ISSUE 4: October 9, 2020
Lecture spotlight: Hispanic business in Pittsburgh; 'Weaponized Whiteness'; 'Data and University Life'
ALL EVENTS ARE VIRTUAL UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED
The State of Hispanic/Latinx Business in the Pittsburgh Region, a panel discussion sponsored by the University Library System
Noon-1 p.m. Oct. 13
Hispanic businesses are the fastest growing segment of the U.S. economy, with 3.2 million enterprises contributing $486 billion dollars annually to the economy, according to the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. This event will feature service providers that support Hispanic/Latinx businesses, Pitt and city officials, and local entrepreneurs discussing the current climate, trends, and opportunities for the Pittsburgh region's Hispanic-owned business community. Registration required through University calendar.
"Aging Nationally in Contemporary Poland: Memory, Kinship, and Personhood," with Jessica Robbins, assistant professor of Anthropology, Wayne State University
2 p.m. Oct. 14
This event is part of the Area Studies Showcase Lecture Series: Russia, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia, presented by the 2018-2021 U.S. Department of Education Title VI National Resource Center and Foreign Language and Area Studies grant recipients for Russia, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia. Register here.
"Weaponized Whiteness: Past Terrors, Present Predicaments," with Fran Shor, professor emeritus of History at Wayne State University
Fran Shor interrogates the meanings and implications of white supremacy and, more specifically, white identity politics from historical and sociological perspectives. By analyzing the constructions and deconstructions of white identity politics throughout U.S. history and up through the present, these collected essays provide insight into the deep roots and resonances of white identity politics and the challenges that have emerged, in particular, since the 1960s. Register here.
Annual Israel Heritage Room Lecture: "The Making of Shtisel," with Yehonatan Indursky
Award-winning writer and director, Yehonatan Indursky is a graduate of the elite ultra-Orthodox Ponevezh Yeshiva, and later a top alum of the Jerusalem Sam Spiegel Film School. He wrote and created, with Ori Elon, the esteemed drama series Shtisel, which won 17 Israeli Academy of Television awards. The series is currently an international hit on Netflix. Register here.
"Data and University Life," with Lisa S. Parker, Center for Bioethics and Health Law
12:30-2 p.m. Oct. 22
This discussion sponsored by the Humanities Center will kick-off a two-part, two-year transdisciplinary examination of the collection and use of data in higher education. The initial focus will be on the collection, protection and use of data in COVID-19-related risk reduction efforts to reopen universities, e.g. testing and contact tracing, and Zoom/classroom recording. The second focus will be the use of data and predictive analytics in higher education to recruit, retain, track and advise students — personalized education — and to guide resource allocation decisions within universities. All of these uses of data raise questions of governance, transparency, privacy and potential unintended consequences, as well as foundational questions about the social roles and goals of university education. The Oct. 22 discussion will introduce this project and seek participants' ideas about what concerns, questions, priorities, stakeholders, and collaborators should shape the project. Join the discussion through the University calendar.
2020 Sheth Awardees make their mark internationally
Bigelow Boulevard crosswalk, WPU grounds set to reopen on Oct. 24
Faculty Assembly approves intellectual property, anti-Black racism course proposals
Faculty-led committees on tenure and promotion to get pilot in the spring
Honors College building 'Horror Genre as Social Force' scholar community
IT making progress on access problems to Pitt's network in UPMC buildings
More than 50 faculty retire under incentive program
Pitt gets high marks for voter participation among universities
Pitt Innovation Challenge finalist showcase moves online
Pitt tests 75 percent of Litchfield Tower residents after increase in COVID-19 cases
Pitt will allow up to 5,500 fans at final 2 home games
Pitt–Titusville receives $1.2 million grant from U.S. Department of Labor
Pitt's pandemic heroes: Ristow had to train student tutors to work online
Publishing clearinghouse: Events with Daniel Krauss, Kate Wisel and Mabel Wilson
Register now for fall Faculty and Staff Development courses
SENATE MATTERS: Lessons from the IP Policy process
Spring semester start pushed back to Jan. 19
TIAA fees going down, Benefits Committee told
TIAA to host Pitt-exclusive webinar on retirement income planning
Two-year Middle States accreditation process begins