Daily News

September 2, 2003

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

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

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

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

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

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

[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

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

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

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).