News
How wellness is reshaping college recreation centers
Moody Nolan has had a ringside seat to watch how demand for rec centers has evolved to incorporate user well-being. “Our clients aren’t only concerned about physical space, but are also asking ‘why’ about these projects,” says Troy Sherrard, FAIA, a Partner and Sports + Recreation Practice Design Leader, who has been with the firm for 20 years. Consequently, he continues, more clients are requesting “hybrid environments” that “build habits” for health and wellness in students.
Message From Vice Provost Bonner Regarding Recent Events
Our social media and news feeds, inboxes, mobile devices, and televisions have been inundated with breaking news full of commentary and images of human violence. As of today, there have been more mass shootings in America so far this year than in any previous year.
These tragedies not only destroy beautiful lives—devastating families and local communities—they are also disturbing reminders that our country continues to stumble its way through centuries of collective trauma precipitated by racism, hatred and gun violence.
Message from the Dean: Crime Alerts and Support Resources
In the past several weeks, the Pitt community has received crime alerts from Pitt Police about incidents both on and off campus. Most recently, an alert was sent Thursday afternoon about a reported sexual assault in the Cathedral of Learning at 4:20 p.m. on Monday, October 3, 2022.
A Message from the Associate Dean for Student Wellness: Reproductive Health Care Information
The U.S. Supreme Court’s recent Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision has intensified discussions regarding an issue that has long divided the nation. We recognize that members of our student body may be experiencing a wide range of feelings in response to this ruling. Recently, Dean of Students Dr. Carla Panzella and Vice Provost for Student Affairs Dr. Kenyon R. Bonner met with student leaders to discuss student concerns and suggestions for how to best support students. We expect that these conversations will continue.
Suicide Prevention Resources
This Saturday, September 10, is World Suicide Prevention Day. As clinicians and as Pitt administrators, one of our most pressing concerns is suicide prevention among college students.
So, we want to check in with you to ask: How are you doing?
A Message from the Dean Regarding Religious Observances and Social Justice Accommodations
Consistent with our commitment to diversity and inclusion, the University has a tradition of recognizing the religious observances of members of our community. At the beginning of the academic year, the Provost advised faculty that students shall not be penalized for absences resulting from a religious observance that conflicts with a University activity.
A Message from the Associate Dean for Student Wellness
The Allegheny County Health Department has confirmed that a Pitt student tested positive for monkeypox on August 29. The patient has been seen by health care providers, and is currently isolating and recovering.
Pitt’s Student Health Services (SHS) and Allegheny County Health Department have continued to monitor the case, and close contacts of the student have been identified and notified. Student Health Services will continue to work in collaboration with the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD).
A Message from the Associate Dean for Student Wellness
I’m writing now to share some information about what we know so far about the monkeypox virus and what we are doing to respond to it and ensure the health and well-being of our community.
Message from SGB President Danielle Floyd: 2022 Diversity Forum
The recent racial injustices, attacks on reproductive rights, and rise in gun violence we have seen unfold across communities nationwide have produced a clear message: We must do better. Institutional racism, bigotry, and discrimination continue to plague our society, from the highest levels of government to the interactions on our very own campus. Students have grown up with lockdown drills, a worldwide pandemic, and the murder of George Floyd; we know that these issues are neither distant nor rare. It is here and real, and we stand in support of students.
Pride Month Staff Feature: Meet Ali
There are a few new faces joining us in Student Affairs, one of them being Ali Hoefnagel! Ali recently joined the Office of Belonging and Inclusion as the LGBTQIA+ Programs Coordinator and brings over a decade of experience working with queer young folks at the intersection of art and social justice. This position is new to Pitt and will allow a dedicated, full-time staff member to support and provide for Pitt’s large queer student population.
Pitt received a $245,000 innovation grant to improve students’ careers and lives
The University of Pittsburgh is one of 15 universities to receive an innovation grant in the initial phase of Strada Education Network’s $10 million Beyond Completion Challenge.
The grants aim to help universities across the country develop new solutions to improve career and life opportunities for more students of color, first-generation students and those who struggle to afford education.
A Message to Our Community
In the wake of the Orlando tragedy, Pitt affirms that it stands with and in support of our community, particularly our LGBTQIA+, Latino, and Muslim communities, all of which have been uniquely affected by the Orlando tragedy. In the aftermath of these types of tragedies, it is important that we resist the temptation to overgeneralize about cultural and religious groups. There is never justification for violence against others, particularly violence based on a person’s gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, or religion.