Daily News

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)

August 9, 2001

The McMaster campus plunged into darkness this afternoon (Thursday) after a construction crew at the site of the new residence building hit a power line. No one was hurt in the incident. It took crews until almost 9:30 Thursday evening to restore power. The outage affected the air circulation system and left only emergency lighting in place. The hospital was also impacted by the loss of power but was able to use its back-up generators. Exams that were to be held Thursday evening were cancelled and will be rescheduled.

August 8, 2001

Christopher Somers, a graduate student in the department of biology, has been awarded a 5NR Science for Sustainable Development Postgraduate Scholarship Supplement. The $4,500 supplement is being offered by five federal government departments with the objective of encouraging young scientists to pursue research in environment-related sciences. Somers is one of ten high-caliber students from universities across Canada who are receiving the supplement this year. The supplement will help Somers, a PhD student, carry out his research on the rate of mutation in families of herring gulls on the Great Lakes. His research explores the results of the interactions between organisms and complex chemical mixtures in the environment. Somers will be receiving his award certificate at a ceremony on August 16 in Toronto as part of the Federal Public Service Youth Career Fair. His award is being offered in the name of Dr. Andrew Gilman, a Health Canada research scientist and Director of Health Canada's Sustainable Development Office. Dr. Gilman is a winner of the 5NR Science Awards to Leaders in Sustainable Development. He is being honoured for his work on the control of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and the effects of those contaminants on Canada's Aboriginal population. The 5NR Scholarship Supplement and the 5NR Science Awards combine to recognize the importance of present and future generations of scientists devoted to sustainable development. They also aim to strengthen the links between the university and government science communities, while providing mentoring opportunities for gifted young researchers. The 5NR scholarship supplement is offered by Agriculture Canada, Environment Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Health Canada, and Natural Resources Canada. This program is done in partnership with the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC). (End of story)

August 8, 2001

The Ontario Graduate Scholarships (OGS) are awards that McMaster's graduate students compete for with students from across the province. For each scholarship, universities are required to provide one-third of the $15,000 award, with the government providing the rest. The following is a profile of an OGS recipient: When Bridget Day learned she had been awarded an Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) she felt "incredible relief." "I started crying. I was so relieved," she says. "For me to receive the OGS means I don't have to apply for the Ontario Student Assistance Plan (OSAP) this year. I can pay my own way." Day has a $45,000 student loan debt. "Every time I have to apply for OSAP again it is just heart-wrenching, When I received the OSAP renewal form it was great to be able to toss it out. It was the greatest feeling." In addition to financial relief, the OGS award also gives Day "a sense of personal accomplishment. I feel I've come into my own in my academic career. To have recognition is a wonderful feeling." Day is a PhD student in classics, the study of ancient languages. She received her first McMaster undergraduate degree in psychology, but a passion for "everything about antiquity in the Greek and Roman world" led her to obtain a second undergraduate degree in classics. She has two master's degrees from McMaster, both in classics. She is writing her doctoral thesis on the myth of Europa, kidnapped by the god Zeus, as it has been told in ancient Greek and Latin mythology over the course of 900 years. "I just love the story," she says. "Part of the fascination is how different poets have treated the story." Day's ability to understand ancient Greek and Latin means she can read the poems as they were originally written and does not have to rely on an English translation. Day defines classics as the study of the history, art and archaeology of the Greek and Roman worlds. Part of her fascination is "the puzzle of trying to discover what kind of a life it really was. There is always some new way of looking at a different angle of this puzzle and coming up with new ideas. Being a part of collecting a couple of new pieces for the puzzle is very exciting." (End of story)

August 7, 2001

The Ontario Graduate Scholarships (OGS) are awards that McMaster's graduate students compete for with students from across the province. For each scholarship, universities are required to provide one-third of the $15,000 award, with the government providing the rest. The following is a profile of an OGS recipient: For Hendrik Nieuwland, a McMaster graduate student in biochemistry, his Ontario Graduate Scholarship award represents recognition of the importance of basic science. "It's nice to be recognized for doing good work, especially in basic science," he says. While clinical research often captures the public imagination, Nieuwland says people tend to forget that basic research makes the clinical work possible. "You can't design the therapeutic research until the basic research is completed." For Nieuwland, the $15,000 award also means he won't have to take another part-time job to pay the bills. That will give him additional time to work in the lab and time to write articles on politics for a Hamilton arts magazine. Nieuwland received his undergraduate degree in biochemistry from McMaster and is now working towards his master's degree. He admits to a fascination for "the molecular aspects of biological systems." To describe his graduate work, Nieuwland first begins by explaining that chemotherapy triggers cancer cells to undergo cell death. However there are some proteins that, when brought to a specific location inside a cell, prevent cell death. Some human cancers contain high levels of these anti-death proteins, thus rendering chemotherapy ineffective. These anti-death proteins belong to a specific family of proteins called "tail-anchored proteins," which are the focus of Nieuwland's research. No one knows how these proteins arrive at their specific location within the cell. If researchers are able to discover the factors involved in taking these tail-anchored proteins to their specific cellular locations, this information could have profound implications for cancer research and therapy in the future. Nieuwland is studying a tail-anchored protein named Sss1p. He is working to set up a genetic screen in yeast to identify the factors that target the Sss1p protein to a specific location in the cell called the endoplasmic reticulum, a site where some anti-death proteins function. Yeast has many proteins that are also found in the human body. "If I can find a protein that targets Sss1p in yeast, then maybe I can find the protein in humans," says Nieuwland. (End of story)

August 7, 2001

McMaster has a new director of public and government relations. Andrea Farquhar was appointed to the position effective July 16. Farquhar, who has been associate director of public relations, succeeds former director of public relations Gillian Howard. Howard left the University in April for a position at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto. "Following a national search, we are pleased to announce Andrea's appointment to the position, which has been expanded to include the government relations portfolio," says Roger Trull, vice-president, University Advancement. "Andrea's experience at McMaster and in her previous career has prepared her well to lead this important function at McMaster. She has the respect of the McMaster community as well as the local and national media and I know she will do an excellent job building on the success we have had in this area." Farquhar joined McMaster in 1996 as a co-ordinator of external media relations. She was assistant director of media and community relations for two years before being named associate director in the fall of 1999. Prior to joining McMaster, Farquhar was a news anchor at CFRB Mix 99.9 in Toronto and a reporter and assignment editor at CHML/Y95 in Hamilton. "One of the best parts of my time at McMaster has been getting to know the people and areas that comprise the University. I'm looking forward to building on those relationships and to working with the public relations team to promote McMaster and to successfully serve the University's communication needs," says Farquhar. Born in Burlington, Farquhar is a graduate of the University of Toronto in English and history. Her father, Ben Firth, is a McMaster alumnus. She and her husband, Craig, a high school teacher, reside in Hamilton with their son, Cavan, who is almost two. (End of story)

August 3, 2001

Members of the McMaster University Staff Association (MUSA) will pay higher union dues in September as a result of the approval of a motion yesterday. . . .

August 3, 2001

Simon Ouellet, human resources director of benefits, compensation & staffing, sent the following e-mail Thursday afternoon to members of the McMaster University Staff Association, the McMaster University Faculty Association (except clinical faculty) and The Management Group: McMaster University's long term disability (LTD) plan is an income protection scheme that provides financial protection to employees who become totally disabled as a result of non-work related illnesses or injuries. Employees are responsible for 100 per cent of the premiums for this benefit plan, which is provided through Sun Life of Canada. Participation in the LTD plan is mandatory for eligible faculty and staff members with more than 12 months continuous service. LTD premiums have not increased since 1997; however, during this same period of time employee utilization of the LTD plan has dramatically increased. As a result, we have been advised by Sun Life of a 49 per cent increase in LTD premiums effective July 1, 2001. Meetings have been held with representatives of MUFA, TMG and MUSA to discuss the LTD premium increase. While it has been determined that an LTD premium increase is unavoidable, it has been agreed that the premium increase will be absorbed by LTD reserve funds for the months of July and August, 2001. The 49 per cent increase in LTD premiums will be implemented effective Sept. 1, 2001. LTD plan participants should note that their pay on Sept. 15, 2001 will reflect this premium increase. For an employee earning $40,000 annually, this means the LTD deduction will increase from $25.20 to $38.09 per month. In recognition of the increased utilization of the LTD plan, Human Resources, in cooperation with all employee groups, is responding with a new disability management initiative to be unveiled this fall. The goal of this initiative is early reporting and intervention in order to minimize or avoid LTD claims. Human Resources is also working with Student Health Service and Athletics & Recreation on a employee health and wellness initiative designed to provide effective health promotion and disease prevention for all employees. We hope that these initiatives will help control future LTD costs. If you have any questions on this premium increase, you may contact Wanda McKenna, human resources officer, benefits, at ext. 24855 or any member of the benefits section at ext. 24552. (End of story)

August 1, 2001

Engineering physics professor Peter Mascher has been appointed to the William Sinclair Chair in Optoelectronics. "Peter Mascher has been a stellar administrator as chair of engineering physics and is eager to expand on his research work," said Mo Elbestawi, dean of engineering. "The Faculty is fortunate to have such an enthusiastic researcher of his calibre. We are excited about awarding this prestigious honour to Dr. Mascher." Mascher obtained a PhD in engineering physics from the Technical University Graz, Austria and spent about four years as a post-doctoral fellow and research associate at the University of Winnipeg. He joined McMaster University in 1989 in a position initially funded by the Ontario Centre for Materials Research. He is a professional engineer and a professor in the Department of Engineering Physics and has been department chair since 1995. Mascher leads active research groups involved in the fabrication and characterization of thin oxide/nitride films for optoelectronic applications and in the characterization of defects in semiconductors by positron annihilation spectroscopy. His research work is funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council and several federal and provincial centres of excellence, as well as industry. Recently he spearheaded a successful application to the Ontario Research and Development Challenge Fund to establish the Ontario Photonics Consortium, an initiative centred at McMaster and involving the participation of research teams from the University of Western Ontario, the University of Waterloo and Queen's University. Mascher has authored or co-authored more than 100 publications in refereed journals and conference proceedings, has presented several invited lectures at international conferences and has graduated 14 PhD and master's students. He is a member of McMaster's Brockhouse Institute for Materials Research and the Centre for Electrophotonic Materials and Devices, as well as a number of international physics and materials research societies. (End of story)

July 31, 2001

A message was issued to the McMaster community on Tuesday afternoon regarding the arbitrator's release of an interim award for the McMaster University Staff Association (MUSA). A copy of the joint communique from McMaster University president Peter George and MUSA president Barry Diacon follows: We wish to inform you that arbitrator George Adams has released an interim award in the settlement of the McMaster University Staff Association's first contract with the University. As you recall, the University and MUSA agreed in April to voluntary mediation/arbitration. The interests and priorities of each party were presented to the arbitrator in May and June. At that time it was anticipated that a final award would be issued by the arbitrator by July 31, 2001. After having considered the party's interests, Mr. Adams has issued an interim award. He has indicated that he requires additional clarification on some issues and is currently attempting to confirm a date to meet with both parties to finalize the complete award. The interim award provides MUSA members with the final details around salary increases and improvements to the major medical and dental benefit plans. The award provides for increases as follows: 2.0% 1999/00 3.2% 2000/01 3.0% 2001/02 2.5% 2002/03 We encourage all members of the community to take the time to become informed about the interim award. Complete details on salary increases and the salary grid can be found on both the McMaster Human Resources and the MUSA Web sites. The interim award begins the process of implementing MUSA's first collective agreement. This award marks the beginning of a new relationship between MUSA and the University. (End of story)

July 30, 2001

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Harveyfarewell.jpg” caption=”Harvey Weingarten, President George”]His farewell was bittersweet. Harvey, I know that you keep telling me that no one is irreplaceable, but I . . .

July 30, 2001

It has taken four years, but an international consortium that includes McMaster researchers has decoded the genome sequence of a bacterium that could play a key role in reducing the use of chemical fertilizers. The sequence revealed that the bacterium contains more than 6,000 genes or roughly one-fifth the number present in the human genome. This research contributes significantly to the goal of achieving environmentally safe and economically sustainable food crops. The bacterium, Sinorhizoblum meliloti (S. meliloti) is commonly applied to alfalfa crops as part of a natural fertilization process. Until now, scientists did not have a comprehensive understanding of the bacterium's genome. S. meliloti is unusual in that its genome is made up of three chromosomes, while most common bacteria have only one. Three teams of scientists, from McMaster (teamed with the Universitat Bielefeld, Germany), Stanford University, France and Belgium, were responsible for sequencing each of the three chromosomes. The integration of their research appears in the most recent issue of the international journal, Science. Turlough Finan, chair of biology and one of the lead investigators, believes that now that the sequence of genes is known, researchers can infer many processes and investigate the functions of many genes more efficiently. "If we can understand how the bacterium works, we may be able to improve the nitrogen-fixation process and increase the range of plants it can interact with." The team at McMaster includes Finan and Brian Golding, a professor of biology and a specialist in bio-informatics. Other members are Alison Cowie, research technologist; Ismael Hernandez-Lucas, postdoctoral candidate; Kim Wong, master's candidate and Patrick Chain, a recent M.Sc. graduate. (End of story)

July 27, 2001

Athletics & Recreation in partnership with Human Resources is conducting an assessment of what programs and services are available to enhance employee wellness at work. The goal of the new initiative is to determine what is available on campus to help employees be healthy and create a University profile of health and wellness needs. Once an inventory of programs is compiled and analyzed, both groups will make a recommendation for a direction for a comprehensive employee work site wellness program. "Wellness touches every aspect of an employee's life on campus and outside the work environment," said Therese Quigley, director of the Department of Athletics & Recreation. "We don't have a good assessment of what is in place. We need to get a baseline and discover what we do well and what we don't have that people might want and would be beneficial." Simon Ouellet, director of benefits, compensation & staffing, said the study will indicate the awareness level of employees about the advantages of a healthy lifestyle. "Many employees are aware that a healthy lifestyle has long term benefits at work and at home," Ouellet said. The project received $25,000 from the 2000-2001 allocations of the McMaster University Futures Fund (MUFF). Several initiatives to support employee wellness were approved for MUFF funding by the Board of Governors this year. They include a one-year pilot project through Student Health Service that ensures a physician is available on campus to address employees' health and wellness needs. Staff physician Finola Foley distributed a questionnaire to employees this week asking for input on what health and wellness services interest them. (See July 19 Daily News story Student Health Service opens door to employees.) Buffett Taylor & Associates Ltd. is conducting the needs assessment study on behalf of Athletics & Recreation and Human Resources. The consulting company will use a variety of tools to collect the data, build the inventory and obtain feedback about employee health and wellness. The firm will conduct interviews with internal and external stakeholders and review the results of the Reacon staff survey pertaining to employee morale, stress, job satisfaction and work/home life balance issues. Ouellet said any information that is collected or statistics that are gathered from health, disability and Workplace Safety & Insurance Board records will be generic in nature, will not identify individuals and will be treated with complete confidentiality. The needs assessment and a final report should be completed by November with plans for a report to go to the Board of Governors in December. Employees who wish further information about the project may contact Debbie Marinoff, manager of recreation services at marinof@mcmaster.ca or Wanda McKenna, human resources officer (benefits) at mckenna@mcmaster.ca. (End of story)