Student Organization Event Planning Resources
During the fall semester and throughout the pandemic, all student organizations will play an important role in maintaining a safe campus environment. In many cases, student organization activities and events will need to be modified to ensure the safety of our students and community members. As our campus adjusts to these changes, the SORC has put together resources for your organization in order to help in planning events and activities for this fall. For up-to-date information and more details concerning Pitt’s COVID-19 guidelines, please visit www.coronavirus.pitt.edu.
The information provided below is meant to serve as guidance and a resource to help student organizations engage, build community, and cultivate a sense of belonging while still observing the COVID-19 guidelines. For assistance in planning your program or meeting, please email sorc@pitt.edu.
Virtual Meetings and Events
We encourage you to hold your meetings and events in-person or virtually according to the comfort level of your members. Resources for conducting virtual meetings and/or events can be found below.
This training session discusses the do’s and don’ts of virtual program and meeting planning within your student organization. We walk through how to set up your technology, how to conduct events and meetings on technology, and how to remain interactive in this new remote setting.
Training Video
Training PowerPoint
Join Pitt students and staff as they discuss creative virtual programming ideas and tips!
Zoom is an online and mobile meeting solution that combines real-time chat, content sharing, and video in an easy-to-use interface to enrich teaching and learning. Pitt students are able to create a brand new Zoom account with your Pitt email address or link an existing Zoom account that uses your Pitt email address. For more information regarding Zoom Video Conferencing capabilities and tips on how to use Zoom effectively, please visit Pitt Information Technology.
If your organization has an event which cannot be met by Zoom Meeting capabilities and would like to request Zoom Webinar capabilities, please follow the directions below:
- Appoint one person from your organization to serve as the coordinator and host of all webinars for the organization.
- Email your request to the IT Help Desk with the following information:
- Name of Student Organization
- Why you need access to the Zoom Webinar license
- What features you will need from Zoom Webinar
- Requests are not guaranteed. Student organizations that have a request approved
should work with the IT Help Desk with any questions.
Microsoft Office Teams is an online collaboration workspace that brings together instant messaging, threaded conversations, meetings, audio or video calls, desktop and file sharing, and more. It works seamlessly with Office 365 apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive, SharePoint, and OneNote. Pitt students are able to utilize this resource through the University. For more information regarding Microsoft Teams capabilities, please visit Pitt Information Technology.
Both YouTube and Facebook are platforms that can be used for live streaming events. However, student organizations should be aware that these platforms will make your event(s) accessible to individuals outside of the Pitt community.
We highly encourage student organizations to attend one of our trainings on Virtual Programming 101. More information about these trainings is forthcoming.
Running Meetings:
- Have an agenda: This will help you facilitate the conversation and provides focus in order to keep the meeting moving.
- Practice: Have a "pre-meeting" practice with panelists or those who will be speaking for a major portionof the meeting. Use this time to test audio/video, screen share settings, procedures for handling chat features, and an overview of the meeting.
- Facilitation: Be sure to encourage individuals to speak up during meetings and give time for individuals who may be more quiet or who may not feel as though they are being heard.
- Stay on Time: Keep in mind others' schedules and work to end the meeting in a timely manner. You can always move whatever items you are not able to address to the next meeting agenda.
Additional resources:
The Ultimate Guide to Remote Meetings in 2020
Five Tips for Vitual Meetings
Make your vitual meetings fun! Consider adding a theme or another item from one of these resources:
Virtual Ice Breakers
15 Virtual Ice Breakers for your Remote Meetings
5 Tips for How to Have Fun on a Video Call
It's still important to make sure that your organization is bonding, even in a virtual setting. Below are suggestions from the Student Life staff for team building and game apps. (All game apps are available for Apple and Android devices)
- Bingo Baker--Bingo events
- Boggle w/Friends
- Clue (fee required)
- Family Feud (fee required)
- Game of Life
- House Party
- Kahoot--Trivia Contests
- Monopoly (fee required)
- Psych! Out With Your Friends
- Quiz Up!
- Trivia Crack
- Scrabble Go
- Uno
- Words w/Friends
- Yahtzee w/Buddies
Suggested activities for your organization:
- Large video conferencing meetings may be hard for some members, but connecting in small groups will help! Consider developing a small group membership program in your organization.
- Connect with PittServes to see what time of opportunities exist for community service. Have individuals/groups report back on their experiences.
- Share a special treat virtually! Taco Tuesdays? Ice Cream Sundays? The options are endless!
Engage offers a variety of features to help your organization operate online, including elections, constitution/bylaw amendments, email messaging, documents, forms, and roster management. For step-by-step instructions on how to use all of these features, please visit the Engage Support page. For questions about Engage, please email sorc@pitt.edu
In-Person Events
Activity Request Forms are no longer required for conducting in-person activities. Student organizations are required to follow the University's health and safety guidelines for on-campus events.
When off-campus, independent student organizations should follow all local, state, and federal guidelines regarding health and safety. Sponsored organizations should follow University, local, state and federal guidelines when off-campus.
While on- campus
Indoors: Regardless of your vaccination status, face coverings are required when indoors, unless you are in your enclosed private office or dwelling with the door closed.
Outdoors: Individuals who are not fully vaccinated, as well as those who are or live with someone who is immunocompromised, should wear face coverings when outdoors and unable to maintain physical distancing. Additionally, anyone is welcome to wear a face covering outdoors based on their own comfort level.
Student organizations may participate in fundraising efforts and should be sure to following the Fundraising Guidelines.
Bake sales are suspended until further notice.
Student organizations may have food and snacks at programs and activities, provided they follow guidelines for food on-campus (i.e. order through campus catering or submit a catering exemption form for off-campus catering).
In addition, bake sales and potlucks as components of student activities currently suspended.
Student organizations desiring to have a guest on campus should fill out a Guest Registration Form. Registered guests will recieve a confirmation email that they are required to present, along with a photo ID, upon arrival on campus.
Student organizations may resume travel. All hotels and flights must be coordinated through Anthony Travel. For AirBnB, vehicle requests, and other travel arrangements please contact the SORC.
For more information on travel during the pandemic, please look at the University's Safe Travel & Requirements.