Students Affiliates of American Chemical Society (SAACS)
SAACS is an organization affiliated with the American Chemical Society which targets undergraduates who are interested in Chemistry. A significant contribution within the chemistry department goes beyond simply attending classes and teaching labs and SAACS is the organization which helps to truly connect students to their department. By bringing in professors to speak about their research, helping to perform outreach to both the department and community, and engaging students in a social setting outside of the classroom SAACS can really help to bring the undergraduate chemistry experience to life. Currently, SAACS has about 40 members.
What does SAACS do?
SAACS meets monthly and generally brings in a faculty member to give a presentation about what they are working on currently. Typically these faculty members also take the opportunity to talk about opportunities for student involvement within their research groups. Beyond this the group plans several social events throughout the year. These include the fall chemistry social, homecoming table, and spring chemistry social. One key component of meetings is to organize and prepare for these events.
SAACS also plays an important role in outreach within UTK Chemistry. Whether through selling organic model kits to students, giving tours to prospective undergraduates, or via chemistry mentoring day (when local high school students interested in chemistry come to the department for a day), SAACS tries to make a difference both in the academic department and the community as a whole. In addition to annual projects SAACS occasionally undertakes larger goals, and is currently working toward funding and designing a large-scale periodic table to place within the chemistry building.
SAACS aims to recognize excellence in teaching through two awards given out on an annual basis. Recognition is given to both an outstanding teaching assistant and instructor. These awards are funded organic model kit sales during the fall, spring, and summer terms. This is a unique prize in that it is truly democratic, accepting votes from any undergraduate student.
For more information contact the SAACS Faculty Advisor, Dr. Michael Best
Current Officers
President: James Humble
Vice-President: Andrew Blanton
Secretary: Kirstie Allen
Treasurer: Rachel Needham
How to Become A Member
Becoming a member is as simple as attending a meeting. Look for signs posted about Buehler Hall, check the webpage for updates to the events list or, if you are a declared chemistry major, check your email for notices about when the next meeting will be held.
Tentative date for next meeting: Nov. 16, 2011
Member Benefits
Room access to Buehler Hall 654A. This room provides a study space as well as a hang-out for members of the group. It also contains a test bank with old copies of chemistry tests filed by professor and subject, which can be used to help prepare for future exams. Finally, the SAACS room contains copies of many GRE and MCAT study guides which can be used to prepare for standardized tests.
Interaction with chemistry faculty members outside of the classroom. These experiences can be invaluable when applying to graduate school, as generally professors can write stronger letters of recommendation for those who they know better.
Networking opportunity with others inside the Department. This can take the form of performing research for a professor, teaching a general chemistry class as a TA, or simply getting to know others interested in chemistry.
Officer Election
Elections are generally held in the Spring for the next academic year. Following nominations and statements by the candidates, voting will generally be carried out by secret ballot and then the votes will be tabulated to decide the victor. If there is only one nominee for a position then the voting will be carried out by verbal consensus.