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The Pitt News T h e in de p e n d e n t st ude nt ne w spap e r of t he University of Pittsburgh

BOARD REFLECTS ON FALL

ONLINE: At final meeting this semester, SGB introduces bill to tweak election code December 9, 2015 | Issue 78 | Volume 106

Lauren Wilson Staff Writer

With one new board member and a handful of new committee members joining Student Government Board, the Board took on projects as small as sandwiches and as big as mental illness. From food, laundry and public health to human rights, diversity and transparency, the nine members of SGB faced the semester with a new president at the helm, reorganizing after the summer’s power shift. While each board member brought new initiatives to the attention of Pitt students and administrators, most of them will work on finishing their projects next semester. Nasreen Harun, President Nasreen Harun said she focused on helping the other Board members execute their personal initiatives. “A lot of what I do on a day to day basis is serving as a connecting link between everything the board members are doing and administrators and guiding people on how to proceed with those initiatives,” Harun said. “I’d say we have a lot of representation in a lot of different places and we do have those connections strengthening.” Harun became president this summer when former SGB President Graeme Meyer unexpect-

The sisters of Delta Zeta sorority met with potential pledges at Meet the Greeks Tuesday in the William Pitt Union. Dagmar Seppala | Staff Photographer

GOODBYE, DOROTHY THE FALCON Mark Pesto

Senior Staff Writer

Dorothy, a peregrine falcon, caught the city’s attention when it lost sight of her wings threading through the clouds above the Cathedral of Learning in November. Now, a month later, the skies are still bare. Through a webcam focused on her nest, Pitt students could watch Dorothy, the female half of a couple of peregrine falcons that have claimed Pitt as their home since 2001. Here, she raised three to five fledglings each year, a total of 43 birds, and spent her life raising her young and hunting for prey on the ground below. Sometime after Nov. 2, however, Dorothy See Reflection on page 2

disappeared from their nest on the 40th-floor ledge of the Cathedral. Though no one has found her body, Pittsburgh’s leading birdwatchers have concluded that Dorothy likely died of age-related causes. Although wild peregrines live an average of 12 years, the venerable Dorothy was almost 17. “[Dorothy] was dynamic, energetic, fierce and powerful,” Kate St. John, a Pittsburgh birdwatcher and former WQED director of information technology, wrote on her blog. “From the time I met her in 2001 until her egg bound spring of 2014, she had fire in her eyes.” After her presumed passing, St. John posted a video tribute to Dorothy on her blog, Outside my Window.

“I was happy to put photos of her at her best,” St. John said. According to Art McMorris, the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s peregrine falcon coordinator, Dorothy had been showing signs of old age for several years. Peter Bell, a Pitt chemistry professor and creator of a Facebook fan page for Dorothy and E2, Dorothy’s most recent male partner, said Dorothy’s advanced age kept her from laying healthy eggs. In the spring of 2013, only two of her five eggs hatched. One of the chicks had obvious neurological issues and died within a week, while the other was hit by a car on Forbes See Falcon on page 3

News Everett Green

Matt Sykes

Natalie Dall

Meghan Murphy

Reflection, pg. 1 edly resigned in May. Harun spent this semester adjusting to the role and immersing herself in projects with the University administration and other student groups. So far this term, Harun has appointed five elections committee members, four allocations committee members and one full board member. She has also collaborated with Student Affairs and the University Senate Council and joined several task forces, including the sexual assault task force, the alcohol task force and the search committee for the vice provost and dean of students. Leaning on her experience transitioning to different positions on SGB, Harun started an executive board transition program, which will ensure that new board members for all student organizations get the proper information from their predecessors. Harun said she had the idea when she was Allocations Committee chair Harun isn’t yet sure what this program will look like, whether it will be a packet of papers or an online module, but said she wants the program to be a compilation of all resources published in a public space, open to everyone. The goal of the program, Harun said, is to have a place where SGB members can easily

access the information they need and hold the his main responsibility this semester has been SGB system accountable for training its mem- to get SGB’s Assembly — which includes reprebers. Harun said the information would contain sentatives from Student Affairs-affiliated groups things like how to reserve rooms for events with and acts as a lower governing body to SGB — running smoothly. an EMS account. Though Harun created the Assembly in the “It can help with that lag time where people have to feel out the position and get necessary in- spring, Green took over as speaker for the Assembly in May, which makes him the formation from the get-go.” primary liaison between SGB Harun plans to spend winand the student groups. ter break increasing SGB’s Green has focused on esvisibility to students on tablishing a social mecampus by updating dia presence, setting the Board’s website up biweekly meetwith a list of SGB’s ings and adding new current projects. members, such as Pitt “One of the Program Council. things I wanted to “It’s everyone make sure happened in the Assembly that with SGB as a whole is makes it happen,” Green increase our visibility and Nasreen Harun said. “I’m just there to famake sure we’re seen as apcilitate it. The Assembly is more proachable and tie in with stuabout student groups than student dents,” Harun said. “We want to make sure people feel comfortable bringing initiatives government.” Aside from the Assembly, Green has worked to us, and I think people have seen progress with on improving communication between SGB their initiatives they brought to us.” Everett Green, Board Member, Executive Vice and Oakwatch, a community group that works in conjunction with the city to enforce neighborPresident Executive Vice President Everett Green said hood laws in Oakland.

Lia Petrose

Jack Heidecker pittnews.com

“We’ve had the opportunity to interact with the stakeholders more often, and we’re much more vocal this semester,” Green said. “It’s the point where we’re starting to have more dialogue instead of them just speaking to us. There’s been more back-and-forth conversation.” Green wants to fit one more initiative in before the holidays and has spent the semester working on a guest pass proposal to reduce how long it takes to sign guests into residence halls. Green suggested that the University use Blackboard to register students. According to Green, Panther Central is still investigating the costs of implementing a system like this. By the end of this semester, SGB will have data from residence halls, such as how often people swipe in and where, which will help SGB when it speaks to administration on the initiative. Green said he sent a the proposal to Ian Snyder, Resident Student Association’s president, who will present it to the RSA board soon. “We’re hoping they will vote in favor of our proposal and be partnered with us on the initiative,” Green said. Matthew Sykes, Vice President, Chief of Finance Board member Matthew Sykes has put his See Reflection on page 3

Robert Tessier

Jacky Chen December 9, 2015

Falcon, pg. 1 Avenue the following June. In 2014, Dorothy became egg bound, a dangerous health problem in which female birds produce eggs but can’t lay them. Although the condition proved temporary, the eggs had shattered before she laid them, and Dorothy did not successfully nest that year. This year, although she laid four eggs, only one hatched — and that chick, which again had a neurological impairment, died soon afterward. Dorothy’s energy and spirit was not unlike that of other peregrine falcons — which swoop down to catch their prey at speeds of 200 miles per hour and have wings that stretch as long as 3.6 feet, according to National Geographic. In 1972, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service declared peregrine falcon’s an endangered species, and parts of Pennsylvania became one of the “reintroduction sites” in the ’70s. Efforts to protect and recover the falcons were so successful that by 1999 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service removed peregrine falcons from the endangered species list, according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission website. Although peregrine falcons are not nationally recognized as endangered, the Pennsylvania Game Commission still lists them as such. In 2013, there were 40 known nests in the state, according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission website. But pesticides and close association with human structures threaten the peregrine popula-

Reflection, pg. 2 time and energy into mental health initiatives this semester. He and Board member Meghan Murphy collaborated to plan Pitt’s first Mental Health Awareness Week in October. “One of our biggest things was creating momentum with this,” Sykes said. Sykes said he also helped to change the “Talk About It” campaign, an initiative to open discussion about mental health issues. According to Sykes, SGB partnered with Student Affairs to change the name of the campaign from “Give Depression a Voice” to “Talk About It” in an effort to include all mental health awareness. “We had a lot of students we didn’t even think we reached come up to us or their RAs and say this is awesome that Pitt is doing this,” Sykes said. “I think we had a far-reaching impact, which is what we really wanted.” Next semester, Sykes said he wants to “keep the momentum going” by planning a mental

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tion’s growth. On Nov. 30, the National Aviary — an independent, nonprofit, indoor zoo dedicated to birds — again caught snapshots with their motion sensitive cameras of peregrine activity at the nest site on the Cathedral. Viewers could see E2 performing courting flights with a female peregrine. Using the camera’s images of leg bands that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service placed on the birds at birth, St. John confirmed that the new female wasn’t Dorothy. But E2’s new partner, Hope, isn’t a stranger to the Pittsburgh area. Since 2010, she had nested at the George D. Stuart Bridge in Tarentum, Pennsylvania, 22 miles northeast of Downtown. “We’re all very excited to have a healthy female falcon at the site again,” Bell said. Although peregrines will often fight for mates and nesting space, St. John said no one saw a fight or a challenge throughout the month of November, leading her to conclude that Dorothy had died or departed before Hope moved in. St. John offered several possible explanations for Hope’s move from Tarentum to Oakland, including competition for nesting sites from bald eagles. St. John added that Hope most likely struggled to find a mate at the George D. Stuart Bridge. Cue E2, who McMorris said was actively soliciting a new mate after Dorothy’s death. According to St. John, nesting peregrines prefer the Cathedral of Learning because it looks like a sheer cliff —their preferred natural habitat

— and because the Pitt administration protects them from intruders. Because peregrines are sensitive to intruders, St. John said anyone who tried to track Hope down from inside the Cathedral would make her feel harassed. “People should not try to find her in the building,” St. John said. Bell also expressed concern that, during nesting season next spring, activity inside the Cathedral could frighten Hope away — who, unlike Dorothy, isn’t accustomed to human activity near her nest. “Hope might say, ‘Whoa! This isn’t safe! I don’t want to raise kids here!’” Bell said. Pitt spokesperson John Fedele said although Pitt doesn’t have an official policy regarding the Cathedral falcons, the University tightly controls access to the 40th-floor room through which the nest is accessible. It’s far too early to tell whether Hope will accept E2 as a mate and move to the Cathedral on a permanent basis, McMorris said. Hope will reveal her decision next March or April when she lays her next set of eggs. “I don’t think she knows yet,” McMorris said. “And if she doesn’t know, we don’t know.” But Bell is optimistic about Hope’s chances at the Cathedral, as construction has disrupted the other prime nesting site within the city: Downtown’s Gulf Tower. “I think she will [stay],” Bell said. “We like to say that this is the ‘Taj Mahal’ of falcon nesting sites.”

health awareness gallery in the Frick Fine Arts Building from Feb. 11, to March 4, and bring in speakers from Pittsburgh for future mental health programs. Natalie Dall, Vice President, Chief of Cabinet Board member Natalie Dall kicked off the semester by planning the Safety Fair, which she said was a success and brought 400 people to learn how to put out small fires in their homes, bike safely in the city and stay safe at night. Dall said she has increased communication between SGB and committee chairs by serving as the first chief of cabinet. “There’s better communication between all of us in the office [when] we can see what the cabinet is doing. It’s a better way to give a report than a public meeting,” Dall said. Dall has also been working on the traditions committee, a committee that works on researching and promoting Pitt traditions in collaboration with the Blue and Gold Society, and serves as representative and speaker pro tempore of the Assembly, which includes RSA, Rainbow Alliance

and Black Action Society. Jack Heidecker, Board Member With a new bus stop in Secaucus, New Jersey, Board Member Jack Heidecker saw his long time goal of expanding the reach of Pitt’s “Buses Home for the Holidays” program finally take hold. Pitt’s Department of Parking, Transportation and Services confirmed it added Secaucus, New Jersey, which is near New York City, as a new destination as of this year. Heidecker, who is from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, said he heard students say they wanted more holiday bus service to New Jersey. According to Pitt’s 2015 fact book, 1,147 students come from New Jersey, more than any other state outside of Pennsylvania. Now, he is turning his attention to improving student organization classification and working with the Student Organization Classification Task Force.

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Opinions

column

from the editorial board

Quit the shtick: Trump’s antics are a threat to national security Donald Trump is running a successful campaign of racist belligerence. He was never supposed to make it this far as a presidential candidate — yet here we are, reeling from his call on Monday for the United States to bar all Muslims from entering the country until national leaders can “figure out what is going on” following the San Bernardino terrorist attack. Poll numbers show Trump leading with 36 percent of Republicans, according to the latest CNN/ORC poll, so Trump’s — call it what you will: shtick, act, strategy — is working. But it’s also becoming a threat to our national security. Trump cannot continue spouting unbelievably provocative statements as a U.S. presidential candidate. They’re dangerous — and false — reflections of our national image. Richard Engel, NBC News chief foreign correspondent, described the “Trump effect” on MSNBC Monday night when he said, “So from the world perspective, it is absolutely an image, an impression, a black spot on our collective foreign policy and our conscience. And it also just feeds into the ISIS [Islamic State] narrative.” Trump’s rhetoric expands anti-Muslim sentiment, further marginalizing Muslims from the Middle East and essentially falling into ISIS’s plans — marginalization breeds terrorism and makes our enemies stronger. Projecting anti-Muslim sentiment only serves to fuel extremists’ radical narratives and strengthen their influence. We should aid — not marginalize — refugees by accepting them into our country. Trump’s proposal is the sort of response that President Barack Obama denounced in

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his Sunday Oval Office address. “It’s our responsibility to reject proposals that Muslim Americans should somehow be treated differently. Because when we travel down that road, we lose,” Obama said. Regardless, media personnel are beginning to treat Trump’s proposal as a valid possibility. KGET News, an NBC affiliate based in Bakersfield, California, tweeted to its followers, asking, “Should Muslims be banned from entering the country?” following Trump’s announcement. This is not a question that we should ask ourselves. The United States has maintained an open policy of welcoming Muslims — and people of any religion, for that matter — into our country. Asking this question defies our country’s history of acceptance. While people have been quick to criticize Trump’s proposal, state Rep. Al Baldasaro (R-New Hampshire) supported the plan by citing historical context for taking measures as drastic as the one Trump is suggesting. “What he’s saying is no different than the situation during World War II, when we put the Japanese in camps. From a military mind standpoint, all Donald Trump is saying is to do what needs to be done until we get a handle on how to do background checks.” That Trump’s proposal can draw similarities with our atrocious policy of placing Japanese citizens in internment camps disregards history’s role as a lesson for the future. This comparison should horrify us. Trump is no ordinary presidential candidate, and on Tuesday, Braddock Mayor John Fetterman put it best when he released a statement following Trump’s most recent remarks. “Donald Trump is a jagoff.”

DEMAGOGUE TRUMP PREFERS BIAS TO FACTS Stephen Caruso Senior Columnist

Donald Trump is a man of many talents: His ability to self-promote is as large as his casinos, and his knowledge of bankruptcy is thorough after having filed for four of them. And while Trump is putting these skills to use in his current foray into presid e nt i a l polit i c s , h e ’ s also revealed a new area of talent — demagoguery. This means that whether he is only after a share of the spotlight or has deeper ambitions, he is going to continue to use antagonistic antics as means to his ends. At a Nov. 21, rally in Alabama, Trump made some belligerent claims about Muslim Americans’ reactions to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The Republican presidential candidate said that as he watched the World Trade Center fall from New Jersey, “thousands of people were cheering.” Trump used a clip from the Washington Post to back up his statement. The clip said that law

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enforcement officials had detained individuals in Jersey City who had allegedly celebrated the attacks. And while the media has pounced on Trump’s exaggeration — even Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly told Trump he was stretching the truth — trying to label Trump as a liar only plays into his hands . It supports the narrative of the stacked deck, and coverage bias, that the “liberal m e d i a” has piled against him and others on the right. That’s because facts are not very important to Trump’s campaign. Currently, Politifact, the Pulitzer Prize-winning fact-checking organization, has yet to rate one of Trump’s 72 reviewed claims true. These inaccuracies aren’t mistakes. Trump is not attempting to woo voters with even the illusion of reasoned solutions, like most mainstream American presidential candidates attempt to do. The distinguishing feature of Ted Cruz’s campaign is his tax plan. For Martin O’Malley, it’s gun control. Jeb Bush has, “I’m related to two presidents.” For Trump, it’s his

That’s because facts are not very important to Trump’s campaign.

See Caruso on page 7

Caruso, pg. 6 opposition to immigration. Trump is resolute in his commitment to that fact that Mexicans are “bringing drugs ... bringing crime. They’re rapists.” The Chinese “come in ... through the back door and totally take advantage of everyone,” like “they always do.” And, “It is obvious to anybody that the hatred [Muslims hold toward Americans] is beyond comprehension.” This makes him much worse than a liar. He’s a demagogue, “a political leader who tries to get support by making false claims and promises and using arguments based on emotion rather than reason,” according to Merriam-Webster. He doesn’t make use of reason — he appeals to p e o p l e’s deep-seated biases under his tough “tell it like it is” businessman persona. T h e worst part is how appealing his candor can seem. At first, T r u m p s e eme d like he w o u l d be rough around the edges, but with a mixed record of partisanship, I figured he could make some good points and give Republicans a pugnacious moderate candidate. But as I listened to his very first campaign speeches, I realized he would not be the answer to my radical center dreams. As the New York Times noted in its analysis of 950,000 of his words, Trump’s rhetoric is filled with us-versus-them examples, usually placing white, middle-class Americans against perceived

outsiders to their culture, such as Muslims or Mexicans. He also takes care to rarely attack his fellow candidates’ ideas, instead focusing on their persons. “Stupid,” “horrible” and “weak” are great words to rile up a crowd, but would get you a “C” on any real analysis of policy. O’Reilly — the great bastion of arrogant conservatism — even called out Trump’s imprecise word choice. “Here’s what happens,” O’Reilly said. “Sometimes, when you’re up there, you get overly excited and you’re speaking extemporaneously. And then you say things, as anybody would, because the crowd is cheering and everything is going wild, that you don’t know to be true but you believe to be true.” In res p o n s e , Trump defended his bigoted remarks as one of the symptoms of refusing to use a teleprompter. “You don’t get the same excitement, you don’t get the same feeling,” Trump said of using a teleprompter. “And I haven’t made very many mistakes.” Trump’s remarks couldn’t be any worse than if he displayed them on a karaoke board for all his supporters to sing aloud to the tune of “Deutschland uber alles.” Sure, from Pat Robertson to Pitt’s own Rick Santorum, plenty of fringe candidates have led early in the Republican primaries and later petered out, as FiveThirtyEight, the data journalism website, details. But it is worrisome that a full 36 percent of Republicans — from CNN’s latest national poll — support

He doesn’t make use of reason — he appeals to people’s deep-seated biases under his tough “tell it like it is” business persona.

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Illustration by Victor Gonzalez

Trump, the man whose campaign has been more about bigotry and insults than serious policy. I’m hoping Trump hits a wall — one made entirely of hubris — but we must remain vigilant until then. The circular logic of his supporters makes disproving his words themselves pointless. While Trump gained his spotlight trying to find an apprentice, his rhetoric has proven himself an acolyte of Huey Long and Joseph McCarthy. Call the spade a spade — Trump is the next All-American demagogue. Stephen Caruso is a senior columnist at The Pitt News. He mainly writes on economic and social issues. He is also the

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production manager. Email Stephen at stephencaruso23@ gmail.com

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Sports

PIRATES MUST SPEND TO WIN Jeremy Tepper

Senior Staff Writer Small-market teams like the Pirates acquire prospects or undervalued players through strong drafts and savvy trades. But sustaining their place at the top isn’t always a home run. A core of young, cheap and talented players fuel the Pittsburgh Pirates and have turned the Bucs into a serious contender over the past three years. But based on the team’s recent acquisitions — or lack thereof — it would seem the Pirates management overestimates their standing as a contender, as they need to make bigger offseason splashes if they want that success to continue. A large market team like the Boston Red Sox or Los Angeles Dodgers is never too far away from the playoffs, as it can quickly patch up a roster with big-name free agents. The Pirates, though, have less wiggle

room. They’ve gotten there with young stars like outfielders Andrew McCutchen and Starling Marte and pitcher Gerrit Cole. Guys like Gregory Polanco, a young, somewhat unproven but potential-laden outfielder, and Jung-ho Kang, a strong hitting utility infielder the Pirates signed out of South Korea last offseason, help too. Most strong rosters, and especially small-market rosters, consist of a similar foundation of cheap, controllable players. Problem is, these players get older and their contracts end, making them too expensive to keep away from a big-money team. It’s an inevitable result, as players like Russell Martin, Edinson Volquez and A.J. Burnett — who would eventually return only after a disastrous year in Philadelphia— departed Pittsburgh for pay raises. The Pirates don’t have to worry about Marte’s contract ending until 2021, but McCutchen will be a free agent in 2018, Kang in 2019 and Cole and Polanco in

2020. Guys like McCutchen, Marte, Kang and Cole are very much in their prime years right now, while the first three are closer to 30 than 20. M c Cutchen’s the key player to note, as the perennial MVP candidate can probably keep performing at a similar level for at least two of his last three years with See Pirates on page 9

TNS

PANTHERS TOPPLE MOUNT ST. MARY’S Logan Hitchcock Staff Writer

On Tuesday night, the Pitt women’s basketball team peaked well above the Mountaineers. In a young season of disappointing offensive performances, the Pitt women’s basketball team wasted no time disposing of Mount St. Mary’s University, 74-57, thanks to an efficient offense and a stifling defense. The Panthers got on the board first when freshman Kalista Walters made a layup with 9:17 left in the first quarter. The Panthers followed this up with three more easy buckets, giving them a quick 8-0 lead just two minutes later.

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The rest of the first quarter followed suit, as the Panthers capitalized in the post against a smaller Mountaineer frontcourt. Wa l t e r s and sophom ore forward Stasha C a r e y dominated the boards and were responsible for 17 of the Panthers’ 22 first-quarter points. “It felt great,” said Carey, who was a key

part of Tuesday’s win after a down Sunday against College of the Holy Cross. “We were aggressive from the jump. I think that helped force them to make t u r n ov e r s and for us to get easy points,” she said. In the second quarter, the Panthers kept applying pressure, increasing the defensive intensity and finding the bottom of the net

It’s been awhile since we shot well from the 3-point line. -Fred Potvin, guard December 9, 2015

from beyond the arc. Freshman forward Kauia Bradley aided a stingy Panthers’ defense that forced 16 turnovers in the first half, picking up two steals of her own while maintaining constant coverage on the Mountaineer ball handlers. After Pitt spent most of the first quarter finishing from the rim, junior guard Fred Potvin provided the Panthers with a scoring threat from beyond the arc. Potvin knocked down 3-pointers on consecutive possessions and helped extend the Panthers lead to 21 points. “We’ve been looking for that player to be the 3-point shooter,” Pitt head coach Suzie McConnell-Serio said. “Fred had See Basketball on page 9

Pirates, pg. 8 the team. This will ensure the Pirates have a three-year window as a sure-fire contender, but once his contract is over, he’ll likely become too expensive to re-sign. After that, the Pittsburgh’s future is murky. With this future loss in mind, one would expect a sense of urgency from the Pirates, who have, instead, gone dumpster diving, trying to find cheap options and squeeze every last ounce of production out of them. While this has worked over the past few seasons, it is far from foolproof. Two years ago, the Pirates made Volquez, Clint Barmes and Travis Ishikawa their top free-agent signings. Volquez was fresh off an awful season as one of the worst starting pitchers in baseball. Barmes and Ishikawa were marginal bench players at best. To give the Pirates credit, they got a bargain in Volquez, who they turned into a solid mid-rotation starter. Barmes continued to be an average backup, while Pittsburgh designated Ishikawa for assignment 15 games into the season. In 2014, the Bucs were more successful, re-signing starting pitcher Francisco Liria-

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no, who continued to remain a borderline top of the rotation starter, signing Kang and Burnett and trading for Francisco Cervelli. The Pirates signed Kang to a reasonable contract, as they took advantage of a previously untapped baseball market, while Burnett produced as a mid- to top-tier starter. The Pirates acquired Cervelli for Justin Wilson, a relief pitcher, and turned into a nearAll-Star starting catcher. It was a masterful set of astute, costeffective moves that supplemented a strong core and turned the Pirates into one of the very best teams in baseball. But bargain shopping can only get you so far, and for so long. Regardless of the past few offseasons, Cervellis and Volquezes don’t pop up frequently. With a few strong acquisitions, the Pirates had a chance to turn themselves into the arguable front-runner in the National League. But again, outside of reliever Joakim Soria, the Pirates went scraping at the bottom of the barrel. In those seedy depths, they found Aramis Ramirez, Michael Morse, Joe Blanton and J.A. Happ. Happ, after struggling with the Toronto Blue Jays, turned into the lone difference maker as a strong mid-rotation

starter, while the other three provided little more than extra arms and bats. Unsurprisingly, the Pirates got stuck in a wild-card matchup and lost. Now, this offseason, the Pirates sit in a situation much like the 2015 trade deadline. The same core players are there. The Pirates just need to bolster the supporting cast. These acquisitions aren’t beyond the Pirates’s price range or trading abilities, particularly with the lack of big contracts in their books. They don’t need to acquire A-list, elite players — most of those guys are already off the free agent market anyway. Second-tier players are perfectly fine, as the Pirates already have top-tier contributors. The Pirates should aim for players like starting pitcher Scott Kazmir or utility man Daniel Murphy — impact signings that will come at a cost but won’t break the bank. And if they can’t sign them, the team’s consensus top-10 farm system provides plenty of prospects to acquire these players in trades. But standing pat isn’t a viable option. The resources are there to turn this team into a World Series champion. It’s time for the Pirate’s management to start looking in greener pastures for players, not the dumpsters.

December 9, 2015

Basketball, pg. 9 some struggles early, but found her rhythm tonight.” But as the quarter waned on, Pitt struggled with turnovers, a problem that has plagued them for much of the early season. As the Mountaineers’ defense instituted a full court press, Panther ball handlers found a propensity for throwing the ball away, and Pitt wound up turning the ball over 10 times in the first half. Nevertheless, the Panthers kept finding easy buckets at the rim, taking a 40-24 lead into the halftime break. The second half started much slower for the Panthers, but the game plan remained the same as a frustrating defense led to some early scoring opportunities. After a pair of buckets though, the scoring began to tilt in the Mountaineers’ favor, as they connected on five of six field goals during a four minute span of the third quarter, cutting the Panthers’ lead to 13 before forcing McConnell-Serio to call a timeout. The timeout seemed to give the Panthers See Basketball on page 10

Basketball, pg. 9 a necessary spark, as they added a quick six points out of the break, three of which came on another connection from beyond the arc by Potvin. Although only forcing four turnovers in the third quarter, Pitt maintained and added to its lead from the first half, finishing the quarter up 56-38. Taking an 18-point lead into the fourth quarter, Pitt avoided any letdowns by continuing its efficient efforts on the offensive end, while trading baskets with the Mountaineers. Improving on their shooting performance from last time out, the Panthers finished the game shooting 47 percent from the field, including 36 percent from beyond the arc. Despite a brief run from the Mountaineers in the middle of the fourth quarter, the Panthers victory was never in jeopardy, as they continued to get easy scoring chances

around the basket. “There was a focus on our post players running the floor hard, and our guards running the floor and being able to advance the ball and attack them inside with dribble penetration and ball movement,” McConnell-Serio said about the Panthers’ improved offensive performance. Starters Walters and Carey led Pitt offensively, as they poured in 17 and 14 points respectively, while Potvin added 11 points off the bench. “It most definitely felt good, it’s been awhile since we shot well from the 3-point line” said Potvin, who knocked down three shots from beyond the arc and gave Pitt a much needed scoring threat from the bench. “I think I bring a spark off the bench.” Pitt will play next when they travel to Princeton, New Jersey, to take on the Princeton University Tigers on Dec. 12.

The Pitt News SuDoku 12/9/15 courtesy of dailysudoku.com

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December 9, 2015

I Rentals & Sublet N D E X -NORTH OAKLAND -SOUTH OAKLAND -SHADYSIDE -SQUIRREL HILL -SOUTHSIDE -NORTHSIDE -BLOOMFIELD -ROOMMATES -OTHER

3 & 4 bedroom apartments. Available immediately. Newly remodeled. Air conditioning. Bigelow Blvd., N. Neville St. Call 412-287-5712 August 2016. Furnished 5 bedroom house in North Oakland. Remodeled. Close walk to University of Pittsburgh, Shuttle. Utilities included. AC/washer/dryer. Contact: rentalschool22@gmail.com, 412-9538820.

Furnished bedroom available. Walk to Pitt. Available immediately. $500/mo. All utilities included. rentalschool22@gmail.com. 412-9538820.

**AUGUST 2016: Furnished Studio, 1-2-3-4 Bedroom Apts. No pets. Non-smokers preferred. 412-621-0457 1-2-3-4-5 Bedroom Houses & Apartments. 376 Meyran, 343 McKee, & Atwood, St. James, Bates St. $1,095-$2,000. Call 412-969-2790 2 & 3 bedroom houses, Lawn & Ophelia. Available Now. Please call 412287-5712.

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Employment

-CHILDCARE -FOOD SERVICES -UNIVERSITY -INTERNSHIPS -RESEARCH STUDIES -VOLUNTEERING -OTHER

Classifieds

For Sale

-AUTO -BIKES -BOOKS -MERCHANDISE -FURNITURE -REAL ESTATE -TICKETS

1,2,3,5,6,7, & 8 bedroom houses. August & May 2016. Bouquet, Atwood, Meyran, Ward. Call 412-287-5712. 2-3-4 bedroom South Oakland apartments for rent. For more information or to schedule a viewing, please call 412-849-8694.

2-3-4-5-6-7 bedroom apartments and houses available in May and August 2016. Nice, clean, free laundry, includes exterior maintenance, new appliances, spacious, located on Meyran, Semple, Wellsford, Dawson, Juliet. 412-414-9629. 3444 WARD ST. Studio, 1-2-3 BR apartments available Aug. 1, 2016. Free parking, free heating. 320 S. BOUQUET 2BR, great location, move in May 1, 2016. 416 OAKLAND AVE. - 2BR, hardwood floors. Move in May 1 or Aug. 1, 2016. Call 412-361-2695. No evening calls please.

3BR apartment available for Spring semester. Central air, dishwasher, great location and discounted price. 412-915-0856

Services

-EDUCATIONAL -TRAVEL -HEALTH -PARKING -INSURANCE

4 BR townhouse, Semple St., available May 1st & August 1st, 2016. Equipped kitchen, full basement. 412-343-4289. Call after 5:00 pm.

6, 7, or 8-bedroom house. Washer & dryer available. NO PETS. Available August 1, 2016. One year lease. Meyran Ave. 5 minute walk to University of Pittsburgh. 412-983-5222. Brand new, completely renovated 5 BR, 2 full bath house. All appliances including washer and dryer are brand new and included. Too many features to list. Close to Magee Women’s Hospital. On Pitt shuttle and PAT bus lines. 10 minute walk to Univ. of Pittsburgh. $2500/mo. 412-983-0400

Clean, Newly Remodeled Houses and Apartments. 1-9 Bedrooms. Call 412-680-4244 or email s.cusick@comcast.net www.superiorpropertiesgroup.com. John CR Kelly Realty has 1-2-3-4 bedroom studio apartments available for rent for Fall 2016. Call 412683-7300 to make an appointment today! Nice 6BR house available Aug. 1, 2016. Laundry on site. To make an appointment call 412-812-9382.

Announcements -ADOPTION -EVENTS -LOST AND FOUND -STUDENT GROUPS -WANTED -OTHER

Renovated Large Three Bedroom Townhome for Rent. Available January 2016. The kitchen features frost free refrigerator with automatic ice maker, fullsize range, self-cleaning oven, dishwasher, garbage disposal and microwave. The bath has been completely updated. All floor coverings and window treatments are brand new. Your own washer and dryer are included. On University of Pittsburgh shuttle and PAT bus lines. Two blocks to Magee Women’s Hospital. $1,275/mo, contact 724-422-2250.

Looking for male sublet for spring semester. 367 Atwood St. Apt 1. $600/month. Washer/Dryer. Parking spot available. Clean and quiet roommate. Please call Patrick at 412-780-6777.

Various 1-bedroom apartments on Meyran, Pier & Ward Streets. Starting from $675-$795. Available August 2016. Call John CR Kelly Realty. 412-682-7300

Large 1-2-3 BR apartments available August 1st. 3450 Ward Street. 312 and 314 South Bouquet Street. Free parking. Minutes to campus. Cat friendly. Call 412977-0111.

R INSERTIONS 1X 2X 3X 4X 5X 6X ADDITIONAL A 1-15 WORDS $6.30 $11.90 $17.30 $22.00 $27.00 $30.20 $5.00 T 16-30 WORDS $7.50 $14.20 $20.00 $25.00 $29.10 $32.30 $5.40 E S DEADLINE: TWO BUSINESS DAYS PRIOR BY 3 PM | EMAIL: ADVERTISING@PITTNEWS.COM | PHONE: 412.648.7978 (EACH ADDITIONAL WORD: $0.10)

House for RentJuliet Street. Available January 2016. Big 3-bedroom, 2story house 1.5 bath, fully-equipped eatin kitchen/appliances/new refrigerator, living, dining room, 2 porches, full basement, laundry/ storage, parking on premises, super clean, move-in condition. Near universities/hospitals/bus. $1700+. 412-337-3151 Apartments for rent beginning August 2016. A/C, dishwasher, washer/dryer. 412-915-0856 Various 2-bedroom apartments on Meyran, Halket, Fifth, Ward & Bates Streets. Starting from $995-$1,675. Available in August 2016. Call John CR Kelly Realty. 412-683-7300. Various 3&4 bedroom apartments on Bates, Atwood, Semple & Meyran Streets. Starting from $1,675- $2,600. Now renting for Fall 2016. Call John CR Kelly Realty. 412-683-7300. 2 BR apartment, newly painted, hardwood floors, appliances. Rent includes all utilities. $750/mo. 412-4987355

December 9, 2015

3 & 5 bedroom. May 2016. Sarah St. Large bedroom, new kitchen, air conditioning, washer & dryer, dishwasher, large deck. 412-287-5712.

ATTENTION OCCASIONAL SMOKERS! UPMC seeks healthy adults ages 18-65 who occasionally smoke cigarettes. This research is examining how smokers respond to cigarettes that are low in nicotine. There are up to seven sessions lasting about three hours each. Research participants completing the study will be compensated up to $60 per session, or $20 per hour. For more information, call 412-246-5393 or visit www.SmokingStudies.pitt.edu

College or graduate school students needed to work with elementary school children in a fun, structured after school program in the South Hills. $11-$13 per hour, flexible hours, must have own transportation. Email resume or letter of interest to jhroberts66@comcast.net

SEASONAL MARKETING ASSISTANT Shadyside property management firm established in 1960 neeeds two Seasonal Marketing Assistants to work with Word, internet, & spreadsheet files from approximately December 15th to July 15th, four days/week from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Saturday and/or Sunday hours a must; some flexibility on days and hours will be considered; most hours will be solitary on the computer with no phone work; 40 WPM and strong computer skills required; no experience needed & we will train you at our Shadyside office; free parking. $12/hour plus generous season end bonus. MOZART MANAGEMENT www.mozartrents .com 412-682-7003

OFFFICE INTERN Shadyside Management Company seeks person w/ min 3 yrs. college, for upcoming spring semester, to interview & process rental applications, do internet postings & help staff our action-central office. Part time or full time OK starting January 2; full time in summer. $12/hour. Perfect job for graduating seniors set to enter grad school, returning grad students, and first-year law students! Mozart Management 412.682.7003. thane@mozartrents.com

Medical and Heart Care, Students Welcome, Private Oakland Office, Craig Street, Dean Kross, MD, 412-687-7666

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December 9, 2015