Daily News

March 1, 2002

Oil paints, solvent-soaked rags, chemicals, silica. Materials one typically finds in an art studio. You'll find them, for example, in the Togo Salmon Hall workshops and studios used by McMaster's art students. These materials and others are worrying some students. They're concerned about the possible health and safety risks associated with working with and around hazardous materials. In all, about 60 students use the facilities, located in the basement and on the first floor of Togo Salmon Hall, for oil painting, ceramics, casting and other art projects. Their concerns have prompted the Faculty of Humanities and Risk Management Services to develop plans to improve the air quality within the facilities and to reduce fire and health and safety risks associated with the hazardous materials. Dean of humanities Daniel Woolf says some upset students approached him this week. "The students said they wanted more rag buckets in the area. This is a request that can be resolved almost immediately. Other issues, such as improved ventilation, will require more thorough planning and will take longer to rectify." Woolf says parents have also written him. He is taking the students' concerns very seriously. "We're aware of their concerns and our top priority is to ensure that they are working and learning in an environment that is safe. The health and safety of our students and the faculty who also work in the area is paramount." During Reading Week, the Ministry of Labour, which oversees the health and safety of workers (and not students), conducted an audit of the facility. A dozen orders were issued for compliance on things such as labels on materials and safety guards for machines. The ministry did not issue any orders regarding ventilation. However, two other studies recently conducted (by internal and external sources) emphasize the need to improve air quality within the studios. "The art studios and workshops are operating in rooms that were originally designed as classrooms and offices," says Ron Angus, director of risk management services, who conducted one of the studies in November. "We've asked our engineers in physical plant to conduct a study of the whole area and to recommend a new ventilation system that will adequately support the current use of these rooms." Woolf, who only learned recently of the ventilation problems, says that installation of a new system for the facility is a longer-term project that will require a significant allocation of funds. "It's not a quick fix. We need to proceed in a deliberate and methodical fashion, after proper study and in a manner that is mindful of budget constraints." To reduce the risk of exposure to any hazardous materials, students who use the rooms are being advised that respirators are available for their use from the School of the Arts. Risk management staff will conduct an individual fitting session for students wishing to use them. Instructors are also advising students to properly dispose of waste (paints, rags)and to ensure materials are properly handled, sealed and stored. Locating the lithographic and etching studios (currently on separate floors) closer to one another is also being looked at as a way to minimize health and safety risks, says Angus. A staff supervisory technician for the art studios and workshops will be hired for the next academic year, says Woolf. As well, commencing this fall all students who use the facilities will be required to take Workplace Hazardous Materials Information Systems (WHIMIS) training.

February 28, 2002

The first dividing line painted on a road is recorded as taking place in 1911. It was received in phenomenal fashion. Today, these lines are inescapable entities that allow, prohibit and mediate our movements. In the art of Hamilton artist C. Wells, the index of the painted line in the road serves as a source for exploration of perception, irony, urbanization, landscape and place. Wells is outstanding for his vigorous commitment to conceptually-based art. The McMaster Museum of Art presents 1911: The Art of C. Wells from March 3 to April 14. Museum hours are Tuesday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday evening 7 to 9 p.m. and Sunday, 12 noon to 5 p.m. This is the first solo exhibition of Wells' work in Ontario. The 10 works in 1911 include line marker paintings, installation, mixed media, photography and performance. Wells received his BFA from the University of Guelph, and studied at McMaster University and the Ontario College of Art before receiving a BEd (Art/History) from the University of Manitoba. He has exhibited across Canada and was a contributing artist to the 1994 Expo Arte: Le Forum de la Theorie de l'art Contemporain in Guadalajara, Mexico through Winnipeg's Plug-In Gallery. Other selected recent exhibitions include: and then we take berlin' Contemporary Art Symposium, Kitchener ArtWorks, Mitchell: Southwest Triennial, London Regional Art and Historical Museum, 1998 Alberta Biennial of Contemporary Art, Glenbow Museum/Edmonton Art Gallery, A to B: Post-Aesthetic Painting, The New Gallery, Calgary. Image: the hand loves that which is hard: the #1, virtual, 2000-2002 . (End of story)

February 26, 2002

Sonia Anand, an assistant professor of medicine in the Faculty of Health Sciences, has been named to an endowed chair in women's health. The chair is called the Eli Lilly Canada - May Cohen Chair in Women's Health. In her current research, Anand looks at the causes of cardiovascular disease in various ethnic groups, including aboriginal people, and the evaluation of antithrombotic therapies used in preventing further cardiovascular events (such as heart attacks). The formation of the Eli Lilly Canada - May Cohen Chair in Women's Health was announced in June 2000. The chairholder will conduct epidemiological research and clinical trials that address the determinants and prevalence of women's health problems as they relate to vascular diseases. Eli Lilly Canada is supporting the chair with a $1 million contribution over five years. Funding has also come from McMaster University, with additional support from the Population Health Research Institute, directed by Salim Yusuf. As the chairholder, Anand will develop policy recommendations from the research findings and educate both the public and health care professionals on women's health. "Dr. Anand is an excellent scientist and truly a rising star internationally in the area of cardiovascular medicine and population-based epidemiology," said John Kelton, dean and vice-president of the Faculty of Health Sciences. "We are pleased to be able to recognize her important work with this appointment. Her research and methodologic expertise will allow her to create a program of study and facilitate clinical trials that will address issues affecting women's health."

February 25, 2002

McMaster University announces the appointment of two senior advisers who will focus on opportunities in the areas of government relations and research. Peter Sadlier-Brown has been appointed government relations adviser in the Office of the President. Prior to his appointment at the University, Sadlier-Brown held a number of senior executive positions in the Ontario government. He was an assistant deputy minister in the Ministries of Finance, Labour, Intergovernmental Affairs and most recently, Economic Development and Trade. Before joining the provincial government, Sadlier-Brown worked for the C. D. Howe Research Institute, a labour union, and on Parliament Hill. Nick Markettos, on a year's secondment from the Ministry of Energy, Science & Technology, has joined the University as a special adviser to Mamdouh Shoukri, vice-president research & international affairs. "Peter and Nick bring a considerable amount of knowledge and expertise to the University," said Acting President Peter Sutherland. "They will be instrumental in helping McMaster foster new relationships with government, map out a blueprint to enhance our current relationships and build on existing partnerships in our research enterprise. I'm delighted they are on board."

February 22, 2002

McMaster Musical Theatre cast members are dreaming of becoming stars. Tonight they launch this year's production, Fame, a musical about a group of students in the School of the Performing Arts in the early 1980s in New York City who want to become famous. The musical tells the story of their developing relationships with each other, their teachers, their talent, and themselves. "It's a high energy show full of singing and dancing," said producer Terri Galan. The cast is comprised of 23 students and one staff member and the production team includes director Josephone Ho, musical director Rob Hancock, choreographer Jennifer Paul, pit director Jordynn McIntosh, technical director Mark Pereira, costumes headed by Toni Jack, properties lead by Kaif Pardhan, lighting operator Alexa Smith and sound operator Lyanne Quirt. The show opens tonight, Friday, Feb. 22 and continues Saturday, Feb. 23, Wednesday, Feb. 27 and Thursday, Feb. 28. All evening performances begin at 8 p.m. There is a matinee performance at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 2. The evening performances for Friday, March 1 and Saturday, March 2 are sold out. Tickets are available by calling the Fame box office at ext. 26988. McMaster Musical Theatre (MMT) is a non-profit organization created in accordance with the McMaster Students Union. Members of the MMT executive are those who have been involved in the previous years' shows and who hail from all Faculties and all levels. MMT relies on revenue from previous years as well as sponsorship from members of the community. (End of story)

February 22, 2002

Staff in the student accounts/cashiers office in Gilmour Hall are showcasing their patriotism and Olympic spirit today (Feb. 22). The office is festooned with large . . .

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)