By SHANNON O. WELLS
The Senate Council’s final meeting of 2023 on Dec. 7 started on a poignant note, with David DeJong, senior vice chancellor for Business & Operations, acknowledging the tragic death of UPMC employee Emily Watson, who was struck and killed by a UPMC shuttle bus on Nov. 29, at the intersection of Terrace Street and Sutherland Avenue near Petersen Events Center.
Noting that his role and responsibilities include “oversight of public safety,” DeJong said the Pitt community mourns the sudden loss, and “the community’s hearts go out to her family, her friends and her colleagues at UPMC.
“To everyone here, please know that the safety and well-being of the University community is our absolute top priority. And we have been, and will continue to, work with our partners with the city of UPMC, CMU, all of our neighborhoods and everyone who is part of the Pitt community to support a safe campus,” he added. “This takes all of us, and I want to thank our students and our faculty and our staff for their continued feedback and support around pedestrian safety.”
On the morning of Nov. 29, Watson was crossing Terrace Street near Petersen Events Center when she was struck by a UPMC shuttle bus. She later died of her injuries at a nearby UPMC hospital. The incident remains under investigation. (See related story).
DeJong said the Pitt community has “ample channels for engagement on this (public safety) imperative,” including the Senate Campus Utilization, Planning and Safety Committee, and I’m so glad that safety has become a part of their oversight,” he added, noting that “student groups and the Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee” meet regularly. “We thank all of you for your support and your commitment to helping us keep the campus safe. We’re stronger and safer as we continue to work together.”
Winter Commencement
Joe McCarthy, interim provost, delivered Chancellor Joan Gabel’s report, as she was overseas attending the United Nations Climate Conference in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
“Just yesterday, she participated in a panel discussion on innovating for sustainability,” McCarthy noted. “So while she regrets not being able to be here to meet with the group, she’s honored to be representing the University.”
Reiterating what was discussed at the Nov. 29 Faculty Assembly meeting, McCarthy said he was “excited to remind everybody” about the Winter Commencement ceremony scheduled for 2 p.m. Dec. 17 at Petersen Events Center. The event is for students earning baccalaureate degrees, master’s degrees and doctoral degrees since spring 2023.
Announced last spring, the winter event was added because of the increasing number of students participating in the undergraduate-only event in April, which forced the University to issue two tickets per student for family to attend the spring 2023 commencement.
“Up until this week, we’ve really had only one University-wide commencement in the spring term,” he said.
McCarthy reiterated that during this “transition year,” the administration is allowing students the option of attending the spring 2024 commencement instead of the winter event, “as we get used to this new cadence of commencement events.
“So I want to congratulate students that are going to be receiving their credentials in the coming week,” he said, adding that 700 students are expected to attend. “I do want to express how excited the chancellor is to be attending her first commencement. So it’ll be special for those that do choose to attend … what should be a very robust and very celebratory event.”
McCarthy said Rajiv Vinnakota, president of the Institute for Citizens & Scholars, will serve as commencement speaker. The institute led the Campus Call for Free Expression that Gabel championed and was one of the first to join.
“In this Year of Discourse and Dialogue, it’ll be really fitting for us to have Rajiv being our commencement speaker. The group that he heads up, and that Chancellor Gabel has joined, on free expression is talking about commitment to emphasizing critical inquiry, civil discourse and finding solutions to complicated, divisive problems.
“So I think that’s a nice fit both for what’s going on at Pitt and for the chancellor’s commitment — and therefore Pitt’s commitment — to that community.”
Dean searches
McCarthy shared Gabel’s update on searches for deans in the Swanson School of Engineering, and Pitt’s schools of Law and Education. The Swanson school is in the “pool-building” phase. “So if you have any folks that you’d like to nominate or that you want to have considered for that opportunity, please don’t hesitate to jump on the Provost website and download the job prospectus and share it broadly,” he said.
A search committee has been formed for the School of Education dean search, with listening sessions now taking place, “so we’ll be working on that job description soon.”
The School of Law, McCarthy said, “is a little bit behind the other two,” with engagement with relevant stakeholders scheduled for the early part of the 2024 spring term to get that search underway. The search for a provost to take the place of Ann Cudd continues, and a search committee is being formed now to find a new vice provost for Student Affairs to replace Kenyon Bonner.
On behalf of Gabel, McCarthy wished everyone “a successful end of the semester — and good luck on finals, students, and have a safe and happy break.”
Senate Council president report
Robin Kear started her report with a wish that everyone is “heading toward an easy end of term,” adding that she was “privileged to hear the Heinz Chapel Choir” in early December.
“It was quite luxurious hour with nothing to do,” she said. “I refused to pick up my phone and was listening the entire time. And it was just beautiful to listen to that music. It reminded me that we all need to make the space for what sustains us, especially at this busy time of year.”
Kear also praised the experience she had attending the “Community United in Compassion” event on Dec. 5, led by Jennifer Murtazashvili, professor in the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, and Abdesalam Soudi, teaching assistant professor in the Linguistics department.
“As evidenced by those who were in attendance and the conversation that was happening, it continues to be a very powerful message for the participants,” she said. “And I hope that we will see more of that this spring. So if you’ve never had a chance to go to one of those events, I would highly recommend it.”
She went on to thank those who contribute feedback or put names forward for consideration in the provost search. “The search committee does see that,” Kear said.
Inclement weather policy
Kear said she sent a reminder of Pitt’s Inclement Weather policy to Faculty Assembly and noted the University-wide email explaining practices and operations. “If the University closes, you know there are numerous communication plans activated, including the Emergency Notification Service, the websites and social media. So please stay aware,” she said. “And if there’s inclement weather and the University is not closing, a friendly reminder to be aware of and discuss and be ready for inclement weather procedures in your school or department — to have that discussion before (bad weather) happens.”
Kear also reiterated her report on the Senate Dependent Care Ad Hoc Committee to Faculty Assembly, which The University Times reported on here.
Policy updates
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Kear said no University policies are currently open for comment, with comments for the draft updated vaccine policy closing Dec. 4. The draft is now making its way through Senate committees. The interim immunization policy, which covered the COVID-19 vaccination requirements from two years ago, was decommissioned following a comment period.
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The policy office seeks to decommission the 2014 Domestic Partner Benefits Policy, with a comment period open until Dec. 18. Kear said she sent the policy to the Equity, Inclusion and Anti-Discrimination Advocacy and Benefits and Welfare committees for consideration and will provide a response to from the Senate to the policy office on Dec. 14.
Concluding her report, Kear thanked everyone “for all your dedication and service to shared governance through the term. Have a great end of term and a great winter break,” she said. “And I hope that that sustains you and is rejuvenating for you.”
Shannon O. Wells is a writer for the University Times. Reach him at shannonw@pitt.edu.
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