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 | february 21, 2019 | Volume 109 | Issue 110
PANTHERS LOSE ND 22 STRAIGHT ROAD GAME AT GT, 73-65
YELLOW JACKETS STING PANTHERS
Trent Leonard Sports Editor
Coach Jeff Capel expresses frustration after a Nov. 12 game against Troy last year. Last night. Pitt lost their 10th-straight game this season against Georgia Tech. Sarah Cutshall | Visual Editor
SODEXO OFFERS CULTURALLY DIVERSE MEALS
Remy Samuels
nizations to submit their own family recipes that they want to see reflected in the dining halls. Zechariah Brown, a current SGB board When most students swipe into Market Central or The Perch for a quick meal, they member and the new SGB president-elect, emdon’t expect to see their mother’s homemade phasized the importance of companies like Socurry chicken or shrimp gumbo served on a dexo offering not only diverse food options, but platter. But over the past few months, Sodexo also food that is culturally accurate. “When you’re having your culture reprehas allowed representatives from student orgasented by people who may not be a part of that Staff Writer
group, you always want it to be as accurate as possible,” Brown said. “You don’t want people to say ‘I don’t really like this type of chicken’ because what they’ve been eating wasn’t true to the culture.” According to Sodexo district manager Abdou Cole, Sodexo made the move to represent See Sodexo on page 3
While the ACC’s first- and third-ranked teams duked it out in a nationally televised battle at Cameron Indoor Stadium, elsewhere in Atlanta a different battle took place. This one, conversely, involved the conference’s worst and third-worst teams — Pitt and Georgia Tech, respectively. Plagued by a season-worst performance at the foul line, the Panthers fell 73-65 to bring their road losing streak to 22 games. Pitt looked to be out of it early in this one, trailing as much as 18 in the first half before finally turning things around. The referees afforded the Panthers ample opportunities to come back, granting them 38 free throws compared to 24 for Georgia Tech. But Pitt failed to take advantage, missing a season-high 18 freethrow attempts and never overtaking the Yellow Jackets, despite pulling within one point. Georgia Tech also put on a dominant display of rim protection, racking up 12 blocks compared to just one for Pitt. Paired with a 29-point performance from sophomore guard Jose Alvarado, the Yellow Jackets took a lead three minutes in and never relinquished it. For those not present at McCamish See Basketball on page 12
News PITT ALUMNA MAKES NYT BESTSELLER LIST Mary Rose O’Donnell Staff Writer
Not many recent college grads have gotten the chance to adapt a major motion picture into a best-selling young adult novel, but one Pitt alumna has. Rachael Lippincott has been on The New York Times’ best-seller young-adult hardcover list for the past 11 weeks because of her novel adaptation of the movie “Five Feet Apart.” “Five Feet Apart” is the story of two teens with cystic fibrosis — an often fatal genetic disease that affects the lungs — who fall in love in the hospital, but must keep at a distance in order to protect their health. “It’s really cool to go to the bookstore and see your book on the shelf, especially wanting to be a writer for so long,” Lippincott said. Lippincott’s novel was published in November 2018 and the movie, starring Cole Sprouse and Haley Lu Richardson, will be released in theaters on March 22. Hailing from Yardley, Pennsylvania, Lippincott graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English writing in December 2017. A few short months later, in early March 2018, she received a call from one of her Pitt professors, Siobhan Vivian. Vivian, a professor of creative writing, is a young-adult novelist who teaches Writing Youth Literature I and II. She received a call from a contact at Simon & Schuster, her publisher, looking for any recommendations for a young writer to adapt a screenplay into a novel on a tight turnaround. Vivian immediately thought of Lippincott, whom she had met in her Writing Youth Literature I class in 2015. Lippincott later became Vivian’s TA and a standout in the professor’s Writing Youth Literature II class. “It was really in that class that I could see she had the potential to really do this for a career. She was very, very good at deadlines. I think she ‘broke her teeth’ in terms of novel writing,” Vivian said. “It was my experience working with her that I felt comfortable putting her name forward for this opportunity.”
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Pitt alumna Rachael Lippincott (left) has been on The New York Times’ best-seller young-adult hardcover list for the past 11 weeks because of her novel adaptation of the movie “Five Feet Apart.” photo courtesy of alyson derrick
It was in this class that Lippincott, too, felt she could pursue writing as a career. Transferring from The New School in New York City to Pitt after her first year, Lippincott was on the pre-medicine track. Within two weeks of starting Writing Youth Literature II, she dropped all of her science classes and dove into English writing. “If I hadn’t met Siobhan, I don’t think I would be prepared to do any of this. She really taught me how to write a good YA book,” she said. Vivian put Lippincott’s name in the running, and shortly after, Lippincott received the screenplay and was writing a sample first chapter. About a week later, she found out she had gotten the job. “It was mind-blowing,” Lippincott said. “I just remember sobbing. I think I called Siobhan before I called my mom. It was crazy, for sure.” From here, Lippincott had to work on what she referred to as a “crash-course deadline.” She wrote the first draft of the novel in 14 days. Over the course of five months, she spent her days eating, sleeping and editing, producing a total of four drafts of the manuscript. Throughout this process, she was determined to make sure cystic fibrosis, or CF, was accurately represented in her writing. She watched YouTube
videos and scrolled through Reddit forums to learn more about what it is like to live with CF. She also spoke with the film’s CF adviser to ensure accuracy regarding medical terms and procedures. In her discussions with screenwriters Mikki Daughtry and Tobias Iaconis, they referred her to YouTuber and CF activist Claire Wineland. Wineland, who passed away in September 2018 at age 21 after a lung transplant, used her YouTube following of more than 540,000 subscribers across two channels to bring CF to light and speak candidly about her experiences living with the disease. “When I got the screenplay, a lot of research had already been done. Going from there, I talked to the screenwriters and the first thing they told me to do was to watch Claire’s videos and I absolutely did that. I binge-watched them,” Lippincott said. Wineland was a sort of inspiration for “Five Feet Apart,” according to her mother, Melissa Yeager. Wineland had met director and “Jane the Virgin” actor Justin Baldoni in 2015 during a screening for an episode of “My Last Days,” a show on the CW Network hosted by Baldoni about the lives of six individuals with terminal ill-
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nesses spending their last days making a positive impact on the world. According to Yeager, Baldoni and Wineland hit it off and remained friends after they finished production on her episode, even visiting her in the hospital and going out for sushi lunches. “They developed a really beautiful friendship,” Yeager said. “Claire was the first person [Baldoni] had met with cystic fibrosis and he was very curious about her life and the disease. They became so close that Claire would attend his children’s birthday parties.” Yeager said her daughter understood that this major Hollywood production would have a lot of fantasy elements to it, but she wanted to make it as realistic as possible, just as Lippincott wanted to make her novel as accurate to the CF experience as possible. Wineland went to the first script reading, helped actors Cole Sprouse and Haley Lu Richardson perfect their CF coughs, read through each iteration of the script and was involved up until production began. “She was really excited at the idea of this story bringing awareness to CF and to Claire’s Place Foundation, which she started when she was 13. She was already planning ways to capture potential momentum the film might offer and had so many great ideas about how to make sure people that have a child with CF know that we exist,” Yeager said. Yeager read Lippincott’s adaptation of the novel upon release and has communicated with her via social media. This whirlwind of success has not distracted Lippincott from her goal of continuing her professional writing career, as she is currently working on a young-adult contemporary novel, using what she learned at Pitt as her guide. “I don’t know if it’s because I went to a different school before I went to Pitt and I came to really appreciate how good Pitt was, but I had an amazing experience, made some lifelong friends and took a range of really great classes. I don’t think you can walk up Cardiac Hill without building character.”
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Sodexo, pg. 1 different cultures as accurately as possible after listening to the demands of students. Representatives from Sodexo, joined by Brown and SGB member Albert Tanjaya, hold biweekly Eat and Greet meetings on Fridays. The event was founded initially by Ami Fall and Nihita Manem, former SGB board members. Each week has a different cultural theme, and students from different organizations can send in family recipes that correspond to the theme. “Our goal is to provide cultural diversity through food,” Cole said. “Ethnic diversity creates a positive experience for students and has an influence on their perception of the University.” For the meeting on Oct. 26 of last year, Sodexo featured its global chef from Poland. It served Korean steak bowls on Jan. 18, and on Jan. 25 it celebrated the Lunar New Year by working with students from China and Vietnam to serve Vietnamese shaking beef as well as Chinese tofu and vegetable stir fry. This is the first step in the process — if the recipes are approved after the Eat and Greet taste-testings, Cole said they’ll be served at Market Central and The Perch. Other themes for upcoming Eat and Greet meetings that Cole said will potentially be implemented in the dining halls include recipes from Hillel, Korean Student Association, Filipino Student Association, Muslim Students Association and South Asian Student Association. Besides dedicating specific nights to certain cuisines, Cole said some changes are also being made to the standard foods that are served on a daily basis at the dining halls. “At 360 Grill, you will notice the changes that were made, adding a variety of new options, including fried rice, fresh wontons, bok choy, edamame, just to name a few of the changes,” Cole said. Michael Zanie, the regional district manager of Sodexo, helps ensure the chefs are following the recipes closely, but said sometimes they modify recipes to accommodate the large amount of people they need to feed. “Not every recipe can be exploded into greater quantities,” Zanie said. “We use ratios that are adjusted to scale.” Brown said Sodexo and Pitt Dining have been receptive and open to collaborating with other students. “[They] have given us a lot of freedom with submitting recipes to them and coming in for taste-testings with student representatives to ensure that the food is still
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culturally accurate,” Brown said. In honor of Black History Month, The Perch dedicated Feb. 13 to Caribbean-style cuisine, which was accompanied by a live reggae band. Some of the food options offered that night were jerk chicken, fried catfish and sweet potato pie for dessert. For those who were more hesitant to get out of their comfort zone, macaroni and cheese was also an option, which Brown said is a universal food. But while Brown said the meal was a great idea, he thought curry chicken would have better represented Caribbean people, as opposed to jerk chicken. “As a Caribbean-American person myself … I found that curry chicken is much more representative of the island as a whole, whereas jerk chicken is something that you do see in Jamaica, but only in Jamaica,” Brown said. “My mom is from Trinidad and that’s not something that she really grew up eating.” In terms of the band, however, Brown said he thinks integrating music is a great way to showcase a certain region’s culture. “I think music does play a very integral role in representing people accurately from all different areas, but the music that they choose for that and the composition of that can differ drastically [across] different regions,” Brown said. Some students, like sophomore economics major Claire Kuzneski, had no clue what they were walking into on Feb. 13 for dinner at The Perch. Kuzneski said she didn’t know Sodexo was having this themed dinner but that she was pleasantly surprised. “When I walked into [the Perch], I could hear this music over my headphones and I was like, ‘What the hell is that?’ And then I walked up and I saw the band and I was really excited,” Kuzneski said. Kuzneski also said she thought the food that night was a step up from the typical dining hall food she is used to seeing at The Perch. “I tried the jerk chicken, which was actually really good,” Kuzneski said. “[It was] probably the most flavor The Perch has had on any of their food. The fried catfish was actually really good as well.” Kuzneski’s experience is something Zanie hopes is replicated in the future. He emphasized the importance of exposing students to foods from cultures they may have never experienced before, as well as Sodexo’s openness to suggestions for the future. “This is a global university,” Zanie said. “Students here have incredible palates and travel all over the world. We are really open to having students send in whatever recipes they would like implemented in the dining services.”
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Opinions
column
from the editorial board
Sanders isn’t the answer for 2020 Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., announced Tuesday he would join a growing field of Democratic candidates in a bid for the presidency in 2020. In 24 hours, his campaign raised $6 million, with an average donation of $27. This is an impressive feat, which Sanders took to Twitter on Wednesday to brag about. But the quick surge of support he received doesn’t necessarily make him the best Democratic contender for 2020. In fact, his attempt to do what he failed to accomplish in 2016 is both selfish and egotistical, and not in the best interest of his party. The $6 million in donations seemed to capture President Trump’s attention, who tweeted Wednesday, “Crazy Bernie has just entered the race. I wish him well!” Sanders shot back, “What’s crazy is that we have a president who is a racist, a sexist, a xenophobe and a fraud. We are going to bring people together and not only defeat Trump but transform the economic and political life of this country.” He said to the president exactly what a lot of Democrats want to hear, but that doesn’t mean they need to hear it from Sanders, specifically. Sanders is credited for moving his opposition in the 2016 Democratic primaries — Hillary Clinton as well as the entire party — further towards the left. He advocated for progressive economic reforms like free college, Medicare for all and a $15 minimum wage. He created a political organization that was financed by small, individual donations instead of super PACs. He managed to win 43 percent of votes in the Democratic primary. All this is to say that he was a good candidate — but he’s nothing special
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anymore. Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., won’t take donations for her 2020 campaign from corporate PACs. Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., supports a $15 minimum wage and Medicare for all. Julian Castro, former secretary of housing and urban development under thenPresident Barack Obama, also supports Medicare for all. Many Democratic contenders are running on platforms that were heavily influenced by the ideas Sanders supported in 2016. These people are taking over where he left off, and Sanders should allow them to do so and act as their mentor instead of insisting on carrying on his own legacy. There are already 11 Democratic candidates for 2020 — Sanders doesn’t need to be one of them. It’s even doubtful whether or not he could do well in a larger mix of candidates, since he was one of two options the last time he tried. It wasn’t difficult to be heard or to have a platform that set him apart from Clinton. He may find it more difficult to do so now, with so many opponents that hold similar viewpoints or have unique backgrounds. If he were to be elected president, Sanders would be 79 years old upon taking office. He’s admitted to and apologized for harassment and gender discrimination that took place in his 2016 campaign, and he’s struggled in the past with winning over black voters. He’s old, outdated and seemingly out of touch with large sections of the American electorate. Democrats need a candidate who is newer, younger and more appealing to a wider audience to get their party back into the White House. Sanders just isn’t that candidate.
GILLIBRAND’S ‘WOMEN-PLUS’ CAMPAIGN IS EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED RIGHT NOW
Devi Ruia
For The Pitt News Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., has long been a champion of women’s rights. The most consistent thing about her 10-year career in the Senate has been her unapologetic commitment to fighting for women. Now that she is running for president in 2020, she continues to embrace her feminist values by running a “women-plus” campaign. This means that Gillibrand is choosing to focus on issues that are female-focused, and she isn’t shying away from her labels as a woman and as a mother. Instead, she is choosing to run with these aspects as central pieces of her campaign. This could prove to be the perfect campaign strategy for her, and one that the American people need to witness — regardless of whether or not she gets the nomination. Gillibrand’s unflinchingly feminist campaign may be unprecedented, given that only one female presidential candidate has ever received the nomination of a major political party. Without any previous female candidates to inspire campaign strategies, Hillary Clinton’s communications director Jennifer Palmieri said in a 2018 interview with The Guardian that the team ran her campaign the same way they would have run it with a male candidate. As a result, Clinton came off as inauthentic at times. Just because this is a new thing, does not mean it is a bad campaign strategy. In fact, it may prove to be a great one. Authenticity is something that voters respond to, and Gillibrand has proved throughout her entire political career that she is willing to fight for women’s rights — even when it isn’t the popular thing to do. Gillibrand was the first Democrat to call on former Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., to resign amidst allegations of sexual assault. Eight women came forward to accuse Franken of sexual harassment, and even though Franken
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was a star in the Democratic party, Gillibrand put her personal values above party ones to call for his resignation. It was a bold move, and one that Gillibrand faced a lot of backlash for — even amongst her own party. “When I called on Al Franken to resign, I paid a price,” said Gillibrand in an email sent out by her presidential exploratory committee. “I made a lot of establishment Democratic donors angry, and they launched attacks in the press. Everyone had the same facts — there were eight credible allegations of sexual harassment and abuse that were corroborated in real-time — and I refused to remain silent.” This was not the only time that Gillibrand spoke out against a member of her own party when it came to sexual misconduct. She also said in November 2017 that given the context of our current time and the #MeToo era, President Bill Clinton should have stepped down after his sexual relationship with a White House intern. Clinton campaigned for Gillibrand, and some called her hypocritical for criticizing him as a result of this. However, Gillibrand would only be a hypocrite if she did not criticize Clinton, and having a professional relationship with him in the past does not change that. Coming out and criticizing a member of one’s own party for sexual misconduct as well as those across the aisle is far from hypocritical. It’s a very consistent and brave thing to do. Gillibrand called for President Donald Trump to resign as well amid his own sexual assault allegations in December 2017. In response, he tweeted a message criticizing her for speaking out against Clinton and implying she would do “anything” for campaign contributions. “You cannot silence me or the millions of women who have gotten off the sidelines to speak out about the unfitness and shame you have brought to the Oval Office,” Gillibrand See Ruia on page 5
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Ruia, pg. 4 tweeted in retaliation. Gillibrand has proven in these instances that she is unwilling to back down and take the easy way out when it comes to believing survivors and holding men in power accountable. “I think it’s important to know when you’re wrong and to do what’s right. And I will do what’s right, and I will fight for what’s right, and I don’t back down from those fights,” Gillibrand said in January at a press conference after she announced her presidential candidacy. This is something that has been reflected in the other issues that Gillibrand has fought for in the Senate. She’s spent her career fighting for bills that would help to protect women who face sexual assault on college campuses, in the military and on Capitol Hill itself. She has also introduced legislation dealing with paid family and medical leave, equal pay and affordable child care, all legislation that benefits women and families. Gillibrand has made these issues integral pieces of her campaign. She has also spent years fundraising for women running for office through a political action committee that she created called Off the Sidelines. Gillibrand started this PAC due to her belief laid out on its site that “if more women are elected to office and have a seat at the decision-making table, the outcomes will be better.” So it is unsurprising that Gillibrand is not shying away from the feminist label in her presidential campaign. While we may not have seen a candidate use this campaign strategy before, it can still be a great one that sets her apart. Women made up 52 percent of the voters in the 2018 midterm
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New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand speaks during the first day of the Democratic National Convention on July 25, 2016, in Philadelphia. olivier douliery | tns elections. As a result, a historic number of women were elected to congress. Women made up 58 percent of the voters in the Democratic primary in 2016, and they chose a female candidate to represent the Democratic party. The candidate who wins the 2020 Democratic primary election will have to be one that appeals to female voters. “Traditionally in New Hampshire, all things being the same, women do have an edge in the Democratic primary,” New Hampshire Democratic Party Chairman Ray Buckley said, according to tweet from Hanna Trudo, a political reporter covering the 2020 Democratic election. Gillibrand’s
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strategy of running a “women-plus” campaign could appeal to these voters and potentially win the nomination for her, especially because she has the record and the authenticity to back up her claims. In 2020, we need to elect a president who will combat all of the hate that Trump and his base have been spreading the past few years. We need a president who can stand up for what is right, whether it is politically convenient to them or not. “And I have the record to show I stand up for what’s right. I do what’s right even if it costs me everything,” Gillibrand said when speaking to voters in Iowa earlier this week. “That’s why I’m running for president of the United States.”
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Culture
review
‘FLYIN’ WEST’ SOARS TO A STANDING OVATION Tamara Alchoufete
Most of us would go to great lengths to save those we love from harm, especially family members. Dedication, loyalty and a familial bond could create a will strong enough to kill. The play “Flyin’ West” takes on this concept in the Civil War times in Kansas. The Pitt theatre arts department told this story beautifully on Wednesday night, showing that “Flyin’ West” really is a journey of flying “as free as a bird” from the oppressive South to the open prairies of the West. The story follows three African-American sisters in Nicodemus, Kansas, who have hundreds of acres of land made available to them through the
Homestead Act of 1860. At this point in history, owning land in America meant freedom, and these women had to fight hard to keep their freedom. It is a story of struggle, retribution and sisterhood. The Henry Heymann Theatre on campus was packed, and the audience was electrified by the performance brought on by just a cast of six actors. Not only is the plot of “Flyin’ West” historically significant, but the cast is as well — it’s the first all-black cast in Pitt’s history. The play is centered on the fearless, land-owning Sophie Washington (Alexis Primus), who is often seen on stage with a shotgun. Sophie would do anything to protect her family, and that quality of the character was projected from the stage
seamlessly. Her shotgun is used most notably to threaten her sister Minnie’s (Maya Boyd) abusive husband, Frank (Brenden Peifer). Each time Sophie grasped her shotgun, she created tension and suspense. This gesture showed that the familial bonds between the sisters were strong enough to lead to murder. Primus stated in a previous Pitt News article about the production that it was tough to set her gentle personality aside and attack the ambitious character of Sophie. This differentiation between character and self was especially important in terms of the loathing shared between Sophie and Frank, played by real-life best friends Primus and Peifer. Sophie quite obviously detests Frank with every fiber
of her being. When Minnie was taking the punches from Frank, the whole audience could be caught flinching from the back row. As Sophie took up her shotgun and pointed it at the man hurting her baby sister, the tension and drama took hold of the audience. It is this kind of true and raw emotion that should make whomever is watching uncomfortable, but also aware that “Flyin’ West” is a story that must be heard. The role of Miss Leah (Roxie Robinson) — a grandmother figure in the lives of the three sisters — absolutely captivated the audience, as she was the
The Pitt News Staff Another midterm season is upon us, and this one feels tougher than ever. Maybe it’s the awful gray weather or the unwavering anticipation for a well-deserved spring break, but most of us Pitt students are lacking motivation to attack our midterms with confidence and hours of studying under our belts. For a guide to get through these upcoming stressful weeks, take a look at the following tips from the Pitt News culture desk. Plan a reward for yourself for when exams are over // Sarah Connor, Culture Editor As a writing major, I hate studying. While most Pitt students prefer to sit in Hillman with stacks of flash cards up to their chin, memorizing that “the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell” instead of writing a 12-page paper, I disagree. I will do research for an essay and bang out a 15-page masterpiece in one night, but I really can’t be bothered to concentrate on flash
cards, study guides, Quizlets and PowerPoints for hours on end. Nothing will put me to sleep quicker. This semester, I have been cursed with a couple midterm exams instead of papers, so I am attempting to keep myself motivated with rewards for myself when I’m done studying and taking tests. It sounds pretty juvenile, like when firstgrade teachers promise their students candy if they can behave well during a school assembly, but it does work. Right now, I’m telling myself that once I have successfully completed my last midterm, I will turn my laptop off, shut all my notebooks, put them in my backpack and then not open it for 24 hours. I’m not sure what I’ll do in that 24 hours — maybe I’ll go bar-hopping with friends, or maybe I’ll marathon “Queer Eye” for an entire day and not leave my bed. Both options seem extremely satisfying to me, and I’m looking forward to the brain-rest. Having a reward and a
goal set makes it easier for me to get through the agony of studying, and I highly recommend this method to my fellow test-haters. Suck it up and suck up some extra espresso // Janine Faust, Managing Editor I don’t love or hate coffee. I tolerate it. I drink the bitter concoction because between my job, my internship and my early-morning lectures, I have to. I usually try to hide the bitter taste of espresso as much as possible, ordering only strawberry acai refreshers, a caramel cappuccino with extra milk and lattes. But when a time like midterms rolls around, I sacrifice my tastebuds for the sake of that sweet, sweet, bittersweet wake-up juice. How else am I supposed to stay up late or, even scarier, wake up early for last-minute cram sessions without adding two to three extra shots of espresso to my usual order? That’s right, I still order one of the same, like, five things — I don’t need the added pressure of taking a risk and or-
dering a new type of drink, I’ve got three exams and three papers. If you’re like me and prefer your coffee to not taste like coffee, just learn to plug your nose during midterms and gulp the real deal down. It’ll help you keep your eyes open and your brain moving long enough to get out a few more pages of writing or go through a stack of flash cards. After spring break, we’ll have a brief period where we can enjoy our caramel brulee with extra milk again — until finals week, that is. Get to Hillman and get grinding // Shahum Ajmal, Layout Editor Midterm season comes and goes, but your GPA stays forever. So, although my advice may or may not be something you want to hear right now, give me a chance. Unlike finals, when everyone on campus is going through it together in some way or an-
For The Pitt News
See “Flyin’ West” on page 7
STUDYING, SNACKING AND [NOT] SLEEPING: OUR 2019 MIDTERM SURVIVAL GUIDE
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February 21, 2019
See Survival Guide on page 10
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“Flyin’ West”, pg. 6
Sophie Washington (Alexis Primus, top left), Miss Leah (Roxie Robinson, top middle) Fannie Dove (Sydney Dubose) watch on as Minnie Dove Charles (Maya Boyd) discovers her husband, Frank Charles (Brenden Peifer), dead after being poisoned. photo courtesy of connie markiw glue that held the character relationships together. One standout detail of Robinson’s character Miss Leah was that she never let anyone make her feel like she couldn’t take care of herself anymore, and Robinson brought this to the stage with a bit of comic relief. In one scene when Leah asked Sophie where her shawl was, Miss Leah interrupted Sophie before she could answer. Robinson yelled a quick and sassy, “Well, don’t tell me,” creating a rhetorical question that rings true to something a real-life grandmother might do. This roused laughter from the audience, and showed the serious show’s depth to also have pleasantly funny moments. The third sister, Fannie Dove (Sydney Dubose), brought another element of sweetness to the show. Dubose’s deepdimpled smile radiated through the stationary set depicting the house. Her character’s dynamic was phenomenal as the viewers could see her angelic demeanor turn dark when she tries to save her younger sister from the awful life she was living with Frank. No one
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will ever be able to forget the beautiful flowers Fannie plants around the house or how she lights up the room by just sweeping through the door. The set was a marvel in itself and though it was stationary, historical accents and objects complimented the plot perfectly. The actors would pour water, eat a turkey dinner and drink coffee and wine, all while still emanating their respective characters. Gravel lining the house and put in piles in various locations created an environment in the theater that spoke of the countryside, smelling of old leather. The soothing music that played in the background at times was never out of place, giving people a breather from the profound themes and intense drama present. Those aspects of the production gave another layer of relatability to this historical piece. With this production of “Flyin’ West” it is not hard to leave the theater floored by the exceptional performance. Historical, beautiful and intense are just a few of the many characteristics this show holds.
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Survival Guide, pg. 6 other, midterm season comes in early February for some and the middle of March for others. Thus, it’s crucial for you to surround yourself by those in your classes and friends with similar schedules to motivate you through this tough, yet temporary time. Once you have your study squad assembled, get coordinating and make your way to Hillman. Next, figure out what floor — ground through second if you’re trying to talk more than study and perhaps work on a horrendous group project.
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If group work isn’t your thing or not on your syllabus this semester, I hear you. So, first stop by Cup & Chaucer and then make your way to the fourth floor. Ideally, you’ll find a table where you can dissociate and become truly in tune with yourself and your material under lighting that washes out your skin. Just know that you’re not alone, and this time will, too, come to an end. Until finals week, my friends, stay strong, and may your coffee cups remain full, GPAs stay above a 3.0 and eye bags stay subtle. In this moment, I’m thinking that maybe I should take some of my own advice.
Snack through the late nights // Sarah Cutshall, Visual Editor Working at The Pitt News and trying to study for midterms can require late nights. Most of us will not be able to survive any late night without a trip to go get some food. When you live in a residence hall, options are limited. You either choose to suffer through a lonely meal at Market while your friends are cozy at home, or grab something quick and easy at Market-to-Go. It seems like a good idea — grab something quick, then maximize time by eating while you work. And then you walk through the dreaded
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double doors between the Towers patio and Forbes Avenue. You’re hit with a wall of grease that suggests you might just be in a lukewarm fryer yourself. For me, it’s worth the wait to just go to Quick Zone in Sutherland on my way back to Irvis. If you don’t want to wade through your long nights studying feeling as bad as the Market-toGo grease you smell like, I’d suggest it’s worth the hike up the hill. A made-to-order sub from the friendliest Sodexo employees you’ll meet is worth the walk — especially when you consider you just burned off all the extra calories you ingested by walking up there.
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Sports
TAKE 5: The Pitt News Staff
The past week has been a big one in the sports world. From a record-breaking free-agency deal for shortstop Manny Machado to the Steelers’ roster meltdown, it seems no one is safe from making the news. Running back Le’Veon Bell is finally a free agent and basketball player Kevin Durant will join him soon, which already has people talking. A tainted legacy The NBA All-Star weekend is over and that only means one thing — we’re one step closer to free agency. Because of that, much of the sports world has started discussing Kevin Durant’s looming decision of whether to re-sign with Golden State or move on. Colin Cowherd said Durant should not think twice about re-signing with Golden State. Cowherd assumes the Warriors will win this year and next with Durant back. He even went as far as to say if this were to occur, sports fans could begin to have a debate as to whether LeBron James or Durant is the better player — a debate similar to the typical Michael Jordan vs. LeBron. But Cowherd is wrong. No matter his career accomplishments, even if he surpasses James in titles, Finals MVPs and career points, KD’s legacy will always be tainted due to signing with Golden State. When he played for the Thunder, Durant had a 3-1 lead on the Warriors in the Western Conference Finals in 2015. The next year, the Cavs went on to do what Durant couldn’t and beat the Warriors in the Finals, showing Golden State could be beaten. But instead of recognizing this and going back to the drawing board, he threw the thing in
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MAJOR CONTRACTS AND MELTDOWNS
Manny Machado and the San Diego Padres agreed to a 10year, $300 million contract — the largest free-agent contract in the history of baseball via yong kim | tns the trash and teamed up with his foe. One argument is that LeBron did it in Miami first, but there are important differences. LeBron went to a good team, leaving the Cavs, which he had dragged to the finals every year because of horrible management. He aspired to take down the Celtics, not join them. KD went to the best team ever, leaving one that was on the brink of success. He bolted on an organization that has a very capable general manager in Sam Presti, not the dumpster fire that has been the Cavs’ front office. So Durant can do what he pleases. He can rack
up rings and Finals MVPs with the Warriors, or try and do it as a Knick. It makes no difference. He will be remembered as one of the greatest to play the game. But because of his decision to join the Warriors, he must always be on the outside looking in on the LeBron-MJ debate — no matter how desperately he wishes to be a part of the discussion. -Nick Carlisano Money Machado On Tuesday morning, Manny Machado and the San Diego Padres agreed to the biggest freeagent contract in the history of American sports — a 10-year, $300 million contract. This signing by the Padres definitely has its pros and cons, but only time will tell about the impact of each on the organization. Let’s touch on the pros first, because everyone loves hearing positive news. The Padres are acquiring a four-time All-Star caliber player. Machado is also known for his arm and his ability to “flash the leather,” as he’s a two-time Gold Glove award-winner at third base. The Padres can insert Machado into either the three or four spot in the lineup, he batted .297 with 37 home runs and 107 RBIs last season. This production along with the production from the eventual call-up of top prospect Fernando Tatis Jr. will be huge for the left side of the Padres’ infield. There’s only one drawback — huge, long-term contracts never pay off. Alex Rodriguez and Albert Pujols are examples of these ludicrous deals backfiring. At the age of 39, Pujols is set to make $28 million this upcoming season. He is no longer producing to that price tag and it will be no
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surprise if Machado is subjected to the same fate. Machado will make $30 million every year until he is 36 years old. This historic deal from the Padres will be beneficial in the short run, but will become a liability in the long run. -Tyler Moran Faulty steel Just two short seasons ago, the Steelers were a game away from playing in the AFC Championship. Now, it seems that the core of that Steelers team will never exist again. Wide receiver Antonio Brown, who ranks among the best in the league, has demanded a trade from the organization and, according to Twitter, will likely have his request filled by Pittsburgh’s front office. The drama surrounding Brown has been ongoing since the end of this season, when Brown didn’t play in week 17, expressing his unhappiness with Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. With rumors popping up of interest in Brown from all around the league, the effect of his trade will weigh heavily on Pittsburgh’s cap this upcoming season. Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell, who held out for the entire 2018 season due to a contract dispute, will also not be with the team this upcoming season. The Pittsburgh front office announced on Wednesday they would not place any form of tag on Bell in order to retain him this season. Bell will become an unrestricted free agent at the start of the new league year, and it seems that Pittsburgh has no problem allowing their star running back to walk, thanks to the presence of James Conner. -Andrew Kelly
Read the rest online at Pittnews.com.
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The Pitt News SuDoku 2/21/19
The Pitt news crossword 2/21/19
courtesy of dailysudoku.com
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Basketball, pg. 1 Pavilion, the first five minutes of this game were an unseen mystery, as the overtime session of Boston College-NC State took precedence on the same TV channel. Pitt trailed 8-2 when the game finally came on, having scored off a pair of free throws from first-year guard Xavier Johnson. The Panthers didn’t make a field goal for the first four minutes and 48 seconds, finally getting a second-chance layup from junior center Kene Chukwuka to make it 8-4. Senior sharpshooter Jared Wilson-Frame knocked down a 3-pointer to give Pitt seven points and make it a one-basket game, but it was all downhill from there for the Panthers. They couldn’t get unstuck from seven points, missing their next six field goals while the Yellow Jackets went on a 17-0 run. The roughly seven-minute scoring drought — which has become a trademark of the young Panthers this season — finally ended when Wilson-Frame knocked down two technical free throws at the 7:54 mark. After getting down as much as 18 points, the Panthers finally began to climb out of the hole they put themselves in. They tried out a full-court press that resulted in a 6-0 run, making the score a more manageable 27-17 and prompting a time-out from Georgia Tech head coach Josh Pastner. The time-out did little to quell Pitt’s rising momentum. Pastner’s Yellow Jackets continued to fold under the heavy man pressure, turning the ball over twice more before half ’s end. Pitt turned both those turnovers into points and finished the half with 10 points off opponent turnovers, compared to five for Georgia Tech. Three straight baskets — a floater from sophomore Terrell Brown, a jumper from Johnson and a layup from junior Malik Ellison — furthered Pitt’s comeback effort, and the Panthers went back to the halftime locker room trailing 34-27. Johnson and Wilson-Frame provided the lion’s share of Pitt’s first-half production, with Johnson contributing 12 and Wilson-Frame seven of the team’s 27 points. The Panthers shot an ugly 31 percent from the field compared to 45 percent for Georgia Tech, but they made up for it by outscoring the Yellow Jackets 9-4 at the free-throw line. The first five minutes of the second half saw Pitt slowly chipping away at Georgia Tech’s lead, drawing within five points to make it 3934. The score could have been much closer, if
February 21, 2019
not for the Panthers’ inaccuracy at the foul line. After Brown and sophomore Khameron Davis both missed one of two free throws, Pitt had made just 11 of its 22 free-throw attempts. Wilson-Frame entered Wednesday as one of the ACC’s top 3-point shooters, having knocked down at least four 3-pointers in seven of Pitt’s previous nine games to give him the second-most makes in the conference. He continued his red-hot streak by sinking consecutive threes to bring Pitt within two points, 40-42, with 12:41 remaining. The next few minutes were like a seesaw, with Georgia Tech cracking open an eightpoint lead and threatening to take over, only for Pitt to storm back and make it 52-51 after a fast-break dunk from first-year guard Trey McGowens and another 3-pointer from Wilson-Frame. For all Wilson-Frame’s shooting, the Panthers just couldn’t muster the output to tie the game or take the lead. Free-throw shooting continued to be the biggest issue. Trailing 6258, first-year forward Au’Diese Toney stepped to the line and made one of two attempts. Davis grabbed the rebound and was fouled, but missed both ensuing free throws, giving Pitt a horrendous 16 of 34 mark from the foul line. As the fouls piled up, players from both sides began to foul out of the game after committing their fifth foul. McGowens was the first to go, exiting with 3:15 remaining. He was followed by Georgia Tech first-year Michael Devoe at 2:50 and junior James Banks III at 2:01. Losing 67-61 and needing a basket to stay in the game with 44 seconds left, Pitt got a good scoring chance when Toney drove down an open lane for a layup. But sophomore forward Moses Wright rose out of nowhere to swat the ball out of the air, putting an end to any hopes of a Panther comeback. Pitt played the foul game in an effort to come back, but Georgia Tech knocked down its free throws to win 73-65. Wilson-Frame led all Pitt scorers with 19 points, followed by 14 from Johnson and 11 from Brown. Toney chipped in a peculiar stat line, scoring just three points on 1-10 shooting but making up for it with a team-high 10 rebounds. With the loss, Pitt slides to 12-15 overall and 2-12 in the ACC, while Georgia Tech moves up to 12-15 overall and 4-10 in the ACC. It also marks the Panthers’ 10th consecutive loss this season dating back to Jan. 19. Pitt will look to get its first win in more than two months when it hosts Clemson, which won the first meeting 82-69, next Wednesday at 7 p.m.
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The Pitt News
Editor-in-Chief
Managing Editor
CHRISTIAN SNYDER
JANINE FAUST
editor@pittnews.com
manager@pittnews.com
News Editor JOANNA LI
Opinions Editor MAGGIE DURWALD
news@pittnews.com
opinions@pittnews.com
Sports Editor TRENT LEONARD
Culture Editor SARAH CONNOR
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Visual Editor SARAH CUTSHALL
Layout Editor SHAHUM AJMAL
visuals@pittnews.com
layout@pittnews.com
Online Editor MATT CHOI
Copy Chief KIM ROONEY
tpnonline@gmail.com
copy@pittnews.com
Sales Manager
Andrea Michael | Assistant Copy Chief
MATTHEW HOUCK
Brian Gentry | Assistant News Editor Emily Wolfe | Assistant News Editor Jeremy Wang | Assistant Opinions Editor Tessa Sayers | Assistant Sports Editor Thomas Yang | Assistant Visual Editor Eli Savage | Assistant Layout Editor
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Copy Staff Alexa Marzina Bailey Sasseville Ben King Sarah Stager Nicholas Rivera
Maggie Koontz Elizabeth Martinson Lia Herman Fay Cairns Maggie Young Peri Walker
Editorial Policies
Single copies of The Pitt News are free and available at newsstands around campus. Additional copies can be purchased with permission of the editor-in-chief for $.50 each. Opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the students, faculty or University administration. Opinions expressed in columns, cartoons and letters are not necessarily those of The Pitt News. Any letter intended for publication must be addressed to the editor, be no more than 250 words and include the writer’s name, phone number and University affiliation, if any. Letters may be sent via e-mail to editor@
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editors, may be referred to the Community Relations Committee, Pitt News Advisory Board, c/o student media adviser, 435 William Pitt Union, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15260. The editor-in-chief has the final authority on editorial matters and cannot be censored, according to state and federal law. The editor-in-chief is selected by the Pitt News Advisory Board, which includes University staff, faculty and students, as well as journalism professionals. The business and editorial offices of The Pitt News are located at 434 William Pitt Union, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15260.
Inside Sales Manager FORREST BLONDELL
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February 21, 2019
Account Executives Forrest Blondell Sarah Braza Kyle Guinness Chris Stuchell Samuel Wright
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I N D E X
Rentals & Sublet • NORTH OAKLAND • SOUTH OAKLAND • SHADYSIDE • SQUIRREL HILL • SOUTHSIDE • NORTHSIDE • BLOOMFIELD • ROOMMATES • OTHER
For Rent North Oakland 3 BR Apartment on 732 S. Millvale Ave. Available August 1, 2019. $1320‑$1630 +gas & electric. 412‑441‑1211. info@ forbesmanagement. net. www.forbesman agement.net
Employment • CHILDCARE • FOOD SERVICES • UNIVERSITY • INTERNSHIPS • RESEARCH • VOLUNTEERING • OTHER
location. $1200. All utilities included. Washer/dryer on site. Off‑street parking available. No pets/ smoking or parties. Call 412‑882‑7568 or email tsciulli123@ gmail.com 1,2,3,4,5,6 bedroom houses in South
Oakland. Available August 1st or May
1st. Newly remodeled. Bouquet, Meyran,
Two ‑ 4BR apartments
Atwood, Semple St.
2019. 4821 Centre
more information.
available August
Call 412‑287‑5712 for
Ave. Photos online,
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check out www.
forbesmanagement. net, or call
412‑441‑1211. Apt. #1 ‑ $2690+gas/electric.
Apt. #2 ‑ $2580+gas/ electric.
South Oakland **August 2019 ‑ Large 2BR/2Bath apartments. Clean, walking distance to campus. Great
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located on Meyran. Newly renovated, air‑conditioning, dishwasher, and
washer/dryer. Avail‑ able Summer 2019. 412‑915‑0856 or
email klucca@veri‑ zon.net.
2 Bedroom Apart ment. Rent: $1690 + electric. Avail‑ able August 1, 2019 on Louisa St. 412‑441‑1211. info@ forbesmanagement.
Classifieds
For sale
• AUTO • BIKES • BOOKS • MERCHANDISE • FURNITURE • REAL ESTATE • PETS
services
• EDUCATIONAL • TRAVEL • HEALTH • PARKING • INSURANCE
notices
• ADOPTION • EVENTS • LOST AND FOUND • STUDENT GROUPS • WANTED • OTHER
net. www.forbesman agement.net.
in buildings. Call or text 724‑350‑5000.
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
3408 Parkview Ave. Studios, 1‑2‑3 BRS Available June &Aug. Pet Friendly & Park ing. CALL NOW! 412‑455‑5600 3436 Ward. Spacious 2‑Bedroom, 1 bath, equipped kitchen, $1,195 + electric, Heat included. 412‑271‑5550 3444 Ward St. ‑ Stu dio and 1bedroom apartments. Free heating, free parking. Available May & August 2019 move‑in. Call 412‑361‑2695 4BR apartment available on Dawson. $2300/mo plus some utilities. Washer/dryer
August “Best Value” Few remaining, Fur nished 2‑bedroom apartments in South Oakland. Call/ text Tim TMK Properties 412‑491‑1330. Visit our website www. tmkrentals.com 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. Brand new remod‑ eled spacious duplex.
R A T E S
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Deadline:
Two business days prior by 3pm | Email: advertising@pittnews.com | Phone: 412.648.7978
5BR, 2BA, second and third floors. Laundry room in apartment. $3000 +utilities. Call 412‑871‑5657 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. www.mjkellyrealty. com Newly Updated 4‑bedroom, 2‑bath townhouse. Laun‑ dry & new bath in basement. $2000+ Utilities. Call 412‑292‑1860 North/South Oakland Houses and Apart ments with Laundry and Central Air. Call or text 412‑38‑Lease Now Renting Fall 2019! Various Two BR units in South Oakland, Bates,
February 21, 2019
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 Court‑ 2 bedroom house, 1.5 bathrooms. Air conditioning. 1 Good location, close to Hillman Library. Rent $750/month + utilities. Available August, 2019. Call 412‑881‑0550. Oakland near Magee Hospital. 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. Townhouse for rent in
South Oakland. 3 bed‑ rooms, 1.5 bathrooms. Dishwasher, finished
basement, Central air conditioning, 2 car
garage, outdoor deck.
Close to Pitt Shuttle &
Laundromat. 8 Virgila Place. Rent $1500.
Contact 4127368095 for questions.
Shadyside Shadyside: 1 and 2BR, great location, hardwood floors. Free heat. Immedi‑ ate occupancy. Call 412‑361‑2695
Rental Other 115 Chesterfield Road ‑ 1 nice 3‑bed room house. 1.5
bathrooms. Recently remodeled. Good location, close to Ca‑ thedral of Learning. Rent $1300/month + utilities. Available August 5th, 2019. 412‑881‑0550. Available Now! 2‑bedroom fully
furnished house, Air Conditioned for $1,200 plus utilities on North Avenue, Millvale. Need Secu rity Deposit and Credit Check. Please call: 412‑315‑8024. Fall Rentals ‑ 1 bed
room apartments very close to campus,
well maintained, 24
hour laundry, secured
buildings. Rates start
ing at $775 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
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Breeze. Photos & current availabil ity online, check out www.forbesmanage ment.net, or call 412.441.1211
Employment Employment Other Busy executive individual seeking part‑time personal assistant. Must be personable, friendly and have great communication skills. Must have a good computer skill Hours are 20‑30Hrs Weekly. Salary is $25.50/hr. applicant apply to jobinquiries820@ gmail.com 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
County location. Call 724‑223‑0939 or 724‑229‑8868 any time. Wanted Baristas and counterhelp‑ experi enced only. New restaurant on 352 At wood St. in Oakland. Competitive wages, flexible hours, full or part time. Email atwoodcommons@ hotmail.com
Services Educational The Phlebotomy Training Center www. justphlebotomy.org 2 evening classes weekly, 5 weeks + excellent Clinicals. Call 412‑521‑7334. The Phlebotomy Training Center www. justphlebotomy.org 2 evening classes weekly, 5 weeks + excellent Clinicals. Call 412‑521‑7334.
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
thane@mozartrents. com
Personal, professional masseuse needed. Long term position. 2X/week. Washington
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