The Department of History of Art and Architecture is committed to fostering a healthy and supportive culture of work and study in which all students, faculty and staff can thrive. The assembled resources below are offered to help people in our community quickly find help when they need it and explore what options are available.
- Department Communication and Support
The DEIA Committee:
The DEIA Committee welcomes communication from HAA faculty, students and staff on matters of concern, especially regarding the health of departmental culture and the maintenance of departmental values through education, accountability, support and service. Email the Chair of the Committee to discuss a concern or opportunity for training or service, including suggestions about how to improve this list. You may also use this form.
Support Specific to HAA Graduate Students:
Graduate students wishing to document or discuss concerns regarding matters of equity and inclusion should bring these to their advisor(s) and/or to the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS), escalating to the department Chair if necessary. These roles rotate among faculty; check the People page to see who currently occupies them.
The TA/TF Mentor can be consulted for non-urgent, peer-to-peer advice on topics such as navigating classroom situations, grading, and relationships with the instructor, or serving as a point of contact to inform the DGS and/or the Office of Graduate Studies about any concerns. Ask the DGS for the TA/TF Mentor’s contact information.
- Community Resources
Local aid organizations beyond campus-based resources.
Places to learn more:
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh maintains an up-to-date list of community assistance organizations, many of which are free or low-cost, here with sections related to food, housing, mental health, aging and legal support, as well as sections specific to particular groups and identities.
General assistance:
Pittsburgh Community Services, Inc. The City of Pittsburgh’s designated Community Action Agency. Offers a broad range of services connected to: food and nutrition, career and employment, financial stability, housing and reentry.
Allegheny County Financial Empowerment Center offers free, one-on-one professional counseling assistance with money management.
Domestic Violence Resources:
Women’s Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh provides a variety of counseling and legal advocacy services for survivors and their children, and an emergency shelter.
LGBTQ+ Health and Wellness:
Hugh Lane Wellness Center. An organization whose mission is to “to improve the health of the LGBTQ+ and HIV communities in Western Pennsylvania.”
- Support for Staff, Faculty, and Graduate Students who are Parents
Graduate Students:
- Family-Friendly Programs for Pitt Faculty
- Child and Family Care
- Full time faculty and staff, including postdoctoral associates, have access to childcare through Pitt's affiliation with the Care.com network
Emergency childcare:
Jeremiah’s Place is a 24/7 crisis nursery providing judgement free and no cost care for children 0-6.
General assistance:
Family Centers of Allegheny County provide a variety of care, community, education and material supports for parents, families and children.
Reading Ready Pittsburgh is an organization dedicated to increasing access to books for children and families including through their free bookstore for kids on 8th Avenue in Homestead.
- Resources for Support and Reporting at University of Pittsburgh
Pitt Police:
For emergencies, call Pitt Police at 412-624-2121. Call Pitt Police also in case of visits from government agencies.
University & University-Recommended Mental Health Resources:
General campus-based resources:
University Counseling Center (UCC):“Any student requiring support for an urgent or crisis situation may call the UCC at 412-648-7930 at any time to speak directly with a clinician.”
Care Advocates, “a confidential resource for any Pitt student with experiences related to identity-based misconduct.” Click the link to learn more and schedule an appointment.
For faculty and staff:
LifeSolutions is a University of Pittsburgh staff assistance program that provides a range of services to University employees and members of their households including 24/7 Crisis Support and Counseling and Coaching Services.
For graduate students:
Dietrich School A&S embedded clinician for graduate students: Offers short-term counseling for graduate students in the Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences for a variety of mental health concerns.
See also:
resolve Crisis Services, available 24/7. Call: 1-888-796-8226
UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital. Call: 412-624-1000 or toll free 1-877-624-4100
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, dial 988, 24/7
The Crisis Text Line, 24/7, or Text HOME to 741741
University-based support for food and other basic necessities:
Pitt Pantry “The Pitt Pantry serves to increase food security among the Pitt community. Students (graduate & undergraduate), faculty, and staff are encouraged to visit the Pitt Pantry to supplement their nutrition with healthy foods at no cost.” On your first visit, you will be asked to fill out a form. It is suggested that you bring your own shopping bags with you if you can.
Thriftsburgh “Pitt’s student-run on-campus thrift store serving students, staff, faculty, and the Pittsburgh community by re-purposing and selling second-hand clothing, shoes, and accessories.”
Pitt Pantry & Thriftsburgh are both located in the O’Hara Student Center, 4024 O’Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. Check links for hours.
University Bias and Incident Reporting:
Office of Civil Rights & Title IX: “The Civil Rights and Title IX team actively responds to reports of bias, ensures that policies and processes are followed, and provides critical education to reduce harmful incidents within our campus community. Bias incidents may include, but are not limited to, incidents of harassment, discrimination, and retaliation, as well as those related to sexual misconduct".
- Contact: titleixcoordinator@pitt.edu or call: 412-648-7860
Pitt Concern Connection: Pitt Concern Connection is the primary tool for students, faculty and staff to make inquiries and report concerns and incidents related to: academic integrity, bias, bullying, harassment, hazing, fraud, sexual misconduct, violence.
- You can also call: (800) 468-5768 or text: (412) 903-3456
“The Ombuds Office provides a safe, welcoming, confidential and unbiased setting for faculty, staff and graduate students within the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences and College of General Studies to discuss concerns, connect with resources and explore options for informal resolution”
- Portal for requesting a consultation.
- You can also email: lisalang@asombuds.pitt.edu or call: (412) 624-1164
Graduate Ombudsperson: Philippa Carter, pkc3@pitt.edu, Office Hours: Fridays, 10am-noon, 912 Cathedral of Learning
Resources specific to accessibility:
To report a barrier to digital accessibility, email: accessibility@pitt.edu or use this form.
Support for International Students and Employees:
Office of International Services “The Office of International Services (OIS) is the University’s immigration specialist, serving all campuses and the 6000 international students, scholars, staff, and faculty who call Pitt their academic home. Our chief job is to make sure that immigration issues are handled smoothly, quickly and correctly.”
Support for Staff, Faculty and Graduate Student Workers:
Staff Union: Staff requiring union representation are requested to get in contact with a Contract Action Team member or email: staffunionofpitt@usw.org.
Faculty Union: Faculty seeking further support in navigating grievances and contract violations are encouraged to reach out to the department's current Faculty Union Steward for support navigating the process.
Pitt Graduate Workers’ Union: Report a workplace issue here. Workplace issues may include retaliation for union support, discrepancies in pay, discrepancies in work hours, discrepancies in healthcare insurance, unsafe working conditions, academic freedom, workplace harassment or mistreatment, etc.
Pitt AAUP: Pitt’s branch of AAUP “Pitt AAUP works to protect academic freedom and shared governance and to defend the integrity of Higher Education.” Join their mailing list to stay informed about events on campus, and consider becoming a member AAUP.
- In addition
The following is a brief list of local organizations we wish to spotlight for volunteering, donations or other forms of engagement if you are in a position to give.
Environment:
Allegheny Cleanways is an organization founded to “engage and empower people to eliminate illegal dumping and littering in Allegheny County."
Arts and Culture:
1HoodMedia Academy exists to “build liberated communities through art, education and social justice.”
Shiftworks is an organization operating at the intersection of “public art and civic design in the Pittsburgh region.”
Support for People who Are Incarcerated:
Pittsburgh Prison Book Project is Pittsburgh’s all-volunteer-run books-to-prisoners organization regularly seeking volunteers and donations of books.
Let’s Get Free is Pittsburgh’s Women and Trans Prisoner Defense committee, offering various forms of advocacy, education and aid.