Student Affairs Annual Report 2023-2024
Reflecting on the past year, from the achievements we celebrated to the complex challenges we faced, I’m filled with hope for what the next year brings. As a community of communities, we continue to learn and grow together.
We took time to connect, understand and respond to students’ evolving needs. This is how we ensure McMaster remains a place where everyone can belong, become and contribute.
We embraced the importance of building trusting relationships and bringing people together. We shared tables and dialogue with student leaders, faculty, staff and administration in the spirit of collaboration to address the complex issues affecting our community.
We leveraged new and existing cross-functional partnerships to make progress on strategic institutional priorities. From celebrating entrepreneurship and innovation, fostering student care and well-being, to advancing our work in equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility, we showed that our greatest impact happens when we act together.
As I think ahead to this coming year, I’m confident that we will continue to create transformative experiences for students at McMaster.
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Our year-in-review video and annual report highlight where we shine together. Creating a brighter world involves celebrating these moments, and I couldn’t be prouder to share them with you.
In last year’s annual report, we shared our Student Affairs values. These values reflect our ongoing commitment to constantly improve and ensure that a student-centred and inclusive approach is at the forefront of our partnership and work with students, Faculty and Program colleagues, campus and community stakeholders.
Here are some of the ways we have demonstrated our commitment to embracing our values through our actions and behaviours.
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We believe in the potential of every student
We support students in fulfilling their goals and aspirations by believing in their ability to transform themselves and our world.
We support students in fulfilling their goals and aspirations by believing in their ability to transform themselves and our world.
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The RBC Foundation invests $1.5M into the Black Student Success Centre — the largest investment of its kind to date — to fund the Unlocking Future Leaders program, which supports students from high school through university and into their careers.
A new Indigenous student bursary program is announced to reduce barriers to post-secondary education through tuition and cost-of-living expenses, such as housing, childcare, food and transportation.
A record-breaking number of students apply for the Access Award for academically qualified students from equity-deserving and historically under-represented groups in Hamilton and the surrounding area.
By creating opportunities for students to engage beyond the classroom, the Forge ensures that entrepreneurship is for everyone and supports development of an entrepreneurial mindset.
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We learn and grow together
We embrace the diversity of our students and evolve and adapt to meet their needs.
We embrace the diversity of our students and evolve and adapt to meet their needs.
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The Student Success Centre and Alumni Association celebrate a 20-year partnership, providing Alumni Career Services to graduates up to 5 years from degree-granting programs.
The Spiritual Care and Learning Centre marks its one-year anniversary on campus, providing space for prayer, community-based support and a variety of other religious, secular and spiritual resources.
Student Affairs organizes 10 events during Black History Month, bringing together students and the community to celebrate the contributions and achievements of Black, Caribbean and African diasporic peoples.
The Made at Mac: Celebration of Entrepreneurship event launches new brand and website with resources, programs, services and supports for successful innovators and aspiring entrepreneurs.
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We share responsibility and success
We work openly and collaboratively across campus to deliver the best possible student experience.
We work openly and collaboratively across campus to deliver the best possible student experience.
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The academic accommodations review guides the expansion of student supports as disability disclosures and requests increase through Student Accessibility Services.
Through programs such as Welcome Week, Student Affairs, in collaboration with the McMaster Students Union and Faculty partners, welcomes 6,000+ first-year students to campus; McMaster Welcome wins best event by an academic institution at the Canadian Event Awards (2023).
Scaled-up international and exchange student programming and support models focus on belonging and creating personalized and memorable McMaster experiences. (Supported through Strategic Alignment Funding.)
The MSU Hub opens 40,000 square feet for student life activities in partnership with Student Affairs at the David Braley Athletic Centre.
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We deliver
We prioritize and execute on what contributes the greatest value to students
We prioritize and execute on what contributes the greatest value to students
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Lincoln Alexander Hall, McMaster’s fifteenth and largest residence, breaks ground: 1,366 beds for undergraduate and graduate students for 2026.
Athletics & Recreation hosts the women’s national volleyball championships, a major undertaking placing a national spotlight on McMaster athletics.
In response to the high demand for mental health and wellness services, Student Wellness Centre welcomed 50K+ clinic visits, provided 30+ workshops and psychoeducational programs and trained 1,500+ student leaders to enhance the health and well-being of the campus community.
The Tax Squad, a student program through the Student Success Centre and the largest of its kind in Canada, processed $4.5M in tax returns for students and low-income community members in Hamilton. (Supported through Strategic Alignment Funding.)
Student Affairs is supported primarily through compulsory ancillary fees, university operating framework allocation, ministry funding, medical billings and other revenue.
In fiscal year 2024, the actual operating allocation represents approximately 19% of the total funding sources for Student Affairs ($41.04M, excluding Housing & Conference Services).
Other revenue includes Athletics & Recreation facility rentals, camp registration fees, instructional programming, events, donations and other miscellaneous income.
Total Sources of Funding for Student Affairs: 2023–2024
Student Affairs Total: $41.04M
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In Student Services
(Maclean’s Education, 2024)
Of graduating students agree or strongly agree that they belong at the university
(Canadian University Survey Consortium, 2024)
Paid and experiential positions posted on OSCARplus by Student Affairs
Invested back in student staffing positions
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Inclusive Excellence Learn More
Community building to develop attitudes, knowledge and skills to foster positive interpersonal and intergroup relations.
Teaching and Learning Learn More
Development of holistic, transformational and personalized student experiences intended to promote personal growth, support health and well-being, and enhance a sense of belonging and connectedness in our community.
Research and Scholarship Learn More
Be a driver of economic prosperity and social innovation.
Engaging Local, National, Indigenous and Global Communities Learn More
Community engaged and globally connected educational offerings that develop our students as engaged and thoughtful global citizens.
Operational Excellence Learn More
Provide a campus environment that is functional, accessible, sustainable and attractive, and promotes and supports learning, teaching, research and community.
McMaster student volunteers give back to their community by welcoming international students at the airport
McMaster student volunteers give back to their community by welcoming international students at the airport : Learn More
Student entrepreneur wins The Forge’s Startup Survivor pitch contest with an app that makes ERs easier on kids
Student entrepreneur wins The Forge’s Startup Survivor pitch contest with an app that makes ERs easier on kids : Learn More
McMaster student, peer sexual health team leader and community advisor Fei Mu named a McCall MacBain Scholar
McMaster student, peer sexual health team leader and community advisor Fei Mu named a McCall MacBain Scholar : Learn More
Hundreds of student volunteers come together to help 4,000+ new first-year students settle into residence as part of move-in weekend
Hundreds of student volunteers come together to help 4,000+ new first-year students settle into residence as part of move-in weekend: Learn More
Student art commissioned for display in the Student Success Centre reflects the unique stages and possibilities of university journeys
Student art commissioned for display in the Student Success Centre reflects the unique stages and possibilities of university journeys : Learn More
Black students help make their peers’ dreams reality through mentorship programs and support roles
Black students help make their peers’ dreams reality through mentorship programs and support roles: Learn More
McMaster students tackle complex non-profit challenge in 24-hour case competition during Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning (CEWIL) Month
McMaster students tackle complex non-profit challenge in 24-hour case competition during Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning (CEWIL) Month: Learn More
International and exchange students and McMaster alumni share dishes from home countries as part of the Taste of Home initiative
International and exchange students and McMaster alumni share dishes from home countries as part of the Taste of Home initiative : Learn More
Student draws on sense of Indigenous connection to develop logo for Gaodadeihwahni:ya:s transition program
Student draws on sense of Indigenous connection to develop logo for Gaodadeihwahni:ya:s transition program: Learn More