Robert Morris Opens the Doors on New Business School Complex

Plus La Roche among the nation's 25 safest colleges and Pitt students light up for Lantern Night.

BY SEAN COLLIER

>>SAFE & SOUND
La Roche remains one of nation’s safest campuses
According to a study from APBnews.com and CAP Index, the idyllic suburban campus of La Roche College is one of the safest in the nation. The study measured the likelihood of violent crime occurring on a college campus and found that La Roche was among the nation’s 25 most peaceful.

In addition to safety measures, such as electronic keycard access to all campus buildings and 24-hour availability of safety officers—for assistance and escort service, by request—La Roche subscribes to e2campus, a service that sends instant text-message alerts in the event of an emergency. It’s a neat system that's being used more and more by safety-conscious schools; since everyone has a cellphone, no one will miss out on important info.
—Sean Collier, PM Associate Editor

>>PICTURE THIS
Pitt students light up new semester
A nearly century-old tradition continued at Pitt Sunday night, as more than 400 incoming female students participated in the 91st annual Lantern Night Ceremony. The new students walked in procession to Heinz Memorial Chapel, bearing unlit lanterns, while a group of Pitt alumni—including mothers and grandmothers of current students—waited for their young charges.

The annual ceremony surrounds the transfer of the fire, a symbolic “light of learning” from the University’s “flame-bearers” to new students. It’s a meaningful ritual that marks the beginning of the new school year at Pitt, and now that the lanterns have been lit, young Panthers can focus on the next pressing matter: toppling Buffalo this Saturday at Heinz Field.

>>NEW DIGS
Robert Morris celebrates milestone with new building
It’s the big 9-0 for Robert Morris, and the institution's celebrating in style. To kick off the semester and mark the anniversary, they’re opening the doors on their fantastic new School of Business complex, a major addition to the school’s suburban campus. The 18,000-square-foot complex is the first dedicated home for the university’s School of Business and boasts such amenities as a videoconferencing and technology center (courtesy of US Steel), the PNC Trading Center and more.

As an office full of liberal-arts majors, no one at Pittsburgh magazine knows exactly what those are, but we’re sure they’re darn impressive. Check out more on business at RMU here, and if you’d like to see it for yourself, there's an open house Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m.

>>WOO 'EM
CMU sends its robots back to high school
Are you a high-school girl with an interest in robotics? Do you also possess a desire to dominate the competition? If so, Carnegie Mellon University is looking for you. The Girls of Steel, a CMU group that competes in the For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) Robotics Competition, is hosting an open house for young women interested in joining the team for 2011-12. During their rookie season, last year's group was lauded at competitions in Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C., and participated in the national championships in St. Louis.

Attend the open house to find out more about the group and what they do—and, of course, to stare at some awesome robots. The open house welcomes prospective team members (along with family, friends and potential sponsors) Sept. 10 from 1 to 3 p.m. Head to room 2109 of the Gates and Hillman centers on the CMU campus for your first shot at robotic glory!