University of Pittsburgh

Campus

Most popular events: Major events on campus, during the past year, include: Fall Fest, where the street outside the William Pitt Union is shut down and students can “break it down” with interactive activities, novelties, and live music; the one of its kind homecoming event that is Pitt’s Homecoming Fireworks and Laser Show; the performance, contest, games, and crafts extravaganza that is Bigelow Bash; and the three-day ice skating and chocolate treats event that is Winter Wonderland. The Pitt Program Council is the central programming organization on campus. Its committees, and an overview of events respective to each, are as follows: The arts committee presents programs which have included open-microphone poetry nights, acoustic nights, and gallery exhibits in the Wiliiam Pitt Union’s Kimbo Gallery. The film committee selects and coordinates film programs including a Tuesday night series and weekend feature films and sneak previews in the William Pitt Union’s Assembly Room. The lecture committee presents a variety of lectures, debates, and forums involving cultural, educational, and entertaining speakers and topics. The leisure learning committee provides a series of non-credit, low-cost courses such as aerobics. The publicity committee designs and creates all Pitt Program Council publicity materials which includes fliers, Pitt News ads, bulletin board design, and event tickets. The recreation committee sponsors tournaments in billiards, table tennis, and the College Bowl and coordinates various other recreational activities. The special events committee plans and directs all homecoming festivities, large-scale entertainment events, and assists in coordinating the Bigelow Bash. The travel committee coordinates travel packages for students, with past destinations including Spring Break at Panama City Beach, Cedar Point, and concert trips to the nearby Post Gazette Pavilion. Pitt’s Greeks hold several events as part of their efforts to raise funds for charities, including: Greek Sing, Greek Formal, Greek God and Goddess, Brother-Sister Auction, Comedy Night, Dance Marathon, Greek Olympiad and the Campus Classic Run. The University’s Black Action Society sponsors speakers and campus and community events throughout the year, activities which enrich the social, educational, and political experiences of African American students. The Student Volunteer Outreach engages students, student organizations, and groups of students in volunteer service with community organizations and agencies. Annual programs include: the annual Volunteer Fair, Pitt Project Oakland, Collegiate Park Steward Program, Pitt Partnership for Food, and the Orientation Blood Drive. Other programs offered include: Alternative Break, America Reads, Faith Tech, and Jumpstart Pittsburgh. One of the prominent programs supported by the University is Pitt Arts. This program connects the University’s students to the cultural life of Pittsburgh. Through Pitt Arts, Pitt students experience the magic and power of art each year. The program sponsors 120 free student outings each year, including trips to experience the symphony, film, opera, ballet, theatre, and museums. During the academic year, students can simply use their ID to visit the Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History, Phipps Conservatory, the Mattress Factory, and the Andy Warhol Museum.