Daily News

February 15, 2001

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

[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

[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

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

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

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

[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

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

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

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

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

[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

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

[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

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

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 . . .

February 6, 2001

It's called Human Biological Sciences - basically a course on human physiology. It is an example, says McMaster provost Harvey Weingarten, of people working together to be innovative and succeeding. Weingarten explained the history behind the health sciences course during a question-and-answer session Friday (Feb. 2) in response to his State of the Academy address two weeks ago. The experiment with Human Biological Sciences(HS1B07) started when faculty began planning courses for the new Bachelor of Health Sciences Program and the Bachelor of Arts in Health Studies. During planning sessions they determined there were nine introductory courses focussed on human physiology being offered around campus. Spearheaded by JoAnne Fox-Threlkeld, a professor in the School of Nursing and biomedical sciences, the faculty pooled their expertise and launched a pilot project to develop teaching materials for one course that could be used as a template for the future. Faculty plan and monitor the course as a team. It took $90,000 and six months of intensive planning sessions to mold the course into the form it is now given, Weingarten said. "It was the most comprehensive curriculum design work I've ever been involved in," he said. The course material was mounted on LearnLink in advance of class. Concerns that students wouldn't have computers to access the material ended promptly when an instructor discovered only one of 120 students didn't have access to a personal computer. The course is two lectures per week with the third lecture now devoted to a clinical specialist giving a talk each week. There are "very positive" reviews from students and faculty, Weingarten said. "The students are eating it up. They love it," he said.

February 5, 2001

Students who wish to pursue a career in nursing will have a new option starting this fall. McMaster University, Mohawk College and Conestoga College are launching a unique, joint nursing degree program that will fully integrate college and university students through all four years of study.The four-year program will be offered at all three institutions and graduates will earn a McMaster University B.Sc. in Nursing. Total enrolment for the program will be more than 2,000 students by 2005.

February 5, 2001

The race for the presidency of the McMaster Students Union continues this week with polls opening tomorrow (Feb. 6). Most polling stations will be open from 9:20 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 6, and 9:20 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 7. Six candidates are vying for the top elected spot: Neville Boney, Lisa Cunha, Steve Ewoniak, Sam Minnitti, Derrick Morgan and Chris Potter. A final debate among the candidates will be held today (Monday, Feb. 5) from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Hamilton Hall Blue Lounge. Voting stations will be located in the following areas: * Commons Lobby * Michael G. De Groote building Lobby * John Hodgins Engineering building Lobby * Chester New Hall(by Starbucks) * Health Sciences Centre (second floor by the Library entrance) * Ivor Wynne Centre (by Burridge Gym) * Gilmour Hall (across from the Bookstore) Extended hours polling stations will be open from 9:20 a.m. to 7p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 6, and 9:20 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 7 at the Burke Science Building, Mills Library and Thode Library. (END OF STORY)

February 5, 2001

The negotiating committee for the McMaster University Staff Association broke off negotiations with the University's negotiating team last Friday and has asked the Ministry of Labour's conciliation officer for a "No Board" report. This action is a legal step that means the conciliation officer advises the Minister of Labour that he has not been able to effect a collective agreement between the parties. The minister may then issue a report, commonly known as a "No Board" report. "The University's negotiating team is disappointed that MUSA has taken this step," said Mark Haley, assistant vice-president human resources and a member of the University's negotiating team. "We felt we were making some progress and had anticipated being able to offer a series of dates to continue negotiations through March. The union's lack of willingness to meet and lack of willingness to define its priorities is of great concern to us. Frankly, we don't understand why the MUSA team never responded to the initial monetary offer that was put on the table in December."