Dear Pitt students, faculty and staff,
In the short time since my arrival, I’ve seen how the University of Pittsburgh anchors our values in community, in compassion and in our welcoming and engaged nature. These values have defined us through nearly a quarter of a millennium of learning, discovery and service. Taken together, these values ensure our good work and give us the strength to navigate dark days.
Another wave of darkness has emerged in the violence taking place in Israel and Gaza. These heinous acts are antithetical to our values. We are compassionate. We are givers and doers. As such, we recognize the deep impact of these events across our community. Many of us are struggling with what we have seen, including members of our university family who face the unimaginable burden of grief for fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, brothers and sisters, friends, and loved ones. For those hurting — for those grieving — we have resources available including Pitt Global, the University Counseling Center for students, and LifeSolutions for faculty and staff. We encourage all students, faculty and staff to use them. As more resources become available, we will share them.
In this spirit, we know we don’t persevere alone. We also know that our values are not found in isolation, and I encourage everyone to lean into supporting and uplifting your fellow classmates and colleagues through this incredibly difficult time.
Sincerely,
Joan Gabel
Chancellor