Daily News

April 10, 2002

Wendy Orr was the first doctor employed by the South African government to break the silence surrounding the police torture and assault of political detainees. . . .

April 9, 2002

McMaster's proposal to partner with the City of Hamilton to build a biotechnology-business incubator facility was approved in principle at city hall Tuesday. The city's committee of the whole approved the partnership in principle and referred financial aspects of the proposal to staff to be dealt with in connection with budget discussions that are underway. The committee councillors asked city staff and the University, represented at the meeting by John Capone, associate dean of research in the Faculty of Health Sciences, to work together on a proposal to obtain additional funding from the provincial government. The University was asked to give a more detailed presentation to the committee of the whole within the next month. "I am extremely encouraged by this morning's discussion," said Capone. "The potential economic spin offs for both the city and the University will be unprecedented. Moving this partnership forward - from principle to practice - is a very high priority and we're committed to working with the city to make it happen." The Hamilton-McMaster Health and Biotechnology Strategy, which the committee considered Tuesday (April 9), includes a plan for an "incubator and discovery district" in Hamilton. The plan calls for an investment of $1-million a year over the next five years from the city to build this incubator facility, estimated to cost about $15 million. This partnership is just one of the collaborative initiatives the University is pursuing with the city in a bid to develop stronger partnerships that will have economic and other benefits for both institutions.

April 8, 2002

The first phase of construction of the $8.9 million Biomolecular Interactions/Advanced Materials research facility on the west side of the Arthur Bourns Building (ABB) is underway. The 2,700-sq. metres (30,000-sq. feet) research facility will house new instrumentation, new laboratories and meeting and seminar rooms. Construction of the four-storey addition (including a basement) is scheduled to be finished by July 2003. The construction of these research facilities, approved last June by the Board of Governors, will support research in advanced materials technology and biomolecular interactions, two separate projects which have been awarded funding by the Canada Foundation for Innovation, the Ontario Innovation Trust and the University. This construction project will provide much needed research space for two exciting projects that involve faculty primarily in the Departments of Chemistry and Biochemistry. The new laboratory space will house research in polymer chemistry directed toward the development of new materials and in research at the interface of chemistry and biochemistry directed to understanding the nature of the interactions between small molecules (e.g., drugs) and biomolecules (e.g., proteins and DNA). Temporary walkways and fencing are being installed and signs are mounted to direct pedestrians around the construction site to access Thode Library and the west entrance to ABB. The walkways are built with stone and screening and won't be paved until later this spring. Some trees will be removed from the site, beginning this week, because they are within the footprint of the facility. All trees that can be relocated will be moved to other parts of campus. Landscaping plans for the new research facility call for several trees to be planted around the area of the building once construction is complete. A rendering (image top right) of what the facility will look like can be viewed just inside the front lobby of ABB. The project manager, Joe Medeiros, is available by e-mail at medeiros@ppims.services.mcmaster.ca or at ext. 27789. The project co-ordinator for users is Leah Allan. Consultants on the project are Atkinson Engineering Inc., Cianfrone Architect, P.B. Engineering Inc. and Healthcare Equipment and Laboratory Planners Ltd.

April 5, 2002

A new 26-part documentary series filmed at McMaster University will provide audiences with a behind-the-scenes look at the innovative style of learning pioneered in the Faculty of Health Sciences. The series will chronicle the experiences of students and staff within McMaster health sciences and its affiliated teaching hospitals. The distinct environment in which future health care professionals are educated and trained will be portrayed along with the perspective of staff participants who facilitate this unique process. By allowing viewers to witness McMaster's self-directed and problem-based learning styles, the series places a human face on the rigorous academic programs. "The film series offers important opportunities for all of us in Hamilton," said John Kelton, Faculty dean and vice-president, in a letter to health sciences' faculty. "First, it will help support our students since all profits will be used for student scholarships and bursaries. Second, the series will enhance the image of our city, our University, our hospitals, our students and all of our dedicated health care providers."

April 3, 2002

An online election for a non-teaching staff representative on the Board of Governors begins today (Wednesday, April 3) at 9 a.m. and continues until 4:30 p.m., Friday, April 5. The elected member will serve a term from July 1, 2002 to June 30, 2005. Three members of the non-teaching staff have been nominated: Barbara Campbell, departmental manager, computing & information services; James McAndrew, reactor technologist, McMaster nuclear reactor; Dale Schenk, director, Centre for Continuing Education. Risumis for each candidate may be viewed at the Board of Governors election Web site at http://www.mcmaster.ca/bog/elections. Online voting is available at http://www.mcmaster.ca/bog/elections from any personal computer with internet access. Eligible voters who do not have access to the Web site may vote in the Board of Governors office (Room 115, University Hall), or in one of the following locations: Room B106, Gilmour Hall (staff lounge) Room B109, Kenneth Taylor Hall (staff lounge) Room 2238, Burke Science Building (staff lounge) Room 273, A.N. Bourns Science Building (staff lounge) Room B101B, Commons Building (Hospitality Services)--between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. All locations, except the Commons building, require a pass, code or key for entry. Any questions regarding the election or voting process may be directed to the Board of Governors office at ext. 24370. (End of story)

April 3, 2002

McMaster University is hosting a visit with Miriam Stewart, from the University of Alberta and CIHR Institute of Gender and Health scientific director, on Friday, . . .

April 3, 2002

The Michael G. DeGroote School of Business is pleased to announce that Edward A. Minich, MBA '74, is the third recipient of the Wayne C. . . .

April 2, 2002

Nanotechnology and bioinformatics will be the focus of research by McMaster's two newest Canada Research Chairs. The two new chairholders, Gianluigi A. Botton and Brian Golding, bring McMaster's total of Canada Research Chairs to 30. Botton, an associate professor in the Faculty of Engineering, is the Canada Research Chair in Electron Microscopy of Nanostructured Materials. Botton will use TEM/EELS technology to achieve three goals: improve techniques to detect signals from few atomic layers at interfaces and nanostructures; develop models to describe the analytical data in terms of structure and bonding changes; and describe the relationships between the observations and the properties of the materials. Golding, a biology professor in the Faculty of Science, is the Canada Research Chair in Bioinformatics. Bioinformatics is a new, multi-disciplinary field combining biology, computer science and mathematics to analyze data generated by genomics and to extract knowledge from it. The long-term objectives of Golding's research program are to determine the patterns and mechanisms of molecular evolution and influences of the natural processes of mutation, gene transfer, and selection on sequence evolution. The federal government allocatted $900 million to the Canada Research Chairs program in 2000 to help Canadian universities attract and retain the best researchers and achieve excellence in natural sciences and engineering, health sciences, social sciences and the humanities. The goal is to have 2,000 chairholders in place by 2005. To date, 532 chairholders have been awarded. Sixty of the chairholders represent a "brain gain" as they have either come to Canada from the U.S. or overseas or returned home to pursue their research. (End of story)

April 1, 2002

Faculty at McMaster have ratified a new three-year contract. Of those members who voted, 98 per cent were in favour of the salary and compensation package which provides annual wage increases of three per cent in each year of the agreement. The current agreement expires on June 30. The agreement was ratified by McMaster's 768 tenured faculty on March 28. The audited vote results were released today. The agreement runs from July 1, 2002 to June 30, 2005. Acting University President Peter Sutherland said the contract provides stability and predictability for the University and its faculty and students. McMaster University Faculty Association president Tom Davison is pleased with the ballot results. "Our remuneration committee thought this was an excellent agreement for our members and the result shows the members agreed. We've improved salaries across the board and adjusted the Career/Progress Merit system to make it a better mechanism to reward individual faculty excellence. It's a good deal for the University, too, in that it provides a basis for planning through the period of the double cohort and higher enrolments generally."

April 1, 2002

The announced deadline of April 30 for responses from Plan members concerning the disposition of their surplus share has now passed and it is time for an update on where we are in the process. The University's consultants are about to file the necessary documents with the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO). The normal minimum turnaround time is 90 days but the OPSEU strike (FSCO staff are OPSEU members) will likely extend this timeline. Even after final approval from FSCO, the trustee, CIBC-MELLON indicates it will take another 5 to 6 weeks to process and distribute payments. This suggests September as the earliest date payments will be received by individuals. The good news on this front, however, is that interest is being paid on the surplus shares until the time of distribution. Until recently, that was not much consolation as the market returns had been poor in our fund as in most others. However, the return from July 1, 2000 to March 31, 2002 is now 5.6% and recent monthly returns have been quite good. Let us hope this trend continues. The Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (formerly known as Revenue Canada) will allow individuals to select tax sheltering options up until the date of approval by FSCO. Therefore, for the time being we will accept late option forms. Once we have a better idea about the approval timetable, we will announce a new submission deadline. Over 3500 individuals have now responded by sending in their option forms. We still have some way to go and encourage you to submit your form. Even if you are happy to accept the cash-only default option (which will result if no response is received) it would help us if you would send in your form. Once final approvals are received, payments to those who submit forms will likely be faster than to those members who choose not to submit their forms. We appreciate the patience of plan members as we move through the final steps of the surplus pension distribution. Les Robb - on behalf of the employee groups Simon Ouellet - on behalf of the University Surplus Hotline 905-525-9140 ext.24272 e-mail surplus@mcmaster.ca

March 28, 2002

Construction crews at the new University Centre may soon disappear but that doesn't mean construction on campus is going to end. A new project is . . .

March 28, 2002

The 78th annual McMaster athletic awards banquet was held Wednesday honoring student athletes for their outstanding achievements in the 2001-02 year. Click on the Hamilton . . .

March 27, 2002

McMaster now has a campus master plan to guide growth and change at the University for the next 30 years. The Board of Governors approved the document at its meeting yesterday (March 27). Senate approved the final campus master plan at its March 13 meeting. "We're really excited about this plan," said Karen Belaire, vice-president administration and chair of the campus plan steering committee. "There's lots of interest and a lot of excitement." Belaire said staff have begun using the plan with building projects that are now under development. Cited as a "living document," the plan provides planning principles, a parking strategy, stewardship for heritage preservation, open spaces and the natural environment, management of traffic demands and guidelines for building community partnerships. It will be reviewed annually and updated. The next steps will be to develop an implementation policy protocol and finalize a campus plan brochure. The University began developing a new campus plan in November 2000, working with Urban Strategies Consulting. The steering committee and consultants conducted extensive consultation with various stakeholders and held a visioning workshop and two open houses to gather input on the draft document.

March 26, 2002

The remains of one of the oldest complex settled villages lies on the plains of central Turkey. The 9,000 year-old site, called Gatalhvy|k, has been described as "the dig of the new millennium." The project director for the Gatalhvy|k archeological excavations and research, Ian Hodder, is one of this year's Hooker Distinguished Visiting Professors. Hodder, professor and chair of the department of cultural and social anthropology at Stanford University, has written extensively on archaeological theory and the prehistory of Europe. Hodder spoke about Hybrid archaeology: archaeology, culture and society in the making of Gatalhvy|k yesterday. He delivers his second lecture, From subsistence to sex: themes in the origins of agriculture, tonight (Wednesday March 27) at 7 p.m. at the Information Technology Building, Room 137. The Hooker lectures are sponsored by the Department of Anthropology, the Faculty of Humanities, the Faculty of Social Sciences and the H.L. Hooker Endowment Fund. (End of story)

March 25, 2002

Three new members were welcomed into the McMaster Honour Society this past Friday. The Honour M Awards are one of the highest distinctions a student can receive at the University and are presented to those who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, volunteer service, contribution and/or achievement in extra-curricular activities. This year's recipients are Nadia Conforti, Arif Manji and Lee Schofield. (Click on Honour M recipients celebrated for more details on the winners.) The Honour M Awards were first developed in 1931. At that time the Silhouette noted that while academic and athletic excellence were liberally rewarded, there was no corresponding recognition for contributions to student government and organizations. Past recipients include: Syl Apps '36, former Toronto Maple Leaf and McMaster's Athlete of the 1st Half of the Century Bob Nixon, '50, former deputy premier and treasurer of Ontario Ivan Reitman, '69, film director and producer More than 350 McMaster students have received Honour M Awards during the past 71 years.

March 25, 2002

She loves languages, science, art and physics. She describes herself as a people person. Jodi Powers' diverse interests made choosing a field of study difficult. They made choosing a career even tougher. So Powers opted for the co-operative education stream to give herself a chance to explore whether medical & health physics were the right areas for her to focus on. Now, only weeks from completing a four-year degree, Powers, 24, is confident she's headed in the right direction. She's been named the top co-op student for 2001 by the Canadian Association for Co-operative Education. And she credits her co-op education experience with guiding her into her soon-to-be fulltime occupation as a radiation safety officer at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre in Calgary. AWARD WINNER: (L-R)Kathy Verspagen, Canadian Association for Co-operative Education (CAFCE) national president; Stefan Kerry, CAFCE student awards committee director; Jodi Powers, Acting President Peter Sutherland. Photo by Shelly Easton

March 25, 2002

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Engineering.musical.final.jpg”]Viva La Revolution! More than 1200 people attended two sold-out performances at the old Tivoli theatre in downtown Hamilton recently for the fourth . . .

March 25, 2002

President Peter George delivered the following speech March 22 in honour of this year's Honour M recipients: Good evening, and thank you once again for . . .

March 22, 2002

Some of McMaster's most outstanding professors were recognized earlier this week for their contribution to undergraduate education. The McMaster Students' Union Teaching Awards committee (TAC) held their annual awards ceremony in which one professor from each faculty/program was presented with an MSU Faculty Award for Teaching. (Click on read more for a complete list of award winners.) Other awards that were presented at the ceremony were the MSU Merit Awards for new professors. This year's recipients were Pippa Lock from chemistry and Doug Boreham from medical physics & applied radiation. Philosophy professor Sam Ajzenstat was recognized for his remarkable contributions to McMaster during 38 years of teaching with the prestigious MSU Lifetime Achievement Award for Teaching.

March 21, 2002

The Department of Kinesiology is hosting the 6th annual Eastern Canadian Sport and Exercise Psychology Symposium (ECSEPS) this weekend. ECSEPS is a conference which provides . . .