Daily News

March 23, 2001

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/rallycropped.jpg”]”This reminds me a lot of the '60s, folks!” Sam Minnitti, president-elect of the McMaster Students Union told the large crowd of students . . .

March 23, 2001

Friday was a full day of bargaining for the University and the McMaster University Staff Association. Both parties were pleased with the progress and will resume bargaining on Monday, March 26.

March 23, 2001

The University and the McMaster University Staff Association will resume negotiations this morning with the assistance of the mediator. "On Wednesday the University told the mediator it wished to bargain on Friday, March 23, and then from Monday through Thursday of next week," says Alan Harrison, a member of the University's bargaining team. "We're pleased that MUSA and the mediator have agreed to the first date that we offered." The University also suggested that the next round of bargaining first deal with issues that MUSA has indicated are among its main concerns. They include grievance and arbitration procedures, job postings, seniority, redundancy and displacement, and hours of work. Discussion of wages and the salary grid would then resume. Harrison is hopeful that MUSA will agree to extend negotiations into next week. The communications blackout on the last round of negotiations expired at 12:01 a.m. Thursday morning.

March 22, 2001

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March 21, 2001

Improved public accountability and service for students are among the key recommendations of "Portals and Pathways", the report of the Investing in Students Task Force, which was released March 20. The report to the minister of training, colleges and universities contains 33 recommendations that could help Ontario's post-secondary education system improve accessibility for students, increase accountability to taxpayers and increase effectiveness. Established in September 2000, the Investing in Students Task Force was given the mandate to study the administrative operations of Ontario's post-secondary institutions and recommend ways to ensure that students continue to have access to affordable, high-quality education in the 21st century. Recommendations for improved student service included: * creating a seamless transfer system to allow students to move easily from one form of postsecondary education to another * developing a single window of information for students considering applying for postsecondary education * simplifying and co-ordinating student financial assistance policies * encouraging the collaborative development of e-learning programs The Task Force also recommended that colleges and universities promote open and transparent public accountability by publishing an annual report containing information about their mission, key strategies and accomplishments, audited financial statements, and outcomes on performance indicators. To view the full text of the ministry release, click here See also: University task force urges mass cash bailout (END OF STORY)

March 21, 2001

The following is a message to students from Student Financial Aid & Scholarships: If you recently received a letter from the NATIONAL STUDENT LOANS SERVICE . . .

March 21, 2001

McMaster University students are holding a rally on Thursday, March 22 to encourage a quick resolution to the on-going labour dispute between McMaster University and . . .

March 19, 2001

The McMaster University Faculty Association has issued the following communication to its members. Dear MUFA Members: The Executive of the McMaster University Faculty Association met . . .

March 19, 2001

The following information is provided by Student Affairs: March 15, 2001 STUDENT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 1. What am I expected to do during the MUSA . . .

March 19, 2001

On Saturday, March 17 at the Halifax Metro Centre, the Maroon and Grey gave the St. Francis Xavier X-Men their biggest scare in 29 games, falling by a close 78-76 score. For more details, see today's Hamilton Spectator (END OF STORY)

March 19, 2001

Continuing Education is getting ready for its spring term. It's business as usual despite the current labour dispute, reports Dale Schenk, director of the Centre . . .

March 19, 2001

The communications blackout around negotiations between the University and the McMaster University Staff Association has been extended to 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, March 22. Both parties have agreed that all discussion and documents generated and/or exchanged in the negotiations process will not be broadcast or shared.

March 19, 2001

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March 19, 2001

The Hamilton Public Health Department has begun active surveillance for red measles after a McMaster University student tested positive for the highly contagious disease. Testing confirmed the diagnosis this weekend. The Health Department and McMaster's Student Health Services are working together to run measles vaccination clinics starting today, Tuesday, March 20. Clinics are open to all students, staff and faculty. Vaccination clinics will be held in Council Chamber, Gilmour Hall room 111: Tuesday, March 20 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 21 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Thursday, March 22 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. The public health department says there are several groups of people who are considered to be immune to red measles and do not need the vaccination: 7 Anyone born before 1957 7 Anyone who has received at least one documented dose of vaccine for measles 7 Anyone who has been diagnosed with measles by a physician. Anyone who is unsure about their immunization history is encouraged to attend one of the vaccination clinics. Click here for more information from the public health department about red measles. Inquiries should be directed to the city's health connections phone line at 546-3550, or to McMaster's information line at 525-9140, ext. 21111.

March 16, 2001

The University and the McMaster University Staff Association met to resume discussions on Thursday, March 15. The mediator requested a communications protocol be agreed to by the negotiating teams for both MUSA and the University. Both parties agreed that all discussion and documents generated and/or exchanged in the negotiations process will not be broadcast or shared. The agreement is in effect for the current round of mediation that is currently scheduled to continue until Monday, March 19 at 12:01 a.m.

March 16, 2001

The McMaster student body has elected 31 new members to the Student Representative Assembly for the coming academic year. The new members will guide the . . .

March 16, 2001

McMaster's Steve Maga scored big last night, being named this season's top Canadian university basketball player. "This is great for Mac," the MBA student told the Hamilton Spectator. "And it's very special for my parents. From the time I was three years old, they supported and encouraged me in sports. I just loved it and all the time and effort was mutual. They gave me the optimum environment." Maga, who plays point guard, was named as the winner at an awards dinner held in Halifax prior to the start of this weekend's national championships. He takes home the Mike Mosher Memorial Trophy dedicated in honour of the late University of Waterloo basketball player and presented annually to the outstanding male basketball Player at a Canadian Interuniverity Athletic Union member institution. The selection is made on the basis of a ballot of all CIAU men's basketball coaches. Maga was also named to this year's CIAU All-Canadian First Team. Maga's win will, no doubt, pump up the Marauders' enthusiasm as the team steps onto the court this afternoon for the opening game of the 38th CIAU Men's Basketball Championships. The McMaster Marauders will fight for the jump against the Carleton Ravens this afternoon. The Marauders received one of two wild card invitations to the championships and are seeded fifth. The Ravens are the OUA East champions and are seeded fourth in the tournament. Photo: CIAU Web site

March 15, 2001

The March 17 Spring Open House for prospective students has been rescheduled to Saturday, May 12. Campus tours during the March break have also been cancelled due to the labour dispute. (END OF STORY)

March 15, 2001

McMaster's dance company received high praise from judges this month for creativity and originality after participating in the American College Dance Festival. The festival was . . .

March 15, 2001

McMaster's research enterprise is feeling the effects of the current MUSA strike, says vice-president of research & international affairs, Gerhard Gerber. Individual faculty members are awarded research grants or contracts from external sources based on the performance and productivity of their research group. These grants require periodic application for renewal  typically every three to four years  so at any given time, about one-third of the grants face an imminent application deadline. The money awarded through these grants, often referred to as "soft money," is then used to conduct the research, which includes paying the salaries of graduate students, research technicians and administrative staff. Approximately one-third of the MUSA members are paid through soft money. These funds are administered by the University on behalf of the researcher. Gerber is concerned that, in addition to the immediate impact, there will be greater long term effects since grants are not renewed automatically but are assessed on a competitive basis. Some researchers have expressed concern that disruptions in their current research schedules will affect their ability to compete successfully in subsequent rounds.