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

Rebecca Johnson, Editor-in-Chief

Rebecca Johnson is the editor-in-chief of The Pitt News. A Western Pennsylvania native, she plans to graduate in April 2023 with degrees in political science and economics and a certificate in global studies. She’s worked as a news staff writer, news editor, layout editor and managing editor during her four years at the paper.

You can contact her at [email protected].

All content by Rebecca Johnson
A panel of experts from Pitt and the city of Pittsburgh discussed the new Title IX regulations and their effects on the University Thursday via Zoom.

Title IX office discusses resources, training under new federal regulations

By Natalie Frank and Rebecca Johnson
October 23, 2020
Pitt’s Benedum Hall houses the Swanson School of Engineering.

Swanson receives commitment for a donation that could exceed $10 million to help underrepresented students

By Rebecca Johnson, News Editor
October 21, 2020
Pitt has not disclosed the specific location of student quarantine and isolation housing.

‘If I just walked out and left, no one would know’: Students detail lax rules, miscommunication in Pitt’s quarantine housing

By Rebecca Johnson and Rashi Ranjan
October 21, 2020

[Video] VIDEO: Large crowd, few masks at Schenley Park worship service

By Rebecca Johnson, Jon Moss
October 19, 2020
California-based Christian musician Sean Feucht hosted a worship service with about 200 people in Schenley Park this afternoon, where few attendees were wearing masks or social distancing.

Large crowd, few masks at Schenley Park worship service

By Rebecca Johnson and Jon Moss
October 19, 2020
Chancellor Patrick Gallagher said the University would send out more concrete guidance on the shelter-in-place period “shortly,” during a virtual Senate Council meeting on Thursday.

Students will be asked to shelter in place for two weeks before winter break, head of COVID-19 Medical Response Office says

By Rebecca Johnson, News Editor
October 16, 2020
New rules proposed by the Trump administration seek to create fixed terms of up to four years for student visas, as well as create new applications for international students to extend their stay in the United States, among other changes.

‘A perpetual state of fear’: International students criticize latest round of proposed student visa changes

By Rebecca Johnson, News Editor
October 14, 2020
SisTersPGH hosted a Sunday march from Freedom Corner to Allegheny Commons Park as part of “People’s Pride PGH 2020: Black Trans Lives Matter Too.”

People’s Pride celebrates, advocates for Black trans lives

By Rebecca Johnson, News Editor
October 11, 2020
Pitt adjunct professor Aaron Bernstine has served as representative for the state House 10th District for the past two terms and most recently served on the House Commerce, Insurance, Health and Game and Fisheries committees.

Pitt professor pressured to resign House seat after videos surface of him telling 5-year old son to smoke, use explicit language

By Rebecca Johnson, News Editor
October 9, 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
Peduto: Expanding, not defunding, is the future of Pittsburgh police

Peduto: Expanding, not defunding, is the future of Pittsburgh police

By Rebecca Johnson and India Krug
October 5, 2020
The Cathedral of Learning watches over an empty Pitt campus.

Cudd: Spring break eliminated, start of spring semester pushed back

By Rebecca Johnson, News Editor
September 30, 2020
Dozens of students have entered Pitt’s quarantine and isolation housing.

Students report ignored dietary restrictions in Pitt’s quarantine housing

By Rebecca Johnson and Rashi Ranjan
September 30, 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 will no longer use the gendered titles homecoming king and queen.

Pitt removes “antiquated” gendered homecoming king and queen titles

By Rebecca Johnson, News Editor
September 24, 2020
Student Government Board will raffle off 25 $100 gift cards to the campus bookstore for people living off campus who respond to the Census by the Sept. 30 deadline.

SGB offers prizes for students who complete census by Sept. 30 deadline

By Rebecca Johnson, News Editor
September 22, 2020
Chancellor Patrick Gallagher said Thursday that it’s likely that next semester’s schedule will be compressed similarly to the fall so there aren’t vacations where people leave and come back to campus.

Gallagher: ‘Anticipate’ Flex@Pitt, compressed schedule next semester

By Rebecca Johnson, News Editor
September 17, 2020

‘Until my last breath’: Dannielle Brown leads march across Pittsburgh college campuses

By Ashton Crawley and Rebecca Johnson
September 13, 2020

[Video] VIDEO: Dannielle Brown leads march across Pittsburgh college campuses

September 13, 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
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
Chancellor Patrick Gallagher announced that Scaife Hall would not be renamed. Renaming Scaife Hall was one of Black medical students’ demands sent to the dean of the School in June.

Pitt won’t rename Scaife Hall, chancellor says

By Rebecca Johnson, News Editor
August 27, 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
Pitt adds 11 cases after first week of online classes

Pitt adds 11 cases after first week of online classes

By Rebecca Johnson, News Editor
August 24, 2020

Quarter of Pitt Greek life chapters now temporarily suspended after University crackdown

By Rebecca Johnson, News Editor
August 24, 2020
Plainclothes police in an unmarked van arrested Matthew Cartier, a protest marshal helping to clear traffic for the Black Lives Matter march through Oakland, outside of Pitt’s Barco Law Building last Saturday.

Pitt students, faculty express concerns over City arrest in unmarked van

By Rebecca Johnson, News Editor
August 21, 2020
ICYMI: Summer news recap

ICYMI: Summer news recap

By Rebecca Johnson, News Editor
August 20, 2020
Ashton Crawley, Rebecca Johnson and Martha Layne are the news editors at The Pitt News.

Meet the editors: News

By Ashton Crawley, Rebecca Johnson, and Martha Layne
August 20, 2020

5 Greek life chapters placed on interim suspension

By Rebecca Johnson, News Editor
August 19, 2020
The Cathedral of Learning watches over an empty Pitt campus.

Pitt announces no in-person classes until at least Sept. 14

By Rebecca Johnson, News Editor
August 19, 2020
The Cathedral of Learning watches over an empty Pitt campus.

Pitt says acknowledgement document “not a waiver of liability”

By Rebecca Johnson, Senior Staff Writer
August 9, 2020
Clyde Wilson Pickett, the new vice chancellor for diversity inclusion, made his first public appearance during a Tuesday event as part of Pitt's Diversity Forum.

‘I hope it’s a reckoning’: Panel encourages racial justice activism in Pittsburgh

By Rebecca Johnson, Senior Staff Writer
July 28, 2020
Student Government Board held a virtual Town Hall on Thursday.

SGB gives updates on pass/fail grades, mandatory masks for fall semester

By Rebecca Johnson, Senior Staff Writer
July 25, 2020
Pitt selected Compass Group, a British multinational food service company, in March as its new single-source dining contractor beginning July 1.

New dining contractor working to ‘re-envision’ dining at Pitt

By Rebecca Johnson, Senior Staff Writer
July 23, 2020
A partnership between the Graduate School of Public Health and the School of Medicine has resulted in the integration of an anti-racism curriculum at Pitt Med.

‘Foundational knowledge’: School of Medicine reflects on anti-racist curriculum changes

By Rebecca Johnson, Senior Staff Writer
July 14, 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
The Cathedral of Learning watches over an empty Pitt campus.

Pitt files brief in support of lawsuit against new ICE guidelines

By Rebecca Johnson, Senior Staff Writer
July 13, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic causes uncertainty about returning for the fall semester for many of Pitt’s more than 3,100 international students.

‘What did we do to deserve this?’: International students worried about new ICE guidelines

By Rebecca Johnson, Senior Staff Writer
July 10, 2020
More than 1,000 people sign letter urging University action against ICE guidance

More than 1,000 people sign letter urging University action against ICE guidance

By Rebecca Johnson, Senior Staff Writer
July 9, 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
Sydney Massenberg created a petition last Friday urging Pitt administrators to require all undergraduates to take a black studies course as a graduation requirement.

Pitt considering petition calling for black studies course requirement

By Rebecca Johnson, Senior Staff Writer
June 9, 2020
Chancellor Patrick Gallagher said Wednesday that Pitt will postpone Plan for Pitt 2025 in order to include strategies to strengthen racial equity justice on campus.

Pitt administrators address George Floyd’s death, nationwide protests

By Rebecca Johnson, Senior Staff Writer
June 2, 2020
Chancellor Patrick Gallagher said Wednesday that Pitt will postpone Plan for Pitt 2025 in order to include strategies to strengthen racial equity justice on campus.

Pitt officials ‘optimistic’ about in-person classes, deliver recommendation report to Gallagher

By Rebecca Johnson, Senior Staff Writer
May 29, 2020
Pitt purchases Oakland social club building for nearly $5 million

Pitt purchases Oakland social club building for nearly $5 million

By Rebecca Johnson, Senior Staff Writer
May 28, 2020
Additional students added to working groups planning fall classes, housing

Additional students added to working groups planning fall classes, housing

By Rebecca Johnson, Senior Staff Writer
May 21, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic causes uncertainty about returning for the fall semester for many of Pitt’s more than 3,100 international students.

‘This feeling of helplessness’: International students concerned about fall semester amid pandemic

By Rebecca Johnson, Senior Staff Writer
May 19, 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
Provost Ann Cudd, right, and James Martin II co-chair the Task Force on Reimagining Pitt Education.

Pitt task force planning fall semester classes and housing amid pandemic

By Rebecca Johnson, Senior Staff Writer
May 12, 2020
Pitt streamlines admissions to master’s programs for recent grads

Pitt streamlines admissions to master’s programs for recent grads

By Rebecca Johnson, Senior Staff Writer
May 7, 2020
Pitt police issue crime alert after burglary

Pitt police issue crime alert after burglary

By Rebecca Johnson, Senior Staff Writer
May 1, 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
Many students’ internship opportunities have been cancelled due to the coronavirus.

Internships on the decline: Coronavirus hits student job market

By Rebecca Johnson, Senior Staff Writer
April 19, 2020
Pitt’s Office of Admissions and Financial Aid encourages students to reach out if they’re facing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Financial aid office helping students impacted by coronavirus

By Lucy Li and Rebecca Johnson
April 19, 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
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
More than 50 colleges and universities across the country dropped their ACT/SAT requirements for next year’s applicants.

Pitt branch campuses become test-optional temporarily, highlighting concerns over standardized exams

By Rebecca Johnson, Senior Staff Writer
April 12, 2020
An empty security booth in Holland Hall.

Majority of dorm security officers furloughed, but some remain on the job

By Rebecca Johnson, Senior Staff Writer
April 9, 2020
Pitt will resume construction activity on Bigelow Boulevard following an order from Gov. Tom Wolf permitting construction projects in PA to resume.

Pitt construction halted under governor’s order

By Rebecca Johnson, Senior Staff Writer
April 5, 2020
East End EMTs are given one N95 mask per day and asked to reuse it.

‘Kind of unnerving’: Student health care workers brave virus threat on the job

By Rebecca Johnson, Senior Staff Writer
April 2, 2020
Dan Yates, the Makerspace’s innovation project coordinator, is the only person currently allowed in the Makerspace, but he relies on a team of about 50 students in the Makerspace club to help design face masks and face shields.

Pitt engineers donate, create supplies for health care workers

By Rebecca Johnson, Senior Staff Writer
March 29, 2020
Dr. Paul Duprex, director of Pitt’s Center for Vaccine Research, speaks about COVID-2019 at a February Senate Council meeting.

Senate Council discusses coronavirus effects at Pitt

By Rebecca Johnson, Senior Staff Writer
March 19, 2020
Beginning Monday, Pitt will continue classes online for the remainder of the semester.

Pitt addresses technology concerns ahead of start of online classes

By Rebecca Johnson, Senior Staff Writer
March 19, 2020
Pitt graduate and president of Student Government Board during the 2018-19 academic year Maggie Kennedy poses with ex-Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren.

Pitt alumna takes politics from SGB to the national stage

By Rebecca Johnson, Senior Staff Writer
March 15, 2020
Kellie Ware-Seabron, the newly appointed executive director of NAACP Pittsburgh, aims to tackle the effects of gentrification in Pittsburgh.

Pitt alum tackles racism as NAACP director

By Rebecca Johnson, Senior Staff Writer
March 5, 2020
At Wednesday’s Faculty Assembly Meeting, Ted Fritz, the associate vice chancellor of public safety and emergency, announced the University is acting under “Response Level B: High Alert” because of the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic and discussed potential actions if cases are reported in the area.

Faculty assembly prepares for possible Pittsburgh pandemic

By Rebecca Johnson, Senior Staff Writer
March 4, 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, City provide updates on coronavirus outbreak plans

By Rebecca Johnson, Senior Staff Writer
February 28, 2020
(From left) Voices slate’s Eric Macadangdang, Your slate’s Ravi Gandhi, Launch slate’s Tyler Viljaste and Cedric Humphrey, and independent Aman Reddy.

Your guide to the 2020 SGB elections

By Rebecca Johnson, Senior Staff Writer
February 25, 2020
Assistant director of campus partnerships for the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge Ryan Drysdale gives remarks at the Western Pennsylvania Student Voting Summit in the William Pitt Union Saturday afternoon.

Summit aims to inspire more student voters

By Rebecca Johnson, Senior Staff Writer
February 16, 2020
Pitt’s Student Health Service, located in Nordenberg Hall, offers a wide variety of sexual health care, including access to contraceptives and comprehensive STD testing, HIV testing and pregnancy testing.

Let’s talk about (healthy) sex

By Rebecca Johnson, Senior Staff Writer
February 12, 2020
Jim Acosta, CNN’s chief White House correspondent, visited Point Park University’s Pittsburgh Playhouse and discussed his new book “The Enemy of the People: A Dangerous Time to Tell the Truth in America,” as well as his experiences in the White House.

CNN’s Jim Acosta talks current state of journalism, new book at Point Park

By Rebecca Johnson, Senior Staff Writer
February 6, 2020
Hessam Babaee, assistant professor of mechanical engineering and materials science, immigrated to the United States from Iran in 2006.

Iranian students, faculty discuss Pitt environment

By Rebecca Johnson, Senior Staff Writer
February 2, 2020
Chancellor Patrick Gallagher has created an Advisory Council on the Prevention of Sexual Misconduct in response to the AAU campus climate survey.

Sexual misconduct prevention panel plots course

By Rebecca Johnson, Senior Staff Writer
January 29, 2020
Tuesday evening’s Martin Luther King Interfaith Service was attended by about 100 students and community members.

Heinz Chapel holds MLK Interfaith Service

By Rebecca Johnson, Senior Staff Writer
January 22, 2020
Delta Phi Epsilon members cheer on potential new members at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall during Sunday’s sorority Bid Day.

Sorority recruitment comes to an end with chants and special outfits

By Rebecca Johnson, Senior Staff Writer
January 20, 2020
Chancellor Patrick Gallagher plans to establish a yet-to-be-named group within the Office of Diversity and Inclusion to develop campus-wide sexual misconduct prevention education programs.

Gallagher announces further steps to prevent sexual misconduct

By Rebecca Johnson, Benjamin Nigrosh, and Jon Moss
January 16, 2020
Andy Stephany, the Staff Council president, reiterated the importance of Pitt community members sharing their opinions on the Plan for Pitt 2025, particularly because the planning process only occurs every five years.

Senate Council urges community members to engage with next Plan For Pitt

By Rebecca Johnson, Staff Writer
January 16, 2020
Leandra Mira (left) and Sarah Hart protest for action against climate change at the Pittsburgh City-County Building every Friday.

Pittsburgh climate change activists plan for the future

By Rebecca Johnson, Senior Staff Writer
January 14, 2020
Hillman Library’s renovations are aimed for completion by 2023.

Hillman remodel to finish by 2023

By Rebecca Johnson, Senior Staff Writer
January 5, 2020
Pitt’s Global Hub, located on the first floor of Posvar Hall, will host a free global tea tasting every day this week from 9 a.m. to noon.

The tea on the stress-relieving tea in Posvar Hall

By Rebecca Johnson, Senior Staff Writer
December 8, 2019
Milano’s Pizza is one of 12 local restaurants partnered with Elevate Meal Plans.

Elevate Meal Plan offers new meal plan with local restaurants

By Rebecca Johnson, Staff Writer
December 2, 2019
Multiple club leaders received an email from Pitt’s Student Organization Resource Center last Friday prohibiting the groups from practicing in the open spaces in Posvar Hall after some students complained of noise.

Pitt offers new practice spaces after Posvar ban

By Rebecca Johnson, Staff Writer
November 21, 2019
Market Thanksgiving is an annual Pitt tradition held before Thanksgiving break.

How Market Thanksgiving comes together

By Rebecca Johnson, Staff Writer
November 18, 2019
Pitt announced a new interim policy for severe weather closures on Wednesday. The new policy allows the chancellor to close the University as a result of severe weather with consultation from other administrators.

University launches interim closure policy for this winter

By Rebecca Johnson, Staff Writer
November 14, 2019
Shulamit Bastacky, a Pittsburgh resident and Holocaust survivor, spoke in the fourth annual installment of a lecture series featuring Holocaust survivors organized by Alpha Epsilon Pi, one of Pitt’s Jewish fraternities.

Holocaust survivor reflects one year after Tree of Life massacre

By Rebecca Johnson, Staff Writer
November 10, 2019
The Student Health Center’s “Safe Sex Condom Distribution Program” provides free condoms for students in the Wellness Center waiting room, exam rooms and in the third floor restrooms of the William Pitt Union.

Pitt STD rates up with national average

By Rebecca Johnson, Staff Writer
November 3, 2019
Katie Pope, the associate vice chancellor for civil rights and Title IX, said the percentage is an underestimate because of difficulties people find in reporting sexual assault and misconduct.

AAU report backs up stats about domestic violence at college

By Rebecca Johnson, Staff Writer
October 31, 2019
Gary Dubin, director of development at the Medical and Health Sciences Foundation at UPMC, helped deliver baked goods to first-responders around the City on the one-year commemoration of the Tree of Life massacre.

Pittsburghers honor Tree of Life massacre with day of service

By Rebecca Johnson, Staff Writer
October 27, 2019
University Senate Council discussed the Association of American Universities report detailing sexual assault and misconduct at Pitt, provided updates on campus construction projects and discussed fossil fuel divestment at a Wednesday afternoon meeting.

Senate Council discusses sexual assault report, fossil fuel divestment

By Rebecca Johnson, Staff Writer
October 16, 2019
Kathryn Fleisher, a senior politics and philosophy and GSWS double major, is the founder of the national gun violence prevention nonprofit Not My Generation.

Kathryn Fleisher is “willing to fight” for a future without gun violence

By Rebecca Johnson, Staff Writer
October 14, 2019
Unpacking Pitt’s appeal as a campaign stop for 2020 candidates

Unpacking Pitt’s appeal as a campaign stop for 2020 candidates

By Rebecca Johnson, Staff Writer
October 9, 2019
Minimum wage is $7.25 in Pennsylvania.

Student workers offer opinions on increase in minimum wage

By Rebecca Johnson, Staff Writer
October 3, 2019
Former Pennsylvania Governors Ed Rendell and Tom Ridge answer questions moderated by Dave Davies (pictured left to right) at the Carnegie Music Hall on Tuesday night as a part of the 2019 American Experience Distinguished Lecture Series hosted by the University of Pittsburgh.

Former Pa. governors talk impeachment, white supremacy

By Rebecca Johnson, Staff Writer
October 1, 2019
Pitt’s Center for Creativity and Department of Parking, Transportation and Services co-sponsored PARK(ing) Day last Friday outside Hillman Library.

Students park their creativity outside Hillman Library

By Rebecca Johnson, For The Pitt News
September 22, 2019
The University Senate Council discussed tuition and international outreach at its first meeting.

Senate Council talks international outreach, financial aid programs

By Rebecca Johnson, For The Pitt News
September 18, 2019
A side by side comparison of Blackboard and Canvas.

Students, faculty paint future of learning with Canvas

By Rebecca Johnson, For The Pitt News
September 17, 2019
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