Frankly, I'm a bit frustrated: I do wish those who love Alumni Hall so, were equally possessed of the need to come up with the substantial dollars necessary for deferred maintenance and renewal, wheelchair access, and occupancy costs, that will inevitably be required to keep it going if it is not incorporated into the University Centre. [e-mail message October 28, 1997]
It is unclear how this substantial and beautiful building can be incorporated into a University Centre. Unclear also is the possible reaction to such a proposal by the Alumni, whose contributions in the 1940s made possible the building of Alumni Memorial Hall.
Concerned about the issue of funding, Professor Herb Jenkins conducted a survey by e-mail to determine whether faculty members would be willing to contribute to an Alumni Memorial Hall Fund. Among those responding, an overwhelming majority indicated support for such a Fund. However, he was informed that any proposal for a fund drive must be approved through the Office of University Advancement. Professor Jenkins then created an Ad Hoc Committee for Proposal Development which set about writing a detailed brief for the creation of an Alumni Memorial Hall Fund.
The Ad Hoc Committee recognized that the main-tenance and renewal of AMH are legitimate concerns. But AMH is one of our most beautiful buildings, sited in one of the most attractive parts of campus. It has special significance in the history of McMaster University because it was built as a result of contributions from hundreds of McMaster alumni, as a memorial to our war dead. Later, following a referendum, the alumni generously allowed this landmark building to become the University Faculty Club (with part of the building reserved for the use of the Alumni Association).
It is alarming that although no new referendum has been conducted among our alumni on the possible fate of AMH, consideration is being given to the possible demolition of the building. Disturbing too is the occasional but mistaken complaint that faculty are opposed to the building of a student centre. Our group welcomes the creation of a student centre, but remains unconvinced that such a centre requires the demolition of Alumni Memorial Hall. But it is terribly sad that without adequate consultation this University appears to place real or imaginary cost efficiencies over all other considerations, such as those of tradition, aesthetics, history, and community morale.
Even if AMH is saved from demolition after all, it will still require considerable funding. Under Ontario legislation, public buildings must provide barrier-free access for the handicapped. A study conducted three years ago concluded that the installation of an elevator, together with required structural modifications would cost in the order of $350,000. And deferred maintenance for the mechanical plant, windows, and so on, would cost another $150,000.
We are certain that, without prejudice to other fund-raising projects, an Alumni Memorial Hall fund drive would be well-supported by our faculty and staff, by other donors, and by many of our 60,000 living alumni, 25,000 of whom live within the Golden Horseshoe.
Our proposal was submitted to the Office of University Advancement on December 18, 1997, shortly before the Christmas break. We are waiting for a response.
A. Berland (Professor Emeritus, English & former Dean of Humanities), Chair
for the Ad Hoc Committee:
B. A. W. Jackson, Professor Emeritus (English), Class of '39
G. R. Hill, University Librarian & President, Faculty Club
H. Jenkins, Professor Emeritus (Psychology) & former Director, Arts & Science Programme
V. Morrison, retired, formerly Administrative Assistant to the Dean of Humanities.
Speakers from Acadia, Manitoba, and Queen's shared their first-hand experiences with using technology in the classroom. The consensus was that, used appropriately, it could significantly enhance the teaching and learning experience in a variety of ways. With multi-media, web pages, e-mail, and online chat sessions, there is lots of opportunity for meaningful interaction with students -- perhaps even too much. Since responding to e-mail and preparing multi-media lectures can take considerably more of a faculty member's time, it becomes important to manage expectations of students, especially in large classes, to prevent faculty being overwhelmed.
With some universities requiring each student to purchase a lap-top computer, there is increased pressure to use technology in teaching and since that burden often falls on younger, untenured faculty members, there is a need to have policies that ensure appropriate credit for this kind of work. Once prepared, multi-media teaching materials may also have commercial value, so it becomes important to establish ahead of time, whether the faculty member or the university retains the copyright.
Several speakers expressed concern about what they described as an increasing focus on university education as mere information delivery, with students viewed as customers, rather than a transformative process that imbues students with knowledge, understanding, and critical thinking skills. As more teaching materials are available in interactive, multi-media formats, the role of faculty members will become less central. For faculty members who would prefer to spend their time on research rather than teaching, buzz phrases that refer to them as a "guide on the side", rather than the "sage on the stage" may seem appealing. With fixed budgets, and increasing technology costs, however, reducing the number of faculty members may make good economic sense. In addition, according to this perspective, the more information that becomes available electronically over the Internet, the less essential any individual institution's library becomes.
The increasing number of academic journals that publish articles electronically is a good example of how new technology can create both benefits and potential pitfalls. Once in digital form, peer-reviewed scholarly works can reach a wider audience, more quickly and with improved searching, cross-referencing, and so on. But publishing companies can only create value by limiting access to information and charging high access fees. This potential conflict of interest has recently motivated some scholarly societies to take control of their field's journal back from their publisher.
For librarians there is concern whether they will have the facilities to allow patrons to access the new electronic journals and online databases. There is also a new concern -- liability. Whereas traditional library holdings have gone through a careful selection process, when it comes to the Internet, it seems that anything goes. Should the library filter or block access to offensive or illegal content on the Internet?
A related question is whether computer communications should be monitored. There is, it seems, very little legal protection when it comes to the privacy of your e-mail or your web-surfing habits, so faculty members may only have the level of electronic privacy they are able to negotiate.
The CAUT has begun a process of formulating "model clauses" for inclusion in collective agreements in order to ensure faculty members can enjoy the benefits of information technology, while protecting against potential risks. For example, draft versions circulated at the conference dealt with distance education, academic freedom in choice of teaching technologies, recognition of electronic peer-reviewed journals, privacy of e-mail and other transactions.
David Jones
Computer Science
CAUT Librarians Meet in St. John's
1. Universities are being expected to accept missions for economic development, student access and job creation and forget their historic mandate.
2. The demography of the university is changing.
3. Post-secondary education is being seen as an industry, with inputs/outputs, efficiency measures, benchmarks, etc.
4. Governance is an issue, for example the Technical University of B.C.
5. Budget cuts are having a major impact.
6. Life-long education is a growing trend, and needs to be assessed for effectiveness and expense.
Gloria Leckie from the Graduate Programs in Library & Information Science at the University of Western Ontario gave a thought-provoking keynote address entitled "Librarians in the Academy: Realizing the Potential of the Academic Model." She gave an overview of the nature of university and academic librarianship, discussed the features of the faculty model and the academic status model and the relationship of academic status to job satisfaction. Since librarians at McMaster have recently achieved academic status, this was a timely presentation, and will be invaluable as we begin to define how our academic role will be fulfilled and recognized. Follow-up discussion centred around the need for training to carry out our academic roles, not just as part of the Masters degree programs for new librarians, but as a continuing education opportunity for librarians already fulfilling those roles.
The conference also included sessions on:
the impact of technology
copyright issues
negotiations and association activities, including a presentation by Liz Bayley, a member of
the MUFA/ Administration Librarians' Negotiating Committee, on the status of librarians at
McMaster
performance reviews and promotion criteria
mergers and amalgamations - rationalization or ruin?
associations membership and chief librarians
the four R's (retrenchment, retraining, retirement and renewal), and
collegiality and governance
A costume party was held on October 31 in celebration of Hallowe'en. The creativity and nerve of the attendees was eye-opening (literally!).
The wrap-up session summarized the major themes of the conference, including the big-business agenda of governments, with demands for accountability, the workload and reduced opportunity effects of budget cuts and staff reductions, the need for librarians to gain and maintain the respect of their faculty colleagues, and the lack of job security and career path advancement. Librarians need to get the big picture, and decide where they want to go and how to get there, and what models they want to follow. They need to
take a greater role in academic planning.
be proactive and cooperative with other institutions.
know when to get help and how to get it, for example with collective bargaining or research skills.
work with faculty to strengthen expectations for scholarship and service.
get outside the library and make themselves known. They must reestablish collegiality.
The conference was a chance to meet colleagues, exchange ideas, gather information, share problems and successes.
For further information on the conference, or to hear how beautiful and friendly Newfoundland is, please contact Liz Bayley, Health Sciences Library, HSC-2B6, x22545, bayleyl@fhs.mcmaster.ca
L. Bayley
Health Sciences Library
A graduate of the University of Glasgow, Kay joined McMaster University in 1969 after leaving the United Kingdom where he taught at Sheffield University and worked as a research scientist at AWRE-Aldermaston. He taught chemical thermodynamics to undergraduates as a core subject for years at McMaster. His interest was equally in the application of thermodynamics to steel-making. This led to his close interaction with Dofasco, where he was involved in the process control of Basic Oxygen Furnace steel-making for years.
Alan Kay served on the Faculty Association Executive from 1978/79 to 1981/82 and again in 1989/90. He was Remunerations Chair during that time and gained a reputation for being a tough negotiator.
He was President of the Faculty Club in 1988 and in 1989 and also participated in the organisation of many a Burn's Night Supper. Few who have attended will ever
forget his memorable, spirited Address to Haggis, least of all the Dean of Science attending his first Burn's supper who found himself too close to a flailing Scottish sword for comfort.
Alan Kay was a man of wide ranging interests. He was a formidable snooker player -- a talent he claimed stemmed from his misspent youth. In his retirement he was able to fulfil his ambition to take piano lessons again giving expression to his love of classical and romantic music. This interest in music extended to his involvement as a volunteer with the Canadian Music Competitions which gave him great satisfaction. For many years, however, his consuming hobby was retriever field trialing and he enjoyed competing in trials across Canada with his beloved yellow labrador, Dougal of Minard.
Most of all Kay was the consummate family man who rejoiced in spending time with his wife, children and young grandsons and the family dogs. He is greatly missed by his wife Pamela, his three children Helen, Sally and David, his son-in-law Geoffrey and his grandsons Jack and Reid.
Mani Subramanian
Department of Materials Science & Engineering
The following is the text of a personal memory of my best friend presented at John's funeral service.
Not many days ago we were bidding farewell to our colleague Alfio Corsini, and sitting in my car after the service John and I commented on the dignified eulogy given by Alf's brother. We also recalled the eloquent eulogy given by Colin Lock for Jim Morrison and Pippa Lock's great courage at her father's memorial service. We agreed that neither of us would ever be able to take on such a task. Ironically here I am such a short time later attempting the unthinkable. The last time I stood up for you was six years ago as best man at your wedding. This is a more daunting assignment, but it is an honour to honour you.
Much of what I have to say will be repetitious of what you have already heard. I make no apology for this because it is inevitable. There was no 'side' to John. What one saw, we all saw and it was worth the seeing.
John and I have a friendship which is long-standing, going back 41 years to when we were Chemistry undergraduates at the University of Birmingham, graduating together in 1959. We have now spent over 30 years together as colleagues at McMaster sharing a passion for the discipline we love and an amazement that our enthusiasm for thermodynamics is not more infectious. John's dedicated service at McMaster has been characterised by his enthusiastic teaching and sensitivity to the needs of his students. Always prepared to go the extra mile, his office door was always open to students with problems. This nurturing of students was especially evident during his years as Dean of Studies. John and I have shared courses many times and this has always been a delightful experience. I am so pleased that a scholarship fund in your memory will be announced.
We share many things beyond our discipline. John was not blessed with the singing voice of a Bryn Terfel, but he always sang lustily and loved good music. He also loved books and was an avid collector.
Water has an important place in our collective memory, from the rugged coastline of South Wales, the land of John's youth, to the sparkling sunlit waters of Halls Lake in Haliburton, where three families of physical chemists with their eight daughters spent many halcyon summers. Uncle John was always a great favourite of our children. It was at Halls Lake that, against your better judgement, in very high winds you were my first mate in the maiden voyage of the Marie Claire, the sailing dinghy I had built. I also remember the swamping of the canoe and waterlogging of the cameras on our one and only canoe trip. More recently, the dramatic waters of Colpoys Bay have dominated the picture, the blessed place where John and Barbara have created the cottage of their dreams.
You revel in the beauties of nature, sunsets have always been a particular passion, but you were also moved by the discovery of a wild orchid. I vividly recall your excitement when we experienced the magnificent display of Northern Lights over Colpoys Bay this past Thanksgiving. Neither of us have been tidy gardeners, but you delight in the blossoms of hawthorn and lilac, your beloved spring bulbs and day lilies.
I fondly recall our games of tennis and squash. I always claimed that it was the psychology of the game which prevented me from ever winning, but really you were just better than me. I can't recall you ever telling a 'joke' and you would politely smile on hearing those you considered tasteless, but you relish a good story and delight in bon mots and clever plays on words. I confess that mine were mostly accidental, but we enjoyed them just the same.
Christmas is a time of family joy and we fondly remember the many Christmas celebrations when the children were young and hosting Christmas Day dinner rotated among our three families. You were always the perfect host.
How can we react to Christmas Day 1997?
We comfort ourselves with the knowledge that you did not suffer long and parted from us at the apex of your life. You shared a love with Barbara the like of which few are privileged to know. Celia, the miraculous fruit of that love, provided a constant source of joy. You were surrounded by many of those closest to you at your dream cottage, the cottage which you and Barbara had worked so hard to renovate this past year, completing the task just two days earlier.
But this comfort does not suffice. Why should the apex have to be a cliff? It is hard to resist feelings of anger that you were not permitted to linger on the crest. Anger that you and Barbara were allowed only six years to cherish each other. Anger that you were not allowed to nurture Celia as she grows to maturity. I promise you, John, that Peter Rabbit will always be a special friend to Celia.
But we also have a problem with anger. The combination of anger and John Yarwood is not appropriate. You have always been 'slow to anger'. In fact, the complete picture of love described in Corinthians 13 applies to you John. You were certainly never 'puffed up' -- I've always loved that about you.
If not anger, how about desolation? If we measure a man by the breadth and depth of the hole he leaves behind in the lives of those he touched, then you were a giant. I was counting on enjoying at least 30 more
years of our deepening friendship. Where else will I find your wise counsel?
We may never fully understand Christmas Day 1997, but I swear that every Christmas Day for as long as I live will be doubly joyful. Joy in celebrating the birth of our Saviour, and joy in celebrating the life of John Yarwood -- a life well lived!
Dear John, We love you. God bless you and those you love.
Peter T. Dawson,
Department of Chemistry
[Tax-deductible donations can be made payable to the John Yarwood Memorial Fund - McMaster University and sent to the Development Office, c/o The Memorial Gift Officer, CNH 111.]
From 1973 on, when she joined our Institution, she was an extremely active faculty member who fulfilled distinct responsibilities, both within and outside McMaster.
She was Chair of the French Department from 1990 to 1993 and almost simultaneously assumed the national responsibilities of Vice-President of the Canadian Federation for the Humanities (1991-93). In 1994-96, although she was already battling cancer, she was elected President of the same Federation and continued to conduct a demanding schedule of meetings both in Ottawa and elsewhere in Canada. Because she believed in the usefulness and relevance of computers in the Humanities, she was the founding President of the Ontario Consortium for Computers in the Humanities (1986-89) and founding President of the
Consortium for Computers in the Humanities in Canada. These multiple responsibilities did not prevent her from being the driving force behind the interdisciplinary group Pluralt from 1988 on and organizing a series of special issues in scholarly journals, the latest of which was a reflection upon our complex national situation in present day Canada. More than anything, Elaine believed in Canada, in our capacity as a nation of different communities to forge a thoughtful relationship with Quebec, to face our ethical and political responsibilities toward First Nations (our first hosts as she often reminded us), and to continue being the multicultural nation we have so successfully chosen to be in this century.
Her social, intellectual and political stands never veered from these initial convictions. Especially because of her integrity and courage, we will all miss her.
Caroline Bayard
Department of French
CHANGES IN TAKE-HOME SALARY
AS PhD CANDIDATES WE WERE EAGER FOR THE TITLE
"DOCTOR" -- UNTIL ONE NEWLY DEGREED PROFESSOR SHARED
HIS STORY. A FRIEND HAD CALLED HIS HOME AND ASKED, "IS
THE DOCTOR IN?"
THE PROFESSOR'S TEN-YEAR-OLD SON REPLIED, "YES, BUT HE'S NOT THE KIND WHO CAN DO YOU ANY GOOD."
D. Hilkemeier
CLARIFICATION