Daily News

August 26, 2003

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

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

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

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

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.

August 21, 2003

Genders, sexes and social inequalities in health will be explored during an upcoming Interdisciplinary Grand Rounds, hosted by the Program for Faculty Development. Nancy Krieger, . . .

August 21, 2003

If there is one certainty as the three-time Yates Cup champion McMaster Marauders open training camp today, it is that the starting quarterback spot is . . .

August 20, 2003

McMaster announced the 2003 recruiting class for football and men's rugby today. The McMaster men's rugby team recruited eight members of the Ontario junior rugby . . .

August 20, 2003

The Canadian women's soccer team opened the World University Games in Daegu, Korea today. They were defeated 3-1 against South Korea in the opening match . . .

August 19, 2003

Turning off lights, fans and photocopiers went a long way yesterday in efforts to reduce the University's power usage. The provincial state of emergency prompted McMaster to make every effort to reduce the amount of hydro currently used. Thanks to everyone's dedicated efforts, the University succeeded in operating at 30 per cent less hydro yesterday than an average business day. "I would like to thank everyone who has helped the University reduce power consumption since the blackout last Thursday," says Karen Belaire, vice-president, administration. "Your co-operation during these extreme circumstances is greatly appreciated. I understand that employees and students are patiently tolerating warmer offices and adjusting work outputs to avoid using equipment that is considered non-essential. You've done a great job of responding to an immediate need and I ask for your continued support." It will be important to continue to conserve energy wherever possible over the warm days ahead. Provincially, hydro availability is not yet back to full operating levels and the state of emergency issued by Premier Eves remains in effect. The risk of further blackouts remains a high possibility. McMaster, along with all businesses and residents, is asked to continue power reductions.

August 19, 2003

Imagine during your lunch hour popping into a technology playroom to test out new learning technologies, such as an electronic patient case to work through. That's one initiative being investigated by Ruta Valaitis, the new director of learning technologies for the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS). "My goal is to co-ordinate and provide direction for the approach to learning technology applications in the FHS," said Valaitis. "I'm looking for input from a variety of groups." She will work with students, faculty and staff across FHS's medical, nursing, midwifery, rehabilitation, bachelor of health sciences (Honours) and graduate programs, as well as colleagues in the University's Learning Technologies Resource Centre (LRTC).

August 19, 2003

The three-time Yates Cup champion McMaster Marauders will sport a new look when their Ontario University Athletics season opens Labour Day. The new Spandex and . . .

August 18, 2003

McMaster is open and operating at reduced power levels today to meet the directions from the Province of Ontario during the continued state of emergency. "In order to help meet the power reductions required, all McMaster employees are asked to conserve power wherever possible," says Karen Belaire, vice-president administration. "Please turn off lights and computers that are not needed as well as fans, photocopiers or appliances. These efforts will help avoid further blackouts." "Where possible, staff and faculty are asked to please limit their research initiatives to assist with energy conservation efforts," says associate vice-president academic Fred A. Hall. "It is essential that we all make every effort to reduce our power consumption. One of the University's top priorities is to ensure that the McMaster site of Hamilton Health Sciences has sufficient power to provide essential services."

August 17, 2003

McMaster University is open today, Monday, Aug. 18, but is operating at reduced power. University faculty, staff and students are asked to conserve power where possible. All managers are invited to an information meeting hosted by Karen Belaire, vice-president administration, today at 11 a.m. in the Council Chambers, Gilmour Hall, Rm. 111. The University was closed Friday and over the weekend because of a massive blackout on Thursday, Aug. 14 that affected most of Ontario and large portions of the American northeast. (end of story)

August 15, 2003

Hamilton Hydro has requested that McMaster University reduce its power consumption by 25 per cent effective immediately. Because of an ongoing possibility of local blackouts or brownouts in the Hamilton area, McMaster is accommodating this request in an effort to restore power as quickly as possible to all areas of Hamilton and Ontario. Primary power will be cut immediately, leaving only emergency power in the following buildings: Chester New Hall; Togo Salmon Hall; Kenneth Taylor Hall; Michael G. DeGroote School of Business; Institute for Applied Health Sciences; Wentworth House; Communications Research Lab; Thode Library; Burke Sciences Building; General Sciences Building; and Information Technology Building. It will remain an emergency power source only until the University reopens on Monday morning. The contact for any enquiries is McMaster Security at ext. 24281 (this is a 24-hour number). (end of story)

August 15, 2003

In keeping with the State of Emergency issued by Premier Ernie Eves, and in the interest of individual safety and security, please be advised that McMaster University will remain closed due to the power outage for the weekend of Aug. 16 and 17, 2003. There is an ongoing possibility of local blackouts or brownouts in the Hamilton area. McMaster wishes to assist all efforts to restore power as quickly as possible to all areas of Hamilton and Ontario. The Horizon's Conference scheduled for this weekend is cancelled. Participants will be informed regarding the rescheduling of the event. All buildings at the University will remain locked over the weekend. Employees/individuals who access offices or labs are asked to ensure that all doors remain locked and to minimize the use of lights, computers, water or any other resources. At present the University will aim to reopen for business on Monday, Aug. 18. The University's crisis management team will continue to monitor the situation over the weekend. Ongoing updates will be provided on the Daily News Web site and local area media. (end of story)

August 15, 2003

MCAT exams scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 16 have been cancelled. Students do not need to report to the Burke Sciences Building to write their exams . . .

August 13, 2003

Communicating, developing people, leading, embracing change, optimizing service relationships, and employing university acumen are six core competencies President Peter George has asked all McMaster managers and leaders to learn to understand in order to focus the culture of managing at the University. The first training sessions exploring the knowledge, skills, and behaviours comprising the McMaster core competencies were held recently. These sessions covered the 'Communicating' and 'Developing People' competencies, and were delivered at the Centre for Continuing Education (CCE). Additional training involving the initial 30-plus participants is scheduled for Oct. 16-17 and 30-31, and will cover the core competency 'Optimizing Service Relationships'.

August 13, 2003

Building a better engineer is the theme of McMaster's Faculty of Engineering and the UROP students' summer accomplishments are proof that it works. McMaster will honour their achievements at the inaugural Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) Symposium on Friday, Aug. 15 in the McMaster University Information Technology Building from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. UROP is the only program of its kind in Canada and, with a price tag of a quarter million dollars, offers first- and second-year students the opportunity to compete for paid summer employment in the research field. UROP provides exposure to research environments generally only experienced by upper level and graduate students. "It's a really good program," said Kevin Solomon, a second-year student who is participating in UROP for the second time. "It's relevant to my future career goals. I can apply it to school and I get an actual taste of the future."

August 12, 2003

Improving patient care by solving a decades-old blood transfusion allergy mystery was one career highlight for Prof. Nancy Heddle. That work, along with her other research projects in blood transfusions and blood products, led to another career high early this year when the professor in the Department of Medicine and director of the Transfusion Research Program at McMaster received the 2002 Premier's Award of Excellence. Heddle was one of six recipients of this year's award presented by Ontario Premier Ernie Eves at a Toronto reception. The annual awards recognize career success and community contributions of college graduates. Her award was in the Health Sciences category. "It was absolutely wonderful," says Heddle, a 1969 graduate of the Medical Laboratory Technology Program at Mohawk College. She received a medal and certificate as well as a $5,000 bursary to be presented to the college. "I was excited, and honoured that I had been chosen."