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The University of Pittsburgh is a co-educational, state-related, public research university. Founded in a log cabin near the confluence of Pittsburgh’s three rives in 1787, it is the oldest institution of higher learning west of the Allegheny Mountains and has grown to international prominence in the succeeding 213 years.
The University of Pittsburgh is the most comprehensive educational complex in the tri-state area, enrolling more than 32,000 students and employing approximately 9,500 faculty and staff. Pitt is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU), an organization comprised of eminent North American research institutions.
| As an international institution with strong local roots, Pitt fulfills a three-pronged mission of education, research, and public service. With its 132-acre main campus located in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh, it serves western Pennsylvania with regional campuses in Bradford, Greensburg, Johnstown, and Titusville. Among the more than 90 academic, research and administrative buildings located at the main campus is the 42 story Cathedral of Learning, which is one of the tallest academic buildings in the world. | |
The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center has achieved international prominence through pioneering efforts in human organ transplantation, including heart, liver and kidney. The University’s schools of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Medicine, Pharmacy and Public Health have all attained national and international recognition, as have the School for Engineering, the Katz Graduate School of Business, Social Work, the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs and the School of Information Sciences. In addition, Pitt researchers have made substantial contributions to such diverse fields as anthropology, astronomy, computer science, bioengineering, psychology, and numerous other disciplines. With nearly $350 million in research funding in 2000, the University of Pittsburgh remains a vital contributor to economic and cultural growth in the region.
Numerous cultural and athletic events are sponsored by the University each year and are enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of area residents. These include musical and theatrical presentations, as well as 18 athletic programs. The University’s 31 libraries and special collections house over 3.7 million volumes, 3.6 million pieces of microfilms and nearly 26,000 subscriptions, making the University Library System one of the leading facilities of its kind in the nation.
As part of the University of Pittsburgh system, the School of Engineering plays a vital role in the educational, research and professional development of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In this capacity, the School has identified five (5) major thrust areas: Biotechnology, Mixed Signal Microsystems, Environment and Energy, Materials, and Manufacturing, which combine the School’s strengths in education and research.
The objectives of the School of Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh are: to provide an environment conducive to educating young men and women for the professional practice of engineering; to cultivate their capacity for creative and dynamic thinking; and to foster a desire to contribute to the culture and society in which they live. The engineering student is given an opportunity to develop an appreciation of the economic, humanistic and social elements of our culture, an understanding of basic engineering research methodologies, and a realization of the importance of formal graduate study and/or informal continuing education.
| The School of Engineering was chartered as a separate academic entity in 1856. In 1868, specialized degrees in civil and mechanical engineering were initiated, with mining engineering following in 1869, and electrical engineering in 1890. In 1909, the metallurgical engineering department was established, followed by the chemical engineering department in 1910. Also that year, one of the nation’s first undergraduate cooperative education programs was created. Pitt Engineering’s tradition of innovative programming resulted in the establishment of one of the nation’s first industrial engineering departments in 1921. |  |
Among the many prominent individuals associated with the early history of the School of Engineering were Samuel Pierpont Langley and Reginald A. Fessenden. Langley, who is credited with developing the engineering science and aerodynamics program during 24 years at Pitt, designed the first heavier than air craft capable of flight and greatly influenced the Wright brothers. Fessenden, brought to Pittsburgh by George Westinghouse as the first electrical engineering department head, obtained more than 300 patents. Through his pioneering studies with voice transmission, he is credited with being the “Father of Radio.” Fessenden made the first broadcast of the human voice in 1906.
In recent years, the School of Engineering has remained on the cutting edge of industry and the profession, while maintaining its blend of tradition and innovative educational programming. The close relationship between the School and the internationally renowned teaching and research hospitals of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, has resulted in the establishment of a new Bioengineering Department and the Center for Biotechnology and Bioengineering. In addition to the academic and research thrusts within its seven departments, the School also offers interdisciplinary degree programs in Engineering Physics, Computer Engineering, and Manufacturing Systems Engineering.
The University of Pittsburgh’s campus is located in the heart of the Oakland section of Pittsburgh. The City of Pittsburgh is a diverse, multi-faceted urban area that is divided into over 90 separate neighborhoods.
Downtown Pittsburgh has a flurry of activity during the business day, with many national corporations making the city their corporate headquarters. Among the skyscrapers and office buildings are several eye-catching architectural sights, including the glass castle of PPG Place and the over 60-story USX Tower. Downtown Pittsburgh also offers a host of shopping and cultural activities. Theatre, opera and musical performances are held throughout the year at the Benedum Center and Heinz Hall, among other city venues. The Pittsburgh Penguins host NHL teams at the Mellon Arena, which is also a popular site for music concerts and large events. The Strip District features ethnic delicacies and specialties in the Warehouse shops located there. The Strip District is well known for its nightlife and a number of popular bars and clubs. The Downtown Pittsburgh attractions are easily accessible by any 61 or 71 Port Authority Transit (PAT) city bus from the Oakland campus.
Pittsburgh’s East End encompasses the neighborhoods of Oakland, Shadyside, Squirrel Hill, and Bloomfield, among other communities. The East communities are alive with students, as the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon, Carlow College, and Chatham College are all located here. Oakland offers many student-oriented small shops and restaurants that are along Forbes and Fifth Avenues, the streets that border the main part of campus. It is also the main location of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center system. South Oakland features many small ethnic grocery stores and restaurants. The large number of apartments and houses for rent in Shadyside make it an ideal place of residence for many young professionals. Shadyside’s Walnut Street is a trendy shopping area with many upscale stores, and its restaurants and coffee houses are a popular venue. Squirrel Hill is a large family oriented community, with shopping and restaurants located along Murray Avenue. Its outskirts border Schenley Park, a popular outdoor recreation area for its residents and the students at the University. Bloomfield is often called “Pittsburgh’s Little Italy” because of all the restaurants along Liberty Avenue. This area also houses St. Francis Medical Center and the Western Pennsylvania Hospital.
West Pittsburgh encompasses a large residential area further outside Downtown. The Pittsburgh International Airport in Findlay Township offers a full service mall with restaurants for travelers entering and leaving the city. Not far from the airport, the Robinson Towne Centre is a large shopping center that offers a host of stores and a movie theater, and is accessible by the 28X Port Authority Transit (PAT) airport shuttle. The Post-Gazette Pavilion offers an amphitheater atmosphere and hosts many national musical acts during the warm months.
The North Side of Pittsburgh is a popular area for entertainment and shopping, as well as home to many of the city’s museums and athletic stadiums. The Andy Warhol Museum and the Mattress Factory are two museums that offer popular art installations. Athletic fans can catch a Pirates game at PNC Park, or see the Steelers or the Pittsburgh Panthers play football at the new football stadium.
The South Side of Pittsburgh is an eclectic mix of shopping and local pubs and clubs, as well as home to the best view of the City. East Carson Street stretches throughout the South Side and features a variety of bars and restaurants, as well as popular eclectic stores, such as a pop culture store featuring toys of the 1980’s and a store featuring books and products of the occult. Station Square is a popular shopping, dining, and entertainment area that is just a short “T” ride from downtown (the “T” is the city’s subway/trolley system). Mount Washington offers the best view of the City’s skyline, and is accessible by one of the famous inclines available on Carson Street, the Monongahela and Duquesne Inclines. Ride one up to the top of Mount Washington and you can see the entire city below you.
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A priority when you arrive in Pittsburgh will be locating a suitable, affordable apartment.
Although a number of students choose a home in Oakland, many others rent apartments in the
nearby neighborhoods of Squirrel Hill, Shadyside, Bloomfield, Friendship, East Liberty, or
Greenfield.
If you have not made other arrangements, it may be necessary for you to lodge at one of the several hotels in Oakland near campus while you conduct your search. |  |
| Hampton Inn 412-681-1000 |
Holiday Inn University Center 412-682-6200 |
Wyndham Garden Hotel 412-683-2340 |
There are several apartment rental companies located in Pittsburgh that have multiple units available. These companies are listed in the city Yellow Pages, and a sample of some of the larger, more common companies are listed below:
| Dimension Group 120 Three Degree Road Pittsburgh, PA 15237 412-369-0994 |
Greve & Company 308 McKee Place Pittsburgh, PA 15213 412-681-0102 |
H & P Associates 3817 Dawson Street Pittsburgh, PA 15213 412-682-1519 |
| John Kelly Realty 3535 Boulevard of the Allies Pittsburgh, PA 15213 412-683-7300 |
Oakland Village Realty 258 Atwood Street Pittsburgh, PA 15213 412-683-1200 |
University Apartments 342 S. Atlantic Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15232 412-661-8381 |
| AR Building Company 330 Melwood Avenue #2A Pittsburgh, PA 15213 412-621-7411 |
Meyers Management Co. 1823 Penn Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15221 412-243-7120 |
Tuckfelt & Associates 616 S. Millvale Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15224 412-621-4344 |
| Apartments Unlimited 2715A Murray Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15217 412-521-7838 |
Franklin West Agency 272 Shady Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15206 412-661-1151 |
Daniel-Elkind Agency 1831 Murray Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15217 412-421-7007 |
| Equity Real Estate 2029 Murray Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15217 412-422-9200/9203 |
Harris Realty 2214 Murray Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15217 412-521-5100 |
Mozart 515 S. Aiken Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15232 412-682-7000 |
| Lobos Management 5th Ave & S. Highland Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15206 412-441-1400 |
JJ Land Company 5738 Baum Boulevard Pittsburgh, PA 15217 412-363-1033 |
Northwood Realty 1935 Murray Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15213 412-521-5100 |
Apartment listings are also available from the Housing Resource Center of the University of Pittsburgh, 127 North Bellefield Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, (412-624-6998), http://www.pitt.edu/~property/pmhousing.html. The Resource Center has lists of apartments owned by the University, some of which are available for rent. The Center also maintains a matching service for students who are looking for roommates to share housing with. The same address houses the Office of Property Management (412-624-6901), which supervises and leases a number of University-owned apartments in Oakland and Shadyside.
Local newspapers also contain apartment listings, including the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pittsburgh City Paper, and the InPittsburgh Weekly, among others.
The Pittsburgh Area has a number of different places to shop, whether it is downtown or in a mall setting. Below are a few examples of where you can go shopping and bus route numbers to help you find your way with out a car.
Traveling downtown by a Port Authority Bus (PAT Bus) from Oakland, you can take ANY 61 or 71.
| Kaufmann’s Department Store 421-232-2000 |
Lord and Taylor Department Store 412-261-3000 |
| Lazarus Department Store 412-291-2200 |
Saks Fifth Avenue 412-263-4800 |
Traveling to malls by bus from Oakland, you can take University of Pittsburgh shuttles that run on Saturdays, or you can take a Port Authority Bus (PAT Bus) indicated in bold print below.
| Century III Mall (59U) 3075 Clairton Road West Mifflin, PA 412-653-1220 |
Ross Park Mall (12A) 1000 Ross Park Mall Drive North Hills 412-369-4400 |
| Monroeville Mall (67A) 412-373-1574 |
Grocery stores are located in virtually every community in the Pittsburgh Area. There are 3 large store chains: Giant Eagle, Foodland, Shop n’ Save. In the Oakland, Shadyside, and Squirrel Hill areas, Giant Eagle is most common. Below are 4 local grocery store locations with bus lines indicated in bold.
| Giant Eagle (Oakland) (71A/54C) 4612 Center Avenue 582-5526 |
Giant Eagle (East Liberty) (71A) 6320 Shakespeare Street 412-361-6220 |
| Giant Eagle (Squirrel Hill) (61C) 1901 Murray Avenue 412-421-8161 |
Giant Eagle (Shadyside) (71A) 5550 Centre Avenue 412-681-1500 |
Located approximately 23 miles from Oakland, the airport is a 30-minute drive from the University of Pittsburgh campus. Round-trip Port Authority Bus transportation is available from campus to the airport by taking the 28X. Travel time is approximately 45 minutes depending on traffic when taking a bus.
The Pittsburgh International Airport offers the following flight service:
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Car rental service is available at the airport from all major rental companies including: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Hertz and National.
The airport has short-term, long-term and extended stay parking facilities. All facilities are easily accessible. Short and long-term parking areas are connected to the Landside Terminal by an enclosed walkway. The extended stay car park has a free shuttle service to the terminal.
| Amtrak offers rail service to Pittsburgh and other US cities. The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Railroad Station is located downtown at the intersection of Liberty Avenue and Grant Street across from the Greyhound Bus Terminal. Daily rail service includes travel to New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Washington, DC. For information on schedules, call 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245). |  |
| Greyhound offers service to Pittsburgh, the surrounding Pittsburgh area, and various other US cities. It is conveniently located downtown at 11th Street and Liberty Avenue. For information on bus schedules, call Greyhound (Pittsburgh) at 392-6513 or 1-800-231-2222 or Greyhound (Monroeville) 856-3080. |  |
Pittsburgh's Port Authority Transit includes buses, trolleys/subways (“T”), and the Monongahela incline services of Pittsburgh and the surrounding Pittsburgh area. University of Pittsburgh faculty, staff, and students ride FREE in Allegheny County on PAT services. The PAT Service Center is located in 534 Smithfield Street downtown. Bus schedules are available in the William Pitt Union, on the University of Pittsburgh campus. For more information you can call the PAT Information Line at 442-2000 from 7 am to 7 pm, Mondays through Friday (or call from 8 am to 6 pm on weekends and holidays), or see their main website: Port Authority.
Student parking is available all year round. The Parking Office works hard to provide several parking options to meet the different schedules and needs of students offering parking choices for commuting and evening students, as well as choices for both full-time and part-time students.
The parking rules and regulations are subject to change without notice. Please contact the Parking Office at 412-624-4034, through e-mail (see e-mail directory), or on PittInfo at http://p-and-t.parktran.pitt.edu/. You can also receive electronic parking and transportation updates through the department's electronic message system. Send an e-mail to maiser@p-and-t.parktran.pitt.edu with the text SUBSCRIBE NEWSLET in the body of the message. Separate brochures are available, free of charge, which address Parking At Pitt, Appeals, Enforcement, Bicycle Regulations and Vehicle Security Tips. Campus parking maps for permit parkers and commuters are also available.
Limited monthly daytime commuter parking permits are available for commuter students in selected facilities. These permits must be purchased for the academic term. Daytime commuter permits are not valid for overnight parking in any campus lots. Hourly and daily parking rates are available for commuters in the following facilities (subject to change): PH, OC, SO, and OH.
Scratch-off permits may be purchased in advance. Each permit is good for one day's worth of parking in the BS lot only. You can purchase as many as you like, because they never expire. Just scratch off the day of use, hang from your rear view mirror, and park. When the day is done, just discard.
Short-term parking is available at meters in the SR visitors lot, RA, PS, SQ, Log Cabin, and BQ lots. Permits are not valid at meters. Don't "feed" the meters beyond the maximum time, or your vehicle will be subject to ticketing, towing and/or booting.
If your vehicle needs a jump-start or if you've locked your keys inside, MAP is here for you. MAP, the Motorist Assistance Program, is a service provided by the Department of Parking, Transportation and Services Parking Enforcement Division. Call MAP for assistance at 412-624-4034 during Parking Office business hours. For motorist assistance at other times call the University of Pittsburgh Campus Police at 412-624-2121.
Evening Student Permits are valid Monday through Friday from 3:50 pm until midnight and all day on weekends - except during special events - depending upon location. Check for lot availability. In order to accommodate students enrolled in varying programs; the cost of the student evening permit is reduced half way through the term.
During the Summer Term daily/weekly/monthly parking is available. Check with the Parking Office for reduced summer rates using parking validation stickers and scratch-off permits at lots across campus.
Bicycle racks are available in many locations around campus. Register your bicycle free of charge and enable the parking and transportation department to help in the identification of lost or stolen bicycles and to plan improvements for you and other cyclists at Pint. For those who prefer covered bicycle parking, a limited number of bicycle lockers are available to rent. Call 412-624-0687 for more information.
All parking permits must be purchased from the Parking Office. When purchasing your permit you will need to provide:
Evening permits may be purchased through the mail. Include the information requested above with your payment and send to: Parking Administration, 204 Brackenridge Hall, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260.
Do not send cash through the mail. If paying by credit card, be sure to include your card type, card number, expiration date, and signature. Credit card orders may also be placed by telephone.
Hold onto your permit! No refunds will be given for lost or stolen permits. Permits will be replaced for $5.00. No refunds will be made after the add/drop period ends for each term.
You may pay parking fines in person at the Parking Office, 204 Brackenridge Hall, during established office hours (8:30-5:00 pm), or you may mail your payment to the Parking Office. Payment is due within ten days from the date of the citation's issuance. Fines that are not paid within 90 days may be forwarded to a collection agency and to Student Business Services, which will place a hold on your account. The University may withhold grades and transcripts and may not permit course registration for as long as fines remain unpaid.
If you receive a University of Pittsburgh parking citation, you may file an appeal by fax to 412-624-0956, E-mail to TICAPPLS@pitt.edu, by mail, or telephone to 412-624-8899. In all cases, your appeal must be received or postmarked within ten calendar days of the citation's issuance in order to be considered. For information on filing an appeal, call 412-624-8899 or stop by the Parking Office. Note that this call or visit itself does not constitute filing an appeal. Make sure to leave yourself time to file within the ten-day period, should you decide to do so.
Campus transportation services operate between the hours of 6:00 am and 3:00 am Monday through Friday, with special weekend hours. Schedules are adjusted for University holidays, summer term and semester breaks. Shuttle buses move from the parking garages and lots throughout the campus within 30 minutes. A dedicated parking shuttle operates between OC Lot and Fifth Avenue between the hours of 6:00 am and 10:00 am and between 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm weekdays.
Pitt's Van Call provides point-to-point service from 7:00 pm to 3:00 am Sunday through Wednesday and when the shuttle system operates on a holiday schedule, and from 7:00 pm to 5:00 am Thursday through Saturday to parking areas not located on fixed shuttle routes. Schedules are adjusted for University holidays, summer term and semester breaks. Call 412-624-1700 for additional boundaries and to request service.
Emergency telephones are located across Pitt’s campus and are easily identified by their blue and yellow color and blue light. Emergency telephones or panic buttons are located in all University owned parking facilities.
Contact the Pennsylvania Department of Motor Vehicles at 800-932-4600 for an application. You can get your photo taken for the license at AAA at 5900 Baum Boulevard in East Liberty. You can take the Port Authority’s 500 or 71C bus to the AAA office. They can be reached at 661-8308, http://www.aaa.com.
| When choosing a bank, consider convenience, service, interest rates and fees. Use the information below to learn about the different banking institutions. All of the following have branch banks located locally for your convenience. Do your homework before committing to a bank! |  |
| Parkvale Savings
3520 Forbes Ave/Oakland 412-687-1200 |
Dollar Bank
5822 Forbes Ave/Sq. Hill 412-521-7031 |
PNC Bank
4022 Fifth Ave/Oakland 412-621-0300 |
| Mellon Bank
4524 Fifth Ave/Oakland 412-621-3344 |
National City Bank
4612 Forbes Ave/Oakland 412-681-4200 |
Three Rivers Bank
2681 Moss Side Blvd Monroeville 1-800-403-BANK |
Teaching Assistants (TAs) and Teaching Fellows (TFs) are primarily geared for graduate students to teach undergraduate course recitation sections and/or labs. Work expectations depend on the class and the professor. According to University guidelines, TA/TFs work no more than 20 hours per week (this includes both classroom and preparation time). Tuition remission and a stipend are granted to TA/TFs.
Graduate Student Researchers (GSR) work with their professor on specific research projects. Full tuition and a stipend are granted to GSR students.
Salary
The rates are set in July of each year and can be found at http://www.pitt.edu/~graduate/stipends.html.
International students who are funded must obtain a Social Security number through the Social Security Administration. The closest SSA office is at 6117 Penn Circle North in East Liberty. The phone number is 800-772-1213. The hours of operation are 9 am-4 pm, Monday through Friday. You can get there via a Port Authority bus (500 or 71C) if you have your Pitt ID.
Paychecks are distributed on the last business day of the month. Your check will be in the department you work in. If you have Direct Deposit through your banking institution, your paycheck will be automatically credited to your account.
| Pittsburgh has a diverse cultural atmosphere. Music, theater, art, sporting events, and other recreational activities are found in abundance throughout the year. The list below includes some of the popular cultural and recreational attractions in the city and surrounding areas. |  |
| AAA Office (Main Branch/Baum Blvd.) | 363-5100 |
| AMTRAK | 800/USA-RAIL |
| AT&T Cable TV (Central Office) | 771-8100 |
| Campus Police | 624-2121 Emergency - 811 |
| Center for Victims of Violent Crime | 392-8582 |
| Greyhound Bus Lines | 392-6500 |
| Peoples Cab Company | 681-3131 |
| Photo Drivers License Center | 661-8308 |
| Pittsburgh Council for International Visitors | 624-7800 |
| Pittsburgh Police/Fire/Ambulance | 911 |
| Pittsburgh Post Gazette | 800/228-6397 |
| Pittsburgh Tribune | 391-3588 |
| Pittsburgh's Action Against Rape | 765-2731 |
| Port Authority of Allegheny County (PAT Bus) | 442-2000 |
| Residential Parking Permits | 560-2559 |
| Self Storage Center | 621-5947 |
| Self Storage Guardian | 441-5983 |
| Social Security Administration | 800-772-1213 |
| U. S. Post Office – main – North Side | 359-7860 |
| U.S. Post Office – Oakland | 621-9713 |
| Verizon Telephone Service | 800/275-2355 |
| Western Union (S. Craig St.) | 687-6100 |
| Yellow Cab Company | 665-8100 |
| InPgh | |
| Pittsburgh Magazine | 412-622-1360 |
| The City Paper | |
| The Post-Gazette | 412-263-1100 or 1-800-228-6397 |
| The Tribune-Review | 412-391-3588 |
The Book Center is located at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Thackeray Street. Lines get very long during the first week of school. Try to get there ahead of the first day of classes to buy your books.
Computer accounts can be obtained shortly after you register. The Computing Services and Systems Development (CSSD) center will send it to you via postal mail. If you want it sooner, call 624-HELP (4357). You can visit the web site at http://www.technology.pitt.edu/students/index.html. Also, the university has an arrangement with Stargate's dial up internet access (high speed DLS) which can be viewed at www.stargate.net/html/pitt.html.
Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA) is the student government organization that represents the interests of all graduate and professional students at the University of Pittsburgh. GPSA serves as the umbrella organization for the student governments within the university. The governing body, the GPSA Assembly, is made up of four executive officers in addition to representatives from each school’s student governments. GPSA is also composed of Assembly Groups that are organizations designed to represent specific needs of university students across different schools. GPSA's funds come from the student activity fee.
What is GPSA mission?
GPSA acts as the voice of all graduate students. As the governing body for graduate and professional students, GPSA takes an active role in ensuring that the concerns of these students are heard. We accomplish this task by having student representatives on various committees throughout the university.
What does GPSA do?
In order for GPSA to act as a central point of reference for all schools and students, regular meetings are held. GPSA allocates funding to each of the different graduate and professional student organizations each year. Additional money that is set aside for special events; any student group may apply for these one-time allocations. GPSA provides $50-$100 travel grants to students presenting at conferences.
Along with the undergraduate Student Government Board, GPSA provides free legal services to students. Finally, GPSA plans and supports a variety of activities throughout the university ranging from social events to academic workshops.
To get more information about GPSA, call the GPSA office: (412) 648-7844 or visit their website at http://www.pitt.edu/~gpsa2/
The School of Engineering has the Engineering Graduate Student Organization for activities. You will automatically receive e-mail from them about upcoming events. EGSO is a way to meet people.
Founded in 1787 as a small, private school, the Pittsburgh Academy was located in a log cabin near Pittsburgh's three rivers. In the 212 years since, the University has evolved into an internationally recognized center of learning and research.
Below are some of the major highlights from the University's history.
1787: The Pittsburgh Academy is established by a charter of the Pennsylvania legislature. The petition for the charter is written and presented to the legislature by Hugh Henry Brackenridge.
1789: Formal instruction begins in the first Pittsburgh Academy building, located on land bounded by Smithfield Street and Cherry Way in downtown Pittsburgh.
| 1819: The Pennsylvania state legislature grants a charter to the former academy establishing the Western University of Pennsylvania. Along with the charter, the legislature grants 40 acres of land for the building and maintenance of the University. |  |
1860: The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania grants a charter to members of the Allegheny Telescope Association for the establishment of the Allegheny Observatory. Today the observatory holds one of the world's largest red-light refracting telescopes.
1898: The grand opening of Hotel Schenley takes place. It has since been magnificently restored as Pitt's student union.
1908: The Common Pleas Court of Allegheny County approves changing the name of the Western University of Pennsylvania to the University of Pittsburgh.
1910: The University buys 43 acres in Oakland and begins construction on three buildings to prepare for the campus' move from the North Side.
Formal graduate studies are initiated at the University.
1918: The University begins to train students as automobile and gas engine mechanics for war-related industrial work.
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1920: Ground is broken for Alumni Hall, which is built as the result of a
successful $670,000 fund-raising effort.
1925: Pitt Stadium is dedicated. 1926: Construction of the 42-story gothic Cathedral of Learning begins. 1927: The University establishes the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. 1932: Pitt scientist Charles Glen King identifies the chemical structure of vitamin C. |  |
1937: The Panthers win the national football championship for the second straight year. The Cathedral of Learning, which still stands as the tallest educational building in the United States, opens.
1941: University Defense Council swings into preparation following attack on Pearl Harbor; student training covers everything from first aid to the extinguishing of fire bombs.
1944: University air-raid defense drills are common; 8,028 Pitt students, faculty, and staff are officially part of the war effort.
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1953: Fashion-conscious men sport new navy-blue blazers, selling big at $22.50.
1955: Jonas Salk and a team of Pitt researchers develop the first vaccine to fight polio. In a few years, polio cases drop from a high of 57,900 to only a handful. 1956: Edward Harold Litchfield is named chancellor of the University, a position he holds until 1965. |  |
1957: Pitt celebrates the dedication of the old Schenley Hotel as the new student union.
1958: Bermuda shorts are the fashion craze, but campus etiquette doesn't allow them in classrooms or cafeterias.
1960: Tuition hike puts the per credit charge at $28.
1963: The University creates two-year colleges in Greensburg, Titusville, and Bradford to meet the problems of rising college costs and the flood of students expected in the mid-1970s.
1964: Pitt initiates special programs designed to encourage women to attend graduate school.
1966: Pitt becomes a state-related institution known as the University of Pittsburgh of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education.
1967: Wesley Wentz Posvar is named chancellor of the University, a position he holds until 1991. The University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown moves to a 635-acre wooded campus and becomes a four-year undergraduate college.
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1971: The 26st Amendment lowers the voting age, and 1,244 students register in one
day at the student union.
1974: The University is invited to join the prestigious Association of American Universities. By its inclusion in this association, Pitt is recognized as one of the top public research universities in the United States. |  |
1976: Pitt football running back Tony Dorsett receives the Heisman Trophy after becoming the leading rusher in the recorded history of college football. The Panthers win the national championship by defeating Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.
1981: Pitt's debate team wins the national championship.
1983: Law school reaches a record 41 percent female enrollment; the top three graduates are women.
1984: Drs. Thomas E. Starzl and Henry T. Bahnson perform the world's first double transplant operation when they replace the heart and liver of 6-year-old Stormie Jones.
1986: The Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center is established by the National Science Foundation.
1992:The Keck Center for Advanced Training in Computational Biology is established as a joint venture with Carnegie Mellon University.
1993: The Center for Biotechnology and Bioengineering opens.
1996: Mark A. Nordenberg is named the 17th chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh.
1997: Big East coach of the year Walt Harris leads the Panthers to a 6-5 overall record and their first bowl appearance since 1989.
 | 1998: Former Pennsylvania Governor and U.S. Attorney General Dick Thornburgh presents his personal papers to the University. Governor Tom Ridge announces the University will be receiving $138 million in Commonwealth capital funds over the next five years. While $38 million will go to support the construction of a Convocation Center, $100 million will be used to support the University's other priority facility needs. |
1999: Chancellor Mark Nordenberg announces plans to move Pitt's home football games to the new stadium on Pittsburgh's North Shore, and to use the current ten-acre site of Pitt Stadium for its new convocation center, a student recreation center, a student housing complex, and green space. Nordenberg says, "The project will advance important institutional goals, including enhanced quality of student life, excellence in intercollegiate athletics, greater cost effectiveness, and mutually beneficial community partnerships." Construction of the convocation center is supported by a $10 million gift from alumnus John Petersen and his wife Gertrude. The Petersens' gift represents the largest cash gift ever received by the University from individuals. This year also brings both the largest and second largest foundation gifts ever received by the University. Nearly 30 percent of freshmen registering for this fall are in the top 10 percent of their high school graduating classes, and 55 percent are in the top 20 percent, up from 19 percent and 43 percent, respectively, for the freshman class that entered in the fall of 1995. The average combined SAT score of this fall's freshman class is 24 points higher than 1995 scores. In a dramatic increase, the number of incoming students eligible for the University Honors College has risen 82 percent over the last four years. Twenty percent of this year's freshman class is eligible to enroll in the University Honors College, compared to 14 percent in 1995.
Research funding increased by 27 percent over the last four years, and the University will pass the $300 million mark in annual sponsored project support for the next fiscal year. As a result of the increases in enrollment, state support, research grants, and private giving, The Board of Trustees approves a budget for fiscal year 2000 with projected revenues in excess of $1 billion. This marks the first time in Pitt's 212-year history that it has passed that milestone.