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Care Packages Show Support for Graduate Students

October 3, 2011

The Caffeine Kick, the Defense Survival Kit, and the All Nighter are a few of the themed care packages graduate students could soon receive as part of a new fundraising initiative launched by the Plant Agriculture Graduate Student Liaison Committee (GSLC). 

“You can show your support by buying a graduate student a gift package to encourage them in their studying, help them prepare for an exam, or celebrate the completion of a defence,” says Carolyne Brikis, an MSc student who co-chairs the GSLC with PhD student, Katie Dodson. 

A tiara or party hat and noise makers are part of Thank Goodness I’m Done – the first package ordered for an MSc student with congratulations on a successful defence from the team in the research lab of Prof. Peter Pauls, chair of the department of Plant Agriculture.    The packages, which can also be customized, contain a variety of food, study and personal items, including green tea, instant noodles, candy, glasses, mugs, calculators, notebooks, shampoo, candles, and mouthwash. 

The GSLC credits the care package idea to committee member, Greta Chiu, an MSc student who noticed the stress students feel around comprehensive exams, in particular.  “I thought this would be a creative way to combine fundraising with helping other students,” says Chiu.   

Each year, GSLC undertakes a fundraising project to support its ongoing objectives to encourage student participation in departmental activities, provide a link between students and the department, develop an orienteering service for new graduate students, and organize social events throughout the year.   

“The Care Package project will run throughout this year, and we’re hoping it will be so successful that next year’s Committee will continue it,” says Dodson. 

Prices for the packages start at $15.00.  For more information or to order a Care Package, contact the Plant Agriculture Graduate Student Liaison Committee at:  pa-gslc@uoguelph.ca