnist
September 19, 2018
Installing waterless urinals is the perfect way to reduce water and energy consumption — which is a huge part of Pitt’s sustainability plan.
New Pa. prison policies only oppress prisoners
By Jason Henriquez, For The Pitt News
September 18, 2018
PA Department of Corrections unveiled a set of bureaucratic policies for prisons designed to prevent recent drug trafficking incidents. But these policies won't protect citizens or inmates.
Focus on science — not profit — when passing laws
By Brian Gentry, Contributing Editor
September 17, 2018
As temperatures rise and extreme weather events become increasingly common, we need to anticipate the expected changes in climate and modify our plans for public and private infrastructure accordingly.
Beyond reform: Abolish ICE
By Jason Henriquez, For The Pitt News
September 16, 2018
Giving the power to deport naturalized citizens to ICE, an undemocratic organization dominated by the executive branch, opens the door to a multitude of injustices.
Harvard must end affirmative action policies
By Neena Hagen, Hayden Timmins, The Pitt News Staff
September 14, 2018
Affirmative action programs had good intentions back in the 1960s — and good results for racial minorities — but today they’re just weapons against high-achieving minorities like Asian Americans.
Exploring the Boot with Grace
By Grace McGinness, Blogger
September 13, 2018
Filed under Blogs, Columns, Opinions
During my orientation week as newly arrived first-year at Pitt, I picked up every study abroad flyer offered. I’d spent several years studying American history on U.S. soil already — I figured studying another country’s history on its soil would be a nice change of pace. Now, as a junior double...
Take a gap year before grad school
By Rachel Boward, For The Pitt News
September 12, 2018
Taking a gap year after graduation provides a break for students who’ve spent their lives in academia. It also allows students to discover a purpose outside of education and pursue job opportunities.
Get hired: a guide to your next job interview
By Maggie Koontz, Senior Columnist
September 12, 2018
Interviews aren’t difficult because of questions — but because you can only make one first impression on a potential employer. While resumes are important, so are your appearance and mannerisms.
To go to grad school or not to go to grad school… that is the question
By The Pitt News Staff
September 12, 2018
Our staff weighs in on whether or not they're planning on going to grad school
First days in Florence
By Grace McGinness, Staff Columnist
September 11, 2018
I decided to study abroad when the Italian culture charmed me during mandatory language classes in high school. A land with more than 1,000 years of history and each corner with its own distinct culture, I wanted more than anything to live and learn in Italy.
Education, not cameras, will solve student safety issues
By Sandy Fairclough, For The Pitt News
September 11, 2018
Until Pitt starts informing students about general safety in Oakland, cameras, SafeRider and other safety features around campus won’t be effective — so they won’t protect Pitt students.
Point-Counterpoint: Appoint Kavanaugh
By Hayden Timmins, Staff Columnist
September 10, 2018
Judge Kavanaugh would make an excellent Supreme Court justice. In an era where the legislative branch delegates superfluous amounts of power to the Supreme Court, Kavanaugh strictly opposes this.
Point-Counterpoint: Don’t appoint Kavanaugh
By Delilah Bourque, Staff Columnist
September 9, 2018
Kavanaugh's record as a U.S. circuit judge and his behavior during his confirmation hearings show he is a liar who doesn't follow the precedent of courts before him — which will be disastrous for the American people, especially women.
Poetry: Move-in on Meyran
By Maggie Koontz, Senior Columnist
September 6, 2018
cars parallel parked not quite bumper to bumper on residential streets minivans and moving vans packed to capacity trunks and doors slam open and shut people coming and going in and out of apartments carrying a couple chairs up the stairs mattresses held above their...
Poetry: Flash Through Four Years
By Maggie Koontz, Senior Columnist
September 6, 2018
first year here, eyes full of wonder and optimistic at heart. a taste of freedom far from my home. my dorm is not my own. a stranger in this city. sophomore scene isn’t what it seems. I am split be- tween two cities, not houseless, feeling homeless. everything minor is major ...
Breathe easier: More air quality regulations needed
By Brian Gentry, Contributing Editor
September 5, 2018
With the federal government waging a war against the environment, state and local authorities must enforce air quality regulations to protect public health.
Pitt’s community action plan won’t improve fraternity conduct
By Hayden Timmins, For The Pitt News
September 4, 2018
The new community action plan — which lifts Pitt's Greek Life probation from January — makes steps toward reforming frat culture at Pitt. It's a great first step, but not nearly enough to eradicate these appalling drug- and alcohol-related “accidents” at fraternities.
Reality TV needs to treat harassment more seriously
By Anne Marie Yurik, Staff Columnist
September 3, 2018
Incidents of misconduct or harassment should be presented in a more serious way on TV since they can impact not only those involved but also viewers and how they might react or respond to similar circumstances.
Reduce use of antibiotics in agriculture
By Delilah Bourque, Staff Columnist
August 30, 2018
It’s unnecessary and harmful to consumers to treat unafflicted creatures with antibiotics, and it’s cruel to inflate the growth of animals on industrial farms.
Harsher hazing law is a step in the right direction
By Maggie Durwald, Opinions Editor
August 29, 2018
Other states should model Tim’s Law to adopt harsher stances against hazing — to do so, they’ll need the help of activists like the Anti-Hazing Coalition as well as universities and Greek life.
Philippine Nationality Room highlights need for diversity
By Grace McGinness, For The Pitt News
August 28, 2018
The Philippine Nationality room is an important step in diversifying the Nationality Rooms, 20 of which represent white European countries.