Pitt is committed to fostering diversity and inclusion throughout its five campuses—in classrooms, offices, residence halls, laboratories, and every other place where people work, research, and learn.
Disability Resources and Services
Disability Resources and Services (DRS) is the entity designated by the University to determine reasonable accommodations and services for individuals with disabilities. Pitt is committed to providing equal opportunities in higher education to academically qualified students with disabilities. Through an interactive process, DRS works individually with each student to provide access to University classes, programs, and activities.
Additional resources about requesting an accommodation or filing a grievance, an etiquette guide, and much more can be found on the Diversity Access webpages.
Graduate Global Ties
Launched in 2022 by the Office of the Provost - Graduate Studies in collaboration with the Division of Student Affairs, Graduate Global Ties (GGT) is a peer mentoring program for incoming international graduate and professional students. GGT actively seeks to welcome new international graduate and professional students into Pitt’s campus community, support them as they adjust to Pittsburgh and their academic journey, and foster a sense of belonging, encouragement, and care.
Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
The Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion is committed to fostering diversity and celebrating differences, educating the community on the benefits of diversity, promoting equity, eliminating discrimination, and advancing equal access to all opportunities at the University of Pittsburgh. The office provides a wide array of programs and resources.
Graduate students can learn more about:
- Hispanic or Latinx resources
- Resources for individuals with disabilities
- LGBTQIA+ resources, including preferred name initiatives and advocacy groups
- Religious groups and organizations, both on and off campus
- Veterans’ resources, including external resources for transitioning back to civilian life and internal academic resources through the Office of Veterans Services
- Office of International Services
PERSAD Center
The PERSAD Center is a human service organization whose mission is to improve the well-being of the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning) and HIV/AIDS communities. It serves its target populations and their loved ones, cradle to grave, across Western Pennsylvania, with a service center in Pittsburgh. Services include outreach, prevention, counseling, training, and advocacy. The PERSAD Center was created as an affirming counseling center to help LGBTQ people cope with the social discrimination they experienced and receive professional counseling services without prejudice because of their identity.
Provost’s Advisory Committee on Women’s Concerns
The Provost’s Advisory Committee on Women’s Concerns (PACWC) seeks to ensure a productive environment for faculty, students, and staff, particularly in areas related to women’s concerns. It focuses on general issues of campus climate and programs as they affect women throughout the University. PACWC also seeks to assist the provost and the University community through its mandate. Two graduate students typically serve on PACWC.
Reflection Room
The Reflection Room provides a restful and safe space for interested students of all faiths, beliefs, and worldviews to come and quietly pray, worship, meditate, or reflect without distractions. It is located on the third floor of the William Pitt Union near the elevators. The Reflection Room is open during the fall and spring terms from 7 a.m. to midnight on weekdays and from 8 a.m. to midnight on weekends. Summer hours are slightly reduced.
Single Occupancy Restrooms
An online map (sort by Single Occupancy Restrooms) identifies single-occupancy restrooms across campus. Students (as well as faculty and staff) are welcome to use these and any restroom that corresponds to their gender identity. More spaces are being added as new renovation opportunities arise.
University Holidays and Religious Observance Guidelines
The University has a tradition of recognizing religious observances of members of the University community in instances where those observances may conflict with University activities. On such dates, students should not be penalized for absences from classes, and other academic activities should not be scheduled. Examples of such occasions are Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Muharram, Diwali, and Good Friday, but other days of religious observance may conflict with scheduled academic activities. Graduate students should raise the potential for conflicts with days of religious observances as early as possible with their instructors and advisors.
Read the most recent Provost's Memo on Religious Observances during the Academic Year.