The University of Pittsburgh's Daily Student Newspaper

The Pitt News
The University of Pittsburgh's Daily Student Newspaper

The Pitt News
The University of Pittsburgh's Daily Student Newspaper

The Pitt News

Jon Moss, Editor-in-Chief

Jon Moss is the fourth-ever editor-in-chief of The Pitt News to work for two terms. He reports on Pitt’s upper administration and how its actions impact students, faculty, staff and the wider University community. A native of Northern New Jersey, he will graduate in April 2022 as a business major and Spanish minor. He speaks three languages — English, Spanish and public policy. Jon previously served stints at The Pitt News as a news staff writer, online visual editor, assistant news editor and news editor.

Contact Jon confidentially by emailing [email protected] or calling 412-648-7985.

All content by Jon Moss
Pitt lifts Tower B COVID-19 shelter-in-place after 4 days

Pitt lifts Tower B COVID-19 shelter-in-place after 4 days

By Ashton Crawley and Jon Moss
October 7, 2020
Students on three Tower B floors quarantined, Pitt to test entire building for COVID-19

Students on three Tower B floors quarantined, Pitt to test entire building for COVID-19

By Rebecca Johnson and Jon Moss
October 5, 2020
Pitt's outdoor COVID-19 testing site is located outside Posvar Hall.

Pitt investigating ‘increase in cases’ in Tower B, adds 6 other new COVID-19 cases

By Ashton Crawley and Jon Moss
October 2, 2020
Chancellor Patrick Gallagher gave an annual report at Friday morning's board of trustees meeting.

Gallagher provides annual report on University initiatives at ‘seminal’ moment

By Rebecca Johnson and Jon Moss
September 25, 2020
Dawne Hickton, the chair of the ad-hoc committee on fossil fuels of Pitt's board of trustees, spoke about the committee's work Friday morning.

Board committee investigating fossil fuel divestment working to meet ‘compressed,’ ‘intensive’ schedule

By Rebecca Johnson and Jon Moss
September 25, 2020
Valerie Njie, the president of the Pitt Alumni Association, spoke at Friday morning's board of trustees meeting.

Board approves new trustees, revised bylaws

By Rebecca Johnson and Jon Moss
September 25, 2020
Pitt is set to lease space in the Hill District’s historic New Granada Theater building for its Community Engagement Center in the neighborhood.

Pitt to lease historic New Granada Theater building for community center

By Jon Moss, Editor-in-Chief
September 25, 2020

Letter From the Editor | Retraction of column

By Jon Moss, Editor-in-Chief
September 11, 2020
Pitt's Faculty Assembly met Wednesday afternoon.

Pitt to allow in-person classes if ‘definable benefit,’ remainder to stay online during Elevated posture

By Rebecca Johnson, Jon Moss, and Alice Tang
September 9, 2020

Letter from the Editor | Retraction of Counseling Center story

By Jon Moss, Editor-in-Chief
September 5, 2020
Pitt's outdoor COVID-19 testing site is located outside Posvar Hall.

Pitt adds 33 COVID-19 cases since Monday, strengthens mask requirements

By Ashton Crawley and Jon Moss
September 4, 2020
The Cathedral of Learning watches over an empty Pitt campus.

Pitt adds 46 COVID-19 cases after second week of online classes

By Rebecca Johnson and Jon Moss
August 31, 2020
According to Pitt data, Black students represented 5.26% of the undergraduate student body in 2019.

‘Embarrassing’: Black student leaders criticize low Black student enrollment

By Rebecca Johnson and Jon Moss
August 26, 2020
Editor-in-Chief Jon Moss and Managing Editor Mary Rose O’Donnell are the leaders at The Pitt News.

Meet the Editors: The Chiefs

By Jon Moss and Mary Rose O'Donnell
August 23, 2020

Pitt student pleads guilty to three counts after racist, threatening messages

By Jon Moss, Editor-in-Chief
August 20, 2020
Forbes-Craig Apartments is located across from the Carnegie Museum of Art in Oakland.

Pitt to empty Forbes-Craig Apartments, frustrating residents

By Jon Moss, Editor-in-Chief
August 19, 2020
Letter from the Editor | Back to the future with TPN

Letter from the Editor | Back to the future with TPN

By Jon Moss, Editor-in-Chief
August 18, 2020
Pitt adds 14 new COVID-19 cases during first week of move-in

Pitt adds 14 new COVID-19 cases during first week of move-in

By Ashton Crawley and Jon Moss
August 17, 2020
Chancellor Patrick Gallagher at the February meeting of the board of trustees.

Exclusive: On eve of move-in, Gallagher asks for flexibility during historic semester

By Jon Moss, Editor-in-Chief
August 10, 2020
The Cathedral of Learning watches over an empty Pitt campus.

Pitt adds 8 new COVID-19 cases since last Friday

By Jon Moss, Editor-in-Chief
August 7, 2020
The Cathedral of Learning watches over an empty Pitt campus.

Pitt adds 4 new COVID-19 cases since last Friday

By Jon Moss, Editor-in-Chief
July 31, 2020
The Cathedral of Learning watches over an empty Pitt campus.

Unclear when fall classes will move in person, Pitt officials say

By Jon Moss, Editor-in-Chief
July 30, 2020
Letter From the Editor | Welcome to Pitt — just keep swimming

Letter From the Editor | Welcome to Pitt — just keep swimming

By Jon Moss, Editor-in-Chief
July 24, 2020
The Cathedral of Learning watches over an empty Pitt campus.

Students, staff added to fall reopening committee

By Jon Moss, Editor-in-Chief
July 17, 2020
Pitt meets many Black student demands in new anti-racism plan

Pitt meets many Black student demands in new anti-racism plan

By Jon Moss, Editor-in-Chief
July 16, 2020
Chancellor Patrick Gallagher at a Senate Council meeting.

Gallagher concerned about ongoing pandemic, but confident in ‘robust’ Pitt planning

By Jon Moss, Editor-in-Chief
July 15, 2020
Flat tuition, 6% cut in next year’s budget

Flat tuition, 6% cut in next year’s budget

By Jon Moss, Editor-in-Chief
July 15, 2020
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement released new guidelines Monday, which said if universities move classes fully online, the agency will move to deport international students.

ICE to rescind new international student guidelines

By Rebecca Johnson and Jon Moss
July 14, 2020
Pitt adds 10 new COVID-19 cases since last Thursday

Pitt adds 10 new COVID-19 cases since last Thursday

By Jon Moss, Editor-in-Chief
July 10, 2020
Faculty convened via Zoom and voiced numerous, wide-ranging concerns Tuesday afternoon about Pitt’s plans for the fall semester.

Faculty voice concerns as fall semester approaches

By Jon Moss, Editor-in-Chief
July 7, 2020
The Cathedral of Learning watches over an empty Pitt campus.

Pitt COVID-19 cases triple in one week

By Ashton Crawley and Jon Moss
July 2, 2020
The Cathedral of Learning watches over an empty Pitt campus.

New committee to implement fall reopening

By Jon Moss, Editor-in-Chief
July 2, 2020
Chancellor Patrick Gallagher at a Senate Council meeting.

Pitt establishes reopening postures for the fall, amidst pandemic

By Jon Moss, Editor-in-Chief
June 30, 2020
The Cathedral of Learning watches over an empty Pitt campus.

Pitt to release new COVID-19 case numbers weekly

By Jon Moss, Editor-in-Chief
June 29, 2020
Provost Ann Cudd speaks at a Student Government Board meeting on Oct. 24, 2018.

Faculty not required to be in person, but must provide ‘classroom experience’

By Jon Moss, Editor-in-Chief
June 26, 2020
Chancellor Patrick Gallagher spoke about the dual crises facing the University at Friday morning's board of trustees meeting.

Gallagher: Pitt in a ‘watershed’ moment

By Jon Moss, Editor-in-Chief
June 26, 2020
The Fossil Free Pitt Coalition held a sit-in in the Cathedral Learning in February to demand the board of trustees divest from fossil fuels.

Board to form ad-hoc committee to study fossil fuel divestment

By Jon Moss, Editor-in-Chief
June 26, 2020
Eva Tansky Blum, the outgoing board chairperson, talks during Friday morning's board meeting.

Board approves new trustees, revised bylaws

By Jon Moss, Editor-in-Chief
June 26, 2020
Clyde Wilson Pickett named new vice chancellor for diversity and inclusion

Clyde Wilson Pickett named new vice chancellor for diversity and inclusion

By Jon Moss, Editor-in-Chief
June 25, 2020
The Cathedral of Learning watches over an empty Pitt campus.

Pitt to spend second half of federal relief money on fall restart

By Jon Moss, Editor-in-Chief
June 25, 2020
Chancellor Gallagher spoke with the State Senate Appropriations Committee in Harrisburg on Tuesday.

Context: June Board of Trustees meeting

By Jon Moss, Editor-in-Chief
June 25, 2020
Litchfield Towers A, B and C are located on lower campus between Fifth and Forbes avenues and house approximately 1,800 students.

Pitt to lease $22 million in hotel rooms for first-year student housing

By Jon Moss, Editor-in-Chief
June 25, 2020
Black Action Society, 17 Black student orgs make demands of University administration

Black Action Society, 17 Black student orgs make demands of University administration

By Jon Moss, Editor-in-Chief
June 22, 2020
Pitt students Casey Tompkins-Rhoades (left), Wheyntie Alexandre (center) and Alexander Schuyler (right) have made nearly 20 demands of the School of Medicine.

Med school dean agrees to wide-ranging demands from Black students

By Jon Moss, Editor-in-Chief
June 19, 2020
Pitt announced Monday that faculty and staff have been offered voluntary retirement programs.

Voluntary retirement program offered to faculty, staff

By Jon Moss, Editor-in-Chief
June 16, 2020
Protesters march down Forbes Avenue at a protest Saturday.

Letter from the Editor | We must capitalize the B

By Jon Moss, Editor-in-Chief
June 16, 2020
The Fossil Free Pitt Coalition held a sit-in in the Cathedral Learning in February to demand the board of trustees divest from fossil fuels.

Pitt quietly releases socially responsible investment criteria

By Jon Moss, Editor-in-Chief
June 16, 2020
The investment committee of the board of trustees met Tuesday via Zoom.

Board committee approves flat endowment distribution rate

By Jon Moss, Editor-in-Chief
June 16, 2020
Classes will begin remotely, then switch to in person three days into the semester.

Fall classes to begin remotely, move in person after 3 days

By Jon Moss, Editor-in-Chief
June 12, 2020
Gallagher: Pitt has ‘let down’ black students

Gallagher: Pitt has ‘let down’ black students

By Rebecca Johnson and Jon Moss
June 11, 2020
Flat tuition, fees expected for next year, Gallagher says

Flat tuition, fees expected for next year, Gallagher says

By Rebecca Johnson and Jon Moss
June 11, 2020
Faculty government leaders discuss fall plans during Tuesday afternoon’s Faculty Assembly meeting.

‘Failure’ of shared governance in fall term emails, faculty leaders say

By Jon Moss, Editor-in-Chief
June 9, 2020
Provost Ann Cudd speaks at a Student Government Board meeting on Oct. 24, 2018.

Pitt releases clarified fall plans after ‘inadvertent’ email

By Jon Moss, Editor-in-Chief
June 8, 2020
The committee convened at a public Friday meeting streamed via YouTube.

Steelers owner Art Rooney Jr. nominated as Pitt trustee

By Jon Moss, Editor-in-Chief
June 5, 2020
A board of trustees committee voted Tuesday to approve a seven-figure salary for Anantha Shekhar, Pitt’s new health sciences chief.

Board committee sets salary for new health sciences chief

By Jon Moss, Editor-in-Chief
May 26, 2020
Pitt’s budget, which reached nearly $2.4 billion in fiscal year 2020, is composed of three separate, smaller budgets.

Pitt’s budget and endowment, explained

By Jon Moss, Editor-in-Chief
May 22, 2020
Retention of the current undergraduate class was at 94% as of Friday morning, University officials said, which might be the highest the number has ever been.

Admissions numbers look ‘very good’ so far, Pitt says

By Jon Moss, Editor-in-Chief
May 15, 2020
Chancellor Patrick Gallagher reiterated at Thursday afternoon's Senate Council meeting that Pitt plans to release initial guidance for the fall early next month.

Gallagher: ‘Nothing is entirely on or off the table’ for fall

By Rebecca Johnson and Jon Moss
May 14, 2020
The news about a possible budget cut also arrives as Pitt continues to work to prepare its budget for the next academic year.

Pitt schools preparing for possible budget cuts

By Jon Moss, Editor-in-Chief
May 14, 2020
Members of Attack Theatre, a Pittsburgh-based dance company, begin a February open rehearsal in the Frick Fine Arts University Gallery. The event is sponsored by Pitt’s Year of Creativity and is meant to showcase the process of dancemaking.

Year of Creativity helps Pitt explore its artistic side

By Jon Moss, Editor-in-Chief
May 11, 2020
David DeJong, the vice chancellor for human resources, was named the acting senior vice chancellor for business and operations Tuesday.

Senior Pitt official taking personal leave

By Jon Moss, Editor-in-Chief
May 7, 2020
Bing Liu, 37, was shot in his Ross home Saturday afternoon.

Pitt COVID-19 researcher shot Saturday, police say killing unrelated to his work

By Jon Moss and Benjamin Nigrosh
May 6, 2020
Chancellor Patrick Gallagher said Friday that the University will offer guidance to the community in early June and again in early July.

Pitt establishes task forces, working groups to plan fall semester

By Jon Moss, Editor-in-Chief
May 4, 2020
A view of the U.S. Capitol Building on July 25, 2017, in Washington, D.C.

College Dems across nation call for college student rescue checks

By Rebecca Johnson and Jon Moss
April 30, 2020
Around 11,000 students across all five Pitt campuses will receive grants ranging from $500 to $1,000.

Pitt announces CARES Act grant guidelines

By Jon Moss and Benjamin Nigrosh
April 29, 2020
The famed 60-year-old Oakland restaurant had an empty storefront on Saturday evening.

Longtime manager confirms The O’s closure

By Rebecca Johnson and Jon Moss
April 18, 2020
Sodexo laid off a majority of its workers without pay over spring break, when Pitt adjusted its dining services due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Market Central and The Perch, the two dining halls on campus, remain closed.

Pitt to compensate laid off dining workers who are students

By Jon Moss, News Editor
April 17, 2020
City police filed two criminal charges against a Clairton man in connection to the fatal April 1 shooting on Meyran Avenue.

Police arrest, charge man in Meyran Avenue shooting case

By Jon Moss, News Editor
April 16, 2020
Chancellor Gallagher gave updates on an uncertain fall semester during Thursday’s Senate Council Meeting.

Gallagher: COVID-19 crisis ‘slow-motion,’ not ‘existential’

By Rebecca Johnson and Jon Moss
April 16, 2020
Pitt to receive more than $21 million in emergency federal funding

Pitt to receive more than $21 million in emergency federal funding

By Jon Moss, News Editor
April 13, 2020
Sodexo will lay off hundreds of dining workers by the end of its contract on June 30.

Sodexo to lay off more than 700 workers as contract expires

By Jon Moss, News Editor
April 12, 2020
Construction at Pitt health care facility to resume

Construction at Pitt health care facility to resume

By Jon Moss, News Editor
April 8, 2020
Pitt announced it is reviewing its pandemic preparedness plan, which includes setting up a centralized website for reliable updates about the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.

Pitt cancels all fall study abroad programming as pandemic continues

By Jon Moss, News Editor
April 8, 2020
The Cathedral of Learning's Victory Lights were lit as part of Tuesday night’s Illumination Ovation.

Pittsburgh buildings light up in support of front-line pandemic workers

By Jon Moss, News Editor
April 7, 2020
There was a heavy police presence in the area with caution tape surrounding the property.

Former Pitt student killed in Wednesday morning shooting on Meyran

By Jon Moss and Janine Faust
April 1, 2020
Pitt made Lothrop Hall available as supplemental housing for UPMC medical staff, and is in the process of clearing out other residence halls as well.

Cleaning house: Pitt tosses, stores student belongings to prepare facilities for COVID-19 fight

By Jon Moss, News Editor
March 30, 2020
Provost Ann Cudd at a forum at the 74th General Assembly of the United Nations in New York.

Pitt moves summer classes online as pandemic continues

By Jon Moss, News Editor
March 27, 2020
City police responded to a vehicle accident involving a motorcycle around 4:40 p.m. at the corner of Louisa Street and Meyran Avenue.

Greensburg man dead after Oakland motorcycle collision

By Jon Moss, News Editor
March 25, 2020
The University’s first documented COVID-19 case emerged from a student living in Holland Hall.

Pitt to not publicly announce future COVID-19 cases due to community spread

By Janine Faust and Jon Moss
March 23, 2020
TPN File photo

Pitt confirms first COVID-19 case in residence hall

By Jon Moss, News Editor
March 22, 2020
A petition urging the Pitt administration to modify the pass/fail grading policy for the spring semester in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic has gathered thousands of signatures since its creation two days ago.

Pitt to allow students to move courses to pass/fail status at semester’s end

By Jon Moss, News Editor
March 20, 2020
Chancellor Patrick Gallagher at the February meeting of the board of trustees.

Gallagher announces plans to further shutdown campus

By Jon Moss and Mary Rose O'Donnell
March 18, 2020
A student swiping into Market Central.

Pitt selects Compass Group as next dining contractor

By Jon Moss, News Editor
March 17, 2020
Employees of Pitt’s University Library System said they have requested that the University temporarily close Pitt’s libraries.

Pitt library employees urge administrators to fully shut down facilities

By Jon Moss, News Editor
March 16, 2020
Hillman Library remains open to students, faculty and staff. All University libraries will remain open, but may have reduced hours depending on usage.

Pitt to restrict building access, close campus recreation

By Jon Moss, News Editor
March 15, 2020
City police, fire and EMS responded to a report of an assault on the 300 block of Atwood Street at around 3 a.m. on Saturday.

Police investigating Atwood Street assault

By Jon Moss, News Editor
March 15, 2020
Pitt announced it is reviewing its pandemic preparedness plan, which includes setting up a centralized website for reliable updates about the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.

County officials announce two COVID-19 cases in City

By Janine Faust, Jon Moss, and Benjamin Nigrosh
March 14, 2020
A student swiping into Market Central.

Pitt to temporarily shutter dining halls as classes move online

By Jon Moss, News Editor
March 11, 2020
Chancellor Patrick Gallagher at the February meeting of the board of trustees.

Pitt moves classes online as coronavirus pandemic spreads around nation

By Jon Moss, News Editor
March 11, 2020
Pitt announced it is reviewing its pandemic preparedness plan, which includes setting up a centralized website for reliable updates about the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.

Pitt cancels most spring break study abroad programming in wake of coronavirus crisis

By Jon Moss, News Editor
March 3, 2020
Pitt’s Board of Trustees unanimously approved Anantha Shekhar’s appointment as the University’s new senior vice chancellor for the health sciences, dean of the School of Medicine and an officer of the University at its Friday morning meeting.

Board approves new health sciences chief

By Jon Moss, News Editor
March 1, 2020
Pitt announced it is reviewing its pandemic preparedness plan, which includes setting up a centralized website for reliable updates about the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.

Pitt working to recall students from coronavirus-afflicted countries

By Jon Moss, News Editor
February 28, 2020
Protesters sing the popular folk song “We Shall Not Be Moved” on Tuesday in the Cathedral to commemorate the 100th hour of the Fossil Free Pitt Coalition’s sit-in with lyrics changed to be specific to the sit-in.

Fossil Free Pitt to continue Cathedral sit-in indefinitely

By Jon Moss, News Editor
February 28, 2020
Around 100 students protested in favor of fossil fuel divestment at Friday morning's Board of Trustees meeting.

Board of Trustees unanimously approves formal socially responsible investing process, commits to carbon neutrality by 2037

By Jon Moss, News Editor
February 28, 2020
University officials said the Board will vote on several measures related to fossil fuel divestment and socially responsible investing at their meeting on Friday at 10:30 a.m. Members of the Fossil Free Pitt Coalition demonstrated at Pitt’s previous Board of Trustees meeting at Pitt’s Johnstown campus.

Context: February Board of Trustees meeting

By Jon Moss, News Editor
February 27, 2020
The Properties & Facilities Committee of the Board of Trustees approved multiple construction projects at their Thursday meeting.

Board committee approves LRDC, O’Hara Garage demolition

By Jon Moss, News Editor
February 27, 2020
The Fossil Free Pitt Coalition’s occupation of the Cathedral of Learning lobby began last Friday at noon.

Live blog: Fossil Free Pitt Coalition’s sit-in in the Cathedral of Learning

By Jon Moss, Janine Faust, Elise Roessner, and Benjamin Nigrosh
February 25, 2020
Police responded to two similar bomb threats at Five Guys on Bouquet Street on Monday and Wednesday evenings.

Two bomb threats made at Five Guys in three days

By Jon Moss, News Editor
February 19, 2020
Grad union organizers "urge" Pitt administrators to grant one-year funding extension.

Labor board to hold hearing on proposed grad union ruling

By Neena Hagen and Jon Moss
February 18, 2020
SGB presidential candidates Ravi Gandhi (left) and Eric Macdangdang (right) disagree over the effectiveness of SGB’s current allocation system at Monday’s SGB presidential debate.

SGB candidates debate key issues for presidency

By Jon Moss, News Editor
February 18, 2020
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