Daily News

June 30, 2000

The Faculty of Social Sciences will receive an additional $100,000 in continuing reallocation funds to operate and expand its first-year Inquiry Program. The funding, recommended by the University Budget Committee and recently approved by the Board of Governors, is being made to acknowledge the program's success. Alan Harrison, dean of social sciences, says the funding was requested "to bring the level of core funding in line with reality." The program, established in 1998, has been extremely successful and was already spending more than had been budgeted for, he notes. The three-unit course, which is taken in conjunction with a student's program of study, uses content as a vehicle for skill development, Harrison explains. Over 250 students took one of 11 sessions offered during the 1999-2000 year. "We expect an increased enrolment this year and we expect to be offering 14 to 16 sessions."

June 30, 2000

A team of five engineering and computer science students competing in the first Computer Science International Design Competition (CSIDC) has won top prize with their device, Heart Mate. The team, consisting of Ajay Arora (electrical engineering), Chris Lambacher (computer science), Joshua Capogna (engineering physics), Mona Kohli (computer engineering) and Wai-Yin Shum (computer engineering and management), was supervised by assistant professor of medicine Markad Kamath. The McMaster entry was one of 10 finalists in the competition, sponsored by the Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Computer Society, and held in Washington D.C. on June 26-27. The students win a total of $15,000 (US), while the University receives $10,000 (US).

June 28, 2000

General Motors of Canada Limited is investing $500,000 in McMaster University to support the institution's cutting-edge research in metal-forming and machining processes and to provide scholarships to women who pursue careers in mechanical engineering. "McMaster University's reputation for providing world-class research in machining and metal-forming processes is second to none. This partnership between GM and McMaster solidifies a long-time relationship that has existed between our two institutions. It also signals GM's commitment to sustaining and enhancing the Canadian automotive industry and to supporting women who choose careers in engineering," says Tayce Wakefield, vice-president of corporate and environmental affairs for GM of Canada.

June 28, 2000

Imagine a “designer” smart cell that scientists can implant in the human body. It secretes a cancer-fighting molecule that can target tumour cells and stop . . .

June 27, 2000

Is McMaster's recycling program dead? The absence of many of the blue recyling bins, which have come to symbolize the University's commitment to the 4Rs, has many members of the community questioning the status of the program. No, the recycling program is not dead. But it has been dealt a severe blow and needs the participation and support of the entire community in order to recover, say Dave Tucker, director of risk management services, and Jan Callfas, senior manager of operations, physical plant. Dozens of the blue recycling bins have been removed from hallways in buildings across campus following orders issued by the Hamilton Fire Department in November. Tucker says the bins were removed to be in compliance with guidelines for recycling in schools. "This is the first time we have had to deal with enforcement of these guidelines, which state that there is to be no recycling containers in hallways." Tucker says the fire department is concerned about the recycling bins for two reasons: combustibility of contents and obstruction of hallways (which may interfere with safe exit). Where possible, the blue bins have been relocated to other acceptable areas in campus buildings. But this means that faculty, staff and students may have to look for them and walk a little farther to deposit their recycling materials into a central bin.

June 27, 2000

Town hall meetings are being held today and tomorrow to present the reports of the staff survey work groups and the plans for implementation. Staff are being encouraged to attend one of the meetings, and supervisors have been requested to arrange for release time for staff to attend one of the meetings. Meeting times and locations:Tuesday, June 27 11 a.m.-12 noon, Health Sciences Centre, Room 1A6, and Wednesday, June 28,3-4 p.m.,Convocation Hall University Hall(Second floor) The latest information will be available on the McMaster Staff Survey Web site http://www.mcmaster.ca/ua/opr/staffsurvey.html

June 27, 2000

McMaster University and St. Joseph's Hospital have announced the appointment of Deborah Cook as the first McMaster University/St. Joseph's Hospital Regional Academic Chair in Critical Care Medicine. In her new position, Cook will establish an academic program in critical care, with a focus on research on clinical interventions and ethical issues relating to intensive care treatment decisions. "Dr. Cook has established an international reputation for excellence with her contributions to critical care research and education," said Russell Joffe, dean and vice-president of health sciences at McMaster. "We're pleased to be able to recognize her invaluable work with this appointment."

June 27, 2000

"From Crime Scene to Courtroom," a compelling seminar examining the context, methodology and the validity of forensic science in criminal investigations, continues on campus today and tomorrow. The workshop features a unit of top forensic science and legal professionals -- all equipped to share the techniques and technologies used to solve some of the world's worst crimes. The three-day educational seminar gives participants an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in archeological techniques of crime-scene recovery, analysis of skeletal remains for forensic anthropology, odontology, basic forensic pathology and interpretation of DNA evidence - all of which contribute to the building of an infallible legal case. Police officers from across the province, a private investigator, mystery writers and anthropology students are among those enrolled in the workshop. Yesterday, students excavated a simulated crime scene using archeological techniques and learned how forensic DNA evidence is analyzed and interpreted. Two evening lectures, one tonight and one tomorrow night, are open to the public. "The Red Baron's Last Flight: The Contribution of Forensic Pathology to the Solution of a World War I Controversy" tonight (Tuesday, June 27, 7 p.m., KTH-B135), and "A Decade of DNA Profiling" (Wednesday, June 28, 7 p.m., CNH-104). There is a $20 fee for each lecture.

June 26, 2000

The Board of Governors has approved an alternate location for the new student residence, based on a recommendation of the Planning and Building Committee. The west campus site, known as Site Z, was approved at the Board's June 15th meeting. One of three proposed locations, Site Z incorporates much of the existing parking lot at the back of Matthews Hall and stretches south across Scholar's Road. The dining wing will be build perpendicular to the residence and take in Scholar's Road, extending as far as (but not abutting) the Clarke Centre smoke stack. (Site X was the area between Bates Residence and the President's house; Site Y took in the entire parking area behind Matthews Hall.) Previously, it had been suggested that the residence portion of the facility be built in the existing Clarke Centre parking lot but this space is needed for a proposed expansion to the Clarke building itself to meet the future heating and cooling requirements for the campus. Instead, the residence, which will be six or seven storeys high, has been flipped over, positioning it behind Matthews Hall.

June 26, 2000

The third annual McMaster University Fair will be held on Thursday, July 13 from 3 p.m. until dusk. The tents and the food are ordered, . . .

June 22, 2000

The infamous unsolved cases of Jack the Ripper, the Green River Killer and the Black Dahlia might be cracked today by the crime-stopping capabilities of forensic science. "From Crime Scene to Courtroom," a compelling seminar examining the context, methodology and the validity of forensic science in criminal investigations takes place on campus June 26-28 and features a unit of top forensic science and legal professionals - all equipped to share the techniques and technologies used to solve some of the world's worst crimes.

June 22, 2000

The following valedictory address was given by MSU President and commerce graduate Marc Marzotto (shown at left) at the School of Business Convocation in May. Marzotto's speech began with a McMaster version of the popular "I Am.Canadian" beer commercial. His address garnered warm applause from an appreciative audience of fellow graduates, proud parents and guests. We are posting his version of "I Am," along with an excerpt from his full address, for readers of the Daily News.

June 21, 2000

The School of Rehabilitation Science's staff and faculty have finally settled into the new Mohawk-McMaster Institute for Applied Health Sciences. “We were teaching classes a . . .

June 21, 2000

A $2-million infusion of funds to a McMaster University research team will help bring to fruition major developments in the fight against heart disease and stroke. Jeffrey Weitz has been awarded the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario/J. Fraser Mustard Chair in Cardiovascular Research at McMaster University, providing perpetual funding for this important work. Unlike a one-time research award, the endowed chair consists of a $2- million fund, from which investment income will generate continued financial support for the chair. The chair is named in honour of Dr. J. Fraser Mustard, who helped establish at McMaster the medical school with its radically different curriculum. After 16 years at McMaster, he created and established the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, a network involving over 160 researchers around the world in the study of complex problems in the sciences and social sciences. Fraser Mustard has received many awards for his work, including the Order of Canada, Order of Ontario and the Gairdner Foundation International Award for Medical Research.

June 21, 2000

The Mactron stays, but in a revised, more community-friendly format. The Board of Governors has approved recommendations that will make the controversial video board's giant . . .

June 21, 2000

If you were walking in the area of Hamilton Hall, the University Club or the Faculty Hollow at anytime during Monday morning or early afternoon, June 19, you might have noticed some seemingly strange goings on. No sooner had the stage for the Summer Student Drama Festival come down, then a giant gilded frame went up. Part of Hamilton artist Michael Allgoewer's two-part sculpture "Island #1" and "Island #2", the piece, a literal framed view of nature, is part of a larger, regional outdoor art exhibition that will run through to Sept. 4 at 11 sites throughout the Hamilton-Burlington area.

June 20, 2000

The following was submitted by members of the Leadership Group for the Staff Survey Follow-up Project: It has been a long process so far, and . . .

June 20, 2000

A compensation package for members of the management group, a course of action to resolve concerns about Mactron, and the location of and financing for a new student residence were among the items approved by the Board of Governors at its meeting on Thursday, June 15. The Board also approved the 2000-01 operating budget recommended by the Budget Committee and a request from University Advancement for post-campaign financing. Following is a brief summary of each item approved by the Board. Additional details for some items will follow in future postings on the Daily News.

June 19, 2000

The McMaster campus will be a beehive of construction and renovation activity over the next few years as the University embarks on the most extensive capital improvements work carried out in the last 10 years. Virtually every major building on campus will be affected by the projects, which are being funded through a variety of government programs, such as SuperBuild, the Canada Foundation for Innovation, the Access to Opportunities Program, private donors and the University. The following project summaries provide a brief overview of the construction projects that will transform the face of the University campus over the next few years as McMaster gears up for a projected increase in enrolment in 2003.

June 15, 2000

McMaster University's Burridge Gymnasium will play host to the opening game of Canada Basketball Summer Series 2000 pre-Olympic exhibition series. The men's and women's Olympic . . .