Daily News

April 4, 2001

[img_inline align=”” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/meningitis1.jpg”] (END)

April 3, 2001

Athletics & Recreation announced yesterday its football "Team of the Century," a group of 24 outstanding Marauder football players from the 1930s to the present team. The "dream team" will be honoured on April 19 at the fourth annual Friends of Football Gala Reception and Dinner. The team was selected by a committee made up of past and present Marauder head coaches. The roster includes the late Syl Apps, Russ Jackson, Mel Hawkrigg, Mike Morreale, Kojo Aidoo and Ryan Janzen. To view the complete list, click here

April 3, 2001

McMaster University and the McMaster University Staff Association (MUSA) were both advised last Thursday by the mediator that a break would be of assistance to both sides in the negotiations. Prior to the break, the University and MUSA had signed off on 10 articles, the University was waiting for MUSA to deliver their response on 10 articles and the remaining articles had not been discussed in the latest round of negotiations. "MUSA has informed the mediator that they want to return to the table," said Alan Harrison, chair of the University's bargaining team. "MUSA has asked the University for additional articles and we will deliver those tomorrow (Wednesday) afternoon. We are also hopeful that this call to the table from MUSA means that the union's bargaining team will return with their response to our material." The University and MUSA have both been in contact with the mediator and will resume bargaining on Wednesday with the mediator present.

April 3, 2001

McMaster's provost is heading West this summer to lead the University of Calgary. Harvey Weingarten's appointment as president of the Alberta institution was announced today in Calgary by the U of C board of governors. Weingarten takes up his official duties on Sept. 1. He is the university's seventh president. The news was conveyed to the McMaster community in an e-mail late this afternoon from University President Peter George. "This is a tremendous opportunity for Harvey, a wonderful choice by the University of Calgary and a loss for all of us at McMaster," said George, remarking that the University has benefited enormously from Weingarten's leadership, his scholarship and his deep commitment to post-secondary education. "I am delighted that he will be the next president at the University of Calgary and I look forward to working with him on many of the issues and challenges that are common to all universities in this country."

April 2, 2001

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/sitin01-final2.jpg”] A group of undergraduate and graduate students are occupying the main floor lobby of Gilmour Hall today in a move to pressure . . .

April 2, 2001

The 77th annual McMaster athletic awards banquet was held on March 29 to recognize the achievements of all Marauder student athletes. The theme of the evening was "Celebrating Marauder Excellence and Olympic Achievement," and former McMaster student-athletes and coaches who have been members of an Olympic Games Team were invited as special guests. Among those Olympians in attendance was Canada's head triathlon coach from the Sydney 2000 Olympics, Barrie Shepley. McMaster athletes who took home major awards were: * Sarah Dickson (swimming) , Edna Guest Award * Ben Chapdelaine (football) , Dr. Ray Johnson Award * Dani Everitt (basketball), Female Athlete of the Year * Kojo Aido (football) and Steve Maga (basketball), co-recipients, Ivor Wynne Award For more details about the award winners, and to view the list of MVP award winners for the various varsity sports, visit the Athletics & Recreation Web site. See also: Aidoo, Maga and Everitt named Mac's best(Hamilton Spectator) END OF STORY

April 2, 2001

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/kipling01-final.jpg”] How'd they do that? Engineering students spent some time “decorating” the Life Sciences building last week in celebration of March 30 and . . .

March 30, 2001

The University and the McMaster University Staff Association concluded five days of scheduled talks on Thursday evening (March 29). The mediator indicated to both sides that they should take time away from the table to assess their positions. The University's bargaining team believes the mediator's advice is important and it will now take time to review its proposals. Modest progress was made during the last set of negotiations. The two sides have now signed off on 10 articles of the contract and the University is waiting for MUSA's response to another 10 articles. There are currently 33 articles within the contract.

March 28, 2001

Engineering dean Mamdouh Shoukri has been appointed to the position of vice-president research and international affairs effective July 1. His appointment, for a five-year term, was approved by McMaster's Board of Governors last week. As vice-president, Shoukri will be responsible for research activities within the University and for the aggressive pursuit of new partnerships, nationally and internationally, designed to capitalize on McMaster's significant research strengths. University President and chair of the selection committee, Peter George, said that the unanimous recommendation to appoint Shoukri was not surprising considering his outstanding administrative and leadership record  most recently as the dean of engineering. "The profile of our engineering Faculty has been raised significantly under Dr. Shoukri's leadership," said George. "The industrial partnerships he helped to establish, the research centres he helped to create, and the new recruits he had the foresight to hire, are just a few of his accomplishments."

March 28, 2001

The University and the McMaster University Staff Association returned to the bargaining table today (Wednesday). The University has put forward a number of articles for review by the MUSA bargaining team. This is the fourth of the five days of bargaining that both sides agreed to last week. Talks will continue on Thursday.

March 28, 2001

Statement from MUFA Executive Regarding Final Examinations 1. We believe that it is part of the normal duties of an instructor to prepare a final . . .

March 28, 2001

Among the major award winners at this year's Student Recognition Night were: Meaghan Stovel (left), honours commerce and John Norquay, honours modern languages & linguistics, . . .

March 28, 2001

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/sorgercropped.jpg” caption=”George Sorger”]Biology professor George Sorger received the Lifetime Achievement Award from McMaster Students Union at a special ceremony earlier this month. Andrea . . .

March 28, 2001

The McMaster Chinese Students' Association has elected a new executive for the 2001-02 academic year. The election results were determined by 150 McMaster students on . . .

March 27, 2001

Staff from some areas of Purchasing and Financial Services will be the first to move downtown to the courthouse this spring. About 40 people from . . .

March 27, 2001

Security officers within the Department of Security Services have overwhelmingly accepted a new contract. The United Steelworkers' local 5295 held a ratification meeting last night. "Both the union and the University worked hard to reach this deal," says Cathy O'Donnell, chairperson of the union's negotiating team. "It's a deal both sides can be happy with." The tentative agreement was reached early Saturday morning. The contract calls for across the board wage adjustments of 8.25% over 40 months with the initial increase of 2.25% effective March 1, 2001 and with subsequent 2% adjustments every 10 months. In addition, there is a .50% market adjustment increase for senior officers. The agreement expires June 30, 2004. Other improvements in the agreement include one paid personal day, paid paternity benefits, and increased coverage under the vision care plan.

March 26, 2001

Students have raised questions about their courses and final examinations in light of the MUSA strike. These students are concerned that they will not complete their courses or academic years. We provide the following commentary on frequently-expressed concerns and questions. Some students indicate that their instructors are refusing to accept or grade assignments due in the course. We know of no interpretation of practice, policy or protocol to support these actions. We trust, therefore, that these are misunderstandings. This points, though, to the need for instructors to communicate clearly with students, especially at a time when students are feeling particularly anxious. We are directing students to their instructors and respective Chairs/Directors for answers to many of their questions pertaining to the completion of their course work. Many students ask why some instructors will not prepare or submit their final exams. It is not for us to speak for instructors who are inclined to behave in this manner. When questioned further concerning our views about faculty members who may refuse to submit final exams, we say the following: Consistent with our agreement with the McMaster University Faculty Association (MUFA), faculty are not obligated to perform the work of employees engaged in a work stoppage. It has always been, and continues to be, the duty of instructors to prepare examinations and to submit them to the Registrar's Office. This is the direct responsibility of instructors, even though they may have chosen to obtain some assistance from MUSA employees in the discharge of this obligation in the past. In fact, according to the Senate and Board approved Terms of Reference for Department Chairs, it is the responsibility of the Chair/Director to ensure that "...the Faculty and University deadlines for the submission of examination copy and...for evaluation of students is met." The obligation of instructors to submit examination copy, particularly when they have indicated in their course outline that there will be a final examination, is reinforced also by the 1995 Senate Resolution on Course Outlines and the Senate and Board-approved 1998 Code of Conduct for Faculty. We consulted with the McMaster University Faculty Association (MUFA) about our interpretation of faculty obligations regarding the submission of final examinations. The MUFA Executive indicates to us that faculty who fail to submit their course-required final examinations should be subject to disciplinary action. The primary concerns of many students, and the sources of their greatest anxiety, are the hardships they will experience if they cannot complete their courses, graduate, or fulfill employment or other obligations as a result of an unfinished or delayed year. At this stage, we are contacting the small number of instructors who have indicated that they may not submit their final examinations. In the event that they do not submit their examinations to permit students to take their exam at the scheduled time (thus jeopardizing students' completion of their year), we will inform students of the exam cancellation and work with Senate Executive to find solutions to allow students to complete their academic year. Students and Faculty who continue to have questions or concerns should contact Fred A. Hall (avpacad@mcmaster.ca) or Mary Keyes (keyesme@mcmaster.ca). Harvey P. Weingarten, Provost and Vice-President (Academic) Mary Keyes, Associate Vice-President (Student Affairs) Fred A. Hall, Associate Vice President (Academic) March 26, 2001

March 26, 2001

Talks continued throughout the day on Monday between the University and the McMaster University Staff Association. Both sides agreed last week to five more days of bargaining beginning on March 23 and concluding Thursday, March 29.

March 24, 2001

The United Steelworkers Union and McMaster have reached a tentative contract agreement for University security staff. The two sides met Friday, March 23 at 4 p.m. and finished bargaining at 2 a.m. Details of the contract will be available following the ratification process which is expected to be completed by the middle of next week.

March 23, 2001

The Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) has now issued a written decision in response to last week's pre-hearing on bad faith bargaining complaints filed by both the McMaster University Staff Association and the University. In her decision, OLRB vice-chair Marilyn Silverman ruled, "It does not appear as though there is any compelling reason to expedite this matter and it shall be set down for hearing in the ordinary course." MUSA had requested that the matter be set down for hearing as soon as possible. Click here for the complete text of the OLRB decision.