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.

June 24, 2003

McMaster University continues to demonstrate that it is a place of excellence and innovation. This year, two University departments received seven medals at the Prix D'Excellence, the prestigious annual awards program of the Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education (CCAE). The CCAE recognizes outstanding achievement in alumni affairs, public affairs, development, student recruitment, and overall institutional advancement. This year's winners are the Office of the Registrar and University Advancement.

June 24, 2003

McMaster University researcher Harriet MacMillan has received a $3-million grant from the Ontario Women's Health Council to research how best to identify woman abuse in health settings. Almost one in 10 women are physically abused by an intimate partner in any given year, and up to one-third of Canadian women report some form of physical or mental abuse over the course of their lifetime. Many women disclose abuse during the course of routine or emergency medical visits, and therefore the health care response to woman abuse is key in helping women cope with this problem. "To date, the research available does not tell us what health care responses are optimal to identify women who are abused and to assist them in getting the help they need in either the health setting or the community," says MacMillan. "This research program will ask women, both those who are abused and not, and their health providers how best to identify woman abuse in health settings. It will then test, using the design of a randomized controlled trial, which of three approaches best help women, and their children, reduce their exposure to further violence."

June 24, 2003

Parkinson Society Canada has awarded McMaster researcher Lennard Niles $45,000 for a one-year pilot study entitled “Neuroprotection by neural stem cells and melatonin in a . . .

June 23, 2003

Cyclists from across the country will peddle through Hamilton June 27-29. McMaster will remain open for the Tim Horton's Road National Championships, which will close down Main Street between James and Queen during race times. Although race routes do not directly encompass either the main McMaster campus or Downtown Centre, the routing of the race and number of visitors could have an impact on University operations. Portions of Main Street, east and west of the Downtown Centre, will close during race times. Details of the race, including race routes, can be found at http://www.canadiancycling.ca/roadnationals/home.html. Brochures with race information also are available at campus libraries, the Compass information centre in the University Student Centre or in the Office of Public Relations. Because of street closures and altered bus routes, some University employees may be interested in scheduling vacations for this time or arranging alternative work schedules. Such arrangements must be consistent with collective agreements, and could include use of vacation time, flexible work schedules, a personal leave day or unpaid leave of absence. Hamilton also will host the Road World Cycling Championships Oct. 6-12. For this race, Main Street will close between James and Queen. The University will remain open for this event. Click here for race details. The week-long event is expected to bring up to 250,000 spectators, 800 athletes from 50 countries, 750 team support staff, 800 to 1,000 media into the region and an international television audience of 500 million. Some of the teams expected to attend will be Italy, Spain, Belgium, France, Russia, Germany, USA, Australia and the Netherlands.

June 23, 2003

McMaster University and the McMaster University Staff Association (MUSA) have each ratified the terms of their collective agreement. The tentative settlement was reached on June 13, 2003. MUSA represents almost 1,800 staff working in a wide range of administrative, technical and clerical positions at McMaster. Mina Dizdarevic, president of MUSA, was pleased with the result. "The MUSA membership has taken ownership of their collective agreement. Major gains have been made regarding job evaluation, posting, and job security. A substantial increase in wages has also been negotiated, moving the vast majority of our 'over max' members onto the grid by the end of this new three-year agreement." "This is the result of much hard work by many people in the McMaster community," said McMaster President Peter George. "This agreement recognizes the important contribution that MUSA members make to McMaster's success. I also see it as a positive new chapter in the relationship between the University and the Association."

June 23, 2003

McMaster is launching its first fully online degree credit course today (Monday). The course, on the theme of Body and Soul, Pleasure and Pain in the Later Middle Ages, will examine the roles played by women and men of all social classes in the late medieval period, says Kathy Garay, who teaches for the Faculty of Humanities. The course is available to anyone in level 2 or above of any university program, worldwide. The seven-week course runs June 23  Aug. 8. Full information about the course is available at www.humanities.mcmaster.ca/hum2f03. More than 160 students have registered for the course, developed with support from the Office of the Dean of Humanities and McMaster's Learning Technologies Resource Centre.

June 23, 2003

Three McMaster employees were recognized for their tremendous volunteer contributions to the health and wellness of the McMaster community. FUNFIT instructors Helena Collins of the School of Rehabilitation Science, Rosalind Grant and Debra Kigar of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences were special guests of vice-president, Karen Belaire at a recognition lunch in honour of their contributions to the FUNFIT Program at McMaster. The FUNFIT Program offers classes in aerobics, step aerobics, body sculpting, dance-it and Tai-Chi that accommodate all fitness levels. Classes run five days a week on the lunch hour either from 12:10-12:55 or 1-1:45 in the 2F gym in the hospital. Evening aerobics and yoga classes are also offered. Those interested in finding out more about the FUNFIT program should contact Lori Mesurier, FUNFIT co-ordinator at jlmesurier@sympatico.ca The recognition of FUNFIT is part of McMaster University's effort not only to recognize the spirit of volunteerism, but emphasize the importance of health and wellness in the workplace. Photo caption: vice-president, Karen Belaire (right) with FUNFIT volunteers (left to right) Helena Collins, Rosalind Grant, and Debra Kigar.

June 20, 2003

Fifteen promising young researchers  new to the university in the last year  have been awarded more than $2.5 million from the New Opportunities Fund of the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI). The researchers, recruited from world-class institutions across Europe and North America, were awarded grants to purchase specialized equipment for their research projects and to initiate new work in their fields of expertise. "Recruiting excellent faculty is a high priority for McMaster and this program has allowed us to do just that," said Mamdouh Shoukri, vice-president research and international affairs. "This investment will help our new faculty to expand their research programs and build their research capacity." Of the 46 universities that received $43.5 million in infrastructure for 237 projects, McMaster ranked third with 14 projects funded. To date, 69 research projects have been awarded a total of $12,563,477 from the New Opportunities Fund.

June 20, 2003

McMaster's Sexual Harassment and Anti-Discrimination Office has been renamed the Office of Human Rights and Equity Services. The name change is a more accurate reflection of the breadth of human rights issues which the office deals with, says Jane Mulkewich, acting director of human rights and equity services. "The old name gave prominence to the issue of sexual harassment at the expense of other human rights issues such as racism," she says, "and also 'sexual harassment' is negative whereas 'anti-discrimination' is positive, so in many ways, the SHADO name was not ideal." Mulkewich canvassed offices with similar mandates at other Ontario universities, discovering the majority include 'human rights and equity' in their titles. The office, which has also launched a new Web site, relocated to the McMaster University Student Centre, Rm. 212, from its previous location in Kenneth Taylor Hall. The office will continue to offer services for victims of discrimination and harassment, but the Safer Space program and the After Hours help line will be discontinued, and women seeking emergency shelter will be given appropriate referrals to a range of services and resources in the community. This summer, a new director of human rights and equity services will be hired to replace Cindy Player, who has taken on a new position at the City of Hamilton as a human rights consultant.

June 19, 2003

Harry Thode, former McMaster University president and international scientist, was responsible for transforming McMaster University into the student-centred research-intensive institution it is today. A new book from McMaster University Press chronicles the life of this remarkable man, who served as the University's president from 1961 to 1972. Under Thode's leadership, McMaster became, nationally and internationally, a major centre of scholarship and research. Today, most of the approximately 1,000 McMaster faculty members, located in six strong faculties, are engaged in research and scholarship that both inform their educational work and help extend the frontiers of their disciplines. As well, McMaster students reap the benefits of learning from some of the country's finest researchers and educators. Modern McMaster is both a creator and preserver of knowledge.

June 19, 2003

McMaster's Board of Governors approved the installation of a $123,000 Alpine Tower High Challenge Leadership Course, the latest development in challenge courses. "What this is, is a first in Canada for a university," said Planning and Building Committee chair Donald Green. "It is something very new and different for us." The 50-foot tall climbing structure will be designed to present the same challenges as rock climbing and high ropes course elements. The ALTITUDE team-building and leadership program of the Department of Athletics and Recreation would make extensive use of the course. The preferred location for the course is the north-west corner of the '10-acre' playfield. The site will use about 27,600-square-feet tucked into an area deemed as 'recreational' and in the 'athletic precinct' of the Campus Plan. It will be financed through the Student Services Project fund.

June 19, 2003

McMaster has fulfilled its commitment to taking its share of students within the double cohort. High school students had until this past Monday to accept university offers and the Ontario University Application Centre has now finalized the numbers for this fall. At McMaster, 4,770 high school graduates have accepted first-year places, the University's enrolment target agreement with the province was 4,330 students. The target is based on a student count as of Nov. 1, 2003. McMaster's overall enrolment target for first-year this fall is 5,100 and registrar, George Granger says once you take the usual attrition rate into account he expects the University to be close to that number. Across the province close to 72,000 students have accepted offers to university. The government had made a commitment to provide 70,000 student spaces. Eighty-one percent of applicants accepted an admission offer from one of their top three choices.

June 18, 2003

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/thodebook.jpg” caption=”Book Cover”] McMaster University Press will release a book on former McMaster President Harry Thode on Thursday, June 19, 2003. The book, . . .

June 18, 2003

Graduate student leadership and athleticism was recognized at an awards celebration Tuesday. Hosted by the 2002 Graduate Student Association Executive, the inaugural event honoured athletic, human and leadership achievements of students from all faculties, programs and departments. It celebrated more than 100 students, recognized by their peers for outstanding contributions to civic and human values while pursuing graduate research. "I want to extend my personal thanks and congratulations to all the graduate students who contribute their time and talents to varsity athletics, intramural recreation, university governance, and student leadership activities," expressed McMaster President Peter George. "I commend you on your tremendous achievements in supporting and representing McMaster during the 2002-2003 school year. It was a year of brilliant successes . . . Despite the pressures of study and preparation for career, you have continued to participate at the highest level and, in many cases, have taken leadership positions in your sport, our university and community as well." For a list of the award recipients, click here.

June 17, 2003

For his communal leadership and support of the Jewish community, McMaster President Peter George was honoured at one of the most important social events on the Jewish calendar Sunday, June 15. Named the 2003 Negev Dinner Honoree, George accepted the honour, announced by the Hamilton Jewish National Fund's Board of Directors and the Negev Dinner 2003 Committee. About 650 people attended the 50th anniversary celebration at the Hamilton Convention Centre. The Jewish National Fund is the exclusive agent for land development in Israel and is in the forefront of environmental research and technological advances. Proceeds from the dinner supports The Greening of Mount Scopus project, located on the northernmost part of the ridge of the Mount of Olives. The afforestation of the once barren hillside has been an integral part of the Jewish National Fund of Canada's programs, one of which is to create a series of forests and parklands surrounding Jerusalem. The names of those participating in the dinner will be inscribed at the Mount Scopus dedication lookout.