ASAS - Graduate Student Info - Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits to joining and maintaining membership to ASAS as a graduate student or postdoctoral researcher?

Membership benefits can be found at http://www.asas.org/mbr_benefits.asp. Additionally, membership in ASAS provides a great opportunity for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers to network and explore career options.

How can I get more involved in ASAS while a graduate student?

As a graduate student you can become more involved both at ASAS meetings and through the year. At the Joint Annual Meeting, be sure to take advantage of gradate student workshops, symposiums, and lunch and learns. There are also opportunities for graduate students to become more involved through the year. Graduate student involvement in on the Joint Annual Meeting program committees is highly encouraged. Becoming a graduate director is an excellent way to get involved with the ASAS board. There are currently two graduate director positions on the ASAS board.

In addition, opportunities for further involvement at the sectional level are currently being developed. Refer to the website for information on these opportunities as they become available.

How can I relay my suggestions to the ASAS board?

Contact information for all board members and ASAS staff is provided on the website at http://www.asas.org/contact_us.asp

How do I become a member of ASAS?

You can join ASAS on the website (http://www.asas.org/) or you can print and fax a membership form (http://www.asas.org/docs/membershipapp.pdf).

Are there special membership rates for students?

Yes, there are reduced rates for annual undergraduate, graduate student, and ,postdoctoral researcher membership. Additionally, special rates for M.S. and Ph.D. students are also available that last the length of a member’s degree program (http://www.asas.org/mbr_categories.asp).

Am I automatically a section member if I join ASAS? What happens in the sections?

There are four ASAS sections (Northeastern, Midwestern, Southern, and Western). Each of these sections have their own leadership and hold their own annual meeting, sometimes in conjunction with the Joint Annual Meeting or with their section’s American Dairy Science Association (ADSA) partner. Sectional meetings showcase research, extension, and teaching efforts within each section, and are great places to both present research and network with others in academia and industry. All sections have a graduate research competition and undergraduate academic quadrathlon competitions, and some sections also have undergraduate research competitions.

What is a graduate director?

Graduate directors represent the graduate student voice on the ASAS board. They are voting members of the board and participate in all board functions. They are responsible for many of the graduate student functions at the Joint Annual Meeting including the Graduate Student Symposium, lunch and learn, and graduate student mixer. More details about being a graduate director and how to be nominated, visit http://www.asas.org/gradinfo/directors_info.asp.

What is JAM?

JAM stands for Joint Annual Meetings, the annual ASAS and ADSA joint conference, which also sometimes involves other societies. Visit http://www.asas.org/mtg_future.asp for details.

Who do I contact for more information?

You can contact either of the ASAS graduate student directors:

Heather White
Graduate Research Assistant
Department of Animal Sciences
Purdue University
hmuse@purdue.edu

Cassandra Jones
Iowa State University
207 Kildee Hall
Ames, IA 50011-3150
Work: (515) 294-2412
ckjones@iastate.edu