We first started off this meeting recapping the BME Fall BBQ. Although less people attended this year compared to last year, we still had a very good turnout (~100 people) with ample food and entertainment (Labnotes performance). We also had a pretty decent turnout for the BESA “Boom” events, especially with Sudwerks and the Ice Cream Social. Unfortunately there we was not a high turnout at the Student Track-Specific discussion luncheon, and so we decided that next year we will change the name to “BME Grad Student Life Discussion” and make it a mandatory event for the first years. Then, we discussed the agenda for our first BESA/BMES mentorship kickoff, to be held on November 10th, and also discussed a potential BESA/BMES research internship fair for mid-January. Other upcoming events include the BMES Halloween Party (10/28/11) and the BME Holiday Party (12/5/11), as well as a BESA Thanksgiving volunteering at the Episcopal Church of St. Martin in Davis (11/24/11). The IM sports (football, volleyball, and soccer) have a high turnout this year and are looking good so far! The next BESA meeting will be in early December.
I. Budget
$1097.40 from Christal, $383.90 from Pasha. Be sure to apply for Dean Witter for the Halloween/BBQs
II. Recapping Previous Events
Fall BBQ – We had plenty of food. Meghan should update food quantities for next year to reflect: too many veggie burgers, too many chicken breasts, and that sausages are better than hot dogs. Also, request RSVPs for next year (it seemed that fewer people attended this year).
Track Specific Discussion – Limited participation from 1st-years (5-6) due to poor advertising (“What is this for? I already chose my track…”). Those who came found it exceedingly useful and fun. Make it mandatory, change the title to something like “BME Grad Student Life Discussion” to encourage more interaction, communication, and participation.
Other BOOM! Week Activities:
Sudwerk – 15 people, mostly 1st-years, good times were had by all
Trivia – 6ish people, only one 1st-year, good times were had by all
Ice cream social – Scheduling conflict with seminar, but good turnout and ample ice cream
III. BMES
Erica and Gina attended the first meeting and started pairing mentor:mentees (~3:1). First event (panel discussion) on Thursday, Nov. 10.
Upcoming events – Research internship fair in mid-January (early evening, GBSF lobby, formal event complete with resumes and posters). Lab tours in Spring quarter.
Lab tours were very popular. Needed more well-defined roles (i.e. tour guides, tour schedules). BBQ food production was slow. In the future, labs should be split into tracks.
IV. Upcoming Events
Halloween party – Fun events like donut on a string. Expect ~40 people with ~20 costumes. Erica will organize games and buy supplies, Meghan will buy food, Christal will set up, and Kristen will buy prizes.
Corn maze – Erica will organize
Student-Faculty Lunch – November 18 (Friday before Thanksgiving)or possibly December, pending Faculty lunches which are historically 1st and 3rd Fridays of every month.
V. T-Shirts.
Design came from 5-6 years ago, but we can update the color. Vote on Navy shirt/white writing or gold writing. Pricing to be determined based on shirt cost. Survey to gauge interest, and introduce pre-order+pre-pay methods. Also, get American Apparel and advise regarding size (AA runs small).
VI. BME Grad Student Research Symposium, May 11 (Friday), Alumni Center
Objective: To bring people together, sharing research ideas across the entire grad group.
Scheduling: Breakfast, 5-6 talks, Posters, 5-6 talks, Lunch
BESA or senior students will review abstracts, stimulate interest, and advertise, and possibly provide prizes. In the future, it can be entirely student-run; in the meantime, Christal will organize. Undergraduate participation is pending.
VII. Community Service/Outreach
To organize: canned food drive (USPS?) / Thanksgiving soup kitchen + Thanksgiving BME dinner
VIII. IMs
- American football is awesome
- Volleyball is awesome
- Soccer needs more people
IX. Holiday Party is December 5
X. Next meeting – sometime before Thanksgiving to plan for December events
