BMED Student Clubs / IRAs
Our Society
BMES is a professional organization that strives to connect students with other students, faculty, and industry. Our major contributes to the design, development, and advancement of medical technology including, but not limited to medical imaging, cardiovascular devices, implants, and prostheses. Our goal is to provide professional skills and advice in a fun environment.
Our Chapter
At California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, our chapter is a student-run organization whose main purposes are:
- Promote interaction between students and industry
- Facilitating and supporting student-run research and development projects
- Promote and support the development of the new biomedical engineering major at Cal Poly.
Meetings Times
Every other Thursday starting the second week of each quarter at 11:10 am. Building 14 room 249.
Activities
Industry speakers, outreach, career services speakers, socials and panels with faculty, Open House, and WOW Club showcase!
Visit their website at: https://sites.google.com/view/calpolybmes
EMPOWER (formerly Quality of Life Plus Student Association) was established to improve the quality of life for individuals facing physical challenges. The EMPOWER (Endeavors to Move People Onward with Engineered Results) club’s newly stated goal is to “create better everyday life through engineering and innovation.”
The club is associated with the TECHE Lab (Transforming Engineer Through Community Hands-on Engagement). The center will leverage Cal Poly’s Learn by Doing approach to have a wide impact, addressing both individual and society needs.
EMPOWER members work directly with individuals who have needs, then design and manufacture devices that can help. In the past, EMPOWER members have constructed prosthetic arms, legs, hands and other devices to help “challengers” improve their quality of life. The club provides learn by doing and teamwork skills to students outside the classroom while engaging in rewarding, real-world work.
Visit their website at: Home | EMPOWER (cpempower.com)
What Do We Strive For?
Recognized as an instructionally related activity at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, Medical Design aims to contribute to human welfare, alleviate pain, restore health, extend life, and better the quality of life through using our interdisciplinary skills to develop, research, design, and manufacture quality of life-improving technology.
- We enable club members to pursue their passions and develop themselves and their skill sets in a favorable environment.
- We strive for the greatest quality and to be recognized as a club and people of dedication, honesty, integrity, and service to improve our community.
Visit their website at: https://medicaldesign.calpoly.edu/
The Society of Women Engineers of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, strives to provide a voice for women that will encourage them to achieve their full potential as engineers and as leaders. It is our mission to create engineering opportunities, provide career and scholastic resources, and demonstrate the value of teamwork to all students of this university and of the community.
Visit their website at: https://swe.calpoly.edu/
Resources for Club or IRA officers and members.
What is a Club? Clubs and organizations at Cal Poly provide opportunities that incorporate instruction, scholarship, and service in a Learn by Doing environment. Students, staff, and faculty partner to apply theory to practice by competing in national competitions, addressing global issues, and serving the community at large. The Clubs & Organizations’ hands-on approach develops leadership skills, enhances social growth, and complements the academic curriculum. Explore – Cal Poly Now
What is an IRA? An Instructionally Related Activity (IRA) is an “out-of-class experience” that provides enrichment to students and enhances their learning at Cal Poly. Funding for recognized IRAs is provided through student fees. All IRA programs/activities are partially sponsored by an academic dean or department and are “integrally related” to a formal instructional program. Academic Programs – IRA
Clubs:
IRAs:
At this time the BMED Department is unable to accommodate room requests for BMED department managed classrooms/labs.
Clubs: RSOs are required to submit E-Plans for all on- or off-campus events, gatherings, and meetings. ASI partners with the university to facilitate the E-Plan process. An E-Plan serves as a tool for campus entities to coordinate and accommodate multiple campus events and assess each event for risk. All club events and meeting requests will be submitted via an online E-Plan. Any club member is able to create an E-Plan. The president and advisor will then be notified of the request via email and will be required to approve the request before it can be processed. The E-Plan contains multiple deadlines determined by the event’s requirements and location. An event may require three (3) business days, seven (7) days, or 14 days based on event details. Planning a Club Event – ASI Cal Poly
IRAs: Student programs and student organizations (other than clubs) shall reserve classrooms through Event Scheduling/Master Calendar in the University Scheduling Office. Events – Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
Additional Resources: CENG Facilities & Room Reservations – (calpoly.edu)
Clubs:
Cal Poly purchasing cards and Concur cards CANNOT be used for club purchases or expenses. Clubs should use any of the following payment methods:
- Direct Pay to Vendor (Invoice Payment)
- Reimbursements to Club Members
- Purchase Orders
- ASI Purchasing Card (for amounts $750 or greater, including travel expenses)
All of these methods are available through the Purchase Request on Cal Poly Now and Purchase Requests can be initiated by presidents, co-presidents, treasurers, advisors, and co-advisors. Please direct any Finance questions to ASI Club Services: asiclubservices@calpoly.edu.
IRAs:
CP logoed merchandise: The purchase of apparel must be preapproved in the IRA budget proposal paperwork with the intent to represent the group at a student competition. Please speak to your faculty advisor before initiating this process. To print shirts or merchandise with Cal Poly branding/logos follow the directions at Clubs and Organizations. Set up your order with a Cal Poly approved vendor. The vendor will guide you on their process. Submit a purchase request and a Hospitality Form (PDF). The office will complete your order by making payment.
Gift card purchases: Generally not allowable, please speak to your faculty advisor before initiating this process. (Starbucks, Amazon, Best Buy, etc.) may not exceed $25.00. Please follow directions at: Gift Cards – Procure to Pay – Cal Poly. Email the Gift Card Request Form to the BMED office. Please submit a Hospitality Form (PDF) with your request.
Food: Funding of food is not an allowable expense and should be done through fundraising. The money can be deposited into the IRA account and then can be reimbursed or paid by p-card in the office to not exceed the total of any fundraising effort. Please refer to the IRA Manual (pdf)
Purchase Requests: under the Purchasing tab at Administrative Tools for Students.