The Provost’s Award for Diversity in the Curriculum recognizes faculty who have taught a modified course or revised curricula to strengthen diversity and inclusion, resulting in changes of impact. Any full-time or part-time Pitt faculty member who has participated in diversity initiatives at the University may apply for this award. Please encourage faculty who have embraced inclusive teaching practices to submit an application. The deadline for applications is Nov. 13.

On Monday, Oct. 19, 2020, the University of Pittsburgh’s Pittsburgh campus is planning to move from Elevated to Guarded Risk Posture. This decision, which is based on the recommendations of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and the Healthcare Advisory Group (HCAG), is dependent on the continuation of good results next week. The University plans to release more details on its move to Guarded Risk Posture—and the accompanying changes to academic and social life on campus—in the near future. Requirements and guidance that remain in place in Guarded Risk Posture include:

• Wearing face coverings, indoors and out, with very few exceptions.
• Maintaining a proper physical distance of 6 feet or more from others.
• Washing or sanitizing hands frequently.
• Minimizing the number of close contacts outside of roommates, pods and households.

Bits and bytes from around campus:

• Read about how faculty and students are adjusting to the Flex@Pitt model in last week’s Pittwire article.
• Chancellor Patrick Gallagher addressed challenges and successes of the past year during the Sept. 25 fall meeting of the Board of Trustees.
• The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine announced today that it is operating one of 25 initial sites to test therapies aimed at treating early-stage COVID-19 to keep the illness from becoming severe.
• Pitt IT has released information on a new way for students, faculty, and advisors to access student information ahead of spring 2021 course enrollment.