Daily News

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.

June 17, 2003

Senior management is inviting all McMaster employees to toast summer and the great success the University has experienced over the past year at a strawberry social on Thursday, June 19. The celebration takes place from 1-3 p.m. at East Meets West Bistro in the new Mary E. Keyes Residence. The residence is located near the Cootes Drive (west) entrance. Employees will also have an opportunity to view McMaster's newest residence and tour one of the rooms.

June 16, 2003

The McMaster Institute of Environment and Health will showcase recent and present projects at its first open house on Friday, June 20. "We are excited by this opportunity to share some of the Institute's recent highlights with the broader McMaster community," says John Eyles, Institute director. "We are now in our twelfth year of existence as a university research institute. In that time, we have undertaken many research projects and contracts as well as developing a post-professional diploma and outreach program. Several recent projects will be showcased in poster presentations"

June 13, 2003

After a national search, Susan Elliott has been appointed the new dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, effective July 1, 2003. "I'm very excited about this appointment and I'm committed to the vision and mission of McMaster University," says Elliott, "and I'm really looking forward to working with the Faculty of Social Sciences to realize that mission and vision." "Susan has been a member of the McMaster community for 16 years," provost Ken Norrie says. "She earned her Masters and PhD in geography at the University and since that time has developed a stellar reputation as a world-class researcher, an innovative and dedicated teacher, and a thoughtful and progressive administrator." Elliott joined the School of Geography and Geology as an assistant professor in 1992 from the University of Victoria where she spent two years as an assistant professor. She has been an associate professor at McMaster since 1998, served as the School's associate director since 1999, and is a member of McMaster's Institute of Environment and Health. She also served one year as acting director of the School of Geography and Geology.

June 13, 2003

McMaster University and the McMaster University Staff Association (MUSA) have reached a tentative agreement in their negotiations for a renewal collective agreement. The current collective agreement expires on June 15, 2003. The terms of the settlement are confidential until MUSA holds a ratification vote. They will be contacting MUSA members with the details of the ratification process in the near future. Both parties are pleased to have attained their goals in this process. They have been meeting intensively since late March with the goal of reaching a new agreement prior to the expiry of the current contract.

June 12, 2003

After months of discussion, consultation and review, both Senate and the Board of Governors have approved the final draft of Refining Directions, the next stage of the University's strategic plan. "Tremendous effort has gone into the process," says McMaster President Peter George. "From the more than 80 members of the six working groups to those who participated in the nine town hall meetings, the input we received throughout the process has been invaluable and has helped to craft the final document." The approved Refining Directions document is considerably shorter than the draft that was circulated for review earlier this spring. The earlier version was a discussion paper that included considerably more background material. It also incorporated the recommendations from the working groups that will be utilized throughout the Refining Directions implementation process. The implementation of the Refining Directions goals and critical success factors will now begin. One of the first initiatives will be the creation of a working group to make a recommendation on the long-run enrolment of the University. Feedback during consultation indicated that considerably more discussion and information was needed before making this critical decision. The work group will be asked to have its recommendation to Senate and Board this December. "Other initiatives to achieve the Refining Directions goals will be rolled out over the next few months and there will be considerable opportunity for people from across campus to be involved in this process," says provost Ken Norrie. Norrie would like to thank those who participated in Refining Directions and is happy to answer questions about the University's strategic direction.

June 12, 2003

McMaster President Peter George will be recognized as the 2003 Negev Dinner Honoree June 15, for his excellence in communal leadership and support of the Jewish community. The tribute was announced by the Hamilton Jewish National Fund's Board of Directors and the Negev Dinner 2003 Committee. The 50th anniversary celebration on June 15 is recognized as one of the most important social events on the Jewish calendar across Canada. It will take place at the Hamilton Convention Centre, in collaboration with the State of Israel Bonds.

June 12, 2003

The Golden Horseshoe has a chance to share in the vast wealth and promise of biotechnology innovation but it needs to make the right moves . . .

June 11, 2003

Biotechnology in the Golden Horseshoe will be explored at McMaster today (Wednesday, June 11) during BioSummit2003. Organized by the Golden Horseshoe Biosciences Network, this biotechnology innovation conference brings together individuals in biotech business, research, venture capital, commercialization and economic development. This is the first conference of its kind in the Golden Horseshoe area that fosters bioscience driven economic development. Participants will examine global and North American perspectives of biosciences; venture capital and financing issues facing biotechnology; information technology/information management (IT/IM); challenges for a biosciences cluster; sciences in the Golden Horseshoe area; management of innovation as related to biotechnology; and IT/IM solutions for biosciences and health care. The one-day event takes place in the McMaster University Student Centre. For more, visit http://www.mcmaster.ca/Biosummit2003.

June 11, 2003

Ever wonder why food has no taste when you have a cold? Or if blind people really hear better than sighted people? Or why you need your glasses to hear the TV? These questions and much more will be addressed at the fourth International Multisensory Research Forum (IMRF) to be held at McMaster University June 14-17. For an overview of the conference, presenters, and papers, visit www.science.mcmaster.ca/~IMRF/2003. Organized by David Shore, assistant professor of psychology, the conference will bring together a growing group of international scientists who focus on the integration of information from different sensory systems. Many people never consider the number of senses they actually use at one time. Even scientists who study sensory perception typically only focus on one type of sensation (i.e., vision, hearing, touch, smell, taste). For a select few though, multisensory research is quickly become an active area for research. Explains Shore, "Everyday living is unrecognized as being multisensory. However, we live in a multisensory world. It is all of our senses working together that give us our rich perception of the world."