Daily News

posted on Feb. 7: The art of innovation: Taking it one course at a time

It's called Human Biological Sciences - basically a course on human physiology. It is an example, says McMaster provost Harvey Weingarten, of people working together to be innovative and succeeding. Weingarten explained the history behind the health sciences course during a question-and-answer session Friday (Feb. 2) in response to his State of the Academy address two weeks ago. The experiment with Human Biological Sciences(HS1B07) started when faculty began planning courses for the new Bachelor of Health Sciences Program and the Bachelor of Arts in Health Studies. During planning sessions they determined there were nine introductory courses focussed on human physiology being offered around campus. Spearheaded by JoAnne Fox-Threlkeld, a professor in the School of Nursing and biomedical sciences, the faculty pooled their expertise and launched a pilot project to develop teaching materials for one course that could be used as a template for the future. Faculty plan and monitor the course as a team. It took $90,000 and six months of intensive planning sessions to mold the course into the form it is now given, Weingarten said. "It was the most comprehensive curriculum design work I've ever been involved in," he said. The course material was mounted on LearnLink in advance of class. Concerns that students wouldn't have computers to access the material ended promptly when an instructor discovered only one of 120 students didn't have access to a personal computer. The course is two lectures per week with the third lecture now devoted to a clinical specialist giving a talk each week. There are "very positive" reviews from students and faculty, Weingarten said. "The students are eating it up. They love it," he said.

posted on Feb. 5: Students will elect new MSU president this week

The race for the presidency of the McMaster Students Union continues this week with polls opening tomorrow (Feb. 6). Most polling stations will be open from 9:20 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 6, and 9:20 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 7. Six candidates are vying for the top elected spot: Neville Boney, Lisa Cunha, Steve Ewoniak, Sam Minnitti, Derrick Morgan and Chris Potter. A final debate among the candidates will be held today (Monday, Feb. 5) from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Hamilton Hall Blue Lounge. Voting stations will be located in the following areas: * Commons Lobby * Michael G. De Groote building Lobby * John Hodgins Engineering building Lobby * Chester New Hall(by Starbucks) * Health Sciences Centre (second floor by the Library entrance) * Ivor Wynne Centre (by Burridge Gym) * Gilmour Hall (across from the Bookstore) Extended hours polling stations will be open from 9:20 a.m. to 7p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 6, and 9:20 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 7 at the Burke Science Building, Mills Library and Thode Library. (END OF STORY)

posted on Feb. 5: Staff association’s negotiating committee walks away from bargaining table

The negotiating committee for the McMaster University Staff Association broke off negotiations with the University's negotiating team last Friday and has asked the Ministry of Labour's conciliation officer for a "No Board" report. This action is a legal step that means the conciliation officer advises the Minister of Labour that he has not been able to effect a collective agreement between the parties. The minister may then issue a report, commonly known as a "No Board" report. "The University's negotiating team is disappointed that MUSA has taken this step," said Mark Haley, assistant vice-president human resources and a member of the University's negotiating team. "We felt we were making some progress and had anticipated being able to offer a series of dates to continue negotiations through March. The union's lack of willingness to meet and lack of willingness to define its priorities is of great concern to us. Frankly, we don't understand why the MUSA team never responded to the initial monetary offer that was put on the table in December."