Daily News

McMaster wrestler pins gold

Pam Wilson has a golden pin in the ring. The McMaster wrestler and second-year kinesiology student claimed gold in the 72-kg event at the fifth World University Wrestling Championship at the University of Alberta, pinning American Samantha Branka. She also won the bronze medal in the 72-kg event at the Canada Cup last weekend defeating Alma Izquierda of Mexico. The judo artist-turned-wrestler was drawn to the sport when she arrived at McMaster in 2000. Wilson, who competed in judo for 14 years prior to joining the McMaster's women's wrestling team (led by coach Nick Cipriano), won the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) gold medal in her first year of wrestling. Wilson is also a star in the classroom. She received the 2001 Dr. Mel Hawkrigg Scholarship, awarded to a kinesiology student who has demonstrated outstanding academic, community and athletic achievement. She was also a 2000-01 Marauder Scholar and a finalist for the 2002 McMaster Female Athlete of the Year Award. Wilson qualified for the World University Championship by placing first in her weight class at the University Trials held in Alberta in January. She concluded her winter season by capturing the silver medal at the CIS Wrestling Championships. In between, she won the Ontario University Athletics gold medal in the 76-kg weight class. Wilson also captured the Canadian Amateur Wrestling Association Senior Women's National Championship gold medal this past spring in the 72-kg event and was named Wrestler of the Meet. This fall she will compete at the World Championships.

Physical Plant seeks efficiencies in reorganization

The Physical Plant Department has recently undergone a reorganization in an effort to achieve efficiencies and improve customer service. With valued input from customer feedback sessions, focus groups and department staff, the reorganization allows the department to focus on priority service areas and improve overall service levels. Through the leadership of director Tony Cupido, Physical Plant provides a wide range of services including custodial, construction and building renewal, technical services, utilities, parking and transit, and operations, which includes waste removal and recycling. "Research for the Physical Plant reorganization included a series of focus groups that were held in the fall of 2001," explains Cupido. "The groups specifically reviewed custodial operations, trade operations and customer service issues within the department. They also developed valuable suggestions for improvements in each of these areas. This input was combined with that of other research conducted for the reorganization, and the outcomes identified that the priority tasks for the department are: (1) to maintain a clean campus; (2) preventative maintenance; and (3) air quality. I am pleased to report that as a result of the reorganization, Physical Plant now has specific programs focused on each of these three priority issues to serve the McMaster community most effectively." One of the primary benefits of the reorganization is that there is now one easy point of contact for any Physical Plant service instead of having to know which of six Physical Plant service teams to call as well as their respective contacts and telephone numbers. The newly reorganized department provides one-stop shopping and a more efficient response system to all of its customers.

Proactive policing at the heart of campus

Crime prevention is on Cathy O'Donnell's radar screen. McMaster's new sergeant of crime prevention, located in the new student centre, has a proactive approach to campus policing. "It is better to prevent crime than it is to respond to crime or investigate crime after the fact," she says. With a focus on crime prevention and community relations, O'Donnell will provide a number of services in her new role, including offering educational programs, seminars and safety audits. She will also be available to provide a general overview of safety on campus and will liaise with the SWHAT (Student Walk Home Assistance Team) and the EFRT(Emergency First Response Team). "We want to bring about an increased profile about being proactive on campus," says Ron Thorn, director of security. "In preventing crime, we're trying to raise our crime prevention profile on campus. The availability of the office at the student centre also meant that we could have a closer association and communication with students. "My hope is that Cathy will have the opportunity to talk to people at all different kinds of levels to get the message out there that we are trying to enhance the personal safety of people on campus," he says.

New residence named for Mary Keyes

Mary Keyes' legacy to McMaster is being recognized with the decision to name the new residence after her. The Board of Governors has approved a recommendation from the Campus Names Committee and University President Peter George to name the new facility the Mary Keyes Residence. Keyes dedicated 38 years of service to the University, beginning her career her as an associate professor of kinesiology. She was head of student affairs at McMaster for ten years before her death in February. During this period she worked tirelessly to ensure students' interests and concerns were foremost. She was known for her open door policy and accessibility to students. "Given the depth of this legacy and enormity of Dr. Keyes' contribution to student life at McMaster, I believe it is only fitting that the new student residence be named to honour her memory," wrote vice-president University Advancement Roger Trull in a letter to the committee. The distinction honours Keyes' vision, kindness and generous spirit. END OF STORY