BGSA General Meeting Minutes - September 28, 2009

BGSA GENERAL MEETING - September 28, 2009, 1100, Coffee Room

In attendance: Vincent F., Kiyoko G., Richard F. (secretary, minutes), Lydiane G., Dragana R., Aerin J. (president), Monica R., Caitlin F. (treasurer), Sofia I., Justin M., Ian H., Marie-Julie F., Xavier T-H., Rebecca K., Jonathan W. (vice-president), Michael P., Michael N., Dascha

BUDGET

- We estimate incoming funds for semester based on expected number of students. Estimated $1000 and budgeted accordingly. Budget passed unanimously (18 yeas, 0 nays) @1154

- Budgeted $300 for September orientation and spent $307

- Financial statement with final semester income must be forwarded to PGSS (CAITLIN F.)

ONLINE PRESENCE

- Jonathan W. has been revamping website, adding a blog/newsfeed, photo album and calendar. See http://biology.mcgill.ca/grad/BGSA/index.html

- Are there too many announcements via listserv?

- Discussed adding a weekly digest or a separate opt-in social listserv

- Dragana R: Reminders for specific events via listserv are still useful

- Michael P: status quo is fine; not inundated

- Rebecca K: doesn’t feel inundated

- Jonathan W: probably wouldn’t subscribe to a second list

- Being inundated with BGSA emails is not an issue among people here, but perhaps revisit the topic in the future

- Blog is useful for archiving and for announcing journal club meetings

- An online coordinator is needed to manage subscriptions and manage access to website, blog events advertised in the department and on the listserv (MONICA R.)

VOLUNTEERS TO FILL VACANT POSITIONS

1) New BGSA Councilors

- Lydiane G., Dragana R., Monica R., Justin M., Kiyoko G., Michael N., Dascha

2) PGSS Representative

- Aerin J. advises BGSA her intention to step down from being a PGSS rep, effective immediately and MICHAEL N. will replace her

3) Green Committee Representative

- Rebecca K. will not seek re-election as Green Committee Rep. She is looking for an enthusiastic person to replace her for next year to put ideas into action

- The Green Committee has some great ideas: reducing lab waste, changing recycling scheme, adding composting

FALL SEMESTER’S EVENTS

- MICHAEL N.: planning a dinner for new grad students

- XAVIER T-H.: can run another R workshop this semester, supplemental to and before the “R for all” workshop. Will contact Andy Gonzalez to coordinate

- The MBSU seeks better connection between undergrads and grad students, possibly via an “Introduction to Grad School” type event where grad students discuss their research and pass on their experiences. AERIN J., JUSTIN M., M-J F., and RAJEE R. will coordinate an event with MBSU.

- Jonathan W.: McGill wants to include grad studies in their Open House, which can also introduce undergrads to grad studies

- Aerin J.: a reminder that we can apply for PGSS grants to help fund events (up to $700) though only 20% of the grant can go to food and drinks

TRAVEL GRANT DRAW

- 9 people entered. All are drawn in order in case one declines, it passes to the next person in the list

- The draw: 1) Maryna Lesoway, 2) Richard Feldman, 3) Helen Jensen, 4) Trond Sigurdsen, 5) Tammy Gregg, 6) Kecia Kerr, 7) Suzanne Gray, 8) Inke van de Sluijs, 9) Daici Chen

TA EVALUATIONS

- At the last Biology General Assembly, the faculty noted the absence of TA evaluations and questioned whether they were useful

- Aerin J. confirmed that TA evaluations are important to Grad Students so faculty suggested the BGSA implement the evaluations

- The previous evaluation (paper-based, established by the MBSU) was too complicated and required too much work from the admin to function well

- Michael N.: Possibility of using Scantron?

- RICHARD F. and KIYOKO G. will work on a new system and meet with Laura Nilson (GTC Chair) to get the system up and running

COMPOSTING

- Chase Moser wants to establish composting in Bio Dept and needs help with it

- Some sentiment that the department should be forward thinking on this

- Rebecca K: It’ll be important to establish a composting system in conjunction with the department’s Green Committee. The idea should be presented at a Green Committee Meeting. We should look to Concordia as an example of a successful compositing program

EVENT SIGN-UPS

Pumpkin Carving Contest – Tues Oct 27 – Dragana R., Kiyoko G.

Holiday Party – Lydiane G., Michael N., Kiyoko G., Vincent F., Dascha, Sofia I.; Aerin J. and Jonathan W. will help (** more people needed! **)

Trivia Night – Sofia I., Michael P.

Leaf Trip – Aerin J., Vincent F., Lydiane G.

Curling – Richard F.

Games Night – Morgan B.

Cinema du Parc movie – Morgan B.

Meeting adjourns at 1203.