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posted on March 5: Telecommunications launches new online faculty, staff directory

McMaster's telecommunications department has developed a new on-line faculty and staff directory that is available from its Web site. The directory includes a search engine that allows users to search by a single field or combination of fields to find a department or person. When presented with the results of a search, users can click on the extension number to obtain a detailed listing of information for any individual department or staff member. The online directory also allows users to update individual listings. Telecommunications is in the process of adding staff members who have extensions other than those beginning with a "2" but are McMaster University employees, i.e.. "7" and "4". This is expected to be completed within a month. Please forward any comments or suggestions to Tara Pasalic at pasalic@mcmaster.ca. The McMaster CSO phone book, which includes student e-mail information, continues to be available.

posted on March 4: Women’s basketball players, coach honoured as all-stars

The coach of the Marauders women's basketball team and two players have been honoured by Ontario University Athletics. Forward Sarah Cameron and guard Alana Shaw were named to the OUA 2001-02 West Division All-Star team. This is Cameron's fourth straight appearance on the all-star roster, as she was named to the team in 1999, 2000 and 2001. This is Shaw's first time on the all-star team. Coach Theresa Burns has won the Coach of the Year award. Burns led her squad to a 15-6 record this season, good for second place in the West Division, as well as ensuring a third straight West finals appearance. The women's basketball team has qualified for the national championship tournament, which takes place at McMaster from March 7-10. Tickets are now on sale at the McMaster Students Union Information Centre, Hamilton Hall, Room 203 for the tournament that features eight teams from across Canada. McMaster will play in the quarter-final match on Thursday, March 7, at 8 p.m. For more information please visit the Web site at www.nationals.ca.

posted on March 1: New program offers engineering students research opportunities, summer jobs

The Faculty of Engineering has launched a new initiative designed to give undergraduates research experience and, at the same time, summer jobs. The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) offers first and second-year engineering students summer employment contributing to a research-oriented environment. Although the concept is well established at major American universities geared to science, engineering and technology research like Massachusetts Institute of Technology, it is relatively new in Canada. Students can compete for a place in the UROP program in one of two ways: Presenting a statement of intent highlighting a specific research project already in place that they would like to contribute to, or Applying to positions posted by research staff. The deadline for applications is Thursday, March 28. The Faculty's goal is to provide 20 undergraduate engineering students with full-time summer experience. Salaries have been set at $10 per hour/35 hours per week for the 16-week period. "Adding UROP to our other experience-based educational initiatives: industrial internships, positions funded through the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council and our integrated lab components, means that engineering students graduating from McMaster will benefit from a full range of programs linking education, scholarship and experience," said Mo Elbestawi, dean of the Faculty of Engineering. "We're especially pleased to announce that international students within the Faculty are encouraged to apply for UROP positions. This unique program demonstrates our commitment to enhancing the University's reputation as a student-centred, research-intensive institution." Faculty members, research centre staff, graduate students or upper level engineering students will oversee the undergraduate research projects depending on the environment in which the research takes place. Although UROP is targeted to provide summer employment for first and second-year engineering students, the pilot project may be expanded to provide work on a part-time basis throughout the year if it is successful. Engineering Career Services, located in John Hodgins Engineering building, Room A214, is administering the program. Students and faculty requiring additional information or those wishing to post or apply for UROP positions should contact Anne Markey, by e-mail at markeya@mcmaster.ca, or at ext. 27283. (End of story)

posted on March 1: Concerns about hazardous materials in arts studios prompt action

Oil paints, solvent-soaked rags, chemicals, silica. Materials one typically finds in an art studio. You'll find them, for example, in the Togo Salmon Hall workshops and studios used by McMaster's art students. These materials and others are worrying some students. They're concerned about the possible health and safety risks associated with working with and around hazardous materials. In all, about 60 students use the facilities, located in the basement and on the first floor of Togo Salmon Hall, for oil painting, ceramics, casting and other art projects. Their concerns have prompted the Faculty of Humanities and Risk Management Services to develop plans to improve the air quality within the facilities and to reduce fire and health and safety risks associated with the hazardous materials. Dean of humanities Daniel Woolf says some upset students approached him this week. "The students said they wanted more rag buckets in the area. This is a request that can be resolved almost immediately. Other issues, such as improved ventilation, will require more thorough planning and will take longer to rectify." Woolf says parents have also written him. He is taking the students' concerns very seriously. "We're aware of their concerns and our top priority is to ensure that they are working and learning in an environment that is safe. The health and safety of our students and the faculty who also work in the area is paramount." During Reading Week, the Ministry of Labour, which oversees the health and safety of workers (and not students), conducted an audit of the facility. A dozen orders were issued for compliance on things such as labels on materials and safety guards for machines. The ministry did not issue any orders regarding ventilation. However, two other studies recently conducted (by internal and external sources) emphasize the need to improve air quality within the studios. "The art studios and workshops are operating in rooms that were originally designed as classrooms and offices," says Ron Angus, director of risk management services, who conducted one of the studies in November. "We've asked our engineers in physical plant to conduct a study of the whole area and to recommend a new ventilation system that will adequately support the current use of these rooms." Woolf, who only learned recently of the ventilation problems, says that installation of a new system for the facility is a longer-term project that will require a significant allocation of funds. "It's not a quick fix. We need to proceed in a deliberate and methodical fashion, after proper study and in a manner that is mindful of budget constraints." To reduce the risk of exposure to any hazardous materials, students who use the rooms are being advised that respirators are available for their use from the School of the Arts. Risk management staff will conduct an individual fitting session for students wishing to use them. Instructors are also advising students to properly dispose of waste (paints, rags)and to ensure materials are properly handled, sealed and stored. Locating the lithographic and etching studios (currently on separate floors) closer to one another is also being looked at as a way to minimize health and safety risks, says Angus. A staff supervisory technician for the art studios and workshops will be hired for the next academic year, says Woolf. As well, commencing this fall all students who use the facilities will be required to take Workplace Hazardous Materials Information Systems (WHIMIS) training.

posted on Feb. 28: Perception, irony, landscape studied with help from dividing line

The first dividing line painted on a road is recorded as taking place in 1911. It was received in phenomenal fashion. Today, these lines are inescapable entities that allow, prohibit and mediate our movements. In the art of Hamilton artist C. Wells, the index of the painted line in the road serves as a source for exploration of perception, irony, urbanization, landscape and place. Wells is outstanding for his vigorous commitment to conceptually-based art. The McMaster Museum of Art presents 1911: The Art of C. Wells from March 3 to April 14. Museum hours are Tuesday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday evening 7 to 9 p.m. and Sunday, 12 noon to 5 p.m. This is the first solo exhibition of Wells' work in Ontario. The 10 works in 1911 include line marker paintings, installation, mixed media, photography and performance. Wells received his BFA from the University of Guelph, and studied at McMaster University and the Ontario College of Art before receiving a BEd (Art/History) from the University of Manitoba. He has exhibited across Canada and was a contributing artist to the 1994 Expo Arte: Le Forum de la Theorie de l'art Contemporain in Guadalajara, Mexico through Winnipeg's Plug-In Gallery. Other selected recent exhibitions include: and then we take berlin' Contemporary Art Symposium, Kitchener ArtWorks, Mitchell: Southwest Triennial, London Regional Art and Historical Museum, 1998 Alberta Biennial of Contemporary Art, Glenbow Museum/Edmonton Art Gallery, A to B: Post-Aesthetic Painting, The New Gallery, Calgary. Image: the hand loves that which is hard: the #1, virtual, 2000-2002 . (End of story)

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posted on March 5: Telecommunications launches new online faculty, staff directory

posted on March 4: Women’s basketball players, coach honoured as all-stars

posted on March 1: New program offers engineering students research opportunities, summer jobs

posted on March 1: Concerns about hazardous materials in arts studios prompt action

posted on Feb. 28: Perception, irony, landscape studied with help from dividing line

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