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February 17, 2003

Posted on Feb. 17: Work groups present reports to steering committee, strategic planning process moves forward

McMaster's strategic planning process continues to move forward with the submission last week of reports from six working groups to the steering committee overseeing the process. Called "Refining Directions," the planning exercise was begun in the fall and is intended to further refine the University's strategic plan ("Directions") introduced seven years ago. On Tuesday, Feb. 11, the Refining Directions Steering Committee, chaired by University provost Ken Norrie, received reports from six working groups on aspects of University activities. The groups, each consisting of anywhere from 10 to 15 people from various areas of campus, have been meeting since last fall to study six main areas: research and graduate education, undergraduate education, external activities, internal community, planning and managing, and branding. To view the complete list of work group members, click here . "I'm delighted with the work group reports and with the excellent themes and topics that are being discussed and addressed," says Norrie. "This planning exercise is extremely important for the future of McMaster. The work of these six groups will help to inform all of us at McMaster as we begin our planning for the years beyond the double cohort. We know that this is a busy time for everyone and so we are especially grateful for the efforts made by each member of the six Work Groups to this planning process. Your commitment and service to McMaster is greatly appreciated," says University President Peter George. Themes and recommendations contained in the groups' reports will be synthesized by the steering committee and incorporated into a draft planning report.

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February 14, 2003

Posted on Feb. 14: Blue movies for the birds

Are birds turned on by blue movies? Apparently so. New research by McMaster University PhD student Alex Ophir shows that female quails that initially weren't interested in a particular male quail have their interest piqued by watching a short video of that quail frolic with another female. "We found that she's spending more time with the male who she didn't initially show interest in," said Ophir, who is in the final stages of his psychology studies. "She recognizes the bird who starred in the blue movie and now she's attracted to him. "She can tell whether the male she sees in real life was the male she saw in the video," said Ophir, whose research focuses on mate choice and sex behaviour. "What we've found is that watching the video will increase her preference for the copulating male. She can distinguish between the quail male Tom Cruise and the quail male Mel Gibson."

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February 13, 2003

Posted on Feb. 13: Students give gift of time

What could be more precious than a gift of time? That's what a group of fifth-year mechanical engineering students propose to leave as their legacy to McMaster students: time, that is, in the form of a decorative clock that will be placed in a prominent position above the doorframe of the north entrance to the McMaster University Student Centre. The clock is being designed and constructed by students Patrick Burton, Braden Kurczak, Michael Paddags and Peter Whitred, as a thesis project under the supervision of Tim Nye, assistant professor of mechanical engineering. A unique design, the timepiece is in a double ring shape that encircles a shield emblazoned with the McMaster coat of arms. The upper ring will indicate the hours and the bottom ring, the minutes. Large six-inch numerals will be legible from afar and will make telling the time easy for even the most myopic. The aesthetics of the design have been carefully thought out: all mechanical drives and power transmission systems will be hidden behind the shield which will appear to be floating in the centre of the ring.

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February 13, 2003

Posted on Feb. 13: Call for Nominations: 2003 President’s Awards for Excellence in Teaching

This year marks the 11th anniversary of the President's Awards for Excellence in Teaching, which are designed to recognize outstanding contributions to teaching and learning at McMaster University. The awards demonstrate the value McMaster attaches to its educational function and recognize those who, through innovation and commitment, have significantly enhanced the quality of learning by McMaster students. All full-time and part-time faculty (including those on contract) are eligible. The President's Award for Course or Resources Design. This award recognizes the contribution of an individual, or of a group, to education through innovation and achievement in the design of a course or program of studies, or in the design of educational materials. The President's Award for Instruction. This award recognizes the contribution of an individual to education through innovation, achievement or continuing excellence in classroom or personal instruction. The President's Award for Educational Leadership. This award recognizes the contributions of an individual that more generally promotes excellence in teaching and learning. The contributions in question may not influence any single course or program directly but have effects well beyond the nominee's own department. The Award Each of the awards consists of: A citation of excellence and memento to be presented at the Spring Convocation; An honorarium in the amount of $5,000; An inscription of the recipient's name on McMaster's Wall of Recognition. Nomination Procedure Nomination forms are available in all departmental offices, from the Centre for Leadership in Learning, and can be downloaded from the following url: http://www.mcmaster.ca/cll. Nominations should be submitted by March 7, 2003 to: Dr. J.A. Johnson Chair of the Selection Committee The President's Awards for Excellence in Teaching c/o The Office of the President Gilmour Hall, Room 238 For more information or assistance in preparing a nomination, contact the Centre for Leadership in Learning, General Sciences Building, Room 217, ext. 24540.

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February 13, 2003

Posted on Feb. 13: Nominations open for 2003 President’s Award of Excellence – Student Leadership

Nominations are now being accepted for the President's Award of Excellence - Student Leadership. Nomination forms are available from the Office of the Associate Vice-President (Student Affairs), Gilmour Hall, Room 207. The nomination deadline is Friday, Feb. 14. The President's Award of Excellence was established in 1993 to recognize in-course students in their graduating year who have demonstrated a commitment to the University's belief in excellence in its student body. The selection committee may present up to three awards annually. Each award will be a President's Student Medal of Excellence and the recipient will have his/her name inscribed on a commemorative plaque displayed permanently in the McMaster University Student Centre. This award acknowledges the contributions made by students who play a significant role in improving and developing the intellectual, social, cultural and/or athletic fabric of the McMaster community.

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