- Plants-staff - University of Manitoba Mailing Lists

Fire warden and Fire extinguisher training
by Emily Wolverton 17 May '23

17 May '23

From: Ralph Kowatsch <Ralph.Kowatsch(a)umanitoba.ca> Sent: Wednesday, May 17, 2023 3:08 PM To: Emily Wolverton <Emily.Wolverton(a)umanitoba.ca> Subject: Fire warden and Fire extinguisher training EHSO is offering Fire Warden and Fire Extinguisher training in May. Information is through EHSO Fire Safety site. Fire safety | Environmental health and safety | University of Manitoba (umanitoba.ca)<https://umanitoba.ca/environmental-health-and-safety/fire-safety> Risk Management - Calendar (umanitoba.ca)<https://eventscalendar.umanitoba.ca/site/risk/?view=grid&search=y>

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Potatoes at the point gate
by Emily Wolverton 12 May '23

12 May '23

There are some potatoes that have been left at the gate to the point since earlier this week. To prevent them from unadvertedly walking away through theft or rotting, I wanted to bring awareness to whoever those may belong to so they can pick them up and store them properly. See attached image. Cheers! Jonathan Rosset

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DC minutes
by Rebecca Dueck 05 May '23

05 May '23

Hello All, Please see below for the minutes from the last (April 26) Department Council meeting. If you have any comments/questions please let me know. Becky CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Mask mandate Wearing of masks at UM will no longer be mandated as of May 1. Mask wearing is however encouraged. COMMITTEE REPORTS Graduate Studies Committee Increase PhD departmental assistantships to $24,500/year (currently $24,000) and MSc departmental assistantships to $21,500/year (currently $21,000) effective September 1, 2023. REPORTS Graduate student report Lauren Gislason reported that two PSGSA events were cancelled lately due to lack of interest and poor weather. The FAFS graduate student get-together was successful. Dr. Entz asked Lauren what the PSGSA thinks about Dr. Paliwal's proposed integrated agriculture course to be taken by all FAFS graduate students. Lauren thinks this would be very useful. Support staff report Becky Dueck reported that the safety seminar on May 1 will be held in 290 Education. Dr. Cattani responded to Becky's question about a new lunch/coffee room. Room 310 will remain a meeting room but when not booked for meetings, can be used as a staff lunch/coffee room. A sink will be re-installed in the room. NEW BUSINESS Visit by Dr. Scanlon Dr. Scanlon reported that he is willing to extend his term as Dean for two more years and that he will not seek re-election. He asked members what issues they want dealt with in the next two years: * Building security: Members do not feel safe. The entire campus will eventually be accessed using key cards. Dr. Scanlon can ask for the Agriculture Building to be moved up in this process. He was asked if the Plant Science wing could be secured separately during evenings and weekends. He will look into this as well as securing the greenhouse area during evenings and weekends. * Replacement of our Point facilities and adding storage space to the prairie crops and soils research facility * Curriculum and student experience: Spaces for students to get together are needed in the Agriculture complex. The Dean responded that with reduced need for computer facilities, space for this will become available. * Classroom equipment: In the ideal world, all classrooms would have a web cam to facilitate the hybrid experience. * Controlled Environment Facility: The Dean reported that he has received no feedback on the request to UM for the controlled environment facility. There is currently no new funding at UM for infrastructure. * To enhance the curriculum, establish a space in the new controlled growth facility for a farmers market. * Department Head: Dr. Cattani has agreed to extend his acting head role until June 30, 2024. They are currently looking at re-structuring departments within FAFS to facilitate greater ownership of degrees. Adjunct Professor recommendation Recommendation of Dr. Malcolm Morrison as adjunct professor in Plant Science. Dr. Morrison made a presentation to Department Council for a recent appointment as adjunct professor so he was not asked to present again. Seminar attendance * Dr. Entz indicated that attendance at seminars is low and thinks graduate student attendance at the Plant Science Seminar series and the master's seminar series should be mandatory. As well, attendance by faculty members should be monitored. The Seminar Committee should put a policy in place to require attendance. * Faculty members should be required to attend defenses. * Faculty members should present. * Lauren Gislason added that attendance at events in general is poor. Graduate students no longer know each other. * There was a consensus that the department in general is fragmented since COVID. * Lauren Gislason, Dr. Entz, Dr. McCartney and Dr. Chawla agreed to form a committee to investigate strategies to reunite the department. * Dr. Cattani added that a "meet and greet" will be held in the summer.

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Vehicle Rental Process
by Plant Science Orders 03 May '23

03 May '23

Good afternoon all :) I've been reminded that it is Vehicle Rental time for some groups. We've gathered some information regarding the vehicle rental process so I thought I would share. Some of this is old news to you and if so, just treat this as a reminder ;) Obtaining a rental vehicle: 1. You will need to go on Enterprise's website and get a quote. The quote should include the dates of the rental (pick up and return) and the make and model of your preferred vehicle. **Please keep in mind that the cost on the quote will be significantly higher than University pricing**. 2. Send your quote along with an purchase requisition to psorders(a)umanitoba.ca<mailto:psorders@umanitoba.ca> . The order desk will then create a PO using University pricing and send it to Enterprise. Picking up your rental: 1. Rental vehicles are covered under the University insurance policy and therefore the insurances that Enterprise wants to charge should be declined. Once you have picked up your rental: 1. Please send an email to psorders(a)umanitoba.ca<mailto:psorders@umanitoba.ca> with the make & model of the vehicle along with the license plate number to arrange the following: a) Gas Cards: - Gas cards are for Red River Co-Op (St. Norbert). - Gas cards are registered to the vehicle, so they are to remain in the vehicle and cannot be used to put gas in another. - Gas cards are available in the General Office once we have the information requested. - I also use the information to allow access to the UofM fuel pumps located at the back end of Lot E. b) Parking passes: - All vehicles on campus (including The Point) MUST have a parking pass. - There are summer passes available up to (and including) August 31st. Any vehicles to be parked on campus after this date will need to renew for another year. This poses a problem sometimes, so please be mindful of dates in this regard. - Parking passes will be charged to the PI and is not covered by the University. - There is a field on the parking pass where we can request a lot that is preferred. The Parking Office will try to accommodate the request, but if not, they will make an alternate suggestion. I think that's it, however if you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact psorders(a)umanitoba.ca<mailto:psorders@umanitoba.ca>. Thank you, Amanda Amanda Bonne University of Manitoba Department of Plant Science Rm 222, Agriculture Building 66 Dafoe Road Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2 * phone 204.474.8224 | * fax 204.474.7528 * e-mail amanda.bonne(a)umanitoba.ca<mailto:amanda.bonne@umanitoba.ca>

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Dept Head/ Tech Meeting minutes
by Emily Wolverton 26 Apr '23

26 Apr '23

Hello All, Please see below for the minutes from the April 26 meeting. The Point * Storage Containers * Construction on the pad for the four storage container has started. * Expected end date for the pad to be finished it May 5,2023 * 4 Storage containers will be brought in after the pad is completed. * Seed Storage building * Access to this building will hopefully be reassessed in mid-June by the KGS team. * Goose and Deer control * Goose Control will be happening in Spring TBD * Deer Control expected to be happening in Aug. or Fall TBD Important information * Safety Meeting * Mandatory attendance * Monday May 1 at 9 to 12 in 209 Education building * Keys for Summer Student * Keys will be issued to Technicians as "Floater Key" * The Tech is responsible for the key throughout the summer and for the keys to return in September. * Cold Room * Currently waiting on parts * Will be requesting funding for vernalization room. * Gas Pump * The new station should be hopefully up and running sometime in May.

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Reminder: Today 8:45-9:15 Head/Assoc Head meeting: with Techs Spring/ Summer 2023
by Emily Wolverton 26 Apr '23

26 Apr '23

Please see link to meeting below. ____________________________________________________________________________ Microsoft Teams meeting Join on your computer, mobile app or room device Click here to join the meeting<https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_MDBhZmViMTgtMmM5Mi00…> Meeting ID: 258 613 921 590 Passcode: pawgGN Download Teams<https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-teams/download-app> | Join on the web<https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-teams/join-a-meeting> Join with a video conferencing device teams(a)cvi.umanitoba.ca<mailto:teams@cvi.umanitoba.ca> Video Conference ID: 112 259 951 6 Alternate VTC instructions<https://pexip.me/teams/cvi.umanitoba.ca/1122599516> Learn More<https://aka.ms/JoinTeamsMeeting> | Meeting options<https://teams.microsoft.com/meetingOptions/?organizerId=b7e84780-9cba-428c-…> ________________________________________________________________________________

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DC minutes
by Rebecca Dueck 26 Apr '23

26 Apr '23

Hello All, Please see below for the minutes from the March 29 meeting. Please contact me if you have any questions/comments. Becky CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Research Grant Applications: Internal Deadlines and Research Security Changes Academics received an email about this. Due to security concerns, researchers are now required to submit grant applications for approval by the ADRs/RLOs earlier due to greater ORS times for approval. Details are included in the email sent by the Office of the Vice-President Research and International. Room 218 upgrades · Dr. Fristensky presented an updated proposal with revised pricing for podium computer equipment in Room 218. The equipment will include a computer, keyboard, mouse and webcam (high quality to enable pickup of voices in the room). · The advantage to using the podium computer is that it will be configured to utilize the built-in room speakers. · Equipment will be secured by a bracket. · Motion carried to approve the podium computer equipment proposal with the inclusion of a security bracket. Seed storage · A new Safe Work Procedure (SWP) will be in place for the seed storage at the Point as of March 31, 2023. This date may be adjusted dependent upon the thaw. · Access to the building will be for the purpose of retrieving material only, with a maximum time limit of 15 minutes per visit. Working in the building is not permitted. · Under normal circumstances, the seed storage would likely have three to five years of service left. If the water level is high enough this year, the building may have to be decommissioned. · Shipping containers to store seed have been ordered for the Point. · Dr. Entz has moved the Glenlea archive material to the Glenlea Research Station. He reported that very little seed has been removed from the seed storage building. · Dr. Cattani asked that material be at least moved to the north end of the building to take weight off the south end, however, that could still leave material in danger. Critical material should be moved out. · Plant Science has been granted permission to use an Animal Science shed. Hort Storage building Upgrades are mostly complete. Prairie Crop and Soils Research Facility There is potential to add a small amount of storage to the PCSRF building. REPORTS Graduate student report · Lauren Gislason reported that the PSGSA held a graduate studies information day for undergraduate students on March 14. It was successful. They will likely hold it again in the future. Drs. Duncan and Lawley participated. · The PSGSA is grateful to have received notice from the Dean of increased security in the building. · Dr. Fernando reported the Vinuri Weerasinghe won 1st prize in the Plant Pathology category at the Plant Science Graduate Student Symposium · Plant Science graduate students are participating in a social event with other graduate students in FAFS. Support staff report · Becky Dueck reported that technicians are moving seed from the storage building. · Vehicles parked along the riverbank must be moved. Mel Kaufman has cleared snow off them. · Mel will move seed into bulk bags. NEW BUSINESS Deletion of PLNT 7670 Quantitative Genetics and Plant Breeding Dr. Brûlé-Babel taught PLNT 7670. Since parts of this course are currently covered in Dr. McCartney's course PLNT 7164 Genetic Mapping in Plants and in Dr. Duncan's course PLNT 7170 Advanced Plant Breeding, a recommendation has been made to delete PLNT 7670. As well as removing overlap, deletion will provide Dr. Chawla with an opportunity to create a new graduate course. Motion carried to delete PLNT 7670 Quantitative Genetics and Plant Breeding effective academic year 2023-2024.

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Summer Student Keys
by Emily Wolverton 10 Apr '23

10 Apr '23

Hello, Regarding key access for summers student we are hoping to limit the amount of keys being handed out to summer student. When requesting keys for summer student please keep the following in mind: * Will they need be access these spaces outside for normal working hours? * Are these spaces open during working hours? If not, how often will they need to access it unsupervised? * If they are working in a group could one access key be shared with one student being responsible? * Is this a key where access should be limited by the key being collected by their supervisor at the end of day or week? Thank you, Emily Wolverton Assistant to the Department Heads Department of Plant Science Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences [E29E6A5B] Agriculture Building room 227 204-474-8563 Emily.Wolverton(a)umanitoba.ca<mailto:Emily.Wolverton@umanitoba.ca>

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DC minutes
by Rebecca Dueck 06 Apr '23

06 Apr '23

Hello All, Please see below for the minutes from the March 1 meeting. Please contact me if you have any questions/comments. Becky CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Postdoctoral Fellow / Research Associate Association Dr. Sayari reported that they are working on creating a faculty-wide Postdoctoral Fellow / Research Associate Association. Dean's Office assistance Dr. Gulden reported that the Dean's Office thanks Allison Paulusma for the help she provided to them while the FAFS financial administrator position was vacant. REPORTS Graduate student report * Lauren Gislason reported that the PSGSA is holding an information session for undergraduate students to promote graduate studies in the Department. This will take place March 14. Information to follow. * The Plant Science Graduate Student Symposium will take place at North Dakota State University March 17-19. Associate Head, Field Research report * Dr. Duncan reported that contracts have been awarded for construction of the new building at Carman. * Three representatives from Plant Science are serving on the Prairie Crop and Soils Research Facility (PCSRF) planning committee. Plans are being finalized. * As of March 31 (or earlier if necessary), buildings at the Point that are subject to riverbank erosion cannot be used. * Once spring water recedes, the situation will be evaluated to determine if these buildings can be used in the immediate future. They will eventually be unusable. * The Point Management Committee is investigating how to manage this loss of space. * There may be an opportunity to add to the PCSRF to accommodate the space loss. NEW BUSINESS Proposed Adjunct Professor presentation. recommend Dr. Istvan Rajcan as adjunct professor in the Department of Plant Science.

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Reminder: Head/Assoc Head meeting: with Techs
by Emily Wolverton 22 Mar '23

22 Mar '23

Hello, The Head/Assoc Head meeting: with Techs will be held in person in room 218 March 23, 2023 at 8:45 am. Thank you, Emily Wolverton Assistant to the Department Heads Department of Plant Science Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences [E29E6A5B] Agriculture Building room 227 204-474-8563 Emily.Wolverton(a)umanitoba.ca<mailto:Emily.Wolverton@umanitoba.ca>

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