Student Handbook

Student life

Two student representatives are selected each year from the second year class. While the DGS may coordinate this process, the students are entirely responsible for picking their reps. The DGS may ask third and fourth year classes also to pick a student representative. The reps coordinate grad student help during the recruitment of new graduate students, communicate directly about curricular issues with the DGS on behalf of all BMCB grad students, and attend BMCB faculty Field meetings (except for discussions about individual students in the spring meeting).

MBG Annual Picnic is held at the beginning of the fall semester (usually the first Friday after registration) and is a good way to meet the students, staff and faculty. Information will be provided at BMCB orientation or look for flyers posted in MBG.
There is a social hour every Friday afternoon after the seminar hosted by various labs in the Biotech Building. Come and meet other students, faculty and staff and wind-down from the busy week.

A Holiday Party is held in December for the MBG department and all field students. Information will be sent with details in early December. A dessert contest, entertainment by faculty, staff, and students, and plenty of food make this a fun celebration.
The one-day MBG Retreat is held once a year in various locations outside of Ithaca (in recent years at the Geneva campus). The event is part science and part social. During morning and afternoon sessions MBG faculty and in some cases post docs give half hour talks on their research. Typically an outside speaker who is a former BMCB or GD graduate student is invited to make a presentation on his or her career path. Lunch is provided. While the retreat is sponsored by the Department of MBG, all BMCB and GD Field students and their mentors are welcome, even if they are not associated with MBG.

Intramural sports are a great way to get to know people. Look for sign-up sheets on bulletin boards around the building and ask your fellow students.

Women's intramural hockey
Women's intramural inner tube water polo
Coed volleyball
Coed softball
Basketball (occasional)

Also, there are many running clubs. One that is particularly enjoyable is the Ithaca Hash House Harriers, whose members engage in running over rivers and through woods, and at times, even through shopping malls. Finally, there's a strong interest in Ultimate Frisbee - both casual and competitive.

The Big Red Barn is a place to eat, socialize and meet other graduate students. You can reserve space there at no cost for professional or social activities. Also, be aware that the Student Life Union at Willard Straight Hall will provide money to student groups who want to sponsor activities involving students.
The Graduate and Professional Student Assembly is a major forum for discussing and implementing actions that affect graduate students.

Grads for Grads is a student-run organization that works to create a social and community atmosphere among the entire graduate student population. They sponsor occasional parties and dances.

The Graduate Advocacy Organization (GAO) is an organization of graduate students that concern themselves with being a voice for graduate student rights on campus. You can make contact with this organization at PO Box 57, Willard Straight Hall.

A Women in Math, Science and Engineering Conference is usually held every year on campus. The conference, organized for girls in the 6th- 8th grades, is organized and staffed by women graduate student volunteers. Watch for notices. This activity provides a good way to meet other women in math and science and to share experiences with others interested in education and teaching.

Cornell Women in Agriculture and Life Sciences has informal meetings once a month at which issues are discussed such as getting a job, mentoring, dealing with a family and a job, etc.