Daily News

posted on May 21: McMaster’s McWork Program blooms

In just five short years, McMaster's McWork Program has more than quadrupled the number of students that it helps to find summer jobs on campus. The summer work-study program for qualified students was created in 1997 through a partnership between the Ministry of Colleges and Universities and McMaster University. Today it is one of the largest summer work-study programs in Ontario. "At the start, there weren't very many jobs on campus for students. There were about 80. It was very limited," states Jill Davren, a financial aid adviser with the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships and the program's co-ordinator. Students must demonstrate financial need in order to be considered for the program. In 2001, 601 students applied to the program and 488 were approved -- an 81 per cent approval rate. This summer, there are 378 McWork jobs on campus and 90 per cent are full-time. Students are employed on campus throughout the summer. Davren explains the large volume of summer jobs for students. "We felt the best way to spend our money is in the summer. During the year, we have Ontario Work Study and other programs to assist students." While the Library, athletics & recreation, and physical plant are the biggest employers, jobs range from office duties to lawn care to research assistants.

posted on May 16: Ventilation system upgrades under way in Arthur Bourns

An extensive refurbishment of the heating, ventilation and air circulation (HVAC) system in Arthur Bourns gets under way this week. The system renewal will improve the comfort levels and quality of air distribution in ABB. The project will take approximately one year to complete and will be done largely during off hours. The project is one of a number of HVAC upgrades and system renewals that will take place in many campus buildings over the next year. The systems in John Hodgins Engineering are nearing completion and work continues in the Life Sciences Building. The renewal projects stem from a comprehensive and extensive study and assessment of several campus buildings conducted by Physical Plant in conjunction with two independent consultants, Dynamic Flow Balancing and Filer Engineering. The consultants have conducted a total performance evaluation in the buildings, identified deficiencies and made recommendations to improve, repair and replace the existing ventilation system. The initiative is part of a University plan to address deferred maintenance on campus. Like other universities across the province, McMaster's buildings are showing significant signs of age and are in need of urgent refurbishment and upgrades. For senior administrators Karen Belaire, vice-president administration and Tony Cupido, director, physical plant, improvements to the air quality and flow within buildings is a top priority for the University. "Our goal is to establish a better physical working environment for all," says Belaire. "We are confident our work on improving these systems will address concerns that have been raised by occupants of a number of our aging buildings." Cupido says his team in physical plant is working hard to address the recommendations contained in the consultants' reports. "It's going to take time, but we are making progress and our goal is to do both a thorough and comprehensive job. We appreciate the support and co-operation of faculty and staff on the work we have done to date."

posted on May 15: Health Sciences Library celebrates 30 Years

When you first walk into the Health Sciences Library, you're struck by its modern design and the abundance of space and light. The library is a bright and welcoming facility, thanks in part to the original plan by the architectural firm of Craig, Zeidler & Strong - the same firm that designed the Toronto Eaton Centre - who first designed their plan for the library some thirty years ago. The first Health Sciences Library at McMaster was a far cry from the facility that exists today. Beatrix Robinow, Health Sciences first librarian, was appointed in October 1966 to work from a small area in the embryonic medical school quarters in Gilmour Hall. The library offices later moved to a small room on the third floor of Gilmour Hall , formerly occupied by the School of Music. The previous tenants left behind a few bookshelves, which Robinow welcomed, as well as a piano. For the next five years, the small staff worked to plan both the physical space and the collection for the new library. Although the McMaster University Medical Centre did not officially open until May 27, 1972, several health sciences faculty were appointed in the five year period before the building was complete. Many brought with them ongoing research projects and an immediate demand for library resources. As a result, homes were found for the newly acquired library materials so as to make them available to the McMaster community. By August 1971, 30,000 volumes were scattered across 7 different areas in 5 different buildings, including Gilmour Hall, McKay Hall, Convocation Hall, Mills Memorial Library and the science library in the School of Nursing. Several of the hospital libraries throughout the city also helped store the collection. Finally, moving day arrived and all the books and journals were gathered and delivered to the library in the new Medical Centre at McMaster. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the shelving--it arrived 5 months later.

posted May 14: Spring Convocation features 3,000 graduands, 16 honorary degree recipients

The annual ritual of Spring Convocation begins tonight with graduands from Divinity College receiving their degrees at a ceremony in Convocation Hall. About 3,000 McMaster University students will receive degrees during Convocation ceremonies taking place today (May 14), May 17 for Health Sciences and June 5 to 7 for graduands from the Faculties of Humanities, Social Sciences, Engineering and Science, Business and the Arts & Science Program. (All ceremonies, except Divinity College Convocation, take place at Hamilton Place.) President's Awards for student leadership and excellence in teaching will also be presented at the various Convocations. As well, 16 individuals who have made outstanding contributions to their fields of expertise and areas of interest will receive honorary degrees from the University (* denotes Convocation speaker or performer). The honorary degree recipients are: Divinity College Convocation (May 14) - Pastor Joao Samuel Matwawana, Doctor of Divinity; Biblical translator Eugene Nida, Doctor of Letters* Health Sciences Convocation (May 17) - Nursing professor emeritus Susan French, Doctor of Science*; Arnold Livingstone Johnson, Doctor of Science, Canadian cardiology pioneeer Business Convocation (June 5) - Calvin Stiller, Doctor of Laws, physician, scientist and entrepreneur; Executive development expert Henry Mintzberg, Doctor of Laws* Humanities, Arts & Science Program (June 5) - Tenor Richard Margison, Doctor of Letters*; Philanthropist Neil McArthur, Doctor of Laws Social Sciences Convocation (June 6) - Anthropologist and film maker Hugh Brody, Doctor of Laws*; Enrico Henry Mancinelli, Doctor of Laws, labour leader and community supporter Social Sciences Convocation (June 6) - Hamilton entrepreneur Ethilda (Tilly) Johnson, Doctor of Laws; Roger Neilson, Doctor of Laws, Ottawa Senators assistant coach Engineering Convocation (June 7) - Former McMaster provost and vice-president academic, civil engineering professor emeritus Arthur Heidebrecht, Doctor of Science; Chemical engineering expert George Stephanopoulos, Doctor of Science* Science Convocation (June 7) - Investment entrepreneur Stephen Jarislowsky, Doctor of Laws*; Leslie King, Doctor of Laws, former McMaster vice-president academic and geography professor emeritus. (End of story)