Daily News

February 12, 2003

More than 30 years ago, the McMaster Students Union identified the importance of getting involved in providing accessible, affordable, quality child care for McMaster students, staff and the surrounding community. As a result, it established a daycare for the University community, now known as the MSU Child Care Centre. On Saturday, Feb. 15, the daycare celebrates its 30th anniversary with a fundraising silent auction and dance. The event takes place at Quarters restaurant in the McMaster University Student Centre. Tickets are $25 per person and include h'ors d'oeuvres, a late night buffet and a DJ. Proceeds will go towards the purchase of an air conditioner. For tickets or to support the centre through a silent auction prize donation, call Debbie Thomson at 905-526-1544. Originally located at St. Cuthbert's Presbyterian Church on Bond Street North, the daycare soon outgrew that space and set up shop five years later at MacNeill Baptist Church at 1145 King Street West. Today, the program services 55 families with children ranging in age from 18 months to 6 years. The Centre is based on a not-for-profit model and all fees are directed back into supporting the objectives of the centre. The MSU and support from various levels of government provide additional funding. Caring, qualified early childcare educators develop, design and deliver fun and educational programming. An on-site cook prepares healthy snacks and meals for the children. Several students and community members provide additional support through co-op placements and by volunteering with the centre.

February 12, 2003

Tommy, whose birth was framed by the Second World War, witnessed a murder as a child and became numb to the world. In his parents efforts to cure him, he met intriguing characters along the way. This month, McMaster's Musical Theatre follows the incredible journey of transformation from deaf-dumb-and-blindness to pinball wizard stardom in the rock musical Tommy by The Who's Pete Townshend. Tommy takes the Robinson Memorial Theatre stage Feb. 21, 22, 26, 27, 28 and March 1. All shows begin at 8 p.m. with a matinee performance at 2 p.m. on March 1. Robinson Memorial Theatre is located in Chester New Hall, Rm. 103. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. For tickets, call the McMaster Musical Theatre box office at ext. 26225.

February 11, 2003

Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Canada Mei Ping is exploring McMaster and its strong Chinese connections. Ping, and his wife Mei Lin Sha, visited with students Monday in the McMaster University Student Centre (MUSC). Today, he will tour the School of Business Trading Centre and AIC wing, as well as the Faculty of Engineering's Machining Systems Laboratory and McMaster Manufacturing Research Institute. He returns to Ottawa this afternoon. McMaster President Peter George hosted a reception and dinner for the ambassador Monday. Luke Chan, executive director of the Office of International Affairs, hosted a dinner Sunday. Born in 1943 in Shanghai, Mei became the ambassador in 1998. He is the fourth ambassador of China to visit McMaster. The number of Chinese students attending McMaster has increased substantially since 1994, when the University had three undergraduate students from China, according to the Office of International Affairs. In 2002, preliminary figures show McMaster had 635 undergraduate and 116 graduate visa students from China. In 2002, a total of 1,537 international students (undergraduate and graduate) attended McMaster. Photo caption: Pictured above, Ping and Lin Sha spoke with first-year social science student Bailin Li, top left, and first-year MBA student Chao Yu during his visit with students in the MUSC. Photo credit: Chantall Van Raay

February 11, 2003

Psychologist Martin Daly has found some intriguing connections between the homicide rate and income distribution in Canada and the United States. Daly, who desribes his studies of homicide as "a window on human passions and antagonisms," has found that the greater the inequality in the distribution of income between rich and poor, the higher the homicide rate. Daly will discuss his research at tonight's Science in the City lecture titled Competition, Inequity and Homicide, the second in a series of lectures sponsored jointly by McMaster University and the Hamilton Spectator. In an interview with the Spectator (Feb.8), Daly notes that "the more inequitable the rewards, the higher the rates of violence, presumably because it's more desperately competitive at the bottom." This free lecture will be held tonight in the Spectator Auditorium, located in the Hamilton Spectator, 44 Frid Street. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the lecture begins at 7 p.m.

February 10, 2003

More than 150 McMaster employees gathered on Friday, Feb. 7 at the Burlington Art Centre to participate in the 'Inspiring From Within' conference  a career-oriented day developed by a small group of McMaster employees. The conference was organized by the 'Working at McMaster' Career Planning and Development Steering Committee, whose objective is to promote the values of career planning and development within the McMaster employee community. The event featured several distinguished keynote speakers, session leaders and facilitators, including Jane Farrow, radio host of the CBC program 'Workology', who spoke on the 'Wild World of Work'. Gordon Cressy, president of Canadian Tire Foundation for Families and Community Investment, gave a presentation entitled: 'Dreaming and Doing: Inspiring From Within'.

February 10, 2003

A Faculty Grievance Review Panel Hearing Committee has issued its findings in a matter pertaining to philosophy professor David Hitchcock. The committee found that professor Hitchcock should have had one day unpaid leave for failing to teach his Philosophy 3F03 class during the MUSA dispute in 2001. Professor Hitchcock was grieving a decision that had placed him on 14 days unpaid leave for failing to teach the class and for not handing in an exam. The three-member committee ruled that the wages for the other 13 days shall be paid with interest. "There's a very clear process in these types of proceedings and that process has been followed in this instance," said McMaster provost Ken Norrie. "I am happy the matter has been resolved."

February 7, 2003

McMaster's teaching assistants and the University have ratified a new collective agreement. The Board of Governors' executive committee ratified the terms of a renewal collective agreement for the teaching assistants (TAs) earlier today. This follows the vote held by Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 3906 Unit 1 (CUPE) during the last two days that endorsed the new agreement by an 85 per cent margin. "Teaching assistants play an important role both as employees and students at McMaster," said President Peter George. "They help us provide a quality educational experience. As a university, we have been working hard to develop a constructive negotiation process as part of our efforts to continually improve the working environment of McMaster employees. Throughout these negotiations both teams were focused on reaching an agreement that met the needs of everyone concerned."

February 7, 2003

For 11 years, McMaster's Student Walk Home Attendant Team (SWHAT) has been walking people home after dark. To raise the profile of this McMaster Students Union service, SWHAT is hosting its annual Awareness Week Jan. 31 to Feb. 13. A booth will be set up in the McMaster University Student Center Marketplace today (Feb. 7) and Feb. 11. SWHAT is run entirely by students and made possible by the work of hundreds of volunteers. Each SWHAT team is composed of one male and one female volunteer who both wear easily identifiable jackets and carry with them a flashlight and two-way radio. To request a walk home between 5:30 p.m. and 1 a.m., seven days a week, contact the SWHAT office at ext. 27500.

February 7, 2003

Neville Boney will be next year's president of the McMaster Students Union. Boney won a close race on the six ballot of preferential voting with a total of 1,607 votes. Boney is the current vice-president administration with the McMaster Students Union. He has a degree in kinesiology and has finished his first year of a second degree in French. Preferential voting allows voters to rank the candidates. A candidate wins when they have 50 per cent plus one vote. If that percentage is not reached in the first ballot, the ballots from the candidate with the lowest number of number one votes are redistributed to the other candidates according to the second place votes. This continues until a candidate reaches the 50 per cent plus one mark.

February 6, 2003

Although men and women are one species, the neural systems underlying cognition are different between them, says this year's Alexander Graham Bell lecturer. So, asks Sanda Witelson, do women and men think and act the same way? The professor of psychiatry and behaviourial neurosciences and Albert Einstein/Irvine Zucker Chair in Neuroscience, will explore this at the 25th annual Alexander Graham Bell Lecture. The free public lecture takes place Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 7:30 p.m. in the Health Sciences Centre, Rm. 1A1. Witelson, who joined McMaster's Department of Psychiatry in 1969, is internationally recognized for her contributions to the elucidation of the neurobiological underpinnings of cognition, such as language, intelligence and visuo-spatial perception; the basis of hemispheric functional specialization  a major aspect of human brain organization; the etiology of childhood reading problems; and mechanisms in sexual differentiation of the brain between men and women. Presented by the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, the Alexander Graham Bell Lecture offers outstanding speakers on a topic in information and emerging technologies that is of interest to both the members of the University community and the general public.

February 5, 2003

World religions will congregate in the McMaster University Student Centre Marketplace today, (Thursday, Feb. 6). Coordinated by the Interfaith Unity Group, McMaster's first annual World Religions Day Fair takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. "While each faith represented embodies aspects of culture, the essence of what is being communicated is the raison d'etre of the various faiths and philosophies," says Carol Wood, ecumenical chaplain. "Our "neighbourhood" at McMaster includes people of many theological and philosophical persuasions. Interfaith Unity seeks to foster understanding, which begins with education. Interfaith Unity also seeks to foster respect, which begins with listening and being in dialogue with people whose background and religious beliefs may differ from our own." McMaster Interfaith Unity, an MSU club, coordinates events and presentations throughout the year to promote religious and cultural tolerance within the McMaster Community.

February 5, 2003

Giant, colourful lions danced through the McMaster University Student Centre today to mark the Chinese Lunar New Year. McMaster's Chinese Students' Association, one of the largest and oldest student organizations on campus, celebrated the New Year with a traditional Lion Dance. As part of this tradition, McMaster President Peter George, McMaster Students Union president Evan Mackintosh and Luke Chan, executive director of the Office of International Affairs, dotted the lions' eyes prior to the dance to awaken the lions' spirits. The celebration features games and foods of the Chinese New Year and for the first time in the 36-year-old association's history, the traditional Lion Dance. The celebration takes place in the MUSC Marketplace from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

February 5, 2003

Canadian musicians Joe Sealy, Cindy Church and Paul Novotny will pay an all-Canadian tribute to songwriter Hoagy Carmichael Friday, Feb. 7 at McMaster. Entitled "The Nearness of You", the concert will take place in Convocation Hall at 8 p.m. There will also be a special performance by Sealy and Novotny, who will play selections from various CD's they have produced as well as a collaboration of new material. Born in Indiana in 1899, Carmichael created some of the twentieth century's most enduring songs, including Stardust, Skylark and Ole Buttermilk Sky. Jazz pianist-composer Joe Sealy is renowned for his Juno Award winning Africville Suite and his recent Juno nominated Blue Jade. Singer-songwriter Cindy Church is not only a popular folk country performer, but performed with Quartette with colleagues Sylvia Tyson, Caitlin Hanford and Gwen Swick. Bassist Paul Novotny has performed with several musicians including Junior Mance, Jo-Ann Brakeen, Carol Welsman and Holly Cole. Novotny has three Juno-nominated CDs and one Juno award winner, and has toured the world. Tickets to the performance are $25 each. To purchase tickets contact the McMaster School of the Arts at ext. 24246 or the after-hours hotline at ext. 23333. Photo caption: Jazz-pianist-composer Joe Sealy

February 4, 2003

And they're off. It's that time of year again -- time for the McMaster Students Union (MSU) presidential elections. This year, seven candidates have entered the race to become next year's MSU president. The candidates are: Neville Boney, Adamo Discenza, Shano Mohan, Jamie Paterson, Richard Safka, Ken Seville and Adam Spence. "Students should find out what these candidates have to say," says current MSU president Evan Mackintosh. "The job of MSU president is to work for the students." The McMaster Students Union represents more than 14,000 undergraduate students on campus. The MSU president is elected by the student population at large and has a one-year, full-time term starting on May 1. Student Representative Assembly elections take place in March. The vice-presidents of finance, administration and education are elected by the new SRA.

February 3, 2003

The 2003 Marauder Friends of Distinction recipients were presented as part of the 17th Annual Marauder Weekend festivities that took place at the Burridge Gym Saturday. Part-time coaches, trainers, behind and on the scene contributors are recognized as Friends of Distinction by McMaster Athletics and Recreation for their tireless dedication to sport, University athletes and the pursuit of excellence. Award recipients and nominees are the men and women who have contributed in a significant way as the "doers" and "builders" of current and past athletic programs at McMaster. Catie Creighton Catie is a long-serving and dedicated member of the Athletic Hall of Fame Committee and assists in any capacity required at the induction ceremony. Creighton helped with the organization of the women's alumnae basketball games during the 2002 CIS Women's National Basketball Championships and supports the athletics program as a volunteer and as an alumna. Don Graves Don took on the job of head coach of the Marauder baseball program in the fall of 1995. In only six seasons, coach Graves led the Marauders to one national championship, two Ontario West Division titles and two regular season pennants. Graves retired from coaching Marauder baseball following the 2002 season and will continue to be involved with the athletics program. Ray Johnson Ray is a retired director of Athletics & Recreation at McMaster and was a member and advisor of the Lettermen's Association for more than 20 years. Johnson stepped down as chair of the Hall of Fame Committee this past year, a position he held since 1995. He is a supporter of the Friends of Football Adopt-an-Athlete program and is still an avid fan of Marauder athletics. Mary Foster Mary is a retired coach, chair of women's athletics and student advisor of McMaster. She is presently chair of the women's Hall of Fame selection committee and co-chairs the induction event at Homecoming each year. Foster is an avid supporter of women's athletics and we are proud to recognize her many years of dedication to the program. Phil McColl Phil has been instructing Karate in the McMaster Recreation program since 1984. McColl not only teaches his students but also imparts the knowledge he's attained through his travels to Thailand, Japan and to Argentina to demonstrate at the World Karate Championships. McColl takes great pride in his sport and dedicates more than eight hours a week to the training of his students. He is a dedicated instructor who has developed 50 quality black belt students and as one of his students who travels from Toronto said, "Sensei McColl is worth the drivehe is the best instructor ever." Ken Welch Welch began working on the "OUA Game of the Week" in 1989 and continued with it for 13 years. He hosted the televised football games at MAC and did athlete profiles for both football and basketball. Welch also provided TV coverage of McMaster athletes throughout the week on his sportscast. Welch is a keen supporter of McMaster Athletics and emcees the Marauder football gala dinner every year, as well as the men's basketball gala dinner.

February 3, 2003

David Suzuki makes no apologies for his harsh condemnation of our mistreatment of the world around us. And he challenges engineering students to put the battered environment ahead of the bottom line when they assume their careers. But first the respected environmentalist and broadcaster takes his McMaster University audience on a journey to the past, his wistful recollections acting as a personal barometer of changing times. They are the memories that have shaped his life and fuel his passion. Once, his grandfather's farmland nurtured crops. Now, it grows apartment buildings. Once, water ran clean and clear in the streams of his youth in southwestern Ontario. Today, we no longer trust what comes out of the tap and buy water in bottles. Natural wonders of the world evoked wonder in Suzuki as a boy. Today, youth are left to find inspiration from shopping malls, the Internet and video games. "We have forgotten the fundamental realities in Canada. We live in a series of myths and misconceptions, that lead us to environmental degradation," Suzuki said yesterday, at a conference that aims to increase student awareness of the environmental impact of civil engineering. The host of the TV show The Nature of Things said the world cannot sustain constant growth spurred on by a penchant for disposable consumer goods. Click here to read the complete story in The Hamilton Spectator.

February 3, 2003

The Faculty of Engineering will hold its first annual McMaster Women's Engineering Experience designed to encourage females in high school to consider engineering as a career. "We want to target Grade 9 and 10 students before they start dropping science courses they need for engineering at university," says chemical engineering professor Heather Sheardown, co-organizer of the all-day event. The inaugural McMaster Women's Engineering Experience will take place Saturday, Feb. 8, at the John Hodgins Engineering Building, from 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.

January 31, 2003

Yufei Yuan has been appointed the Wayne C. Fox Chair in Business Innovation. The professor of information systems in the Michael G. DeGroote School of Business is internationally recognized for his contributions in eBusiness and in the general area of business innovation. Yuan received his Ph.D. in computer information systems from The University of Michigan and B.S. in mathematics from Fudan University in China. His research interests are in the areas of mobile commerce, Web-based negotiation support system, business model of electronic commerce, approximate reasoning with fuzzy logic, matching problem, and decision support in health care. He has published more than 40 papers in professional journals such as the International Journal of Electronic Markets, Internet research, International Journal of Mobile Communication, Fuzzy Sets and Systems, European Journal of Operational Research, Management Sciences, Decision Sciences, Academic Medicine, Medical Decision Making, International Journal of Human-Computer Systems, Human Systems Management, among others. He is vice-president secretary of the Association of Chinese Management Educators and editorial board member for International Journal of Mobile Communication. Currently, Yuan is involved in Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council's Initiatives on New Economy and an Ontario Research Networks for Electronic Commerce project and serves as the member of advisory board for the Master eBusiness Research Center. His name is listed in Who's Who in Canadian Business. Photo caption: Provost and vice-president academic Ken Norrie, left, and Vishwanath Baba, dean of the Faculty of Business, congratulate Yufei Yuan at a reception held to celebrate his appointment to the Wayne C. Fox Chair.

January 31, 2003

Students will leave the cold weather behind and set sail on a tropical cruise at the fifth annual McMaster Students Union (MSU) Charity Ball tonight (Jan. 31). Since the first charity ball in 1999, more than $20,000 has been raised for various departments of the McMaster Children's Hospital. "This year' s goal is the same as it was the first year we started this event five year's ago, and that is to create a memorable exciting McMaster community experience while raising money for a worthwhile cause," says Jayson Duggan, director of MSU Campus Events. In addition to a DJ, music, photographs, caricature drawing, dancing and a late night buffet, this year's nautical theme "Set Sail" has the luxuries of a cruise ship, such as Monte Carlo tables and a silent auction. Donated prizes include hotel rooms for a night, jewellery, autographed sports memorabilia and gift baskets. The sold-out event is organized through the MSU Campus Events Department and it's MSU Charity Ball Committee. Approximately 1,000 people are expected to attend this year's Charity Ball at the Hamilton Convention Centre. Tickets sold for $35 each.

January 31, 2003

More than 80 scholars and cultural professors from around the world will explore pop culture, media and social justice at the inaugural Canadian Association of Cultural Studies (CACS) conference Feb. 1-2. This is the first such conference of its kind in Canada, according to CACS. "What happens at this conference will have significant bearing on new scholarship and on future directions of cultural exchange between the University and community at large," says a press release from CACS. The conference will include presentations, film screenings, roundtable discussions and panels on subjects ranging from the work of the Workers Arts and Heritage Centre in Hamilton to notions on crisis in the contemporary world. Hosted by McMaster, the event takes place in the McMaster University Centre for Continuing Education in downtown Hamilton. The first Annual General Meeting of the CACS will also take place at the conference. At this meeting, the group will decide on the aims and executive structure of the organization and elect an executive for the year ahead.