McMaster Archive

February 16, 2001

posted on Feb. 16: McMaster takes home United Way community award

McMaster University is the first educational organization in the region to receive the United Way's Gallery of Distinction Award. The award is presented annually by the United Way of Burlington, Hamilton-Wentworth to an organization that has demonstrated long-term support for the United Way. Since the launch of its first campus campaign for the United Way in 1983, McMaster has contributed $2.3 million to the United Way. The award comes during a milestone year for the University's United Way campaign. For the first time since 1995, the University met and exceeded its campaign goal of $165,000. To date, a total of $171,000 has been raised.

February 15, 2001

posted on Feb. 15:University and MUSA to resume negotiations

The University has received a 'No Board' report from the Ministry of Labour which means that MUSA (McMaster University Staff Association) is in a legal position to strike 17 days after the issuing of the report, provided that a strike vote is held with its membership. This means that at 12:01 a.m. on Feb. 27, MUSA may legally call for strike action, provided a strike vote has been taken with its membership and the result of that vote authorizes the union to call a strike. "MUSA and the University have agreed to return to the table," said Mark Haley, assistant vice-president, human resources and a member of the University's negotiating team. "We have tentatively agreed that the sub-committee discussing the classification system will resume its work on Monday and both bargaining teams will return to the table on Wednesday, Feb. 21 in the afternoon. The University has committed to remaining at the table around the clock and working hard to achieve an agreement. The union and the University have also asked that a mediator join us at the table. We believe that this assistance will be beneficial."

February 15, 2001

posted on Feb. 15: Sandra Birdsell relishes her role of writer-in-residence

For a writer, life on campus means combining the best of two worlds. There are plenty of periods for quiet reflection, time for writing, space to think. There's also the opportunity to meet new and interesting people, discover new writing, teach and work as an editor giving feedback and helping others shape their work. Sandra Birdsell, this term's writer-in-residence for the Faculty of Humanities, says the role of the writer-in-residence provides the perfect mix. "Writing is such a quiet thing. We often work in track suits and nightgowns. It's a good balance to the kind of nature of our work which is so isolating. I find people very stimulating and there is a lot of material among people." Photo credit: Don Hall (1997) (Photo from Writers Union of Canada Web site)

February 15, 2001

posted on Feb. 15: Carrying messages on the cross

Hamiltonian Jan Wade remembers her high school art classes with fondness. But she also recalls her experiences as a black youngster, attending grade school in . . .

February 15, 2001

posted on Feb. 15: Staff association increases monthly dues

The McMaster University Staff Association is increasing its membership fees. Effective today (Feb. 15) dues will increase to $12 monthly from the current $6.25. The . . .

February 13, 2001

posted on Feb. 13: McMaster geologists aid municipalities in their search for future drinking water

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/geologists.jpg” caption=”C. Eyles and P. Meyer”]The recent Walkerton, Ontario crisis involving serious contamination of the town's drinking wells has focussed attention on the . . .

February 13, 2001

posted on Feb. 14: Henrietta Alderson’s death signifies the end of an era in nursing at McMaster

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/alderson1.jpg” caption=”Henrietta Alderson”]Henrietta Alderson was one of three founding faculty members who developed the (integrated) undergraduate nursing program at McMaster. Alderson died Dec. . . .

February 13, 2001

posted on Feb. 13: Today’s Summer Job Fair will help students find summer work

The Career Planning & Employment Centre is hosting its inaugural Summer Job Fair tomorrow, Wednesday Feb. 14. About 35 employers from Hamilton and surrounding areas . . .

February 13, 2001

posted on Feb. 12: MUSA ready to go back to the bargaining table

Negotiators for the McMaster University Staff Association are ready to go back to the bargaining table with the University as early as today (Tuesday, Feb. 13) to reach the first collective agreement between the two parties. "We've sent a message to them (the University's bargaining team) suggesting various dates and times, and we've indicated we're willing to do it as early as today. Today is the first day we offered," says MUSA president Barry Diacon. Yesterday (Monday, Feb. 12) 1,152 members of the association voted on a contract offer proposed by the University. Diacon says he's happy with the outcome of the vote, which saw 1,021 members reject the offer (and 129 vote in favour of it). There were two spoiled ballots. It's unlikely the two parties will be back at the table before next week. Mark Haley, assistant vice-president human resources and a member of the University's bargaining team, says that the parties need first to agree on a process for resuming negotiations. For example, a significant issue (for the administration) is the importance of involving a mediator; another is the wisdom of extending deadlines if progress is being made.

February 12, 2001

posted on Feb. 12: Seven staff honoured with President’s Awards for Outstanding Service

They are committed, enthusiastic, conscientious, professional staff whose exemplary service to the University has not gone unnoticed by those they work with and for. They are the winners of the President's Staff Awards for Outstanding Service and their names are: Steven Beierl, Susan Birnie, Marvin Gunderman, Doris Hutchison, Diane Kerss, Deane Maynard and Liza Thong. The seven staff members were nominated by co-workers, colleagues and supervisors for the annual awards, which recognize staff members or groups of staff members who have made an outstanding contribution beyond that normally expected for their positions to the mission of the University. "It is my pleasure to express to you, on behalf of the entire University, sincere congratulations for your achievement and for the very important and valued contributions you each make to McMaster," says University President Peter George. "By providing excellent service to students, by reaching out to neighbours through community work, by taking the time to care for others, and by working tirelessly for the betterment of McMaster you enhance the reputation of this University and provide an environment of excellence and success for all of us. To each of you I extend a very warm 'thank you.'"

February 9, 2001

posted on Feb. 9: Global Television Network chair in communications signals new direction

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/globalf.jpg” caption=”Daniel Woolf, Patrick O’Hara, Peter George”]Communication Studies at McMaster University has received a ringing endorsement of support today with the announcement of . . .

February 9, 2001

posted on Feb. 9: Mac IQ has arrivedand no, it’s not a test!

Mac IQ has arrived! And while it may sound like an intelligence test for getting into the University, we assure you it's not! It's a new tool that will help prospective students find out more about McMaster, and even open doors for them before they step foot on campus. The acronym stands for McMaster Interactive Questions, a new Web site for prospective students created by the Student Liaison Office and launched this week. The site, located at www.mcmasterIQ.com, is the first of its nature to be launched by a university in Canada. It's designed to provide Canadian high school students with some quick answers to common and frequently asked questions, such as: What are the admission requirements for (enter program name)? What programs are available in social sciences? What kinds of sports does the university have? How much does it cost to live in residence? Can I take a tour of the University? "We haven't created another FAQ page with this," says Trish Sullivan, liaison officer, Office of the Registrar. "People will be able to type in their own questions, in their own words, on a number of topics and receive personal, real-time and virtually instant answers."

February 9, 2001

posted on Feb. 12: Five more researchers win Premier’s awards

Five more McMaster researchers have been honoured with the Premier's Research Excellence Award, bringing McMaster's total to 27 PREA recipients. The award, which provides each . . .

February 9, 2001

posted on Feb. 12: Nominations open for Students Union’s annual awards

The McMaster Students Union is continuing its tradition of rewarding some of the most outstanding members of the McMaster community for their various contributions. Nominations . . .

February 8, 2001

posted on Feb. 8: National online learning advisory committee urges faster action on initiatives

The Advisory Committee for Online Learning today presented Brian Tobin, Minister of Industry, and Glenn Hagel, Chair of the Postsecondary Expectations Consortium of the Council . . .

February 8, 2001

posted on Feb. 8: Sam Minniti declared MSU presidential winner

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/minnitismall.gif” caption=”Sam Minniti”]The new McMaster Students Union president for the 2001-2002 term is Sam Minniti. The third-year life sciences student won the presidential . . .

February 7, 2001

posted on Feb. 7: Nominate your favourite prof for a teaching award

Second term classes are well under way, as McMaster students prepare for the usual assortment of midterms and papers that make February one of the . . .

February 7, 2001

posted on Feb. 7: Making a world of difference to Haitian women’s health

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Haiti3.jpg” caption=”Peter George, Mario Alvarez, Ragine Plancher, Sist”]Henry Muggah is making a difference. A huge difference that, ultimately, will change the lives of . . .

February 7, 2001

posted on Feb. 7: MUSA refutes statements reported in Daily News article

In a two-page letter sent to the Daily News late yesterday(Tuesday, Feb. 6), McMaster University Staff Association president Barry Diacon refutes a number of statements reported in an article posted on the Daily News on Feb. 5. Diacon writes that the article, Staff association's negotiating committee walks away from bargaining table, contains a number of "misstatements in the quotations attributed to Mark Haley." Most significantly, Diacon writes that "at no time did we ever say that we were calling a strike vote. We were always acting in accordance with the law. The recent change to the Labour Relations Act (OLRA), Bill 139, requires a separate vote to accept or reject the Employer's offer...We never said we were calling for a strike vote at this time because that would be against the OLRA. Therefore, it is absolutely clear that we have never changed our position on the nature of what the vote is about on February 12." Diacon also states that filing for a "No Board" report was necessary to move talks along. The letter refers, point by point, to other statements made in the Feb. 5 article about the following: 7 MUSA broke off negotiations 7 The University felt it was making some progress 7 The union is unwilling to define its priorities MUSA has posted the full text of the letter on its Web site. To view, click here. (END OF STORY)

February 7, 2001

posted on Feb. 7: University filing complaint against staff association

The University is filing a complaint of bargaining in bad faith against the McMaster University Staff Association (MUSA). The union failed to provide a monetary . . .