Daily News

Posted on March 25: McMaster science co-op student receives national recognition

McMaster health physics student Lindsay Churchley has great insight into her future thanks to her co-operative placement that garnered her an impressive recognition from the Canadian Association for Co-operative Education (CAFCE). Selected from among 74,000 post-secondary co-op students at 85 member institutions across Canada, the fourth-year student received one of four honorable mentions from the CAFCE Co-op Student of the Year Award (2003), based primarily on a job placement at Ontario Power Generation. "One of the best things that co-op has done for me, is it has given me the chance to try a variety of fields so that I can figure out which direction I would like to go in after graduation," says Churchley. "I now know I want to be a health physicist." Churchley's nomination included an impressive academic grade point record of 10.3, contribution to extra-curricular activities at school and in the community, volunteering with the McMaster Children's Hospital, participation in student governance, and involvement in the McMaster jazz choir and McMaster Ultimate Frisbee league.

Posted on March 24: Federal budget support for students, research, public health welcomed

The federal government's commitment in its budget to boosting financial support for students is welcome news, McMaster University President Peter George says. "The government's commitment to improving access to post-secondary education mirrors a fundamental tenet that we follow at McMaster fostering a passion for lifelong learning," said President George. "We wholeheartedly support efforts to ensure students who are qualified and have the desire can access post-secondary education. Achievement in university will mean Canada has a highly skilled, educated workforce that will foster a robust and dynamic economy. "Improving access and helping reduce student debt loads will undoubtedly spur an increase in demand for post-secondary education. The challenge continues to be to ensure that students receive a quality education in an environment where tuition fees - a major source of University operating funds to hire faculty and provide student services are frozen by the provincial government and operating grants lag well behind the Canadian average. "We are looking forward to the provincial government acting to ensure that Ontario students truly benefit from these federal initiatives by increasing provincial operating support and providing full compensation for the announced tuition freeze."

Posted on March 23: Budget process update to McMaster community

Like other Ontario universities, McMaster is preparing to face some significant fiscal challenges in the next three years. The University has always taken a prudent approach to budget planning and forecasting which traditionally serves us well for short and long term fiscal planning. Although there are challenges to be addressed, our goal is to continue to be prudent and to maintain our focus on the University's strategic goals as established in Refining Directions. The Budget Committee (a sub-committee of the University Planning Committee charged with advising the President on the annual operating budget for approval by the Board of Governors) believes that it is important to share the nature and extent of the challenge with members of the McMaster community at this early stage of the budget process. To this end, we have scheduled two public information sessions as follows: Wednesday, March 31, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. in Council Room, Gilmour Hall-111 Monday, April 5, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. in Council Room, Gilmour Hall-111 To set the context for the information sessions, our best estimate at this time is that aggregate revenue in 2004/05 will be a minimum of $4 million less than the amount that would be necessary to sustain operations at current levels. As a result, budget managers have been asked to prepare 2004/05 budgets based on funding allocations that will fall short of their expected increases in costs. Further, unless circumstances change markedly, the revenue shortfall is likely to be substantially greater in 2005/06 and 2006/07.

Posted on March 23: McMaster celebrates athletic excellence

McMaster's Department of Athletics and Recreation announced the award winners for 2003/2004 at the annual athletic awards presentation and celebration Monday. The Ivor Wynne Award for the Male Athlete of the Year was shared between McMaster basketball all-Canadian Adam Guiney and McMaster football all-Canadian Jesse Lumsden. The Female Athlete of the Year Award was presented to CIS gold medal winning wrestler Pam Wilson. The Dr. Ray Johnson trophy for the graduating player that demonstrates leadership on and off the field while exhibiting the "Spirit of McMaster" was awarded to OUA all around men's rugby player of the year Harry Cheung. The Dr. Edna Guest Award for the graduating player that participated in varsity sports each year at McMaster that displays outstanding athletic ability and the "Spirit of McMaster" is co-president of the McMaster Athletic Council, and women's volleyball player Deborah VanBolderen.