Live: First Meeting of PHEAR

It's the first meeting of the student SPH organization, uniting graduate and undergraduate students from across the school. Healthy Turtle will be updating about the meeting live. (Given the nature of a live blog, please forgive misspelling and bad grammar!)

7 16 There's a great showing here at the first meeting! Even Mickey and Minnie Mouse have shown up!

Sort of. Ginelle, president, and Monica, vice president of PHEAR led an ice breaker that designated the attendees as various names, (i.e. Mickey and Minnie) and each had to find their match. All is going well, and students from across the departments are already collaborating.

***

7 22 Dean Gold gives his reasons for the importance of an organization such as this:
1. The renovations: There is massive change that is about to occur in the building, scheduled to be completed Jan. 10. At that time, one of our largest academic units, Family Science will move from Marymount Hall to this building. This will be the first time that all the departments will be within the same building.

That's really important as there are no public health issues anymore that don't require input from all the disciplines. We have to learn to work together.

2. There will also be some exciting opportunities coming up that our students can take part in. One of these new facets will be the Global Public Health certificate program, as well as a set of activities that will depend upon activity among our students, including international experiences. We'd also like to see our students take on some of the public health issues of Prince George's County.

So the purpose of this organization is to get to know each other and to allow students to be able to capture these opportunities.

Dean Gold adds that one of the most important things that a student group needs to remember: Have fun!

***

7:28 Ginelle takes the stage.

Among the purposes she outlines PHEAR are (1) uniting the School; (2) being a liaison; (3) to promote exchange and networking; (4) a school wide organization to distribute resources. There is also the prospect of a mentor program for graduate students or students thinking of joining the graduate program.

(On that note, don't forget about the Grad student orientation coming up! It's 1-4 p.m. Friday for juniors, seniors or anyone else interested. Student panel and breakout sessions among departments.)

Cool Fact: Each color of the turtle logo for PHEAR represents a separate department of the school.

Heads up for fundraisers, community involvement and social activities! Temporary Tattoos with the logo are on the way. Ginelle's spreading rumors of the sale of Underarmor shirts as well!

***

7:34 Tanisha tells us about how PHEAR can support PRC. Possibly through creating pamphlets or assisting with an upcoming canned food drive.

***

7:36 Monica says that officer meetings will take place at the next meeting in Nov. "We need some new energy," says Monica. Officer positions needed include:

Treasurer
Secretary/Webmaster
Service Chair
Social Chair
Fundraising Chair

They encourage both graduate and undergraduate students to run. Write a short explanation about why you would serve well in the position. Make sure it's no longer than 300 words.

***

7:40 Question posed: Will the fund raisers and activities be starting next semester?
Answer: NO! IT'S STARTING NOW! That's right, right now. The Dean's office has been provided a bit of start-up money, but after this semester PHEAR is on its own. Get ready to sell those tattoos!

***

7:42 Question posed: What's the first and foremost purpose about the organization? Let's remember academics!
Here's a thought: How about a professional development chair?

***

7:48 The logistics of the future meetings are being discussed. It looks like there will general body meetings once a month, but there will be more meetings interspersed between executive board and committees.

Enthusiasm is high!

Side note: There are plans to begin a Blackboard hub for PHEAR.

***

7:51 Questions? Contact umdPHEAR@gmail.com. To contact Tanisha Fuller about PRC, contact tfuller@umd.edu.

Next meeting: 7 p.m. on Nov. 3. Check back for location.