The Biology Undergraduate Students’ Association (BUGS) is a network of undergraduate students in the department of biological sciences, amplifying community engagement and social networking opportunities.
Katherine Wilton and Elayna Paddock Thiessen, co-presidents of BUGS, said in a joint statement that “we hope to foster a welcoming environment in our student lounge space and to host both academic and social events that support students in their university journey.”
All events are open to anyone, stated Wilton and Thiessen, but some services are available to members who pay a membership fee of five dollars per term.
BUGS offers members academic support like study nights, study tips, and for paid members, resources such as a bank of past midterms and finals for select courses and donated flashcard decks.
Study nights are held as review sessions and include practice questions and study tips from upper-year students.
Wilton and Thiessen expressed that they were happy with the turnout to the BUGS study nights, stating that more than 80 students have attended at times.
“It is great to see so many new faces and to meet so many students who are new to the U of M community at events such as these,” said the co-presidents.
“We know it can be very intimidating for new students to approach midterms and final exams for the first time in university.”
A student lounge located in 111 Biological Sciences Building is accessible to students for studying and socializing. BUGS also hosts free food giveaways once a month along with a variety of networking events throughout the year to make connections with other students and faculty members.
BUGS’s largest events of the year are the annual Biohazard Halloween social and their research nights. The Halloween social is usually hosted on campus, giving students in the faculty the opportunity to connect. It also features prizes from local businesses, music and specialized drinks like their test tube shots, according to Wilton and Thiessen.
Research nights give faculty members the chance to present their research opportunities to undergraduate students.
“This year we were able to hold two separate research nights, one per semester,” said Wilton and Thiessen. “The first focusing on ecology and animal biology and the second on cell molecular and health sciences which brought over many researchers from the Bannatyne campus.”
They also added that they have received good feedback from students and instructors about their academic events.
The faculty of science has offered to work with BUGS to improve their student lounge space. “We are hoping to liven up the space with more colourful furniture, plants and hopefully a mural to give the basement a bit more life,” stated Wilton and Thiessen.
The co-presidents are also hoping that these updates will allow for a wider range of events, including movie nights, with the promised technology upgrades.
“Being a part of a group on campus is always a great opportunity to build new connections,” Wilton and Thiessen said. “Due to our place in the department there are also lots of opportunities to get involved even beyond the confines of your role on council.”
