Departments and Services

The Department of Athletics and Recreation provides opportunities for students to participate in inter-university athletics, clubs, intramurals, outdoor recreation, instructional programs, fitness and a variety of recreational activities, both formal and informal.

The Black Student Success Centre is dedicated to supporting and championing the holistic (academic, personal and professional) success and overall well-being of Black/African descent students and fostering a positive Black student and athlete experience. The Centre is a safe space where students can meet, share, socialize and access specialized support and services.

Housing and Conference Services strives to assist on-campus residents to meet their academic and personal goals in an environment that encourages and supports excellence. The Residence Life team provides  student with an intellectual and social community conducive to the pursuit of academic study and individual growth.

Indigenous Student Services was created in order to support First Nations, Inuit, and Métis students attending McMaster. Prospective students can contact staff for tours, information, or help through the application and transition processes. Current students can benefit from academic and social support, as well as information on Indigenous health and wellness. Events and workshops related to Indigenous culture and contemporary issues are open to community members. All students from all walks of life are welcome.

International Student Services is a division of the Student Success Centre that provides additional services and programs for international undergraduate, visiting and exchange students at McMaster University.

• Advising students on immigration, health insurance and academic matters.
• Delivering workshops related to careers, employment, academic support and community involvement.
• Implementing exchange programs between McMaster University and partner universities.
• Providing orientation sessions for new international students.
• Providing information on campus and community services.
• Connecting with sponsoring agencies, foreign governments, consulates and embassies.

The Office of the Registrar provides a number of services to students in addition to being the primary information source on admissions, enrolment, exams and scheduling, convocation ceremonies as well as important dates and events throughout the year.

The Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships administers government and institutionally-funded financial aid programs.

In addition to assisting students through OSAP, bursaries, work programs and undergraduate scholarships, the office provides financial and budgeting advice to current McMaster students and applicants to help them identify and address their post-secondary education expenses.

Student Accessibility Services (SAS) supports students who have been diagnosed with a disability or disorder, such as a learning disability, ADHD, mental health diagnosis, chronic medical condition, sensory, neurological or mobility limitation.

Students with disabilities are strongly encouraged to contact our office as early as possible in the year, before classes start in September, to allow ample time to arrange for appropriate accommodations.

At the Student Success Centre, our goal is for all students to thrive and succeed, focusing on personal, professional and academic development. We encourage a holistic approach to learning that integrates physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. Recognizing each students’ unique needs and journey, we provide tailored support through a range of programs, services, events and strategic partnerships across the university campus.  

Services and programs include:

• Access Program
• First-Year Experience
• International and Exchange Student Experience (IESE)
• Writing and Academic Skills
• Spiritual Care and Learning (SCLC)
• Financial Wellness (Mac’s Money Centre)
• Experiential Learning
• Career Counselling and Job Search
• CAPS (Career Access Professional Services)
• Global Experiences

Student Support and Case Management promotes student rights and responsibilities through the administration of the Student Code of Conduct, Residence Code of Conduct and the Athletic Code of Conduct. By addressing behavioural expectations for student civility and personal conduct we contribute to the University’s efforts to create and enhance the ethical environment of the campus community. We strive for the implementation of a fair and efficient Student Conduct Process with an emphasis on informal resolution and educational and restorative outcomes.

We are committed to providing an opportunity for peer involvement in each of the three codes of conduct in order to enhance the student experience and ensure our goal of a fair and efficient process.

We continue to work with each department in Student Affairs, the many student groups and the broader University community to create an environment that is safe, inclusive, fair and conducive to learning.

Want to chat with a counsellor? Need Medical Attention? Trying to learn more about yourself and your health?

The Student Wellness Centre provides a wide range of medical, counselling and wellness education services for you to access during your time at McMaster. Attend a virtual drop-in for common concerns such as substance use, relationship issues, low self-esteem, mental health support and much more. Book an appointment with a doctor or a nurse for the assessment and treatment of illness and injury, health check-ups, immunizations, allergy injections, sexual health counselling and testing, as well as specialty health services such as sports medicine, psychiatry and naturopathy.

Since 1931, the Campus Store has been committed to serving the McMaster community. In addition to being students’ source for textbooks, the Campus Store also provides a wide range of services and products such as clothing, giftware, computers, stationery, a large selection of general interest books. The Campus Store also provides over $500,000 a year to the campus community, enhancing student services, providing funding for student groups and contributing to the quality of student life on campus.

The campus Chaplaincy Centre operates independently of other university offices and offers a wide range of services to the McMaster community, including:

• confidential personal counselling and pastoral direction
• study group and retreats
• Thursday dinner discussions and informal lunch discussions
• outdoor activities – dogsledding, rock climbing, etc.
• advocacy for marginalized groups and individuals

The Centre provides a focus for open Christian community as well as for interfaith dialogue and cooperative activity within the university. E-mail chaplain@mcmaster.ca or visit the website for detailed information.

McMaster Hospitality Services is dedicated to providing healthy, nutritious and flavourful food including vegetarian choices, international food menus, healthy options, as well as quick snacks and made-to-order entrees. Meal plans are available to suit both on-campus and off-campus students.

The McMaster Students Union has two main focuses which include political representation and enhancing student life. Undergraduate students at McMaster University, taking a full course load, are members of the MSU. In addition to political representation at McMaster, locally, provincially and federally, the MSU offers more than 25 services and businesses and employs more than 350 students per year.

Some services offered by the MSU are SWHAT (walk home team), EFRT (emergency responders), more than 200 clubs, TwelvEighty Bar and Grill, Union Market convenience store, Compass Information Centre, student health and dental plans, HSR bus pass, Underground Media and Design, the Silhouette newspaper, CFMU radio, the LGBT Resource Center, the Maroons spirit group, the Student Community Support Network, the MSU Child Care Centre, Diversity Services and many more.

This office provides information and advice on the university’s Academic Integrity Policy. In addition, the office is involved with preventing cases of academic dishonesty and educating the university community on academic integrity issues.

The Equity and Inclusion Office (EIO) is a central resource where expertise is proactively drawn upon by administrators, faculty, staff, and students: to advance unit-specific and institutional equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility goals; to enact inclusive excellence principles; and to establish respectful living, learning, and working environments that are free from harassment and discrimination, and sexual violence including through timely and procedurally fair investigative and alternative dispute resolution processes.

This office provides information, advice and assistance to help resolve University-related complaints and concerns of both an academic and non-academic nature. It is a neutral, confidential service dedicated to ensuring the fair treatment of all members of the McMaster community.

McMaster Security Services employs Special Constables who patrol the campus 24 hours a day. Our officers respond to and assist in all emergencies and safety situations on campus.

Parking passes are available by application on line or in person at the Parking Office. Parking Services administers all parking lots of the University. Parking is available to all McMaster community members and most lots are regulated 24 hours a day.

Please review the website to investigate fees, payment plans and payment methods.

The office provides information and advice on University policies such as the Student Appeal Procedures, the Student Code of Conduct and the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

University Technology Services (UTS) offers a variety of services to McMaster students. The services start with the activation of your MACID account and MAC ID enabled services. Your MAC ID provides authenticated access to a range of technology services including Email, Mosaic, Student Computing Labs, Fee for Service Printing (in the labs), Virtual Private Networking (VPN) etc.

Each student in residence also has a data and phone connection supported through MacOnline and many student related areas on campus have wireless access.