The United Steelworkers union reached a “memorandum of understanding” with Pitt regarding expanded health and safety protections for faculty, following allegations that the University didn’t consult the faculty union before removing its mask mandate in March.

Students showed cautious optimism about the ability to unmask after years of dealing with pandemic restrictions.

The United Steelworkers union filed an unfair practices charge against Pitt on Friday, alleging that University administrators failed to consult faculty before announcing that campus buildings would go mask optional starting Monday, according to a Friday evening press release from the Steelworkers.

The Senate Council started its Wednesday meeting by discussing these new guidelines. The Council, which met in-person and on Zoom, also discussed government funding for in-state tuition, the Russia-Ukraine war and external interference on what can or cannot be covered in courses.

In its Wednesday virtual meeting, Faculty Assembly discussed Pitt potentially removing its mask mandate and voted on a budget policy recommendation and a resolution banning external interference on what can or cannot be covered in courses.

Pitt officials said Thursday that the University would soon relax its mask requirements, with a precise date released next week, “contingent on conditions continuing to improve on campus and in our surrounding communities.”

Wolf made the right decision to mandate masks. While waiting for a vaccine that can be administered to children younger than 12, there is not much else one can do to protect their child other than to have them wear a mask.