CMU Cuts Costs Amid Federal Funding Shifts, Triage Tech Advances, and Carnegie’s Contested Legacy Highlight Campus News

Good afternoon, Tartans! It's Monday, September 8, 2025, and welcome back to campus. Let's dive into the latest news and updates from Carnegie Mellon University. First, let's talk about the weather. Today in Pittsburgh, we're experiencing mostly sunny skies with temperatures reaching a high of 75°F (24°C) this afternoon. This morning started off with some fog, but it has cleared up, making way for a beautiful day. In university news, CMU is taking proactive steps to address the evolving federal funding landscape. President Farnam Jahanian recently announced a reduction of $33 million in expenses to ensure the university's financial health remains strong. These measures include pausing merit increases, limiting new hires to strategic needs, and, in some cases, offering voluntary retirement programs. The university emphasizes that broad layoffs are not planned and remain a measure of last resort. On the research front, CMU researchers, in collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh, are participating in the DARPA Triage Challenge. This three-year, $7 million competition aims to develop autonomous systems for emergency medical response. The team, known as Team Chiron, recently conducted successful tests at Pittsburgh International Airport, utilizing robots and drones to navigate simulated disaster scenarios and triage victims. The next phase of the competition is scheduled for late September in Georgia. In other news, the Pittsburgh Walk of Fame is honoring Andrew Carnegie with a star, sparking debate over how to reconcile his philanthropic legacy with his controversial past. Alongside figures like Fred Rogers, August Wilson, Rachel Carson, and Jonas Salk, Carnegie will receive a bronze star in the city’s Strip District. However, critics point to his involvement in the violent Homestead Strike, support for eugenics research, and link to the Johnstown Flood as reasons his legacy should be scrutinized. The induction ceremony is set for October 20 at the Strip District Terminal. That's all for today's update. Stay tuned for more news and events happening around campus. Have a great day, Tartans!