The McGill Biology Graduate Student Association Blog

Credits: Jiaqi Sun

General assembly

Hey BGSA!

We have our General Assembly coming up! The first meeting of the year is an important one, because we decide what to do with YOUR money. We also our filling our vacant Committee Rep positions and electing a First Year Rep. There will also be pizza. For election info, see below. Here is the info for the GA:

  • What: B.G.S.A. General Assembly
  • When: Tuesday, September 30 @ 4:30PM
  • Where: Stewart Bio N2/2
  • Highlights: Elections, Budget, the fate of Stewart Bio, pizza!

An agenda will be sent out one week before the meeting. If anyone would like to propose items for the agenda, please send me an email by September 22.

Hope to see you all there!

ELECTIONS

Get involved in the BGSA! The current term runs until June 1, 2015. Right now, we are looking for:

  1. First Year Rep BGSA Councillor (1 position available) - Councillors get to participate and vote at BGSA general meetings. They are also help plan and organize social and professional development events in the department.
  2. BGSA Representative - Positions available:
    • AGSEM representative (1 year - 2 positions available)
    • PGSS representative (2 years- 1 position available)
    • Intramurals administrator (1 year)
    • Media representative (1 year)

For more information about what the position involves, look at the document “BGSA Rep Positions”.

To apply for a position:

  1. Complete the ‘Candidate Form’. Fill in all the fields (your name, the position(s) you are applying for, and the names of three people who will support your nomination (must be BGSA members). Email the completed ‘Candidate Form’ to bgsaelections{at}gmail{dot}com.
  2. Forward the ‘Support Form’ to three people who will support your nomination. Ask your supporters to fill out the form and mail it to bgsaelections{at}gmail{dot}com. The DEADLINE for submission of both forms is September 28 @ 5pm.

NOTE: If you are applying to more than one position, you can just submit ONE set of forms—just make sure you indicate which positions you are interested in. If you would like to keep your current position, you must reapply.

Should there be fewer nominations than open positions, all candidates will be automatically acclaimed. Otherwise, candidates will be elected by a general vote. Johanna is taking charge of the elections, should you have any questions, feel free to e-mail her at johanna.bradie{at}mail{dot}mcgill{dot}ca

See you all there!

Mary-Rose

Biology BBQ and ALS Ice Bucket Challenge!

Hello Biology!

Just a reminder tomorrow is the BGSA Welcome Back BBQ Lunch! I’d like to invite you to come enjoy free food and great company.

  • Where: Stewart Biology Courtyard (between South and West block)
  • When: September 3 @ 12:00-1:30PM
  • What: Free BBQ!

ALSO, the Physics Department has challenged the Biology department to the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. I’m calling all Biology students, Professors, and staff to come do this challenge with me at 1:30PM tomorrow. If you don’t know what this is, it involves recording on video the challengee as he/she dumps a bucket of ice water on their head, and donates 10$ to the ALS Association. The physics department did it as a department, after being challenged by the chemistry department, and then they proceeded to challenge us. So come help me rise to the challenge and donate to the ALS Association. To participate:

Please bring your own bucket, and ice if you can We will have the hose hooked up to fill buckets with water and we will supply some ice. We will start filling buckets around 1:00PM! Alternatively, you can show up with your bucket ready to go at 1:30!

Find out more about ALS and donate 10$ to the ALS Association: http://www.alsa.org/fight-als/ice-bucket-challenge.html

As a research intensive department, we experience first hand the impact of funding towards research. There are many worthy causes for our charity, but I hope you will consider giving 10$ to the ALS Association today. This mass social movement has been amazing, so let’s help the ball continue rolling! Also, suggestions of which department to challenge next are welcome.

Here is what we need to top: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3r8iFqN8BCM.

See you all tomorrow! Your BGSA Execs

Free Nachos And Drinks At Th

Hey BGSA!

Without softball this summer there has been a lack of BGSA gatherings. Therefore, we would like to invite you all to Thomson House next Wednesday August 6 for some free nachos and some limited free drinks! Here are the details:

  • What: A biologist gathering
  • When: Wednesday, August 6 from 5:00-7:00PM
  • Where: Thomson House Basement
  • Why: Because free food and we’re pretty cool to hang out with!

Don’t come too late or you might miss out on the free food! Pass on the message to any new students who have started to arrive.

Sincerely, Your friendly neighbourhood BGSA