Daily News

Posted on Nov. 5: Board of Governors meeting highlights

Highlights from the Oct. 31 Board of Governors meeting Health Sciences budget increases $10.5M Design changes to McMaster's Health Sciences expansion will require an additional $10.5 million, bringing the project to $71 million. Approved by McMaster's Board of Governors, the changes will accommodate additional classroom seating on the first and third level of the building to meet projected increased student numbers. As a result, level one will now accommodate 1,700 seats, instead of 800 planned in the initial project design. There is also an expansion to the classrooms on level three for the health sciences educational programs. Funding sources will include $4 million in SuperBuild funds, $16.6 million in research funding, $8.7 million from the Hamilton Health Sciences Hospital contribution and $41.7 from the University. The five-storey building will be constructed on the north of the existing east wing of the McMaster University Medical Centre and east of the Life Sciences Building. The building will house lecture theatres, hospital space, educational program space and research space and laboratories. Parking structure on hold McMaster's Board of Governors has put the brakes on plans for a parking garage. But the project will be put back into drive once the Planning and Building Committee examines other options for the structure planned for Zone 3 by Cootes Paradise. In May, the committee considered changes to the proposed five-level parking structure in order to make it less obtrusive. As a result, the cost for the structure has risen to $11.5 million from $9 million. These changes included a realignment of the structure into a lazy l' shape to follow the curve of Cootes Drive. The addition of a curtain wall consisting of glazing to improve the exterior appearance and improvements to the site landscaping to minimize the exposure along Cootes Drive were also approved. Commonwealth Games site visit McMaster is a key partner in a bid by Hamilton to host the 2010 Commonwealth Games. If successful, the games, scheduled for July 15 to 25, 2010, would bring new facilities to the University, including a new aquatic centre, stadium and multi-sportsplex. McMaster would also host the Athletes Village. The Commonwealth Games Federation will make a site visit to McMaster on Dec. 14, and will announce its decision on Dec. 16. If Hamilton is chosen as the Canadian site, it will go up against international bidders in New Delhi and Singapore, says President George. The next Games will be held in Melbourne, Australia in 2006. The Commonwealth Games Foundation's selection of the host country for the Games will be announced Nov. 3, 2003.

Posted on Nov. 5: United Way symbol says it all

A caring hand outstretched. A rainbow representing hope for a brighter tomorrow. And at the heart of it, a universal symbol of humankind. "For me, the United Way symbol says it all," says Dorothy Pawluch, professor of sociology and McMaster's United Way campaign co-chair. "It's all about being there for each other, caring for each other. We all benefit from living in a world where that happens." McMaster's 2002 United Way campaign kicks off Wednesday, Nov. 6 from 12 to 1 p.m. in the atrium of the MUSC. McMaster President Peter George, United Way representatives, this year's co-chairs and others involved in the campaign will attend. "It is our way of thanking the McMaster community for their many years of support for the United Way and also a celebration of the United Way's 75th anniversary," says Pawluch. The campaign will run November 4 to 29 and the goal of the campaign is $165,000.

Posted on Nov. 5: Marauders No. 1 football team in Canada

A perfect 10 makes McMaster No. 1. The Marauders top the national poll for the first time following the football team's victory last weekend to climb to 10-0 this season. "It's nice to know some of the hard work and things we have accomplished have been recognized," said Mac head coach Greg Marshall. "I know the players will get a kick out of it. But we have to put it in perspective. This weekend we have to put it on the line." There's little time for celebration. McMaster hosts second ranked Queen's for the Yates Cup at Les Prince Field on Saturday. For the complete story in today's Hamilton Spectator click here

Posted on Nov. 4: Chomsky lecture to probe intelligent life on earth

Noam Chomsky is coming to Hamilton in November. Those words tend to have one of two effects on people; either they are scrambling to find tickets, or they are saying "Noam who?" How is it that someone can be simultaneously so popular and so unknown? Chomsky has lectured all over the world, and has written more than 30 books on U.S. foreign policy, democracy, globalization and the thought control role of mass media. He first became known as a political dissident in the movement against the Vietnam War in the 60s. He has not traditionally received much coverage from mass media, which is a major reason why he is unknown to many. But more than ever since the events of Sept. 11, 2001, many people in North America are looking for answers to questions that Chomsky had been talking about for years. Chomsky's book 9-11 is a collection of interviews, which took place after Sept. 11. In the book, the professor from MIT states that "I have had considerably more access even to mainstream media in the U.S. than ever before, and others report the same experience." Chomsky will speak at McMaster on Nov. 12, as a Hooker Distinguished Visiting Professor on the topic: "Is there Intelligent Life on Earth? The Role of the Intellectual Culture and Institutions". This lecture is sponsored by the Centre for Peace Studies, the Department of Labour Studies and the Russell Centre, McMaster University. The lecture will be at 8:30 p.m. in the Burridge Gymnasium, Ivor Wynne Centre, McMaster University. Tickets will be distributed by the Compass Information Centre in the McMaster University Student Centre on Wednesday, Nov. 6, in three blocks. Block 1 (350 tickets) available from 9:30 a.m.; Block 2 (350 tickets) available from 12:30 p.m.; and Block 3 (400 tickets) available from 6:30 p.m. There is a limit of two tickets per person, and no holds or reservations. Please do not telephone the Compass Information Centre. For information contact chomskyhamilton@yahoo.ca or 905-525-9140 ext 26119.