Priority Five: Operational Excellence
The Pulse
Since opening its expanded facility in 2022, the Pulse serves an average of 4,500 student check-ins a day (Monday to Friday), compared to 1,600 per day pre-launch. In January 2023, the first full month after launching, a total of 79,096 undergraduate students made use of the new facilities.
Black Student Success Centre Anniversary
In February, the Black Student Success Centre celebrated the one-year anniversary for its dedicated space in the Peter George Centre for Living and Learning (PGCLL). As the first campus space designated for Black students at McMaster, the Centre provides a space for students to foster connections and access services related to mental health, mentorship, financial aid and more.
Launch of New McMaster Residences
Housing & Conference Services (HCS) announced the launch of new residences, which include:
- 10 Bay Street Graduate Residence: Funded by a partnership between the University and Knightstone Capital, plans for the new 10 Bay building were executed. The 30-story building will add approximately 600 bed spaces for graduate students and their families to the HCS residence portfolio.
- Lincoln Alexander Hall Undergraduate and Graduate Residence: Named after the McMaster graduate, advocate for education and activist for racial equity in Canada, this new residence has a proposed launch of 2026. The residence will add 1,366 beds for undergraduate and graduate students, along with a fitness centre, a dining hall, quiet study spaces and communal kitchens.
Conference & Event Services
The department expanded its Signature Venues portfolio, adding Crescent House and Alumni Memorial Hall. Available for events, executive retreats and corporate receptions, these unique venues are open to students, staff and McMaster community members. Returning to campus during summer 2022, Conference & Event Services hosted 21 conference groups from May 1 to August 13, 2022, and held 4,170 on-campus events between May 1, 2022 and March 15, 2023.
International and Exchange Student Experience Hub
The Student Success Centre’s International and Exchange Student Experience team opened a new student space in the McMaster University Student Centre (MUSC) B118. This space provides international and exchange students access to one-on-one immigration and coaching support, a workshop and event space, and room to study and connect with peers. More than 1,100 students attended the soccer headquarters in the MUSC space from November to December 2022.
Writing and Academic Skills Hub
The Student Success Centre’s Writing and Academic Skills team opened the Writing and Academic Skills Hub in Mills Library, which includes space for one-on-one appointments, a quiet study lounge and a workroom for workshops and special events.
Student Wellness Centre Drop-In Counselling
The Student Wellness Centre introduced a walk-in clinic providing same-day access to a counsellor for students seeking support. More than 325 students accessed the walk-in clinic within the first four months of opening. This service is informed by the Pathways to Care Model, which enables students to get the service they need when they need it. This stepped-care approach allows the counsellor to assess the needs in short, same-day appointments and then direct students appropriately to their required level of intervention.
Continuous Improvement Projects
Housing & Conference Services, through Lean Six Sigma training, continues to enhance operations through a culture of continuous improvement. Notable initiatives for 2021–2022 include but are not limited to the following:
- The Residence Life unit worked extensively with the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office (SVPRO) to deliver an enhanced four-hour training program for staff. The training provides the necessary tools to effectively respond to disclosures of gender and sexual violence on campus.
- The Communications & Marketing unit launched summer virtual residence tours enabling students to receive personalized one-on-one virtual tours if they could not visit in person. This increased access for students who do not live near Hamilton, such as international or out-of-province students.
