Have an idea to make McMaster a healthier place? The McMaster Okanagan committee wants to hear about it

McMaster's executive chef Paul Hoag, teaching one of six online cooking classes launched with funding from the McMAster Okanagana Special Projects Funding program.


Health and well-being can mean many different things – and the variety of projects that received funding from the McMaster Okanagan Special Project Funding program last year reflects that: online cooking classes, financial literacy programming for students and the launch of a new student sustainability ambassador program were among 11 projects that secured up to $5,000 to make their ideas reality.

Now, the McMaster Okanagan committee is again looking for creative, innovative project ideas that will help make McMaster a healthier place.

Students, staff and faculty have until February 28 to apply for up to $5,000 in funding on the committee’s website. (Because of COVID-19 restrictions, it’s recommended that all projects be virtual for 2021.)

As a signatory to the international Okanagan Charter, McMaster has made a commitment to integrate health and well-being into all aspects of campus life. The McMaster Okanagan Special Project Funding was started last year as a way to engage the McMaster community in creating a healthier campus for all.

And the ways to do that are practically endless.

McMaster’s Healthy Workplace Committee and Hospitality Services used their 2020 funding to launch McMaster Class, a series of six online cooking classes featuring McMaster’s executive chef, Paul Hoag.

“Eating right is one of the most important aspects of healthy living, and good nutrition is key to good mental and physical health,” explains Amanda Morgan, one of the committee’s leads. “The intention of McMaster Classes was to provide employees with an opportunity to learn about nutrition and cooking nourishing meals that did not rely on in-person participation, with the goal of making it accessible to everyone regardless of their shift time or campus location.”

This year, the McMaster Okanagan committee is looking forward to building on the success of its inaugural year.

“The McMaster Okanagan Special Project Funding engages the entire McMaster community – staff, faculty and students – in developing creative, impactful projects meant to contribute to the health and well-being of our campus,” says Paul O’Byrne, dean and vice-president in McMaster’s Faculty of Health Sciences, and the chair of the McMaster Okanagan Committee. “We are pleased to be building on the success of last year’s projects, and look forward to innovative, imaginative submissions this year.”