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
The Office of Diversity and Inclusion released a new social justice website in late September.

Pitt introduces new website dedicated to social justice

By Betul Tuncer, For The Pitt News • October 30, 2020
Morgan Ottley, the president of the Black Action Society, said one of her organization’s main goals is to push for transparency from Pitt. She said the University’s new social justice website is a good place to start.
Pitt’s African American Alumni Council and the University administration held a town hall Thursday night via Zoom.

‘They wanted to be seen’: African American Alumni Council discusses BAS demands, racial justice efforts

By Punya Bhasin and Rebecca Johnson • October 23, 2020
Nearly 50 years after the Black Action Society’s famous Cathedral of Learning sit-in to demand campus reforms, Nicole Parks said Thursday it’s “sad” that BAS and 17 other Black student organizations were forced to make similar demands this summer.
Student Government Board hosted a virtual town hall with Black Action Society in place of its usual Tuesday night meeting this week. The event focused on mental health as it relates to COVID-19 and the Black Lives Matter movement.

Pitt officials address student questions about mental health on campus

By Nathan Fitchett, Senior Staff Writer • October 21, 2020
The town hall, part of Pitt’s Mental Health Awareness Month, focused on mental health at Pitt, particularly how it’s been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement.
The Black senate hosted the Thursday night workshop in hopes of better engaging Pitt’s Black student population in the upcoming Nov. 3 election.

‘Put our vote where our mouth is’: Black Senate hosts voter registration workshop

By Nathan Fitchett, Staff Writer • October 9, 2020
Destiny Mann, president of the Black Senate and vice president of the Black Action Society, urged students at a virtual voter registration workshop to make their voices heard come election day.
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
Chancellor Patrick Gallagher said while Pitt has made strides in addressing racial injustice on campus, there is still a lot of work to do in this “seminal” moment.
Student Government Board met Tuesday night via Zoom.

Black Action Society provides updates to SGB on student demands

By Nathan Fitchett, Staff Writer • September 23, 2020
SGB received its first update from Ottley at the board’s Tuesday night meeting regarding the University's response to demands created by Pitt’s Black Senate. Ottley said the demands ask Pitt to examine its “racist foundations” and stand in solidarity with Black students. Board members also gave updates on some other key initiatives currently in the works.
Black student leaders from colleges around Pittsburgh came together to discuss racial equity on their respective campuses. Jasiri X, the executive director and co-founder of 1Hood Media, moderated the event.

‘No way we can do this alone’: Panel uplifts local Black student leaders

By Maura Scrabis, For The Pitt News • August 30, 2020
Collective action was one of the main themes at the Solidarity Town Hall held Saturday evening, where Black student leaders from colleges around the City came together to discuss racial equity on their respective campuses.
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
Ottley said this is indicative of a culture at Pitt that she believes needs to change to attract, and retain, more Black students. According to University data, Black students represented 5.26% of the undergraduate student body in 2019.
Members of the Fossil Free Pitt Coalition staged a February sit-in in the Cathedral of Learning, calling for fossil fuel divestment.

Oakland news roundup

By Priya Ray, Staff Writer • July 25, 2020
With the fall semester beginning in just a few weeks, here is a guide to some of the biggest stories at Pitt.
W. Kamau Bell speaks at an event at Pitt on Jan. 17, 2017. Anna Bongardino|Staff Photographer

W. Kamau Bell talks social justice with Black Action Society, Pitt Program Council

By Charlie Taylor, Culture Editor • July 17, 2020
As a stand-up comic, W. Kamau Bell has made a career around being funny — but that doesn’t mean he takes political issues lightly. The comedian went without pre-rehearsed jokes to talk to Pitt community members Thursday evening about making change on campus and in their city.
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