Opinion | Democratic debate blurbs: the good, the bad and the Biden
By Julia Kreutzer, Senior Staff Columnist
September 15, 2019
While less chaotic than the previous debates, Thursday night did not disappoint on delivering catchy one liners, cat fights and some extremely powerful statements.
Poetry | College
By Emily Pingis, Staff Columnist
September 12, 2019
To the left, A career in mathematics To the right, A path of dramatics
Opinion | Point: Want student workers? Pay them
By Grace McGinness, Staff Columnist
September 11, 2019
Student job is a vague term that could be used to include every job from a dishwasher in the dining halls to research assistant in a biochemical lab.
Opinion | In defense of an out-of-field internship
By Julia Kreutzer, Senior Staff Columnist
September 11, 2019
Though experiences like these are invaluable, an often-overlooked asset to building a resumé is an out-of-field internship.
Opinion | LinkedIn Horoscopes
By Allison Dantinne, Senior Staff Columnist
September 11, 2019
Here are some tips, directly from the stars, to help you optimize your LinkedIn experience.
Opinion | Counterpoint: Raising minimum wage won’t help students
By Michael Clifford, For The Pitt News
September 11, 2019
The host of “living wage” arguments are weakly founded.
Opinion | 5 things you should know before working retail
By Mackenzie Oster, Staff Columnist
September 11, 2019
Before you find yourself in the midst of the retail world, here are five things that I wish I had known before working in the industry.
Opinion | Leave the vapes alone
By Josh Beylinson, Staff Columnist
September 10, 2019
Banning flavored e-cigarettes only punishes adults by eliminating a safer alternative to cigarettes while doing nothing to improve the health of America’s minors.
Opinion | Candidates who didn’t qualify for the September debate need to drop out
By Devi Ruia, Staff Columnist
September 9, 2019
The Iowa caucus is still about five months away, and already people are starting to feel fatigued from the Democratic Primary.
Opinion | The art of saying “no”
By Julia Kreutzer, Senior Staff Columnist
September 8, 2019
While saying no can feel uncomfortable and even unnatural, recognizing we don’t always have to agree is instrumental in protecting our mental health.
Satire | Movies to watch on a first date
By Genna Edwards, For The Pitt News
September 5, 2019
I’ve compiled a selection of films that will clue you in to whether or not your date is a misogynist. He may not think you deserve the right to vote, but how can you figure that out without asking him outright?
Opinion | University shouldn’t remove “Pitt,” “Panther” from club names
By Hayden Timmins, Staff Columnist
September 5, 2019
Pitt’s attempt to control every aspect of a club is insulting to the student-run organizations in accordance with Pitt policies and will be devastating to their brands.
Opinion | Expand the use of OERs
By Mackenzie Oster, Staff Columnist
September 4, 2019
Students should take full advantage of the resources that the University offers, especially since the University has implemented Open Educational Resources.
Opinion | Using social media for social change
By Ana Altchek, Staff Columnist
September 2, 2019
In wake of the devastating Amazon fires, it seems like Instagram users have picked up a new trend of posting climate-related articles and memos to their stories.
Satire | Back to school horoscopes
By Allison Dantinne, Senior Staff Columnist
August 29, 2019
Look to the stars for some answers, because Kevin in the second-to-last row of your biology lecture sure isn’t going to provide any insight.
Opinion | We should all find time to read
By Leah Mensch, Assistant Opinions Editor
August 28, 2019
It’s a shame that we don’t read for pleasure as much during the school year, because with reading comes so many other benefits that improve the quality of everyday life.
Opinion | Freshman year is hard, and social media makes it worse
By Sarah Connor, Contributing Editor
August 27, 2019
Your first year of college is inevitably hard, and I want all current first-years to know that if you’re not having the time of your life right now like everyone else seems to be, that’s okay.
Opinion | Preventative sexual assault measures needed on campuses
By Genna Edwards, For the Pitt News
August 26, 2019
Following the Ruskin Incident, the overarching safety issue was not, and is still not resolved. The ubiquitous worry remains.
Opinion | Action needed to curb tuition increases
By Josh Beylinson, Staff Columnist
August 25, 2019
In order to curb tuition increases, Pitt should find ways to make money that don’t rely on students bearing the financial brunt of every project the school decides to pursue.
Meet the editors: Opinions
By The Pitt News Opinions Editors
August 25, 2019
We’re proud and excited to analyze local and world news in a way that stimulates conversation and debate on campus.
Opinion | Summer of creativity: vignettes from summer break
By The Pitt News Staff
August 25, 2019
To start off the Year of Creativity, our columnist share some summer experiences in which they displayed a sense of creativity.
Opinion | 5 tips to minimize stress and maximize success
By Mackenzie Oster, Staff Columnist
August 23, 2019
So, before you find yourself in the same situation when the new school year begins, here's a few things to do differently this semester to minimize stress and maximize success.
Top 10 | Restaurants to hit when you get back to school
By Julia Kreutzer, Senior Staff Columnist
August 22, 2019
Here are my top 10 restaurants that I can’t wait to be reunited with.
Opinion | Pitt News opinions desk family newsletter
By Allison Dantinne, Senior Staff Columnist
August 21, 2019
It’s been a busy summer for The Pitt News opinions desk, but all that hustling and bustling must feather out as August approaches and we start our preparations for the fast-approaching school year.
Opinion | South Oakland could be beautiful if we just tried
By Grace McGinness, Staff Columnist
August 20, 2019
It’s understandable — walk along a South O avenue and you’ll notice a plethora of overflowing trash cans and unmowed lawns.
Opinion | 5 niche courses that fulfill your gen ed requirements
By Leah Mensch, Opinions Editor
August 19, 2019
These are a few niche courses that also fulfill general education requirements.
Opinion | Summer bodies do not require body transformation or weight loss
By Anne Marie Yurik, Staff Columnist
July 16, 2019
Nobody needs to alter, change or conceal their natural shape simply because it is summertime.
Satire | 5 classic novels to take to the beach this summer
By Leah Mensch, Opinions Editor
July 16, 2019
The Goodreads Popular Beach Read Books ranking has gone live, and there is only one thing to do with this list. Print it out, crumple it in a ball and recycle it.
Satire | Summer: The Flaming Oakland Trash Pile of Seasons
By Allison Dantinne, Senior Staff Columnist
July 16, 2019
If I took anything from the hot second I spent in Physics 1 before withdrawing, it’s that what goes up must come down. I believe this law must also apply to weather. Therefore, what must be cold will eventually become hot. And hot it has become.
Opinion | Want to break the glass ceiling? Stop focusing on gender
By Julia Kreutzer, Senior Staff Columnist
July 9, 2019
Focusing on anything other than candidates’ abilities is not only a slap in the face to women who have spent their lives fighting to serve the country, but also hinders our ability to get the best person for the job.
Point-Counterpoint | Good riddance to PittStart
By Grace McGinness, Staff Columnist
July 1, 2019
While the intentions of the former orientation program appeared well-meaning on paper, the program was redundant, inconvenient and unhelpful.
Point-Counterpoint | The case for PittStart
By Josh Beylinson, Staff Columnist
July 1, 2019
While Panther Connect offers many of the same things seen in PittStart, there were many features of PittStart that made it a much better program.
Opinion | 4 tips for prioritizing mental health in the transition to college
By Julia Kreutzer, Staff Columnist
June 30, 2019
Looking at how my first year at Pitt actually unfolded, though, I recognize that while I did enjoy the freedom and novelty, I had not anticipated the feelings of anxiety and loneliness that can come with uprooting one’s life and diving headfirst into a completely new environment.
Opinion | Residence Hall Horoscopes
By Allison Dantinne, Senior Staff Columnist
June 29, 2019
Just like you, each of Pitt’s residence halls has its own distinct character.
Opinion | The first year: What I wish I knew
By Mackenzie Oster, Staff Columnist
June 29, 2019
Before the class of 2023 officially arrives at Pitt, I want to present five things that I wish I had known before setting foot on campus.
Opinion | 5 reasons you shouldn’t worry about the freshman 15
By Leah Mensch, Opinions Editor
June 28, 2019
You shouldn’t ruin your first year of college worrying about the freshman 15, especially when there really isn’t evidence to support it in the first place.
Opinion | A double major isn’t always the right choice
By Grace McGinness, Staff Columnist
June 28, 2019
While earning multiple degrees sounds fancy on paper, it might not always be practical.
Opinion | A leftist push won’t help Democrats
By Michael Clifford, For The Pitt News
June 25, 2019
There is still room for a moderate to take the nomination and defeat Trump.
Opinion | June Horoscopes
By Allison Dantinne, Senior Staff Columnist
June 18, 2019
Summer is upon us. The weather becomes hot. The air becomes sticky. The Geminis finally crawl back into the wretched pits from whence we came. There is a sense of calm. Check your horoscope to see what else the stars have in store for you this Cancer season.
Opinion | The ideal way to corporatize LGBTQ+ identity
By Grace McGinness, Staff Columnist
June 12, 2019
While the corporatization can be bad, there are ways to ethically market LGBTQ+ inclusiveness. Companies need to adopt these principles, and it is our job to hold them accountable.
Opinion | Pride can be both political and a party
By Julia Kreutzer, Staff Columist
June 11, 2019
While Pride in 2019 is far different than Stonewall, if executed with respect, it can be an incredible time to both toast to how far we’ve come and push for continued progress. It is imperative that members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies alike push for the continued growth of Pride events in ways that support and include everyone in the community.
Opinion | Time to execute the death penalty
By Leah Mensch, Opinions Editor
June 4, 2019
The United States is one of the few developed countries in which the death penalty is still legal in certain places, despite it being an inhumane and outdated form of punishment. The practice is also expensive, irreversible and ineffective when it comes to curbing criminal offenses.
Opinion | Candidate “electability” argument isn’t relevant
By Devi Ruia, Staff Columnist
May 28, 2019
People don’t seem to understand what they’re saying when they talk about electability or what a self-fulfilling prophecy it becomes, and voting for the candidate they deem most “electable” in the Democratic primary instead of the candidate they genuinely want isn’t a good way to go about things.
Opinion | The Trump boom can’t last
By Michael Clifford, For The Pitt News
May 22, 2019
Mixed economic signals are popping up everywhere that suggest a downturn soon. Given the uncertainty, it would be wise to hold a skeptical outlook for the near future.
Opinion | Electing a Democrat in 2020 is our best hope for curbing gun violence
By Julia Kreutzer, Staff Columnist
May 14, 2019
In order to protect our children and collective morality, further action must be taken by lawmakers in efforts to curb the rate of gun violence. Electing a Democrat in the upcoming 2020 presidential election is America’s chance to take a stance against our gun problem.
TPN senior send-offs
By The Pitt News Staff
April 21, 2019
TPN is saying goodbye to five graduating members of its staff this year who have all made an impact on the paper and their peers.
Opinion | It is finals week, and I must scream
By Kim Rooney, Contributing Editor
April 21, 2019
There is a long tradition of screaming in response to stress, whether it is during labor or for funerals or even postmortem as banshees.
Opinion | I tried to de-stress by cooking. It didn’t go well
By Grace McGinness, Staff Columnist
April 21, 2019
Studying could wait until tomorrow. Tonight I was going to eat good — a homemade meal and an Oscar-nominated film in front of me.
Opinion | 5 ways to relieve stress through comedy
By Allison Dantinne, Senior Staff Columnist
April 21, 2019
When finals season rolls around, it’s hard to not feel the crushing weight of the world on your shoulders. It’s hard not to see your GPA in physical form, beating you over the head for taking a “What ocean sponge are you?” quiz instead of paying attention to the lecture.
Opinion | “Game of Thrones” Characters as 2020 Presidential Candidates
By Devi Ruia, Staff Columnist
April 18, 2019
With “Game of Thrones” returning this past Sunday for its final season, here are the characters that most closely align with 2020 Presidential Candidates.
Opinion: It’s OK to move back home after college
By Ana Altchek, Staff Columnist
April 17, 2019
A record 36% of college seniors were expected to move back home for at least a year upon college graduation in 2016. Despite their good reason to do so, there is a lingering stigma of laziness and failure that surrounds those who do.
Opinion | Top 10 things even scarier than Roc’s new look
By Julia Kreutzer, Staff Columnist
April 16, 2019
Pitt's new Panther logo strikes fear not only in the hearts of the competition but students as well. Here are 10 things even scarier than Roc’s new look.
Poetry | Grocery Shopping
By Grace McGinness, Staff Columnist
April 15, 2019
Enter the house where nature lies still. Where it’s pinned to the platter prepared to my order. Ignore the soft smell of the flowers from where they crowd around the door stuffed in pots and hanging from wires. Pulled up from their roots slowly dying but their bursts of colors are so ...
Opinion | Public schools should only permit vaccine exemptions for medical reasons
By Leah Mensch, Senior Staff Columnist
April 14, 2019
For the safety of all children, public schools should limit their vaccine exemptions to medical conditions only.
Poetry | I wish I had a kite
By Emily Pinigis, Staff Columnist
April 11, 2019
I wish I had a kite So I may cast away my worries into the heavens The world from above would be a marvelous sight If I only had a kite I wish I had a kite So my soul could fly among the birds And I could be free and light If I only had a kite I wish I had a kite So the wind may guide me w...
Opinion | Must drinking always lead to debauchery?
By Grace McGinness, Staff Columnist
April 10, 2019
For all the people who don’t need or don’t want to throw a roof-blasting banger every weekend, here are some activities that are just as good — if not better — than screaming like a lunatic in a South O basement.
Opinion | Drunk horoscopes
By Allison Dantinne, Senior Staff Columnist
April 10, 2019
It’s easy to have a hard time figuring out the right drink for you. Why not bring the stars to the bars? It’s time to let your sign determine your drink order.
Opinion | Legalize sex work to protect sex workers
By Delilah Bourque, Senior Staff Columnist
April 9, 2019
Decriminalization and legalization of sex work will protect sex workers, who currently are exposed to abuses without the protection of the law.
Opinion | It’s time to limit plastic bag consumption
By Leah Mensch, Senior Staff Columnist
April 7, 2019
It’s time for Pennsylvania to take the initiative and limit its single-use plastic bag consumption.
Poetry | An ode to the molds of my mind
By Mackenzie Oster, Staff Columnist
April 5, 2019
I think the way I do In honor of every girl That used my shoulders To reach the highest shelf And every boy That used the reflection In my bulging eyes To see themselves more clearly I think the way I do In tribute to those That have decid ed That dimming every switch Hurts less ...
Opinion | In defense of the nap
By Leah Mensch, Senior Staff Columnist
April 3, 2019
There is a well-known narrative of the college student who falls into an insidious napping pattern, stops attending lecture and then fails all of the semester’s classes.
Opinion | Our police deserve better mental health care
By Jeremy Wang, Assistant Opinions Editor
April 2, 2019
Police in America faced a deadly year in 2018 with 144 line of duty deaths. Far less attention is paid to police suicides, which are just as deadly.
Opinion | Don’t discount Mayor Pete
By Devi Ruia, Staff Columnist
April 2, 2019
Despite his youth, Buttigieg has an impressive resumé and shouldn’t be discounted in the 2020 race.
Opinion | How to prank your friends with Brad Pitt’s face
By Allison Dantinne, Senior Staff Columnist
April 1, 2019
Have you ever wanted to pull off the perfect April Fools’ Day prank without resorting to extremes to carry out your shenanigans? This year, prank your friends while honoring one of America’s greatest figures: Brad Pitt.
Poetry | Brass Knuckles for a Demon
By Delilah Bourque, Senior Staff Columnist
March 28, 2019
In her villanelle poem, Delilah Bourque reflects on her fears and her own creations.
Op-ed: Memory of Antwon Rose denied justice
By Black Action Society of the University of Pittsburgh
March 28, 2019
To the Black community of Pittsburgh: with each passing acquittal, we are blatantly shown our value in the eyes of those designated to “protect us.”
Opinion | Trump’s executive order for free speech is ineffective
By Hayden Timmins, Staff Columnist
March 27, 2019
The order states that the government can withhold federal funds if the school is deemed to have violated the First Amendment, but it offers no specific way of determining this.
Opinion | Social media outlets need to deplatform white supremacists
By Delilah Bourque, Senior Staff Columnist
March 25, 2019
Social media companies like Google, Facebook and Twitter need to step up their actions against white supremacists and bigoted provocateurs.
Opinion | Pa. marijuana legalization necessary
By Julia Kreutzer, Staff Columnist
March 24, 2019
In the push for meaningfully combating racist practices, creating legal opportunities for medicinal and recreational marijuana users and bolstering the state’s economy, approving SB 350 is an instrumental move.
Opinion | Serious March horoscopes
By Allison Dantinne, Senior Staff Columnist
March 21, 2019
Just some rigorous and serious March horoscopes. These are arguably the most accurate March horoscopes that can be found today.
Opinion | Anti-hate resolution overshadows anti-Semitism
By Ana Altchek, Staff Columnist
March 21, 2019
While the resolution began as a direct response to Omar’s anti-Semitism, it quickly transgressed into a wishy-washy general prerogative to abstain from all forms of hatred.
Opinion | Stand up for sex workers: Cancel the hackathon
By Jason Henriquez, Staff Columnist
March 19, 2019
The hackathon does not explicitly mention sex workers in its promotions, but it is likely it will ultimately target them and others.
Opinion | Know violence in vocabulary
By Leah Mensch, Staff Columnist
March 19, 2019
In Mexico City, Valeria Luiselli is a name most households know and love. In the United States, the author is lesser known, though that’s begun to change.
Opinion | Debate and Disney: Vignettes from spring break
By The Pitt News Staff
March 17, 2019
Julia Kreutzer, Staff Columnist While it seems all of my friends spent their breaks indulging in snacks by the pool or exploring exotic travel destinations, my spring break reverted me back to my prime form: high school speech and debate competitions. In high school, I spent weekend after weekend compe...
Opinion | Market Impossible: 12 Hours in Market Central
By Allison Dantinne, Senior Staff Columnist
March 7, 2019
I spent from 9 a.m to 9 p.m. on Saturday in Market, learning about Market, coming to understand Market and, eventually, becoming Market.
Opinion | Smollett case overshadows truth of hate crimes
By Mackenzie Oster, Staff Columnist
March 7, 2019
Smollett’s publicity stunt is disrespectful to those who have had to face such violent discrimination, and this case is not worthy of the headlines and publicity that encompass it.
Opinion | People deserve to know menstrual product ingredients
By Delilah Bourque, Senior Staff Columnist
March 6, 2019
The FDA must reclassify feminine hygiene products to force manufacturers to label tampons with their ingredients so women can make informed choices.
Opinion | Bust the filibuster
By Devi Ruia, For The Pitt News
March 5, 2019
The Senate filibuster isn’t exactly the top issue of the 2020 presidential election. But while it may not be talked about as much as climate change, health care or gun violence, it could be the key to passing legislation regarding these issues.
Opinion | American education system should distance itself from grades
By Kelly Loftus, Staff Columnist
March 3, 2019
I believe in educative structure. I believe in academic integrity. But I also believe that somewhere, we went wrong. We, as a society, need to reevaluate our current system of grading in order to institute something more just and constructive
Opinion | The Forbes Street Market buyer’s guide
By Allison Dantinne, Senior Staff Columnist
March 1, 2019
Here’s a guide to avoiding Forbes Street Market markups, while still buying the food you want.
Opinion | Matching Pell grants isn’t enough
By Emily Pinigis, Staff Columnist
February 28, 2019
For students who already received a Pell Grant, it’s a wonderful effort by Pitt to help alleviate some of their costs and worries. But for the students who don’t qualify, the effort leaves them in the dust.
Opinion | Tumblr’s porn ban hurts sex workers
By Cammy Morsberger, Staff Columnist
February 27, 2019
By banning NSFW content, Tumblr will inevitably hurt sex workers, adult models and their businesses in the process.
Opinion | Olympic breakdancing would promote inclusion
By Delilah Bourque, Senior Staff Columnist
February 26, 2019
The inclusion of break dancing, as well as other nontraditional sports, is an important step towards the goal of keeping the Olympic games modern. The IOC should include break dancing in the Paris 2024 program if it wants to keep the games fresh, relevant and inclusive.
Opinion | We need to talk about orthorexia
By Leah Mensch, Staff Columnist
February 25, 2019
Since orthorexia’s symptoms can be difficult to recognize, opening a conversation about it is vital to helping adults, teenagers and health care providers recognize it at an early stage.
Opinion | Scientifically tested horoscopes
By Allison Dantinne, Senior Staff Columnist
February 22, 2019
These horoscopes have been scientifically tested - rigorously, too.
Opinion | Gillibrand’s ‘Women-Plus’ campaign is exactly what we need right now
By Devi Ruia, For The Pitt News
February 21, 2019
Her "Women-Plus" campaign could prove to be the perfect strategy for her, and one that the American people need to witness — regardless of whether or not she gets the nomination.
Opinion | Tinder: 1 star
By Ana Altchek, Staff Columnist
February 20, 2019
With social media, love is not quite as romantic. Technology has seemingly transformed dating into a game of swiping left and right.
Opinion | Pa. is misguidedly trying to make video games a taxable sin
By Thomas Wick, Staff Columnist
February 19, 2019
Politicians have been trying to pin the blame for school shootings on violent video games for years, even though it’s a dated concept.
Opinion | The importance of using gender-neutral vocabulary
By Anne Marie Yurik, Staff Columnist
February 18, 2019
Pronouns, for the cisgender community, might not seem like a big deal. But many individuals who identify as non-binary lose accurate representation and feel excluded when people are unfamiliar with the gendered phrasing they’re using.
Poetry | Society’s Man
By Samir Yellapragada, For The Pitt News
February 14, 2019
In his spoken word poem "Society's Man," Samir Yellapragada explores concepts of insecurity and toxic masculinity.
Opinion | Non-inclusive sex ed puts LGBTQ+ youth at risk
By Julia Kreutzer, Staff Columnist
February 14, 2019
To decrease the number of LGBTQ+ individuals put at risk, inclusive education is needed to keep students safe and encourage security in their sexual and gender identities.
Opinion | Leave vaginas out of feminism
By Leah Mensch, Staff Columnist
February 14, 2019
The vagina has become a symbol of resistance against female oppression, but the female gender is much more complicated than a body part.
Opinion | Thank the people, not the politicians
By Jason Henriquez, Staff Columnist
February 13, 2019
Politicians may try to take credit for doing these things to keep their seats safe, but they did not spark the movements behind these changes: the people did.
Opinion | New York sets example with new abortion law
By Delilah Bourque, Senior Staff Columnist
February 12, 2019
The legislation is a landmark victory in the fight for women’s reproductive health-care rights.
Opinion | Virginia needs to get it together
By Devi Ruia, For The Pitt News
February 10, 2019
For these men to keep their positions would not only be an insult to the people of Virginia, but a terrible stain on the entire Democratic Party. All of them men should either resign or be removed from office.
Poetry | Reflections
By Emily Pinigis, Staff Columnist
February 8, 2019
In her poem “Reflections,” Emily Pinigis looks at the world in a different way:
Opinion | Online petitions: not always a useful form of activism
By Julia Kreutzer, Staff Columnist
February 7, 2019
While a snow day seems a welcomed result of these petitions, making decisions based on a few thousand online signatures has much larger implications — students overestimate their influence and go above those with authority.
Opinion | Corporate and Afraid: An office survival guide
By Allison Dantinne, Senior Staff Columnist
February 6, 2019
This Office Survival Guide will help you assimilate to office culture faster than you can type “please advise” at the end of an email to a coworker.
Opinion | Unpaid internships: When the costs outweigh the benefits
By Leah Mensch, Staff Columnist
February 6, 2019
Unpaid internships are a socioeconomic privilege. For students who depend on the summer months as time to gather funds to pay off loans or put food in the fridge, the unpaid internship is nothing short of a burden.
Opinion | We need to make the internet a safer place
By Mackenzie Oster, Staff Columnist
February 5, 2019
Social media sites have developed into places where people build themselves up by tearing other users down, whether by demeaningly voicing an opinion or starting unnecessary fights. The internet must become a safer, more civil space if we expect our discourse there to be healthy and productive.