The Inter-Residence Council (IRC): A little MORE Coversation and A LOT more Action

ferreinm

The Inter-Residence Council (IRC):
A little MORE Coversation and A LOT more Action

BY NICOLE FERREIRA, INTER-RESIDENCE COUNCIL VICE PRESIDENT COMMUNICATIONS

I’ve been very involved here at McMaster for the past few years and I am constantly asked for the best piece of advice that I can give an incoming student. My entire life changed when I first started getting involved in extra curriculars. I’ve never been happier. You go into first year wondering whether to focus solely on academics or on the social aspect. Finding a balance can be very difficult and so I highly recommend that students who choose to take my advice and get involved do so carefully. Choose 1-2 extra curricular activities so that your brain doesn’t explode with information. There are so many clubs and services on campus here to help you out and we all want to see you succeed. Around 3,500 of you will be first year students living in residence this September and so I HIGHLY recommend that you all get involved as a FLIRC (Floor Level Inter Residence Council member). You may or may not remember the article that I wrote last year about the IRC which gives a very brief explanation of some of the committees that will be offered this upcoming year. Last year’s article can be found here.

So you may be wondering why you as a first year student should choose to get involved in the IRC as a FLIRC. Well for starters you get to meet A LOT of people. You’re constantly interacting with other FLIRCs from different residences and throughout your building. It’s impossible to not make friends in this position and so if you’re coming to McMaster without any friends from your high school, be not afraid. The time commitment ranges. Essentially, you put in the time you can. You’ll be volunteering at least an hour a week for the in-hall meetings and a couple more when events come up or if you sign up for an exciting committee. You can derive numerous skills by getting involved as a FLIRC such as leadership, time management, problem solving, organizational and team work just to name a few.

Our goal is to ensure that you have an amazing first year experience so we’ll advocate for you, plan the events that you want and keep you informed about important issues. However, we can’t do that unless you tell us what problems are occuring. If you’re a vegan and feel limited by the food variety (although McMaster is one of the best when it comes to food choices) you can voice your opinion at the Student Dining Committee and Hospitality is very accomodating and will try to help you out in any way that they can. Perhaps you’re a firm believer that it’s about time that residences get wireless internet, you can attend the Telecommunications Committee. Or maybe you just want to hang out with me and give feedback about the website and want to attend the most amazing networking and residence conference ever (Ontario Residence Hall Association- ORHA) and so you decide to joing the brand new Communications Sub-Committee. The Inter-Residence Council will begin (for the first time ever) setting up time for Office Hours. I can’t delve into too much information at this point as things are still being sorted out. However, by the end of August you will all know how easy it is to reach any one of us. It’s a bit more difficult to reach us during the summer since, well, few of us are still around. However, if you want you can post your questions here on MacInsiders and one of us will definitely try to answer. You can also e-mail me at nicole.martinsferreira@gmail.com I’m at a desk all day so I usually reply within the hour.

To be kept up-to-date with what’s happening on our council be sure to check us out on Twitter: InterResCouncil, Facebook: McMaster University’s Inter-Residence Council, Website: mcmaster.ca/irc and our Blog: InterResCouncil.blogspot.com

As you all know, Welcome Week is less than two months away now (exciting stuff)! The IRC will be around all week (and year). Be sure to come out to the biggest event of Welcome Week- Bed Races! It’s exactly what it sounds like, yup, you race beds! We also have Capture the Flag and Karaoke Night that week. Lastly, we’re having Graffiti Night right after Welcome Week is done (you didn’t think we’d stop just because classes start up again, did ya?) We’re really excited about Welcome Week and we’ll see you all in September!

Also check out another article on MacInsiders about IRC here.

ferreinm · 07-08-2009 at 09:54 AM

That was fast. I finished writing that 10 minutes ago. Go Chad (or whoever posted it)!

**Chad** · 07-08-2009 at 09:56 AM

hehe

Alex McColl · 07-08-2009 at 06:25 PM

Are they putting Keywatchers in Res this year?

PS: Hey IRC!

ferreinm · 07-08-2009 at 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex McColl

Are they putting Keywatchers in Res this year?

PS: Hey IRC!

From what we've been told, yes. However, the IRC does not support KeyWatchers.

jhan523 · 07-08-2009 at 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ferreinm

From what we've been told, yes. However, the IRC does not support KeyWatchers.

What are KeyWatchers?

PTGregD · 07-08-2009 at 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhan523

What are KeyWatchers?

Ditto.

temara.brown · 07-08-2009 at 08:10 PM

omg keywatchers - it's produced some of the most annoying discussions I've sat through.

Basically, it is a system which will replace the white flash cards which are currently required to enter residence buildings where you will be able to scan your thumbs to retrieve keys at the building's entrace. Lock out keys would be a thing of the past. I can't remember details too much. Someone else take over.

jhan523 · 07-08-2009 at 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by temara.brown

omg keywatchers - it's produced some of the most annoying discussions I've sat through.

Basically, it is a system which will replace the white flash cards which are currently required to enter residence buildings where you will be able to scan your thumbs to retrieve keys at the building's entrace. Lock out keys would be a thing of the past. I can't remember details too much. Someone else take over.

Whoa... that system sounds complicated. Wouldn't that mean they would have to have everyone's thumb print on file? That's a lot of thumb prints...

PTGregD · 07-08-2009 at 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by temara.brown

omg keywatchers - it's produced some of the most annoying discussions I've sat through.

Basically, it is a system which will replace the white flash cards which are currently required to enter residence buildings where you will be able to scan your thumbs to retrieve keys at the building's entrace. Lock out keys would be a thing of the past. I can't remember details too much. Someone else take over.

So it uses biometrics?

ferreinm · 07-08-2009 at 08:13 PM

I'm not the best person to ask. However, KeyWatchers is essentially a system where students use their thumbprints in order to get into their residences. It is being implemented by Housing since numerous students were getting locked out of the building. It's pretty complicated. I'll try finding further information if you seek it.

jhan523 · 07-08-2009 at 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ferreinm

I'm not the best person to ask. However, KeyWatchers is essentially a system where students use their thumbprints in order to get into their residences. It is being implemented by Housing since numerous students were getting locked out of the building. It's pretty complicated. I'll try finding further information if you seek it.

I'm pretty sure it's easier to copy a fingerprint than an access card though... I've seen it done before on mythbusters ^-^

ferreinm · 07-08-2009 at 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhan523

I'm pretty sure it's easier to copy a fingerprint than an access card though... I've seen it done before on mythbusters ^-^

I meant that the proposal is complicated not the process itself. Haha =P

jhan523 · 07-08-2009 at 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ferreinm

I meant that the proposal is complicated not the process itself. Haha =P

Lol, I can imagine the almost all proposals would be complicated. You would have to run it by so many people.

And I'll look for information myself. But thanks for the offer ^-^

temara.brown · 07-08-2009 at 08:36 PM

From what I remember, residence students should be concerned about this since it will add another hike in residence fees.

Housing was excited about implementing this as parents will feel more safe when signing their students up for residence.

If the IRC is against this, shouldn't there be a public statement? If students are against this and they're doing it anyways, it's not a good sign. Use the sil, macinsiders, etc! =)