The Monster, the world's largest obstacle course, has been removed from the Homecoming schedule due to unexpected shipping delays caused by U.S. port strikes
McMaster Student Union and MSU Campus Events announced that The Monster, the world’s largest inflatable obstacle course and the ultimate party playground, will no longer be on campus for the Homecoming event on Oct. 5 due to shipping delays caused by ongoing U.S. port strikes. This marks the first East Coast strike in nearly 50 years, disrupting deliveries across North America, including the 300-metre-long obstacle course.
In place of the Monster, 13 other inflatable courses and games will be on-site, along with events scheduled as planned throughout the day. These obstacle courses will take place on 10-Acre Field located beside Alpine Tower. Participation is free, with time slots available from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Additionally, Homecoming celebrations are returning to McMaster University for the first time since 2019. The university and MSU have planned a full day of activities for students on Oct. 5, including a football game, foam party and magic show. The day will culminate with an evening concert featuring Loud Luxury and Lil Tecca.
As Homecoming approaches, McMaster is working with Hamilton Police and the city to promote safety and respect for surrounding neighbourhoods, including Westdale and Dalewood. Students are encouraged to attend on-campus events to avoid fines of up to $10,000 under the city's Nuisance Party by-law. The University District Safety Initiative, effective from Oct. 3 to Oct. 6, will enforce a zero-tolerance zone to curb disruptive behaviour and nuisance parties.
For more information on Homecoming events and their locations, visit the official McMaster Homecoming website or follow MSU Campus Events Instagram.
The new guidelines seek to establish a clear framework for verifying Indigenous identity, ensuring accurate representation and access to supports and services
In June 2024, McMaster University introduced new guidelines aimed at verifying Indigenous students' ancestry. The decision was made to ensure the integrity of scholarships, admissions, and employment opportunities reserved for Indigenous students, faculty, and staff.
The guidelines were created after the Indigenous Education Council raised concerns in response to a growing number of fraudulent claims of Indigenous identity across Canada and within academia.
Karen Knott, who is Anishinaabe from the Crane Clan and administrator of Indigenous initiatives with the IEC, explained the reasoning behind these new guidelines and how they will impact the university community. "It's to protect the students, staff, and faculty to make sure that those who are deserving of these awards and bursaries get them," said Knott.
It's to protect the students, staff, and faculty to make sure that those who are deserving of these awards and bursaries get them.
Karen Knott, Administrator of Indigenous Initiatives
Indigenous Education Council
The guidelines outline a process by which individuals must provide documentation to verify their Indigenous identity when applying for certain opportunities. This can include a status card or other forms of proof, such as letters from Indigenous organizations or long-form birth certificates that establish familial ties to Indigenous communities.
However, Knott emphasized that Indigenous identity is complex and cannot always be reduced to a simple document. "Ancestry isn't black and white. It's different for Métis, Inuit, and First Nations peoples . . . If someone can't provide a status card, there are other ways to affirm their ancestry. Sometimes, we might even convene an ad-hoc committee to review individual cases," said Knott.
Knott noted that the process is designed to be as flexible and understanding as possible, particularly given the long history of colonialism. "There are many barriers for Indigenous people to prove their identity because of these colonial structures," said Knott.
Knott said that privacy is rigorously protected throughout the verification process. Only committee members tasked with reviewing applications will have access to the documentation and all information is handled in compliance with McMaster's privacy policies.
"The documents are uploaded through the university's Mosaic system and only the committee sees them. We follow the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and McMaster's own Privacy Management Policy," said Knott.
Once a student's Indigenous ancestry has been verified, they do not need to repeat the process throughout their academic career at McMaster.
Despite the new guidelines, Knott emphasized that students unable to meet specific verification criteria will not be barred from accessing Indigenous services or support programs at McMaster. "Just because someone isn't able to produce the necessary documentation doesn't mean they aren't Indigenous," she stated.
“In the absence of a government or band-issued document, First Nations individuals may submit written confirmation of membership from a federally recognized band, or written confirmation of Métis identity from a recognized provincial governing body,” reads the guidelines.
Knott also reassured that regardless of their verified Indigenous status, students can access all services offered by Indigenous Student Services.
She also noted that feedback from students has been largely positive, with many appreciating the security these guidelines offer. "Students feel safe and they're happy that these protections are in place," said Knott.
Students feel safe and they're happy that these protections are in place.
Karen Knott, Administrator of Indigenous Initiatives
Indigenous Education Council
While noting the importance of protecting opportunities intended for Indigenous students, Knott acknowledged the guidelines' complexity and emotional weight. "I don't even like that word, verification … It's not nice; it's uncomfortable," said Knott.
Despite this, Knott believes they are an important step in addressing the historical and ongoing issues Indigenous communities face. "It's not easy work, and it's not fun . . . But it's essential. Indigenous ancestry is complex and this is about protecting our students and faculty from those who would knowingly or unknowingly exploit that complexity for personal gain," said Knott.
It's not easy work, and it's not fun . . . But it's essential. Indigenous ancestry is complex and this is about protecting our students and faculty from those who would knowingly or unknowingly exploit that complexity for personal gain.
Karen Knott, Administrator of Indigenous Initiatives
Indigenous Education Council
For more information about the guidelines and support available to Indigenous students, visit the Indigenous Student Services office or their official website.
Experience the bold artistry of The Clichettes in their first-ever retrospective, showcasing a vibrant collection that challenges and inspires
The Clichettes, a retired trio of Canadian artists, combine comedy and feminist satire to explore political themes through performance art. The trio was featured in their first retrospective, The Clichettes: Lips, Wigs, and Politics, at the McMaster Museum of Art. This exhibition, curated by Ivana Dizdar, is dedicated to the group's career between 1978 and 1993.
The Clichettes consisted of three women: Louise Garfield, Janice Hladki and Johanna Householder. The group performed shows in theatres and venues across Toronto and internationally. Through a unique blend of humour and political critique, they tackled significant societal issues, using their artistry to advocate for a better future.
On Sept. 19, 2024, the opening reception and publication launch was held at the museum. The opening reception showcased the exhibition which features the many works of The Clichettes including over 150 of their costumes, props, videos, photographs, drawings, scripts and archival materials.
The museum is also featuring a new publication of the same name as the exhibition, an incredibly detailed catalogue that was published in succession with The Clichettes' first retrospective.
The catalogue was edited by Ivana Dizdar and designed by Rob Gray. It includes multiple collaborations between the Clichettes and other artists, directors, designers and writers. These include essays by Ivana Dizdar, Marni Jackson, John Greyson, Alexandra Schwartz, Mark Kingwell, rl Goldberg, Lillian Allen and Wanda Nanibush.
Ivana Dizdar, an art historian and PhD candidate at the University of Toronto, carefully curated the exhibition for over three to four years. “It takes that long for a major exhibition at every museum. Usually for exhibitions, curators start working about four or five years in advance. Sometimes more depending on the scale and depending how much money and resources they have,” explained Dizdar.
Dizdar’s journey with The Clichettes began over a decade ago in a performance art seminar, where she was immediately captivated by their blend of political commentary and humour. “I realized that an artist could use humour in such a profound way,” she said. This early fascination ultimately led to her role as curator, where she closely collaborated with the artists throughout the process.
Dizdar expressed that her journey curating the exhibit was both enjoyable and chaotic as she worked alongside the trio, all of whom are now in their seventies. “It was really wacky. We brainstormed the title together and made decisions about what to include in the exhibition. Their involvement was crucial, as it’s their first retrospective, and I wanted to ensure they were happy with how their work was presented,” she said.
Their involvement was crucial, as it’s their first retrospective, and I wanted to ensure they were happy with how their work was presented.
Ivana Dizdar, Curator
The Clichettes' exhibition
The exhibition honours The Clichettes’ past while aiming to inspire future generations of artists. Their distinctive combination of humour and political critique continues to resonate today, inviting audiences to reflect on societal issues.
Visitors of this retrospective will encounter an array of materials that exemplify The Clichettes' artistic journey. From humorous performances that challenge patriarchal norms to thought-provoking installations, the exhibition serves as a celebration of their innovative spirit.
"The mark of a good exhibition is that you don’t notice the hard work behind it. You simply enjoy the experience," said Dizdar. This retrospective, with its seamless design and engaging content, invites attendees to engage with The Clichettes’ vision for a better world.
The mark of a good exhibition is that you don’t notice the hard work behind it. You simply enjoy the experience.
Ivana Dizdar, Curator
The Clichettes' exhibition
The Clichettes: Lips, Wigs, and Politics not only showcases their unique contributions to performance art but also highlights the ongoing relevance of their work. Check out the exhibit conveniently located for students at the McMaster Museum of Art. You can also buy a copy of the elaborate publication at the MMA to receive an in-depth catalogue of their works.
McMaster EASA and MacAfricans join forces and kick off the year with MACAFCON to celebrate community and culture through sport and food
MacAfricans and the East African Student Association at McMaster University partnered to host both clubs' first event of the year, MACAFCON. Taking place on Sept. 25, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., this event included a soccer tournament, mini-games, food and lively music.
This exciting event was inspired by the African Cup of Nations, AFCON and the recent World Cup. AFCON is a soccer tournament in Africa that takes place every two years and is played by the national teams of participating countries.
The first portion of MACAFCON began with the soccer tournament at 10 Acre Field at McMaster. All participants were required to register to play. The registration form was accessible via EASA’s Instagram and included the player’s name and country they represented.
Diella Barihuta is the administrative coordinator of the East African Student Association and recalled the expected competitiveness among participants representing all regions of Africa. “MacAfricans has a lot of Nigerians in their executive team and a lot of people that follow MacAfricans [on social media] are West African. So as East [African], we don't really have a lot of representation. So let's see if we can breed a little competition,” said Barihuta.
The idea for MACAFCON emerged during a brainstorming session among the EASA executive team. “I can't even pinpoint the moment, I just feel like it happened and then it was just snowballing,” said Barihuta, highlighting the enthusiasm and collaborative spirit during the event's creation.
After the soccer matches, attendees gathered at Peter George Centre for Living and Learning. The event was designed to be inclusive, featuring a range of activities for everyone. The room buzzed with excitement as students participated in a variety of mini-games and enjoyed complimentary cultural food.
“The mini-games that we did we kept simple . . . We had Uno, Pig and cards of humanities . . . it was beautiful, we wanted for people to feel relaxed enough to play against each other," said Barihuta.
Barihuta also recalled some memorable moments from the tournament. “One highlight was definitely the music. We played a mix from various regions in Africa, and it was heartwarming to see everyone vibing and dancing together,” said Barihuta.
One highlight was definitely the music. We played a mix from various regions in Africa, and it was heartwarming to see everyone vibing and dancing together.
Diella Barihuta, Administrative Coordinator
East African Student Association
The turnout for MACAFCON exceeded Barihuta's expectations. “That huge of a turn out at the first event and all the stress that was going through the last two weeks to get it done was incredible,” said Barihuta. “Even though it rained a little bit people still showed out, and that was really lovely to see.”
Food played a significant role in bringing people together at MACAFCON. Catering was provided by Swahili Fusion, featuring Kenyan dishes such as pilau, chicken, pork and chapati. “Because it was such a huge turnout, we ended up having to add pizza,” shared Barihuta, highlighting the unexpected success of the event.
At the heart of MACAFCON was the emphasis on community. “It's really the community aspect,” emphasized Barihuta. “I've lived in five different countries, four of them being African and community was something that was so normalized.”
EASA and MacAfricans aimed to foster an environment where students, regardless of their backgrounds, could come together to share joy, laughter, and food. “Even though they might not come from our country there's that shared connection and community,” said Barihuta.
Even though they might not come from our country there's that shared connection and community.
Diella Barihuta, Administrative Coordinator
East African Student Association
With MACAFCON’s success, both clubs are excited about future events and initiatives. Students can follow EASA and MacAfricans on social media for updates and opportunities to get involved.
DBAC updating its indoor running track following damages from the construction of the Hub and renovations at Pulse Fitness Centre
Beginning Sept. 18, the indoor running track at the David Braley Athletic Centre will be closed for renovations. The work is expected to continue until October 11. During this period, users should anticipate intermittent noise and disruptions to third-floor facility access.
The track features a four-lane, 200-metre running track and a 60-metre sprint area, commonly used for casual walks, jogging, and running.
In an email statement to the Silhouette, T. J. Kelly, manager of facilities and events at McMaster University, stated that the renovations will primarily focus on updating the track's surface alongside minor repairs such as drywall patching and a fresh coat of paint.
“The key reason for the refresh came following the construction of the Hub and renovation to the Pulse Fitness Centre as part of the student activity fitness expansion project, as some unexpected damage occurred to the indoor running track, despite efforts to protect the surface during construction,” stated Kelly.
The project, which began in the summer of 2018, had an estimated construction value of $42 million and included the construction of a new four-story student activity building known as The Hub and renovations to the existing DBAC Pulse Fitness Centre.
Kelly noted that sourcing replacement materials for the track was both difficult and expensive, as the current surface, installed when DBAC opened in 2006, was nearing the end of its lifespan after many years of service. "This was an opportunity for us to provide much-needed updates to the facility,” stated Kelly.
This was an opportunity for us to provide much-needed updates to the facility.
T.J. Kelly, Manager
Facilities and Events
Kelly stated that McMaster's Facility Services is coordinating with the project managers and contractors to minimize disruptions, although Kelly acknowledged potential short-term closures of certain areas outside of the track for safety reasons.
Granted that operations proceed as planned, the track is expected to reopen on October 11.
The Indigenous studies department celebrates Haudenosaunee culture and reconnects community at their back to school social
The annual Traditional Haudenosaunee Social is a start of term social that is co-hosted by the Indigenous studies department and Indigenous Student Services. The back to school social event occurred on Sept. 5, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. located in the sport hall of the David Braley Athletic Centre.
Nicole Martin-Enlund, the academic department manager for the Indigenous studies department in the faculty of social science, spoke to the Silhouette about the social. Martin-Enlund, a member of the Mohawk Turtle Clan from Six Nations, has been working in the Indigenous studies department for over a year, formerly working with the Indigenous education council.
“It’s great being able to be a part of the different Indigenous communities on campus,” said Martin-Enlund when asked about their background at McMaster University. “We’re kind of a close knit community, all working together, all working towards common goals and initiatives, one of those being the start of the term social,” said Martin-Enlund.
We’re kind of a close knit community, all working together, all working towards common goals and initiatives, one of those being the start of the term social.
Nicole Martin-Enlund, academic department manager, Indigenous Studies Department
The Traditional Haudenosaunee Social is a part of the department's introduction to Indigenous studies course, INDIGST 1A03. The social has been incorporated into the course syllabus and schedule and made mandatory for enrolled students to attend. “The reason why we do that is we would like to get our students to know each other. We would like to get the students to know the different Indigenous communities on campus,” said Martin-Enlund.
Martin-Enlund highlighted that other Indigenous groups such as the McMaster Indigenous Research Institute were present at the social. The Indigenous Health Learning Lodge in the faculty of health sciences and the Indigenous Education Council were also present. This event provided attendees the opportunity to learn more about Indigenous Student Services.
Indigenous Student Services hosts many events throughout the year. “These events are not just for the Indigenous community. They are cultural programming that’s open to all students, staff and faculty,” said Martin-Enlund. “At McMaster there is closed programming for Indigenous students only. But a lot of times for the Indigenous studies department and Indigenous Student Services, we host events that are open to everyone so that we can bring a little bit of that cultural awareness to everyone at McMaster.”
We host events that are open to everyone so that we can bring a little bit of that cultural awareness to everyone at McMaster.
Nicole Martin-Enlund, academic department manager, Indigenous Studies Department
In order to put together this back to school welcome for the McMaster community, planning began a few months in advance. “We actually start planning for the social in July. It is a few months in the works because we bring in Indigenous community partners,” said Martin-Enlund. This year's social featured performances by Cam Hill and his group of singers and others who are invited as guests from the Six Nations community.
Within Haudenosaunee culture, each song has a different meaning. At the social, Cam Hill explained to the audience that each song represents a different story. He first said the name of the song, explained how the song and dance are performed and then explained the story behind each one. This was shortly followed up by a performance of the song and dance.
The event also featured complimentary merchandise from all the various departments present and traditional foods. “It’s important, if you’re having a traditional social that you have traditional foods,” said Martin-Enlund. Some traditional foods provided included sweet grass tea and three sisters soup.
“We’re celebrating the students being back and being together. So that is really what a traditional social is all about. It’s about celebration,” said Martin-Enlund when emphasizing the significance of the event for McMaster students.
We’re celebrating the students being back and being together. So that is really what a traditional social is all about. It’s about celebration.
Nicole Martin-Enlund, academic department manager, McMaster University
The Indigenous studies department and Indigenous Student Services welcomed all students to their back to school social and encouraged students of all backgrounds to step into the space. “It’s one of the reasons why we have Indigenous studies here at McMaster. As we want to spread educational awareness. And we want people to experience and understand the culture,” said Martin-Enlund.
Indigenous Student Services has many more social events planned throughout the school year. You can visit their Instagram for details about their upcoming events throughout the year.
A former McMaster varsity athlete and once the men's athlete of the year, Keenan Jeppesen is set to become the new director of Athletics and Recreation
Come Sept. 23, Keenan Jeppesen is set to take the directors seat of the athletics and recreation department. Jeppesen, who is a familiar name within the McMaster community, has already demonstrated himself as a leader in his previous roles in Housing and Conference Services and Athletics, High Performance.
This transition from housing and conference services to athletics and recreation might seem like quite the shift, but Jeppesen was confident that it was the right choice.
"Housing touches so many parts of the institution around McMaster, so it was a great learning experience for me. Coming back to athletics and recreation, it is a different score but there's a lot of familiarity, whether its with the operations of the department or the staff," said Jeppesen
Born into an athletic family, Jeppesen was always determined to leave his mark on the sports world. Over the course of his career, he competed with the varsity basketball team at Brown University, where he was selected for the All-Ivy League Second-Team for the 2005-2006 season.
"I'm a dual citizen of the United States and Canada, so I've spent a good time in both countries. When I graduated high school, I got recruited to play college basketball at Brown University. I spent around three years there, then after graduating I returned to Canada," said Jeppesen
His return to athletics and recreation is particularly meaningful, as he is a former student-athlete at McMaster and won the male athlete of the year award in 2010.
"After a brief stint at Western, I came to McMaster to do my Masters in Business Administration where I also played on the varsity basketball team for a year. We had a pretty successful season, we were ranked third in the country, and personally I've had my best individual year. Unfortunately, the season came to an end prematurely due to my ACL tear," said Jeppesen
Jeppesen's previous personal experience and relationship with athletes over the years means that he will be entering office with expectations to achieve. He aims to communicate effectively with athletes to improve their experience in the school and the department.
"I was in their shoes, but I try not to make too many assumptions about others experiences even though I can relate. For example, a lot has changed since I was last working within the department, so I understand that things may not be the same compared to when I was around. So my objective is, as soon as I enter office, to consult with athletes, coaches and other staff to get their perspectives about various things such as their challenges, what they're excited about and what we can do better to improve their experience at the school," said Jeppesen
Jeppesen's return to athletics and recreation brings an experienced leader back to the department, after a few years spent in other sections of the university. With a varsity background and leadership experience embedded at McMaster, he is set to take office on Sep. 23 with a fresh perspective. While his path forward may present challenges, this leadership change could contribute to positive developments within the department.
McMaster launches a new communications committee to facilitate and promote a culture committed to reconciliation
Starting this year, the new Truth and Reconciliation Communications Standing Committee launched at McMaster University, dedicated to promoting and advancing Truth and Reconciliation throughout the university. The committee is comprised of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous staff, faculty and students to collaborate on initiatives that advance education about and understanding of the land's colonial history.
The newly formed committee, approved by the Indigenous Education Council and the Joint Indigenous-Administrative Consultation Group, is co-chaired by associate professor and Chair of the Indigenous Studies Department, Dr. Robert Innes, and Associate Professor and Director of the Arts and Sciences Program, Dr. Beth Marquis.
The committee’s goal is to share news stories about Indigenous initiatives and ongoing efforts to advance reconciliation and promote campus-wide learning opportunities on the topic of Truth and Reconciliation. These initiatives will be guided by four key priority areas identified by the Indigenous Strategic Directions of McMaster's Indigenous Education Council and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action. These are research, education, student experience and Indigenous leadership.
Chrissy Doolittle, the director of Indigenous Student Services and a member of both the IEC and JIACG, spoke to the Silhouette about the goals of the committee and its makeup. “The committee is intentionally balanced so that we have approximately an equal representation from our Indigenous community on campus as well as non-Indigenous representatives from across the university. Having that balance helps give a different perspective that we can have other people take the lead on things that they can help advocate within their areas of the university and help support the communication efforts that are happening year-round,” said Doolittle.
Having that balance helps give a different perspective that we can have other people take lead on things that they can help advocate within their areas of the university and help support the communication efforts that are happening year-round.
Chrissy Doolittle, Director
Indigenous Student Services
The committee will focus on facilitating opportunities for non-Indigenous campus community members to educate themselves about Indigenous culture, ways of knowing and history. Through this, it aims to contribute to redressing and raising awareness about the injustices of settler colonialism, particularly on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, but also throughout the year.
Additionally, the committee will create content that shares the stories of Indigenous students and faculty, co-develop communication frameworks throughout the year and support the planning of campus-wide events that promote Truth and Reconciliation.
Doolittle mentioned that the Committee is launching a website to go along with communications efforts. "We hope it will become a designated place that people can go to for information, resources and opportunities to help support and fund Indigenous initiatives on campus year-round," said Doolittle.
The website features news stories pertaining to reconciliation on campus and also provides links to Indigenous departments and services..
“We had an overwhelming response from the non-Indigenous community across campus who were interested in joining the committee. It was very clear that there is a desire to learn more and to help further education at McMaster as well,” said Doolittle.
We had an overwhelming response from the non-Indigenous community across campus who were interested in joining the committee. It was very clear that there is a desire to learn more and to help further education at McMaster as well.
Chrissy Doolittle, Director
Indigenous Student Services
Overall, the committee will serve as a resource to non-Indigenous community members seeking guidance in planning events and developing educational programs in support of Truth and Reconciliation. Information on the events and resources for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation can be found on the committee's website.
Members of the Student Representative Assembly adopt a motion in response to the Middle East conflict amid rising campus tensions
On September 22, the McMaster University Student Representative Assembly passed a resolution aimed at addressing the impact of the ongoing violence in the Middle East on its student body. The resolution follows widespread grief among students, many of whom have lost family and friends in Palestine and Israel.
The SRA members adopted a motion supporting students' demands for transparency around McMaster University's investments and partnerships potentially linked to state of Israel. They also called for the University to divest from stakeholders partaking in human rights violations and urged adherence to its Social Responsibility and Investment Policy.
The SRA’s decision comes after consultations with various student groups and MSU clubs. In addition to the emotional toll of the conflict, students have reported a disturbing increase in incidents of antisemitism, Islamophobia, and anti-Palestinian racism on campus and globally.
Key points of the resolution include the SRA’s commitment to combating all forms of hate speech and racism, fostering a campus culture of inclusion and safety, and ensuring peaceful and lawful dialogue on campus.
The assembly's resolution emphasized the need for continued support of students affected by the crisis and urged the university to uphold its role as a safe space for diverse viewpoints, especially during these times of heightened tensions.
This resolution underscores the SRA’s dedication to protecting the rights of all students while actively promoting peaceful discourse and providing a platform for those impacted by the conflict to have their voices heard.
This annual fair showcases the services and programs the McMaster libraries offer. Here are some you might not know about!
Library Crawl is an annual event that showcases the resources and tools offered by McMaster Libraries to all students. Taking place on Sep. 24, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., both new and returning students are encouraged to attend and take advantage of the services available at the libraries on campus. At this event, students can learn about the libraries while playing games, winning prizes, enjoying complimentary refreshments and more!
Lynne Serviss, associate university librarian for user services and community engagement, explained what the libraries offer in an interview with the Silhouette. “It is a place to support student success, whether that be through research, through study, through collaboration, through accessing tools, through experimenting with different technology pieces,” said Serviss.
It is a place to support student success, whether that be through research, through study, through collaboration, through accessing tools, through experimenting with different technology pieces.
Lynne Serviss, Associate University Librarian
McMaster University
Serviss then highlighted a few of the many services and spaces that will be showcased at the Library Crawl.
Firstly, Serviss mentioned prayer spaces operated in collaboration with the Muslim Students Association and the Spiritual Care and Learning Centre. There are prayer spaces on the third floor of Mills Memorial Library and in the basement of H.G Thode Library of Science and Engineering. These spaces offer a quiet and respectful environment for students observing religious practices.
Next, the Lyons New Media Centre is an accessible creative space on the fourth floor of Mills library where technology is provided for learning and research purposes. Students can book amazing media creation spaces, including an audio and podcast recording studio, a video and photo studio and a virtual reality studio. The centre also offers 3D printing services and media lab computers with media creation software such as the Adobe Creative Cloud suite. In order to show students how to make optimal use of the space, this centre also hosts classes, like their upcoming workshop on digital design with Canva.
The Campus Accessible Tech Space, located in Mills L212, provides quiet study areas for students registered with Student Accessibility Services (SAS). The space is designed with comfortable seating, has free coffee and tea and has dividers to block out sound and create an ideal study environment. While in this space, students are also allowed to borrow equipment that include but are not limited to a MAC laptop, a PC laptop and more for optimal learning accessibility. Students can register online for a keycard to access CATS.
Also to be featured at the crawl, The Hamilton Public Library’s Bookmobile visits campus every Tuesday from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and parks across from University Hall. The Bookmobile is a service that allows students to browse a selection of books not available at the McMaster Libraries, including fiction and cookbooks. Students with an HPL library card can also place holds on books to be picked up at the Bookmobile.
And finally, the Thode Makerspace. Situated in the basement of Thode library, the Makerspace offers equipment such as sewing machines and woodworking tools for students to work on various hands-on projects. Each month, Makerspace hosts a repair café, allowing students to bring in items needing repair and learn how to fix them. This year's first repair café will be held on September 25, 2024 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., as detailed on their website.
Library Crawl is not just about exploring these features; it’s also an opportunity for students to provide feedback on library services. “We're here for students to help student research and to help students be successful. So often times the request will be directly from a need or from a student group who can reach out to us or we will be hearing feedback or comments from individuals in the community about a gap," said Serviss. The library values input from its users and encourages students to share their suggestions via the suggestion box.
We're here for students to help student research and to help students be successful. So often times the request will be directly from a need or from a student group who can reach out to us or we will be hearing feedback or comments from individuals in the community about a gap.
Lynne Serviss, Associate University Librarian
McMaster University
Library Crawl will take place rain or shine, and will ideally be located outside the main entrance of Mills Memorial Library. However, if it rains the event will be located in MUSC on the first floor. Library Crawl will feature both the Hamilton Public Library and the Art Gallery of Hamilton as guests.
Mark your calendars for Sep. 24 and join us for Library Crawl. It’s the perfect chance to discover all that McMaster libraries have to offer and connect with resources that can support your academic journey.
