The following are highlights from McMaster's University Senate meeting on June 15 and Board of Governors meeting on June 16.

Retiring members

After two years as chair of the Board of Governors, Edward Buffett will pass the torch to Don Green.

“It has been a very exciting two years,” said Buffet. “I take tremendous pride in all the accomplishments of the University whenever and however they occur.”

Green will assume the position as chair of the Board of Governors in the fall, while Buffet will remain on the Board as past chair.

Other retiring Board members include Kenneth Cruikshank and Ian Hambleton, faculty representatives; John Drake, Senate representative; Kerstin Erickson, student representative; Wayne Fox, alumni representative; and Irene So, elected by the Board of Governors.

Retiring members of Senate include: Peter Sutherland, dean of science; Laura Finsten, acting dean of graduate studies; Clarence Kwan, business; Phil Wood, engineering; Ruth Frager and Robert Hamilton, humanities; Matt Cooper and Charlotte Yates, social science; John Drake and Ian Hambleton, science; Jacqueline Carson, alumni representative; and Doug Barber, Board representative.

University Technology Strategy

Technology Directions – a University Technology Strategy – has been approved. The strategy will be a blueprint for the future of technology at McMaster and will allow for continued dialogue and co-operation between faculties, departments and ancillary services to achieve successful development and implementation of technology solutions.

The strategy identifies and assesses all critical systems on campus, some which are more than 20 years old, said Debbie Barrett, chief information officer.

The strategy is available online at http://www.mcmaster.ca/cio/UTSMar05.pdf. A printed version is available upon request.

Cycling Network

The McMaster Cycling Committee and ACT Office are looking at options to enhance McMaster's on-campus bicycling infrastructure, including bicycling parking and routes. This is intended to encourage cycling as a viable commuting option for McMaster students, faculty and staff.

The proposed network includes approved bicycle routes on all on-campus roads as well as separate, designated bike routes. 'No cycling areas' will be marked with “Cyclists dismount” signage, instructing cyclists to choose an alternative route or get off their bikes and walk the designated path until it is safe to cycle again.

Faculty of Health Sciences library renovations

Renovations to the Faculty of Health Sciences library, at an estimated cost of $7.4 million, will dramatically enhance the visual identity of the library and entrance to the building. It also will include the addition of a small safe, additional study rooms, enhanced multi-media facilities and a learning commons area. Funding for the project has been identified from the Faculty, the University and private donations.

Deferred Maintenance, Facility Renewal Program

The 2005 deferred maintenance and facility renewal program consists of projects such as roof repairs, air quality improvements, minor renovations and code compliance programs. The University's share of the traditional $41 million provincial funding from the Ministry is expected to be the same as 2004, which amounts to about $1.7 million. In addition, as announced during the provincial budget earlier this month, McMaster was allocated about $8.7 million, which has been designated to the Burke Science renovation project.

Energy reduction, building renewal program

Ameresco Canada will enter into Phase 3 of the Comprehensive Energy Reduction and Building Renewal Program. The energy reduction plan and management system developed by Ameresco Canada Inc. provides creative ways to relieve funding challenges, advance facility renewal more rapidly and maximize the value of McMaster's physical assets.

It is expected to lower energy costs and consumption by 23 per cent and provide a 20-year payout of $28 million in facility renewal improvements.

Dr. Vivian Wood Graduate Scholarship

Established in 2003 by Vivian and Albert Wood and the School of Nursing, the scholarship supports the education of a graduate student enrolled in McMaster's nursing program. It is tenable for up to two years provided the recipient maintains a high level of progress and academic achievement. The scholarship is awarded by the School of Graduate Studies on the recommendation of the co-ordinator of the Graduate Nursing Program.

New academic grant

A new award category, called an Academic Grant, will be awarded to students who achieve a minimum sessional average of 9.5 based on a minimum of 24 units of course work, with no failures and qualify for financial aid through the Ontario Student Assistance Program.

Medal for Provost's Honour Roll

Provost's Honour Roll students – those who achieve a sessional average of 12.0 – will be issued a medal. The medal for students named to the Provost's Honour Roll will be displayed on the McMaster ribbon and cast in silver, with the University Shield at its centre, raised and plated in gold. The academic year for which the medal is awarded will be included on the medal.

Changes to Clinical Behavioural Sciences Program

Changes to the curriculum for the Clinical Behavioural Sciences Program have been approved. Changes include:

• revised course names for the various individual, community and behavioural studies courses;
• a reduction in the number of weeks over which the behavioural sciences courses are offered, with a corresponding increase in the length of each class;
• a revised format for psyhchodynamic therapy involving a reduction in the number of classes with a corresponding increase in each session;
• a minor revision to the course content for applied behavioural analysis and therapy level 1; and
• the conversion of cognitive behaviour therapy level 1 and cognitive behavioural therapy level 1 from elective to core courses

Terms of Awards

Senate approved terms of new awards, term changes for existing awards and the removal of three awards from the Undergraduate Calendar. New awards include: the Class of 1956 50th Anniversary Entrance Scholarships; the Audcomp Computer Systems Scholarship and the Hamilton Utilities Corporation Energy Conservation and Alternative Energy Undergraduate Scholarship. It also approved changes to terms of the following awards: The Neil Forsyth Prize; the Hellenic Prize; the Basu Medal; and the Ontario Association of Social Workers Prize (1986,1992). The following awards have been removed from the Calendar: the Charles Murray Ball Entrance Scholarship; the Chancellor's Scholarship; and the Governor's Scholarship.