Campus Life


Graduate students are an important part of Memorial
Deborah L. Coombs, graduate student affairs officer

Memorial saw its first graduate students in 1954, with the institution of masters' programs in English and chemistry. Now we have an annual enrolment of approximately 1,600 graduate students, almost 1,000 of whom are studying full-time in more than 40 fields.

In general, these students tend to be older than the average undergraduate student: in 1998, 77 per cent were 26 or older. They come to Memorial with more life experience, more responsibilities (including family), and often full-time work experience. Approximately one-quarter of the full-time graduate student population is comprised of international students. All of this makes for a very diverse group, whose needs and concerns are different from those of undergraduates.

For these reasons, the Department of Student Development is examining its role in relation to graduate students, with an eye to identifying particular areas where we can improve existing services or develop new ones to meet their needs. To help us plan our future service offerings, we are seeking input from graduate students and from other interested parties at Memorial.

Career Development is one area where new approaches are already being implemented. Our major initiative has been developed in partnership with the School of Graduate Studies and the Graduate Students' Union over the past two years. The Graduate Student Work Experience Program (GradSWEP) is modeled on the MUCEP program and provides part-time employment opportunities for graduate students during their period of study. GradSWEP was developed to address two key needs of these students: the need for employment income to support their studies, and the need for practical work experience and networking contacts to aid them in their post-graduation career search.

Because many graduate students will seek work outside of academia upon graduation, GradSWEP is designed to offer an experience different from that of traditional assistantships on campus: Students have an opportunity to work with community groups or other external organizations. This provides an experience of other professional work environments and allows students to examine alternative options, gain practical experience, and build a network of supports for their career search. Positions are supervised by a faculty or staff member in conjunction with the partner organization.

A series of career development workshops has been developed for GradSWEP participants; they include topics such as compiling a curriculum vitae, assessing career interests and employability skills, and developing a career portfolio. Participation is a key part of the experiential learning process and can help students to reflect on and learn from their work experiences.

These workshops are available to all graduate students at Memorial, and we encourage any interested students to contact the Centre for Career Development for more information on our offerings, or to arrange a time for an individual consultation.

Graduate students are also eligible for a number of other employment programs administered by the CCD, including summer positions under the Student Work and Service Program (SWASP), Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP), and Summer Career Placement (SCP). Graduate students who are parents may be eligible for a special part-time SWASP component during fall and winter semesters.

For more information on our career services, or to provide input on potential services, please contact the Centre for Career Development in the new University Centre, Room 4002, or on the Web: www.mun.ca/ccd. Students can also be referred to the graduate student affairs officer, Deborah Coombs, at deborah@plato.ucs.mun.ca, or by phone at 737-3446.

Statistical information is drawn from data reported in Memorial's Fact Book 1998, compiled by Centre for Institutional Analysis and Planning.


Dr. Kevin Keough, vice-president (research and international relations); Dr. Axel Meisen, president; Dr. Martin Mulligan, Biochemistry, President's Award for Distinguished Teaching; Dr. Sandra Clarke, Linguistics, University Research Professor; Dr. Christine Way, Nursing, President's Award for Distinguished Teaching; Dr. Clark Ross, Music, President's Award for Outstanding Research; Dr. Evan Simpson, vice-president (academic). Missing from photo: Dr. Phyllis Artiss, English, President's Award for Distinguished Teaching; Dr. Richard Haedrich, Biology, University Research Professor.


Memorial University recognizes top professors

On Jan. 25, 2000, Memorial University acknowledged the contributions of exceptional members of its faculty by presenting the President's Awards — for Distinguished Teaching and Outstanding Research — and by naming University Research Professors

The President's Awards for Distinguished Teaching recognize the crucial nature of teaching excellence at Memorial. Each winner receives a $5,000 grant contributed by the Memorial University Alumni Association.

The President's Awards for Outstanding Research recognize researchers who have made outstanding contributions to their scholarly disciplines. Each award includes a $5,000 research grant.

The title of University Research Professor, the most prestigious award Memorial gives for research, goes to those who have demonstrated a consistently high level of scholarship and whose research is of truly international stature. It carries with it a $20,000 research grant ($4,000 a year for five years) and includes a reduced teaching schedule and increased research time.

Recipients were profiled in a recent issue of the Gazette. You can access the article at www.mun.ca/univrel/gazette/1999-2000/Jan.27/newspage7.html.

Nominations sought for exemplary service award

The time has again come to recognize staff members for doing an outstanding job by nominating them for the President's Award for Exemplary Service. Candidates include administrative and support staff who have worked here for at least three years prior to nomination and have not already won the award. Nominations may come from alumni, faculty, staff, students and other members of the university community. Even if you have nominated someone before, nominate that person again.

Nomination forms will be available March 1t at academic and administrative department offices and through the Office of the Vice-President (Administration and Finance), Arts and Administration Building, Room A2024. If you would like more information about the awards, call Marilyn Thompson, manager, Organizational Effectiveness, Human Resources, at 737-4627 or e-mail marilynt@morgan.ucs.mun.ca.

The President's Award for Exemplary Service was established in 1995 to recognize commitment to service excellence. The award honours contribution in any of these areas: contributions made through service, support and professionalism; excellent performance in the job; extending help to students, faculty, fellow employees, parents, and university guests; involvement with committees or organizations. We want our university colleagues to hear about and recognize staff members' accomplishments, resourcefulness, initiative, creativity, leadership, responsiveness in delivering service, and/or dedication to high standards as a member of the Memorial University staff. Up to five awards are presented each year.

Recipients of this award include:

1995: Paul Barnes, Earth Sciences; Daphne Corbett, Physics; Dr. Lenka Husa, Animal Care Services; Roxanne Millan, Faculty of Arts; and Michael Rayment, Computer Science.

1996: James Cooper, Engineering and Applied Science; Mary Halliday, Marine Institute; Patrick Hannon, Chemistry; Gary McManus, Geography; and Harold Squires, Budgets and Audits.

1997: Carolyn Emerson, Biology; David Kirkland, CSU; Steve Milway, Psychology; Shirley Moulton, Comptroller's Office; and Judith Smith, Sociology.

1998: Christine Burke, Business Administration; Monty Green, Human Resources; Vera Griffin, Medicine; Gerard Hayes, Student Affairs and Services; and Nora Kennedy, Grenfell College.

1999: Denise Collins, Arts; Judy Evans, Maritime Studies, Marine Institute; Trudy Pound-Curtis, University Comptroller; Sharon Walsh, Grenfell College; and a team award presented to Student Housing (Student Affairs and Services)/Maintenance Team (Facilities Management).

The award includes a citation and presentation at a president's reception; a personalized framed scroll; an award of $1,000; and a permanent notation on a university display.

A special connection: QE II pensioners remain committed to Iris Kirby House
By Susen Johnsen


QE II employees Bert Riggs and Mary Hayes flank retired staff member Eileen Hynes in front of one of their most prized possessions -- a picture drawn by a child as a thank you gift from the Iris Kirby House. The employees are just a few of the very active QE II community who support the annual Iris Kirby House Charity Bazaar.

Perhaps it's something lurking in the stacks, a quiet, vestigial spirit of giving that infuses QE II staff with a generosity that will not quit—even in retirement.

For the past 13 years, QE II workers, including those who have already retired, have held an annual bazaar and series of raffles to raise money for the shelter. Since 1986 they've raised almost $44,000 by selling used books, plants, crafts and baked goods, and everything in between, making them the single largest benefactor of the facility.

Speaking on behalf of Iris Kirby House, administrator Deborah Keats explained just how much this event means to the staff and clients of the shelter. "Financially it's a big help because we rely a lot on community support to help us to keep our doors open. And then the bigger issue is the fact that this large group of people get together and organize events, and they're so dedicated. It really means a lot to us to know that there are so many people in one place who care about the women and children who come here."

Retired QE II employee Eileen Hynes tells it the other way around, insisting that it's the staff who really benefit from the connection. "Everybody comes away feeling really good. You can't help but feel good doing something for Iris Kirby House. It gets to people's souls."

That's why pensioners like Ms. Hynes continue to participate in the fundraiser, showing their dedication through their continued presence. As current QE II archivist Bert Riggs put it, "The retirees, who could cut their ties and go if they wanted to, come back year after year. They're incredibly dedicated."

Library assistant Mary Hayes agrees that it's truly a group effort, pointing out that the community of QE II fundraisers expands beyond the half-dozen people on the committee to include staff families and friends, like Randy Dawe, Betty Kane, Bert Coates, Grace Sparkes, and Bert Rigg's mother, Melita, all of whom annually donate their time and their talent to the event.

Ms. Hynes insists that, even in retirement, she gets more out of her volunteering than the charities she supports. "It's a contact and another way of getting out. I want to make sure that Kirby House gets taken care of."

As Ms. Hynes explains, the connection between the library staff and the women's shelter is a deep and lasting one. "There's a lot of working females in the library, and so you're aware of female problems. And of course, that's what Kirby House is about."

Ms. Keats is grateful for the commitment of the QE II staff, and notes the support plays an important role in the healing process of the women and children who come to the shelter. "It's a really consistent and meaningful activity that, in many ways, validates the value of the work that we do. Especially for the women and children; it sends a really strong message and it means a lot to them to know there are people out there who care."

Fitness Zone
Jerome Brennan, strength and conditioning specialist at the Health and Fitness Centre, offers these fitness tips.

  • You don't have to exercise all at once to achieve health benefits. Break your workout into two 15-minute sessions or three 10-minute sessions and do them throughout the day.
  • Too tired to exercise? Lack of energy can actually be caused by a sedentary lifestyle. If you start slowly, exercise can gradually increase your energy level while decreasing your fatigue.
  • In exercising for weight loss, the most important factor is the total number of calories burned during exercise, so the highest exercise intensity that you can safely and comfortably maintain will be the most effective.
  • Why women need to weight train:
    • Adding muscle from strength training increases your resting metabolism so you will burn more calories all day long. For each pound of muscle gained, you will burn 35-40 more calories daily. For three pounds of additional muscle: If you burn 40 extra calories for each pound, you'll burn 120 more calories per day or 3,600 more calories per month. This equates to 10-12 ponds of fat loss in one year.
    • Weight training can increase bone muscle density by 13 per cent in six months.
    • It helps prevent back pan.
    • It helps fight heart disease by improving cholesterol profile and blood pressure.
  • Exercise is medicine. It helps control weight, relieve stress, reduce blood pressure, improve sleep and mood, resist illness, and improve quality of life and longevity.
  • Regular and consistent exercise can improve the quality of your life. These are some of the changes it can effect:
    • reduction in blood pressure, total cholesterol and bad fat (LDL),
    • increase in good fat (HDL), cardiac efficiency, bone density and strength,
    • improved balance, self-esteem and sleep,
    • less stress and anxiety.

For information on how to start your personal fitness program, call the Fitness Centre at 737-3795 or drop by the Aquarena and pick up a brochure.

Technical Services create scholarship in memory of fellow employee

On Monday, Dec. 6, 1999, the Department of Technical Services held a ceremony to present a cheque to the first recipient of the Joan Haire Memorial Scholarship. Fund-raising for this scholarship began in 1997 with a goal of $15,000. To date, staff in the department have raised approximately $14,000. The scholarship is named after Joan Haire, who worked in Technical Services and who passed away in 1997. Members of the Haire family were present at the ceremony. Joan's husband, Mike, presented the cheque to Kerry Walsh, a niece of Gerry Walsh of Technical Services. Kerry is a first-year student at Memorial. (L-R): Dan Dalton, Bill Burke, Terry Harris, Technical Services, Kerry Walsh, Baxter Pope, Sharon Fagan, Technical Services, Bob Sheppard, director, Technical Services.

Keeping campus trees healthy and strong

Facilities Management has begun its regular tree pruning. This maintenance activity, which will help keep campus trees healthy and strong, will include removal of dead and diseased wood and broken branches and limbs that may be a safety hazard. Trees and shrubs will also be pruned for shape. Christopher Baird, a horticulturalist with Facilities Management, said that while the pruning may appear drastic, it's a crucial to keeping the campus greenery looking good.

"Pruning has been done in the past, but it was a limited activity," he told The Communicator. "We are trying to catch up - people shouldn't be alarmed as this is a normal function of a good maintenance program. This is a good time of the year to prune, but the tress will look bare until the leaves come in. In future years we won't have to prune as heavily." Mr. Baird, noting that his position is new, says people may notice more horticultural maintenance activities taking place on the campus grounds. If people have concerns or questions about plants or trees on the campus they can contact him at 737-8497.

Campus celebrated last semester of the millennium

In December the university community got together to celebrate the last semester of the millennium. The Office of the President donated pizza and drinks, and proceeds (a profit of approximately $1,200 and a number of non-perishable food items) from the party were donated to the campus food bank.

The committee would like to thank everyone who came to the party, and would like to thank the organizations and people who helped or who donated prizes for the draws.

The organizing committee for the Last Semester of the Millennium Party:

  • Kevin Lannigan, Budgets and Audits
  • Jim Cooper, Engineering and Applied Science
  • Deborah Coombes, Student Development
  • Clyde Lush, Continuing Education
  • Ivan Muzychka, University Relations, co-chair
  • Lorilynn Rowsell, Student Housing
  • Jean Voisey, Student Housing
  • Christine Burke, Student Housing
  • Jackie Collins, Centre for Management Development
  • Kim Kelly, Student Housing
  • Cynthia Whelan, Facilities Management, co-chairs