10-27-17

The Pitt News

Fossil Free Op-Ed pg. 4

The independent student newspaper of the University of Pittsburgh | PIttnews.com | October 27, 2017 | Volume 108 | Issue 56

Pitt procures state funding

WITCH CRAFT-ING

Rachel Glasser News Editor The Pennsylvania General Assembly has passed an appropriation bill to fund Pitt, warding off the fear of a tuition hike — for now.

The bill passed Wednesday by a margin of 181-5, and now heads to Gov. Tom Wolf ’s desk for his approval. In a video he tweeted Oct.12, Wolf reaffirmed his support for state-related universities.

“The Republicans are really responsible for getting [the appropriation bill] to my desk and I will sign it if it does that,” he said in the video.

This marks the end of a more than four-month stalemate since the budget was passed at the end of June.

The Pennsylvania state legislature passed a revenue package to fund the budget this week, which will also be sent to Wolf for approval. The legislature struggled to pass a revenue package, leaving the non-preferred appropriation bills — which fund the four state-related universities Pitt, Temple, Penn State and Lincoln — unaddressed during that standstill. That is, until Wednesday.

In an email, Chancellor Patrick Gallagher commended the support of the University community — which he said was expressed in tens of thousands of phone calls, emails and letters to the state legislature.

“Your messages to lawmakers affirmed that the University of Pittsburgh is critically

Pitterest, a DIY-craft club that meets every other Thursday to craft and converse, painted pumpkins and decorated mason jars filled with fall-colored flora last night in the WPU Lower Lounge. Elise Lavallee | CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Commission recommends relocating Foster statue

Sarika Goulatia, a member of the art commission, said the issue now falls to the Office of Public Art, which will consider the logistical and financial Dippy the Dinosaur might be losing a neighgroundwork behind the recommendation before bor in the near future. reconvening with the commission in about three The Pittsburgh Art Commission reached a months. unanimous decision Wednesday to recommend The Art Commission hopes the statue will the removal of the Stephen Foster statue — locatbe removed within six months, though this is ed on Forbes Avenue next the Carnegie Museum dependant on several factors, including securing See State Funding on page 3 of Natural History’s diplodocus dinosaur statue.

Caroline Bourque and Rachel Glasser News Editors

a venue to relocate the statue. The commission recommended the new location be private — some online suggestions included the Heinz History Center, the Stephen Foster Memorial and the Carnegie Museum — as opposed to its current public placement.

“As public art commissioners, it is our job to make sure that no public work of art is offensive See Foster on page 2

News Foster, pg. 1

or painful to any community, and that was a main reason for its removal,” Goulatia said.

The Stephen Foster statue depicts Foster standing, tall and luxuriously dressed, with a black man sitting at his feet. The black man is toothless, wearing tattered clothing and strumming a banjo while Stephen Foster transcribes one of his iconic songs — “Uncle Ned,” a song about a slave.

While Stephen Foster’s contributions to American music are celebrated and honored by the Stephen Foster archives — located at the University of Pittsburgh — two public meetings this month encouraged community members to voice their opinions on the statue. These meetings showcased the hurtful message of black subjugation the statue harbors for some people.

Those who spoke against the statue were primarily African-American, Goulatia said, but also included a variety of professors and community members of all races who found the statue offen-

sive — an argument Goulatia agrees with.

“I really feel that the African-American community should not have to bear the burden of the pain that the statue causes on a daily basis for them when they have to cross it,” Goulatia said.

As an artist herself, Goulatia said she thinks the statue should be studied in a museum for its aesthetic and historical value — but that a public setting is not the proper context for this.

“We need to represent the right intent for any piece of public art, it cannot be something which makes a statement and endorses and celebrates white supremacy,” she said. “I think our removing it, we really stand on the right side of history.”

Although Laurence Glasco, a history professor at Pitt and an African-American, understands the commission’s decision and the reasons behind it, he said he would prefer the statue remain in a public space because it forces people to confront history and its complexities.

“I think it’s a great learning opportunity we’ve lost,” Glasco said. “I don’t know how many people are going to make a trip to the Carnegie

Museum or the Stephen Foster Memorial auditorium to see the statue and read up on it.”

Glasco said the Stephen Foster statue is different from other controversial statues such as those that depict confederate soldiers — which Glasco said are truly offensive. He said Foster was not the type of person to be interested in white supremacy and did not consciously denigrate black people. Even Frederick Douglass, a black abolitionist and former slave, admired Stephen Foster, Glasco said.

“In some ways I think we’re losing sight of that, the historical context of a person and his time. That somebody who’s progressive for those times today looks regressive,” he said. “And so we’re sort of judging him by our standards of today.”

Glasco uses the statue as a teaching tool in his History of Black Pittsburgh class. He said this year when he took his class, the statue generated good conversations and discussions. As part of the class, students even voted on whether or not the statue should be removed.

“They all wanted it gone,” Glasco said, laughing. “So I knew Foster was toast at that point.”

While Glasco would have preferred a different verdict, he said the art commission’s attention to public input was a good thing. Deane Root, a music professor at Pitt and a curator for the Stephen Foster collection, agreed, describing the process the commission used as a fair and open one.

“I’m glad that the City has deeply engaged in listening to the citizens and has heard [their input],” Root said. “They have responded, I think, to the expressions of pain, anguish, anger and the hurt that members of the public express about the message that they read in that statue.”

Root commended Pitt students for their role in catalyzing the review process for the statue by voicing their concerns.

“Hats off to them for speaking up, speaking out and starting the ball rolling on something that I think has a really productive outcome in terms of the issues that they raised at the outset,” Root said.

The Pitt News SuDoku 10/27/17 courtesy of dailysudoku.com

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State Funding, pg. 1 important to Pennsylvania families and to the success of our Commonwealth. The central theme was clear: Pennsylvania and its citizens are winners when we support the world-class research and education that Pitt provides,” he said.

In an email statement, Mike Turzai, Pennsylvania speaker of the House, called on state-related universities to freeze tuition rates for next year now that they’ve received their funding.

“We are hoping that these state-related universities make a commitment to not increase tuition and room and board for our Pennsylvania students attending these institutions for the 2018-19 school year now that state tax dollars have been appropriated,” Turzai said. “These appropriations should be focused on making higher education more affordable for Pennsylvania students.”

The state-related universities will receive

a combined total of nearly $600 million this year from the state — with Pitt’s allotment totalling about $147 million. Turzai said in the statement that state-related university funding increased by about 8 percent from the 2014-15 fiscal year to the 2016-17 fiscal year.

The University would not say whether or not they intend to raise tuition rates next year, but said the funding this year was the same as last year — unadjusted for inflation.

In a statement sent by University spokesperson Joe Miksch, Gallagher said state funding is the “critical mechanism” by which the University ensures that it retains the best students in the state.

“I am deeply grateful that our leaders in Harrisburg have voted to support the state’s longstanding partnership with the University of Pittsburgh,” he said. “This is great news for the state of Pennsylvania and for all the Pennsylvanians who work and study at Pitt.”

Gov. Tom Wolf leaves the Cathedral of Learning October 12th after meeting with Chancellor Patrick Gallagher amid state funding concerns .John Hamilton | MANAGING EDITOR)

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Opinions

Richard Spencer at University of Florida Online

Op-Ed

Now is the time for fossil fuel divestment Dear Chancellor Patrick Gallagher, At the Fall Sustainability Fair this October, Mayor Bill Peduto signed our petition demanding the University of Pittsburgh divest its holdings from fossil fuel companies, expressing his support as an alumnus and as the mayor of our city. This is consistent with his commitment to divest the City of Pittsburgh from fossil fuels by 2030 as laid out in his Climate Action Plan 3.0. The mayor has expressed great enthusiasm regarding the Pittsburgh’s future as a leader in sustainable infrastructure.

As one of the City’s largest institutions, the University needs to not only make a verbal statement in support of divestment, but also commit to divesting. Pittsburgh is moving toward a sustainable future and we do not want Pitt to be left behind.

The Fossil Free Pitt Coalition is a group of students, faculty and community members who demand Pitt divest from fossil fuels. We finally got our first big win with the administration this month. The Faculty Assembly passed a resolution leading to the creation of a Socially Responsible Investing committee that would ensure students, faculty and staff have input on the University’s investments, rather than just the Board of Trustees. This is the fourth ask on the divestment petition, and the progress made is because students are demanding it. The same resolution calls the effects of climate change “catastrophic.”

While we appreciate these first steps taken by the University and are excited to see what the committee will look like moving forward, the University cannot stop here.

As the resolution acknowledges, climate change is indeed “catastrophic.” The cost of climate change grows more evident by the day. Rising sea levels worsen the scale of natural disasters like Hurricane Harvey — an MIT study predicts high intensity hurricanes will only become more common in our future.

pittnews.com

ing the catastrophic pace of climate change and its consequences, which will be borne for many generations, we cannot afford to move at the bureaucratic speed that is traditional of institutions such as the University of Pittsburgh.

As a member of the executive committee of the Board of Trustees, you, Chancellor Gallagher, have a tremendous influence on the decisions agreed upon by the board.

As the chancellor for the University of Pittsburgh, you represent more than 28,000 members of the Pittsburgh community.

We have more than 5,000 signatures from students, faculty, staff and alumni and 49 SORC-recognized clubs signed on as coalition members. This is your chance to use your position and prove to the Pitt community that you truly represent the student body. The mayor of Pittsburgh has spoken, the Pitt student body has spoken and all eyes are on you.

Chancellor Gallagher, it is time for you to make a statement of support for the divestment of fossil fuels for the University of Pittsburgh. Regardless of the views of the board, the University has spoken. We demand that you admit that climate change is real, that fossil fuels are a huge contributing factor and that divestment is a feasible means of tackling the problem, thus proving Pitt cares about the future of their students and the rest of the communities that will be affected.

Chancellor Patrick Gallagher talks to members of the Fossil Free Pitt CoaliYour claim that you cannot lobby against tion Feb. 24 at Pitt’s Board of Trustees meeting at the WPU. TPN File Photo your own board is a cop-out. We ask that you demand they treat climate change as water quality, setting a precedent of trans- five years.

4. Institutionalize a collaborative process the pressing issue we all know it is. parency is more important than ever. In Collective power will mobilize and cause signing our petition, Peduto showed he is between students, faculty, the administrataking steps to put people over profit. We tion and the investment committee to ad- change when institutions cannot alone, but are asking you, Chancellor Gallagher, to do dress future divestment proposals and work we want Pitt to be an institutional leader in to make sure the endowment is invested in a this battle. In the spirit of “Veritas et Virtus,” the same.

So far, with the creation of the SRI Com- socially and economically responsible man- this is an opportune juncture to lead by example and not to skulk in the shadows. mittee, the Fossil Free Pitt Coalition has ner.

We are closely observing the University achieved only one of four initial asks, which Sincerely, and will continue to demand the rest of our are: Fossil Free Pitt Coalition 1. Immediately freeze all new endow- asks be met in a timely manner. Consider-

Divestment isn’t just about melting ice caps or dying polar bears. It’s a movement to stop industries from creating irreversible damage to people and communities for the sake of a profit margin. The United Nations Refugee Agency has initiatives specifically for “climate refugees,” or people who are displaced by climate issues. With educational institutions investing in fossil fuels that add to the problem by ruining air and

ment investments on Carbon Underground Top 200’s list of the top 100 coal companies and top 100 oil and natural gas companies according to the size of their fossil fuel reserves.

2. Divest the endowment’s direct holding in the Top 200 within three years.

3. Divest and screen our endowment’s direct holdings and commingled funds from the entire fossil fuel industry within

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comic

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Sports

Women’s soccer loses closer Online

CAVALIERS TO TAKE DOWN PANTHERS 2 football

players charged after fight

Abbot Zuk Staff Writer

Both the Pitt and Virginia programs are having surprising seasons so far. For the Panthers, it’s because of their relentless disappointments and their revolving door situation at the quarterback position. But for the Cavaliers it’s because they are currently 5-2 overall and 2-1 in ACC play — much better than their expected underwhelming season.

The Panthers and the Cavaliers scored a combined 76 points in their matchup in Charlottesville last year — 35 of which came in the opening 13 minutes of the game. Fans should expect a competitive game between these two, but not an offensive onslaught similar to last year.

Many football experts and The Pitt News staff members pegged the Cavaliers to finish last in the ACC coastal and have a pitiful season at best. With the way things are trending for the Cavaliers, finishing last in the coastal is certainly not likely.

The Cavaliers’ seniors are responsible for much of the team’s unforeseen success. It begins at the quarterback position with senior Kurt Benkert — a transfer from East Carolina University in his second season at the helm of the Cavaliers’ offense.

Benkert was a pleasant surprise in the 2016 season, finishing with nearly a two to one touchdown-interception ratio, and this year is not much different. Benkert is completing 62 percent of his passes and has totaled 15 touchdowns and just four interceptions in seven games.

Benkert may have a relatively easy time finding his receivers during Saturday’s game, in large part due to the absence of senior cornerback Avonte Maddox. In Pitt’s matchup with Duke, he landed awkwardly on his arm and is out with an upper extremity injury. Junior safety Jordan Whitehead has aided

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John Hamilton Managing Editor

The Cavaliers’ strong defense will keep the Panthers from getting their second ACC win. Wenhao Wu | ASSISTANT VISUAL EDITOR in keeping the secondary competitive since his return, but he will have to step up majorly to fill in for Maddox.

On the defensive side of the ball, Virginia has been a pleasant surprise as well, despite the Cavaliers getting waxed at home, 41-10, by Boston College. The Cavaliers’ defense surrenders an average of 23 points per game, a statistic that ranks them at No. 47 in the nation.

This success on defense stems from the leadership of senior safety Quin Blanding and senior linebacker Micah Kiser. Blanding leads the team with 74 total tackles, and Kiser is just behind him with 70. Standout first-year defensive back Brenton Nelson, who leads the team with three interceptions, also contributes to the overall success.

The Cavaliers run defense is stingy – allowing just four rushing yards per attempt on average and only allowing their opponents to amass more than 200 rushing yards just twice all season.

This staunch defensive front will be combated by the Panthers’ new threat — junior running back Darrin Hall. Hall was a marquee piece in the Panthers’ success against the Blue Devils, and will need to be just as intense this week if the Panthers intend on extending their winning streak.

Prediction: All signs are indicating the Cavaliers will march into Heinz Field Saturday and deliver the Panthers’ their sixth loss of the year. Virginia’s defense is better, its quarterback is better and the team has faced and defeated superior opponents this year.

But if the Panthers capitalize on Hall’s running abilities, redshirt sophomore quarterback Ben DiNucci can put more productive scoring drives together and the fractured secondary can force Benkert to make a few mistakes, the Panthers could keep the game competitive into the fourth quarter.

Virginia: 30, Pitt: 24

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Paris Ford and Tyler Sear — first-year students on the Pitt football team — were charged with disorderly conduct after a fight in Sutherland Hall, according to Pitt police.

The fight, first reported by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, occurred Oct. 17 at around 10 p.m. According to a criminal complaint obtained by the Post-Gazette, the two players “engaged in fighting behavior” with each other and the altercation required police response.

According to a tweet from Ford, the fight leading to their charges happened as the two were playing Madden, a football video game.

Pitt athletics spokesperson E.J. Borghetti said the situation was addressed immediately and the program has taken “appropriate disciplinary actions.”

Court documents show that Ford and Sear both face charges of disorderly conduct for engaging in fighting.

Sear, a tight end from New Castle, has a single reception so far this season, which came against Youngstown State. Ford — a Pittsburgh native rated the No. 5 safety in the 2017 recruiting class by Rivals — hasn’t played this season yet, indicating he will likely redshirt his first year at Pitt.

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