F E A T U R E I N T H I S I S S U E Green things are sprouting all over Scantron’s busiest time of the year is the campus — and it’s not all tulips fast approaching...............................3 and daffodils. See page 9. What we earn: Pitt’s annual report details the highs, lows and every- U N I V E R S I T Y thing in between...............................6 TIMES VOLUME 41 • NUMBER 16 APRIL 16, 2009 UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH Hard times Weighing in hit home one last time Final weigh-ins for Pitt’s second annual MyHealth Weight Race continue Some staff through April 20 (April 24 at Pitt-Greensburg). Left: Steve Verba, a graduate student in exercise physiol- utilizing ogy, records Nanju Besagara- halli’s weight Wednesday in Bellefield Hall. Besagarahalli, of Computing Services and Food Bank Systems Development, works out in the Bellefield fitness ollection boxes for Pitt’s facilities and walks at lunch- “Partnership for Food” time to manage his weight. drive have a prominent Right: Beverly Jablonowski, C a technical services staffer place in the reception area in front for the University Library of Kathleen Allport’s desk on the System, steps onto the scale for a final weigh-in before sixth floor of Sennott Square. health and physical activ- The computer science depart- ity graduate student David White. ment secretary has marshaled the A list of weigh-in times and department’s donations for the locations is available online food drive for several years, even at www.hr.pitt.edu/fitness/ pdf/2009_weigh_in_loc_ fanning the flames of competi- binder.pdf. tion that pit comp sci faculty and According to organizers, 740 staff against graduate students in participants signed up either as individuals or as members a friendly challenge to see which of weight race teams. group will donate the most non- Winners will be announced perishable items to benefit the April 30. Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. N.J. Brown Kimberly K. Barlow It never occurred to Allport that she might find herself in need of its services. “I never gave 2009 open it a thought,” she said, thinking, Spring cleaning? Don’t toss that sofa “That’s for poor people.” s it time again for spring clean- vacate their off-campus residences ment Corp. (OPDC) three years However, in spite of her full- ing? Don’t put that old chair at the end of spring term, large ago began a program of collecting enrollment time job and part-time work Ior sofa out on the curb. numbers of discarded furniture and reselling abandoned furniture. cleaning houses on weekends, for An Oakland nonprofit organi- — desks, dressers, tables and chairs This year OPDC will begin scour- about six months last year Allport zation is helping to clean up areas — are strewn about the neighbor- ing Oakland and surrounding to begin found herself among the clients near Pitt’s campus by recycling hood, abandoned to scavengers neighborhoods in the East End of Employees can expect to of the food pantry at Rosedale cast-off furniture — and welcomes and the whims of weather, often Pittsburgh on April 24, gathering receive information on ben- United Methodist Church in contributions from Pitt staff and ending up in landfills. salvageable pieces and restoring efits options for the coming Verona — one of some 350 agen- faculty. To help solve the problem, the them in preparation for a furni- fiscal year soon. Information cies in Allegheny County that are Each year, as Pitt students Oakland Planning and Develop- CONTINUED ON PAGE 4 packets will be mailed during supplied by the Duquesne-based the week of April 20, accord- food bank. ing to Benefits director John Allport, 62, said she was a stay- Kozar. The open enrollment at-home mom until divorce forced period is April 23-May 13. her into her first “real job” at a card Among this year’s options store in 1996. A series of oppor- is the opportunity to enroll in tunities brought her to Pitt in Pitt’s long-term care insurance 2001. She began as a receptionist plan. in the School of Arts and Sciences Benefits fairs are scheduled dean’s office before moving to in the Cambria Room at Pitt- computer science, where initially Johnstown 10:30 a.m.-1:30 she was a department receptionist p.m. April 28; in the William before being promoted recently to Pitt Union lower lounge noon- department secretary. 3 p.m. on April 29 and 30; in She found herself in debt after Village Hall rooms 101 and treatment for breast cancer in 118 at Pitt-Greensburg 11 2003. Allport said she continued a.m-1:30 p.m. on May 5; in the to work during her illness but Frame-Westerberg Commons co-pays for doctors and prescrip- Mukaiyama University Room tions added up. In addition, in the at Pitt-Bradford 11 a.m.-2 p.m. confusion that accompanied her May 6, and Haskell Memorial chemotherapy, some bills didn’t Library lobby at Pitt-Titusville get paid. 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. May 7. Although her credit had been Human Resources staff and good, that all changed after she benefits vendors will be avail- began juggling her bills by paying able to answer questions about them with credit cards, amassing a Pitt benefits programs. Addi- debt of about $20,000. “I’m trying tional information on open Kimberly K. Barlow to dig myself out of it,” she said. Last August, the Oakland Planning and Development Corp. spring/summer furniture recycling enrollment will be posted at Cutting expenses includes clip- program netted 350 pieces of cast-off furniture, which were gobbled up by area bargain hunters www.hr.pitt.edu. n CONTINUED ON PAGE 4 during the two-day sale. U N I V E R S I T Y TIMES Mission statement proposed for Senate group U N I V E R S I T Y S E N A T E he University Senate anti- opportunity.” that were lower than the inflation M A T T E R S / Tracy M. Soska discriminatory policies The committee’s current mis- rate of 4.1 percent for the pay Connecting community service Tcommittee is on its way to sion statement is more specific, period in question,” he said. with teaching and research having a new mission statement stating in part, “We consider “Given the current economic that better represents its role and policy issues that impact women, climate we should not be overly The Senate community relations committee has helped to responsibilities. minorities, individuals with dis- critical but it is a concern. Pitt will sponsor University Senate plenary sessions examining service in Faculty Assembly on April abilities, etc. and attempt to assist become uncompetitive in retain- our University mission and promoting the scholarship of our com- 7 unanimously approved the the University through discussion ing faculty if it continues to give munity engagement. These campus-wide discussions have led to committee’s proposal, which also and advice.” Fitzgerald said that most of its faculty pay raises below greater recognition of service in faculty work. is on Senate Council’s April 15 mission statement doesn’t reflect the inflation rate over multiple Pitt faculty have begun to incorporate a wide variety of service- agenda for approval. the committee’s role and responsi- years.” Baker noted that while the learning approaches in their courses: Committee chairperson Lynn bilities, which have changed. administration is aware of this, it • Maureen Porter (www.pitt.edu/~mporter/service3.html) in Fitzgerald said the new state- “The committee wanted it to be has no easy options given the lack the School of Education used her Provost’s instructional excellence ment emphasizes the committee’s open as communities change,” she of state support. New revenue award grant to take a group of faculty and students to Urumbamba, availability to all members of the said. In the past year the commit- streams need to be found, he said. Peru, where they constructed a preschool and community center community without identifying tee has taken up issues regarding “Some tough choices are going to and studied comparative educational programs. specific groups and reflects the gender, age and aging, disability, have to be made in the next few • Dan Bain’s hydrology class in geology has been studying committee’s ability to address any diversity and racial issues, sexual years. Making the right ones will water levels in Panther Hollow and Nine Mile Run on behalf issue related to discrimination and orientation and sexual harassment, be the major challenge facing the of the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, which is hoping to restore inclusion. Fitzgerald noted. administration and my successor Panther Hollow’s lake. The new mission statement q as Senate president.” • Kevin McLaughlin’s health and physical activity coaching reads: “The anti-discriminatory Senate President John J. Baker In other business: students are teaching advanced swimming and lifesaving to local policies committee supports the reminded members that Senate • Ivy Ero of the Greater Pitts- youth who, if certified, will be eligible for summer lifeguard jobs overall mission of the Univer- elections take place April 13-24. “I burgh Community Food Bank at city pools. sity through discussion of the would like to see a record turnout encouraged donations during • Laura Lund’s freshman honors engineering seminar created University’s policies, practices for this election,” he said. Pitt’s Partnership for Food drive. the handicapped accessibility links for campus buildings on the and programs regarding diversity The Senate commonwealth (See related story on page 1.) University web site and also mapped hiking trails in Hill District and inclusion.