Daily News

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.

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

[img_inline align=”” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/OLRB3.jpg”]

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 . . .