Welcome back!

1.      MUGS executive positions: U1 and Sustainability Officer

Interested in helping us to make the McGill Undergrad Geography experience unforgettable? We are looking for people to join us as U1 representatives and Sustainability Officers. Here is a short description of the responsibilities in these positions:

-          U1 representative(s):

Represents the U1 class in MUGS and helps plan social and academic events in addition to sitting on the Undergraduate Affairs Committee to advise departmental changes to the various Geography curricula.

-          Sustainability Officer:

Responsible for all of MUGS' sustainability initiatives, this includes maintaining the ethical purchasing policy, ensuring sustainable aspects at our events and heading our new composting initiative of the year! They are also encouraged to take on a sustainable project of their own that can help improve MUGS in some way.

We are looking for two (2) U1 representatives and one Sustainability Officer. In order to apply for these positions, you need to fill out the attached form and get 10 signatures from geography students (whether major or minor). These students have to be U1 students to support the candidacy of the U1 reps whereas any year students can support the Sustainability Officer candidacy.

Once the form is complete, you can scan it and email it at mcgillgeography@gmail.com by Wednesday 17^th. We look forward to seeing new faces in MUGS!

2.      Lockers!

We have lockers located in the Burnside basement free of charge for all geography students. You can come by the lounge (Burnside 305) between 11:30 to 12:30 starting Wednesday 10^th until Tuesday 16^th. Simply come with your preferred locker number and your own lock. First come, first served as we have limited number of lockers.

3.      Graduate Mentorship Program for Undergrad Geography major students

Do you ponder where you are going? Are you stressing because you don't know what's next in your academic career? Then we might have something that can help you. Whether you are a first year geography undergraduate major or in your last year, it's never too early or too late to get a mentor!

Announcing the launch of the McGill Geography Undergraduate-Graduate mentorship program! The aim of this program is to help undergraduate students figure out 'what's next' by having them talk to a grad student mentor. Despite the long title, the idea is simple: you spend an hour or two a month talking to an grad student in Geography about their life, work, career path, interest. You might discuss grad school, work, travel, or other aspects of post graduate life and how to prepare for it, based on their experience. They are not 'experts' in life, nor will they be a tutor for coursework, etc. But many of them got their start because some older, wiser person took time out of their day to talk to them about it.

Forms will be available in the lounger starting on Sept. 12 or electronically on the website below. They are due by Sept 28^th.  For more information, visit our webpage, http://mcgillgeography.blogspot.ca/p/mentor-program.html or email geogmentorprogram@gmail.com.

4.      Composting in the MUGS lounge

This year MUGS is teaming up with the other departments in Burnside to start a composting initiative through Compost Montreal. We are planning on getting a composting bin for the lounge so you can bring your waste and we'll get rid of it! More details to follow. Help us make Burnside greener.

5.      First event of the year!

Missed your classmates? New to the program and want to meet new people? Enjoy free drinks with awesome people? Then join us next week for our first get together!

Make sure to keep an eye in the Facebook group for the Event with all the details.

6.      Call for Editors – The Prognosis: McGill's Student Global Health Journal

Interested in global health? Want to gain valuable academic experience? The Prognosis, McGill's student global health journal, is an academic publication that publishes high-quality research by McGill students on global health and related fields. We are looking for applicants to our editorial board for 2014-15. Editors will solicit submissions, select and edit articles for inclusion in the journal, and participate in the journal's administration.

If you are interested, simply submit your CV, an academic sample of your writing on any subject (around 10 pages) and a short cover letter. The cover letter should detail why you are interested in global health and why you would make a good editor. Applications can be sent to theprognosis.mcgill@gmail.com before Monday, October 6th 2014. Don't hesitate to email us if you have questions!

7.      Institute for the Study of International Development Fall Speaker Series

There will be a speaker series made possible by ISID's program in global governance. For more information, you can contact ISID at events.isid@mcgill.ca or visit http://www.mcgill.ca/isid/seminars-and-conferences/speakerseries. There will be light refreshments served.

-          Thursday, Sept. 11th: "How Authoritarian Regimes Manage Opposition Groups in Society"

Marie-Eve Reny, Université de Montréal | Arts 160, 12:30-14:00

-          Thursday, Sept. 25th: "The Political Socialization of Corruption in China"

Juan Wang, McGill University | Arts 160, 12:30-14:00

-          Thursday, Oct. 9th: "Forgotten Foundations of Bretton Woods"

Eric Helleiner, University of Waterloo | Leacock 232, 13:00-14:30

-          Thursday, Oct. 30th: "Extractive Industries and Local Communities: Beyond the Social License to Operate"

Emmanuel Raufflet, HÉC Montréal l Arts 160, 12:30-14:00

-          Thursday, Nov. 13th: "Global Value Chains and Local Development: Fairtrade and Small Farmer Upgrading in Paraguay's Sugar Industry"

Gustavo Setrini, NYU | Arts 160, 12:30-14:00

-          Thursday, Nov. 27th: "China's Stealth Urban Land Revolution"

Donald Clarke, George Washington University | Arts 160, 12:30-14:00

8.      Cool Thing of the Week