Students

Below is a list of resources on campus dedicated to the health and wellbeing of McMaster University's Students. Read more about how each one is related to sustainability.

BioSphere

BioSphere is the environmental sub-committee of the McMaster University Biology Society. An enthusiastic group dedicated to improving environmental awareness in the Hamilton area and beyond. ~ BioSphere website

Student Wellness Centre

The Student Wellness Centre (MUSC B101/106), through medical/psychological services and wellness promotion is committed to developing and sustaining a campus culture where health-enhancing behaviours are the norm. We know that your academic success depends on good physical and mental health. Our mission is to help you to maintain your health through education and prevention and to restore your health, when necessary, by treatment of illness, injury or stress.

The Student Wellness Centre strives to optimize students’ health by:

  • Providing personal, psychological and academic success counselling.
  • Increasing access to reliable wellness information and awareness of current health issues
  • Encouraging the development of a sense of personal responsibility for maintaining a healthy lifestyle
  • Increasing the knowledge and skills necessary to make informed and healthy decisions
  • Assisting students to develop an increasing sense of well-being

Student Wellness is committed to a sustainable, healthy McMaster community

Student Accessibility Services (SAS)

Student Accessibility Services (MUSC B107) offers various supports for students with disabilities - assistive technology support, learning strategies, note taking programs and classroom accommodations.

Diversity Services

MSU Diversity Services aims to build and maintain a campus that celebrates, advocates and ensures that the McMaster campus is an inclusive and diverse community in areas including, but not limited to, ethnicity and culture, faith and spirituality, gender, ability/disability and sexual orientation. ~Matthew DeClerico, Director 08/09

Emergency First Response Team (EFRT)

Human Rights & Equity Services (HRES)

McMaster University affirms the right of every member of its community to live, study and work in an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment.  The Human Rights & Equity Services Office (HRES) ensures that McMaster’s Sexual Harassment Policy (SHP) and Anti-Discrimination Policy (ADP) are administered efficiently, effectively and fairly.  HRES also works with campus community members to further develop McMaster as a community where all students, staff and faculty can learn, work and live in an environment that fosters equality and respect. 

HRES promotes an environment free from discrimination and harassment, and provides confidential services which include:

  • Consultation and advice on human rights-related issues
  • Guidance on the dispute resolution processes and attempts for confidential resolution under the SHP and ADP
  • Awareness-raising and education on harassment, discrimination, accommodation, and other  human rights-related issues

Mac BreadBin

Mac Bread Bin is the campus food distribution service funded by the MSU, who provide food assistance to students while keeping anonymity.

MACgreen

MACgreen is a student-run service that conducts research, plans events and focuses much of their efforts towards many of the same sustainable initiatives as the Sustainability Office. Rather than overlapping services and initiatives, the Sustainability Office and MAC Green work together in order to provide the largest benefit to all things green and sustainable related to McMaster University. As one of our closest partners, MAC Green is a vital resource to the Sustainability Office and is highly referenced within this website.

Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG):

OPIRG McMaster is a student funded/student directed organization working on issues of human rights, the environment and social justice. OPIRG organizes around issues of concern in working groups. Each working group is unique, but they all use consensus decision-making, non-violence, and anti-racist principles.

Contributing to a sustainable community, OPIRG volunteers have taken lead roles in promoting sustainable transportation (Transportation for Livable Communities), battery recycling at McMaster (Mac Battery Recycling Organization), reducing food waste (Food Not Bombs!), making used bicycles operable for resale at reasonable rates (Recycle Cycles), and local food initiatives (Promoting Eating Alternatively and Sustainably). Each term new groups start up in response to the issues of the day. ~ Randy Kay, Volunteer Coordinator

Student Health Education Centre (SHEC):

Provide: Peer Support, Birth Control, Resources and Information and Pregnancy Tests

Student Walk Home Assistance Team (SWHAT):

SWHAT is a volunteer service of the McMaster Students Union. Operational 7 days a week during the fall and winter terms from 7pm to 1 am, SWHAT will walk anyone anywhere from point A to point B within a 30 minute radius of campus. If you would like a walk just call the office at extension 27500, or drop by the office located in the Student Centre Room 204. Be on the lookout for SWHAT teams when you get off night classes, they are stationed at key locations around campus ready to walk you to your destination.

SWHAT operates on a by students for students basis, all of our volunteers are undergrads themselves and they would love nothing better than to ensure the personal safety of their fellow students and anyone within the McMaster community. Our teams serve as eyes and ears for McMaster security as well, with regular patrols around campus which promotes a safer, healthier community. SWHAT is also a great opportunity for students to gain valuable volunteer skills that they can apply to the real world; many of our volunteers gain a greater understanding of leadership, teamwork and responsibility after having volunteered with us. ~ David Lee, SWHAT Coordinator 08/09

December 19, 2011