PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

On behalf of the entire MAPS Board of Directors, I would like to welcome all of the new and returning part-time degree students and students at the Centre for Continuing Education (CCE).

MAPS exists to represent and improve the interests of part-time students. For all of us adult learners, balancing home/family, career/work, and school/study, entails tremendous organization. MAPS was established with this in mind as a support mechanism to help students balance their goals, aptly represented by the three connecting chevrons in our logo. To this end, MAPS also provides bursaries to part-time students facing financial constraints and celebrates students’ academic achievements and extra-curricular activities with a variety of exclusive part-time student awards presented annually at our awards dinner.

The MAPS office is located in the McMaster University Student Centre (MUSC) on the second floor, Room 234, and is open Monday to Thursday from 9:30am until 8:30pm and Friday from 9:30am until 2:00pm. Please feel free to visit the office where you can receive assistance regarding University policies and procedures, use the printer and photocopier for a nominal fee of 5 cents a page, as well as the computers for SOLAR registration, selecting courses, accessing personal, academic, and financial information on MUGSI, and especially to take a breather. MAPS also keeps part-time students informed and updated on news, services, and events via its e-mail distribution list (EDL).

The MAPS Board has successfully represented and advocated on behalf of adult learners. Moving forward, we would like to better relate to, and ultimately serve, our constituency by “Developing, Advancing, & Expanding: Growing Good to Great”. Therefore, with this theme in mind for 2012-2013, goals of MAPS include a leadership program, community outreach, and partnering with stakeholders across the University community. It is my hope that you will take advantage of these opportunities to personally develop and grow as adult learners yourself.

Good luck to you and I wish you all the best in your studies this year. I also look forward to possibly meeting you during my term as MAPS President. Enjoy your year!

Jeanette Hunter
MAPS President, 2012-2013