“Step away from the building” is the new message to smokers at Pitt. The University has adopted a policy that prohibits smoking within 15 feet of primary entrances and air intakes on campus. The action, approved Tuesday by Executive Vice Chancellor Jerome Cochran on behalf of the University’s officers, takes effect immediately. “It’s a done […]
Pitt asks state for 8.5 percent hike >
September 27th, 2007In its annual budget request, the University is asking the state for an 8.5 percent increase in commonwealth support for fiscal year 2009, seeking $202.8 million, including nearly $178.3 million for education and general (E&G) funding. The request, released Sept. 21, states that with that level of state support, the University intends to limit tuition […]
Green light expected for Port Authority deal >
September 27th, 2007Free bus rides likely are here to stay — at least for the next five years. Pending final approval of a new five-year contract tomorrow, Sept. 28, by the Port Authority of Allegheny County’s board, Pittsburgh campus faculty, staff and students can continue to use their Pitt ID cards to ride Port Authority vehicles. Last […]
Center for Vaccine Research opens >
September 27th, 2007A new Pitt center will enable the University to expand its research into health threats caused by naturally occurring outbreaks of infectious disease or acts of bioterrorism. Pitt’s new Center for Vaccine Research (CVR), housed on the 8th and 9th floors of Biomedical Science Tower 3, comprises the University’s vaccine research laboratory and a regional […]
SAC targets salary compression >
September 27th, 2007The Staff Association Council (SAC) is developing recommendations for a salary “step system” designed to protect long-term staff from salary compression. At the group’s Sept. 19 meeting, SAC President Rich Colwell reported that the pay ranges for Pitt’s job classifications were raised by 4 percent, effective July 1. The ranges have been benchmarked annually by […]
Law panel looks at court decisions on race in education >
September 27th, 2007In June, a fractured — and at times sniping — U.S. Supreme Court rendered a landmark decision that prohibited the use of race as the sole factor in integrating public schools and declined to recognize racial balancing in schools as a compelling state interest. The nine justices issued 178 pages of sharply disagreeing opinions that […]
Mechanicsburg program trains child welfare workers >
September 27th, 2007It’s not widely known beyond the School of Social Work that Pitt has a contingent of about 75 employees in Mechanicsburg, but these staff members who work far beyond the shadow of the Cathedral of Learning play an important role in the education of child welfare workers state-wide. The Pitt-administered child welfare training program has […]
Mechanicsburg program to host exhibit >
September 27th, 2007Social work’s Mechanicsburg child welfare training program wants to raise awareness about child adoption by hosting a traveling photo exhibition portraying children in need of adoptive homes. The Pennsylvania Heart Gallery, a project of the Statewide Adoption and Permanency Network, is a series of professional portraits featuring foster children awaiting adoption in Pennsylvania. The exhibition […]
Faculty book discussions set >
September 27th, 2007Once again, faculty from across the University will gather for a book discussion on teaching. The popular event, a joint initiative of the Center for Instructional Development & Distance Education (CIDDE) and the Provost’s Advisory Council on Instructional Excellence (ACIE), is in its third year. This year’s book is Ken Bain’s award-winning “What the Best […]