Daily News

Posted on Jan. 21: Pension surplus distribution gets green light

The Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO) has approved the distribution of McMaster's pension surplus. Funds will be distributed as soon as possible to members, both individually and to RRSP institutions by the trustee, CIBC Mellon. Each member will receive a direct payment. Members will be sent a letter by the end of January with details explaining the final calculation and interest portion. For more information on timelines of distribution, click here. Discussions between the McMaster Employees' Surplus Sharing Committee and the University have been going on for more than four years. During the negotiations, the University and the Committee (representing approximately 4,500 pension plan members) agreed that each group will share the $150-million surplus -- $75 million will be returned to plan members, including pensioners, and $75 million will be returned to the University to fund other initiatives. "In October 1998, a committee was formed by the President made up of administrators and employee groups, and this committee looked at the rather large and growing surplus of the pension plan," said Les Robb, chair of the McMaster Employees' Surplus Sharing Committee. "It took a long time and much negotiation to get to this stage. I'm relieved we have finally reached the goal of distributing this surplus and I thank all members for their patience."

Posted on Jan. 21: Faculty of Engineering appoints new associate dean

The Faculty of Engineering has announced the appointment of Peter Smith to the Office of Associate Dean as of Dec. 1, 2002. McMaster has been home to Peter Smith for the past 25 years, since arriving from Brazil in 1978. He was in the first class to receive the B.Eng.Mgt. degree in computer engineering and management, in 1983. He continued on at McMaster to complete his M.Eng. and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering, in 1985 and 1988, respectively. He joined the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at McMaster in 1987. Smith brings to the office a broad perspective and interest on issues that affect undergraduate students in engineering. He was director of Engineering 1 at McMaster between 1996 and 1999, during a period of rapid expansion to the undergraduate engineering program. He was the student activities chair for the Canadian Region of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) between 1995 and 1997, and has participated in numerous other student-focus programs and activities. He is one of the leading experts worldwide on surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices, a subject on which he has co-authored more than 50 peer-reviewed publications and for which he was awarded the R. A. Ross Medal by the Engineering Institute of Canada. He has provided leadership as head of the Microwave Acoustics Laboratory at McMaster since 1989. Smith is a senior member of the IEEE and a member of the Association of Professional Engineers of Ontario. Smith replaces Philip Wood who on July 1, 2002 accepted the position of associate vice-president, Student Affairs. Smith has been acting-associate dean in the Faculty since Wood's departure. "Dr. Smith is truly an exceptional educator and scholar who has gained the respect of the engineering student body. He is extremely qualified to provide the necessary leadership for our undergraduate engineering program," remarked Mo Elbestawi, dean of Engineering.

Posted on Jan. 21: Water main break impacts campus

A major water main break in West Hamilton this morning left the University without any water for a short time. Although the water is now back on, director of Physical Plant, Tony Cupido says the temporary shut down has left some offices colder than usual. Water pressure is also a problem in some areas particularly on upper floors of some buildings. If possible it's best to use washroom facilities in the lower floors. "The air in the lines has left us with some problematic areas. We're checking all of the systems and we hope everything will be operating normally by early afternoon," says Cupido. If anyone is concerned about the temperature or water pressure in their area or if there are any other concerns staff, faculty and students are encouraged to call the Physical Plant service desk at ext. 24740.

Posted on Jan. 21: Peer helper program recruiting volunteers

McMaster's Centre for Student Development (CSD) and the Career Planning and Employment Centre (CPEC) Peer Helper Program is hosting an open house today and Wednesday in the McMaster University Student Centre marketplace from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The program is currently recruiting full- and part-time undergraduate and graduate student volunteers from all faculties and levels of study. Peers are trained and supervised by professional staff and assist students with academic, disability, personal and career needs. There are 45 peer helpers currently in the program who are responsible for a wide range of services offered by CPEC and CSD. The deadline to apply is Jan. 29 at 4:30 p.m., and Feb. 3 for CPEC peers. For job descriptions and further information about the program visit http://csd.mcmaster.ca/peerhelper/

Posted on Jan 17: One-third of Ontario students apply to McMaster

As of Friday, 101,668 Ontario high school students have applied for entrance into an Ontario university, announced the Council of Ontario Universities. Of these students, approximately one-third have applied to McMaster, indicates preliminary data from the University. "We're pleased to see so many students are interested in applying to the University," said Fred Hall, associate vice-president academic. "These numbers speak to the strong demand in all of the programs that McMaster has to offer." Historically, 65 to 70 per cent of students who apply to university in Ontario go on to register. In a news release, minister Dianne Cunningham said, "Our government has always promised that there would be a place for every willing and qualified student in college or university. I am pleased to report that the preliminary numbers are within our plans, and I remain confident that with the measures we have taken, and continue to take, we will meet that commitment."