What do we do?
The Biology Graduate Students Association is the students group for all graduate students in the Biology Department at McGill University. We organize social events such as wine and cheeses and graduate student retreats, as well as educational and research events such as symposia and workshops.

Who is a part of BGSA?

All graduate students in the Biology department of McGill University are members of the BGSA.
Graduate Contact List

Click HERE to read our constitution!

Thursday, October 18, 2012

2012 Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest

Hello fellow bio students!

Feeling competitive? Ready to get into pumpkins up to your elbows? Interested in firing those creative neuronal transfers?

Well, it's about that time. It is time for the BGSA's annual pumpkin carving contest!

For those of you new to the Department or unfamiliar with the event, teams participating in the contest sign up in advance, and arrive the day of the event with tools in hand, and carve the greatest pumpkin of all time.  Teams must pay 6$/team, which covers the cost of the pumpkin (which we will provide) and prizes.   Please sign-up by visiting (with the money) Katie Pagnucco (Redpath Room 303 on the third floor), Scott DeVito (Stewart N5/5; dial 7488), Chelsea Chisholm (Stewart N3/5; dial 6428), Mary-Rose Bradley Gill (Bellini 232; if nobody there, look in lab 270 or call 3565), or Kate Krivy (Bellini 232; if nobody there, look in lab 270 or call 3565) by Tuesday, October 30th so we can purchase supplies.

Teams will have 1 hour to carve the pumpkin related to a surprise THEME that will be announced by the surprise judges on the day of the event.  Judging criteria include: adherence to theme, creativity/originality, use of lab tools, and participation of the lab supervisor (extra points... so convince your prof to come!)

Summary:

WHAT: I think that should be obvious by now.
WHEN: Wednesday, October 31 at 11:30 am (event is 1hr: teams should arrive 15 mins early to prepare: onlookers welcome!)
WHERE: 4th floor lobby, Stewart Biology Building
WHO: Graduate students, postdocs, professors, anyone in the Department with an interest in pumpkins and/or squash carving
WHY: Because October wouldn't be complete without a pumpkin carving contest AND there will be prizes, and wait for it... a TROPHY (yes, a TROPHY) for the winning team.
DEADLINE to sign up: Wednesday, October 30th

So start harassing your supervisors, assemble a team and register with any of the people listed above, we're looking forward to seeing you next Wednesday, October 30th at 11:30 am for pumpkin fun! Teams, don't forget to bring your own carving supplies.

Friday, October 5, 2012

BGSA General Meeting

hello BGSAers!

The leaves are turning, and that means it is time for us to do our first general meeting of the 2012-2013 school year! In case you missed the email from our fearless president, here it is!

Hello,

I am pleased to inform you that your 2012-2013 membership to the Biology Graduate Students Association (BGSA) has been approved. The benefits of this association are many and include:

1. Free food
2. Making new friends
3. Throwing socks at graduate students
4. Seasonal carving of squash
5. Dancing with your supervisor

Would you like to know more about this exclusive association? Then come to the General Meeting next Thursday, October 11 from 4-5pm (following the Organismal seminar) in the Redpath Auditorium. Attached is the agenda for you to peruse. Reply if you would like to have anything added to the agenda. Would you like to become a elite member of this club and are interested in representing the rights of TAs AND get some $$ for it? Then become an AGSEM representative! We have one vacancy available and will be holding elections at the general meeting. If you would like to put forth your name as a candidate have three students support your nomination with the attached form and have them send the form to bgsaelections@gmail.com. You must also submit the candidate form attached to the same address.

I hope you take advantage of all benefits of this association. Your first opportunity is the free snacks at the meeting.


Sincerely,
Monica Granados
BGSA President

AGENDA

1. Committee reports
  a. PGSS (Eric Pedersen)
  b. Organismal seminar (Carly Ziter)
  c. AGSEM (Katie Pagnucco)
  d. Safety (Ted Daigle)
  e. GTC (Zoe Joly-Lopez)
2. Budget (Josie Iacarella)
3. Status of the Graduate level statistics courses (Monica Granados)
4. BGSA website (Kiyoko Gotanda)
5. Amendment to BGSA travel grant (Ben Haller)
6. BGSAiji: The place to buy and sell post-graduate goods
7. AGSEM representative election
8. First-year representative(s) election
9. Events
  a. Pumpkin carving
  b. Trading spaces: Desk edition
  c. Holiday party
10. Other business