The Pitt News
The independent student newspaper of the University of Pittsburgh | PIttnews.com | september 20, 2017 | Volume 108 | Issue 28
Subjects for a day
QUIERES BAILAR?
Pitt students participate in studies for money Anandhini Narayanan Staff Writer
In the second semester of her senior year, Aditi Kumar said her intensive 21-credit schedule forced her to quit her job — leaving her without a source of income. “This was the the first time I found myself without a job,” Kumar, a 2017 graduate in sociology at Pitt, said. “I like to be independent, so I needed a way to make money that also fit into my schedule.” To solve her income problem, Kumar went to the Pitt+Me website. Run by Pitt’s Clinical and Translational Science Institute, the site is a database where volunteers can connect with researchers to participate in research studies and clinical trials. Kumar had no pre-existing conditions, did not take any medication and was within the 18-25 age range, making her — along with many other Pitt students — eligible for many studies that pay participants. In return for compensation — either financial or extra credit for courses — volunteers’ participation can possibly contribute to important health discoveries at the University. After registering online, Kumar participated in studies with subjects ranging from sleep disorders to alcoholism, since these fit in her schedule well and were readily available. She said See Study on page 2
The Salsa Club holds a team practice in the William Pitt Union Tuesday night. Evan Meng STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
SGB COMMENDS STUDENT COUNTER PROTESTERS Madeline Gavatorta For The Pitt News
Taking the platform in Nordy’s Place Tuesday night, Student Government Board President Max Kneis started with a statement about Monday’s protest outside of Litchfield Towers. “Intolerance and bigotry have no place here at Pitt,” Kneis said. He said SGB supported and approved of the “brave students” who came out to counter protest the bigoted statements made by the outside group.
“It was great to see the sense of community we have at Pitt,” Kneis said. SGB expanded on their calls for Pitt and elected officials to support DACA and Pitt state funding, putting last week’s informal calls into official resolutions. SGB approved Resolution B.R.2017.02, which called for the University to continue to support DACA — an Obama executive order that protected young undocumented immigrants brought to the United States by their parents. The Trump administration indicated they would rescind the order Sept. 5, leading Chan-
cellor Patrick Gallagher to tweet his support for DACA students at Pitt. “Whereas, every student at the University of Pittsburgh, and across the world, deserves the right to freely pursue higher education without fear for their safety or wellbeing,” the resolution reads. SGB also approved Resolution B.R.2017.03, which addressed the impasse in the state government holding up Pitt’s state funding. The resolution noted the economic benefits Pitt has on See SGB on page 2