July 9, 2003

McMaster's track will be the site of one of the fastest 10,000 metre events on Canadian soil today. The Hamilton High Performance 10,000 Meter Footrace features 10 Americans, seven Canadians, four Kenyans and one runner from the Congo. The race gets under way at 9 p.m. "Old-time distance running makes a return to McMaster," says meet director Peter Self. "Twenty-five laps of pain will be on display Wednesday night from this high-quality field." The top seed for the event is Peter Ntabo (28:01) a native of Kenya who currently resides in Hamilton. The two seed is a Niagara resident, formerly of the Congo, Giitah Macharia (28:02). The third, fourth and fifth seeds from the United States are Rich Brinker (28:36), Brian Sell (28:36), and Joe Driscoll (28:48).

July 9, 2003

Have you ever considered a career in teaching? Thought about teachers' college? Maybe you're interested in being a TA in the future? McMaster's Department of . . .

July 9, 2003

Your doctor hands you a prescription. The pharmacist fills it. Usually, that's the end of it. It shouldn't be, according to Hamilton researchers. They envisage . . .

July 8, 2003

Registrar George Granger announced today that he is resigning his position at McMaster this summer to accept the post of executive director of the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC). Effective September 2, 2003 Granger will begin his new post at the OUAC offices in Guelph. Reporting to the president of the Council of Ontario Universities, Granger will be responsible for the delivery of a centralized admissions application processing service for Ontario's universities. He will also oversee the development of the Centre's related policies, principals and procedures. OUAC processes applications for all undergraduate programs as well as teacher education, law, medicine and rehabilitation sciences. "George's insightful leadership has been instrumental to the advancements in managing McMaster's recruitment and admissions processes," says provost and vice-president academic Ken Norrie. "His wealth of experience has contributed to the Registrar's Office implementing effective new systems to accommodate the changing needs of prospective and current students, including the special requirements of the double cohort era. George has developed strong working relationships with his staff and people at all levels and we'll all miss working with him."

July 8, 2003

Power was lost in about 20 buildings on campus early this morning, after a transformer compartment in the Ivor Wynne Centre substation exploded. At 3 a.m. Tuesday, two subsequent explosions to one of two transformers in the substation caused a power outage to the entire east and north side of campus. All power was transferred to the other transformer and power was restored to all buildings. Buildings affected by the power outage included east campus residences, the Life Sciences Building, Mills Memorial Library and McMaster University Student Centre. The damaged transformer was removed from the building and the cause of the two explosions is being investigated.

July 7, 2003

After more than 40 years, you might say they've seen it all, except for an independent umpire that is. And it's likely not for the reasons you may think. Sure, there have been battles over the years, and the Phoenix Cup has taken a beating, but players in the McMaster three-pitch co-ed softball league seem to have managed just fine to last this long. This summer, official umpires will take the place of players behind the plate to allow more playing time each night for 21 teams in two divisions. "It made the game go smoothly and eliminated rules and it means I can schedule an extra game a night and also start the games a little later," says league commissioner Andy Duncan. "It's a good-natured group and we don't take it too seriously. The umpires who have done our tournaments have told us they enjoy it. It's a very laid-back league."

July 7, 2003

The hum from the soda machines is a little distracting. So is the squeak of someone moving chairs a floor below. But McMaster University professor . . .

July 4, 2003

If you need to learn more about the Hindu faith, then you might head down to the McMaster Student Centre this Sunday. The Hindu Students . . .

July 4, 2003

Finding a home away from home is rare and something to hold on to. It is also something that many Canadian cyclists have been lucky . . .

July 4, 2003

Remember your mother always telling you to wash your hands or else you'd get sick? It turns out she was right. The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care says that hand washing, when done correctly, is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of communicable diseases. The recent Ontario outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) has made hand washing of paramount importance, especially for people visiting or working in health care facilities. Screen, Clean & Go, a new campaign launched in response to SARS, is designed to make everyone aware of the important role they play in infection control and preventing the spread of SARS. Everyone who enters the McMaster University Medical Centre or other health care facilities in the city are being asked to follow three simple steps before coming into the hospital. "People need to be prudent and take a common sense approach," says infectious diseases expert Mark Loeb. "The current SARS situation is under control, but programs such as Screen, Clean & Go will help us continue to fight against another outbreak."

July 3, 2003

This summer, the McMaster Museum of Art presents ArT=H2O, as part of a province-wide water project organized by the Ontario Society of Artists. The exhibition features art from the permanent collection in which water serves as the primary subject or inspiration. It includes significant Canadian art by Jack Bush, Kenojuak, William Perehudoff and York Wilson, as well as works by Utagawa Hiroshige, Ernst L. Kirchner and J.M.W. Turner. The Ontario Society of Artists was founded in 1872 and has long been involved in ecological and environmental issues. O.S.A. Lake in Killarney was dedicated to the Ontario Society of Artists in recognition of their efforts to save Ontario's scenic La Cloche Range from being logged in 1932, a crusade that resulted in the creation of a nature preserve. Now the O.S.A. is focusing on another important natural resource and major environmental concern. This July, more than 70 arts organizations across Ontario, including public and private galleries, artist-run centres and societies will be mounting exhibitions with a common theme and title  water.

July 2, 2003

Modern Jewish thought and government funding policies for education are some of the diverse areas of study for McMaster's newest Canada Research Chairs. The newly-appointed social and health scientists will also examine the migration patterns of health-care workers in and out of Canada and the social and economic policies that affect children's health. McMaster's newest Canada Research Chairholders are Dana Hollander, assistant professor of religious studies, Canada Research Chair in Modern Jewish Thought; Abigail Payne, associate economics professor, Canada Research Chair in Public Economics; Ivy Bourgeault, assistant professor of sociology and health studies, Canada Research Chair in Comparative Health Labour Policy; and Michael Boyle, professor of psychiatry & behavioural neurosciences, associate member of clinical epidemiology & biostatistics, Canada Research Chair in the Social Determinants of Child Health. This round of chairholders brings McMaster's total number of Canada Research Chairs to 41.

June 30, 2003

Alumni Memorial Hall will close in July and August while it undergoes approximately $1.6 million in renovations and building upgrades. The renovation project will make the building accessible to persons with disabilities, and bring it up to current building codes. The project will also create an appropriate setting for the University Club as a showcase dining and function facility. "Renovation of Alumni Memorial Hall is a significant step towards ensuring a sustainable future for the facility," says Graham Hill, president of the University Club, which occupies most of the building. "Since February, two key events have occurred. First, the University's Board of Governors approved the $1.6 million renovation project and second, a new club manager was hired." During the closure, heating, cooling, water and hydro will be unavailable. Under the City's public health code, the demolition of the washrooms early in the project precludes the operation of a food service facility during the renovation.

June 27, 2003

McMaster professors Christopher Wood and Marnie Rice have been named Fellows of the Royal Society of Canada (RSC). Fellowship in the RSC is considered Canada's most prestigious academic accolade to which scholars and scientists aspire. Wood, a biology professor and Canada Research Chair in Environment and Health, is a world leader in the areas of fish physiology and aquatic toxicology. His research involves studying the impact of waterborne pollutants, particularly metals on the biology of fish. He has been inducted into the Royal Society's Academy of Science. Rice, a part-time professor in psychiatry & behavioural neurosciences, is one of the world's most prolific and innovative scientists studying criminal behaviour, human aggression, sexual offending and psychopathy. Rice has been inducted into the Royal Society's Academy of Humanities and Social Sciences.

June 27, 2003

McMaster's Board of Governors' approved the University's first consolidated budget, incorporating all sources and uses of income totaling an estimated $580 million. "This is without question the most comprehensive and complete budget document I've ever seen," said Roger Couldrey, Finance Committee chair, of the University's 2003/04 operating budget. "And it's a balanced budget." Driven by the University's academic mission, the document got a unanimous stamp of approval from the Board of Governors. For the first time, the budget encompasses the operating fund and budgets of all ancillary departments. Financial information on sponsored research, trust and endowment and capital funds is also included for the first time. "The 2003/04 budget is a transition document that will take us through the "year of the double cohort" and through the first steps of Refining Directions", writes McMaster President Peter George in his report to the Finance Committee. "As well, our first attempt at a consolidated financial picture for the University will be refined in subsequent years. The Budget Committee has, I believe, presented a budget that is driven by our academic mission and plans and meets our financial objectives." The 2003/04 operating budget is available online.

June 26, 2003

Seaweed and giant eels are frequent ingredients as master chefs in various culinary styles compete against challengers on the Iron Chef, a hit Japanese TV show that airs on the Food Network. While McMaster chefs may not regularly reach for the giant eels, they are no less competitive, as they demonstrate this Thursday in the 4th Annual Culinary Challenge, part of the Canadian College and University Food Service Association (CCUFSA) Conference. Wednesday, June 25 to Sunday, June 29, 2003, approximately 150 people from across Canada and the United States will gather at McMaster for the 25th Annual CCUFSA Conference. Delegates consist of representatives from student and hospitality services. Directors, managers, chefs, and industry partners come together to share ideas, information, and knowledge with peers from across North America. Formed in Ontario in 1978, the CCUFSA has grown into a national group comprised of food service directors and managers from self operating and contracted schools as well as senior administrators that oversee food services as part of their portfolio. The goal of the association is to enhance the quality of campus life through the growth and development of food service operations in colleges and universities The conference features speakers from both Canada and the U.S. These specialists will be presenting on the changing tastes of today's students and future trends in food services. Explains Peter George, President of McMaster University, "Students are changing, both in numbers and in tastes. Next year at McMaster, we are expecting to welcome approximately 5000 new students. With this increase in enrolment comes an increase in diversity. Already, our students represent nearly 80 countries worldwide. These students present many challenges to food services staff." McMaster's La Piazza dining facility, located in the McMaster University Student Centre, is one of the largest and most diverse campus facilities of its kind in Ontario. From charbroiled steaks, fajitas, and wraps, to customized pasta stirfries and sandwiches, to gourmet baked goods, to the Made in Japan Teriyaki Experience, the variety ensures that there is something to please every palette. The 2003 CCUFSA Conference will include a tour of McMaster University and it's newly developed buildings. Other events include a tradeshow of new age products and services designed for the university and college foodservice market and a cross Canada check-up. The highlight of the conference will definitely be the 4th Annual Chef's Competition. This year's event promises to be the best ever, explains conference chair and director, hospitality services, Albert Ng. Five teams from both Canada and U.S. universities will participate in this ultimate test of culinary prowess and skill. Like on the Iron Chef, it all comes down to one final question: Who will be victorious and who will be vanquished?

June 26, 2003

It's shaped like an airplane wing, and covered in 450 foil tiles. It runs on batteries that cost $21,000. Its driver cannot be taller than 6'2" or lighter than 176 pounds. It's based on the principles of how a normal car works, but is anything but normal. What is it, you ask? This extraordinary vehicle is Fireball II, McMaster's second generation solar vehicle, and it's about to cruise across the United States along historic Route 66 in the American Solar Car Challenge. Before it heads south, Fireball II makes its debut Friday, June 27, 2003, at 11:30 a.m. outside the John Hodgins Engineering Building (JHE). This event is an opportunity for sponsors, media personnel, and any other interested people to get acquainted with McMaster's new second generation solar vehicle.

June 26, 2003

Cumulatively, they walked 747 km over six weeks  a distance equivalent to walking from McMaster to Sault Ste. Marie. McMaster's Employee Health and Wellness recently wrapped up its annual spring walking group sessions, which gathered employees together each Tuesday and Thursday over the lunch hour for a walk around campus. "The intention was to get people together on their lunch hour for a time of exercise and socialization," says Debra Earl, employee health educator. She says 69 employees registered to participate in this activity. Certified fitness instructor Rose Bilicic led the group walk, providing instruction on proper technique, warm up and cool down exercises. The group walked various routes around campus and the community and nearby walking trails. On each walk, Bilicic recorded the distance traveled by using a pedometer, usually about 3.5 km. The total distance walked over the 12 sessions was 44 km and the cumulative distance walked by all participants was 747 km. The number of walkers who participated on each day also was recorder, averaging 18 participants. This included two rainy days when a small, dedicated group walked the hallways and stairwells of the University Centre.

June 25, 2003

Fifty-two of Canada's best and brightest high school students arrive at McMaster on Sunday, June 29 for a month-long immersion into university life. The Shad Valley program, referred to by students and staff as "MacShad," provides senior high school students who have demonstrated excellence in academics, recreation, leadership, entrepreneurship and community involvement with the opportunity to learn more about engineering, science, mathematics and entrepreneurship at the university level. For the past five years, McMaster has served as one of 10 host universities for the Shad Valley program, organized and financed through the program's central headquarters (Shad International) located in Waterloo. Each year more than 1,000 students compete for about 500 spaces available at campuses spanning the country. While each campus is run slightly differently, most consist of a core executive staff along with program assistants, supported by a number of faculty members from the university that instruct the participants within one of the main disciplines of study.

June 25, 2003

What do an international physician, an authority on information technology, and a specialist in mutual funds have in common? Each one of them graduated from McMaster and, more recently, they were each named one of Canada's Top 40 Under 40. The University would like to congratulate David Feather, president, Mackenzie Financial Services Inc., Samantha Nutt, executive director, War Child Canada, and Gerry Smith, president and chief executive officer, Changepoint Corporation. The prestigious Top 40 Under 40 list is part of a national program founded and managed by The Caldwell Partners to celebrate the leaders of today and tomorrow, and to honour Canadians who have reached a significant level of success but have not yet reached the age of 40. Each of the McMaster graduates on the Top 40 Under 40 list demonstrates innovation and acts as inspirations for other young Canadians.