Step Down Sooner, Nordenberg
The following letter to the editor appeared
in the
Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette on July 7, 2013
For the past several years, our grassroots movement has called for the resignation of Pitt Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg. We sought Mr. Nordenberg's resignation when we experienced his indifference to the pain and suffering of Oakland's longtime residents and his lack of compassion and commitment to ending that misery.
In October 2012 during the One World Summit convention, we held signs on Sixth Street Downtown and in front of the Cathedral of Learning that called for the chancellor's resignation. In December 2012, the same sentiment was expressed in the "Time for New Leadership" message that was placed in the University Times publication, and in public comments before Pittsburgh City Council. We again expressed that sentiment in April of this year with "Nordenberg Must Resign" messages in The Pitt News, in public comments made to members of the city council and in a letter to the editor in this newspaper.
While others may praise the chancellor for his resignation, our hope is that the chancellor will move his retirement date forward one year from Aug. 1, 2014, to Aug. 1, 2013. The community of Oakland, which is severely impacted by the university's presence, must have a voice in the selection of the new chancellor. That new chancellor should bring forth a new consciousness, which adheres to the belief that human dignity must be the highest priority of a university.
Carlino Giampolo
Founder, SOUL
(South Oakland Urban Litter)
Oakland
OaklandDignity.com |