Daily News

September 7, 2001

Be they pioneers or guinea pigs, students enrolled in the new Collaborative Bachelor of Science Nursing Program offered jointly by McMaster, Mohawk College and Conestoga College are looking forward to their first year. The McMaster program is the largest collaborative program in the province which fully integrates college and university students through all four years of study. There are now 226 first-year students enrolled in McMaster's BScN program: 68 at the Mohawk site, 36 at the Conestoga site and 100 at the McMaster site who will spend the next four years studying for their Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. Also, under special government funding, an additional 22 students have entered the fast-track BScN program at the McMaster site. It's a degree they'll need come 2005. Under new provincial government and College of Nurses of Ontario regulations, all graduating nurses will need to have a baccalaureate degree in nursing to become licensed to practise as a registered nurse. The three-year diploma program offered by the colleges will be phased out. Photo(left to right): Bill Jeffrey, dean of the school of health sciences and community services, Conestoga College, Daphne Cheung, member of the McMaster University Nursing Society and Amber Wooldridge, BScN nursing student at McMaster-Conestoga, celebrate the launch of the new collaborative nursing program.

September 6, 2001

The Ontario government is changing the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) to provide some students in need with additional assistance to manage their repayable student loan debt. "We are committed to providing students with a high quality education through a strengthened and expanded publicly funded postsecondary education system," said Dianne Cunningham, minister of training, colleges and universities. "We believe that students should contribute a reasonable portion of the cost of their postsecondary education, but we recognize that some will need additional assistance as they begin to build their careers." Under the changes, a person who has left school and: has a low-income or is unemployed will be eligible to receive up to 54 months of interest relief under OSAP, up from the current 30 month limit; and who has exhausted his/her interest relief options and is still unable to meet their repayment obligations will have access to an additional one-time reduction in the balance of his/her OSAP to bring the debt to an affordable level. "Our college and university students are vital to Ontario's continued prosperity," Cunningham said. "With an aging population and new occupations, today's students will have tremendous opportunities to pursue their goals." Students in Ontario are required to pay upon graduation only the first $7,000 of their annual OSAP loan under the Ontario Student Opportunity Grant. In 2000-01, the Ontario government spent $578 million to provide financial assistance to 160,000 students through OSAP, including grants, loans, bursaries and scholarships. (End of story)

September 5, 2001

Several construction projects mean parking will be at a premium on campus as everyone gears up for the beginning of classes on Thursday. Several parking spaces in Zone 3 have been lost because of construction of the new student residence and at the Arthur Bourns Building. Additional spaces will be lost during the expansion of the E. T. Clarke Centre and the Tandem Accelerator Laboratory. The addition of more than 100 spaces in the Zone 3 annex means that all valid permit holders should be able to find a spot -- just. Parking & Transit Services manager John Abraham said everyone with a valid parking permit should allow extra time to find a spot. "Parking will be very tight," said Abraham. Visitors to the west side of campus will not be permitted in Zone 3. They will be rerouted to Zone 6/7 and can take the shuttle bus or they can go to Zone 1 and walk back. Visitors to the north end of campus will go to Zone 1 to park. Abraham said everyone parking on campus will have to adjust. "The secret is to allow yourself plenty of time to get to your appointment. You may have to spend an extra 15 minutes to get to your destination. Please obey signage and parking control officers." Abraham said undergraduate parking permits for Zones 6/7 were released to anyone who applied before July 31. That means the parking areas are oversold and will be busy, Abraham said. "They will have to allow more time and we will get them parked," he said. Two more lots in Zone 7 won't be completed for the beginning of term so Parking & Transit Services will be using environmentally-friendly paint to mark out parking spaces on the grass and the ball diamond in a bid to ensure the space is well used and as a safety measure. The painting substance will not harm or burn the grass, Abraham said. Visitors may be able to purchase parking on a daily basis, but there may be times when the lots are full and they will be turned away, he added. Abraham said all drivers and pedestrians need to take extra care when travelling on campus this fall as there will be several heavy vehicles and supply trucks travelling on site due to construction projects. "Remember, McMaster is predominately a pedestrian-oriented campus," Abraham said. (End of story)

September 4, 2001

They're back. Students are back on campus, adjusting to residence life, registering for classes, renewing friendships and finding their way around. Welcome Week began Sunday and continues to Sunday, Sept. 9. Events continue throughout the week and are designed to introduce students to the University -- the serious and the fun sides! Today students have an opportunity to visit their respective Faculties. This afternoon there is a Maroons Spirit Event featuring a "human conveyer belt" on Les Prince Field and a concert in the Faculty Hollow this evening. Wednesday's activities include the MSU ClubsFest 2001 and the Air Bands Competition from 2 to 4 p.m. The McMaster Backyard Party 2001 which includes a comedy festival, laser tag and Karaoke@the Rat begins at 9 p.m. Classes begin Thursday at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, the Mauraders take on the Waterloo Warriors at Les Prince Field at 2 p.m. Various other charity events and the First Year Finale are scheduled throughout the day. For a complete schedule, click on Welcome Week 2001: A Mac Odyssey. (End of story)

September 4, 2001

The Centre for Leadership in Learning presents the 21st annual TA Day tomorrow (Wednesday, Sept.5). The day is broken into two streams with one group of seminars aimed at new teaching assistants and the other directed to experienced TAs. Topics include Using technology for effective presentations, Keeping the thesis on track and Teaching in a different culture: focus for international students. "We want to provide some support and skills for people who are teaching as they are often the closest contact the students have," said Erika Kustra, TA Day co-ordinator and educational consultant. All new and returning TAs are invited to attend the day long event which features workshops in the morning and Faculty-specific meetings in the afternoon. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. in the Burke Science Building, room 137. Go to http://www.mcmaster.ca/learning/ta_activities/taday2001.htm for more information.

September 4, 2001

Arbitrator George Adams has issued his final award for the first collective agreement between the University and the McMaster University Staff Association. University president Peter George and MUSA president Barry Diacon issued the following joint statement this afternoon: Message to the McMaster Community From: Peter George President Barry Diacon MUSA President Date: September 4, 2001 Arbitrator George Adams has released his final award in the settlement of MUSA's first contract with the University. This award completes the process begun July 31 when the arbitrator issued an interim award that included salary increases and the major medical and dental benefit plans. Today's award addresses all other outstanding issues, including seniority, grievance procedures and leave provisions, and completes the collective agreement which will run from August 30, 2001 until June 15, 2003. The award includes a provision for a joint committee to oversee the implementation of the terms and conditions of the agreement. This committee will include representation from the University and MUSA. The award also establishes Mr. Adams as the arbitrator should there be any interpretation issues about the application of his award. The full text of the collective agreement and award can be found on McMaster's and MUSA's Web sites at http://www.musa.ca or http://hr.mcmaster.ca/data/hrinfo/emprel/. A printed copy of the collective agreement will be provided to all members of the MUSA bargaining unit and to managers as soon as possible. With the successful conclusion of the mediation/arbitration process, both the University and MUSA can turn their attention to implementing their first collective agreement.

August 31, 2001

It's the most wonderful time of the year. You know, you see the commercials with the parents loading up school supplies....well, 2,782 students -- members of the Class of 2005 -- are moving into the McMaster residence system this week. Housing & Conference Services is asking for co-operation from anyone coming on campus this weekend as heavy traffic and jammed parking lots are expected. All residents moving into the north quad will enter campus north of the Ivor Wynne Centre. Cars will not be entering the Sterling Street gate but will be directed to turn right onto Forsyth Avenue, enter campus and move south through the Zone 1 parking lot. Only McMaster employees and Hamilton Street Railway buses should be using the Sterling Street gate. On the north side of campus, after cars unload, they will move directly to "longer term" parking opposite the Michael G. DeGroote School of Business and in the centre of campus. On the west side of campus, cars will be directed to Zone 6/7 parking lots and marshalled to unload in front of Bates Residence and in Lot 3 beside Moulton and Matthews Halls. Cars will also be unloaded in front of Matthews and Wallingford on the road. Employees are asked to not park in the following areas: 1. Lot 1 beside Hedden Hall and behind the football field and 10-acre field. All 600 parking spaces are needed for students moving in. 2. Lot 2 in front of the Commons Building and McKay Hall and across the road from Kenneth Taylor Hall as well as the lot beside the Michael G. DeGroote School of Business. The parking places on Stearn Drive directly across from the Commons Building will be roped off at 5 p.m. today (Aug. 31). Anyone coming in at the Sterling Street gate on Sunday is asked to use Lot 2 and park as close to Gilmour Hall as possible, or park beside/behind Wentworth House. 3. Lot 3 beside Moulton and Matthews Hall. Zone 3 beside the E.T. Clarke Centre and Zone 4 will be used for long-term parent parking. Top photo: Matthews Hall Bottom photo: Wallingford Hall

August 30, 2001

Classes for the fall session 2001-02 begin next Thursday, Sept. 6. If you are a full-time undergraduate student and have not received your confirmation package by Sept. 1 you must attend in-person registration in Convocation Hall (UH-213) to finalize your registration. You will receive information about your timetable at that time. The registration dates are: Tuesday, Sept. 4, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Wednesday, Sept. 5, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The last day for registration and adding courses is Friday, Sept. 14. For more information go to the Office of the Registrar Web site.

August 29, 2001

Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. (AECL) has entered into a five-year $50,000 scholarship program with the Faculty of Engineering. "AECL is committed to training the very best nuclear engineers in the world and we see this investment as a positive step in that direction," said Gary Kugler, senior vice-president of nuclear products and services. "We look forward to having well-trained, industry-oriented engineers available to us in the future." Mo Elbestawi, dean of engineering, added: "An investment in the education of a young mind is the promise for the future and economic growth of Canada. AECL's commitment builds on McMaster's reputation as one of Canada's leading research-intensive universities." Under the terms of the agreement, AECL will provide $10,000 in each of the next five years with the first instalment being applied against the 2001-02 school year. The grant will support four engineering students per year during their second undergraduate year. Recipients of the Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. Scholarship must achieve outstanding academic standings, have demonstrated leadership qualities at either McMaster or in their community and have an interest in advanced engineering projects. Successful applicants will be offered summer employment or work terms at AECL in the year following the award. AECL designs, markets and services Candu power reactors and has 3,400 employees at offices and laboratories in Montrial, Que., Mississauga and Chalk River, Ont. and Pinawa, Man. It is a nuclear technology and engineering company that specializes in R & D support, nuclear services, design and engineering, construction management, specialist technology and waste management and decommissioning. (End of story)

August 27, 2001

This fall, fourth year Commerce students taking Business Policy and Strategic Management 4PA3 will experience the future. All course material will be available on the internet -- no books to be purchased and tests and quizzes will be taken online. Nick Bontis, course instructor and creator of the course, cited several reasons for the introduction of this new technologically-based course delivery. Bontis said: "It's not because I'm a tree hugger, although it is an added benefit that this method is environmentally friendly. It's because I feel that, as part of a university which is known as an innovation leader, we need to leverage the technology we have available to us within the School of Business. Most of the classrooms in the School of Business are wired to accommodate computer use. Bontis is also interested in reducing costs to students. Instead of purchasing a custom course pack for $50, a student purchases an online voucher for $20 which the student must produce in order to gain entrance to the mid-term and final exams. The voucher features a raised watermark stamp which prevents illegal duplication. This method also helps to protect against copyright infringement. Royalties for case studies are usually worked into the fees of a custom courseware package. However, the courseware packages can be photocopied and shared among students, thereby reducing the royalties owed to the schools that sell the rights to the cases. All course materials are posted to WebCT, an e-learning based Web site. Through this system, the onus for printing is on the student, giving them greater freedom as to how much material is printed and in what format. The instructor can offer online testing to provide immediate feedback for students after each class. The instructor can also monitor student activity and will be able to monitor who has logged in to read the case studies and who has taken the online tests. When the participation level is increased, you become a facilitator rather than an instructor," Bontis said. Other innovative features of this course include an online simulation game, an improvisation workshop (much like the show (What's my Line?), and an Olympiad based on the reality/game show models. (End of story)

August 23, 2001

McMaster University has soared to the top of an annual survey designed to measure the public accountability of Canadian universities. McMaster climbed from 35th place to first in just one year - scoring 64.5 using an index that considers such public documents as mission statements, performance targets, detailed financial statements and research summaries. Researchers with the School of Business and Economics at Wilfrid Laurier University have been conducting Canada's only annual survey of public accountability by universities since 1988. The survey now involves 41 universities from British Columbia to Newfoundland. Using a modified accountability disclosure (MAD) index of one to 100, universities are awarded points based on the depth, clarity and quality of the information provided in 26 categories. Though there has been improvement in the last two years, the researchers found that Canadian universities still fall short when it comes to external reporting and accountability. Compared to institutions in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, Canadian universities are not making enough information available to the public on key objectives, performance indicators and facts and figures. "We are seeing a bit of improvement overall among Canadian universities, and a great deal when you look at particular institutions like McMaster," said Morton Nelson, one of the researchers and an accounting professor with the Laurier School of Business and Economics. "But Canada has tended to lag behind other Commonwealth countries, especially New Zealand, where accountability reports have been legislated into practice."

August 23, 2001

McMaster's Daily News Calendar of Events has arrived! If you haven't already noticed the new McMaster University calendar on the right-hand side of our home page take a look now and, if you have the time, try out this new service. "This new, comprehensive, fully searchable and user-friendly Calendar of Events replaces our popular Coming Events section and offers on- and off-campus visitors to the site a wide range of information about the day-to-day activities at McMaster. We hope this new calendar will become the place to post or find information on what's happening at McMaster. The calendar is another good reason for faculty, staff and students to start their day with the Daily News," says Kelly Curwin, publications/communications co-ordinator, Office of Public Relations. Curwin is excited about the launch of the new calendar. "The calendar offers a number of features that we think users will appreciate. People can post, revise and delete their own submissions. They can e-mail a calendar listing to a friend or to their own e-mail. They can even print out the event description for a seminar and post it on a local bulletin board as a small poster." The success of the service will depend, in large measure, says Curwin, on regular and frequent contributions by people from all areas and departments on campus. While the calendar is now live on the site, it may take a couple of days until all of the calendar functions are fully operational. Staff in public relations have begun posting information onto the site and the information database will grow as more items are posted by members of the community. Training sessions are being held for those on campus whose departments and areas frequently submit items for posting on the calendar. To find out what's happening on campus you can view calendar items by day or by week or even look ahead a couple of months. Or you can search the calendar's database by keyword, Faculty or category. For example, using the category or Faculty search buttons you can find out what events on campus are scheduled for alumni or what lectures and seminars are being presented by a particular Faculty. If you have an item you want to post on the calendar -- a lecture, an event, a conference -- simply click on the Make a Submission link under Calendar of Events (on the home page) and complete the specialized form. In addition to including the usual details about an upcoming event, you can also include relevent Web site links and even a photograph of the event or lecturer. Items by, for and about the McMaster community occurring on or off campus or which involve members of the University community are eligible for posting. *** To view a sampling of items now posted on the calendar: Go to Select Month and choose September 2001 (click Go) Select Week of Sept. 9 to see the Week View Click on "True confessions of an art collector" (Sept. 11) to see Event Description Select Sept. 11 (numeral on main calendar) for the Day View Click on Search the Calendar (on home page) In the Search by Category box select "alumni' from the drop-down box (Calendar will display all items listed in alumni category)

August 23, 2001

McMaster has chosen a new provost and vice-president academic. Kenneth Harold Norrie, dean of the Faculty of Arts at the University of Alberta, will take up the post on January 1, 2002. Norrie's appointment was approved today (August 23) by the Executive Committee of McMaster's Board of Governors. The appointment is for a five-year term. An economic historian, Norrie will also hold a professorial appointment in the Department of Economics. "Dr. Norrie brings to McMaster an impressive record of scholarship, teaching and administrative leadership and has earned national respect for his research on Canadian economic history, regional economics and economic policy. I am confident that his gifted academic leadership, his collaborative leadership style, and his proven ability to work successfully with colleagues and students will help McMaster continue to strengthen its outstanding record of academic accomplishments," said University President Peter George in making the announcement today. Norrie was the unanimous choice of the selection committee. In recommending Norrie to the Board, the committee cited his open collaborative leadership style, his excellent communication skills, his ability to work well with colleagues and students, and his commitment to the vision, mission and goals of McMaster University. Norrie is looking forward to his move to Ontario and to working with the McMaster community. "I am excited by McMaster's excellent reputation and by the opportunity to work with a President I have known for nearly three decades through economic history circles. I am particularly impressed by the University's vision to be a leading student-centred, research-intensive university and by its commitment to interdisciplinarity. I have much to learn, and doubtless will be testing McMaster's reputation for collegiality. As a lifelong Westerner, I am also looking forward to living in a new part of Canada, especially one with such a rich social and cultural life." Ken Norrie grew up in Saskatchewan, receiving his undergraduate degree (honours BA) from the University of Saskatchewan in 1967. He obtained his graduate degrees from Yale University in 1969 (M.Phil.) and 1971 (PhD, economics). He became a professor of economics at the University of Alberta in 1980, served as chair of the department of economics, and has held the position of dean of arts since 1999. He has taught introductory and advanced economics to both undergraduate and graduate students and is an expert in Canadian economic policy. He is the author of numerous articles for various journals, books and studies on such topics as regional economic conflicts in Canada, the National Energy Program, Western separatism, and the history of the Canadian economy. In 1984-85 he co-directed research for the Royal Commission on the Economic Union and Development Prospects for Canada. He was the Clifford Clark Visiting Economist in the Department of Finance in 1990-91. A board member of the Centre for Constitutional Studies at the University of Alberta, Norrie is also on the advisory board of the Institute for Intergovernmental Relations at Queen's University. He is a member of Premier Ralph Klein's Advisory Group on Constitutional Issues and sits on the executive of the Edmonton Opera Association, serving as chair of the board's Artistic Liaison Committee. Norrie is married to Lorna Higdon-Norrie, who currently works at the University of Alberta following careers with the federal government and the private sector. The couple has two children: Paul, a winter and summer mountain guide who resides in Canmore, Alberta; and Erika, who is completing a master's degree in drama at the University of Alberta.

August 21, 2001

CAE Inc. has made a $100,000 gift that will support the creation of an endowed fund to support undergraduate scholarships in the Faculty of Engineering. The CAE scholarships in software engineering will be awarded to students who have successfully completed Level II of a software engineering program. Red Wilson, chair of McMaster's successful Changing Tomorrow Today campaign and Tony Fell, campaign vice-chair, accepted the gift from CAE president Derek Burney at a meeting held earlier this month. The endowment, when fully mature, will enable three scholarships to be awarded each year at a value of $2,500 each. CAE is the world's premier provider of simulation and control technologies for training and optimization solutions in the aerospace, defence and forestry industries. PHOTO: (L to R) CAE Ltd. president Derek Burney, Red Wilson, Tony Fell. (END OF STORY)

August 20, 2001

McMaster engineering researchers are part of a nation-wide network studying microchip research and design. The unique network links 250 Canadian technology researchers at 32 universities and research institutions across the country. Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) is contributing $15.9 million to the project and the Ontario Innovation Trust contributed $6.2 million. This is the first time a national network for "system-on-chip" research has been implemented on this scale anywhere in the world. "This national project represents a unique Canadian model to link researchers and students at universities and research institutions in nine provinces," said CFI president David Strangway. "It will play a critical role in helping to position Canada's researchers and their industry partners at the forefront of microchip technology." Queen's University is leading the consortium of universities and research institutions who will partner with industry and create a national library of intellectual property. The national library will consist of microelectronic system components and computer-aided design tools, available to research sites through secure communication links. Go to www.innovation.ca for background information on the "system-on-chip" research and a complete list of all institutions involved in the network.

August 16, 2001

Is there a colleague you admire and want the McMaster community to meet? Has someone in your department achieved a milestone that should be shared? Do you pen short stories or shoot photos you'd like to show off? You now have the opportunity to meet these creative needs by submitting items to a new electronic newsletter launched by and for McMaster employees. The publication date for the first issue is targeted for January 2002. Project organizers are looking for volunteers to join the publication's inaugural editorial board and are asking employees to submit potential titles for the new newsletter. The deadline to volunteer and/or submit a title for the newsletter is Sept. 21. The goal of the electronic newsletter is to bring the McMaster community closer together. It was recommended by the staff involvement work group established as part of the Reacon staff survey follow-up project. The newsletter's audience includes all McMaster employees (i.e., Faculty, Hourly, Staff, TMG, etc.). Earlier this year, the employee newsletter task team was formed to investigate the possibility of establishing such a vehicle. The team tabled its findings last month before the leadership committee and received its endorsement to move ahead with the newsletter's development. "The new publication is intended to provide a bridge for employees at all McMaster locations, opportunities for employees to learn more about one another and a forum for constructive discussion," says Kathy Ouellette, who chaired the task team.

August 15, 2001

The west side of campus is the scene of bulldozers, dirt piles, orange vests and hardhats as preparation for the new student residence construction begins. Fencing continues to go up around the site for the new building and will eventually contain the building's entire footprint. Digging is underway to produce engineered fill for the area and a trench carrying electrical, fibre optic and telecommunication lines beneath Scholar's Road should be completed by the end of the week. The cable relocation will be completed by the end of the month. Mary Keyes, associate vice-president student affairs, is pleased that construction has begun. "The Inter-Residence Council (IRC) student leaders on the user's committee have given thoughtful advice and we believe their ideas have contributed significantly to development of the latest design in shared campus living. This will provide future students with yet another choice for their residence experience." The six-storey building that will house about 280 occupants will feature self-contained suites, with each suite containing four bedrooms, two bathrooms, kitchen and living room space. The residence will also include a 720-sq. metres (8,000-sq. feet) dining hall to service students from neighbouring residences as well as provide a unique dining location for the campus community. The site incorporates much of what was a parking lot at the back of Matthews Hall and stretches south across Scholar's Road. The building's dining wing will be built perpendicular to the residence and take in Scholar's Road, extending as far as, but not abutting, the Clarke Centre smoke stack. Some trees have been removed to construct a new fire route and to accommodate the new residence. On-site supervisor John Piron, of O. P. McCarthy & Associates Inc., said he, grounds co-ordinator Len Van Hoffen and the landscape architect are attempting to preserve a large catalpa speciosa situated between Matthews Hall and Bates Residence. Landscaping plans being developed for the area surrounding the new residence include a walkway, seating circle and a variety of plant materials including trees. Piron noted that people coming on campus from the west side will have to build in more time as the construction site makes access more difficult. (End of story)

August 14, 2001

When the 2001 World University games begin later this month, McMaster University and the Marauder athletic program will be well represented. A contingent of three McMaster athletes and one coach will be attending the games of the 21st Universaide taking place from Aug. 22 to Sept. 1 in Beijing, China. Representing McMaster at the games from the women's tennis program will be the OUA Champion doubles team of Heather MacGillivary and Michelle Greenwood. Joining them will be Marauder head coach Doug Ho. The Beijing games will mark the first time that Canada will send a tennis delegation to the Universaide. Games participants were selected from the teams (McMaster and Alberta) that competed at the National University Championship that took place at the University of Alberta in March. The University Games Tennis competition will take place from Aug. 22 to Aug. 31. MacGillvary and Greenwood will compete in the doubles competition. Greenwood could potentially compete in the singles competition as well. Coach Ho, the second coach on the team, will focus his efforts on the women's team and assist in administering the Canadian tennis team while at the games. Joining the representatives from the women's tennis program at the Games will be McMaster wrestler Pam Wilson. Wilson, the 2001 CIAU and OUA 77 kg gold medallist, will compete in the Judo event. Wilson, who won gold in only her first year of competitive wrestling, has competed in judo for 14 years and is a member of the national D team. The judo competition is scheduled for Aug. 23 to 27, and Wilson will compete in the 70 kg weight class on Aug. 24. The representatives from McMaster along with the remainder of the Canadian team will get a sneak preview of how Beijing will host the 2008 Summer Olympics when the Chinese capital stages the world's second-largest multi-sports competition. Opening ceremonies for the 2001 Games are scheduled for Aug. 22 at the 80,000-seat Workers Stadium in Beijing. The stadium has been identified as one of the main competition sites for the 2008 Olympics. Closing ceremonies are set for Sept. 1. The event will attract more than 5,000 of the world's top student-athletes, representing more than 140 countries. The CIAU, the national governing body of university sport in Canada, is responsible for the organization of Team Canada's entry, which is comprised of 260 participants, including some 175 of our nation's best student-athletes plus coaches, managers, officials, medical, administrative and media staff. Historically, the World University Games have generated almost one-third of the medallists at subsequent Olympic games.

August 10, 2001

Dan Offord, director of the Canadian Centre for Studies of Children at Risk (CCSCR), would like to see every child in the province enter school ready to learn. Offord and his colleagues came closer to this dream yesterday when the Minister Responsible for Children, John Baird, presented a cheque for $1 million to establish a chair in Early Child Development. McMaster University will match the provincial government's gift. The money comes from the Early Years Challenge Fund, established as a result of the recommendations of the "Early Years Study", co-authored by Dr. Fraser Mustard, a former dean of medicine and vice-president of health sciences at McMaster. Baird noted that McMaster's proposal was "one of the most innovative" and commended the centre for being a "superstar" in the area of early child development. The centre has developed an Early Development Instrument that measures the abilities of Kindergarten students in five general areas: physical health and well-being, social knowledge and competence, emotional health and maturity, language and thinking development, and general knowledge and communication skills. The information will then be used to determine where schools and communities have been successful and where improvements are needed. Magdalena Janus, a research associate at the CCSCR worked with Offord to develop the instrument for the "School Readiness to Learn Project". She describes the instrument as a survey with more than 100 questions that would be done by junior and senior kindergarten teachers, 5 or 6 months into the school year. The chair of Early Child Development will lead the CCSCR in training schools and communities on how to use the Early Development Instrument. (End of story)

August 9, 2001

Dozens of first-year students and their families will be on campus Friday, Aug. 10 to enjoy the activities provided at the annual Welcome Day @ Mac. The day is designed to acquaint new students and their families with the faces and facilities provided by the University. It's an opportunity to be welcomed to the McMaster community and helps students begin to feel at home in their soon-to-be new home. Various activities will be ongoing throughout the day including seminars about financing the upcoming year, living off-campus, using the University computers, libraries and a session titled "Flea's Eye View: How to Succeed at Mac." As well, students and their families can take tours of the campus, the Ivor Wynne Centre and residences. In addition to the tours and information sessions, there will be two tents set up on the lawns of the inner campus with students and University employees on hand to answer questions about the many student services and clubs. Lunch is available for $2 at the tent in front of the Burke Science building. Students and families that would like to spend a night on campus can arrange for overnight accommodation by contacting Housing & Conference Services at 905-525-9140 ext. 27222. (End of story)