Over 250 University of Pittsburgh staff, faculty, alumni, students and friends woke before dawn on Tuesday, March 21 to make the journey to the state Capitol for the 2017 Pitt Day in Harrisburg. Attendees met with their respective state senators and representatives, legislative aides, and officials from the governors office. Tours of the Capitol, graduate student research poster presentations, lunch and snacks were sprinkled in throughout the day. The afternoon was capped by remarks from Chancellor Gallagher, a reception in the Capitol rotunda, and much mixing and mingling.
In addition to directly advocating for continued and increased state support for Pitt, the day provides a terrific opportunity to showcase what makes the University great - it's people. With Governor Wolf's proposed budget holding funding for state-related universities at a flat rate for the upcoming fiscal year, attendees took full advantage of the opportunity to influence state lawmakers by conveying their University of Pittsburgh story.
The event is a wonderful way to advocate for the University, the work of our many departments and units, and the Pittsburgh community. It also provides an excellent opportunity to network with your peers from all five campuses, so make 2018 the year you attend!
Visit the Alumni Association for pictures from the day, and check out some Staff Council photos below.
Staff Council Spotlight: University Senate Council March Report
Staff Council President Rich Colwell has the responsibility of reporting to the University Senate Council on behalf of Staff Council membership. These meetings of University leadership are open to the University community. In the spirit of transparency and inclusion, we'll begin sharing his report in the monthly newsletter.
Report dated March 22, 2017
We would first like to acknowledge the passing of a previous Staff Association Council president, Deborah Walker. She passed away suddenly last month. She was a leader, colleague, and friend. Deborah will be missed.
We would like to thank our administrator Mariah Dickert. She was hired as a temporary employee, but has been hired as a full-time Pitt staff member as an administrator for All-Temps. We wish her the best. Our new administrator Kaitlyn Miller starts March 27. Mariah will continue to help us during the transition. You can still use sac@pitt.edu to reach out to us.
Several Staff Association Council members and many more staff spent the day in Harrisburg yesterday sharing our Pitt stories with elected officials. Staff truly are invested in the stability and success of the University of Pittsburgh. We would like to thank all of the hard work done by the Alumni Association and Pitt Advocates to organize the day.
Our Brown Bag titled “Self Advocacy: How to Navigate the Annual Review Process at Pitt” had a full house in the Ballroom. We want to thank Maureen Lazar of Organizational Development for her presentation. Staff are eager to improve communications with their supervisors and we look forward to an improvement of the review process.
Cheryl Johnson and her Human Resources team are endeavoring on a comprehensive review of compensation, job classifications, and career development for staff at the University called Total Rewards.They have asked for 2 Staff Association Council members to participate in the appraisal process. We have appointed Jessica Tebbets of Orthopedic Surgery and Adriana Maguina-Ugarte of Anthropology.
We have several events planned for the personal enrichment of Staff and the University community. Details about all of the events can be found at sac.pitt.edu.
Tomorrow, we are hosting a Brown Bag on Leadership at Noon in the William Pitt Union. Jim Earle, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Business, will present a version of his COLE Leadership seminar. Jim works with leaders to help them become more effective and their organizations more energized. We are excited that he will share his knowledge and expertise with established and emerging leaders alike.
On April 18, our own E.J. Milarski of Institutional Advancement is organizing a panel discussion about Women in the Workplace to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Details about this event are forthcoming.
We have set a date for our annual Staff Spring Assembly. It will be Tuesday, May 23 from Noon to 4pm in the William Pitt Union. The theme is based on celebrating the diversity of staff. Vice Chancellor Pam Connelly has accepted an invitation to speak at the event. We have several interesting breakout sessions being planned.
We will also be distributing our first Staff Professional Development Awards in honor of Ron Frisch. The applications and further details for the award are available on our website, sac.pitt.edu, through Friday, April 7. All Pitt staff are eligible to apply.
This concludes the report.
Pitt Hires First Female Athletic Director
The Staff Association Council welcomes Heath Lyke to the University of Pittsburgh community and commends the University in it's decision to appoint "the first woman to hold the full-time athletic director post. Pitt appointed its first A.D.[...]106 years ago."
Athletic Director Heather Lyke has served as Vice President and Director of Athletics at Eastern Michigan since 2013, prior to which she served as a senior administrator in the Ohio State University Athletic Department for 15 years.
Read more about A.D. Lyke's 22 year career, champion student-athlete days, and the family she brings to the Pitt community.
Faculty and Staff Development Spring 2017 Schedule Now Available
The Spring 2017 Faculty and Staff Development Program schedule is now available and registration is open! With over 60 courses, including four certificate programs, the Faculty and Staff Development Program offers numerous workshops to grow the career skills and personal development of University of Pittsburgh faculty and staff.
To see the spring schedule of workshops, including the new Administrative Professional Certificate Program, please visit theFSDP website.
Bus Rapid Transit Open Forums
While the Oakland community has certainly heard murmurs about a potential Bus Rapid Transit plan between Downtown and Oakland, details have been sparse. However, that may be about to change.
Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto and Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald officially announced a singular BRT proposal effort on Thursday, March 9, which would not only address transportation issues but also "neighborhood renewal, traffic management, bike lanes, air pollution, and storm water management" according to the Pittsburgh Post Gazette.
As a result, Allegheny County, The City of Pittsburgh and Port Authority are holding a series of open public meetings on the following dates:
Wednesday April 5, 12pm-2pm, Alumni Hall Oakland
Wednesday April 5, 4pm-7pm, Alumni Hall Oakland
For information on the proposed routes, the meetings, and to take a survey concerning BRT, please visit the Port Authority.
Pitt Cycling Forum April 4
The University of Pittsburgh Parking Office has announced it's Spring Pitt Cycling Forum to be held on Tuesday, April 4 in William Pitt Union room 548. The forum will provide an informal space for discussions concerning biking on our campus and throughout the city.
Staff, faculty, and students of all ages and skill levels are encouraged to attend! Please RSVP here, where you can also visit the the Facebook event page for more information.
Please contact Gina Gowins, Alternative Transportation Coordinator, at with questions.
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ALERTLINE
The University of Pittsburgh sponsors a hotline allowing employees to report irregular or troublesome workplace issues in order to better ensure that we all maintain a safe and ethical work environment.
Alertline is available to all full and part-time faculty, staff, and research associates and employees are given the option of remaining anonymous.
Alertline can be used via telephone at 1-866-858-4456 or online at pitt.alertline.com.
Pitt Sustainability Survey
The University of Pittsburgh Sustainability Committee is kicking off its first-ever sustainability plan – and they need YOUR input! Please take five minutes and complete the short survey linked below. The Sustainability Committee will use the results (confidential) to understand current perceptions, behaviors, and future aspirations for sustainability at Pitt. The survey is open from now until April 7; the results will be posted at sustainable.pitt.edu.
As a thank you all respondents will have a chance to receive one of five $50 gift cards to the University Store on Fifth!
Year of Diversity Programming: Ethical Issues in Caring for Diverse Patient Populations
The 26th Annual Medical Ethics Conference will be held Friday, March 31, 2017 between 8:00 am – 4:30 pm in the 11th Floor Conference Center of Scaife Hall University of Pittsburgh Campus. All are welcome.
Talks focused on caring for addicted patients, elderly patients, incarcerated patients, and transgender patients, as well as patients living with violence, patients with autism, and patients who are immigrants.
Discussion of advance care planning, behavioral emergencies, palliative care, policy development, and unconscious bias in healthcare.
Continuing education credit is available in law, medicine & dental medicine, nursing, and social work
Lectures by local and national speakers, panels, small group discussion, and case studies
Designed for students and faculty in the health sciences, humanities, social sciences, and law, as well as members of the public
Center for Health Equity, School of Public Health of the University of Pittsburgh
Consortium Ethics Program, Center for Bioethics & Health Law, University of Pittsburgh
Global Studies Center, University Center for International Studies
Section of Palliative Care and Medical Ethics of the Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh
Schools of Dental Medicine, Law, Medicine, Nursing, and Social Work of the University of Pittsburgh
School of Medicine Center for Continuing Education in the Health Sciences, University of Pittsburgh
Year of Diversity of the University of Pittsburgh
NEW: GIS Support in Hillman Library
The Digital Scholarship Commons in Hillman Library recently announced support for patrons interested in cultivating and working with GIS (Geographic Information Systems). Graduate students facilitating the work lab will be available for drop-in consults during scheduled hours as well as for appointments. For details, please visit the ULS GIS service page.
The GIS Work Lab @ Hillman is open to students, faculty, staff and others who may be interested. The Digital Scholarship Commons hopes to cultivate a space where GIS users can work with spatial software such as ArcGIS, QGis, interact with other users, and do so in a supported environment.
To ask a question about GIS or spatial information at other times, please start with the library's Ask Us email form.
Technology Spotlight: Enhance Your Computer Skills
Computing Services and Systems Development (CSSD), the central IT organization for the University of Pittsburgh, provides innovative information technology services to support learning, teaching, research, and business functions. Learn more about the services available to you as a Pitt staff member.
Enhance Your Computer Skills
Take advantage of hands-on technology training on campus. Register for upcoming workshops that are free of charge as part of the Faculty and Staff Development Program. Several workshops are available in this spring including basic and advanced training for Microsoft Excel as well as Quick Start classes for Office 2013.
As a reminder, Pitt staff have free and unlimited access to online training with http://lynda.pitt.edu. Learn Web design, photography, animation, and more. Learn a new skill, start a hobby, develop your career path, and set personal goals. Earn certificates of completion and keep learning with recommended courses. The possibilities are limitless!
Direct Text & Email Notifications from SAC
Sign up for text and email notifications directly from SAC by logging into the my.pitt.edu portal, click on "Profile", then "Pitt Text Message Updates", then check the box next to Staff Association Council. You can also text "SACatPitt <your username>" to the number 41411. We will share news and events through this portal. This is yet another great way to stay in touch with the Staff Association Council.
Mariah Dickert is the Recruitment and Client Services-All Temps Administrator. She supports the All Temps department who staff temporary positions across the University. She is now a full-time Pitt staff member!
Her involvement with SAC: Mariah was the Administrator for SAC. In her role a temporary employee, she oversaw the functions of the organization and insured that SAC completed any outstanding action items and initiatives.
What does she like most about SAC? Mariah says, “I like how the SAC is always looking out for how they can better the University community for staff.”
Fun Facts about Mariah: She says, “I enjoy photography and organizing anything I can get my hands on!”
SAC thanks Mariah for all of her hard work and contributions to the organization!
Stellar Staff!
2016-2017 Blackboard Exemplary Course Program Winners Announced
Katrina Loutzenhiser, technology and media services director for the School of Education, was named a winner of Blackboard Inc.’s 2016-17 Exemplary Course Program award for her course "Introduction to Online Instruction."
Blackboard Inc., is a leading education technology company for teaching, learning and student engagement. The biannual awards program recognizes faculty and course designers from schools, colleges, and universities around the world who develop engaging and innovative courses that represent the very best in technology and learning. Katrina joins five other peers from across the nation in receiving the award.
The University of Pittsburgh recognizes the uncertainty with recent developments in immigration/deportation policy and the impact this may have on faculty and staff. Tom Koloc, from LifeSolutions, the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program, will be facilitating a workshop on managing stress and fostering personal resilience to help to equip participants with tools for self-care.
When: Thursday March 30, 2017 12pm -1:00 pm
Where: William Pitt Union –Ballroom
The session will focus on :
Adopting thought patterns that reinforce positive coping
Practicing mindful breathing and awareness
Identifying issues that are in our control when choosing a plan of action
There will be a list of University resources available for participants that have specific questions about immigration issues. You can reach LifeSolutions at 1-866-647-3432 with questions about the event
Center for Creativity Announces April Programming
April 6: NEW Collider event, being held in the Hillman Digital Commons space, not in the C4C bookstore space.
April 17: A de-stress art workshop just in time for finals prep
April 18: A book launch for Babs Carryer (Innovation Institute)
TIAA CREF will discuss the financial tools they offer to help you plan for retirement. Bring your lunch and questions. Remember, it’s never too early to plan ahead!
Mark your calendars! The 3rd Annual Staff and Faculty Picnic is taking place on Wednesday, May 3rd. Save the Date and watch for more details regarding this fun filled day coming soon!
This map is accessible on a desktop computer or mobile phone, and provides information about several bicycle amenities on campus, including:
Covered Bike Racks
Uncovered Bike Racks
Bike Lockers
Fix It Stations
Bike Lanes
Bike-Friendly Roads
The Parking Services Office
Need to find your way to a rack or Fix-It station on campus? Users of the map can get directions through Google from their current location to any bike resource on campus by clicking the Get Directions link.
Pitt Day in Harrisburg attendees chat during the bus ride east. Photo credit: University of Pittsburgh Alumni Association.
Pitt Panthers refuel in between canvassing the offices of state legislators. Photo credit: University of Pittsburgh Alumni Association
Kenny Donaldson, Director of Regional Clubs for the Alumni Association and Pitt Day mastermind, speaks to the crowd. Photo credit: University of Pittsburgh Alumni Association
The Capitol dome within the rotunda. Photo credit: Jenny Crytzer.
Attendees enjoy the Chancellor's reception in the Capitol rotunda before boarding the buses back to the 'Burgh! Photo credit: University of Pittsburgh Alumni Association
Do you have an interesting perspective of one of Pitt's five campuses?
Send your Pitt Pics to sac@pitt.edu!
All University of Pittsburgh staff members in good standing are invited to become members of the Staff Association Council. Please contact usif you have interest in becoming a member of the Staff Association Council.
Peter Adams – Critical Care Medicine Marissa Arlet - Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee Tammeka Banks - Office of Research Susan Benton - Division of Laboratory Animal Resources Barbara Bowers - Anesthesiology Jeffery Bowser - Auxiliary Administration Yvonne Brewster - Surgery Mario Browne - SVC Health Sciences Camille Burgess - College of Business Administration Lucy Cafeo - Biomedical Informatics Angela Coldren - Research Conduct and Compliance Office Rich Colwell - Swanson School of Engineering/IT Tricia Connell - Office of Institutional Advancement Monica Costlow - Biostatistics/Comparative Effectiveness Research Core Jennifer Crytzer - Institutional Advancement Allyson Delnore – UCIS Karen Dicks - Department of Computer Science Kenny Doty - Swanson School of Engineering/IT Deborah Downey - Falk Library of the Health Sciences Rick Fabean - Pharmacy Ric Fera - Education Technology and Innovation Diane Fleishman - Continuing Dental Education Kathleen Hansell-Prigg – Systems Neuroscience Institute Tami Haslett – Printing Services George Harvey - Industrial Engineering Nicole Hudson – Katz Graduate School of Business Robyne Ivory - University Library System Technical Services Christine Jackson - Occupational Therapy Samantha Jakiel – School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Corey James – School of Information Sciences Sara Jones – Office of International Services Lisa Joseph - Collections Michele Kiraly - CSSD Hillary Koller - College of Business Administration Career Services Robert Kornosky Jr. – SHRS – Sports Medicine and Nutrition Suzanne Kroll - Division of Student Affairs Michael Laughlin - Fiscal Services Marsha Lee – University Times Monika Losagio – Languages and Classics Staff Support Team Adriana Maguina-Ugarte - Center for Comparative Archaeology/Anthropology Nicholas Mance - Bioengineering Meg Mayer-Costa - Student Health Service Jonah McAllister-Erickson - University Library Services/Admin Caitlin Mathis - Electrical & Computer Engineering Maura McCall – Nursing/Center for Research and Evaluation Rocco Mercurio – Epidemiology EJ Milarski – Alumni Relations – IA Celeste Marie Misho– CSSD Babs Mowery - A&S Advising Center Emily O'Donnell - SHRS Sports Medicine & Nutrition Beth Ann Pischke - School of Law Brian Pasquini – CSSD Beth Anne Pischke – School of Law Matthew Richardson – Cross Cultural & Leadership Development Pamela Rikstad - Swanson School of Engineering, Office of the Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Lindsay Rodzwicz - Bioengineering Fiona Seels - School of Education -Technology Department Karen Sellitto – School of Nursing Brian Smith - McGowan Institute Nancy Spice - School of Pharmacy Andy Stephany - Medicine/Research Administration Clayton Steup - Medicine/Physician Scientist Training Program Barbara Stolarz – Office of Child Development, School of Education Daniel Stump - School of Nursing - Health and Community Systems Scott Szypulski – School of Medicine – Critical Care Peng Tang - Research/Cost Accounting Tiwanda Taylor - College of Business Administration Jessica Tebbets - Medicine-Orthopaedic Surgery Alex Toner - ULS - Archives Service Center Michele Tschannen - Pitt Program Council Megan Victorson - Student Affairs - Residence Life Michael Wahl - School of Dental Medicine Office of the Dean Debora Whitfield - Dental Medicine, Office of Patient Services
