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Pitt, Carnegie Mellon and Carlow students return to Oakland for start of fall semester

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PITTSBURGH — Classes are officially in session across Oakland.

Pitt, Carnegie Mellon, and Carlow University students all kicked off their fall semesters Monday.

“I’m super excited to meet new people and get to know my professors,” said Pitt freshman Josie Longo, from Buffalo, New York.

“I am so nervous for class, but I’m excited because I’ll meet new people and I’ll get into the swing of things more, like my schedules and learning where my classes are, and learning what I want to learn,” added fellow freshman Carrie Stanton, from Philadelphia.

The pair are among the 19,000 undergraduate students enrolled and 8,000 living on Pitt’s main campus in Oakland.

“I was nervous before, but all the people are super nice, like I feel at home,” said Stanton.

With Allegheny County currently seeing medium COVID-19 transmission, masks are optional in Pitt’s buildings.

Masks will be required if transmission levels are high.

“I was ready to wear a mask. I have one in my bag,” said Stanton. “I’ll see if other people are wearing them. I’m pretty nervous about it, but I’m trying to stay calm.”

Carlow University’s mask policy, like Pitt’s, requires masks when COVID-19 transmission is high.

Carnegie Mellon is strongly recommending face coverings.

All three schools still have a vaccine mandate in place.

“I’m grateful that things are getting back to normal. I think Pittsburgh has taken really good precautions,” said Longo.

Chatham, Point Park, and Robert Morris all had their first day of class Monday, too.

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