September 20, 2001

A number of places of worship in the Hamilton area have been vandalized in the past week. The fire at the Hindu Samaj Temple has . . .

September 20, 2001

McMaster's student enrolment figures exceeded the targets set for this academic year. Registrar George Granger told Senate last week that interim figures show enrolment goals established by the enrolment management team will be met when the final tally is counted in November. "It's very positive," Granger said. "Full-time and part-time figures are both slightly above the approved enrolment targets. Across all programs we are very much on target." As of Sept. 11, there were 4,048 first-year students enrolled at the University, 223 more than the target of 3,825. The total undergraduate enrolment figure is 13,023 compared to last year's total of 12,365. Granger said there are also 102 nursing degree students at Mohawk and Conestoga colleges as part of the nursing consortium that are "over and above" those figures. So far, there are 2,046 part-time undergraduate students enrolled at the University compared to 1,957 last year. The University's total undergraduate enrolment figure is 15,069 (full and part time) compared to 14,322. At the graduate level, students enrolled in full-time PhD programs as of Sept. 20 number 550, compared to last year's total of 532. There are 803 students enrolled in master's programs with late registrations still being processed, said John Scime, graduate registrar & secretray. Last year's final enrolment in master's programs was 730. "We expect the final number to be well above last year's enrolment," Scime told the Daily News. The University's enrolment managment team is already busy working on enrolment for the 2002-03 year with a large group attending the Ontario Universities' Fair 2001 in Toronto beginning today and continuing through the weekend. The annual fair offers prospective students and their families an opportunity to meet representatives from Ontario's 19 universities.

September 19, 2001

More University students are drinking alcohol in moderation, according to a comparison of three annual alcohol awareness surveys conducted on campus. The average number of nights per week students reported drinking decreased by .5 from 1.6 to 1.1. As well, more students are drinking fewer drinks per event with less experiencing the negative consequences of a blackout or memory lapse. The statistics bolster the launch of the second annual Reality Check! campaign, a program designed to promote informed decision-making among students who use alcohol. The awareness campaign began this week with the release of the first in a series of posters into residences, athletics & recreation facilities and campus bathrooms and bulletin boards. The theme of "Go Figure, Eh" was adopted to use humour and pop culture to raise students' awareness about how they behave and regard their peers. The campaign is also being promoted on the Reality Check! Web site. Students are encouraged to know the facts about alcohol use and a "toonie" will be given out on Tuesdays, beginning Oct. 2, to students who correctly recall the campaign messages posed by Student Health Service volunteers known as "reality checkers." Health educator Jane Radix, of Student Health Service, said the campaign's goals are to increase student awareness and encourage students "towards more moderate and responsible use" that reflects the norm.

September 19, 2001

About 400 members of the McMaster community gathered on campus Wednesday night at a candlelight vigil for peace. Groups represented included the McMaster Students Union(MSU), . . .

September 19, 2001

The following is an open letter from University President Peter George that is being sent to the McMaster community today: The initial shock of last week's terrorist attacks in New York and Washington is beginning to ease but for many people it's been replaced by a sense of fear about safety and of uncertainty about the world in which we live. At McMaster we have seen the community come together at inter-faith services, in small discussion groups and at Tuesday's vigil organized by the McMaster Students Union which was attended by close to 400 people. While these occasions are marked with sorrow, they have also been a time to focus on the need for peace, understanding and hope. I have seen much reason for hope here at McMaster. Students, faculty and staff of every nationality, religion and ethnic group that enrich our community have shown tremendous respect and support for one another. This unity is the best defence against intolerance and misunderstanding. Maintaining faith and hope in humanity is not always easy especially after such horrific acts of destruction and inhumanity. I wanted to share with you an inspirational message from Nelson Mandela. "I have always known in the deepest regions of the human heart reside forgiveness and kindness. No one is born hating another human being because of the colour of their skin, their past or their religion. People learn to hate and if they must learn to hate then they can also be taught to love." It will take all of us working together to ensure that every member of the McMaster community feels safe and secure. By refusing to join in the hatred of those who committed these horrible crimes, we can prove that human goodness is stronger than vengeance. Let all members of our community speak with one voice for love, for peace, for understanding, for tolerance and for hope.

September 18, 2001

McMaster Students Union president Sam Minniti has proposed fundraising to help replace smashed windows at Binkley United Church. Minniti stressed that it's not known whether the vandals who smashed the windows earlier this month attend McMaster. "Regardless of who's done this, this happened to our community," said Minniti. "Being members of the community, we want to step up and be part of the solution." Replacing the stain glass windows will cost about $5000. The church's insurance deductible is $500. Const. Jack Vanderpol, the McMaster liaison officer, told the Hamilton Spectator that the vandalism is still being investigated. He said police haven't confirmed that University students are responsible. (End of story)

September 18, 2001

Five McMaster University professors will present their analyses of the U.S. situation Wednesday with a discussion period to follow. The information session will be held . . .

September 17, 2001

Seven new people have joined Human Resources Services (HRS), formerly the Office of Human Resources, this summer as part of a restructuring of the department. "We're pleased that we have attracted such outstanding people to McMaster as part of the first phase of our restructuring. These experienced, talented individuals will assist us greatly in providing better service and support to employees and leaders at McMaster," says Mark Haley, assistant vice-president human resources. Haley says the departmental restructuring was needed to enable HRS to provide better and more support and advice. The positions were advertised this summer in the Hamilton Spectator and the Globe and Mail. "There was, and still is, an obvious need to improve our labour relations within the McMaster community. We all need to put the 'relations' back into labour relations. This restructuring will significantly improve HRS's capacity to deal with employee and labour relations matters and be more effective in supporting our employees and leaders," says Haley. New HR staff (l-r): Murray Lapp, Anthony Celani, Melanie Sodtka, Melissa Sergiades, Wanda McKenna, Anna Marie Damiani, and Susan Mitchell. (Photo: Ron Scheffler) Click below for position and biographical information about these new staff.

September 17, 2001

The McMaster Students Union (MSU) is holding a vigil for peace on Tuesday Sept. 18 at 6:30 p.m. at the Nina de Villiers Garden (the . . .

September 14, 2001

Prime Minister Jean Chretien has declared today a National Day of Mourning in honour of the memory of the victims of the U.S. disaster. All Canadians are asked to observe three minutes of silence beginning at 12:20 p.m. today. University President Peter George encourages the McMaster community to participate in this commemoration. "I would encourage everyone to observe the three minute silence as a sign of respect for all those who perished and for their loved ones." There will be an inter-faith community service held at Wentworth House Main Lounge at noon. For more information, contact the Chaplaincy Centre at ext. 24207. The Canadian government has set up an electronic book of condolence which is available starting today on the Government of Canada's commemoration internet site at http://commemoration.gc.ca. The City of Hamilton has also established a condolence book. Information about it can be obtained by clicking on www.city.hamilton.on.ca/News/releases/. The Ontario government has established a book of remembrance in the St. Lawrence Lounge in the lobby of 900 Bay St., Mowat Block, Queen's Park. Click on the Daily News story Alumni respond from New York, Washington for news from McMaster alumni living in New York and Washington.

September 13, 2001

McMaster Times editor Susan Welstead sent an e-mail earlier this week to all alumni living in New York or Washington who have supplied e-mail addresses. . . .

September 13, 2001

The University has announced a process for implementing the monetary aspects of the new Collective Agreement Between McMaster University and the McMaster University Staff Association. The agreement consists of the articles agreed upon in direct negotiations and the awards issued by arbitrator George Adams in July and August. The backpay in the July award will be implemented in a series of steps between September and December. "We are pleased to be proceeding with the implementation of this award and we share in our employees' enthusiasm for having reached this much-awaited stage in this process. Our financial and computing information services employees are working hard to meet the award target dates and we appreciate their support and commitment," says Karen Belaire, vice-president administration.

September 12, 2001

McMaster students and employees who want to donate blood to aid victims of yesterday's terrorist attacks can book appointments through Canadian Blood Services. Canadian Blood Services has extended the hours of its permanent blood donor clinic this week. The clinic, located at 400 King St. E. in Hamilton, will be open: Wednesday (today), Sept. 12 - 12:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13 - 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14 - 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Donors are asked to book appointments by calling 905-645-6555 or 1-888-871-7201. Go to Hamilton blood donor clinics for a listing of upcoming clinics. As well, the Chaplaincy Centre has arranged for an inter-faith service to be held on Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. in Moulton Hall EMR. A second service will be held Wednesday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. in Hedden Hall in the Ravine Room. Other services are also available to the campus community. The Centre for Student Development and Student Health Service are open for counselling and the Divinity College chapel is also open today and tomorrow. Binkley United Church at 1570 Main St. W. is holding a prayer service on Thursday at 10 a.m. For more information, call 905-529-0740. As always the Employee Assistance Plan through Hurst Place is available for confidential counselling for University employees and their families. It can be reached at 1-888-521-8300 or 905-521-8300. The after-hours crisis service numbers are 1-877-521-9303 or 905-521-9303. Here is a list of Web sites and phone numbers that offer news and information: BLOOD DONATION SERVICES Canadian Blood Services: 1-888-236-6283 NEWS CNN MSNBC CBC CANOE

September 12, 2001

About 40 people attended an inter-faith service at Moulton Hall this afternoon to commemorate the victims of yesterday's terrorist attacks in the United States. "We do not know how we will recover from this horrible moment in human history, but we know that we must," McMaster President Peter George told the gathering. "We will need to gather all our resources, give all our help, offer all our prayers, to begin to heal from this awful wound. We need one another at all the times of our lives, but never more than when our very hope is threatened." There will be another inter-faith service held this afternoon at 4:30 p.m. in Hedden Hall in the Ravine Room. Binkley United Church at 1570 Main St. W. is holding a prayer service on Thursday at 10 a.m. For more information, call 905-529-0740. McMaster students and employees who want to donate blood can book appointments through Canadian Blood Services. Canadian Blood Services has extended the hours of its permanent blood donor clinic this week. The clinic, located at 400 King St. E. in Hamilton, will be open: Wednesday (today), Sept. 12 - 12:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13 - 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14 - 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Donors are asked to book appointments by calling 905-645-6555 or 1-888-871-7201. Go to Hamilton blood donor clinics for a listing of upcoming clinics.

September 11, 2001

Evening classes will proceed as usual tonight at McMaster. The University's crisis management team has been monitoring developments in the terrorist attacks in the United States and working to ensure that the University is secure and that assistance is available for anyone in need. "Such a tragic event can have enormous and sometime unexpected impact on people. We want to make sure that students, faculty and staff know that the University is safe and that there are places they can go for help and comfort," said Karen Belaire, vice-president administration and crisis management team chair. The Chaplaincy Centre has arranged for an interfaith service to be held on Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. in Moulton Hall EMR. A second service will be held Wednesday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. in Hedden Hall in the Ravine Room. Other services are also available to the campus community. The Centre for Student Development and Student Health Service are open for counselling and the Divinity College chapel is also open today and tomorrow. Binkley United Church at 1570 Main St. W. is holding a prayer service on Thursday at 10 a.m. For more information, call 905-529-0740. As always the Employee Assistance Plan through Hurst Place is available for confidential counselling for University employees and their families. It can be reached at 1-888-521-8300 or 905-521-8300. The after-hours crisis service numbers are 1-877-521-9303 or 905-521-9303. Here is a list of Web sites and phone numbers that offer news and information: BLOOD DONATION SERVICES Canadian Blood Services: 1-888-236-6283 Hamilton blood donor clinics NEWS CNN MSNBC CBC CANOE

September 11, 2001

In light of today's terrorism attacks in the U.S., the University wishes to advise that McMaster will remain open and classes will continue as usual. The University's crisis management team is monitoring developments. "The tragic events in New York and Washington occurred far away from campus but we have a significant number of people at the University who have connections with the U.S. and other countries. You can tell that many people on campus are upset and concerned," said Karen Belaire, vice-president administration and chair of the crisis management team. Security on campus will be increased. "It's important that people feel safe so some extra patrols will be put in place," said Belaire. Associate vice-president student affairs Mary Keyes is meeting with student groups this afternoon. A further update will be issued after 4 p.m. this afternoon. Here is a list of Web sites that offer news and information about today's terrorist attacks: NEWS CNN MSNBC CBC CANOE Globe and Mail Toronto Star GOVERNMENT SITES Government of Canada City of Hamilton Government of Ontario Photo: Students watch news coverage of events in the Hamilton Hall lounge.

September 7, 2001

You could say we're a hotbed of jazz. Not that there's anything evil about the Ladies of Jazz series that kicks off tonight with vocalist Salome Bey performing at the duMaurier Ltd. Centre in downtown Hamilton beginning at 8 p.m. (Some tickets are available.) Wicked, maybe. Wicked sound will be the order of the day as each of the four performers -- Bey, Shirley Eikhard, Emilie-Clair Barlow and Jeri Brown -- takes to the stage this fall as part of the first-ever jazz series sponsored by the School of the Arts. The series emerged out of an observation by the school's Rose Riopelle, administrative and concert co-ordinator. "We always knew that the one jazz concert in our annual concert series was enthusiastically received and it would almost always sell out," said Riopelle. "I thought, 'Wouldn't it be nice if we could have a jazz series'." Riopelle then discussed the idea with people at the radio station Wave 94.7 fm Smooth Jazz who were interested in co-sponsoring a series. The Ladies of Jazz series was born. "We think it's wonderful that we can present such prestigious performers," Riopelle said. "We think jazz has a great future and jazz in Hamilton and at McMaster has been very popular." Single tickets are $32 for Salome Bey and $20 for the three remaining concerts. Call ext. 23333 or Wave 94.7 fm at 905-388-08911 for more information. Salome Bey, (jazz vocalist), Sept. 7, duMaurier Ltd. Centre Bey has made her mark as a vocalist, composer and recording artist during the last three decades. She has performed in every type of musical venue, from the Montreux Jazz Festival to Broadway shows and royal command performances. She has made numerous recordings and is a Grammy Award nominee. Shirley Eikhard, (jazz vocalist), Nov. 16, Convocation Hall Eikhard has an international reputation as a songwriter and jazz singer. She has written songs for Anne Murray, Bonnie Raitt, Rita Coolidge and Ginette Reno. As well, she is a writer, composer, producer and arranger who produces most of her own albums. The Barlow Group: Emilie-Clair Barlow, (jazz vocalist), Feb. 1, Convocation Hall Barlow is the vocalist in the Barlow Group and has received outstanding reviews wherever she performs. At 23, she is an established vocalist who is backed by studio veterans such as her father, drummer-percussionist Brian Barlow, formerly a member of the Boss Brass. Jeri Brown, (jazz vocalist), March 15, Convocation Hall Brown combines classic jazz standards with her work as an accomplished lyricist, recitalist, concert soloist and recording artist. A familiar figure in Europe, Brown performs classic selections, including those of Ellington, Gershwin, Legrand and Porter. She has been nominated for an ECMA and a Juno Award.

September 7, 2001

Be they pioneers or guinea pigs, students enrolled in the new Collaborative Bachelor of Science Nursing Program offered jointly by McMaster, Mohawk College and Conestoga College are looking forward to their first year. The McMaster program is the largest collaborative program in the province which fully integrates college and university students through all four years of study. There are now 226 first-year students enrolled in McMaster's BScN program: 68 at the Mohawk site, 36 at the Conestoga site and 100 at the McMaster site who will spend the next four years studying for their Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. Also, under special government funding, an additional 22 students have entered the fast-track BScN program at the McMaster site. It's a degree they'll need come 2005. Under new provincial government and College of Nurses of Ontario regulations, all graduating nurses will need to have a baccalaureate degree in nursing to become licensed to practise as a registered nurse. The three-year diploma program offered by the colleges will be phased out. Photo(left to right): Bill Jeffrey, dean of the school of health sciences and community services, Conestoga College, Daphne Cheung, member of the McMaster University Nursing Society and Amber Wooldridge, BScN nursing student at McMaster-Conestoga, celebrate the launch of the new collaborative nursing program.

September 6, 2001

The Ontario government is changing the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) to provide some students in need with additional assistance to manage their repayable student loan debt. "We are committed to providing students with a high quality education through a strengthened and expanded publicly funded postsecondary education system," said Dianne Cunningham, minister of training, colleges and universities. "We believe that students should contribute a reasonable portion of the cost of their postsecondary education, but we recognize that some will need additional assistance as they begin to build their careers." Under the changes, a person who has left school and: has a low-income or is unemployed will be eligible to receive up to 54 months of interest relief under OSAP, up from the current 30 month limit; and who has exhausted his/her interest relief options and is still unable to meet their repayment obligations will have access to an additional one-time reduction in the balance of his/her OSAP to bring the debt to an affordable level. "Our college and university students are vital to Ontario's continued prosperity," Cunningham said. "With an aging population and new occupations, today's students will have tremendous opportunities to pursue their goals." Students in Ontario are required to pay upon graduation only the first $7,000 of their annual OSAP loan under the Ontario Student Opportunity Grant. In 2000-01, the Ontario government spent $578 million to provide financial assistance to 160,000 students through OSAP, including grants, loans, bursaries and scholarships. (End of story)

September 5, 2001

Several construction projects mean parking will be at a premium on campus as everyone gears up for the beginning of classes on Thursday. Several parking spaces in Zone 3 have been lost because of construction of the new student residence and at the Arthur Bourns Building. Additional spaces will be lost during the expansion of the E. T. Clarke Centre and the Tandem Accelerator Laboratory. The addition of more than 100 spaces in the Zone 3 annex means that all valid permit holders should be able to find a spot -- just. Parking & Transit Services manager John Abraham said everyone with a valid parking permit should allow extra time to find a spot. "Parking will be very tight," said Abraham. Visitors to the west side of campus will not be permitted in Zone 3. They will be rerouted to Zone 6/7 and can take the shuttle bus or they can go to Zone 1 and walk back. Visitors to the north end of campus will go to Zone 1 to park. Abraham said everyone parking on campus will have to adjust. "The secret is to allow yourself plenty of time to get to your appointment. You may have to spend an extra 15 minutes to get to your destination. Please obey signage and parking control officers." Abraham said undergraduate parking permits for Zones 6/7 were released to anyone who applied before July 31. That means the parking areas are oversold and will be busy, Abraham said. "They will have to allow more time and we will get them parked," he said. Two more lots in Zone 7 won't be completed for the beginning of term so Parking & Transit Services will be using environmentally-friendly paint to mark out parking spaces on the grass and the ball diamond in a bid to ensure the space is well used and as a safety measure. The painting substance will not harm or burn the grass, Abraham said. Visitors may be able to purchase parking on a daily basis, but there may be times when the lots are full and they will be turned away, he added. Abraham said all drivers and pedestrians need to take extra care when travelling on campus this fall as there will be several heavy vehicles and supply trucks travelling on site due to construction projects. "Remember, McMaster is predominately a pedestrian-oriented campus," Abraham said. (End of story)