Getting Involved at McMaster: Part Two: Student Services

"Getting Involved at McMaster: Part Two: Student Services" July 2007

Like other universities, McMaster offers a great deal of services for its students in many different areas. The McMaster Student Union (MSU) offers twenty services to students. I am not going to mention them all, but I will speak about the ones I think are really good to get participate in. Because the services include a variety of different areas, there are many ways in which to get involved. As previously mentioned in my earlier piece, getting active at school is a good thing (so do it)!

MSU Diversity Services’ mandate aims to build and maintain a campus that celebrates, advocates and ensures that the McMaster campus is an inclusive and diverse community in areas including, but not limited to, ethnicity and culture, faith and spirituality, gender, ability/disability and sexual orientation. Along with various events throughout the year, Diversity Services runs Bridges Café, the vegetarian restaurant on campus. During the school year, Diversity Services offers many different volunteer opportunities, so either check out http://www.msu.mcmaster.ca/diversity/index.php or go visit them “under the staircase” at Bridges Café for more information.

Do you like bike riding? Then MACycle CO-OP is for you! In a world dominated by gas-guzzling automobiles, MACycle has the goal of promoting cycling as both an alternative mode of transportation as well as a form of recreation. This five-year-old program is one of the first of its kind in Canada. It offers bicycle repairs, refurbished bikes available for sale, and information sessions on fixing your bike. MACycle is located in B115A in Wentworth House, or you can get more information online from http://www.msu.mcmaster.ca/macycle/index.php.

MACgreen’s purpose is to serve McMaster and the community around campus in all ways environmental. On Campus, MACgreen works to create an environmentally conscious culture by creatively re-thinking and reducing waste, promoting and providing re-usable options, and educational campaigns to ensure proper recycling, and knowledge of composting options. Beyond MAC, MACgreen works with other large environmental groups and community organizations. MACgreen encourages volunteer participation, and there are many opportunities throughout the year to get involved. Check out their website at http://www.msu.mcmaster.ca/macgreen/index.php. Alternatively, go visit the executive members in B115B in Wentworth House during the school year. While you’re there don’t forget to talk to Mark Wade, this years President. He’s an awesome guy.

One! We are from MAC! Two! A little bit louder! Three! I still can’t hear you! Four! More more more…During Welcome Week, and many other times during the year you will see a rather loud and spirited group of individuals walking around wearing Maroon jumpsuits. These are the Maroons, the Spirit organization at McMaster. They are responsible for organizing events related to anything and everything about MAC pride. They are also involved in getting students involved in the community in non-academic ways. If you have McMaster pride, and are an undergraduate student, this is THE group for you. They are always doing something, and being a Maroon is tons of fun. Either go visit them in their office in the Student Centre (MUSC UB 109) or peruse their website at www.msu.mcmaster.ca/maroons