Cost Co. employees on Tuesday placed a new plaque on the first floor of the Cathedral of Learning. The 180-pound granite slab is engraved with the dedication date, region and architectural style for each of Pitt’s Nationality and Heritage Rooms, along with the names of the rooms’ two directors, the late Ruth Crawford Mitchell and […]
State budget in limbo >
June 28th, 2007As Pennsylvania’s fiscal year comes to an end, it remains uncertain whether legislators will agree on a state budget before Sunday’s start of the new fiscal year. That, in turn, means the amount of Pitt’s appropriation for the coming fiscal year likewise remains in limbo. Gov. Edward G. Rendell, in a press conference earlier this […]
Food drive sets Pitt record >
June 28th, 2007Pitt has collected its highest-ever total of 307,984 units of food to benefit the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, an increase of nearly 33,000 units over last year’s effort. Donated food is calculated not by the number of items, but in “units” loosely based on an item’s nutritional value, to encourage donors to give items […]
Incumbents sweep SAC election >
June 28th, 2007The four Staff Association Council (SAC) officers all won re-election to two-year terms that begin July 1. SAC elections committee chair Betty Homonai announced the results at the June 20 meeting. Re-elected for a third consecutive term as president was Rich Colwell. Gwen Watkins won another term as vice president for steering; Angie Peskie will […]
Lane closures continue in Oakland >
June 28th, 2007Drivers heading into Oakland on the Boulevard of the Allies will need to prepare for intermittent lane closures and brief traffic stoppages from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through August as contractors install drainage systems as part of the Boulevard of the Allies bridge replacement project. Traffic on Fifth Avenue be-tween Craft Avenue and […]
Pitt, Port Authority far apart on transit deal >
June 28th, 2007Members of the Pittsburgh campus community may be forced to shell out money to ride mass transit beginning Aug. 1. The Port Authority of Allegheny County and Pitt officials are working on a contract renewal for fare-free bus rides — a program that has been in place since 1997 — but the two sides are […]
Oakland farmers' market returns >
June 28th, 2007The Oakland Farmers’ Market returns June 29 with more than 10 vendors featuring homegrown and homemade local products including fresh produce, cut flowers, baked goods, salsa, homemade smoothies, pierogies and hummus. In addition, organic produce and meats will be available. The market will be held 3:30-6:30 p.m. each Friday through Nov. 16 on Sennott Street […]
Cathedral cleaning progresses >
June 28th, 2007Sunshine. Sand. The sound of water in motion. Moist, misty breezes. If it weren’t for the constant hum of compressors in the background, and the fact that some of the sand and spray is indoors, maybe 4200 Fifth Ave. would seem like the seashore this summer. Even the raingear-clad contractors look as if they could […]
UPMC to ban smoking >
June 28th, 2007Beginning July 1, UPMC will institute a campus-wide smoke-free policy to protect patients, visitors and staff from the effects of secondhand smoke. The policy prohibits smoking on any UPMC-owned or leased property, including its grounds, garages and parking lots. In partnership with the UPMC Health Plan, UPMC is offering staff members and the community smoking […]
One grimy stone remains >
June 28th, 2007From top to bottom, the Cathedral’s limestone exterior will gleam when preservation crews are through, but one darkened stone will remain, thanks to Nationality Rooms director E. Maxine Bruhns. She and Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation officials requested that one weather-worn block of darkened stone near the Fifth Avenue entrance be preserved as a tribute […]