Daily News

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)

February 5, 2002

Nominations are now being accepted for the President's Award of Excellence - Student Leadership. Nomination forms - the deadline is Feb. 22 - are available from the Office of the Associate Vice-President (Student Affairs), Gilmour Hall, Room 207. The President's Award of Excellence was established in 1993 to recognize in-course students in their graduating year who have demonstrated a commitment to the University's belief in excellence in its student body. The selection committee may present up to three awards annually. Each award will be a President's Student Medal of Excellence and the recipient will have his/her name inscribed on a commemorative plaque displayed permanently in the McMaster University Student Centre. This award acknowledges the contributions made by students who play a significant role in improving and developing the intellectual, social, cultural and/or athletic fabric of the McMaster community. The selection committee will consider those nominees who have demonstrated outstanding student leadership qualities. The award will be presented on the basis of how the nominees' achievements have contributed to the betterment of the University community and to the advantage of the students who attend McMaster. The overall quality of the contribution rather than the achievement of a certain status or position will be the determining factor for the committee to arrive at a final decision. In addition, the individuals selected to receive an award may also have extensive involvement in the local, provincial, or national communities. (End of story)

February 4, 2002

Seven McMaster researchers have been awarded $7.6 million from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) to help build labs and facilities necessary for their research. The money will go towards projects such as a brain imaging facility in psychology, a micro-machining lab in mechanical engineering, a lead monitoring in children initiative in medical physics & applied radiation sciences and an arts/humanities text analysis computing portal initiative. Three new researchers were also awarded about $660,000 from the New Opportunities Fund for their projects in mathematics, medical physics & applied radiation sciences and mechanical engineering. The awards were part of a national announcement made last week by Industry Minister Alan Rock that involved $779 million going to support projects at 69 universities, colleges, hospitals and not-for-profit research institutions. "This CFI investment confirms the talent of our researchers and the research expertise that resides at McMaster in all of our disciplines," said Mamdouh Shoukri, vice-president research & international affairs. "Consistently, we have seen investment in areas for which we are known as leaders (engineering, science and health sciences), but this round of funding highlights new and emerging areas of excellence." The awards were based on the recommendations of multidisciplinary assessment committees made up of world-class experts from a wide range of fields and disciplines. To receive funding, applicants had to show the excellence and innovative nature of their projects and how they will benefit Canada.

February 1, 2002

Senior administration advises that McMaster University is closed Friday, Feb. 1. Students and University employees can consult the Storm Emergency Policy and Procedures for more information about the closure policy.

January 31, 2002

Physical plant is advising drivers and pedestrians on campus to use extreme caution during the current storm. Physical plant staff are having difficulty maintaining snow removal and salting on campus roads and walkways due to the continuous snowfall. As well, physical plant advises that parking lots will not be plowed today due to freezing rain forecast for this afternoon. The storm is being monitored (Environment Canada weather forecast) and staff are making every effort to ensure walkways and roads are cleared as quickly as possible. Physical plant's snow plan calls for areas to be cleared on a priority basis. All emergency accesses to Hamilton Health Sciences' McMaster location, bus routes, the Cootes Paradise Drive on and off ramps and bridge, the heliport landing and the route to the hospital from the landing and other main roads are first priority for truck snow removal. Routes for people with disabilities, heavily travelled sidewalks and bus stops are cleared next by vehicle. Priority areas to be cleared by hand include all main entrances, steps and ramps to buildings. Parking lots will be cleared tonight once evening classes are finished. The University's storm emergency procedure policy, outlining the process to determine when McMaster is closed, can be found at Storm Emergency Policy and Procedures. Note: Shuttle buses to Zone 6 & 7 will continue to run on their regular schedule until 10:50 p.m. or earlier if not required as long as road conditin are safe to do so.

January 31, 2002

We have been advised by senior administration that the University will close today, Thursday, January 31, at 2 p.m due to inclement weather. All classes, including night classes and any scheduled tests or examinations, are cancelled. Faculty, staff and students are advised to consult the Storm Emergency Policy and Procedures for additional information. Members of the community are also advised to listen to local radio stations and to visit the Daily News Web site tomorrow morning for further updates. NOTE: Shuttle buses to Zone 6 and 7 will continue to operate on a regular schedule until 10:50 p.m. or earlier if not required or as long as road conditions are safe to do so. (END OF STORY)

January 31, 2002

McMaster University is scheduled to reopen and classes are slated to resume Friday, Feb. 1. If inclement weather occurs Thursday night (Jan. 31), senior administration will determine if and when the University reopens. Any further closure information will be provided to local radio and television stations and will be published on the Daily News Web site. Students and University employees can consult the Storm Emergency Policy and Procedures for more information and a listing of radio stations.

January 31, 2002

Evan Mackintosh is president-elect of the McMaster Students Union for the 2002-03 term. Mackintosh, who garnered 1378 votes on the third count to win the two-day election, will take over as president May 1. The final tally was: Evan Mackintosh - 1378 votes Jen Thomas - 1177 votes Matt Lannan - 578 votes Benny Minn - 214 Total voter turnout for the presidential election was 2698. This year, Mackintosh is MSU vice-president education and an undergraduate representative on Senate. For more information about the election results, contact Tom Nault, chief returning officer, at ext. 27203 or election@msu.mcmaster.ca. (End of story)

January 30, 2002

Alan Borovoy, general counsel of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, is giving a public talk on Terrorism, Technology and Civil Liberties: The Unasked Questions, tonight (Jan. 30) at McMaster. The free lecture is sponsored by the Theme School on Science, Technology and Public Policy. It begins at 7 p.m. in the Information Technology Building, Room 137. In his role since 1968, Borovoy has made presentations to public inquiries and given testimony before parliamentary committees on issues such as mandatory drug-testing in the workplace, wiretapping and police-race relations. His community organizing activities have included delegations to the federal and provincial governments on issues such as capital punishment, religious education in public schools, the War Measures Act, campus speech codes and national security and intelligence. Borovoy was a fortnightly columnist for the Toronto Star from 1992-96 and has appeared on various public affairs programs on television and radio. He is the author of Uncivil Obedience: The Tactics and Tales of a Democratic Agitator and When Freedoms Collide: The Case for Our Civil Liberties, which was nominated for the Governor General's Award in 1988. Borovoy has been a visiting professor at the faculties of law at Dalhousie University and the University of Windsor and a part-time lecturer at the University of Toronto's faculty of social work and York University's political science department. (End of story)

January 29, 2002

A lot of people in Canada would have a hard time placing Lubango on a map. But the southern Angolan city is where Julia Hitchcock, a final year peace studies and comparative literature student, has spent three out of the past four summers teaching English. She first went to Angola - a country that has suffered years of devastating civil war - with a high school friend who had grown up there and who was organizing an English language summer program through a local church. "Challenging!" is Hitchcock's verdict on her first teaching experience. "The kids ranged in age from five to 13, and were all in the same class, so it was a pretty big mix. It was hard sometimes - some of them were illiterate, some of them weren't, and the really little kids didn't have the attention span that older kids had. But I met so many people who I felt taught me so much, that I really wanted to give a bit back and sort of made a promise to go back." Fresh from her experiences in Angola, and in the first year of humanities at McMaster, Hitchcock discovered that the discipline of peace studies matched her interests perfectly. "I did a course on the theory and practice of non-violence that made a big impression on me. I was always thinking of the Angolan context, and the suffering I'd seen there and how could that be transformed. So I was always connecting peace studies and Angola in my mind." That connection made her want to try out some peace workshops when she was back in Angola teaching English. And last summer, by taking an applied humanities course, she was able to use the project to gain credit towards her McMaster degree. Applied Learning: Julia Hitchcock in Angola with some of the children she taught.

January 27, 2002

Full time undergraduate students will head to the polls on Jan. 29 amd Jan. 30 to vote for a new McMaster Students Union president. The candidates are Matt Lannan, Evan Mackintosh, Benny Min and Jen Thomas. Polls will be open from 9:20 a.m. to 4:20 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 29 and Wednesday, Jan. 30 at the following locations: BSB Lobby (until 7 p.m. on Jan. 29); CNH basement (near Starbucks); Commons lobby; Gilmour Hall (outside Titles Bookstore); Hamilton Hall (2nd floor); Ivor Wynne Centre (by Burridge Gym); JHE lobby; MGD lobby and Mills Library (until 7 p.m. on Jan. 29). Please direct all enquiries to Tom Nault, chief returning office, McMaster Students Union, ext. 27203 or election@msu.mcmaster.ca. (End of story)

January 25, 2002

The Kiyoshi Nagata Ensemble, a Japanese drum group, is the featured performance tonight at the School of the Arts' latest Celebrity Concert. The ensemble is a five-person taiko (Japanese drum) group based in Toronto. Ensemble members are Kiyoshi Nagata (artistic director), Katarina Kin, Meiko Lydall, Scott Kusano and Paolo Pietropaolo. The concert takes place tonight, Jan. 25, at 8 p.m. in Convocation Hall. Tickets are $17 regular, $12 senior/student and for more information call ext. 23333 or ext. 27671 or e-mail sota@mcmaster.ca. The group has been active on the concert and music festival scene since making its debut in 1998 after being selected to perform at the Canada Council for the Art's National Showcase at the DuMaurier Theatre Centre. While firmly rooted in the folk drumming traditions found throughout Japan, the ensemble's principal aim is to rejuvenate and redefine this ancient art form ensuring its relevance in today's society. The ensemble, whose members come from Japanese as well as other backgrounds, has produced challenging and dynamic works that seek to create a new voice for the traditional taiko. Under the direction of Kiyoshi Nagata, the ensemble has earned a reputation across North America for its straightforward yet exciting approach to playing the taiko. Emphasizing sound, fundamentals and precision over choreography and extraneous movement, the ensemble has created a unique performance style that is both powerful in expression and beautiful in its simplicity. The ensemble is one of only a few groups in North American that owns and performs on a complete set of authentic taiko imported from Japan. (End of story)

January 24, 2002

Nominations are sought for the 2002 President's awards for excellence in teaching. The three awards demonstrate the value McMaster attaches to its educational function and . . .