Daily News

Posted on Jan. 31: Students set sail for charity

Students will leave the cold weather behind and set sail on a tropical cruise at the fifth annual McMaster Students Union (MSU) Charity Ball tonight (Jan. 31). Since the first charity ball in 1999, more than $20,000 has been raised for various departments of the McMaster Children's Hospital. "This year' s goal is the same as it was the first year we started this event five year's ago, and that is to create a memorable exciting McMaster community experience while raising money for a worthwhile cause," says Jayson Duggan, director of MSU Campus Events. In addition to a DJ, music, photographs, caricature drawing, dancing and a late night buffet, this year's nautical theme "Set Sail" has the luxuries of a cruise ship, such as Monte Carlo tables and a silent auction. Donated prizes include hotel rooms for a night, jewellery, autographed sports memorabilia and gift baskets. The sold-out event is organized through the MSU Campus Events Department and it's MSU Charity Ball Committee. Approximately 1,000 people are expected to attend this year's Charity Ball at the Hamilton Convention Centre. Tickets sold for $35 each.

Posted on Jan. 31: Cultural studies conference draws international scholars

More than 80 scholars and cultural professors from around the world will explore pop culture, media and social justice at the inaugural Canadian Association of Cultural Studies (CACS) conference Feb. 1-2. This is the first such conference of its kind in Canada, according to CACS. "What happens at this conference will have significant bearing on new scholarship and on future directions of cultural exchange between the University and community at large," says a press release from CACS. The conference will include presentations, film screenings, roundtable discussions and panels on subjects ranging from the work of the Workers Arts and Heritage Centre in Hamilton to notions on crisis in the contemporary world. Hosted by McMaster, the event takes place in the McMaster University Centre for Continuing Education in downtown Hamilton. The first Annual General Meeting of the CACS will also take place at the conference. At this meeting, the group will decide on the aims and executive structure of the organization and elect an executive for the year ahead.

Posted on Jan. 31: President briefs Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs

McMaster President Peter George appeared before the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs (SCFEA) Tuesday, Jan. 28 to brief its members on the challenges and opportunities associated with the double cohort, McMaster's preparations and plans to respond, and future opportunities. Click here for his presentation. The SCFEA is an all-party committee of members of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. Its mandate is to hold hearings and report to the Legislature on the fiscal and economic policies of the Province. One of its tasks is to hold pre-budget hearings across the province. The committee uses the opinions and expert advice it receives to advise the Legislature on priorities for the next provincial budget.

Posted on Jan. 30: Business brainchild incubates at McMaster

Many pipe dreams are born over pints of beer, but McMaster business students Daniel Priljeva and Constantinos Coursaris were convinced their brainchild to create a revolutionary inventory tracking system for companies, was much more than empty bar talk. A $1,000 start-up award from the Michael G. DeGroote School of Business' CampusIncubator Business Plan Challenge, is their proof. "It's the classic story starting with friends hanging out at a bar," quips project team leader Priljeva, "and someone mentioned an idea he had for selling tracking hardware and software components of companies. Winning the start-up award was confirmation that it's not only a pipe dream." Called Mission84 Networks, the seed company is developing an advanced version of an inventory tracking network (ITN). With the ITN, firms can track any item and its movement, inventory count and location with a newly enabled technology all in a true real-time setting. "But the most exciting features of this product are its exceptional capacity and seamless integration, and signs are pointing toward the ITN as being the first of like technologies to will be viable for retail settings," says Priljeva. "Imagine knowing with 100 per cent accuracy, the true inventory balance and location of every item in a warehouse and being able to plan production and sales based on this knowledge. The efficiencies at hand create real economic gains and provide visibility across the supply chain."

Posted on Jan. 30: Summer job hunt begins

Students hoping to earn some extra cash this summer should drop by the McMaster University Student Centre Marketplace today (Jan. 30). More than 30 companies are on campus to recruit students at the second annual Summer Job Fair, which takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Click here for the list of participants. "We have a wide range of companies in attendance with something for everyone," says Heather Hines, events and marketing coordinator in the Career Planning & Employment Centre (CPEC). The event is also a recruitment push for CPEC's peer helper program, Hines adds. In this program, students volunteer in a wide range of services offered by CPEC and the Centre for Student Development. "It's a fantastic opportunity for motivated students who want to make a difference in the lives of their fellow students," says Hines.