Daily News

posted on Feb. 4: McMaster researchers awarded more than $8M for innovative projects

Seven McMaster researchers have been awarded $7.6 million from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) to help build labs and facilities necessary for their research. The money will go towards projects such as a brain imaging facility in psychology, a micro-machining lab in mechanical engineering, a lead monitoring in children initiative in medical physics & applied radiation sciences and an arts/humanities text analysis computing portal initiative. Three new researchers were also awarded about $660,000 from the New Opportunities Fund for their projects in mathematics, medical physics & applied radiation sciences and mechanical engineering. The awards were part of a national announcement made last week by Industry Minister Alan Rock that involved $779 million going to support projects at 69 universities, colleges, hospitals and not-for-profit research institutions. "This CFI investment confirms the talent of our researchers and the research expertise that resides at McMaster in all of our disciplines," said Mamdouh Shoukri, vice-president research & international affairs. "Consistently, we have seen investment in areas for which we are known as leaders (engineering, science and health sciences), but this round of funding highlights new and emerging areas of excellence." The awards were based on the recommendations of multidisciplinary assessment committees made up of world-class experts from a wide range of fields and disciplines. To receive funding, applicants had to show the excellence and innovative nature of their projects and how they will benefit Canada.

posted on Jan. 31: Storm hindering salting, clearing of walkways, campus roads

Physical plant is advising drivers and pedestrians on campus to use extreme caution during the current storm. Physical plant staff are having difficulty maintaining snow removal and salting on campus roads and walkways due to the continuous snowfall. As well, physical plant advises that parking lots will not be plowed today due to freezing rain forecast for this afternoon. The storm is being monitored (Environment Canada weather forecast) and staff are making every effort to ensure walkways and roads are cleared as quickly as possible. Physical plant's snow plan calls for areas to be cleared on a priority basis. All emergency accesses to Hamilton Health Sciences' McMaster location, bus routes, the Cootes Paradise Drive on and off ramps and bridge, the heliport landing and the route to the hospital from the landing and other main roads are first priority for truck snow removal. Routes for people with disabilities, heavily travelled sidewalks and bus stops are cleared next by vehicle. Priority areas to be cleared by hand include all main entrances, steps and ramps to buildings. Parking lots will be cleared tonight once evening classes are finished. The University's storm emergency procedure policy, outlining the process to determine when McMaster is closed, can be found at Storm Emergency Policy and Procedures. Note: Shuttle buses to Zone 6 & 7 will continue to run on their regular schedule until 10:50 p.m. or earlier if not required as long as road conditin are safe to do so.

posted on Jan. 31: University to close at 2 p.m. today due to storm

We have been advised by senior administration that the University will close today, Thursday, January 31, at 2 p.m due to inclement weather. All classes, including night classes and any scheduled tests or examinations, are cancelled. Faculty, staff and students are advised to consult the Storm Emergency Policy and Procedures for additional information. Members of the community are also advised to listen to local radio stations and to visit the Daily News Web site tomorrow morning for further updates. NOTE: Shuttle buses to Zone 6 and 7 will continue to operate on a regular schedule until 10:50 p.m. or earlier if not required or as long as road conditions are safe to do so. (END OF STORY)