Daily News

February 21, 2002

Ottawa is giving $125 million to the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation to support advanced research in the humanities and human sciences. The endowment will be used to support up to 100 doctoral fellowships, 20 mid-career achievement awards and 15 mentor relationships in the humanities in any given year. The work undertaken by fellowship and mid-career award winners will cover themes reflective of the late prime minister's personal interests, including human rights and social justice, responsible citizenship, Canada and the world and humans in their natural environment. Winners will work in disciplines such as Canadian studies, history, international relations, journalism, law, peace and conflict studies, philosophy, political economy, political science, sociology and urban and community studies. "Pierre Elliott Trudeau had a vision of a mature and confident Canada, united by shared rights, mutual responsibility and a common citizenship," said Industry Minister Allan Rock, who made the endowment announcement yesterday in Ottawa. "This fund will help promote excellence and encourage promising students, leading scholars and researchers to study issues of interest to all Canadians. These talented individuals will explore and study the values, rights and beliefs that inform Canada's sense of identity, our public policy and our place in the world."

February 21, 2002

Students in Communication Studies 1B03, History of Communication, had ringside seats recently to Privacy Commissioner George Radwanski's speech entitled Watching You: Privacy Rights and Video Surveillance. Radwanski believes that the Hamilton police department's proposal to install six video surveillance cameras in the downtown area represents "the thin edge of the wedge that will irrevocably change our whole notion of our rights and freedoms." Lecturer Laurence Mussio said the subject of the commissioner's speech strikes at the very heart of the mission of the communication studies program. "The issues raised point in dramatic fashion to the need to generate a sophisticated understanding of how communication technology shapes our societies. How technology, public safety, and our constitutional rights to privacy all interact are matters of the most urgent kind." The privacy commissioner outlined four specific criteria that he believed should be met when considering any measure that might limit or infringe privacy. "First, it has to be demonstrably necessary to address a specific problem. Second, it must be demonstrably likely to be effective in addressing that problem. Third, it must be proportional to the security benefit to be derived. In other words, you don't use a sledgehammer to kill a fly. And, finally it must be demonstrable that no less privacy invasive measure would suffice to achieve the same result." Radwanski's 35 minute presentation argued that these tests must be applied to any proposal to install surveillance cameras in Hamilton and cited the experience of various U.S. and European cities that found video surveillance systems made no difference in their crime rates. "London has roughly 150,000 video surveillance cameras. Last year, it had more cameras than ever before. And guess what? Last year, street crime in London increased by 40 per cent." Radwanski concluded his speech by challenging the students to, "Be an example of strength, not timidity. Base your decisions on facts, not on scaremongering. Build a genuinely safe free society, not a falsely safe police state." Mussio was pleased that his students had the opportunity to hear firshand the views of the privacy commissioner and noted that, "the commissioner's address offered my students an excellent opportunity to engage their rapidly developing historical understanding of communications with a serious contemporary public policy issue. In an era of accelerating innovation in communications, I am convinced that these skills are more critical than ever to the vitality of civil society."

February 19, 2002

She was tireless in her commitment to students. She never lost sight of what was important. She was the portrait of grace, integrity, respect. She was mentor to many. She encouraged and challenged us to find the common purpose that binds us together not the small details that make us different. She truly believed that mistakes helped a person to grow. These were among the warm and heartfelt thoughts and remembrances colleagues, friends and students shared with several hundred people who gathered in Burridge Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon to celebrate the life of Mary Keyes. Attendees included Keyes' father, Charles, and members of her immediate family, as well as friends and colleagues who knew Keyes for many years, including Canadian astronaut Roberta Bondar. "There are thousands of faces on this campus: students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni, neighbourhood children here for sports camp. For many of us, getting to know more than a handful of the people who make up McMaster can be difficult. It wasn't difficult for Mary. She knew everyone," said Acting President Peter Sutherland of Keyes, who headed student affairs at McMaster for the last 10 years. "Whether it was working with student leaders, the students she taught, coached and counseled, her staff, the faculty or administrative colleagues, Mary took the time to get to know as individuals the people with whom she worked. They, in turn, had tremendous respect for her as a mentor and friend." Other speakers included Cathie Miller, director of housing services, who spoke on behalf of colleagues in student affairs, and Sam Minniti, president of the McMaster Students Union.

February 19, 2002

Tony Petric, an associate professor of materials science & engineering, has been appointed the NSERC Fuel Cell Technologies Chair. Petric leads an active research group involved in fuel cells, ionic electronic and mixed conducting oxides and thermodynamic properties of reactive alloys. "Tony Petric is eager to expand on his research work in fuel cells," said Mo Elbestawi, dean of the Faculty of Engineering. "The Faculty is fortunate to have such an enthusiastic researcher of his ability. We are excited about awarding this chair to Dr. Petric." The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) is funding the new Faculty of Engineering research chair, in collaboration with industrial sponsor Fuel Cell Technologies Corp. and the Faculty.

February 19, 2002

Earlier this week, the McMaster crown lost a precious jewel. McMaster students have not merely lost an administrator, but rather they have lost a seasoned . . .

February 19, 2002

It is a tremendous honour to have the opportunity to speak this afternoon on behalf of McMaster University and President Peter George, who deeply regrets . . .

February 18, 2002

This is reading week at McMaster University. Students are advised that no classes are scheduled for this week but all University facilities are open. Classes and labs resume Feb. 25.

February 14, 2002

McMaster University has won some gold, silver and been disqualified at the Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. CBC commentator Brian Williams gave the University . . .

February 14, 2002

Members of the University community wishing to send messages of condolence to the family of Mary Keyes can do so on campus beginning today. Keyes, the University's associate vice-president student affairs, died Monday after a spirited battle with cancer. The books of condolence are available at five locations on campus: Commons Building - outside the housing & conference services office Gilmour Hall - at the registrar's office Hamilton Hall - MSU Info Centre on the first floor Titles Bookstore - customer service desk Ivor Wynne Centre - locker room service counter (basement level) The books may be signed between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. and will be available until Friday, March 1. A book of condolence will also be available at the courthouse beginning on Monday. The book will be located on the first floor in the University Advancment office from Monday to Friday only and may be signed between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. A memorial service and reception will be held Saturday, Feb. 16, at 1 p.m. in the Ivor Wynne Centre. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the United Way of Hamilton, the Northumberland Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society, Box 584, Cobourg, ON K9A 4L3 or the 3Z Blood Disorder Clinic, c/o McMaster University Medical Centre. In addition, a memorial fund in Mary Keyes' name is also being established at McMaster. Donations may be sent to: McMaster University, Development Office, T-27, First Floor, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8

February 13, 2002

The federal government has launched its innovation strategy with the release of two discussion papers that outline a series of national goals for a competitive economy and economic growth. Industry Minister Allan Rock and Human Resources Development Minister Jane Stewart released the papers, Achieving Excellence: Investing in People, Knowledge and Opportunity and Knowledge Matters: Skills and Learning for Canadians, yesterday. Rock called on leaders in business, academia and the public sector to work with all levels of government to identify ways to meet the national goals identified in the papers.

February 11, 2002

The McMaster community is mourning the loss of one of its leaders. Mary Keyes, associate vice-president of student affairs, died peacefully Monday following a spirited battle with cancer. She was 61. A memorial service will be held at McMaster on Saturday, Feb. 16 at 1 p.m. in Burridge Gymnasium. A reception will follow. "Mary was a much loved and respected member of our community and she will be deeply missed. Our thoughts are with her family and her many, many friends and colleagues at McMaster," said Acting President Peter Sutherland. As head of student affairs for the last 10 years, Keyes was responsible for many services that support the academic mission of the University. "She was a dedicated, devoted and ardent supporter of students and served much of her administrative career building and enhancing student life and services at McMaster. Her hard work, energy and enthusiasm were unmatched," said Sutherland.

February 10, 2002

These reflections, from representatives in Student Affairs, were read by Cathie Miller at the memorial service for Mary Keyes. Kindness, fairness, caring, honesty, health, support, . . .

February 8, 2002

There's so much anguish in our world today. I'm hoping this conference can inform people specifically on the case of Iraq and inspire them generally to act responsibly for a better world. These words, spoken by Ruba Moubarak, a third-year McMaster science student, explain why she is spearheading an international conference taking place at the University this weekend. The conference focuses on the effects of sanctions on Iraq and is titled "The Effects of Sanction on Health: A Case Study on the Gulf." Moubarak has gathered leading academics and experts from the United States and Europe who have studied and witnessed the effects of sanctions on the Iraqi population. The conference will focus on the detrimental effects of sanctions on the Iraq health system and on the health of ordinary Iraqis. It will also address the policies of the sanctions' main proponents  the United States and Britain  and those of other Western powers. The speakers include: Denis Halliday, former UN humanitarian co-ordinator for Iraq; Felicity Arbuthnot, a freelance journalist who has focused attention on Iraq; Richard Garfield, director of nursing at Columbia University; Thomas Nagy, professor of expert systems at George Washington University, and Peter Pellet, professor of nutrition at University of Massachusetts. The conference moderator is Graham MacQueen. Members of McMaster's Centre for Peace Studies and Iraq Working Group, Ontario Public Interest Research Group-McMaster are hosting the lineup of journalists, professors and United Nations workers.

February 8, 2002

McMaster University is receiving $1.5 million from the Ontario government based on indicators that measure the number of students who graduate and successfully find jobs. The funding is slightly more - $200,000 - than the University had anticipated when the 2001-02 budget was approved last June by the Board of Governors. The funding, part of the operating grant, is based on measuring achievement in three key performance indicators: the graduation rate of students the six-month employment rate for graduates of undergraduate programs and the two-year employment rate for graduates of undergraduate programs. "I'm pleased that McMaster continues to make a strong showing in the performance indicators," said Acting President Peter Sutherland. "We know our graduates are well prepared for the work force and our numbers clearly demonstrate that." The most recent Ontario University Graduate Survey available shows McMaster's graduation rate is 79.7 per cent. The average graduation rate for all Ontario universities is 73.7 per cent. As well, more than 94 per cent (94.8) of McMaster graduates with undergraduate degrees were employed six months after leaving the University. The provincial average is 94.6 per cent. The survey also shows that 97 per cent of McMaster graduates are employed within two years of obtaining an undergraduate degree. The provincial average is 97.2 per cent. (End of story)

February 8, 2002

More high school students are choosing McMaster as their first choice when they apply to Ontario universities. Figures released today by the Ontario Universities' Application Centre indicate applications with McMaster listed as the first or preferred choice are up 19.2 per cent from last year. As of Feb. 4, 4,482 students had listed McMaster as their first choice compared to 3,761 at this time last year. Total applications to the University from potential first-year students - where McMaster is listed as a first, second, third or more choice - are up 22.8 per cent. The overall provincial average increase in applications is up 20.2 per cent. University registrar George Granger said applications have increased across all program areas. "The overall increase in applications indicates that Ontario high school students continue to recognize the high quality of programs at McMaster and the overall value of our degrees," Granger said. "Some of the increase is also likely a reflection of students fast tracking their studies in order to enter university prior to the arrival of the bulk of double cohort students in 2003." Offers of acceptance will begin going out to successful applicants in early April.

February 7, 2002

University President Peter George has announced that his annual staff awards program has been revised and renamed. In an e-mail to the internal community this week, the President said that the awards, formerly known the President's Staff Awards for Outstanding Service, will now be called the President's Working at McMaster Awards for Outstanding Service. "For reasons of consistency and inclusiveness, I am changing the name of these non-faculty awards," he said. "I am also simplifying the nomination process and doubling the number of awards for the 2001 year, to 10 including two work-group awards." The staff awards program was established in 1997 to recognize the outstanding contributions made by non-faculty employees to the University. To date 85 employees have been recognized under the program. A separate program for faculty also exists. Nominations for this year's President's Working at McMaster Awards are now being sought. The deadline for nominations is Friday, March 1. The submission process is straightforward and electronic. Any member of the community can be a nominator. For more information or to find out how to make a nomination submission, click here or e-mail presaward@mcmaster. "Most of us know of employees who are consistently outstanding in their service, or innovation, or both; or, who repeatedly enhance our University's reputation through their outstanding work. Please help me recognize and honour these employees by taking some of your own time to nominate them," said George. The winners will be determined by a special committee and will be announced in May.

February 7, 2002

Political science professor William Coleman, the Canada Research Chair in Global Governance and Public Policy, will lead a $5-million international research project examining globalization and autonomy. Coleman and his team of researchers were awarded $2.5 million from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) for the new project. The remaining $2.5 million comes from partnering universities, primarily McMaster University and the University of Toronto. The five-year project involves 13 Canadian universities and 16 international organizations including experts from China, Taiwan, Europe and the United States. Eighteen McMaster researchers from the Faculties of Humanities and Social Sciences join a group of 56 scholars in bringing expertise to the project. Their disciplines include history, sociology, anthropology, political science and literary and cultural studies. Coleman says that over the past several decades, processes now termed globalization have been restructuring the way many people live and how they relate to others. The impact of globalization on countries and their economies is a serious issue in international politics. "Who would have thought 10 years ago that a small Canadian business or a Mexican peasant would require knowledge of NAFTA trading rules or World Trade Organization (WTO) subsidy definitions to earn a living?" said Coleman. "We are living in an increasingly complex global village and our research findings will help Canadians negotiate the challenges ahead."

February 7, 2002

Employees working on the second floor wing of Gilmour Hall are holding an open house today to celebrate their new work space. The area that . . .

February 7, 2002

John McGowan is the new business manager for the McMaster Students Union. McGowan takes up his new role, today, Feb. 7, and can be reached . . .

February 6, 2002

Returning for its third year, the annual Soul Food Fair is underway today, Feb. 6, in Convocation Hall. The fair also features guest speaker Stu Black, who will speak on Laughter Really is the Best Medicine tonight at 7 p.m. in Convocation Hall. Black's talk is focused on teaching people to rediscover their funny bones on the way to a happier more productive life. The fair's theme - "It's about balance" - recognizes that everyone needs sustenance for the body, mind and spirit in order to enjoy true health and wellness. The Soul Food Fair, which runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., was initiated by the Chaplaincy Centre in the winter of 2000 recognizing that many people experience "the winter blues." February seemed like the perfect time to be proactive about sharing resources for health and wellness that nourish the body, mind and spirit. This year's fair is co-sponsored by McMaster Students Union campus events and the Soul Food organizing committee comprised of athletics & recreation, Centre for Student Development, the Chaplaincy Centre, International Students Office and Student Health Service. The fair is free for all McMaster students and employees, featuring prizes, giveaways and free samples. There are exhibits and musical entertainment in Convocation Hall, as well as workshops located in the McMaster Museum of Art and the Ivor Wynne mezzanine. Workshops do not require registration. Topics include art therapy, aromatherapy, meditation, massage therapy, esoteric studies, reflexology, reiki and touch therapy. (End of story)