Posted on June 19: McMaster to erect 50-foot challenge leadership course
June 12 Board of Governors highlights
Alpine Tower High Challenge Leadership Course
McMaster's Board of Governors approved the installation of a $123,000 Alpine Tower High Challenge Leadership Course, the latest development in challenge courses.
“What this is, is a first in Canada for a university,” said Planning and Building Committee chair Donald Green. “It is something very new and different for us.”
The 50-foot tall climbing structure will be designed to present the same challenges as rock climbing and high ropes course elements. The ALTITUDE team-building and leadership program of the Department of Athletics and Recreation would make extensive use of the course.
The preferred location for the course is the north-west corner of the '10-acre' playfield. The site will use about 27,600-square-feet tucked into an area deemed as 'recreational' and in the 'athletic precinct' of the Campus Plan.
It will be financed through the Student Services Project fund.
Chair passes torch
Board of Governors chair Edward Minich will complete his term July 1, two years after being appointed head of the University's highest governing body.
“I'm not sure that when I pass my gavel to my successor, that things are better than when I began,” he said to the Board, “but I think McMaster's future is bright. I think we handled the challenges of the double cohort as best as we could and the books are sound. There is much to look forward to in the coming years.”
A new chair of the Board will be appointed this summer.
Board approves name change
The Canadian Centre for Studies of Children at Risk has been renamed the Offord Centre for Child Studies at McMaster University.
“This name is being recommended after comprehensive stakeholder, employee and audience research,” writes David Williams, chairman of the Board of Governors for the Canadian Centre of Studies of Children at Risk. “We believe that it has enormous potential to enhance the reputation and image of the Centre internationally while assisting with fundraising efforts.”
Class of '54 Oasis Garden Gift
Campus aesthetics will get a boost thanks to an oasis garden gift from the Class of '54.
Located between Hamilton Hall and Alumni Memorial Hall, the gift will contribute towards the beautification plan for the University.
In 1999, the Class of '54 began fundraising for a 50th anniversary gift to the University, a green' project that would enhance the Faculty Hollow area. The Oasis will comprise native plantings and seating.
While $80,000 has been secured, the group continues to fundraise with a goal to raise $100,000. The majority of funds will cover the cost of plantings, fixtures and labour. The remaining funds (no less than $20,000) will be endowed to provide for maintenance.
All plantings and construction should be complete by May 2004.
Divinity College affiliation
The Board of Governors endorsed a revised affiliation agreement between McMaster and Divinity College.
Since 1957, the two have shared a relationship of affiliation. Under the new agreement, new degree programs will be granted as University degrees, and Divinity College degree programs will be recognized at the graduate level.
NSERC chair established
The University will establish a RIM/CITO/NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Pico-Cellular Wireless Internet Access Networks.
The chair will study and develop architectural, protocol, networking and design techniques for pico-cellular wireless internet access. It will exploit current trends in the design of mobile/embedded wireless networks and devices, deal with low-cost/complexity networking, ad hoc infrastructure design and multimedia quality of service.
Health sciences endowed chair
An AstraZeneca Chair in Respiratory Epidemiology at McMaster was also approved. The research interests and accomplishments of the incumbent will encompass a broad and comprehensive range of respiratory issues.
The five-year chair, while undertaking the normal duties of a faculty member in health sciences, will focus on respiratory epidemiology carried out in Canada and will address scientific uncertainty and advancement.
Global labour issues professorship
The Liuna Enrico Henry Mancinelly Professorship in Global Labour Issues has been established, due to a contribution of $500,000 from the Labourer's International Union of North America, Local 837.
The University will match these funds through annual allocations to a maximum of $25,000 annually.
In 1997, McMaster identified “globalization and the human condition” as one of its six strategic areas, subsequently hiring new faculty and establishing the Institute on Globalization and the Human Condition.
This professorship will contribute toward the implementation of McMaster's plan to play a major international role in the study of globalization.
Hourly pension plan funding
The Board of Governors approved an increase in its contribution to the pension plan effective May 1 to a level equal to the employer share of the current service cost of 200 per cent of member required contributions.
The Actuarial Valuation Results for the Contributory Pension Plan for Hourly-Rated Employees of McMaster, including Divinity College's plan, provides benefits for 231 pensioners (up 5.5 per cent from July 2001) and covers 307 hourly-rated active members. Employer contributions are currently set at 125 per cent of employee contributions and are approximately $420,000 per year.
Associate dean of engineering
A new associate dean of engineering (research and external relations) will be established. The position will provide leadership in the development of major research plans for the Faculty of Engineering and will serve as a spokesperson and advocate for the faculty externally.
