On April 28th, the Pitt chapter of the Student National Medical Association (SNMA) is hosting their 32nd annual Carolyn M. Carter Scholarship Banquet.  The banquet recognizes the graduating Class of 2012 and rewards the achievements and accomplishments of outstanding undergraduates, first and fourth year medical students, and people who have shown continuous dedication to SNMA and the Pittsburgh community. In addition, the banquet will be a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and welcome the students who will matriculate in August 2012 with the Class of 2016.

This year, they will have Dr. Esa M. Davis, a practicing physician, epidemiologist and clinical scientist, as their keynote speaker. Dr. Davis is a pioneer in addressing health care disparities in our community.

Date: Saturday, April 28
Time: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Venue: The University Club
RSVP and more info: https://www.medschool.pitt.edu/sa/snma/banquet/banquet.taf
 

The Office of International Services (OIS) is seeking volunteers to be a cyber pre-arrival mentor for incoming international students! Both U.S. and International Students are welcomed to apply!  Please respond to the survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2SFZM9L by May 15th if you are interested.

An one hour training session will be provided before the mentorship begins. If you have any questions, please email Diane Hardy at dmhardy@pitt.edu.

It has come to our attention that the Religious Studies, Classics, and German departments at the University of Pittsburgh have suspended their graduate programs, which means at least that no new PhD students will be admitted into these programs.  This is an unwelcome turn of events. We will post more information as it becomes available.  If you have any information, please send it to pitt.gpsa@gmail.com or to our facebook account.

For informaiton on the evolving University policies in light of the bomb threats, see: http://www.pitt.edu/campus-safety.html

Dear Students in light of the recent bomb threats and heightened security measures, especially in the WPU, we regret to announce that we have decided to cancel our Game Night at Nordy's tonight. We hope to reschedule at a later date, when all the craziness calms down. We were really looking forward to tonight, but off course safety of our students is our first priority.

...in this month's Details Magazine.  Check it out!

Graduate student volunteers are needed for the 73rd Annual PRSEF, on Friday, March 30, 2012 at Heinz Field.  See their website for more information and email kosickl@carnegiesciencecenter.org to volunteer.

It is with great enthusiam that GPSA and the Pharmacy School would like to invite you to a happy hour event being hosted on March 23rd from 5-8 at Ava Bar & Lounge.  Appetizers will be available and drink specials include $2 off draft beers (Yuengling will be $1.50) and $3.25 well drinks. Each student is permitted to bring one guest.  Students that RSVP before Wednesday the 21st on the Google form below will be given 1 drink ticket at this event. The first 50 students to sign-up will be rewarded with an extra drink ticket. Drink tickets will only be give to students with Pitt IDs. Students are still allowed to come without RSVPing but we cannot promise them drink tickets and the electronic sign-in process will take longer.

Day: Friday, March 23rd
Time: 5pm - 8pm
Venue: 126 S. Highland Ave
Link to Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/events/157751617678307/
Link to Google form: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dGJtTkpiV0hieWJ5b3NPQi1RenZiSFE6MQ

GPSA and SGB are proud to announce that Governor Tom Corbett will address students at the University of Pittsburgh on March 16th! Due to high security needed for this event, you will need to collect a TICKET for this event. As tickets are currently limited in number, GPSA will be allocating tickets to graduate students on a lottery basis. Please do sign up on the google form below to have your name entered in the ticket lottery. Winners will be notified by email and a date and time to collect your ticket will be allotted to you.

We will be pre-selecting students to ask questions of Govornor Corbett.  If you have a question, submit it here to be considered for selection.

Date: Friday, March 16th
Time: 7:30am - 9:00am
Venue: WPU Assembly Room
Google Form: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dEJ6YlRkdXBwVTVESnpOaDczeDA5UlE6MQ

It sometimes seems that graduate students believe state funding cuts to the University of Pittsburgh will not affect them.  This is not true.  Public comments by University administrators and State officials paint a different picture.  The cuts may lead to:

• Increased tuition
• Freezes of GSA/TA/TF salaries
• Freezes of or reducions in research and teaching positions for graduate students
• Hiring and salary freezes for faculty
• The privitization of Pitt

We have put together a handout explaining how funding cuts may impact graduate students.  Please join us in opposition of the cuts by emailing your local and state representatives.