Daily News

Posted on June 23: MUSA, University ratify collective agreement

McMaster University and the McMaster University Staff Association (MUSA) have each ratified the terms of their collective agreement. The tentative settlement was reached on June 13, 2003. MUSA represents almost 1,800 staff working in a wide range of administrative, technical and clerical positions at McMaster. Mina Dizdarevic, president of MUSA, was pleased with the result. "The MUSA membership has taken ownership of their collective agreement. Major gains have been made regarding job evaluation, posting, and job security. A substantial increase in wages has also been negotiated, moving the vast majority of our 'over max' members onto the grid by the end of this new three-year agreement." "This is the result of much hard work by many people in the McMaster community," said McMaster President Peter George. "This agreement recognizes the important contribution that MUSA members make to McMaster's success. I also see it as a positive new chapter in the relationship between the University and the Association."

Posted on June 23: McMaster rolls out first online degree credit course

McMaster is launching its first fully online degree credit course today (Monday). The course, on the theme of Body and Soul, Pleasure and Pain in the Later Middle Ages, will examine the roles played by women and men of all social classes in the late medieval period, says Kathy Garay, who teaches for the Faculty of Humanities. The course is available to anyone in level 2 or above of any university program, worldwide. The seven-week course runs June 23 Aug. 8. Full information about the course is available at www.humanities.mcmaster.ca/hum2f03. More than 160 students have registered for the course, developed with support from the Office of the Dean of Humanities and McMaster's Learning Technologies Resource Centre.

Posted on June 23: McMaster recognizes Fun Fit volunteers

Three McMaster employees were recognized for their tremendous volunteer contributions to the health and wellness of the McMaster community. FUNFIT instructors Helena Collins of the School of Rehabilitation Science, Rosalind Grant and Debra Kigar of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences were special guests of vice-president, Karen Belaire at a recognition lunch in honour of their contributions to the FUNFIT Program at McMaster. The FUNFIT Program offers classes in aerobics, step aerobics, body sculpting, dance-it and Tai-Chi that accommodate all fitness levels. Classes run five days a week on the lunch hour either from 12:10-12:55 or 1-1:45 in the 2F gym in the hospital. Evening aerobics and yoga classes are also offered. Those interested in finding out more about the FUNFIT program should contact Lori Mesurier, FUNFIT co-ordinator at jlmesurier@sympatico.ca The recognition of FUNFIT is part of McMaster University's effort not only to recognize the spirit of volunteerism, but emphasize the importance of health and wellness in the workplace. Photo caption: vice-president, Karen Belaire (right) with FUNFIT volunteers (left to right) Helena Collins, Rosalind Grant, and Debra Kigar.

Posted on June 20: New opportunities for McMaster researchers

Fifteen promising young researchers new to the university in the last year have been awarded more than $2.5 million from the New Opportunities Fund of the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI). The researchers, recruited from world-class institutions across Europe and North America, were awarded grants to purchase specialized equipment for their research projects and to initiate new work in their fields of expertise. "Recruiting excellent faculty is a high priority for McMaster and this program has allowed us to do just that," said Mamdouh Shoukri, vice-president research and international affairs. "This investment will help our new faculty to expand their research programs and build their research capacity." Of the 46 universities that received $43.5 million in infrastructure for 237 projects, McMaster ranked third with 14 projects funded. To date, 69 research projects have been awarded a total of $12,563,477 from the New Opportunities Fund.

Posted on June 20: Sexual Harassment and Anti-Discrimination Office renamed, relocated

McMaster's Sexual Harassment and Anti-Discrimination Office has been renamed the Office of Human Rights and Equity Services. The name change is a more accurate reflection of the breadth of human rights issues which the office deals with, says Jane Mulkewich, acting director of human rights and equity services. "The old name gave prominence to the issue of sexual harassment at the expense of other human rights issues such as racism," she says, "and also 'sexual harassment' is negative whereas 'anti-discrimination' is positive, so in many ways, the SHADO name was not ideal." Mulkewich canvassed offices with similar mandates at other Ontario universities, discovering the majority include 'human rights and equity' in their titles. The office, which has also launched a new Web site, relocated to the McMaster University Student Centre, Rm. 212, from its previous location in Kenneth Taylor Hall. The office will continue to offer services for victims of discrimination and harassment, but the Safer Space program and the After Hours help line will be discontinued, and women seeking emergency shelter will be given appropriate referrals to a range of services and resources in the community. This summer, a new director of human rights and equity services will be hired to replace Cindy Player, who has taken on a new position at the City of Hamilton as a human rights consultant.