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

Millicent Watt, Assistant News Editor

All content by Millicent Watt
Kickin’ the Bucket | Back to basics: Decomposition

Kickin’ the Bucket | Back to basics: Decomposition

By Millicent Watt, Contributing Editor
January 13, 2022
Matthew Darby awaits a hearing to argue his attorney was ineffective. Darby is serving a life sentence for killing Alina Sheykhet, a Pitt student and ex-girlfriend, in 2017.

Man serving life for 2017 killing of Pitt student to get hearing

By Millicent Watt, Assistant News Editor
January 10, 2022
A Pitt student sits on another student's shoulders in Oakland in a crowd celebrating Pitt's ACC Championship win against Wake Forest University earlier in the night.

Hundreds of Pitt students take to Oakland streets to celebrate football victory

By Rebecca Johnson and Millicent Watt
December 5, 2021
Kickin’ The Bucket | The line between life and death

Kickin’ The Bucket | The line between life and death

By Millicent Watt, Contributing Editor
November 18, 2021
Chancellor Patrick Gallagher said he is “grateful” for the foundation’s gift.

Pitt, Richard King Mellon Foundation announce $100 million grant

By Natalie Frank and Millicent Watt
November 17, 2021
A male individual who, according to Pitt police, approached a Pitt student near campus and “persisted” in attempting to “drape” a blanket around the student’s shoulders.

Pitt police investigating blanket incident near campus

By Rebecca Johnson, Jon Moss, and Millicent Watt
November 10, 2021
A “For Rent” sign.

Q&A: Housing experts give tips to new renters

By Millicent Watt, Assistant News Editor
November 10, 2021
The Cathedral of Learning.

Pitt physicists win prestigious research awards

By Millicent Watt, Assistant News Editor
November 10, 2021
Jill Sarada was named the new director of the Fanny Edel Falk Laboratory School.

Jill Sarada named new director of Falk Laboratory School

By Millicent Watt, Assistant News Editor
November 10, 2021
Students slowly made their way in and out of polling stations to vote in Pittsburgh’s historic municipal election on Tuesday.

Pitt students react to Nov. 2 municipal election

By Katie Cassidy, Quentin Tan, and Millicent Watt
November 3, 2021
A Walnut Capital advertisement.

OBID announces support for controversial Walnut Capital plan

By Martha Layne and Millicent Watt
November 2, 2021
The CMRO said the Pitt CoVax Vaccination Center will offer COVID-19 vaccinations for children ages 5-11 as early as Nov. 4.

Pitt to require COVID-19 vaccination starting Dec. 6

By Jon Moss and Millicent Watt
November 1, 2021
Kickin’ the Bucket | My cat kicked the bucket

Kickin’ the Bucket | My cat kicked the bucket

By Millicent Watt, Contributing Editor
October 28, 2021
The Cathedral of Learning.

Football, Halloween makeup and more: Family Weekend events roundup

By Millicent Watt, Assistant News Editor
October 27, 2021
A Walnut Capital advertisement.

City Council amends, advances Walnut Capital rezoning proposal

By Natalie Frank and Millicent Watt
October 19, 2021
Rep. Mike Doyle at a March 2017 town hall to discuss health care with constituents.

Rep. Mike Doyle to retire after 14 terms

By Millicent Watt, Assistant News Editor
October 19, 2021
Pitt’s Senate Council discussed enrollment numbers, the budget cycle and possible student staff and faculty vaccine requirements at last Wednesday’s meeting. In addition, the Council also voted to create an ad-hoc committee for dependent care.

Senate Council discusses potential COVID-19 vaccine requirement for spring semester

By Millicent Watt, Assistant News Editor
October 17, 2021
Pennsylvania's Democratic attorney general Josh Shapiro speaks to a crowd with the city behind him during his campaign launch address for Pennsylvania governor, Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021, in Pittsburgh.

Pa. AG Josh Shapiro announces run for governor

By Millicent Watt, Assistant News Editor
October 14, 2021
Kickin’ The Bucket | Skip the garlic, eat your sister’s heart

Kickin’ The Bucket | Skip the garlic, eat your sister’s heart

By Millicent Watt, Contributing Editor
September 30, 2021
Pitt’s Graduate & Professional Student Government and College of General Studies Student Government released a statement Wednesday in support of Pitt faculty unionization.

Graduate, CGS student leaders release statement supporting faculty unionization

By Millicent Watt, Assistant News Editor
September 23, 2021
Students in Pitt’s Blue and Gold Society handed out free Homecoming T-shirts at the Homecoming kick-off event held at the William Pitt Union plaza between noon and 2 p.m on Monday.

Students meet Spirit of Pitt candidates, get shirts at Homecoming kickoff

By Millicent Watt, Assistant News Editor
September 21, 2021
The U.S. News & World Report ranked Pitt #20 in the top public universities in the U.S. Schools are ranked based on factors such as graduation and retention rates, student selectivity and financial aid resources.

Pitt ranked among top 20 public universities in the U.S.

By Millicent Watt, Assistant News Editor
September 17, 2021
Chancellor Patrick Gallagher said at Wednesday’s Senate Council meeting that unvaccinated students will be required to take weekly COVID tests, and a positive test will result in the inability to access campus buildings.

‘We have to be agile’’: Senate Council discusses COVID-19 guidelines, faculty union vote

By Millicent Watt, Assistant News Editor
September 10, 2021
Kickin’ The Bucket | Sex and gender in the bones

Kickin’ The Bucket | Sex and gender in the bones

By Millicent Watt, Contributing Editor
September 9, 2021
Provost Ann Cudd, pictured at a Student Government Board meeting on Oct. 24, 2018, confirmed Wednesday that most class will move in person on Monday.

Pitt confirms classes to go in-person Monday, provides accommodation resources

By Millicent Watt, Assistant News Editor
September 9, 2021
Pitt’s CoVax Vaccination Center — located at the bottom of Nordenberg Hall — recently expanded its hours to daily operations, and will offer flu shots starting next Wednesday.

Pitt vaccination center to offer flu shots, expanded hours

By Millicent Watt, Assistant News Editor
September 7, 2021
“Welsfest,” a block party that took place Saturday on Welsford Street in South Oakland, drew much larger crowds of Pitt students than expected.

Pitt students attend ‘Welsfest’ block party amid pandemic

By Millicent Watt, Assistant News Editor
August 31, 2021
Kickin’ the Bucket | A cadaver’s life after death

Kickin’ the Bucket | A cadaver’s life after death

By Millicent Watt, Contributing Editor
August 26, 2021
Pictured left to right, Millicent Watt, Natalie Frank and Martha Layne are the news editors for the 2021-22 academic year.

Meet the editors: News

By Natalie Frank, Martha Layne, and Millicent Watt
August 26, 2021
Pitt’s 29-year streak working with Sodexo ended last July to partner with Compass Group, ushering in new meal plans, food options and dining locations for Pitt students.

Compass outlines dining changes, including full dine-in seating

By Millicent Watt, Senior Staff Writer
August 19, 2021
Pitt revises COVID-19 health guidelines

Pitt revises COVID-19 health guidelines

By Millicent Watt, Senior Staff Writer
August 5, 2021
The Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion hosted its “Combating Environmental Racism and Injustice” event on Thursday as part of Pitt’s annual Diversity Forum.

Panelists discuss environmental hazards, ways to combat injustices

By Millicent Watt, Senior Staff Writer
July 29, 2021
The Cathedral of Learning watches over an empty Pitt campus.

Pitt to require unvaccinated students to comply with stricter health rules

By Millicent Watt, Senior Staff Writer
July 1, 2021
The Oakland Planning and Development Corp.’s monthly meeting discussed property construction and replacing water mains throughout Central Oakland.

OPDC discusses water line replacements, Dawson Street lot

By Millicent Watt, Senior Staff Writer
June 29, 2021
Nicola Foote has been appointed as the new dean of Pitt’s University Honors College beginning July 1.

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

By Millicent Watt, Senior Staff Writer
June 24, 2021
Eddie Glaude Jr. was the keynote speaker at a Wednesday event held by Pitt’s Center on Race and Social Problems in partnership with the African American Strategic Partnership.

‘Tell the truth’: Eddie Glaude speaks on racism at CRSP event

By Millicent Watt, Senior Staff Writer
June 2, 2021
The Oakland Planning and Development Corp. met Tuesday night to discuss various restructuring plans on and around campus, as well as broader community opportunities.

OPDC discusses water bill discounts, stormwater management, Forbes Ave. building demolition

By Millicent Watt, Senior Staff Writer
May 26, 2021
Faculty Assembly met last Wednesday, discussing and voting on a required vaccination mandate and policy changes to better accommodate the University’s new decentralized budget model, as well as addressing updates to language in academic committee policies.

‘The more people vaccinated, the closer we get to normal’: Faculty Assembly encourages vaccination mandate, talks budget policies

By Millicent Watt, Senior Staff Writer
May 18, 2021
A poll worker gets “I Voted” stickers ready to hand to voters as they finish up at the ballot booths.

Your guide to the May 18 mayoral primary election

By Millicent Watt, Senior Staff Writer
May 13, 2021
The LGBTQIA+ task force has been drafting and finalizing a report to present to Pitt’s senior administration over the past two semesters, in an effort to begin implementing the task force’s requests. While the report is nearly finished, the task force is turning to the Pitt community for support.

LGBTQIA+ task force releases petition, ‘live’ report to garner student support

By Millicent Watt, Senior Staff Writer
April 22, 2021
Student Government Board held its weekly meeting on Tuesday night via Zoom.

‘For the last time, end report’: SGB sheds tears, passes bill at last spring meeting

By Millicent Watt, Senior Staff Writer
April 21, 2021
Eric Macadangdang is the president of Student Government Board for the 2020-21 academic year.

SGB approves governing code changes, defers elections bill to fall

By Millicent Watt, Senior Staff Writer
April 20, 2021
A multitude of peregrine falcons have called Pitt’s Cathedral of Learning home since 2001 and they have been livestreamed since about 2007. Morela, distinguished by her peachy breast and face coloring, laid four eggs with Ecco, the first being born on St. Patrick’s Day, and the last being born on March 24.

‘Peregrine falcon landlord’: Cathedral of Learning’s avian tenants

By Millicent Watt, Senior Staff Writer
April 19, 2021
Student Government Board held its weekly meeting on Tuesday night via Zoom.

SGB introduces governing and elections codes revision bills, new committee chairs

By Millicent Watt, Senior Staff Writer
April 14, 2021
Student Government Board held its weekly meeting on Tuesday night via Zoom.

SGB encourages students to follow COVID-19 safety guidelines

By Millicent Watt, Senior Staff Writer
April 7, 2021
SGB created an Election Procedures Review task force to review the events leading up to election day, gather feedback on SGB elections and judicial codes and procedures and “reinforce public trust in SGB elections procedures by increasing public access to information,” according to the task force charter.

‘We needed to do something’: New SGB task force reviews tumultuous election

By Millicent Watt, Senior Staff Writer
April 6, 2021
President Joe Biden speaks in Pittsburgh on March 31, 2021.

‘Once in a generation investment’: Biden proposes new infrastructure plan in Pittsburgh

By Millicent Watt, Senior Staff Writer
April 1, 2021
Student Government Board held its weekly meeting on Tuesday night via Zoom.

SGB continues action on resolutions, approves Lauren’s Promise resolution

By Millicent Watt, Senior Staff Writer
March 31, 2021
In addition to the late withdrawal option, the “G” grade will be modified for students as a “fallback grade.”

Pitt clarifies new ‘G’ grade policy, professors and students voice mixed feelings

By Millicent Watt, Senior Staff Writer
March 30, 2021
Student Government Board held its weekly public meeting on Tuesday.

SGB addresses recent mass shootings, Lauren’s Promise resolution

By Millicent Watt, Senior Staff Writer
March 24, 2021
Student Government Board hosted its weekly public meeting Tuesday night via Zoom.

SGB creates students of color task force, provides grading policies update

By Millicent Watt, Senior Staff Writer
March 17, 2021
Student Government Board President-elect Harshitha Ramanan (center) announced last weekend that Tyler Viljaste (left) and Joe Landsittel (right) will both serve as co-chiefs of staff next year. Viljaste and Landsittel ran for president in this year’s SGB election.

‘Giving them both a rose’: Incoming SGB president selects co-chiefs of staff in Bachelor-esque fashion

By Rebecca Johnson and Millicent Watt
March 16, 2021
Student Government Board held its first weekly Zoom meeting since last week’s election on Tuesday night.

SGB discuss new elections procedure task force, public art competition

By Millicent Watt, Senior Staff Writer
March 10, 2021
Student Government Board’s elections and judicial committees each held hearings less than 24 hours before polls opened at 8 a.m. on March 2 after two complaints were filed against the Vision slate.

The 48 hours that changed an SGB election

By Ashton Crawley, Rebecca Johnson, Martha Layne, Jon Moss, Mary Rose O'Donnell, and Millicent Watt
March 10, 2021
‘Very exciting, a little intimidating’: Ramanan looks to next year after chaotic Election Day

‘Very exciting, a little intimidating’: Ramanan looks to next year after chaotic Election Day

By Rebecca Johnson, Martha Layne, Jon Moss, Mary Rose O'Donnell, and Millicent Watt
March 5, 2021
Harshitha Ramanan is a sophomore neuroscience major running for president.

Harshitha Ramanan wins SGB presidency in upset for 2021-22 academic year

By Millicent Watt, Senior Staff Writer
March 2, 2021
According to a petition, the houses at 3401-3421 Bates St. and 392 Coltart Ave. near Boulevard of the Allies are a “public nuisance” due to their dilapidated and uninhabited state.

Petition filed for conservator to take over South O rowhouses

By Millicent Watt, Staff Writer
March 1, 2021
Pitt students will vote on Tuesday for next year’s Student Government Board positions. This year there are 15 candidates, with three presidential candidates and 12 board candidates, competing for one presidential position and eight board positions.

Your guide to the 2021 SGB elections

By Millicent Watt, Staff Writer
March 1, 2021
Pitt’s Student Government Board held its presidential debate over Zoom Thursday night.

Sparks fly as SGB presidential candidates clash at debate

By Millicent Watt, Staff Writer
February 26, 2021
Student Government Board hosted the Meet the Candidates event Wednesday evening for Pitt students to get to know who will be on the ballot in the upcoming election on March 2.

Pitt students meet SGB candidates at virtual event

By Millicent Watt, Staff Writer
February 19, 2021
SGB talked about the upcoming election at its Tuesday night meeting.

Student government discusses fossil fuel divestment, upcoming election

By Millicent Watt, Staff Writer
February 17, 2021
Pitt’s Student Government Board met Tuesday night via Zoom.

SGB discusses elections, upcoming diversity and inclusion events

By Millicent Watt, Staff Writer
February 10, 2021
Because the United States is celebrating its one year anniversary with the COVID-19 pandemic very soon, many Pitt students have encountered a wide array of relationship experiences, including being long distance, quarantining together, breaking up or “dating” around.

‘Can I hook up with this boy?’: Couples navigate relationships, sex and COVID-19 safety

By Millicent Watt, Staff Writer
February 10, 2021
Some labs are allowing in-person instruction by rotating in-person cohorts of students.

Students adjust to new online science lab structure

By Millicent Watt, Staff Writer
January 27, 2021
SGB held its first meeting of the new semester Tuesday night.

SGB discusses Civics Engagement Hub, LGBTQIA+ task force at first full spring meeting

By Millicent Watt, Staff Writer
January 27, 2021
Holocaust survivor and educator Shulamit Bastacky passed away Jan. 1, at the age of 79, after battling cancer.

Pitt remembers Holocaust survivor, alumna Shulamit Bastacky

By Millicent Watt, Staff Writer
January 22, 2021
Student Government Board hosted a virtual community check-in with Kenyon Bonner, the vice provost and dean of students, and Dr. Joe Suyama, a member of the CMRO, to discuss and answer questions regarding the spring semester.

Pitt student vaccinations to begin next Thursday, official says

By Millicent Watt, Staff Writer
January 20, 2021
Students worry about new finals schedule, format

Students worry about new finals schedule, format

By Millicent Watt, Staff Writer
November 18, 2020
First-year Mairead Clements deferred enrollment to take classes at the Community College of Allegheny County, work and save money.

Deferred students stay busy during gap year

By Millicent Watt, Staff Writer
November 11, 2020
Six members from Serve the People Pittsburgh gathered at the corner of S. Bouquet Street and Forbes Avenue urging pedestrians to not vote and instead focus on “revolutionary solutions” Tuesday afternoon.

Protesters urge people to boycott election

By Millicent Watt and Ashton Crawley
November 4, 2020
Pitt is a large, research-intensive institution with a sizable STEM focus, including 76 STEM departments, seven schools with a STEM focus and nearly 4,500 STEM faculty.

Pitt joins program to increase diversity, inclusivity in STEM faculty

By Millicent Watt, For The Pitt News
November 1, 2020
Pitt opened 25% of available seating in The Eatery at Market Central, The Perch, Einstein Bros. Bagels in Benedum and Posvar, Schenley Cafe, Cathedral Cafe and the Petersen Events Center Food Court last Monday.

Pitt opens 25% of seating in dining locations

By Millicent Watt, For The Pitt News
October 25, 2020
Pitt honors alumni through prestigious awards

Pitt honors alumni through prestigious awards

By Millicent Watt, For The Pitt News
October 20, 2020
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