McMaster Archive

September 8, 2003

Posted on Sept. 8: Marauders football team defeat York University Lions 51-0

Make it McMaster Marauders 107, Ontario University Athletics opponents 0. The Marauders, who started the season with a 56-0 gutting of the Guelph Gryphons just . . .

September 5, 2003

Posted on Sept. 5: Shiny happy people

On Saturday, Sept. 6, McMaster students will be wrapping up their Welcome Week activities by giving the residents of Hamilton a reason to shine. They'll be at street corners and shopping malls armed with polish, cloths, and donation boxes to make everyday articles shimmer and raise money for a good cause. Third-year biochemistry student and fundraising initiative team (FIT) co-ordinator Binny Jandu, says McMaster has a long, proud tradition in Shinerama, the largest post-secondary fundraising event that has raised more than $14 million for Cystic Fibrosis (CF), a fatal genetic disorder that leaves its sufferers highly susceptible to lung and digestive tract problems. "This is a great opportunity for university students because it is one of the only Welcome Week events that is directed specifically at the community," says Jandu. "They still get to make new friends and have a lot of fun, but they're helping a really good cause too."

September 5, 2003

Posted on Sept. 5: Engineers present distinctive clock ring

A double ring shape encircles a shield emblazoned with the McMaster coat of arms. Within it, two massive rings indicate the time. This is the brainchild of mechanical engineering graduates Patrick Burton, Braden Kurczak, Michael Paddags and Peter Whitred, who today presented a "clock ring" perched atop the doorframe at the north entrance to the McMaster University Student Centre. But even more than that, they presented their legacy. "We wanted to give something back to the University," said Whitred to the Daily News. "We all had such a great experience over our five-year degree and we love McMaster and engineering that we wanted to give something back. It's also a little immortality for us," he said, adding whenever they come back to campus to see the clock it will remind them of their student years.

September 4, 2003

Posted on Sept. 4: New staff will bring human rights out of the shadows

A new name and a new face will put human rights issues at McMaster in a different light, with the recent appointment of a director for Human Rights and Equity Services (HRES), formerly known as the Sexual Harassment and Anti-Discrimination Office (SHADO). Mark Walma, a Hamilton native and McMaster alumnus, joins the University after earning a law degree and recently serving as the acting director of Equity Services at The University of Western Ontario where he also chaired Western's New Ontarians With Disabilities Act Committee. "I'm very excited to have the opportunity to return to my hometown and, even more so, to be able to pursue my passion for human rights at my alma mater," says Walma. "I have very fond memories from my undergrad and graduate work here and look forward to being able to give something back to the McMaster University community."

September 3, 2003

Posted on Sept. 3: Sustained prevention of cardiovascular events and diabetes with Ramipril: study

September 3, 2003

Posted on Sept. 3: Students, watch out for each other

An important message was heard today. "Watch out for each other." It's simple, but it can make a big difference in a university student's life. It's the key message of a rape drug awareness campaign launched by a coalition of McMaster and Hamilton agencies. Last year, there was an increase in reported cases of suspected druggings and sexual assaults, and this year community agencies are prepared with a public awareness campaign directed at university and college students. "The timing of this campaign is crucial," says Jane Mulkewich, human rights and equity services officer at McMaster, who adds it coincides with the Month Without Violence in September. "It's the time of the year of the greatest risk."

September 2, 2003

Posted on Sept. 2: Easing first-year transition

Years of preparation and careful attention to cultural trends are among the greatest assets for McMaster staff, faculty and student leaders helping this year's double cohort class adjust to university life. With the changing profile of first-year students -- most notably those who will begin a post-secondary education and leave home as young as 16 -- comes the Office of First Year Experience, the University's newest initiative to meet the growing needs of first-year students. "We've been preparing for the double cohort for several years as we have seen a gradual increase of 16- to 18-year olds coming to McMaster in the last four years," says Danielle Stayzer, first year experience co-ordinator. "There are many programs and services offered to students at McMaster that are designed to support them academically and socially, and it is my goal that this office will add its support to both students and the staff running these programs."

September 2, 2003

Posted on Sept. 2: Marauders defeat Guelph Gryphons in opening game

In front of a sold-out crowd Monday, McMaster third-year running back, Jesse Lumsden rushed 12 times for 215 yards and scored three touchdowns to lead the McMaster Marauders to a 56-0 victory over the University of Guelph Gryphons. McMaster started second-year quarterback, Jon Behie who completed 12 of 17 (71 per cent) passes for 245 yards. Rookie quarterback, Adam Archibald entered the game in the third quarter to finish the game with four completions in seven attempts for 75 yards. Third-year quarterback, Mike Zaremba did not dress due to a sore back. McMaster 2002 CIS rushing leader (1227) Kyle Pyear added 98 yards on the ground and snared three passes for 59 yards to finish with 157 multi-purpose yards and two touchdowns.

August 29, 2003

Posted on Aug. 29: Welcome Week helps students feel at home

You can feel it in the air. September, it's just around the corner and that means students are about to begin classes for another year. Students will be welcomed back to McMaster next week, and many activities have been planned by the University's new First Year Experience Office to make them feel as at home as possible. "In the First Year Experience Office, we are frantically trying to nail down the plans the various groups are making for Welcome Week 2003, answer calls from first-year students and process for our orientation kits called the 'MacPac'," says First Year Experience co-ordinator Danielle Stayzer. To find out more about Welcome Week, visit www.mcmaster.ca/ww to view pictures from past years, a general schedule of this year's events and information about the goals of Welcome Week at McMaster.

August 28, 2003

Posted on Aug. 28: A little help from friends

The Hamilton community received hundreds of helping hands this week when the 114 Residence Life staff committed to volunteering for a day at organizations throughout . . .

August 28, 2003

Posted on Aug. 28: $80,000 grant supports research on postpartum depression

McMaster's Meir Steiner is leading a collaborative research project on postpartum depression (PPD) that received an $80,000 grant from the Society for Women's Health Research. . . .

August 28, 2003

Posted on Aug. 28: McMaster gears up for move-in weekend

As you read this, countless first-year university students are packing their bags, anxiously wondering what their new digs are going to look like this year. This weekend, they'll find out when they move into residence at McMaster. As that time nears, Housing & Conference Services is busy preparing for move-in weekend Aug. 30 to Sept. 1. "We are gearing up to welcome the 'Class of 2007' as well as returning students who will be moving into University residences over the Labour Day weekend," says Cathie Miller, director of Housing and Conference Services. "Extensive planning has been dedicated to co-ordinate the student move-in to be effective for the students and their families."

August 28, 2003

Posted on Aug. 28: The Prints of Betty Goodwin at the McMaster Museum of Art

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/vests.jpg” caption=”Prints of Betty Goodwin”]The McMaster Museum of Art is presenting The Prints of Betty Goodwin, an exhibition of almost 100 works from . . .

August 27, 2003

Posted on Aug. 27: Graduate Studies launches online course selection

Forget waiting for days to select the courses you want. Now graduate students can select their courses using the Student Online Academic Registration (SOLAR) system. McMaster's School of Graduate Studies introduced SOLAR to graduate students today. Launched for undergraduate students in December, this new Web portal is offered through McMaster University General Student Information (MUGSI) and now allows graduate students to select, add or drop courses for the September 2003 to August 2004 academic session. The deadline for graduate students adding first-term courses is Sept. 26. There are numerous benefits to online registration, says John Scime, graduate registrar & secretary of the School of Graduate Studies. Not only does it allow students to select their courses from virtually anywhere, it allows them to do it in real time, he says. "With the Web access and the real-time connection to the student records system, students obtain feedback instantaneously about the courses they selected."

August 27, 2003

Posted on Aug. 27: McMaster celebrates construction of Centre for Learning & Discovery

The words "on time" and "on budget" were something to celebrate at a "topping off" ceremony Wednesday on top of the fifth floor of the $70-million Centre for Learning & Discovery. The final concrete was poured by, pictured from right to left, Karen Belaire, vice-president administration, Tony Cupido, director of physical plant, Bob Dunn, assistant director of physical plant and David Clusiau, design principal at Norr Architects and Engineers. A "topping off" ceremony is customary when a construction project is on time and on budget. The pouring ceremony was followed by a barbecue for 400 tradespeople, users' group members, the steering committee and other guests who have had a part in the design or construction of the building.

August 26, 2003

Posted on Aug. 26: New English language courses help international students

In recent years, McMaster University has attracted increasing numbers of international students and students for whom English is not their first language. In recognition of . . .

August 26, 2003

Posted on Aug. 26: Temporary classroom to open on schedule

New students on campus this September will have another classroom to locate on their campus maps, now that the second temporary classroom is nearing completion. Karen Belaire, vice-president administration, says the temporary building (T-29) will be ready to accommodate this year's influx of students by the first day of classes. "We've worked very hard to get ready for the double cohort, and adding this temporary classroom space was a big part of that," says Belaire. "Over the next couple of weeks we'll be adding the finishing touches so that additional classroom space will be ready on day one." The new building is similar in appearance to its neighboring temporary classroom, T-28, which was completed last September. Both are located on the tennis courts, facing Mitchell Crescent. The new building contains two 200-seat lecture rooms on either side, and an entrance in the middle. It is expected to be in place as a temporary classroom until the new permanent classroom space becomes available with the opening of the Centre for Learning and Discovery in September 2004. (end of story)

August 25, 2003

Posted on Aug. 25: Residence staff put teamwork to the test

Less than two weeks before 3,420 undergraduate students are scheduled to begin residence life at McMaster, the student leaders in place to help them with the transition into residence life are already unpacked. They're scheduled for 12 days of intensive leadership training that will equip them with the skills they need to support residence students -- many who will be living away from home for the first time. "Every summer the residence management team brainstorm about the skills we want our staff to acquire during summer training and throughout the year," says Kevin Beatty, residence manager of staff training and development, and one of eight professional management staff responsible for the supervision of the residence life program. With an optional walk or run scheduled every morning at 7 a.m., the trainees can expect intense, active days to prepare them for the first exciting, busy nights during welcome week. They'll be trained in topics ranging from event programming and crisis management to teambuilding and student development theory. Staff members can hold one of three positions, but Beatty says most of the training they'll experienced is "streamed" to give each student leader the opportunity to develop skills that will be valuable for their respective positions. He hopes the streamed training will also lend itself to building tight bonds across the entire staff team of 114. "This year, as we welcome the students of the double cohort, we've put a lot more focus on the development of transferable skills and team-building to establish a solid foundation of student support," says Beatty.

August 22, 2003

Posted on Aug. 22: Energy conservation efforts continue this weekend

McMaster staff are encouraged to continue exercising energy conservation measures this weekend. If the provincial state of emergency is lifted over the weekend, full power will be gradually reinstated at the University and the hospital. Members of the crisis management team will continue to monitor the situation and provide regular information updates as available. There will be regular security on campus this weekend and all scheduled events will continue as planned. The peak generating plant located on campus is supplementing the University's essential power requirements during this crisis period. Physical Plant is addressing noise concerns produced by the generators by establishing a noise abatement plan, which is expected to be in place within the next few days. Power conservation includes shutting off power when not in use. It is important that the last person out of the office at the end of the day ensure all power has been shut off, including lights, computers and photocopiers. An improvement in weather conditions is helping McMaster get through the provincial state of emergency that was still in effect Friday.

August 21, 2003

Posted on Aug. 21: Power conservation efforts continue

All power conservation efforts at McMaster continue to be a top priority. There is a strong possibility of rotating blackouts today throughout the province. Employees are asked to cut back even more than the last few days wherever possible at home as well as the office. The University's Physical Plant staff are continuing to cap the amount of chilled water that drives the air cooling systems on campus. Combined with continued hot temperatures outside, employees should expect offices and buildings to be warmer today than yesterday. Everyone is encouraged to take breaks from warm work areas, reduce lighting and equipment that draw power and give off heat, and drink lots of water.