Daily News

posted on July 19: Student Health Service opens door to employees

Employees will be able to visit a doctor on campus beginning this September. Student Health Service (SHS) is launching a one-year pilot project that involves dedicating one doctor specifically to dealing with employees' workplace-related injuries, acute care health concerns and health promotion. This is the first time this type of service has been available at McMaster. "In the past employees often asked if they could come to see us if they had a sore throat or headache or needed an allergy shot," said Julie Fairservice, SHS clinic director. "Many people have also asked about a health newsletter similar to Health Talk @McMaster published for students." Dr. Finola Foley will be available to see employees beginning Sept. 17, Fairservice said. The hours of operation will be announced closer to the start date. Services provided during the pilot project include a flu vaccine clinic slated for October, laceration repairs, immunization updates, management of communicable diseases that affect the workplace, allergy shots and referrals to the sports medicine physician and the sport injury clinic. As well, she said a needs assessment will be conducted this summer to determine what employees want in health education. Fairservice said the health care provided by Foley is not intended to replace the use of family doctors for yearly physical exams or manage chronic care situations. SHS submitted a proposal to the McMaster University Futures Fund (MUFF) to fund the service and received $136,000 to run the program for one year. (Under the terms of a pension surplus sharing proposal approved by the Board of Governors in October 2000, MUFF expired April 30, 2001.) Fairservice said other funding avenues will be explored to continue the service if the pilot project is popular. Employees will receive a letter next week explaining the program. (End of story)

posted on July 18: Sun goes down on solar car dream

No. 13 has proved to be completely unlucky for Fireball, McMaster's solar car. The solar car team withdrew from the 4000-kilometre American Solar Challenge race yesterday because a number of obstacles had made it too difficult to proceed. They were in Rolla, Missouri when they withdrew. The team chose No. 13 for their entry hoping it would prove to be a lucky charm but the number lived up to its reputation of signifying bad luck. The team suffered a series of setbacks with Fireball, including a flat tire and the solar panel flipping and needing repairs, since making the qualifier race at Western Michigan University last week and starting the race in Chicago on Sunday. The team wasn't able to make various checkpoints and that meant they were accruing penalties that were insurmountable in terms of being a viable competitor. Communications have been difficult and at one point the car's driver lost contact with the support vehicle. The Daily News has been unable to communicate with the team on the road. The race, which follows historic Route 66 and includes teams from the Universities of Waterloo, Toronto and Alberta, ends July 25 in California. (Photo courtesy of Western Michigan University) (End of story)

posted on July 17: Ten faculty lose pay for actions during MUSA strike

Ten faculty members have been docked pay for their actions during the five-week strike by the McMaster University Staff Association. There is a negotiated policy between the University and the McMaster University Faculty Association that stipulates faculty do not have to cross picket lines but are required to be available for scheduled duties. Each day they are not available is considered a one-day leave without pay. Faculty members were informed of the decision to deduct pay in letters sent out last month by former provost Harvey Weingarten. Click here to read more.

posted on July 16: Landscaping begins around new student centre

Landscaping work will begin around the McMaster University Student Centre (MUSC) this week. The work includes the installation of planters and walkways and the planting of trees and shrubs. The small trees that were uprooted last spring will be brought back to the site from their temporary locations around campus and the larger trees will be brought back from Aldershot Nurseries where they have been cared for since the site was excavated. In addition to these returning trees, new plants will be introduced including evergreens, deciduous trees and flowering shrubs. The main courtyard between Mills Memorial Library and Titles Bookstore will be centred around four mature pin oak trees. The east side of the building by the round glass wall will boast another cluster of trees that will create a "green view" from the fireside lounge within the building. Along the east entrance to the centre, a line of locust trees will shade three stone chess tables and stools, donated to MUSC by Sheila Smith, the McMaster Association of Part-Time Students representative on the MUSC Board of Management. George Stockton, of Moriyama & Teshima Architects, said that the landscaping around MUSC will make it feel like an outdoor room. The landscaping will "extend the interior of the building out onto site." The outdoor courtyard between Titles Bookstore and Mills Memorial Library is designed to be a pleasant space to walk through from one part of campus to another and also a great space for all kinds of activities including outdoor fairs and rallies. Most of all, this space will be a great place to eat lunch or to hang out between classes or on a coffee break. The landscaping work will change the fencing around the site for the next few weeks. This week, the area to the west of Mills Memorial Library will be closed off and the entrance to the library will change to the north door only (the entrance that faces Council Chambers). Access to the other entrance will be restored on Sept. 3. The work along the north-east side of the building, by the curved wall, will begin mid-August and continue until the end of October.