For the first time in three decades, SAT scores nationally declined sharply. The scores of entering Pitt freshmen declined as well, but more modestly. But the reasons for the decline are in dispute, as is what the decline says about the quality of students. The SAT test was revamped in March 2005 to include a […]
UCIS faculty sound off on director search >
September 14th, 2006The search for a new director of the University Center for International Studies and senior director of international programs has so far yielded a dozen candidates, but the search committee is continuing to seek more. Members of the UCIS community were invited to offer input to the committee at a Sept. 12 open forum in […]
BPC chair wants Pitt salary policy study >
September 14th, 2006Are there some employees who are unfairly penalized by the University’s salary policies? Stephen Carr, chair of the Senate budget policies committee (BPC), is calling for a study into the potential “pernicious effects” of Pitt’s compensation policies. “Overall, the administration has done a terrific job regarding compensation over the last 10 years, and for those […]
Housing Resource Center changes urged >
September 14th, 2006In light of problems that plague off-campus student housing in Oakland, do the services provided by the University’s Housing Resource Center (HRC) need to be expanded? The Senate community relations committee (CRC) thinks so. The committee endorsed the recommendations presented this week in a white paper prepared by the Oakland Planning and Development Corp. (OPDC). […]
Undergrad researcher slips past high gas prices >
September 14th, 2006High prices at the gas pumps have caused many a driver to cringe at the thought of filling up, but one Pitt student is cruising without a care in the world: He’s driving for free in a car powered by vegetable oil. This summer, sophomore Pat Lambert converted a diesel-powered 1984 Mercedes 300 SD to […]
UPB grant aids disadvantaged students >
September 14th, 2006Pitt’s Bradford campus has been awarded a four-year $880,000 federal grant to administer a federal program that will help disadvantaged young people complete middle or high school and enroll in postsecondary education. The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Education. Through the TRIO educational talent search program, qualifying students will receive academic, financial, […]
Search for new UPG president begins >
September 14th, 2006Pitt has formed a search committee for the president of the Greensburg campus. The new president, who will report to the provost, will succeed Frank A. Cassell, who is retiring June 30. (See July 20 University Times.) The search committee is being chaired by Robert F. Pack, vice provost for Academic Planning and Resources Management. […]
Contemporary writers series starts Sept. 22 >
September 14th, 2006The Pittsburgh Contemporary Writers Series begins its ninth season at Pitt Sept. 22 with a 10th anniversary celebration of Cave Canem, a retreat for African-American poets. The Black Took Collective (BTC) featuring poets Duriel Harris, Dawn Lundy Martin and Ronaldo Wilson will open the series. Co-founded at the 1999 Cave Canem retreat by Harris, Martin […]
Voter registration deadline approaches >
September 14th, 2006The deadline for new-voter registration is 5 p.m. Oct. 10 for those who want to vote in the Nov. 7 general election. If an individual has never registered before, or has changed names or addresses since registering or wishes to change political party affiliation, voter registration forms must be submitted to the Allegheny County Board […]
Regional water task force formed >
September 14th, 2006Pitt’s Institute of Politics, which specializes in assisting coordinated responses to regional policy issues, has formed a regional water management task force to address southwestern Pennsylvania’s pressing water-management challenges. Carnegie Mellon University President Jared Cohon, who chaired the Pennsylvania Economy League’s water and sewer infrastructure project, will chair the task force. The new task force […]