Habemus Representatives!

On October 20, 2023, Leon Ecker, a first-year Ph.D. student, sparked a discussion within the USM community about the importance and benefits of having Master's Student Representatives. His efforts culminated in organization of the first-ever election on November 16, during which two students were successfully elected.

These representatives were tasked with various responsibilities, including organizing events to foster connections among Master's students, keeping the student body informed about pertinent topics, and addressing any challenges students might face. One intriguing proposal was to hold a Master's Students' Science Day. This event aimed to provide students in the thesis phase an opportunity to showcase their work. By doing so, it would highlight the diverse range of projects possible within the Munich Astrophysics community. The representatives were also expected to be available to answer questions regarding the Astrophysics program and assist the student coordinators. They would serve as the primary point of contact for incoming or current students who needed logistical, personal, or professional support. In essence, they would function as the main bridge between Master's and non-Master's students at USM.

The election process was conducted in an open and transparent manner, and the following representatives were elected:

  • Johannes Stoiber: A 4th semester Master's Student in Astrophysics
  • Surya Shivaprasad: A 3rd semester Master's Student in Astrophysics
Our community has already held several productive meetings. The initial meeting, which served as a follow-up to the USM Science Day that occurred approximately a month before the elections, centered around self-organization. During this gathering, attendees had the opportunity to introduce themselves, and those interested in running for election presented their candidacies. Individuals who were unable to attend the meeting in person were encouraged to express their interest via email. A week after the election of the two representatives, the community convened once more to engage in thorough discussions. This open dialogue provided a platform for students to share their interests and thoughts in greater depth.

We have numerous exciting ideas to strengthen the connections and sense of community among Master's students. With your ongoing support and active participation, we are confident that we can bring these ideas to fruition and create a vibrant, engaged network of scholars!