Daily News

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.

January 31, 2003

McMaster President Peter George appeared before the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs (SCFEA) Tuesday, Jan. 28 to brief its members on the challenges and opportunities associated with the double cohort, McMaster's preparations and plans to respond, and future opportunities. Click here for his presentation. The SCFEA is an all-party committee of members of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. Its mandate is to hold hearings and report to the Legislature on the fiscal and economic policies of the Province. One of its tasks is to hold pre-budget hearings across the province. The committee uses the opinions and expert advice it receives to advise the Legislature on priorities for the next provincial budget.

January 30, 2003

Many pipe dreams are born over pints of beer, but McMaster business students Daniel Priljeva and Constantinos Coursaris were convinced their brainchild to create a revolutionary inventory tracking system for companies, was much more than empty bar talk. A $1,000 start-up award from the Michael G. DeGroote School of Business' CampusIncubator Business Plan Challenge, is their proof. "It's the classic story starting with friends hanging out at a bar," quips project team leader Priljeva, "and someone mentioned an idea he had for selling tracking hardware and software components of companies. Winning the start-up award was confirmation that it's not only a pipe dream." Called Mission84 Networks, the seed company is developing an advanced version of an inventory tracking network (ITN). With the ITN, firms can track any item and its movement, inventory count and location with a newly enabled technology all in a true real-time setting. "But the most exciting features of this product are its exceptional capacity and seamless integration, and signs are pointing toward the ITN as being the first of like technologies to will be viable for retail settings," says Priljeva. "Imagine knowing with 100 per cent accuracy, the true inventory balance and location of every item in a warehouse and being able to plan production and sales based on this knowledge. The efficiencies at hand create real economic gains and provide visibility across the supply chain."

January 30, 2003

Students hoping to earn some extra cash this summer should drop by the McMaster University Student Centre Marketplace today (Jan. 30). More than 30 companies are on campus to recruit students at the second annual Summer Job Fair, which takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Click here for the list of participants. "We have a wide range of companies in attendance with something for everyone," says Heather Hines, events and marketing coordinator in the Career Planning & Employment Centre (CPEC). The event is also a recruitment push for CPEC's peer helper program, Hines adds. In this program, students volunteer in a wide range of services offered by CPEC and the Centre for Student Development. "It's a fantastic opportunity for motivated students who want to make a difference in the lives of their fellow students," says Hines.

January 29, 2003

Approximately 200 people attended a local community meeting Tuesday evening to discuss the community impact of the double cohort, off-campus housing, transportation and parking and bylaw and police enforcement. Hosted at St. Mary's High School, the meeting was jointly organized by the City of Hamilton, the Ainslie Wood Westdale Community Association of Resident Homeowners (AWWCA), the President's Advisory Committee on Community Relations (PACCR), and the McMaster Students Union (MSU). It was the first time these organizations joined forces for a community meeting to talk about and find solutions to common issues they face. Facilitated breakout sessions were held on by-law and police enforcement, neighbourhood planning, including 'ASPECT', the City's secondary plan, transportation and relationship building, focusing on how the University, students and community can work together more effectively. McMaster President Peter George shared with the community how the University is preparing for the double cohort. He provided an update on enrolment numbers for next September, campus construction, and initiatives the University is taking to address traffic and parking congestion. McMaster employees and PACCR committee members addressed these topics further.

January 29, 2003

The McMaster Employee Spirit Society (M.E.S.S.) and Marauders basketball brought together more than 500 employees and their families to watch the men's and women's basketball games last weekend. The event, in the Ivor Wynne Centre, was sponsored and organized by M.E.S.S. The objective of the society is to promote McMaster team spirit through the organization of sporting and cultural events that encourage employees to have fun with their colleagues and families. The event featured complimentary tickets to the basketball games, including a complimentary reception, free child minding services and children's programs, face painters, draw prizes and free giveaways. The women's game featured a ceremonial tip off between McMaster President Peter George and Wilfrid Laurier University president Robert Rosehart. The men's game featured a ceremonial tip off by Social Sciences dean Alan Harrison. The national anthem for both games were performed by the MUSA Minstrels. "It was wonderful to see so many McMaster employees and their families enjoying this event," said Bob West, event co-chair. "Hopefully they became Marauder basketball fans and will return for future games." "I received very positive feedback about the day, as well as some suggestions for future events," added Pat Harris, chair of the M.E.S.S. committee. "It was a great day to be a part of." Terry Galan, event co-chair, said, "I was absolutely overwhelmed by the attendance and responses from our employees. We need to build on our success." The next M.E.S.S event is a presentation of the musical Tommy. This musical performance will be presented by the McMaster Musical Theatre on Feb. 22. Tickets and information for the event will be available soon. To volunteer with M.E.S.S. e-mail mess@mcmaster.ca or contact Anthony Celani, at ext. 23554.

January 29, 2003

Machinists, represented by Service Employees International Union Local 532, and the University reached a tentative collective agreement on Jan. 23. Details of the contract will . . .

January 29, 2003

McMaster students and employees are shaking off the winter blues and 'finding their centre'. The fourth annual Soul Food Fair takes place today (Jan. 29) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at several locations across campus. Presented by various departments, the event is free for all McMaster students and employees, and features exhibits, music, workshops, prizes, giveaways and free samples. Health and wellness exhibitors will be on display in the McMaster University Student Centre. With the theme "Finding Your Centre", the fair offers workshops in yoga, pilates, aromatherapy, rieki, music as therapy and massage therapy. There also are lectures, musical performances, and an exhibit promoting spiritual and physical health and well-being. For the schedule of workshops or for further information visit the Soul Food Web Site.

January 28, 2003

Hamilton Health Sciences, St. Joseph's Healthcare and McMaster's Faculty of Health Sciences have created a new leadership role in children's healthcare for the Hamilton region. This month, Peter Steer has taken on the new position of president, McMaster Children's Hospital, chair of the Department of Pediatrics and chief of pediatrics for Hamilton Health Sciences and St. Joseph's Healthcare. This role is the first of its kind in Canada. It brings together clinical, academic and administrative leadership responsibilities and is designed to integrate and strengthen all pediatric services provided by McMaster Children's Hospital while bolstering the position of the hospitals and the university as leaders in pediatric care, research and academic excellence in Canada and the world. Steer is a neonatologist and was director of the Centre for Clinical Studies Women's and Children's Health at Mater Hospital in Queensland, Australia. He was also an associate professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Queensland. Although a native of Australia, Steer, 43, is familiar with Hamilton's pediatric departments. From July to December 2001, he served as a McMaster visiting professor in the Department of Pediatrics, director for McMaster Children's Hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and head of the Academic Division of Neonatology for Hamilton Health Sciences. "It's exciting to have such a visionary and widely-respected leader at the helm of McMaster Children's Hospital," said Murray Martin, president and CEO of Hamilton Health Sciences. "He brings a wealth of experience as a clinician, researcher and administrator." John Kelton, dean and vice-president of the Faculty of Health Sciences, said Steer, in this key position, will have the unique opportunity to ensure more complete integration between the Faculty's research and training of health professionals and the important clinical work at the hospitals. "He knows the importance of potential in pediatrics. He has the breadth of understanding and personal qualities necessary to move the discipline forward in the years ahead." Kevin Smith, CEO of St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, said Steer's appointment puts the focus on developing a continuum of care and strengthening relationships with the community.

January 28, 2003

The University and CUPE Local 3906, Unit #1 have reached a tentative agreement on a new collective agreement. Details of the contract won't be released until both sides have an opportunity to ratify the agreement. The Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 3906 Unit #1 and the University negotiating teams have been in negotiations on a new collective agreement since September and met Jan. 24 and 27 in conciliation talks. Members of the Teaching Assistant bargaining unit may access information about union ratification on CUPE's Web site at www.cupe3906.org or by emailing cupe3906@mcmaster.ca.

January 27, 2003

It's a safe bet most of the 300-odd students taking professor Christopher Justice's first-year gerontology course have only an academic understanding of what it's like to grow old. Bringing the aging experience home to McMaster students in a more meaningful way is the purpose of a program that sees about 16 local seniors serve as regular seminar leaders for his course, Aging and Society. Offered for about 14 years, the popular program brings in a slate of volunteers through weekly seminars that engage students in discussions about issues involving older people including stereotypes and images of aging, public policy, gender and aging, death and dying, and religion and spirituality. "The general idea is that the senior class assistants are able to relay their own experience of aging, challenge students to think from different perspectives," says Justice. "A lot of students say, 'I took gerontology as an elective but my experience with Mrs. So-and-So made me deeply interested in the experience of aging.'" About 16 senior class assistants (SCAs) attend each seminar in pairs to discuss topics chosen with Justice. The sessions are led by students rather than by the professor. "I've never sat in on one," he says. "It would wreck the process." The SCAs occasionally address the entire class during lectures on such topics as aging stereotypes and also volunteer as interview subjects for senior undergraduates doing thesis projects in the department. Early this year, for example, a student suggested a project on seniors' acceptance of and adaptations to technology that might form a research topic involving the group.

January 27, 2003

McMaster engineering faculty and alumni are helping make north Hamilton a better place to live. The Threshold School of Building is a new venture that provides practical house building education to the general public. By having some of the instruction take place in the context of affordable and sustainable housing in north Hamilton, they are helping improve Hamilton's housing situation, says Bob Hudspith, president of the group and associate professor of mechanical engineering. "As people gain the knowledge, skills and confidence to participate in the design, construction and maintenance of their own homes they are in a better position to contribute to a more sustainable community," says Hudspith. "The affordable housing projects that form one component of the education will address a growing need in Hamilton." With a $29,000 grant from the Young Fund to do some development work and a $75,000 pilot grant from the Hamilton Community Foundation, the group launched its year-long pilot project in August 2002. The start-up grants are enabling the group of engineers, designers, carpenters and teachers to open the school, provide courses, and do an affordable housing project. In addition to meeting with local agencies such as Mission Services of Hamilton, The Good Shepherd Centre, Welcome Inn, and Habitat for Humanity, four of our members visited Minneapolis to study The Project for Pride in Living. This school opened its doors to students this month. McMaster faculty and alumni involved in the school include political science professor Barbara Carroll, who serves as vice-president; engineering alumni Josh Abush, Graham Lobban and Kurt Frost; arts and science and humanities alumnus Andrew Copp, and psychology alumnus Jack Santa Barbara. For more information or to register for a course, visit the Threshold Web site at www.thresholdschool.ca