In the News

From the article:

An inability of faculty union bargaining unit members and administration officials to meet together and discuss certain issues in Senate committees while contract negotiations continue is ruffling feathers among students and staff who remain on the committees, which some say are now rendered ineffective.

That was the sentiment expressed by Anna Yatsko — a junior who has represented the College of General Studies on the Budget Policies Committee since August — at the Jan. 26 Senate Council meeting.

“In my individual duties as a representative of the (CGS) Student Government, I’m also concerned with the issues that are going on regarding the stagnation of these committees, namely the Budget Policies committee, which I sit on, and I’m left as one of the only remaining members who can function on that committee,” she said. “In my personal capacity, … outside of my student government position, I would urge the University to reverse course and work with the individuals who have been on these committees for so long."

From the article: 

“Freedom of speech does not mean you get to throw explosive devices at anyone, including responding police officers,” [Chancellor] Gallagher said. “It does not mean you get to disrupt and light fires and close roads and deter patients from hospitals and all the other nonsense that we saw on Tuesday night.” 

Anna Yatsko, a College of General Studies Student Government Board board member, said she felt the concerns of protesters were delegitimized by a focus on condemning violence — violence which she said did not represent the majority of the Pitt community.  

“For everyone who was horrified, scared or threatened by the violence this week, I am so sorry and my heart is with you, but I cannot stand here and watch the hurt and pain of students being dismissed simply because violence erupted that the majority of students were not a part of,” Yatsko said. “Their hurt and suffering and feelings of betrayal by the University are valid.”