Office for
Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion

April 2024

Featured this month

• April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month
• Commencement is almost here
• Scenes from the Women’s History Month story slam
• Information about accommodations for finals

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, as recognized by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center.

In a proclamation from the White House, President Biden called on all Americans to use April as a time to “recommit to standing with survivors, holding perpetrators accountable, and bringing an end to a culture that has allowed sexual assault to occur for far too long.”

More than half of all women and nearly one-third of all men in America have experienced some form of sexual violence, and the rates are higher for people of color and other members of marginalized groups. Sexual assault can contribute to mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder, the White House noted.

At the University of Pittsburgh, Sexual Assault Awareness Month is a time for the Pitt community to come together to support survivors, increase knowledge and awareness, and identify strategies to eliminate sexual violence from our campus.

Prevention at Pitt, the University’s Office for Sexual Violence Prevention & Education, has created a calendar of events for SAAM to create space for education, dialogue, and survivor support.

Questions about SAAM events can be directed to Carrie Benson at carrie.benson@pitt.edu.

Featured Events

Into the Sexuality-Verse
6 to 8 p.m.
Tuesday, April 2
WPU 837

This interactive workshop will guide you through an introductory journey of the Circles of Sexuality: Sensuality, Intimacy, Sexual Identity, Sexual & Reproductive Health, and Sexualization. Each circle will feature its own activity, and together we'll learn more about ourselves while connecting with each other. Sweets & refreshments will be provided. This training will be facilitated by health educators Wren Ritchie and Jose Garth.

Trauma-Informed Engagement Training
12 noon to 1 p.m.
Thursday, April 4
Virtual
Register Here

Trauma Informed Engagement is a short virtual training developed to provide community members with skills to help them engage with the Pitt community using a trauma focused approach. This training is virtual and will provide participants with time to practice some of the shared skills.

Trauma-Informed Yoga Workshop
10 to 11:30 a.m.
Saturday, April 6
Prevention at Pitt Office
31st Floor, Cathedral of Learning
Register Here

Katherine Hornbostel will lead a trauma informed yoga class that will include a discussion on how yoga can be used to help recover from trauma. Everybody is welcome — experienced yogis to beginners. Breakfast bagels will be provided. Please bring a mat or let us know if you need one.

SAAM Resource Fair
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Wednesday, April 10
Gallagher Plaza (WPU)
Rain Location: WPU Ballroom

Prevention at Pitt’s Programming Task Force has planned a resource fair to highlight Pitt and community support services, clubs and education available to Pitt community members who have been impacted by sexual misconduct. Participants will have the opportunity to talk with resource providers and learn more about student organizations on Pitt’s campus. There will be lots of self-care materials available. Lunch will be provided.

Getting Beyond “Are You Safe?”
12 noon to 1:15 p.m.
Monday, April 15
Virtual
Register Here

This training will focus on discussion approaches to sexual misconduct with patients and clients. This event is tailored to students interfacing with patients or clients and encompasses:

• Asking questions about sexual violence
• Responding to disclosures
• A resource overview
• Promoting healthy self-care

Empowerment Through Voices Book Club
6 to 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 16
Prevention at Pitt Office (31st Floor of the Cathedral of Learning)
Register Here

Join the Prevention at Pitt Book Club, Empowerment through Voices, as we discuss Fatima Daas’ book The Last One. Participants who register will be given a copy of the book to read before the discussion.

Heart-to-Heart with Circle Up
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Wednesday, April 17
WPU Ballroom
Register Here

Heart to Heart with Circle Up is an in-person event where participants join very small groups of 3-4 participants to dialogue while sharing a meal together. In 90 minutes, participants are asked to discuss five questions about relationships, communication, and identity. Heart to Heart is a space to share authentically, learn from one another, and build community. Lunch will be provided.

Stories of Healing: Open Mic Night with the C4C
6 to 8 p.m.
Friday, April 19
C4C Understory (Cathedral of Learning Basement CL B50)
Register to Perform at Stories of Healing

Stories of Healing is an open mic night meant to honor survivors in our community and their stories. Pitt community members are encouraged to share about their healing journey with a personal reflection, creative writing piece, or a poem or written work that has inspired them. First-time performers to seasoned veterans are welcome to take the stage for a pre-set amount of time (up to six minutes).

Performance slots are limited, please register to guarantee a performance spot — we will open the floor after registered performers have finished. Supporters are always welcome! Sweets and tea will be provided.

6 to 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 25

Lavender Graduation at the University of Pittsburgh is a cultural event for the University to recognize and acknowledge the achievements and contributions of LGBTQIA+ students of all races and ethnicity. The time-honored tradition is a celebration of unique journey many LGBTQIA+ face during their time in higher education.

This year’s occasion at the University of Pittsburgh is marked by the participation of students, residents, and trainees across the University of Pittsburgh System.

The event is hosted by Office of Inclusion and Belonging along with the Office for Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion and Pitt Queer Professionals. Graduates from all Pitt campuses are welcome.

If you know a recent graduate who should be honored at this year’s ceremony or you have questions about the event, please email Pitt Queer Professionals at pqp@pitt.edu.

Priority registration for graduates is April 10; after this date, we cannot guarantee inclusion of graduate's information in ceremony programs and materials. If you are attempting to register after this date or if you have any questions, please contact PQP.

7 to 9 p.m.
Saturday, April 27
William Pitt Union Assembly Room

The Gathering is a graduation celebration for our graduating Black, African American, and BIPOC students. When we gather it is to celebrate, reflect, and make a commitment to continue to support and connect with one another.

More than 100 people attended the second-annual HERStory Slam, held March 28 in the Frick Auditorium of the Cathedral of Learning.

Veella Grooms, assistant vice chancellor for equity and inclusion, delivered opening remarks, and Paula K. Davis, associate vice chancellor for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the Schools of the Health Sciences, served as MC.

Speakers included Chantel Peterson, Chloe Shearer, Dena Stanley, Diarra Imani, Evelyn Reis, Luana Reis, Medina Jackson, Nakeena Hayden, Persis Naumann, and Tiffany Huff.

A reception for speakers, their family members, and invited guests was held following the story slam on the 31st Floor of the Cathedral of Learning.

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