BGSA Fall Reading Group: Get on your Gaia

Hello reading group aficionados:

Next week's paper asks whether microbes make clouds to help them
get around (and affect the climate in doing so). Regardless of what
the answer might be, the best way to get to Thomson House next
Thursday at noon is probably not-cloud related.

We'll be tackling the question of planetary self-regulation, amongst
other things, at noon in room 406 (Oct. 1).

Hope to see you there.

Spora and Gaia: How microbes fly with their clouds
Ethology, ecology & evolution [0394-9370] Lenton yr:1998 vol:10 iss:1 pg:1 -16

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BGSA General Meeting - Sep. 28, 2009

Monday, September 28, 2009. 11am. Stewart Biology Coffee Room.

Free donuts! Find out what's going on in the department! Get involved! Help organize events!

The current agenda is included below. If you would like to add anything, contact the secretary (Richard Feldman).

AGENDA

1. WELCOME
2. RECAP OF SUCCESS OF ORIENTATION AND SEPTEMBER EVENTS
3. UPDATED BUDGET & FINANCIAL STATEMENT
4. NEW ONLINE PRESENCE
1. How best to use Blog, Events Calender, Listserv
5. VACANT COUNCIL POSITIONS
6. UPCOMING EVENTS + SIGN-UP TO HELP ORGANIZE

Pumpkin Carving

Christmas Party

Trivia Night

Curling

Ice-breaker Canoe Trip

McGill open house

Other

7. TA EVALUATIONS
8. COMPOSTING
9. NEW BUSINESS
10. TRAVEL GRANT DRAW
11. CLOSING REMARKS

Biology Wine & Cheese

Celebrate a new academic year, meet new members of the department and catch up with old friends!

The BGSA is happy to present a Wine & Cheese reception for all members of the Biology department (faculty, staff & grad students) on Wednesday September 23rd, 4-7 pm in the Thomson House restaurant (downstairs). Wine & Cheese (and a few other snacks) will be provided.

BGSA Travel Grant ($400) - Sep. 25, 2009 Deadline

If you plan on presenting a talk or poster at a conference in the next 6 months (Sep. 1, 2009 - Feb. 28, 2010), you may be eligible for a $400 Travel Grant from your Biology Graduate Students Association! See the attached form and full policies on the second page for full details.

To apply for this semester's fabulous BGSA travel grant:
Please fill out the pdf form and email or print and return to The BGSA Vice-President before September 25, 2009!

A list of winners will be drawn randomly at the General Meeting on September 28, 2009 (date and location to be announced). Only the person at the top of the list (first name drawn) will be offered the award, but if for some reason that person becomes ineligible or declines the award, it will be offered to the next person on the list, until the award is claimed or the end of the award period (6 months).

September BGSA Events

Hi everyone,

Just a quick update about some of the upcoming BGSA events for the month of September. Make sure to check out the softball and BBQ event hosted TOMORROW at "the resevoir" across from Thomson House. We're hoping to see new and returning faces out on the field!

September Events:

Friday, Sept 4
BGSA Softball and BBQ - "eat, drink, and play ball"
4-6pm at "the reservoir" across from Thomson House, new AND returning grad students and post-docs

Tuesday, Sept 8
BGSA Information Session - "an introduction to the department" 10-11am at W2/3 C in the Stewart Biology Building, new grad students and post-docs
&
BGSA Lab Tours - "a tour of the department"
11am-noon at W2/3 C in the Stewart Biology Building, new grad students and post-docs

Friday, Sept 11
TH Housewarming Party - "dancing and socializing"
9pm+ at Thomson House, new AND returning grad students and post-docs

Friday, Sept 11-13
BGSA Camping Trip - "last taste of summer"
Gatineau Park, new AND returning grad students and post-docs
E-mail Caolan at caolanko@gmail.com by Monday, Sept 7 if you're interested in coming!

Thursday, Sept 24
BGSA Wine and Cheese - "mix and mingle"
4-6pm at Thomson House, new AND returning grad students, post-docs, and professors

Monday, Sept 28
BGSA General Meeting - "get involved and enjoy free donuts"
11-12:30am in the coffee room next to W4/12 in the Stewart Biology Building, new AND returning grad students and post-docs