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
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
Pitt’s admissions numbers for the fall look “very good” currently, despite uncertainty due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, University officials said Friday.
Rob Rutenbar, the senior vice chancellor for research, leads Pitt’s Task Force on Research Restart.

Pitt task force planning research restart effort

By Ashton Crawley, Senior Staff Writer • May 14, 2020
Rob Rutenbar, the senior vice chancellor for research, said at Thursday afternoon’s Senate Council meeting that research is restarting now on a rolling basis after originally shutting down in March. He added that due to the pandemic, labs are now required to place pandemic-specific protective measures in place. “That means that in many cases, laboratory environments have to be reconfigured to maintain social distancing,” Rutenbar said. “That may mean that schedules have to be modified in order to not have too many people in the room at the same time. They have to show that they’re ready to do that.”
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
Chancellor Patrick Gallagher said the University hasn’t made any final decisions about in-person or online classes for the fall semester, but classes will continue whether taking place on campus or off.
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
Pitt schools are preparing for possible budget cuts of as much as 10% for the 2020-21 academic year that would affect Pitt’s education and general budget, which includes all schools except for the School of Medicine, Pitt confirmed Thursday.
Despite the uncertainty of an in-person fall semester, the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid has not seen a decrease in committed first-year students.

Pitt first-year enrollment for fall exceeds expectations

By Anushay Chaudhry, Staff Writer • May 12, 2020
The first deadline for incoming first-years to commit to fall enrollment passed on May 1.
Pitt football powers through pandemic recruiting

Pitt football powers through pandemic recruiting

By Kyle Saxon, Staff Writer • May 12, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced millions of employed Americans to adapt to work from home, and the realm of college sports is no different. Coaches face numerous unfamiliar tasks, which include keeping in touch with athletes, solving scheduling challenges and — above all else — virtual recruiting.
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
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Provost Ann Cudd said she is hopeful for a fall semester on campus.
Opinion | We shouldn’t be afraid to “politicize” coronavirus

Opinion | We shouldn’t be afraid to “politicize” coronavirus

By Julia Kreutzer, Senior Staff Columnist • May 12, 2020
We shouldn’t politicize the virus — but we should politicize our response to government inaction.
Ray Nell Jones was featured on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” last Thursday, where she and her family received a Hyundai SantaFe in appreciation for her nonprofit work.

Pitt staff member featured on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” helps single mothers in need

By Diana Velasquez, Senior Staff Writer • May 12, 2020

For most people, a lunch break at work is a time to relax, but Ray Nell Jones, an administrative assistant in Pitt’s Office of Student Life, spends many of those breaks diligently cutting out coupons. These...

Magicians stream shows live Friday nights as part of “Liberty Magic @ Home.”

“Liberty Magic @ Home” dazzles audiences from a distance

By Charlie Taylor, Culture Editor • May 12, 2020
Robert Ramirez balances a bucket on a keyboard in his living room, mixing and magically unmixing brightly colored liquids while bantering with audiences via webcam. This setup may seem humble, but it’s the new reality for Ramirez and his fellow magician, Siegfried Tieber.
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