Daily News

May 16, 2002

In just five short years, McMaster's McWork Program has more than quadrupled the number of students that it helps to find summer jobs on campus. The summer work-study program for qualified students was created in 1997 through a partnership between the Ministry of Colleges and Universities and McMaster University. Today it is one of the largest summer work-study programs in Ontario. "At the start, there weren't very many jobs on campus for students. There were about 80. It was very limited," states Jill Davren, a financial aid adviser with the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships and the program's co-ordinator. Students must demonstrate financial need in order to be considered for the program. In 2001, 601 students applied to the program and 488 were approved -- an 81 per cent approval rate. This summer, there are 378 McWork jobs on campus and 90 per cent are full-time. Students are employed on campus throughout the summer. Davren explains the large volume of summer jobs for students. "We felt the best way to spend our money is in the summer. During the year, we have Ontario Work Study and other programs to assist students." While the Library, athletics & recreation, and physical plant are the biggest employers, jobs range from office duties to lawn care to research assistants.

May 16, 2002

An extensive refurbishment of the heating, ventilation and air circulation (HVAC) system in Arthur Bourns gets under way this week. The system renewal will improve the comfort levels and quality of air distribution in ABB. The project will take approximately one year to complete and will be done largely during off hours. The project is one of a number of HVAC upgrades and system renewals that will take place in many campus buildings over the next year. The systems in John Hodgins Engineering are nearing completion and work continues in the Life Sciences Building. The renewal projects stem from a comprehensive and extensive study and assessment of several campus buildings conducted by Physical Plant in conjunction with two independent consultants, Dynamic Flow Balancing and Filer Engineering. The consultants have conducted a total performance evaluation in the buildings, identified deficiencies and made recommendations to improve, repair and replace the existing ventilation system. The initiative is part of a University plan to address deferred maintenance on campus. Like other universities across the province, McMaster's buildings are showing significant signs of age and are in need of urgent refurbishment and upgrades. For senior administrators Karen Belaire, vice-president administration and Tony Cupido, director, physical plant, improvements to the air quality and flow within buildings is a top priority for the University. "Our goal is to establish a better physical working environment for all," says Belaire. "We are confident our work on improving these systems will address concerns that have been raised by occupants of a number of our aging buildings." Cupido says his team in physical plant is working hard to address the recommendations contained in the consultants' reports. "It's going to take time, but we are making progress and our goal is to do both a thorough and comprehensive job. We appreciate the support and co-operation of faculty and staff on the work we have done to date."

May 15, 2002

When you first walk into the Health Sciences Library, you're struck by its modern design and the abundance of space and light. The library is a bright and welcoming facility, thanks in part to the original plan by the architectural firm of Craig, Zeidler & Strong - the same firm that designed the Toronto Eaton Centre - who first designed their plan for the library some thirty years ago. The first Health Sciences Library at McMaster was a far cry from the facility that exists today. Beatrix Robinow, Health Sciences first librarian, was appointed in October 1966 to work from a small area in the embryonic medical school quarters in Gilmour Hall. The library offices later moved to a small room on the third floor of Gilmour Hall , formerly occupied by the School of Music. The previous tenants left behind a few bookshelves, which Robinow welcomed, as well as a piano. For the next five years, the small staff worked to plan both the physical space and the collection for the new library. Although the McMaster University Medical Centre did not officially open until May 27, 1972, several health sciences faculty were appointed in the five year period before the building was complete. Many brought with them ongoing research projects and an immediate demand for library resources. As a result, homes were found for the newly acquired library materials so as to make them available to the McMaster community. By August 1971, 30,000 volumes were scattered across 7 different areas in 5 different buildings, including Gilmour Hall, McKay Hall, Convocation Hall, Mills Memorial Library and the science library in the School of Nursing. Several of the hospital libraries throughout the city also helped store the collection. Finally, moving day arrived and all the books and journals were gathered and delivered to the library in the new Medical Centre at McMaster. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the shelving--it arrived 5 months later.

May 15, 2002

Tara Sullivan, a master of science student at McMaster University, has been awarded an honourable mention for Let's Talk Science's national volunteer award. She received the Annual Partnership Program National Volunteer Award for her outstanding dedication to supporting science education in Canada. Sullivan was featured in today's Hamilton Spectator.

May 14, 2002

The annual ritual of Spring Convocation begins tonight with graduands from Divinity College receiving their degrees at a ceremony in Convocation Hall. About 3,000 McMaster University students will receive degrees during Convocation ceremonies taking place today (May 14), May 17 for Health Sciences and June 5 to 7 for graduands from the Faculties of Humanities, Social Sciences, Engineering and Science, Business and the Arts & Science Program. (All ceremonies, except Divinity College Convocation, take place at Hamilton Place.) President's Awards for student leadership and excellence in teaching will also be presented at the various Convocations. As well, 16 individuals who have made outstanding contributions to their fields of expertise and areas of interest will receive honorary degrees from the University (* denotes Convocation speaker or performer). The honorary degree recipients are: Divinity College Convocation (May 14) - Pastor Joao Samuel Matwawana, Doctor of Divinity; Biblical translator Eugene Nida, Doctor of Letters* Health Sciences Convocation (May 17) - Nursing professor emeritus Susan French, Doctor of Science*; Arnold Livingstone Johnson, Doctor of Science, Canadian cardiology pioneeer Business Convocation (June 5) - Calvin Stiller, Doctor of Laws, physician, scientist and entrepreneur; Executive development expert Henry Mintzberg, Doctor of Laws* Humanities, Arts & Science Program (June 5) - Tenor Richard Margison, Doctor of Letters*; Philanthropist Neil McArthur, Doctor of Laws Social Sciences Convocation (June 6) - Anthropologist and film maker Hugh Brody, Doctor of Laws*; Enrico Henry Mancinelli, Doctor of Laws, labour leader and community supporter Social Sciences Convocation (June 6) - Hamilton entrepreneur Ethilda (Tilly) Johnson, Doctor of Laws; Roger Neilson, Doctor of Laws, Ottawa Senators assistant coach Engineering Convocation (June 7) - Former McMaster provost and vice-president academic, civil engineering professor emeritus Arthur Heidebrecht, Doctor of Science; Chemical engineering expert George Stephanopoulos, Doctor of Science* Science Convocation (June 7) - Investment entrepreneur Stephen Jarislowsky, Doctor of Laws*; Leslie King, Doctor of Laws, former McMaster vice-president academic and geography professor emeritus. (End of story)

May 14, 2002

Thirty graduands of Divinity College will receive degrees and certificates this evening at the college's Spring Convocation. Degrees to be conferred at the 8 p.m. ceremony in Convocation Hall are: doctor of ministry (3), master of theology (3), master of divinity (8), master of religious education (4), and master of theological studies (10). Certificates for Christian studies and parish nurse will also be presented. This year Divinity is awarding honorary degrees to pastor Joao Samuel Matwawana and biblical translator Eugene Nida. Nida will deliver the Convocation address. Eugene Nida Doctor of Letters Rev. Nida has enjoyed a long and influential career as a biblical translator and a theorist in biblical translation. He received an MA in Greek at the University of Southern California (1939) and a PhD in linguistics and anthropology at the University of Michigan (1941). For most of his working career, he was employed by the American Bible Society, acting for many years as the society's executive secretary for translation. He is the author of two classic works in the field of translation theory, Toward a Science of Translating (1964), and The Theory and Practice of Translation (with co-author C.R. Taber, 1974). Both books span the fields of translation theory and practice, anthropology, linguistics, semantics and the Bible. Nida postulated the theory of dynamic or functional equivalence translation that focuses on the meaning rather than the literal wording of a text. He will also be remembered for his association with The Good News Bible - an innovative and controversial (at the time) translation of the Bible into contemporary English. Born in the United States in 1914, Rev. Nida currently resides in Belgium where he continues to conduct research and to write. Joao Samuel Matwawana Doctor of Divinity Following graduation from Acadia University with a master of divinity, Rev. Joao Matwawana served in a variety of pastoral ministries in Canada and abroad. From 1967 to 1975, he was chaplain and deputy superintendent at the IMB Hospital in Kimpese, Zaire, offering spiritual guidance to both to patients and staff. For three years (1975-77), he was a co-ordinator with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Zaire, helping to co-ordinate relief services for Angolan refugees. After serving as pastor at the Lockeport United Baptist Church in Lockeport, Nova Scotia, in the early 1980s, Rev. Matwawana spent nearly 10 years as the prison chaplain at the institution in Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia. Most recently, he has worked as a trainer/facilitator with the Canadian Baptists Ministries for the Congo/Rwanda/Kenya region, training clergy and tribal leaders in conflict management, mediation and reconciliation. Fluent in six languages, Rev. Matwawana has extensive knowledge about and understanding of African culture, politics and economics. Note: Photo of Matawana unavailable at press time. (End of story)

May 13, 2002

This fall, there will be a new classroom structure located on campus, capable of accommodating more than 300 students. The University has been full of construction activity in response to continued enrolment increases and the double cohort in 2003. Those familiar with the full slate of construction projects currently underway might wonder how it's possible to have a new building ready for September when there's no apparent construction underway, no footprint for this new structure. This is because the university has committed to the installation of a temporary classroom, a 50 ft. by 100 ft. (15.25m. by 30.5m.) pre-engineered steel structure that can be assembled in a matter of weeks. The structure, designed by Arch Plus Steel Buildings (a Canadian engineering design firm), is self-supporting and features a clear span construction, which eliminates the need for trusses and posts, making it less labour intensive to construct. The decision to commit to the temporary classroom arose from a report entitled Classroom Needs for 2002 and Beyond (January 2002), which addressed enrolment planning needs to accommodate growth in the next few years. "The study was originally commissioned to determine the University's classroom needs for the double cohort in 2003. However, it was apparent from the report, that as early as September 2002, our enrollment would not be accomodated by our current classrooms," says Fred Hall, associate vice-president, academic. There were several locations under consideration as possible sites for the temporary classroom, including: the tennis court area; in Zone 2 parking south of the tennis courts; between the Institute for Applied Health Sciences and the Information Technology Building; and in the Zone 4 parking lot. Each location was analyzed for both its positive and negative potential impact on the McMaster community. The temporary structure had to be located in an area that would best serve the needs of students and the University and accounted for the flow of student traffic. The current recommendation is to locate the temporary classroom on the southeast tennis court (west of the Ivor Wynne Centre), a location central to campus that will provide the most practical and functional solution to meet McMaster's teaching needs. Installation of the temporary classroom will commence in the next month, with an estimated completion for September 2002. The pre-engineered structure has an estimated total cost of $480,000. The installlation of the temporary classroom was approved on the understanding that it will be used only until the lecture theatres in the new Health Sciences expansion are available. (End of story)

May 10, 2002

McMaster's medical school is leading the revolution to build a better doctor. This is the thrust of the May 13 edition of Maclean's magazine, which devotes six pages to its cover story Building a Better Doctor and features a cover photo of second-year medical student Menaka Pai. Writer and columnist Rob Sheppard spent close to one month researching Canada's 16 medical schools to determine what makes a better doctor and how medical schools are going about building that doctor. Sheppard's article begins, "Thirty-three years ago, upstart McMaster University in Hamilton sparked a revolution in training of doctors that eventually spread to all the big medical schools in North America. Now it wants to start another. Its plan is bold, courageous and designed to combat some of the ills of today's health-care system. " Sheppard discusses the medical school's first revolutionary innovation--the problem-based learning (PBL) approach--then focuses on McMaster's new vision for the future of medical training. This revolutionary new plan, described by John Kelton, vice-president and dean, Faculty of Health Sciences, as a "marketplace model" is one that matches training more closely to the real needs of communities and ordinary doctoring. Sheppard writes, "Change comes when an institution with a flair for innovation, like McMaster, pops its head up above the crowd." (End of story)

May 10, 2002

A mentor in the field of information technology hopes to foster a new generation of professors with his gift to establish an endowed research chair in information technology. Doug Barber, an engineer, professor and entrepreneur, and Gennum Corp. of Burlington, Ont. have donated $1.3 million to McMaster University to create the Barber-Gennum Chair in Information Technology. Barber, one of the founders of Gennum Corp., believes the only way to ensure there are enough highly-skilled people working in the information technology sector is to make sure there are enough professors available to teach them. "There is a great danger of losing our capability to educate people because the demand for knowledge workers has exceeded the supply," said Barber, former chair of McMaster's Board of Governors and Distinguished Professor-in-Residence. "We have lost many from the academic world to industry. The whole idea is to make sure there is an opportunity for young people who are knowledgeable and want to become university professors to be supported and make the academic world attractive to them." The endowed chair is for a five-year term, non-renewable, and eligible candidates cannot have held a tenured appointment at any university. The inaugural chairholder is Ian Bruce, assistant professor in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, who is researching biomedical engineering. Bruce is studying the neurobiology of hearing loss with colleagues in psychology, electrical & computer engineering and Gennum Corp. to design better hearing aids.

May 9, 2002

McMaster officials were back at City Hall yesterday presenting a plan that will help Hamilton build its biotechnology base. McMaster has been working with the City of Hamilton's economic development staff over the last several months to develop a partnership that ultimately will result in the creation of the Hamilton-McMaster Biomedical Incubator. The proposed incubator will assist new companies with the commercialization of biomedical research while capitalizing on McMaster's research and research capacity. The city has identified biotechnology as one of six economic development clusters. It was decided at the meeting that the University and the city will collaborate in the development of a business plan for this project. Mamdouh Shoukri, vice-president, research & international affairs, sees this as an important first step. He believes this partnership is a tremendous opportunity for McMaster to support the city's economic development and job creation goals and to diversify its industrial base. "The timing is right for this," Shoukri told a number of city councillors who participated in the hearings sub-committee meeting. "There is a convergence of priorities  the University and its affiliated hospitals, the city and the province all have identified biotechnology as an area of strategic importance, while the federal government's innovation agenda clearly outlines commercialization of university research as a priority." Mayor Bob Wade attended the meeting and told his colleagues that the biotechnology window of opportunity "may pass Hamilton by." He went on to say, "if we are intent do to something for the city's economy, then we must find a way to endorse this project." (End of story)

May 8, 2002

Lori-Ann Linkins, MD, and Yu-jing Gao, PhD pharmacology, are this year's recipients of the Basmajian Award for Excellence in Post-Doctoral Research Work. The award is intended to recognize post-doctoral research fellows at McMaster who have made meritorious contributions in research during their post doctoral research training. The award, first established in 1991, was made possible by John Basmajian, professor emeritus of medicine and anatomy. Basmajian is recognized as a world leader in rehabilitation medicine and in 2001 was awarded an honorary degree, Doctor of Science, at the Faculty of Health Sciences convocation. This year the Basmajian award was offered in two catergories: one to a clinical post-doctoral fellow and the other to a non-clinical post doctoral fellow.

May 8, 2002

How safe is your work place? Many people think of occupational health and safety as an issue dealing mainly with chemical waste, flammable products or respiratory hazards. There are, however, other components of a safe work environment that include field trips, law and security and ergonomics. This week was North American Occupational Safety and Health Week (NAOSH), and Risk Management Services (RMS) presented a variety of events to inform and educate McMaster workers. This year's fair is the third organized by RMS. Christel Kaiser-Farrell, one of the organizers of the event, states that the goal of the week's events, was "to raise safety awareness on campus." She adds, "We can also raise awareness outside of work, for example, environmental awareness." She feels that there are a lot of potential hazards on campus, but RMS is working to minimize them. The office is involved in all sectors of the university, except for Health Sciences, which has its own department. "If people have a question about work place safety, they can contact our office, and someone will be able to help them," she advises. On Wednesday (May 8), the NAOSH festivities were visible in the form of a big white tent set up in front of John Hodgins Engineering Building. Under this tent, vendors displayed various equipment designed to make the workplace safer or more comfortable. Participants included the Occupational and Environmental Health Laboratory, Borgo, Lordly Jones Office Furniture, Working at McMaster, 3M Respirators, Lawlor Safety, and Fisher Safety. Many of these companies already work with the University, training personnel and providing equipment. The vendors demonstrated and showcased all forms of safety equipment for both labs and offices. Products ranged from gloves, goggles, and gas detectors to respirators and reflective vests. Other displays included ergonomic office equipment, such as keyboard platforms and office chairs designed to aid in the prevention of repetitive stress injuries and carpal tunnel syndrome. In conjunction with the displays and a barbeque lunch, Risk Management Services tested attendees' knowledge with a safety quiz. Questions included proper responses to fire alarms and hazardous conditions in individual work areas. People who complete the quiz correctly will be entered in a draw to win one of many prizes donated by the vendors. Prizes include a chair supplied by Borgo, a cordless drill supplied by Lawlor Safety, a putter provided by 3M, T-shirts, mugs, and a sweatshirt supplied by our own bookstore. The draw for the winners will be held today(May 10). Through the NAOSH Week events, RMS hopes to make the campus a safer place. Safety is the responsibility of everyone on campus and improved awareness will create improved work environments. (End of story)

May 6, 2002

The goal of North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week, is to "focus the attention of employers, employees, the general public and all partners in occupational health and safety on the importance of preventing injury and illness in the workplace and at home." Risk Management Services (RMS) is once again celebrating NAOSH week by offering safety related seminars and displays to educate and reinforce the commitment to a safe and healthy workplace at McMaster. RMS has a full schedule of activities planned, beginning with four seminars on Tuesday (May 7), held in John Hodgins Engineering (JHE) 342. On Wednesday (May 8), everyone is welcome to drop by the vendor displays outside the main entrance to JHE and enjoy a $2.00 barbecue lunch (hot dog or burger and drink) between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Assess your safety knowledge and take the Safety Quiz with a chance to win one of many donated prizes. Thursday (May 9) includes a full slate of five sessions, offering everything from learning how to use a fire extinguisher to working ergonomically. NAOSH week is an annual initiative led by the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering in partnership with the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety and Human Resources Development Canada. (End of story)

May 3, 2002

On Monday May 6 it might be wise to stay away from the halls leading from the Arts Quad Cafi to the new McMaster University Student Centre (MUSC). This route could be congested with caffeine and food deprived individuals seeking their daily hit of Tim Horton's or Pizza Pizza, who have forgotten that the doors of the Arts Quad Cafi are closed for good. Monday marks the opening of La Piazza, the MUSC's marketplace area that is one of the largest and most diverse campus facilities of its kind in Ontario. Tim Horton's self service, Pizza Pizza and Piller's Deli can be found inside La Piazza, as well as Creation X, serving everything from breakfast to dinner, and Tomassito's, where you can create your own pasta dish. By late summer, Made in Japan Teriyaki Experience, Williams Coffee Pub, a bakery and another Tim Horton's kiosk will be open to offer even more choice to the McMaster community. There will be 275 food court seats, but diners can also use the many comfortable seating areas located in the main foyer and throughout the centre. Ed Townsley, assistant director, hospitality services, is looking forward to the completion of the marketplace. "When everything is open and running, it will be quite the place." Townsley adds that there will be more service points (cashiers) located in La Piazza, which means "we have the ability to serve more people, quickly." McMaster's newest dining location will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Fridays during the summer. (End of story)

May 2, 2002

The commitment of nurses helping other nurses build stronger, healthier communities was celebrated today (May 2) with the establishment of the first endowed chair in the School of Nursing. The Dorothy C. Hall Chair in Primary Health Care Nursing will focus on education and research that supports community-based primary health care nursing. This type of health care ranges from nurses working in tuberculosis clinics to those working with volunteers in remote or rural areas in community health centres. It encourages self-reliance and community participation in decision-making about health issues and health promotion initiatives. "Primary health care really services the community at the grass roots level," said Andrea Baumann, associate dean of health sciences nursing in the Faculty of Health Sciences. "It is the interface between the patient and the practitioner. It is essential health care, practical, but scientific." The chair is named in honour of Dorothy C. Hall, a pioneer in primary health care nursing and long-time international nursing consultant with the World Health Organization. Hall, who spent 26 years abroad pursuing her passion, advanced the role of nursing in primary health care in Canada and in countries such as Afghanistan, Thailand, Sri Lanka, India and Denmark. She was also instrumental in helping the Ontario government implement the concept of the primary health care nurse practitioner in the provincial health care system. PHOTO: Dorothy C. Hall and President Peter George

May 1, 2002

The in-coming president of the McMaster Students Union (MSU) faces big challenges, the most significant of which is the opening of the new student center. Evan Mackintosh, 23, starts his one-year term today. "The opening of the MUSC (the McMaster University Student Centre) is a great time of opportunity for the MSU. Students will know we exist and everyone will know where to find us." He thinks this will give the elected body a much more prominent and visible role, with increased contact with the general student body. However, responsibility for sharing the costs of operating the new 158,000 sq ft facility (along with Hospitality) poses a major concern for Mackintosh and his executive. In an agreement with McMaster University Centre Inc, the board that operates the three-storey building, the MSU is expected to pay the operating costs of its retail spaces - the convenience store, the bar/restaurant known as Quarters and the copy shop. During 2002, the organization will pay $50,000, but Mackintosh says estimates have pegged those costs at $350,000 in ten year's time. "We will have to generate alternative means of raising revenues." This fall, the MSU faces another problem. Many first-year students will be 17 and 18-year-olds, under the legal drinking age. In addition to "the typical bar nights", Mackintosh says the MSU will have to consider alternative activities to accommodate these students. Other issues and challenges for the coming year include working with the University in the on-going battle with the provincial government for increased funding, improving teacher evaluations, increasing student-professor class ratios, increasing funding for student services, and implementing the recycling program on campus. One new MSU initiative which Mackintosh hopes to have up and running by September is sure to be a hit with cash-strapped students. A proposed student reward program card (which operates much like an air miles card) offers card-holders an opportunity to accumulate points at a wide variety of participating local businesses. These points can in turn be redeemed at any participating location. Mackintosh, who graduates this spring with a BA in English, has been active in student affairs since arriving at McMaster in 1998. He has served as president of the University's Humanities Society and was the Humanities undergraduate Senate representative in 2000. Most recently, he was the MSU Vice President, Education. (End of story)

May 1, 2002

Highlights from the April 25 meeting of the Board of Governors include the approval of: tuition and miscellaneous fees for the 2002-03 academic year, four new capital projects and The Management Group (TMG) Total Rewards Redevelopment. Tuition Fees Effective September 2002, tuition fees for Canadian students enrolled in undergraduate programs in Arts & Science, Engineering, Humanities, Science, Social Science, Nursing and Business will increase by 2.0%. Tuition fees for graduate programs other than the MBA program are frozen at 2001-02 levels. The MBA program will have a fee increase of 19.0%. International student fees for undergraduate programs have been frozen at 2001-02 levels, with the exception of the Faculty of Business, which has decreased its fees for undergraduate international students. International student fees for graduate programs have been frozen at 2001-02 levels, except for full and part-time international MBA fees, which will increase by 20.0%. Miscellaneous fees are collected on behalf of and remitted to student organizations. Increases to these fees were approved by student referendum prior to approval by the Board of Governors. The fee structure for miscellaneous fees (students taking 18 or more units) can be found by linking to Supplementary Fees Capital Projects A Health Sciences Expansion will be constructed north of the existing east wing of the McMaster University Medical Centre (MUMC) and east of the Life Sciences Building. This five-storey, multi-use facility will accommodate lecture theatres, Faculty of Health Sciences educational program space, the Centre for Molecular Medicine and Health, a research incubator, laboratories and hospital space (linked to MUMC by a bridge). Each floor will be approximately 55,000 square feet. Estimated project cost is $60.5 million. A five-level, 550 space Parking Structure will be constructed in the southwest area of campus in the Zone 3 Annex parking lot. Project costs are estimated at $9 million, plus associated professional fees. The parking structure will be completed by fall of 2003 to accomodate the campus parking demand impact of the double cohort. Expansion to the Information and Technology Building (ITB) was first approved in July of 2001. The scope of the project has now been expanded to include a basement which will add an additonal 9,000 square feet and increase the original cost from $7.5 million to $8.6 million. The additional $1.1 million will be fully recovered from the Faculty of Engineering. A Temporary Classroom has been approved for use beginning September 2002. The location for the classroom is currently under review. There are four possible locations: the tennis court area; Zone 2 parking lot south of the tennis courts; between the Institute for Applied Health Sciences and the Information Technology Building; in Zone 4 parking lot. The 50 X 100 foot pre-engineered steel structure will accomodate 350 students at a projected cost of $480,000. The temporary classroom will be used only until the lecture theatres in the new Health Sciences expansion are available. (End of story)

April 30, 2002

The University Planning Committee teaching staff election has been completed. Seven teaching staff were listed as candidates, and an on-line election was held from April 24 to 26 for three positions on the Committee. The successful candidates are: Brian McCarry to serve a term from July 1, 2002 to June 30, 2005 Susan Elliott to serve a term from July 1, 2002 to June 30, 2005 Trevor Chamberlain to serve the remainder of a term from July 1, 2002 to June 30, 2004 (End of story)

April 30, 2002

McMaster's Board of Governors approved the 2002-03 compensation structure for members of The Management Group (TMG) at its April 25 meeting. The approved recommendations include: Overall salary increases of up to 4.5 per cent for 2002-03 for employees in TMG. These increases will be a combination of economic revision (formerly known as across-the-board) of two per cent and merit pool of 2.5 per cent. Salary increases take effect June 16 and will be reflected in the July 15 pay. Changes in the salary ranges of up to six per cent for 2002-03 for employees in TMG. This movement of the salary grid is the second phase in a transition to ensure TMG salary ranges are at the 60th percentile, or above average, when compared to comparable organizations. An approved pay philosophy of being at the 60th percentile of comparable organizations and a definition of a "comparable organization" that includes national and regional market analyses, public and private sector institutions and corporations. These recommendations came from extensive work completed in the last year by the Total Rewards Redevelopment Task Force that included delegates from TMG and University senior management. After consultation and input, the Total Rewards Redevelopment Task Force forwarded the compensation structure to the University's senior management team and to the Board of Governors remunerations committee for approval.

April 29, 2002

When the Faculty and Staff Directory for the university was launched on-line in early March (Telecommunications launches new online faculty, staff directory), the reaction from many in the campus community was positive, with comments that the online directory meant "good riddance to paper." "There was a large portion of the campus community, however, who was disappointed that we no longer offered a hard copy." says Tara Pasalic, system administrator, telecommunications. In an effort to satisfy those who prefer a printed copy of the faculty and staff directory, or for those who do not have regular access to a computer to check the online listings, the telecommunications department has been hard at work to provide this option to the McMaster community. The directory can now be downloaded from the telecommunications website, printed as hard copy and used as a desk reference. "As with anything available in print, the hard copy of the directory will be out of date almost as soon as it is printed. There will be a date displayed at the bottom of each page, indicating when that page was last updated," explains Pasalic. There are still a significant number of moves yet to take place on campus and Pasalic cautions that the campus community might want to hold off on printing hard copies until the majority of offices have been relocated. "We definitely encourage them to download, but for those paper and toner-conscious people, it might be best to wait for all of the updates to be made after the moves," says Pasalic. There are four different directories currently available for download in Rich Text (.rtf) format, organized as: Faculty & Staff Sorted By Department Faculty & Staff Sorted By Name Building Reference by Abbreviation Building Reference by Code Telecommunications will attempt to update the printable directories on a daily basis as changes are submitted to them. The online directory, however, remains the most up-to-date listing of faculty and staff contact information. (End of story)