Pitt no longer requiring College Republicans to pay for security fees following Knowles event

By Punya Bhasin, Assistant News Editor • September 6, 2023

Pitt is rescinding an $18,743 security fee previously charged to College Republicans for hosting the Michael Knowles event last semester, after receiving a letter threatening legal action against the University.

Michael Knowles, Brad Polumbo debate transgender issues, government regulation at Pitt

By Punya Bhasin, News Editor • April 19, 2023

Michael Knowles and Brad Polumbo debated the question “should transgenderism be regulated by law?” as chants from protestors outside the building echoed throughout the O’Hara Ballroom Tuesday evening.

Free speech experts weigh in on University’s decision to allow ‘anti-trans’ events

By Punya Bhasin, News Editor • April 18, 2023

In terms of whether the University could face legal repercussions if it canceled the “anti-trans” events, some first amendment experts have varying viewpoints on the answer, but they agree that the University is upholding the principles of free speech and the First Amendment.

Editorial | 3 candidates Michael Knowles wouldn’t debate

By The Pitt News Editorial Board • April 17, 2023

After transgender scholar Deirdre McCloskey dropped out of an on-campus debate against Michael Knowles, a conservative political commentator who has received enough attention on campus for a lifetime in the past few weeks, organizers for the event scrambled to find a replacement. 

New participant found to debate Michael Knowles at Pitt, debate topic changed

By Punya Bhasin, News Editor • April 14, 2023

Pitt’s College Republicans, sponsored by the Intercollegiate Studies Institute, has found a new participant to debate conservative political commentator Michael Knowles. They’ve also changed the topic of the on-campus debate.