Biology Graduate Student Committee of the Whole

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Contact information for the current committee can be found at the bottom of this page.

News and Updates:

BiGCoW is currently looking for students to fill the following positions: 2 Social Coordinators and 1 Academic Coordinator. If you are interested in these positions, please see the constitution for more details. If you are interested in holding a position please fill out a nomination form, have it signed by 5 current Biograds, and submit a short statement about why you would like to hold that position to Amanda (6at13[at]queensu.ca). The deadline to apply is Monday June 17 at 5PM. The election will be held at a special coffee time on Tuesday June 18th at 10AM.  

The nominees and their interest statements for other vacant positions can be found below: 

Sports Coordinator: Jordan Brooks-Gauthier 

I’m confident of success in the Sports Coordinator position as I am very passionate about athletics, and the positive impact which sports can make on peoples physical and mental well-being.  Athletics are a large part of my own life, having played for and captained the Queen’s varsity soccer team for 5 years, and currently playing professionally with Kingston FC.  I have fulfilled sport-related leadership roles in the past, including the Athletic Representative for my high school student council, and as a member of the Varsity Captain’s Table for Queen’s Athletics.  Lastly, due to my participation in varsity sports, I have developed contacts with Queen’s Athletics and Recreation administration which can help foster the organization of sport activities.

Union Representative (PSAC Steward): Leslie Holmes

I'm interested in the PSAC Steward position on the BiGCoW committee because a future in Academia will undoubtedly involve unions and I believe as an active Union member, I need to learn and understand the workings of a union and how they benefit the employed member. In addition, as we approach negotiations on a new collective agreement, I feel it is important to get the facts and convey them to the committee and departmental members.

Alumni Representative: Amanda Tracey 

I am interested in the Alumni Representative position, as it was created a few years ago and has yet to be filled, even though the position is very important for us as graduate students. One of the biggest struggles as graduate students is not knowing what the next step is after grad school. I would work to address this concern and create a database that documents all previous graduate students and the career paths they have chosen and also aim to have various biology alumni from different careers come back to the department to meet with us and discuss where they are and what they are doing today. 

Contact information for your 2013-2014 BiGCoW:

Chair: Courtney Holden     [6ch3[at]queensu.ca]

Co-Chair & Secretary: Amanda Tracey     [6at13[at]queensu.ca]

Treasurer: Leslie Holmes [12lh22[at]queensu.ca]

Academic coordinator: Desmond Gau [12gg15{at]queensu.ca]

SGPS Representatives: Alex Ross [ross.a[at]queensu.ca] & Jared McDonald [12jm60[at]queensu.ca]

RTP Representative: Sarah Hasnain [12sh48[at]queensu.ca]

Graduate Committee Representative: Eric Fedosejevs [9etf[at]queensu.ca]

Staff & Faculty Representative: James Sinclair [james.sinclair[at]queensu.ca]

QUBS Representative: Vanya Rohwer [6vgr[at]queensu.ca]