<p>Thank you so much for the lead to upperclassmen sharing housing - I’ve passed the info to my son so he can take the lead on finding something. Many many thanks!</p>
<p>Just got this email. </p>
<p>Surprised thy didn’t do this sooner…</p>
<p>Dear Faculty, Staff, and Students:</p>
<p>Let us begin by saying that we appreciate the grace and patience that each of you has shown throughout these very challenging times. *We are a great University because we have dedicated and loyal members who are working together in amazing ways.</p>
<p>As we begin to experience escalated evacuations, we have decided to take next steps to heighten security measures on our campus. *Beginning tomorrow, the University will limit access to buildings once they have been swept and cleared. *Not all buildings will have limited access immediately, but over the next few days we expect this will extend to all buildings.</p>
<p>To enter secured buildings, we all will need to present a University of Pittsburgh ID card. *It is important to understand that book bags, backpacks and packages will not be allowed.
There will be single entrances to buildings so there will be longer waiting times to get into the buildings. *In addition, non-University of Pittsburgh residents will not be allowed in the residence halls. *</p>
<p>Please make sure you arrive to your building earlier than your usual arrival time to accommodate this necessary security step. We will continue to evacuate and sweep buildings when threats are received but these additional security measures will reduce the amount o time needed to clear and reopen the buildings.</p>
<p>We have made it through many complicated situations before. *Thank you for your patience and dedication and know that we will get through this one together.</p>
<p>Here’s hoping for good weather for the next two weeks as all the students will be carrying their books/computers/etc. to their classes. It will be a hardship for students who have consecutive classes (lots of books) and those required to bring their stuff to class. How are they going to carry the stuff and how can they protect it if it rains??? I wonder why they couldn’t check the backpacks when they check the ID at the door – perhaps man power? </p>
<p>I can’t wait for this semester to end and let’s hope Commencement goes off without a hitch.</p>
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<p>This is ALL I WANT right now. Agh.</p>
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<p>Lets see if these new restrictions actually apply to everyone or just the students. No brief cases for professors? Hopefully Pitt won’t just “target” their paying customers (students) for restrictions without any evidence that they are the culprits in these bomb threats. It could just as easily be a member of the faculty, service or maintenance personnel. </p>
<p>Anyone interested in seeing what P. Beeson and J. Cochran carry into the buildings from their parking spots?</p>
<p>Also what about the students who are commuting (especially via public transportation), how are they going to bring all their stuff to classes? Don’t believe this part of the new rules was well thought out. We shall see what happens tomorrow.</p>
<p>And yes, we want Commencement without any issues. Although we do have a hotel room where we can cancel without a penalty – hoping we won’t have to cancel it. Would love to see everyone at graduation, they have earned it!</p>
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<p>Exactly. That’s basically a package.</p>
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<p>What I (and I’m sure) a lot of people are doing is using foldable or plastic bags. Carry your stuff in a bag close to your building, take everything out and fold your bag which fits in your pocket. Enter building bagless!</p>
<p>Yup, I suggested that to DS as soon as I heard about the new rules. All those plastic bags from the supermarket is going to come in handy.</p>
<p>Like TitanMom, we spent this weekend visiting our freshman S. Fortunately he stayed over with us at the Residence Inn last night when Sutherland had its late night threat. I can see how this is getting tiresome and disruptive and he is getting angry at the prankster. With the latest backpack policy, I think they have more info than we know about. I hope that the Feds have the end game in sight.</p>
<p>I ordered several of the nylon bags that can be stuffed in a pocket once DD arrives at the building. They will be a bit more durable than the plastic ones, which she will use until the others arrive.</p>
<p>This is just awful…
How many are there now to date? 46?</p>
<p>There seems to be a revision to the no backpack/bag/package rule. Some of DS’ friends have posted a response from Pitt admin to their emails and it says there will be two lines – backpack and no backpack. I am sure DS will be reporting on how it goes today.</p>
<p>That would make better sense. Like stadiums where you walk through if not carrying anything but all packs, purses, etc. get a brief search on the other line. If MTnest or someone else has the text of the revised policy, please publish here if you can.</p>
<p>The problem is that many have only 10 minutes to change classes often several blocks away. Many would be very late for class</p>
<p>Here is the updated Bomb Threat policy, taken straight from the my.pitt.edu portal</p>
<p>[Twitpic</a> - Share photos and videos on Twitter](<a href=“Twitpic”>Twitpic)</p>
<p>DS went to his first class. They are checking ID and bags at the door. It went quickly and there wasn’t a long wait. However, they are funneling everyone through one door so the line will get longer as the day goes on. Have heard Benedum has a line stretching back to Western Psych. so that will be a long wait!</p>
<p>Hmmm…heard there is only one guard checking bags and ID at Benedum thus one massive line. Since this is the first day, I hope it will get better. If the lines continue, students will be very late to their classes since many have only 10 minutes between them.</p>
<p>I am just sick over this. My D is a senior and I feel awful this is the way her senior year is ending and do hope the culprit is caught ASAP and that graduation goes off without a hitch. I am seriously debating whether or not I would attend graduation with my handicapped parents at the Pete - I dread the thought of trying to evacuate if a threat is called in. I feel too for those in dorms that have had to lose sleep, etc. I too found the [Stop</a> the Pitt bomb threats](<a href=“http://www.stopthepittbombthreats.blogspot.com%5DStop”>http://www.stopthepittbombthreats.blogspot.com) informative. My D unfortunately had an shooting incident at her HS that required increased security checks - so based upon the experience from that - the first few days will be tough with lines, etc. but things should move smoothly once they get the system down. Again, keeping fingers, toes, etc. crossed that they have more leads than we know of and they are closing in on catching the culprit/s!</p>
<p>I am literally going to pop a bottle of champagne when they catch this guy! My deepest thanks go out to the Pitt police department. My freshman daughter tells me that some of the Litchfield Tower freshmen residents are leaving thank you notes in their rooms for the officers who come to do the bomb sweeps when the residents are forced to evacuate.</p>