The Pitt News
T h e i n d e p e n d e n t s t ude nt ne w spap e r of t he U niversity of Pittsburgh | PIttnews.com | january 30, 2019 | Volume 109 | Issue 93
SGB URGES PITT TO CANCEL CLASSES
CHATS WITHOUT BORDERS
Maureen Hartwell For The Pitt News
As Pitt prepares to meet the arriving polar vortex, students at a Tuesday night Student Government Board meeting raised concerns about the University remaining open in the cold weather. In response, board members reached out to University officials in an email, urging them to cancel classes on Wednesday. President Maggie Kennedy sent the email to Chancellor Patrick Gallagher, Provost Ann Cudd, Senior Vice Chancellor Kathy Humphrey and Dean Kenyon Bonner late Tuesday night, with the subject, “SGB Concern for Extreme Weather.” “As far as we know, due to diesel freezing and road condition concerns, University Shuttles and The English Language Institute hosted International Speed-Friending Monday, Jan. 28, for international and American Pitt stuSafe Riders may not be running, which will leave dents to have short, timed conversations to form friendships and celebrate diversity. Hannah Heisler | staff photographer physically disabled students and students who live on upper campus and off campus in both North and South Oakland without safe transportation,” the email said. “There is also a significant portion central Pennsylvania who started the petition, will continue to operate as normal otherwise, of Pitt students who commute from other neigh- The Pitt News Staff said after friends of hers at the University of including classes. borhoods of Pittsburgh, or even from the suburbs Pitt didn’t close during the 2014 polar vorDespite predicted wind chills as low as mi- Pittsburgh at Johnstown shared a similar peti— all of whom will be experiencing extreme difnus 20 degrees Fahrenheit Wednesday — and tion, which had 2,682 signatures at the time of tex, when the high temperature was 2 degrees ficulty in safely making it to class.” a petition with more than 8,500 signatures de- publication. Pitt Johnstown has an enrollment Fahrenheit, and it doesn’t plan to this year. Pitt During the meeting’s first open floor, Resimanding Pitt cancel classes — the University of of 2,600, according to the most recent Pitt Fact- did close during the polar vortex of ’94 after the dent Student Association President Sam Smalllieutenant governor declared a state of emerPittsburgh does not plan to close Wednesday, book. wood urged the board to reach out to Gallagher Pitt Admissions cancelled all events for gency and Pittsburgh faced air temperatures as according to Pitt spokesperson Joe Miksch. Taylor Tomlinson, a first-year student from Wednesday and Thursday, but the University See SGB on page 2 See Vortex on page 2
PITTSBURGH BRACES FOR POLAR VORTEX, PITT REMAINS OPEN
News
Vortex, pg. 1
low as minus 22 degrees Fahrenheit. Former Chancellor Dennis O’Connor said the University closed in ‘94 to “conserve energy,” according to The Pitt News archives. The University closed most recently during a snowstorm Feb. 5-6, 2010, when the City received more than 20 inches of snow, the fourth largest amount in history for the City. The University cancelled classes for three days, and students had to make up Monday and Tuesday classes on subsequent Saturdays. Pitt’s neighbor Carnegie Mellon cancelled Wednesday classes late Tuesday night. Several other Pittsburgh-area universities announced closures for Wednesday and Thursday, including the California University of Pennsylvania, Edinboro University and Slippery Rock University. Pitt spokesperson Joe Miksch said in an email the University is expected to remain open Wednesday and Thursday, and offered
SGB, pg. 1 regarding the inclement weather. He said the weather poses a threat to student safety and that students shouldn’t be expected to attend classes. “If the University is classifying this as extreme weather conditions and then says ‘Classes will only be cancelled due to extreme weather,’ you’ve already said right there that classes should be cancelled,” Smallwood said. As president of RSA, Smallwood said he feels both RSA and SGB have the responsibility to advocate for the needs of students. An email Bonner sent to students Tuesday afternoon didn’t include definitive criteria for cancelling classes, Smallwood noted. And while Bonner’s email said the choice of whether or not to attend class is left up to each student’s discretion, Smallwood said this is not the case. A petition to close class on Wednesday posted online by first-year student Taylor Tomlinson received more than 8,500 signatures within six hours of posting. The campus last cancelled classes due to inclement weather in 2010. “The professors will punish us if we don’t go to class,” Smallwood said. “It puts us in a really
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advice for the cold. Miksch encouraged students to review the University’s Policy on Extreme Weather Conditions — which states only Chancellor Patrick Gallagher can officially close the University — and to follow Pitt on Twitter for any updates. In an email to students, Vice Provost and Dean of Students Kenyon Bonner said students should take care to prepare for the cold and make a personal decision about whether they should travel to class. “Given the range of institutional programs, the number of essential services provided, and the continuing needs of residence hall students, the University will remain open in all but the most extreme circumstances,” Bonner said. “If personal health or safety is at issue in that decision, responsible judgment should be used in deciding whether you can safely commute to campus.” After students raised concerns about the weather at Tuesday night’s Student Government Board meeting, President Maggie Kennedy said the board would discuss reaching
out to University officials to recommend cancelling classes. Kennedy sent an email to Pitt administrators, including Gallagher, requesting that the University cancel classes, citing the widespread student dissent. “We understand that this a large and complex decision, but we urge you all to listen to the student voice and to take heed from our neighbor CMU by cancelling classes for tomorrow and/or Thursday,” the email said. Wind chill temperatures are forecasted to reach as low as minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit Wednesday, and minus 22 degrees Fahrenheit Wednesday night. Current weather forecasts predict it will be around 0 degrees at 6 p.m. Wednesday. According to a wind chill advisory from the National Weather Service, minimal snow is expected during this polar vortex, a type of weather system characterized by large, rotating, low-pressure zones at the Poles. Usually, the cold air associated with the polar vortex is trapped by the jet stream. But fluctuations in the jet stream can allow the cold air
to leak into northern parts of the United States, causing frigid temperatures. Students expressed their distress at the prospect of commuting in the frigid cold. Grace Antol, a sophomore nursing major, signed the petition and said she is concerned about walking around campus early in the morning. “I signed the petition because I’m really worried about walking outside tomorrow, especially to my clinical rotations for my nursing major,” she said over Twitter. “I’ll be walking outside around 6:30 a.m. and it’ll be dark and too cold to even be safe.” Pittsburgh Public Schools, the Community College of Allegheny County, Youngstown State University and the Ohio State University announced Wednesday closures on Twitter. Carlow University, like Pitt, is not expected to close. Students there also formed a petition, which had nearly 400 signatures by 10:15 p.m. Tuesday. Temperatures are expected to return to the mid-30s during the weekend.
rough spot as students because we are here to get an education. But when our own health and wellbeing is at risk from just going outside, then it’s just not worth it and the University doesn’t seem to realize that.” Since Bonner’s email notes that the University can stay open and still cancel classes, Smallwood said he isn’t sure why this option isn’t being used. “I shouldn’t have to be told ‘You’re going to get frostbite in 15 minutes, but don’t get frostbite on your 16-minute walk to class,’” he said. Kennedy said she understands concerns about the implications of the weather, and how it affects classes and other student responsibilities. “To hear from a student during one of the open floors that this is something he and other students are concerned about affirmed to us that this is a widespread issue,” Kennedy said. Kennedy said she does not anticipate the email to affect the chancellor’s decision given the short time frame. But she said it’s the board’s responsibility to urge administrators to cancel Wednesday and possibly Thursday. As of right now, Pitt has no definite policy
for guidelines on weather-related cancellations, which are left to the discretion of the chancellor. Kennedy said the board would like to engage in a larger conversation about the school’s inclement weather policy. “Given the late timing and the complicated nature of this issue, we would also like to continue a larger conversation with you all regarding the University policy (or the lack thereof) for this sort of inclement weather as we move forward throughout the semester,” Kennedy’s email to Pitt administrators said. At this meeting, Kennedy also announced that SGB will host its third annual Women’s Empowerment Week March 18-27. In the past, the board has brought in prominent speakers like Justin Baldoni and Leslie Jones who can speak to women’s empowerment “on a large scale.” Kennedy said SGB will work with Pitt Program Council to bring another speaker to the event this year, though she did not mention a specific name. The event is being planned by a committee made up of women from organizations like FEM, Asian Student Alliance, Rainbow Alliance and Pitt Girl Up.
“We are trying to plan a really inclusive and diverse week that helps people realize women’s empowerment involves everyone, regardless of how you identify,” Kennedy said. “It shouldn’t just be by women, for women — it should be about everybody.” In another diversity initiative, Executive Vice President Jahari Mercer spoke about SGB’s plans to distribute a survey on Pitt’s counseling center. Mercer said the survey, created by the Black Senate, Asian Student Alliance and SGB’s Wellness Committee, aims to gauge how different student ethnic communities view the counseling center. Mercer said he thinks representation is a concern for some students in the counseling center. He said students voiced concerns to him about this issue during his campaign and during his time spent serving on the board. “We are hoping to promote diversity in the counseling center with more diverse counselors and resources so that students feel represented and use their resources,” Mercer said.
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Opinions
column
from the editorial board
City leaders must be transparent in gun control battle Pittsburgh City Council members Corey O’Connor and Erika Strassburger introduced a set of gun control ordinances last December, knowing full well they would violate a Pennsylvania state law that prohibits local municipalities from making their own gun laws. Over a month has passed and they are still silent about how the City plans to fight the legal battle ahead. “At this point we are going to pass our bills, move forward,” O’Connor said to CBS Pittsburgh. “Whatever happens after that we will find out.” Mayor Bill Peduto has similarly declined to discuss the City’s legal strategy, only hinting to CBS Pittsburgh that it would “change the discussion in Harrisburg and Washington.” The Pennsylvania state preemption law prohibits municipalities from passing their own gun laws and has been upheld by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court since the 1990s. If City leaders hope to try their hand at overturning decades of court precedence, City residents deserve to know more about their plan than waiting to “find out.” Pittsburgh’s effort to pass its own gun control ordinances would not be the first time local municipalities in Pennsylvania have tried to challenge the state’s preemption law. A Philadelphia assault weapons ban was struck down in 2008 and an Erie gun ordinance was also defeated in the courts in 2014. Legal experts have expressed doubts Pittsburgh will overcome this legal precedence. In a letter to O’Connor
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dated Jan. 9, Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala expressed his concern the City was overstepping its legal authority. “As the District Attorney of Allegheny County for the past 20 years, I understand the efforts to curtail gun violence and limit the accessibility to assault weapons, ammunition, and gun accessories capable of causing widespread injury, destruction, and death,” he wrote. “While I certainly see the desire for such type of legislation at the state and federal levels, I believe that City Council does not have the authority to pass such legislation.” Peduto fired back at Zappala for suggesting the City lacked the authority to pass the ordinances and accused Zappala of threatening City leaders with criminal charges. “Arrest me. You know what, I welcome him trying to put up a lawsuit that would arrest me if I sign this legislation,” Peduto said to CBS Pittsburgh. “It would be unprecedented simply because he doesn’t support gun reform or he is somehow so convinced the gun lobby is so important to his election that he would threaten to arrest legislators would support gun reform is astounding.” Zappala’s letter made no indication he would arrest City leaders. Pittsburgh faces a tough legal battle ahead if the bills are passed and City residents deserve to know how their leaders plan to overturn decades of legal precedence. Peduto’s deflections and O’Connor’s vagueness are not enough.
BASHING MILLENNIALS IS A RISKY MOVE FOR TRUMP Julia Kreutzer
For The Pitt News During the recent government shutdown — the longest in government history — lawmakers had no qualms about pushing blame onto their colleagues instead of working toward a compromise. President Donald Trump did not hesitate to voice his true feelings about the Democratic Party on Jan. 10. “They’ve been taken over by a group of young people who, frankly, in some cases, I’ve been watching, I actually think are crazy,” Trump said. “They’ve been taken over by a group of people that don’t care about gangs, human trafficking or drugs- they don’t care about anything. I tell you why, they have gone crazy.” While these comments demonstrate his frustration with the recent shutdown, they are also emblematic of a catastrophic failure in the president’s self-defense strategies — the alienation of young activists and voters. This pattern will not only threaten his chances in 2020, but will be disastrous for the GOP down the road. While Trump’s comments did not specifically target young voters, his demeaning jeers at the “crazy” young Democrats exposes just how little he understands the influence of millenials. This blatant disregard for young voters and activists contributes to a phenomenon that Trump should be approaching with extreme concern: politically active youth are mobilizing, and they’re going blue. More and more young voters are becoming politically involved each year, and this trend is likely to continue. Millennials, Generation X and post-millenials (individuals born after 2000) are expected to account for 63 percent of eligible voters in 2020, an 8 percent increase from 2016. During the 2018 Midterm elections, 67 percent of voters aged 18-29 and 58
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Daniel Walsh | staff illustrator percent of those aged 30-44 voted blue, the Democratic Party’s best performance with voters in both age groups since 1986. After her upset of 10-term Democratic Caucus Chair Joe Crowley in the Democratic primaries in 2018, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, now the youngest U.S. representative in history at age 29, told the Outline she attributed much of her success to informed young voters. “The under-40 electorate actually matched the over-60 electorate in our race, which is unheard of,” Ocasio-Cortez said. “It’s up to the people most affected by conservative and neoliberal political neglect to really change this country — and I think that means getting the youth engaged.” The effects of Trump’s attacks on young politicians aren’t just limited to young Democrats — Republicans attempting to engage millennials are caught in the crossfire as well. Rep. Elise Stefanik, the youngest Republican representative in office, explained she focused on ways to convince young conservative women that her policies would address their concerns during her 2014 campaign. “President Obama’s economic policies have hurt my demographic, of unmarried women, ages 18 to 30,” Stefanik said. “I want to empower young women to start businesses with limited government, and fundamental tax reform so that they have more take-home pay and afford goods with rising prices.” But Trump has done everything but take a note from Stefanik. His policies don’t convince young individuals that the GOP will take care of them, but that their problems are insignificant to those of their elders. Trump has relentlessly emphasized the past, rather than working toward the future.
Find the full story online at
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BERLIN INTERNSHIP PROVES CULTURAL STEREOTYPES WRONG Maggie Koontz Senior Staff Writer
On the very first day of my writing internship at tbd*, a social business startup in Berlin that connects people with employment resources, I stepped through the door and I was immediately greeted by my bosses and the other employees. They quickly made me comfortable and helped me settle in. There were no formalities or titles there, as everyone introduced themselves and my bosses told me to call them by their first names. This was a stark contrast to what I was initially told during the mandatory program orientation. Most of the preparatory material relied on stereotypes of German companies to educate students about potential cultural differences and conflicts that could arise in the business world. But I quickly realized our preconceived notions of German companies were not necessarily true, especially not for startup companies with younger employees — like the company I worked at. I already knew a lot about Germany’s culture because I am a German major, but the program didn’t require students in Pitt’s International Internship program in Berlin to have prior knowledge about the country or to speak the language. During the presentation, our adviser warned us that the German people are usually cold and formal. They prefer to work on their own and have strict deadlines. When they do speak to you, they communicate clearly and concentrate on the job at hand. Their feedback can be quite sharp at times and there is never any time for small talk. For us students, this seemed boring and a little dismal, but we understood we
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were there to work during the week and have fun during the weekends. For some interns, this was exactly what their workplace was like. But for others, like me, this wasn’t the case. As I glanced around on my first day at work, I noticed I was dressed more formally than everyone else. In my interview, one of the bosses told me I could wear “normal” clothes, but I wasn’t sure what she meant. I erred on the side of caution and wore slacks with a nice shirt, but the rest of my time working there, I wore casual clothing, like jeans, a T-shirt and a pair of Vans. At first, I was a little worried about fitting in since no one was around my age. Everyone was at least a couple of years older than me and more experienced. During lunch I would sit in the office and eat my sandwich at my desk, but I was quickly invited out to various eateries in the area and my coworkers showed me all of the good places to eat near our office. They engaged me in conversations that were so warm and welcoming that I wondered where the stereotype of them being cold and unfriendly came from. Before starting my internship, I was told that Germans like to keep their office doors closed and work quietly, but my office had an open floor plan. Desks were arranged in clusters and the only walled-off room was the conference room, which they used for meetings or important phone calls, but even it was made out of glass. Everything in the office space was transparent and free of barriers. The clustered desks made it easy to speak with each other and often my coworkers would ask each other questions
or exchange important information. The office was usually buzzing with a little background noise — whether that was typing, phone calls or talking. I must have asked my deskmate hundreds of questions during my first week, but my coworkers — and bosses — were always happy to help me. Conversation also extended to people’s personal lives. On Mondays, one of my bosses asked me about my weekend and what I did with the other students. My coworkers suggested places to go and even shared their own plans. A couple of times, they even asked for my opinion about political matters and we had brief but illuminating discussions over sandwiches in the office. For the job-related tasks of my internship, which included writing and translating articles, the orientation’s information was partially true. I spent most of my time working independently. My bosses gave me clear tasks to complete and the deadlines were quick but appropriate. Although I was in charge of making my own schedule, I managed to get all of my work done on time. The company emphasized completing tasks, rather than putting in 40 hours a week at the office. They promoted the idea of a flexible schedule, meaning that instead of coming to the office Friday, I could choose to work from home. One of my bosses often left at noon on Friday and suggested I do the same. I anticipated negative feedback about my work because Germans are known for being critical, but I rarely received any harsh comments. Instead, my bosses offered kind suggestions or advice for the future. If I did something wrong, like
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posting an article incorrectly, my boss immediately resolved the problem by showing me the correct way. They were understanding and I was always eager to learn new things. Although I didn’t expect any praise based on the information from orientation, my bosses and other coworkers were kind to me. I distinctly remember receiving many emails from my boss with smiley emoticons and plenty of exclamation points. Mostly though, they were grateful and surprised that I seemed so keen on completing tasks. I didn’t feel as if I was doing anything particularly special, but they made it seem as if I was. For me, the stereotypes proved to be false, but I know that for some of the interns in the program — like my roommate — they turned out to be true. Although I would have been fine in a more formal setting, I am so thankful that I was placed with that company. They taught me so much about the culture and people of Germany that I never could have gotten from a textbook. Working at this startup company in Berlin allowed me to publish several articles, learn new skills and practice my German. On the last day of my internship, my bosses took me out to lunch and presented me with a gift. It was a reusable box made out of metal to commemorate all of the sandwiches I ate in the office with my coworkers. Based on everything I was told before my internship, I never would’ve expected this level of generosity and kindness from a German company — which goes to show you must make your own judgments based on your own experiences, not believe preconceived stereotypes.
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Sports CLEMSON’S HOT SHOOTING DEALS PITT FOURTH STRAIGHT LOSS, 82-69 Trent Leonard Sports Editor
Pitt men’s basketball entered Tuesday night’s primetime matchup at Clemson as one of the nation’s top teams at defending the 3-pointer, ranked No. 16 and holding opponents to 29.1 percent from distance. Clemson, conversely, entered as one of the NCAA’s worst 3-point shooting teams, ranked No. 315 out of 353 teams at 30.6 percent. So what could possibly go wrong? Apparently, a lot. In a scenario straight out of the “Twilight Zone,” the Panthers found themselves at the mercy of an otherworldly shooting performance from Clemson. The Tigers drained six of their first seven 3-pointers to put the game away early, leading to an 82-69 final score — which made the game appear far closer than it actually was — and extending Pitt’s seasonlong losing streak to four games. Clemson was supposed to be a fairly beatable opponent, a chance for Pitt to catch a break — especially compared to the ranked foes the Panthers faced in six of their previous seven games. The two teams came in with similar records, with Pitt at 12-8 overall, 2-5 in the ACC and Clemson at 11-8 overall, 1-5 in the ACC. Pitt’s defense struggled without firstyear forward Au’Diese Toney, typically viewed as one of the team’s more dynamic defenders, who was absent from the game due to a hand injury. Whatever the case, Pitt had no answer for the Tigers, who drained threes of every sort — contested, wide open, off the dribble, assisted — en route to a first-half lead that for a moment stood at 29. Clemson took a double-digit lead in the blink of an eye, getting up 15-5 just five minutes into the game. It was a total team effort, with each starter contributing exactly one basket. The Tigers’ run continued until it stood
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at 14-0 and their lead at 22-5. To summarize the game’s first eight minutes, Clemson knocked down its first four 3-point attempts while Pitt committed four turnovers. Senior forward Jared Wilson-Frame finally knocked down a three of his own to end the Clemson run and make it 22-8, but the bucket failed to shift any momentum toward Pitt. Graduate guards Marcquise Reed and Shelton Mitchell each made another three to put Clemson up a conclusive 32-12 at the 9:00 mark. At that point, Clemson was shooting an almost unfathomable 6-8 from beyond the arc, 11-15 from the field and 4-5 from the free throw line. Mitchell was one of the Tigers’ key contributors, shooting a perfect 5-5 in the first half including 4-4 from three. His fourth 3-pointer made it 35-14, then a pull-up three from sophomore guard Clyde Trapp made it 38-16 with 6:40 remaining. Pitt’s low-water mark came with a minute left in the half, when another Trapp three and a pair of free throws from sophomore forward Aamir Simms made it 49-20. A Wilson-Frame 3-pointer made it 51-23 heading into the break — Pitt’s worst halftime deficit of the season. The flukish first half saw Clemson shoot a scorching 67 percent from the field and 60 percent from 3-point range, compared to Pitt’s respective 38 and 30 percent. First-year guard Xavier Johnson was the Panthers’ lone bright spot, notching 11 points while no other teammate scored more than six. For Clemson, both Reed and Mitchell had 14 points. The second half featured even play between the two teams, with Pitt and Clemson both shooting a more-realistic 5-12 from 3-point range. But it didn’t matter, as the game was essentially decided after a lopsided opening half. Head coach Jeff Capel used the blowout as an opportunity to get minutes for rarely used players like sophomore forward Samson George, who finished with
Senior guard/forward Jared Wilson-Frame (4), pictured here against Duke, contributed 12 points of Pitt’s 64-79 Jan. 22 loss. Thomas Yang |assistant visual editor a season-high 10 minutes and three points. and family — during pre-game introducTo the Panthers’ credit, they finished the tions, but was held under 10 points for the game on a 13-0 run to make the deficit, a third time in four games. deceiving but more respectable-looking 13 For Clemson, the trio of Reed, Mitchpoints. Johnson played the remainder of ell and Trapp all finished with four made junk time like a man possessed, scoring 19 3-pointers. Reed showed why he’s the in the second half and finishing with a sea- fourth-leading scorer in the ACC by leading son-high 30 points on an impressive 10-14 Clemson with 26 points. from the field, 3-3 from three and 7-8 from The loss continues Pitt’s worrisome the free throw line. four-game skid, a streak which has seen the But Pitt’s other first-year superstar, guard team’s record drop from 12-5 overall and 2-2 Trey McGowens, turned in one of his worst in the ACC to 12-9 and 2-6. performances of the year, scoring just five Pitt heads back home for its next game points on 2-9 shooting. The South Caro- this Saturday against Syracuse. The Panthers lina native, who grew up and went to high will look to get back in the win column and school mere miles from Clemson’s campus, avenge a 63-74 loss suffered at the hands of received a warm welcome from the crowd the Orange from earlier this season. Tip-off — which included many hometown friends is set for 6 p.m.
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PITT SOFTBALL SIGNS IMPACT RECRUIT RYLEE DITULLIO Michael Nitti Staff Writer
With the start of the season just a week away, Pitt softball head coach Jodi Hermanek added a home-run recruit — but not in the way you might expect. The Pitt softball team signed 16-year-old Team IMPACT recruit Rylee DiTullio last Monday, Jan. 21, holding a Draft Day press conference at the Petersen Events Center to celebrate the event. DiTullio hails from nearby Mars and currently attends Pine Richland High School. As a member of the Panthers, she’ll attend games, practices and other team functions. As a child, DiTullio was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, a neurological disorder that affects movement, motor skills and muscle tone. Her relationship with Pitt is happening with the help of Team IMPACT, a national nonprofit organization that connects children with serious or chronic illnesses with college athletic teams, like the Panthers, in hopes to form lifelong bonds and life-changing outcomes. “Blessings come in many ways and the trick to allowing blessings to be bestowed is to capture it and live through it. Rylee, we are grateful for the blessings of your impact that you’ve already had on these softball athletes and the coaching staff and will continue to have on the softball family,” Hermanek said. “Welcome to the sisterhood that bonds us forever and welcome to the Panther family.” This is not the first time that Pitt Athletics and Team IMPACT have united. Pitt’s soccer team was paired with Mario Norro, a then 11-year-old from Gibsonia in 2015. Mario was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common form of blood cancer found in children, in 2011, but was cancer free by 2014. Similar to DiTullio, Norro got to attend several team events, such as practices, games and dinners. Joining DiTullio at the podium were Hermanek, senior infielder Olivia Gray and DiTullio’s parents, Lisa and Greg. Among the crowd to honor her accomplishment were family, friends, the softball team, the coaching staff and, of course, Roc the Panther. “Today is about Rylee,” Hermanek said. “This amazing young teenager is being drafted into a championship program with these amazing young women. It’s a perfect match, if you ask me.”
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Hermanek is entering her first season as Pitt’s softball head coach after previously coaching at the University of Ohio for 10 years, winning two MAC conference tournament championships. She voiced excitement for the opportunity to have DiTullio as part of the team. “Rylee possesses many qualities that our coaching staff looks for when we recruit our athletes,” Hermanek said. “A big heart, an amazing family and willingness to be part of a culture that will mold you and impact your life forever, and nothing beats that glowing smile on her face.” Gray, entering her senior season and recently voted to the preseason All-ACC team, talked about the team’s excitement upon finding out about the addition of DiTullio to the Panther family. “I kind of kept it on the down-low a little bit because I didn’t want to get [my teammates] too excited about it in case it potentially didn’t work out,” Gray said. “But as soon as I told one person, it spread like wildfire.” Prior to becoming a Panther, DiTullio played baseball for 10 years in The Miracle League, an organization whose mission statement is to provide opportunities for children with disabilities to play organized sports, regardless of their abilities. Upon being asked by one player what this day meant to her, she expressed elation for her new journey. “I can’t explain how much this means to me,” DiTullio said. “I never thought I’d have this opportunity. I’m excited to be your teammate and I cannot wait to see the team dominate the ACC.” DiTullio’s father, Greg, elaborated on what she can bring to the team. “When you’re having a bad day and you walk in, or if you guys have a bad game, or a bad practice, and you walk in and she’s smiling, all of a sudden, you realize, it could be a lot worse,” Greg said. “For you guys to open up your hearts, she’s going to open up our hearts to yours and I cannot thank you enough.” Following the press conference, DiTullio, the players and Roc the Panther had a dance party on the court at the Pete, which featured DJ Mikal Outcalt. One player asked DiTullio what her favorite Pitt slogan was, to which she answered: “H2P.” The Panthers begin their season next Friday, Feb. 8, against Purdue in the College of Charleston Tournament in South Carolina.
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January 30, 2019
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416 Oakland Ave. HUGE 2BR, 1BA. Hardwood floors. Available August 1, 2019. Call 412‑361‑2695
2BR houses and apart ments available in August. Unfurnished, no pets. Atwood/S. Bouquet. Call 412‑492‑8173
Apartments for rent. 2 and 3 bedroom apart‑ ments available. Some available on Dawson Street, Atwood Street, and Mckee Place. Newly remodeled. Some have laundry on site. Minutes from the University. For more info please call Mike at 412‑849‑8694
322 S. Bouquet. Huge 2 BR apartments.
August 2019 rental. Studio & 1 Bedrooms.
notices
• ADOPTION • EVENTS • LOST AND FOUND • STUDENT GROUPS • WANTED • OTHER
Heat included; parking. Charles Greve Company Real Estate 412‑261‑4620. Before signing a lease, be aware that no more than 3 unrelated people can share a single unit. Check property’s compliance with codes. Call City’s Permits, Licensing & Inspections. 412‑255‑2175. Completely renovated 5 BR, 2 full bath duplex. All appliances including washer and dryer are included. Too many features to list! Close to Magee Women’s Hospital. On Pitt shuttle and PAT bus lines. 10 minute walk to Univ. of Pittsburgh. $2800/ mo. 412‑983‑0400 Furnished 2BR apart ment on Atwood. Comes with 1 parking spot. $1300/mo plus utilities. Also 4BR apartment available on Dawson. $2300/ mo plus utilities. Washer/dryer in buildings. Call or text 724‑350‑5000 M.J. Kelly Realty. Studio, 1, 2, 3 and 4 Bedroom Apartments, Duplexes and Houses. N. & S. Oakland from $750‑$2500. mjkellyrealty@gmail. com. 412‑271‑5550.
R A T E S
Insertions
1-15 Words
16-30 Words
1X
2X
3X
4X
$6.30
$11.90
$17.30
$22.00
$7.50
$14.20
$20.00
$25.00
5X $27.00 $29.10
6X $30.20 $32.30
Add. + $5.00 + $5.40
(Each Additional Word: $0.10)
Deadline:
Two business days prior by 3pm | Email: advertising@pittnews.com | Phone: 412.648.7978
www.mjkellyrealty. com Now Renting Fall 2019! Various Two BR units in South Oakland, Bates, Coltart, Edith, Halket Place, Ward Street; rent starting from $975‑$1410 Contact: John C.R. Kelly 412‑683‑7300 www.jcrkelly.com info@kellyrealtyinc. com Now Renting for Fall 2019 One Bedrooms located conveniently throughout South Oakland Rents Starting at: $740‑$825 Contact: John C.R. Kelly Office: 412‑683‑7300 Email: info@kellyre altyinc.com Website: www. jcrkelly.com Oakland near Magee Hosptial. 1,2,3 BR available immedi ately. Long or short term lease, furnished or unfurnished. By the week, month or semester. Available for April or May also. Call 814‑403‑2798 or 412‑881‑1881. Two houses available ‑ both 4BR, 2BA. $1900/mo. If paid by 1st, rent $1800/mo. 412‑337‑9916
January 30, 2019
Shadyside Shadyside: 1 and 2BR, great location, hardwood floors. Free heat. Immedi‑ ate occupancy. Call 412‑361‑2695
Rental Other Fall Rentals ‑ 1 and 2 bedroom apartments very close to campus, well maintained, 24 hour laundry, secured buildings. Rates start ing at $675 with some utilities included. Call us today at 412‑682‑7622 Studios, 1, 2, & 3 Bedroom apartments available August 2019 & sooner. Oakland, Shadyside, Friend‑ ship, Squirrel Hill, Highland Park, Point Breeze. Photos & current availabil‑ ity online, check out www.forbesmanage ment.net, or call 412.441.1211
Roommates Roommate needed beginning in August 2019 to share a large house with 6 male Pitt students and 2 twin cats. The available big bedroom with locking door on first floor. AC included;
full bathroom on each of three main floors. Very convenient loca‑ tion on Atwood St. Two large kitchens, each have dishwasher, fridge, and stove. Big porch/deck at rear of building accessible from kitchen. Also front porch; laundry basement. $557/ month+gas+electric. Owner pays for water, sewer, and garbage collection. Please phone 412‑372‑9185
thane@mozartrents. com
Services Services Other The Phlebotomy Training Center
www.
justphlebotomy.org 2 evening classes
weekly, 5 weeks +
excellent Clinicals.
Call 412‑521‑7334.
Employment Employment Other OFFICE INTERN Shadyside Manage ment Company seeks person w/ min 2 yrs. college, for upcoming spring semester, to interview & process rental applicants, do internet post‑ ings & help staff our action‑central office. Part time or full time OK starting in January; full time over the summer. $13/hour. Perfect job for sophomores & juniors, seniors planning to enter grad school, returning grad students, and first‑year law students! Mozart Management 412‑682‑7003
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pittnews.com
January 30, 2019
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