UNECE establishes Toronto Centre of Excellence on Youth Homelessness Prevention at York University

YouthHomelessness

Approximately 150 million people are homeless and more than 1.8 billion people worldwide lack adequate and affordable housing. While levels of homelessness vary considerably across UNECE countries, finding sustainable solutions to ensure access to housing for all members of society remains a significant challenge. In 2020, the number of homeless people in the United States was approximately 580,000 and at least 235,000 Canadians experience homelessness every year.

To support the efforts of cities and national governments in fighting the challenges of homelessness, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) has established the Toronto Centre of Excellence on Youth Homelessness Prevention, the first Geneva UN Charter Centre of Excellence in North America. The centre will be hosted by York University and co-directed by Faculty of Education Professor Stephen Gaetz, president of the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness (COH), and Melanie Redman of A Way Home Canada.

Delegates at the UNECE event
Delegates at the UNECE announcement event. Pictured above, from left, top row: Rhonda L. Lenton, president and vice-chancellor of York University; Paola Deda, UNECE; Melanie Redman, A Way Home Canada; and Judy Sgro, MPP Humber River-Black Creek. From left, bottom row: Stephen Gaetz, president of the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness; Amir Asif, vice-president research and innovation, York University; Adam Vaughan, MP Spadina-Fort York and parliamentary secretary to the minister of families, children and social development

“The establishment of the UNECE Toronto Centre of Excellence at York is a testament to the global leadership of our researchers in creating innovative, nuanced and effective solutions to youth homelessness,” said President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda L. Lenton. “Under the guidance of our Canadian Observatory on Homelessness, the new centre will bring together experts, policy-makers, and local and international community partners to make a positive global impact on this urgent social issue.”

The Toronto Centre of Excellence will build on the work of the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness, which is based at York University. The observatory has conducted and mobilized homelessness research from across Canada and beyond for many years. It will assess the state of youth homelessness and prevention in the 56 member states of UNECE to help get youth homelessness and prevention onto public policy agendas.

“In the context of the pandemic, we can see the folly of ignoring the role of prevention in addressing major social and health crises,” said Gaetz. “The Centre of Excellence will help us mobilize our efforts to transform our response to homelessness to focus on prevention. Working with a range of international partners, the centre will provide a mechanism to collaborate internationally to understand how to effectively end homelessness, and youth homelessness in particular. This is a big opportunity.”

The new centre is part of a network of centres co-ordinated by UNECE with a mandate to engage in the exchange of research-based knowledge, experience and best practices to support implementation of the Geneva UN Charter on Sustainable Housing. The charter also places importance in gathering data on homelessness using common international standards to ensure comparability between member states; making these data and national statistics publicly available to support policy-making, research and economic development; and making use of global and regional data repositories to support the policy-making process.

“Through this partnership, we aim to raise the visibility of homelessness on the political agenda throughout our region,” said UNECE executive secretary Olga Algayerova. “The COVID-19 pandemic has bluntly showed that we cannot live up to our commitment to leave no one behind in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development if the human right to housing is not fully guaranteed for all.”

Designation as a Centre of Excellence will enable COH and A Way Home Canada to contribute to a broader effort to prevent homelessness among young people around the world through their Making the Shift project and related lessons learned. The research agenda of the observatory has been developed on the premise that realistic and practical solutions to homelessness exists and are possible, and that communities across Canada can achieve that end with the help of credible evidence, supportive policy and adequate funding frameworks.

“Another benefit of the Toronto Centre of Excellence is that it connects our work in Canada to realize housing as a human right to a broad network of international partners and researchers who are also grappling with this question,” said Redman, president of A Way Home Canada and co-director of the centre. “Our goal with the Toronto Centre of Excellence on Youth Homelessness Prevention is to support UNECE member states to have the knowledge they need to act boldly in the face of the injustice that is homelessness.”

UNECE will facilitate the work of the Centre of Excellence and the exchange of information, knowledge, and experience within the network as well as with relevant international and national organizations in the UNECE region, co-ordinating co-operation and exchange of experiences between the Centres of Excellence.

Vaccination will be required for students living in York’s residences

Featured image shows students walking

As a return to York’s campuses is planned for this fall, the health and safety of the community continues to be top priority. With COVID-19 vaccines expected to be widely available over the summer months, members of the York community will be eligible to receive their first and second doses.

Vaccines play an important role in protecting people and those around them and as such, York University is requiring all students living in residence for the 2021-22 academic year to be vaccinated. This requirement is supported by Toronto Public Health, as it is recognized that vaccines are a safe and effective way to protect those who come in contact with others, especially in shared spaces. Through this commitment to protecting health and safety, the goal is to help students return this Fall to the residence life experience they have come to know and expect.

This requirement is specific to students living in residence because of the close quarters shared and will not apply to students living off campus or in York University Apartments. Students who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons or on grounds protected under the Ontario Human Rights Code may request an exemption.

Students arriving from outside of Canada will be required to meet federal and provincial government quarantine requirements before moving into residence. The University will facilitate vaccines for all students who require them.

More details about this vaccine requirement are available in frequently asked questions on the Better Together website and will be shared directly with students who plan on living in residence this fall.

Please join the Town Hall on Thursday, June 17 at 3:15pm, for questions on this topic and the plans to safely return to York’s campuses this fall.

An update to the University community on Step 1 of the province’s Roadmap to Reopen plan

Vari Hall New Featured image

The following is a message to the York University community from Lisa Philipps, provost and vice-president academic, and Amir Asif, vice-president research & innovation: 

La version française suit la version anglaise.

Dear York Community,

The province officially moved into Step 1 of its Roadmap to Reopen on June 11. Based on an increasing pace of vaccinations and an improving public health situation, outdoor gatherings with up to 10 people will be permitted, with strict limitations on indoor gatherings. 

A preliminary review of this new step for York suggests that there are no major impacts posed to the University’s operations. The summer term will continue to be delivered for the most part remotely as planned, with the following in place:

  • Any required in-person instruction will continue to abide by the 10-person maximum gathering limitation, with an exemption of a maximum of 50 persons allowed in the School of Nursing. All indoor gatherings must abide by two-metre physical distancing, masking requirements and/or the proper use of PPE;
  • Students filming outdoors must abide by a 10-person outdoor gathering limit;
  • In-person research involving human participants continues to be suspended at this time; and
  • If you do need to come to campus, please request access through the Campus Access system or have pre-existing approval to access campus spaces. Completion of daily screening is also part of this process.

We continue to monitor the public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic and should any additional information about the impact of these current restrictions on campus activities come forward, it will be shared directly with affected students, staff, faculty and instructors.

Please join us at the next Town Hall on Thursday, June 17 at 3:15 p.m., for a conversation about our plans for the fall term and more. We look forward to seeing you there, and as always, please continue to visit the Better Together site for updates and information on our re-opening plans.

Sincerely,

Lisa Philipps
Provost & Vice-President Academic 

Amir Asif
Vice-President, Research & Innovation


Mise à jour sur la première phase de réouverture

Chers membres de la communauté de York, 

Aujourd’hui, le 11 juin, la province de l’Ontario entame officiellement la première phase de son Plan d’action pour le déconfinementCompte tenu de l’augmentation du rythme des vaccinations et de l’amélioration de la situation sanitaire, les rassemblements en plein air jusqu’à un maximum de 10 personnes seront autorisés, tandis que les rassemblements à l’intérieur seront strictement limités. 

Un examen préliminaire des implications de cette nouvelle étape pour York suggère qu’elle n’aura pas de répercussions majeures sur les opérations de l’Université. Le trimestre d’été se déroulera majoritairement à distance comme prévu, avec les mesures suivantes en place :

  • Tout enseignement en personne requis doit continuer de respecter la limite de 10 personnes, à l’exception de l’École des sciences infirmières où le nombre maximum de personnes autorisées sera de 50 personnes. Tous les rassemblements à l’intérieur doivent respecter les exigences relativement à la distanciation physique de 2 mètres, au port de couvre-visage et à l’usage approprié d’équipement de protection individuelle; 
  • Les étudiants qui tournent des films à l’extérieur doivent respecter la limite de 10 personnes pour les rassemblements en plein air; 
  • La recherche en personne impliquant des êtres humains continue d’être suspendue pour le moment; et 
  • Si vous avez besoin de venir sur le campus, vous devez demander une autorisation d’accès à l’aide du système Campus Access ou avoir une autorisation préalable d’accéder aux espaces du campus. Effectuer un dépistage quotidien fait également partie de ce processus; vous trouverez des conseils ici. 

Nous suivons de près la réponse de la santé publique à la pandémie de COVID-19; quand des informations supplémentaires concernant l’impact de ces restrictions actuelles sur les activités du campus seront disponibles, elles seront partagées directement avec la population étudiante et les membres concernés du personnel, du corps professoral et du corps enseignant. 

Nous vous invitons à assister à la prochaine conversation communautaire qui aura lieu le jeudi 17 juin à 15 h 15 pour en savoir plus sur nos plans pour le trimestre d’automne et au-delà. Nous avons hâte de vous y voir. Comme toujours, continuez à visiter le site Web Better Together pour des nouvelles et pour de l’information sur nos plans de réouverture.  

Veuillez agréer nos sincères salutations,

Lisa Philipps
Rectrice et vice-présidente aux affaires académiques  

Amir Asif
Vice-président de la recherche et de l’innovation

Join the York community for a virtual town hall on June 17

Vari pond

President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda L. Lenton sends this invitation to the University community:

La version française suit la version anglaise.

Dear colleagues,

We are pleased to announce that we will be holding another virtual town hall on Thursday, June 17, where we will discuss the University’s plans for a return to on-campus activities in the fall and address questions from our community members.

We invite all students, staff, course instructors, and faculty to attend and submit any questions in advance of the event using this form. You can also visit the updated YU Better Together FAQs page for answers to frequently asked questions about return to campus plans.

Date: Thursday, June 17

Time: 3:15 p.m.

Zoom Webinar: yorku.zoom.us/j/94117655268?pwd=QnNsRUNqdjNkbW9KSE1jM1Ftc3JpZz09

Webinar ID: 941 1765 5268

Telephone dial-in: 647-374-4685

Password: 956873 

Link to livestream: youtu.be/ernNfNygP5Q

To help answer your questions, I will be joined by:

  • Lisa Philipps, vice-president academic and provost;
  • Amir Asif, vice-president research and innovation;
  • Sheila Cote-Meek, vice-president equity, people and culture;
  • Lucy Fromowitz, vice-provost students; and
  • Parissa Safai, special adviser to the president for academic continuity planning and COVID-19 response, and associate professor, School of Kinesiology and Health Science.

If you have any accessibility needs, notes or comments, please let us know.

We will be hosting this town hall via the video conferencing platform Zoom Webinar. You can learn about downloading and using Zoom here. The webinar will also be livestreamed on the town hall website.

You can add the town hall to your Outlook calendar using the attached .ics file.

If you have attended a past town hall, we would like your feedback through this short survey. If you were unable to attend previous town halls, you can access all of them here.

The latest community updates, resources and answers to frequently asked questions can always be found on our YU Better Together website.

I look forward to your questions.

Sincerely,

Rhonda L. Lenton
President and Vice-Chancellor


Joignez-vous à la conversation communautaire virtuelle de York le 17 juin

Chers collègues,

Nous avons le plaisir de vous annoncer que nous organiserons une autre conversation communautaire virtuelle le jeudi 17 juin, durant laquelle nous discuterons des plans de l’Université pour le retour des activités sur nos campus à l’automne et nous répondrons aux questions des membres de notre communauté.

Nous invitons la population étudiante et les membres du personnel, du corps enseignant et du corps professoral à se joindre à nous et nous les encourageons à soumettre leurs questions à l’avance à l’aide de ce formulaire. Vous pouvez également visiter la foire aux questions (FAQ) du site YU Better Together pour voir des réponses aux questions fréquemment posées au sujet du retour sur le campus.

Date : Jeudi 17 juin 2021

Heure : 15 h 15 

Zoom Webinar : https://yorku.zoom.us/j/94117655268?pwd=QnNsRUNqdjNkbW9KSE1jM1Ftc3JpZz09

Code du webinaire : 941 1765 5268

Numéro de téléphone : 647-374-4685

Mot de passe : 956873 

Lien pour la diffusion en direct : https://youtu.be/ernNfNygP5Q 

Pour m’aider à répondre à vos questions, je serai accompagnée de :

  • Lisa Philipps, vice-présidente aux affaires académiques et rectrice
  • Amir Asif, vice-président de la recherche et de l’innovation
  • Sheila Cote-Meek, vice-présidente de l’équité, des personnes et de la culture
  • Lucy Fromowitz, vice-rectrice aux affaires étudiantes
  • Parissa Safai, conseillère spéciale de la présidente pour la planification de la continuité académique et la réponse à la COVID-19 et professeure agrégée de l’École de kinésiologie et des sciences de la santé

Si vous avez des besoins, des remarques ou des commentaires en matière d’accessibilité, veuillez nous le faire savoir. 

Cette conversation communautaire aura lieu grâce à la plateforme de visioconférence Zoom Webinar. Vous pouvez télécharger Zoom et apprendre à vous en servir ici. Le webinaire sera également diffusé en direct sur le site Web des conversations communautaires. 

Vous pouvez ajouter la conversation communautaire à votre calendrier Outlook à l’aide du fichier .ics en pièce jointe.

Si vous avez déjà assisté à une conversation communautaire, nous aimerions connaître votre opinion avec ce bref sondage. Si vous n’avez pas pu assister aux conversations précédentes, elles sont affichées ici.

Vous trouverez les dernières mises à jour, ressources et réponses aux questions fréquemment posées sur notre site Web YU Better Together.

J’attends vos questions avec impatience.

Sincères salutations,

Rhonda L. Lenton
Présidente et vice-chancelière 

A statement from President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda L. Lenton on the attack in London, Ont.

Flag at half mast Keele campus FEATURED
Flag at half mast Keele campus FEATURED

President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda L. Lenton issued the following statement on Tuesday, June 8:

La version française suit la version anglaise.

On behalf of the entire York University community, I want to extend my deepest condolences to the family, loved ones and friends of the five family members who were intentionally struck down by a driver in London, Ont., in a horrific and hateful act of violence.

York unequivocally opposes all manners of hate and discrimination, and does not tolerate racist expressions in any form. This recent tragedy affects us all deeply.

York stands with the people of London, Ont., and with members of the Muslim community at York, and across Canada, at this difficult time. We must never become complacent about hate and racism in society.

Supports are available to the York community through the Mental Health and Wellness site, the Employee & Family Assistance Program, and Student Counselling, Health & Well-Being.


Message de la présidente et vice-chancelière, Rhonda Lenton, au sujet de l’attaque à London (Ontario)

Au nom de toute la communauté de l’Université York, je tiens à présenter mes sincères condoléances à la famille, aux proches et aux amis des cinq personnes fauchées intentionnellement par un conducteur à London (Ontario), dans un acte de violence épouvantable et haineux.  

York condamne sans équivoque toute forme de haine et de discrimination et ne tolère aucune expression de racisme. Cette tragédie récente nous affecte tous profondément.  

York est solidaire des habitants de London (Ontario) et des membres de la communauté musulmane de York et du Canada tout entier durant ces moments difficiles. Nous ne devons jamais faire preuve de complaisance vis-à-vis de la haine et du racisme dans la société.  

Des ressources de soutien sont à la disposition des membres de la communauté de York sur le site Mental Health and Wellness at York, dans le cadre du programme d’aide aux employés et à la famille, et des services Student Counselling, Health & Well-Being. 

A statement from President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda L. Lenton and Vice-President Equity, People & Culture Sheila Cote-Meek on Pride Month

The pride flag

The pride flag

June is Pride Month, an opportunity to celebrate and recognize the contributions of 2SLGBTQIA communities and to reflect on the ways we can continue to support equal rights for all and to challenge homophobia, biphobia and transphobia.

York University is dedicated to fostering the values of equity, diversity and inclusion. Our University Academic Plan 2020–2025: Building a Better Future identifies Living Well Together as one of our six priorities for action and makes a formal commitment to ensuring that all members of our community feel welcome, and have a sense of belonging, common purpose and shared responsibility.

We are grateful for the significant contributions 2SLGBTQIA communities have made toward making York — and our local and global communities — safer and more positive spaces for all, and we remain committed to supporting this work, and to creating and maintaining an accessible, affirming and inclusive teaching, learning and work environment for all of our community members.

We encourage everyone at York to take the time to acknowledge and celebrate the experiences, contributions and successes of our 2SLGBTQIA community members by participating in the many virtual initiatives and events taking place at York this month, and by continuing to learn about the experiences of 2SLGBTQIA communities throughout the year.

York has created a website that lists the events and celebrations happening throughout Pride Month, shares stories about the accomplishments and contributions of members of the York 2SLGBTQIA community, highlights important research happening across the University and provides resources for further reading.

On behalf of everyone at York, we would like to thank our 2SLGBTQIA community members for their tremendous contributions both on and off our campuses and wish everyone — and their loved ones — a very happy Pride.

Sincerely,

Rhonda L. Lenton
President and Vice-Chancellor

Sheila Cote-Meek
Vice-President, Equity, People & Culture


Déclaration de la présidente et vice-chancelière, Rhonda Lenton, et de la vice-présidente de l’équité, des personnes et de la culture, Sheila Cote-Meek au sujet du Mois de la Fierté

Le mois de juin est le Mois de la Fierté. C’est l’occasion de célébrer et de reconnaître les contributions des communautés 2ELGBTQIA et de réfléchir à des façons de continuer à appuyer l’égalité des droits pour tous et à lutter contre l’homophobie, la biphobie et la transphobie.

L’Université York s’engage à promouvoir les valeurs d’équité, de diversité et d’inclusion. Dans notre Plan académique de l’Université 2020-2025 : Bâtir un avenir meilleur, Bien vivre ensemble fait partie de nos six priorités d’action; c’est un appel solennel à faire en sorte que tous les membres de notre communauté se sentent bienvenus et éprouvent un sentiment d’appartenance, d’objectif commun et de responsabilité partagée.

Nous sommes reconnaissants envers les communautés 2ELGBTQIA qui ont contribué à faire de York — et de nos communautés locales et mondiales ­— des espaces plus sécuritaires et positifs pour tous; nous poursuivons nos efforts dans ce sens pour créer et maintenir un environnement d’enseignement, d’apprentissage et de travail accessible, accueillant et inclusif pour notre communauté.

Nous encourageons tous les membres de la communauté de York à prendre le temps de reconnaître et de célébrer les expériences, les contributions et les succès des membres de notre communauté 2ESLGBTQIA en participant aux nombreuses initiatives et événements virtuels qui auront lieu à York ce mois-ci et en continuant à s’informer sur les expériences des communautés 2ELGBTQIA tout au long de l’année.

York a créé un site Web qui répertorie les événements et les célébrations se déroulant tout au long du Mois de la Fierté, qui partage des témoignages au sujet des réalisations et des contributions des membres de la communauté 2SLGBTQIA de York, qui souligne les recherches importantes dans toute l’Université et qui fournit des suggestions de lecture.

Au nom de nous tous à York, nous tenons à remercier les membres de notre communauté 2ELGBTQIA pour leurs contributions remarquables, tant sur nos campus qu’au-delà, et nous souhaitons à tout le monde une excellente célébration de la Fierté.

Veuillez agréer nos sincères salutations,

Rhonda L. Lenton
Présidente et vice-chancelière

Sheila Cote-Meek
Vice-présidente de l’équité, des personnes et de la culture

Faculty and students encouraged to speak up about their York experience in Maclean’s annual survey

Keele campus Fall image showing the Bergeron Centre for Engineering Excellence

Senior administrators, faculty and students are being encouraged to voice their opinion about York University by participating in the 2022 Maclean’s national university surveys. The Canadian news magazine uses the survey results to help compile its annual university rankings report, considered to be one of the most influential publications for prospective students to use when deciding their school of choice.

The rankings are derived from responses received from their Reputational Survey, which canvases the opinions of university faculty and senior administrators, as well as businesspeople from across Canada. The Reputational Survey will be available to qualified participants to complete until September 2021. The other component of the rankings comes from the responses received from the Student Survey. Current students are polled about their university experience and satisfaction in areas such as teaching, learning and the student experience, mental health services, sexual violence prevention, academic advising, and student and residence life. It is available to all students wishing to complete it until September 2021.

In the 2021 Maclean’s University Rankings, York University placed No. 6 in the overall rankings for comprehensive schools, moving up one spot from the 2020 rankings when it was No. 7. In the same rankings, York was No. 20 out of 49 Canadian universities in the reputational ranking and No. 13 out of 15 comprehensive schools for student satisfaction.

Lisa Philipps
Lisa Philipps

“The Maclean’s University Ranking is an important source used by many students to decide on their university of choice. The complications imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic and remote learning have made this year tough for students who are making this key decision about their future,” said Provost and Vice-President Academic Lisa Philipps. “York University is encouraging faculty and senior administrators to complete the Reputational Survey to help highlight to prospective students the many advantages associated with choosing York University.”

York continues to make it a priority to support its students, staff, instructors and faculty members. Philipps highlighted York University’s commitment to student success through its proactive measures to enhance access to critical technology and services, and to improve delivery of remote learning in the pandemic. The University also provided a range of supports to help instructors adapt their courses while balancing family and work responsibilities.

A key strategic investment in the Student Systems Renewal Program (SSRP) is focused directly on building faculty and student satisfaction. The SSRP is the largest information technology project in the history of York University. It is a digital and technological transformation program that will enable the University to significantly improve the supports and services provided to students, faculty and staff.

As well, the University’s new academic plan, Building a Better Future, is focused on bringing students, faculty, instructors and researchers together to work towards this common goal across six priority areas. York’s commitment to creating positive change was once again reflected in its ranking in the top six per cent of universities globally for contributions to the UN Sustainable Development Goals in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings.

York University is also investing $20 million in a Classroom Renewal Program, which is in response to the needs of students and the academic community. The renewed classrooms provide 21st-century sustainability, updated audiovisual technology and/or equipment, furniture, finishes, lighting, heating and air conditioning.

To further enhance student satisfaction, York University has established SAVY, an artificial intelligence-based bilingual student virtual assistant for student advising, student life and career development. SAVY has proven to be extremely popular with students. In 2020, SAVY had more than 50,000 conversations and 120,000 messages from 20,000 students.

Amir Asif
Amir Asif

From a research perspective, York University has much to be proud of, said Vice-President Research and Innovation Amir Asif. “York University has played an important role in navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. The University is proud of its researchers and graduate students, who despite the closure of most on-campus facilities, continued their research activities to the best of their abilities,” said Asif. “Our research enterprise remains active and, in terms of research funding, we had a highly successful 2020-21 year.

“In COVID-related areas, for example, York spearheaded several initiatives, including the One Health Network for the Global Governance of Infectious Diseases and Antimicrobial Resistance for $2.5 million, led by professors Mary Wiktorowicz and Sean Hillier, and the pan-Canadian Emerging Infectious Disease Modelling network – Mathematics for Public Health for $3 million, co-led by Professor Jianhong Wu and University of Toronto Professor V. Kumar Murty.”

The University is also celebrating new research infrastructure that positions both researchers and students as global leaders. “We are excited about our new, state-of-the-art telescope installed in the Allan I. Carswell Observatory on the Keele Campus, which is the most advanced of its kind in Canada. We thank our researchers for their patience and look forward to the full resumption of on-campus research activities for which plans are in place for implementation as soon as the COVID-19 situation permits,” added Asif.

Globally, there is a high regard for the quality of research undertaken at York University. This is demonstrated in the 2020 QS World University Rankings that ranked York’s research output as “very high.” Researchers at York University have, for the past seven years, ranked first in Ontario for global collaborative research publications. Nearly 60 per cent of York’s publications have international co-authorship, according to SciVal 2019-20. More than $100 million in research grants and awards was earned by York researchers 2018-19.

A statement on National Indigenous Month and the discovery at the Kamloops Indian Residential School

Flag at half mast Keele campus FEATURED
Flag at half mast Keele campus FEATURED

The following is a statement that was issued on Monday, May 31 from President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda L. Lenton, Vice-President Equity, People and Culture Sheila Cote-Meek, and the Indigenous Council at York University on National Indigenous History Month and the discovery last week of the mass grave of 215 Indigenous children at the Kamloops Indian Residential School:

Each June, we mark National Indigenous History Month to celebrate the history, heritage and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in Canada. National Indigenous Peoples Day is June 21 every year. It is a day to recognize the outstanding contributions, unique heritage and cultures of First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples.

The discovery last week of the mass grave of 215 Indigenous children at the Kamloops Indian Residential School – located on the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation – is a tragic reminder that this history is still felt today through intergenerational trauma and that there is still a long road towards reconciliation.

York University offers condolences to the Indigenous community. Beginning today, flags will be lowered to half-mast for 215 hours to remember the 215 children who never returned home from Kamloops Indian Residential School and all victims and survivors of the Residential School system. We also encourage members of the York community to observe a moment of silence at 2:15 p.m. today, Monday, May 31, to reflect on the impacts of Residential Schools on Indigenous communities and the actions we can take towards reconciliation.

Increasing understanding and awareness is one step we can all take. We know the work of reconciliation is ongoing and requires a concerted effort. We encourage York community members to learn more about the history of Residential Schools and its impact, as well as take up the Indigenous Framework for York University: A Guide to Action, which helps guide us as we move forward.

There are a variety of supports available to the York community listed on the Mental Health and Wellness site and through the Employee & Family Assistance Program.

Supports specific to the York Indigenous community are also available through the Centre for Indigenous Student Services. Additionally, a 24-hour National Indian Residential School Crisis Line is available to provide support for former Residential School students at 1-866-925-4419.

Members of the York community can show their support by:

  • circulating talk lines;
  • holding solidarity vigils; and
  • joining the Anishinabek Nation by placing a teddy bear on their front porches at 6 p.m. tonight and leaving porch lights on.

We encourage all members of the York University community to take pause – at the beginning of National Indigenous History Month – to reflect on the ongoing impact of the Residential School system and the resulting trauma. Anyone wishing to make a donation can find information at the Indigenous Residential School Survivors Society.

We share sincere condolences and heartfelt wishes for reconciliation and healing with the Indigenous Peoples of Canada, and especially the York Indigenous community.

Sincerely,

Rhonda Lenton
President and Vice-Chancellor

Sheila Cote-Meek
Vice-President, Equity, People and Culture

The Indigenous Council at York University

York PhD’s research opens important conversations about men’s sexuality after spinal cord injury

Many health care providers lack confidence in their skill and ability to discuss sexuality and intimacy concerns with men who have experienced a spinal cord injury. This is one of the key findings of a comprehensive study of sexuality in men with spinal cord injury undertaken by newly minted York PhD Jacqueline Kathnelson.

Jacqueline Kathnelson
Jacqueline Kathnelson

Working under the supervision of Faculty of Health Professors William GageChristine Kurtz Landy and Hala Tamin, and Brock University Kinesiology Professor David Ditor, Kathnelson interviewed men between the ages of 18 and 50 who have experienced a spinal cord injury to learn more about the kinds of supports they need to move forward with their lives. Informed by insights gained from the interviews, Kathnelson developed a survey to further assess 65 different aspects of sexuality identified in the interviews.

Using the Delphi Method, multiple rounds of the survey were completed by men living with a spinal cord injury to reach a consensus on those aspects. A similar survey was then delivered to health care providers treating men with spinal cord injury who also completed multiple rounds of the survey to reach a consensus on those aspects. She used the findings from the surveys to develop an agreement on what is needed to effectively address concerns of both patients and their health care providers on the topic of sexuality following spinal cord injury.

Through this comprehensive approach, Kathnelson established a much-needed 360-degree view of what men and their health care providers need to consider in order to have an open, thoughtful conversation about sexuality and intimacy following a spinal cord injury. Her work has effectively removed taboos around the topic and revealed important considerations that will help men with this devastating injury lead full and vital lives.

“The men who participated in the research said that their health care providers are not talking to them about sexuality,” said Kathnelson, who recently defended her dissertation on the subject. “So, it is easy to assume that health care providers don’t think that sexuality is a priority for these patients.

“However, it has been established across the literature that sexuality and intimacy are priorities for patients. I would say that based on the research that health care providers aren’t addressing sexuality because they don’t have the skills to discuss sexuality after spinal cord injury. They don’t know how to discuss it or tackle intimacy concerns because they haven’t been trained.”

Kathnelson says that for many health care providers, it is difficult for them to know whose role it is to address sexuality with men after a spinal cord injury and they are not confident enough to have those important conversations with their patients. Uncertainty is amplified as treatment and support of patients with spinal cord injury requires a vast, multi-disciplinary team. “There needs to be health care education for all members of the health care team working with these patients, it is not a role for just one health care provider,” she says.

A man sits in a wheelchair
Jacqueline Kathnelson’s research will assist in developing an improved protocol for clinicians and researchers to use when discussing sexuality and intimacy following spinal cord injury

A psychologist, says Kathnelson, might discuss body image issues and how that affects sexuality after a spinal cord injury. A fertility specialist could talk to a patient about certain aspects of sexual function after a spinal cord injury and how it relates to having children, while a medical doctor should look at giving patients medications and guidance on how to safely use the medications. An occupational therapist, physiotherapist or nurse could discuss positioning during sex and different adaptive things that men can undertake. “Everyone needs to play a role and have sexual health included in their education and training,” says Kathnelson. “It also needs to be a part of their job description to talk about sexuality as it relates to their health care specialty.”

Another important finding that came out of her research was that for many of the men who took part in the surveys, there was a deep and impactful shift in the perspective and meaning of sexuality from being a physical act to an evolved significance where it was more important to be connected emotionally and psychologically with their partners. “It was important to the men to experience the intimacy, psychological and emotional aspects of sexuality,” she says, noting that this shift needs to be included in health care provider training.

“It is extremely difficult to look at sexuality holistically when dealing with spinal cord injury because in a sensory perspective, the brain is literally disconnected from the body,” she observes, adding that this aspect has changed her perspective.

Any protocol or recommendations for multidisciplinary teams treating men with spinal cord injury should be developed in partnership with the patients, says Kathnelson. “Many of the results from the men’s Delphi surveys in comparison to the health care providers’ Delphi surveys revealed that aspects of sexuality that health care providers considered to be very important were not really important to the men.

“When we are developing education plans and delivering programs, both the materials and programs need to be co-created with the patients so that they are receiving useful information,” she says. By comparing the results of the surveys, Kathnelson was able to identify the gaps that need to be filled so that there is an alignment between health care providers and patients. “Health care providers will be able to support their patients because they will have a better understanding of their needs.”

Over the past year, Kathnelson has published her findings in three separate papers in leading journals. Each of papers addresses a different aspect of sexuality and intimacy concerns in men with a spinal cord injury. “Examining the psychological and emotional experience of sexuality for men after spinal cord injury” was published in Cogent Psychology. The paper “Supporting sexual adjustment from the perspective of men living with spinal cord injury” was published in Spinal Cord, a publication available on nature.com. “Utilizing the Delphi Method to Assess Issues of Sexuality for Men Living with Spinal Cord Injury” can be found in the journal Sexuality and Disability.

By Jenny Pitt-Clark, YFile editor

A statement from President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda L. Lenton on the Israel-Gaza conflict

Drone image shows Vari Hall and the Ross Building on Keele Campus

The following is an important message to the University community from President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda L. Lenton:

La version française suit la version anglaise.

The conflict in Israel and Gaza has caused concern and distress for many members of the York community, including concern for their own safety and that of their loved ones, with increasingly charged and polarized rhetoric proliferated online and through social media.  

York University unequivocally opposes all manners of hate and discrimination, including anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, and does not tolerate racist expressions in any form. The acts of violence we have witnessed – abroad and here at home – affect us all deeply and we remain committed to protecting the safety and well-being of our community members. 

The issues in this conflict are complex and long-standing. We must take care to ensure that the criticism of the governing bodies of Israel or Gaza does not become an excuse to demonize the Jewish community or Palestinians.   

At York, we are committed to cultivating spaces – both physical and virtual – where people are safe to express their opinions and participate in productive and respectful debate. With work such as our Initiative on Open and Respectful Dialogue, we continue our efforts to ensure that York is a community free of harassment, intimidation, threats, disruption or acts of violence. We can be passionate about our views while respecting the dignity and humanity of those with opinions that differ from our own. 

As members of this community, it is up to all of us to demonstrate the leadership needed to create a safe and inclusive teaching, learning and work environment that values debate over division, and education over confrontation. Universities provide an increasingly rare forum where difficult issues can be explored and solutions to the world’s complex issues can be found. We cannot fulfill that role unless everyone can feel secure expressing their views. 

Sincerely,

Rhonda L. Lenton
President and Vice-Chancellor


Déclaration de la présidente et vice-chancelière Rhonda Lenton au sujet du conflit Israël-Gaza

Le conflit qui déchire Israël et Gaza est une source de préoccupation et de désarroi chez de nombreux membres de la communauté de York qui s’inquiètent pour leur sécurité et celle de leurs proches, tandis qu’une rhétorique de plus en plus chargée et polarisée prolifère en ligne et sur les médias sociaux.  

L’Université York s’oppose catégoriquement à toute forme de haine et de discrimination, y compris l’antisémitisme et l’islamophobie, et ne tolère aucune expression de sentiments racistes. Les actes de violence dont nous avons été témoins – à l’étranger et dans notre pays – nous affectent profondément et nous restons déterminés à assurer la sécurité et le bien-être des membres de notre communauté.  

Les enjeux de ce conflit sont complexes et remontent à longtemps. Nous devons veiller à ce que la critique des instances dirigeantes d’Israël ou de Gaza ne devienne pas une excuse pour diaboliser la communauté juive ou les Palestiniens.

À York, nous nous engageons à créer des espaces – tant physiques que virtuels – dans lesquels tout le monde peut exprimer son opinion en toute sécurité et participer à des débats productifs et respectueux. Grâce à des actions comme notre Initiative pour un dialogue ouvert et respectueux, nous poursuivons nos efforts pour faire en sorte que York soit une communauté exempte de harcèlement, d’intimidation, de menaces, de perturbations ou d’actes de violence. Nous pouvons avoir des opinions passionnées tout en respectant la dignité et l’humanité de personnes ayant des perspectives différentes des nôtres.

En tant que membres de cette communauté, il nous appartient de faire preuve du leadership nécessaire pour offrir un environnement d’enseignement, d’apprentissage et de travail sécuritaire et inclusif qui donne la priorité au débat plutôt qu’à la division et à l’éducation plutôt qu’à la confrontation. Les universités représentent un forum de plus en plus précieux pour explorer des questions difficiles et trouver des solutions aux problèmes complexes de la planète. Nous pouvons seulement remplir ce rôle si chaque personne se sent en sécurité pour exprimer son point de vue. 

Veuillez agréer mes sincères salutations,  

Rhonda L. Lenton
Présidente et vice-chancelière