The McMaster Students Union
PRESIDENT’S PAGE
DENVER DELLA-VEDOVA President president@msu.mcmaster.ca 905.525.9140 x23885
As the semester winds down, I want to wish everyone a successful exam period. Remember to take breaks, relax, and focus on self-care, as exam time can be quite stressful. However, we have much to look forward to on campus, as we approach the last stretch of our heavily online education. In March 2017, via referendum, undergraduate students approved a plan to fund and build a 60,000 square foot expansion to campus fitness and recreational facilities, as well as create 40,000 square feet of new, non-academic, student lounge, study, and event space. The partnership
msu_mcmaster msumcmaster.ca text “MSU” to 71441
between the McMaster Students Union, McMaster University, and Athletics & Recreation, has driven the massive construction project forward over the last two years. When complete, the student life expansion will be known as the Hub. The building will become a new ‘hub’ of student life on campus, expanding on the non-academic student event and programming space for which McMaster students have been seeking. Construction - led by McMaster Facility Services - has continued throughout 2020 and 2021, despite the general campus closure caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, due to public health regulations in Ontario, there were times over the past two years in which construction efforts were paused, to comply with legal requirements. Compounding with the massive supply chain disruptions that the pandemic has caused around the world, the project did experience unanticipated disruptions with the sourcing and supply of construction materials. That said, the partners involved have worked diligently to overcome obstacles and the timeline for
The President’s Page is a space sponsored and used by the Board of Directors of the McMaster Students Union (MSU) to communicate with the student body. It functions to highlight the Board’s projects, goals, and agenda for the year, as well as the general happenings of the MSU.
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opening the new building is beginning to come into focus. The new building, along with the expanded fitness and recreational spaces of the Pulse, is now expected to be substantially complete by the summer of 2022. Currently, I anticipated public access to the new spaces at the beginning of the next academic year in September. The Hub will boast four floors, hosting multi-faith prayer space, as well as bookable multi-purpose space on the third and fourth floor, respectively. A peer support hub, featuring collaboration rooms and bookable meeting spaces for all undergraduate students, student clubs, and MSU services, along with the MSU Food Collective Centre food pantry, will be located on the third floor. In addition, a new community kitchen will also be located on the third floor. The main floor will boast open-concept study/lounge and event space and a two-story ceiling, while the second floor will offer more robust lounge areas, as well as a grocer. In addition to the new student life areas, the scope of the project also includes an impressive
DENVER DELLA-VEDOVA President
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, December 9, 2021
CHRISTINA DEVARAPALLI Vice-President (Adminstration)
expansion of the Pulse. Accessible via the David Braley Athletic Centre (DBAC), the Pulse will feature expanded health and fitness equipment, along with more gym and studio spaces. In addition, there will be a women’s only fitness area, expanded cardio and weight training spaces, a climbing wall, and a bouldering wall. McMaster University contributed $10 million in upfront capital and will pay the operating and maintenance costs of the buildings. Undergraduate students approved a $95 a year fee, which will increase by an additional $2.99 per unit (up to 30 units) once the building opens. The student fee includes a full, 12-month membership to the Pulse, so all students can access the new, state of the art fitness amenities. As the building is scheduled to open to the public next September, undergraduate students will not pay the $2.99 per unit fee increase until the 2022/2023 school year. Along with the services and advocacy efforts of the MSU, I remain ever diligent in supporting students as we return to campus. See you soon!
SIOBHAN TEEL Vice-President (Education)
JEGANIYAH (JJ) JAYACHANDRAN
Vice-President (Finance)