Come and join us for a karaoke night that is hosted by the CPCB and PMI graduate representatives! The ticket is $7 (tax not included) covering a 3hr-karaoke session. Drinks/snacks will be provided (16 people maximum). A form of 21+ identification ID will be required. Please use the link to sign up and find more details: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/karaoke-event-organized-by-cpcbpmi-tickets-886368400747?aff=oddtdtcreator

Join us for a climbing night for free with friends at Ascend Point Breeze on Friday, April 19th. People are also welcome to just come and hang out. 

Entry pass fees are covered and include rentals + a dollar off at the brewing companies (see web link: https://www.ascendclimbing.com/programs/community/college-night). BGSA will not pay for additional expenses like food or drinks. 

Use the link below or see poster to sign up (please sign up by April 17th): 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScKIqfpB_Kb4nN2cfnP3qW0Fl4mjLUN_v3c-3LsJuINW-RyPQ/viewform

The staff at ascend will give all newcomers to the world of climbing at tour of the facility and a quick lesson in the proper ways to climb/fall. People who have not climbed at an Ascend location before will need to fill out a waiver, whether it is online beforehand (https://www.ascendclimbing.com/your-visit/first-visit) or in-person. To maximize climbing time, please fill out the waiver beforehand. It does not take long. Student ID is required upon entry.

For more questions, please contact Stephanie (stp122@pitt.edu). See you there!

BGSA-First Years' Representatives

The MS Society is hosting its annual Walk MS event and the BGSA outreach committee is planning to get a volunteer team together to support the cause. The walk will be at Point State Park (601 Commonwealth Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15222) on Sunday, April 14th from 6:30AM-2:30PM. Two volunteer shifts are available (6:30AM-10:30AM or 10:30AM-2:30PM) where participants can assist with set-up, registration, cheering on walkers, distributing food and refreshments, tear down, and more. We will meet downtown at the Point, where a volunteer coordinator will meet each group at the beginning of each shift. The Point is accessible by bus and parking will also be available nearby (TBD). 

If interested please fill out the google form below as spots are limited and responses are needed ASAP to secure a team! More details about this event can found here: https://events.nationalmssociety.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=1870.

Google Form: https://forms.gle/cCFpXi4RuAUv1CPt7

Please direct any questions to Alex Kunisky (akk58@pitt.edu).

The BGSA is hosting laser tag at Zone 28 on April 6th at 6 PM. Tickets are free and includes 2 games of laser tag and a $10 arcade card. The address for Zone 28 is 2525 Freeport Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15238. Bowling is also offered at this location, but it is not covered with the ticket cost. Use the link below for registrations and more details. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/laser-tag-event-organized-by-ibgp-and-mpgp-tickets-875711836677?aff=oddtdtcreator

On Saturday, April 6th, Pitt is facilitating service opportunities through Be A Good Neighbor Day of Service (BAGND). 

The volunteer portal, showcases 14 available projects still open that include trash pickup, gardening activities, prepping for summer camps, and more. The in-service day of service will include a complimentary breakfast and lunch and a T-shirt for you to keep after volunteering. Transport provided. 

Register here: https://volunteer.pitt.edu/be-a-good-neighbor-day!  

Organization: BGSA Community Outreach Committee

Contact Email: Dana (drj21@pitt.edu)

Phipps Trip has been moved to March 8th 6:30pm. Your Pitt ID will be needed for a free entry. Please contact Brian Chew (BrianChew@pitt.edu) for any questions.

BGSA Buddy Program

The BGSA Community Outreach Committee is looking for VOLUNTEER JUDGES for the Mars Elementary Spring 2024 Science Fair on March 6 from 6-8pm.  Judges will evaluate elementary school student science projects to help select those that standout for creativity and ingenuity while encouraging the talents and efforts of all students and their projects.  This is a great opportunity to promote and foster an interest in science to young students and be a role model as a professional scientist!  Food and drinks will be provided for judges during the fair and transportation will be organized via carpooling.  If you would like to volunteer, please sign up using the following link: https://forms.gle/FYyaqXZo2bDCceQa8.  You will also be asked if you need a ride to the event or if you are able to transport yourself/others.  For any questions, please contact Josh Holloway (jth95@pitt.edu).

Enjoy the winter weather and a fun evening of ice skating with the BGSA! We will meet up at the ice rink in PPG Place downtown. It's an outdoor ice rink so dress appropriately! The BGSA is covering the cost of tickets for a 2-hour session of skating. The $6 fee is for your skate rentals. See the attached flyer for details.

Guests are allowed but are responsible for purchasing their own tickets and skate rental. You can reserve them a ticket/skates ahead of time here or use the link in the attached flyer: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/781474951617?aff=oddtdtcreator. Please sign up by Jan 17! Email GJA12@pitt.edu for any questions.

Tis the season for celebration!  We are thrilled to invite you to a special event that promises an evening of joy, camaraderie, and friendly competition – the Biomedical Graduate Student Association and Biomedical Engineering Society Joint Holiday Game Night!

Join us for an unforgettable night where we aim to bring together the vibrant community of students to celebrate our diverse cultures, foster connections between our two organizations, and engage in some friendly games. This event is an excellent opportunity to unwind, make new friends, and create lasting memories with your peers while enjoying delicious catered treats.

Fl-eece join the BGSA Mental Health and Community Outreach Committees December 7 for a special event to round out the semester. We will be making fleece tie blankets and scarves for adults and children experiencing homelessness this holiday season. Tasty refreshments will be provided including some of your favorite holiday treats (a hot chocolate bar!) and a mental-health goody bag to boot!

As part of this donation drive, we are also actively accepting Urgent/Essential item donations for the Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh at the Grad Studies Office (M240 Alan Magee Scaife Hall) until December 7, see list on attached flyer.

We hope to see you there for some holiday cheer and giving!

The BGSA Diversity and Inclusion Committee is hosting an event to mark the end of our Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations in October, with food and refreshments provided at El Sabor Latin Kitchen on 4100 Penn Ave., Oct 27, 2023, 4:30-6pm. It is going to be a casual hangout in a Mexican restaurant. Come meet the BGSA Diversity and Inclusion Committee for an evening of food, fun, and friends as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.

Please provide your name and email to sign up or scan the QR code below.  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1rHnIcfg8ngNU2T4ez-MXOnJE3H2A-GGhz0ULKBxauGk/viewform?edit_requested=true

The BGSA Buddy Program is hosting an event for incoming graduate students looking for their next rotation. We've invited faculty looking for rotationstudents and hope to create a space so that students can meet as many faculty as they can to help facilitate finding the perfect lab.

We will be hosting this event at Walter's BBQ Southern Kitchen on 4501 Butler St. in Lawrenceville. Come and chat with us on Wednesday, September 13, 6 - 9pm EDT. Ticket costs include two drink tickets and you can purchase through here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/incoming-student-and-faculty-social-finding-your-next-rotation-tickets-705952321397?aff=oddtdtcreator (Tickets are $5.00+fees). You don’t have to purchase the drink ticket to join! See the attached flier for more details.

Please let us know by contacting Brian Chew (BrianChew@Pitt.edu) if you have any questions.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

BGSA Buddy Program

We are inviting you to our next BGSA meeting regarding the 2023 Graduate Student Healthcare Policy.

The BGSA leadership openly disagrees with how the University of Pittsburgh rolled out this new diminished program, which will now disproportionately affect student populations. Please join us Wednesday, September 13th @ 5-6PM in the Auditorium of Rangos Research Center or via the following zoom link: https://pitt.zoom.us/j/6785264430.

This meeting will serve two purposes: 

1. To inform you of how these changes will financially impact you and your families

2. Help coordinate a unified response to the university voicing our grievances toward this decision.

BGSA is hosting a welcome picnic for both incoming and current students! Faculty, PIs and Postdocs are more than welcome to attend. 

The picnic will be on Thursday August 24 from 4-8 PM. Location is the Vietnam Veterans Pavilion in Schenley Park. 

 Please join us in welcoming the new graduate students with food, drinks, lawn games, and a good time! Food and alcohol will be provided.

The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, in collaboration with the Office of the Learning Environment and our student affinity groups, invite you to Culture Fest 2023! 

Culture Fest will take place on Friday, August 18, 2023, at 6:00pm at the Petersen Event Center Plaza (the back patio).

Please join us as we celebrate the diverse community of PittMed through art, food, music, games, performances, and more! Our student groups have worked hard this summer to make this a fun and unique occasion for everyone. 

We had such a great time last year, and we’re excited to see you all again! If you’re interested in attending, please RSVP here: https://forms.gle/sQ7wdFBV5MJTrkhs8. 

If you have any questions, reach out to Anna Elias (are60@pitt.edu).

The BGSA D&I Committee is hosting a movie night May 30th at the AMC Theaters in West Homestead (100 W Waterfront Dr. West Homestead, PA 15120). We are offering free movie tickets to the first 45 people to register. You are welcome to bring a plus one. The deadline to sign up is May 25th.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Showing at 6.15 pm

Fast X
Showing at 7.00 pm

The Little Mermaid
Showing at 6.05 pm

Please prepare to arrange transportation for yourself (you could carpool with friends).

Get tickets here:
https://intheatremovienight2.eventbrite.com

Join the BGSA to celebrate the end of the semester at Margaux (5947 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206) on Thursday, May 18th from 7-10pm. Enjoy European style drinks (mocktails available) and light bites. Tickets will be $10/person which include 2 drinks and light bites. 

Buy your tickets here!

Join us in assisting the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy to make Oakland more green! Help plant trees and learn about different types of native trees, proper tree planting practices, and tree care. Google form link for registration: https://forms.gle/avsKx7GPAMgSfEXP9

Email Caitlyn Chapman (cac331@pitt.edu) with any questions.

The BMP will be hosting a Self - Defense class in April. Date to be determined. Mike Demkowill teach about how to keep boundaries, handle uncomfortable situations, and techniques to defend yourself. Keep an eye out for more info coming soon!

Whine Wednesday is back! Come to the Crane room (the large main area) in the new Assembly Building (5051 Centre Ave.) to come together, establish open conversations, and allow us to connect over the stresses of graduate studies. We hope to see you there! Email Andrea Cruz (andrea.cruz@pitt.edu) with any questions!

First-Years! We know the decision to pick a thesis lab can be stressful and we are here to help! Join a panel of students to talk about all the factors that go into finding that perfect match. The panel will be held on March 21 at 5 pm in BST-S120 and pizza will be provided. See below to RSVP!

Students in year 2+ if you are interested in serving on this panel, please also fill out the form attached. We need volunteers from IBGP, ISB, PMI, and the Bioinformatics programs. The first-years would love to hear from you!

Sign-up form: https://forms.gle/4t21xwtVrKFswnL86. Please sign-up by March 14th.

Join the BGSA + CNUP at Pins Mechanical Co. for a free game of duckpin bowling, plus a wide range of arcade games! Friday 17th March at 7:30 pm. This is a great time to relax at the end of the week and socialize with other grad students.

The event is free with BGSA paying for the tickets of graduate students under the School of Medicine. Cocktails and mocktails will be available to purchase for an additional price. SOM students are allowed to bring a guest but their guest is responsible for paying for their own games and refreshments.

The event is capped at 15 students so RSVP as soon as possible! https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bgsa-cnup-arcade-night-at-pins-mechanical-co-tickets-546202565577. The deadline to sign-up is March 10, 2023.

Contact Yvette Afriyie-Agyemang at yva2@pitt.edu if you have any questions or need to cancel your spot.


Pins Mechanical Co. in Southside.
407 Cinema Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15203
https://www.pinsbar.com/pittsburgh

Location: Trees Hall Allequippa Street Pittsburgh, PA 15213 Purpose: Wall climbing competition for indoor physical activity! We will provide snacks, music, and prizes. Sign up here: https://TreesWallClimbing.eventbrite.com.

1st place winner: $25 gift card 

2nd place winner: $15 gift card 

3rd place winner - $10 gift card 

Come join us for an evening of fun at the Urban Tap (216 S Highland Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206) for a BGSA social featuring PMI and the Bioinformatics program.
Free food will be provided, and happy hour drinks will be available for purchase!
RSVP ASAP here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfMGNW3qRR7cDz_0k0WrMPFTdHFdZhHtREsGRM1in6pwNg-Fw/viewform?usp=pp_url