President Rhonda Lenton congratulates the York University Class of 2020
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President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton
The following is a message from York University President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda L. Lenton to the York University Class of 2020 for this special edition of YFile.
Dear Graduates,
On behalf of all of us at York University, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the Class of 2020!
President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton
The pursuit of a university degree requires talent, dedication and countless hours of hard work and sacrifice. York is an institution that believes that learning is something done in the service of a higher goal – bettering ourselves, enriching our communities and transforming the world. You are all champions of these values.
We are living through extraordinary times, and it is normal to feel worried or unsure about the future. I want you to know that your time as a York University student has prepared you to succeed in an uncertain world. In the past few months, you have demonstrated incredible resilience as you finished your programs in the face of a global crisis. And as we emerge from the pandemic, the world will need your knowledge, skills and talent more than ever.
What differentiates York and our graduates is a commitment to driving positive change. Whatever you choose to do next, I know that you will use your drive and intelligence to address the complex challenges facing our society and to improve the lives of others.
Like many of you, I was the first of my family to graduate from university, and I know how important it was to have my loved ones watch me cross the stage and receive my degree. When it is safe to do so once again, the University will invite you to do the same as we celebrate you and the friends, family, and supporters who motivated you and helped you along the way.
Congratulations once again on this important milestone. I wish you the best for continued success and growth, and I encourage you to stay engaged with the York community. We cannot wait to see what you do next.
Sincerely,
Rhonda L. Lenton
President & Vice-Chancellor
Three graduate students earn Governor General’s Gold Medal awards for academic excellence
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Three York University graduates are this year’s recipients of a Governor General’s Gold Medal, awarded for achieving the highest academic standing. The medals are the most prestigious recognition presented to graduate students. This year’s recipients are Siobhan Angus, Athina Peidou and Stephanie Raposo.
Awarded by the Governor General of Canada, the Governor General’s Academic Medals recognize the outstanding scholastic achievements of students in Canada. They are awarded to the student graduating with the highest average from approved university programs – gold medals at the graduate level and silver medals at the undergraduate level.
“The Governor General’s Gold Medals are a recognition not only of academic excellence, but of the many contributions these graduates have made to enriching their respective fields of study and life at York,” said President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda L. Lenton. “The entire York community is extremely proud of Stephanie, Siobhan and Athina, and we wish them the very best in their future endeavours.”
About the recipients
Siobhan Angus
Siobhan Angus earned a PhD in art history and visual culture from York University, with a dissertation on the visual culture of resource extraction in Canada with a focus on visual archives, labour history and environmental justice.
“Receiving the Governor General’s Gold Medal is a great honour and validates the direction and nature of my research interests,” said Angus. “I am grateful for the recognition of my research, which was made possible from the support of the wonderful community at York.”
Angus credits the faculty, staff and students in the art history and visual culture program for helping her to develop and refine her research program – in particular, her advisor Sarah Parsons. York, she said, provided her with essential support for fieldwork and conference travel. Angus was also the recipient of the Susan Mann Dissertation Scholarship, which allowed her to focus on research and writing.
“Due to the interdisciplinary nature of my project and York’s commitment to environmental studies, York was the right choice to develop my research in environmental art history,” she said.
Next year, Angus will be a Banting Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of the History of Art at Yale University, the William H. Helfand Visual Culture Program Fellow at The Library Company of Philadelphia, and a visiting scholar at the Yale Center for British Art.
Athina Peidou
Earth and Space Science and Engineering PhD student Athina Peidou has made incredible strides with her research focused on satellite-based gravity field maps.
In 2020, Peidou discovered the solution to a problem that has occupied the international scientific community for more than 18 years. Co-written by her supervisor Professor Spiros Pagiatakis, Peidou’s published her findings in the paper “Stripe mystery in GRACE geopotential models revealed” in the journal Geophysical Research Letters.
“This award recognizes our scientific discovery on rooting the cause of the disturbing thick lines shown in satellite-based gravity field maps, which obscure geophysical signals. I look at this award as a reminder that we should always do our best regardless of the challenges, the great effort and commitment it takes to achieve our goals,” said Peidou.
In 2019, she earned the International Association of Geodesy Young Authors Award for her work on the paper titled “On the feasibility of using satellite gravity observations for detecting large-scale solid mass transfer events” published in the Journal of Geodesy.
Peidou credits her success to her decision to pursue studies at York University.
“Undoubtedly, it was one of the best choices of my life to do my PhD at York U and work with my supervisor, Dr. Spiros Pagiatakis. His exceptional supervision in combination with the York U community made my grad life experience memorable,” she said. “York University feels like home to me.”
Peidou will start work in the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory as a research Fellow where she will be working on the GRACE space gravity mission.
“I am very excited to continue doing research on one of the most useful space missions in the field of climate change,” she said.
Stephanie Raposo
Stephanie Raposo earned a PhD in social and personality psychology, doing researching under the supervision of Professor Amy Muise in the Sexual Health and Relationships (SHaRe) Lab. Her research focused on implicit theories of sexual satisfaction and how couples can sustain intimate connections.
“I am grateful for the special honour of receiving a Governor General’s Gold Medal. For me, this medal reflects the value of research on relationships and sexuality,” she said. “This recognition motivates me to continue learning and disseminating more of what I am passionate about: how committed couples can maintain their relationship and sexual well-being, especially in the face of sexual challenges.”
Raposo says the medal is also reflective of the incredible mentorship she received from Muise, and the support she received from faculty and students in the Psychology Department and the SHaRe Lab.
Raposo says she chose to pursue graduate studies at York University because of its innovative and collaborative research community that features ongoing discussions of recent research findings and new directions, as well as several initiatives for funding and promoting cutting-edge programs of research.
“The encouragement I have received thus far has made my experience even more fulfilling than I could have imagined, and I am grateful for the opportunities that I have had to become immersed in the academic community at York University,” she said.
She plans to continue working on her dissertation research, which draws on implicit theories of sexual satisfaction – people’s lay beliefs about how to maintain a satisfying sexual relationship – and attribution theories in psychology to investigate novel questions about how couples can sustain their intimate connections, even when experiencing declines in sexual desire.
About the awards
For more than 140 years, the Governor General’s Academic Medals have recognized the outstanding scholastic achievements of students in Canada. They are awarded to the student graduating with the highest average from a high school, as well as from approved college or university programs. Pierre Trudeau, Tommy Douglas, Kim Campbell, Robert Bourassa, Robert Stanfield and Gabrielle Roy are just some of the more than 50,000 people who have received the Governor General’s Academic Medal as the start of a life of accomplishment.
Today, the Governor General’s Academic Medals are awarded at four distinct levels: Bronze, at the secondary school level; Collegiate Bronze, at the post-secondary, diploma level; Silver, at the undergraduate level; and Gold, at the graduate level. Medals are presented on behalf of the Governor General by participating educational institutions, along with personalized certificates signed by the Governor General. There is no monetary award associated with the medal.
Schulich receives $5M gift to establish Centre of Excellence in Health Management and Leadership
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York University’s Schulich School of Business earlier this week announced the establishment of the Centre of Excellence in Health Management and Leadership, made possible by a $5-million donation from the Krembil Foundation and Schulich graduate Robert Krembil (MBA ’71, Hon LLD ’00), a name synonymous with health care philanthropy in Canada.
Robert Krembil
The newly established Centre of Excellence in Health Management and Leadership will become a leading global hub of industry outreach, education and research at Schulich. The Centre will combine academic excellence in degree programs and executive training together with substantial scholarship support and collaborative research on leadership opportunities in the health sector.
Since 2003, Schulich has been developing future industry leaders in the health sector through its Health Industry Management Program. One of the world’s largest and fastest-growing industries, the health sector is facing unprecedented change driven by the emergence and adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), business analytics, virtual care, rising costs and new delivery models.
Krembil is president of Chiefswood Holdings and its subsidiaries, as well as chairman of the Krembil Foundation. He is a member of the Schulich School of Business Dean’s Advisory Council and is honorary patron of York University’s Impact Campaign. In recognition of his generosity, Krembil was honoured with the York University Bryden Alumni Awards for Outstanding Contribution in 2019. He is also the recipient of a Schulich Alumni Recognition Award for Outstanding Executive Leadership in 2005 and an honorary doctorate of laws from York University in 2000.
In 2001, Krembil had the bold vision to fund a groundbreaking, high-value scholarship program at his alma mater. The Krembil Scholars Program contributed to the School’s recruitment efforts, success in global rankings, and global reputation while setting a gold standard for financial aid support in education across the country. To date, more than 100 students, known as the Krembil Scholars, have benefited from renewable scholarships that cover full tuition costs and living subsidies, providing students unparalleled access to the educational opportunities and learning experiences required to become the global business leaders of tomorrow.
Through the Krembil Foundation, the family has generously donated more than $12 million to the Schulich School of Business and York University, including funding for the Krembil Scholars Program.
“We are pleased to support this new Schulich program that will produce future leaders for our very large and important health care sector,” said Krembil.
Rhonda L. Lenton, president and vice-chancellor of York University noted that this new donation will make a tremendous impact.
“Robert Krembil and the Krembil Foundation have been leading supporters of York University and the Schulich School of Business for many years,” said Lenton. “We are incredibly grateful for their longstanding support and thank them for this new transformational donation that will fund innovative research, teaching and student support. With their generous gift, we will continue to make a positive change in the local and global communities we serve by building on our established strength in health management.”
“We wish to thank Robert Krembil and the Krembil Foundation for their generous gift and their invaluable support over the past two decades,” said former Schulich Dean Dezsö J. Horváth. “The new Centre of Excellence in Health Management and Leadership will become a leading global hub in the vitally important health sector. Today, more than ever before, the health sector needs dynamic, forward-looking leaders to propel the industry forward into a sustainable future.”
The gift is part of Schulich’s Leading Change Campaign, the school’s most comprehensive and ambitious fundraising and alumni engagement campaign to date and part of Impact: The Campaign for York University. Under the leadership of Horváth and the Leading Change Campaign Cabinet, the school raised more than $65 million as of the end of May 2020.
York welcomes new Schulich Dean Detlev Zwick
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Detlev Zwick
Detlev Zwick officially assumes the role of interim dean of the Schulich School of Business July 1 after former Dean Dezsö J. Horváth’s 32-year tenure concluded on June 30. Zwick becomes the school’s eighth dean in its 54-year history.
Detlev Zwick
Zwick has been a full-time Schulich faculty member since 2002. He served as director of Schulich’s BBA/iBBA Program from 2013-18 and most recently served as the school’s associate dean of academics since 2018. He also led the school’s rapid transition to online learning in March, following the provincial government’s mandatory closure of all post-secondary college and university campuses.
“Professor Zwick has already demonstrated outstanding leadership in his various roles at Schulich, and I know he will continue to do so as interim dean,” said York University President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda L. Lenton. “I am very grateful for his willingness to undertake this role, and I look forward to working with him to continue advancing Schulich’s mission in providing world-class business education.”
“I’m honoured to serve as the new dean of the Schulich School of Business,” said Zwick. “I look forward to working with all of our school’s key stakeholders – our students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors and advisors – as we build on the legacy left behind by former Dean Dezsö Horváth and work together to strengthen Schulich’s reputation for excellence in management education.”
In addition to serving as dean of Schulich, Zwick is a member of the York University Senate and currently represents the school on the Senate Executive Committee. He also serves on the Joint Committee on Affirmative Action.
Zwick holds a PhD in marketing from the University of Rhode Island, as well as master’s degrees from the University of Memphis and the University of Cologne/Université de Montpellier. His research explores modern marketing practices and new forms of consumer surveillance, capture and manipulation. It has been published widely in marketing, communication, media culture and sociology journals, as well as in several edited collections.
Glendon signs MOU for French as second language education
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York University’s Glendon Campus and the Lycée Français de Toronto (LFT) have signed a new and unique partnership agreement to collaborate in French education, from preschool to university.
The new Memorandum of Understanding, signed June 24, will allow Glendon’s French as Second Language (FSL) education students and newly graduated, accredited teachers to participate in a work integrated learning opportunity to gain training and experience in a French-language setting.
Rhonda L. Lenton
“A key priority for York is building new partnerships with the community to create positive change,” said York University President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda L. Lenton. “This MOU will provide professional development opportunities for French as a Second Language instructors, expand research and the sharing of best practices for FSL education and create new experiential learning opportunities for Glendon students that will help them succeed in the workforce.”
The new partnership will also provide continuing education for LFT teachers, research opportunities to learn more about FSL teaching best practices and credit recognition for graduating LFT students wanting to pursue their studies at York.
“This partnership has a special flavour for the bilingual Canadian in me. I am delighted that Glendon Campus and LFT will join together in this shared vision of providing excellence in education and new linguistic paths in Toronto,” said Professor Ian Roberge, interim principal of the Glendon Campus. “It’s a great honour for me to sign this protocol that contributes to the promotion of Canada’s two official languages and celebrates multiculturalism in Toronto.”
Ian Roberge
The two Toronto institutions are both committed to the highest level of expertise in French-language education curriculum delivery. The new Memorandum of Understanding reaffirms both York and LFT’s shared values towards fostering open and multilingual education on a global scale.
“We are very pleased to join with York’s Glendon Campus in this partnership, which is unique in Toronto and gives an additional dimension to our pedagogical mission and to the study path for our students,” said Jean Pierre Faou, head of LFT. “This partnership thus solidifies our Canadian roots and renews our commitment to our multicultural community: where France meets Canada.”
The LFT is a not-for-profit organization in Ontario that was founded in 1995. Part of the Agency for French Teaching Abroad (AEFE) network, they are one of 522 institutions in 139 countries, and the only French institution in Toronto approved by the French Ministry of Education for Pre-kindergarten to Grade 12. It offers a demanding curriculum backed by the French Ministry of Education and prepares students for the French National Brevet Diploma and Baccalaureate exams.
Dezso J. Horvath: Celebrating the career of a pioneer in management education
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Dezso Horvath
He turned Schulich School of Business into a global business school and expanded its reach and influence around the world, earning him an International Dean of the Year award. He spearheaded the development of first-of-their-kind management degrees and programs, and helped make Schulich a world leader in the field of responsible business.
Dezsö J. Horváth
Dezsö J. Horváth, who will step down June 30 after 32 years as dean of York University’s business school, has left a lasting legacy in management education. His tenure makes him the longest-serving dean of any major business school in the world – a remarkable feat.
His most significant achievement was transforming Schulich into a truly global business school by making it one of the earliest to focus on international business and expanding its global footprint. He extended the school’s global reach and influence through the establishment of satellite centres in India, China, South Korea, Mexico and Brazil, and fostered academic exchange agreements with more than 80 leading international business schools in close to 40 countries. Under his leadership, Schulich became the first leading international business school from outside India to deliver an MBA degree in that country, and in 2014, it opened a new campus in Hyderabad. For his achievements in this regard, the Governor General’s office awarded Horváth the Order of Canada, one of the country’s highest civilian honours, and proclaimed his pivotal role in cementing “the school’s reputation as one of the leading educational institutions in the world.”
During Horváth’s tenure, Schulich created a number of pioneering programs, including Canada’s first International MBA and International BBA degrees, as well as North America’s first-ever cross-border Executive MBA degree, the Kellogg-Schulich Executive MBA, which was ranked as the No. 1 EMBA program in the world in 2015 by The Economist magazine. Claiming that innovation was part of Schulich’s DNA, Horváth also oversaw the launch of numerous ground-breaking specializations and programs, including one of the world’s first-ever specializations in global mining management, as well as degrees such as the Master of Business Analytics and the Master of Real Estate and Infrastructure.
In 2014, Schulich opened a new campus in Hyderabad
The school became a trailblazer in the field of responsible business, as one of the first business schools in the world to incorporate business ethics and environmental sustainability into its curriculum and programs. Under Horváth’s leadership, Schulich attracted funding to establish a Chair in business sustainability and a professorship in business ethics at a time, during the early 1990s, when responsible business was not considered mainstream business practice.
Nearly a decade later, in 2003, Hewlett-Packard endowed a Chair in Corporate Social Responsibility at Schulich. The endowment was announced by then CEO Carly Fiorina, who stated: “This Chair represents our profound belief that many of the great ideas for the next generation of corporate social responsibility will come from within the four walls of this school.” Another Chair in corporate governance was added later that decade, firmly establishing the school’s leadership in a field that was rapidly growing in importance, particularly following the economic meltdown of 2008.
When Schulich was ranked No. 1 in the world in Responsible Business in 2009 by the Aspen Institute, a Washington-D.C.-based think tank, it was universal recognition of the school’s cutting-edge leadership in teaching and research in this area. That global leadership led to Schulich’s collaboration with McKinsey & Company years later on the publication of the book Re-Imagining Capitalism. The book explored innovative new ideas and best practices of responsible business from international business leaders, and top academics in the field.
The dean also transformed the school’s research culture, using corporate funds and endowments to create research Chairs. He created a number of Centres of Excellence in areas where the Schulich was considered a world leader – global business, responsible business and real estate and infrastructure, for instance – as well as new and emerging areas such as business analytics and artificial intelligence, where the school was an early leader in curriculum, research and teaching.
During his time as dean, Horváth attracted international business leaders – including Ratan Tata – to join his advisory boards. Marshall (Mickey) Cohen, a former president and CEO of The Molson Companies Limited and former Chair of the Board of Governors at York for nearly a decade, helped Horváth assemble the first Dean’s Advisory Council in the late 1980s. Cohen, who currently serves as Chair of the Advisory Council for The Hennick Centre for Business and Law at York, was on the search committee that recommended the appointment of Horváth as dean in 1988; he also became the founding Chair of Schulich’s Advisory Council, established a year later.
As time went on, these advisory boards became a destination for accomplished business leaders that were also Schulich alumni – individuals such as Kathleen Taylor (MBA/LLB ’84, Hon LLD ’14), Chair of the Royal Bank of Canada; Bharat Masrani (BBA ’78, MBA ’79, Hon LLD ’17), group president and CEO of TD Bank; and Tom Jenkins (MBA ’87, Hon LLD ‘15), Chair of OpenText.
Dezsö J. Horváth during the 1980s
“I have watched with awe as Schulich evolved from a good, locally focused business school into one of the leading international business schools in the world,” said Cohen. “From the overall University’s perspective, the school has been one of the pillars of York’s growth.
“I don’t believe any of this would have come to pass without Dezsö Horváth’s leadership. Thirty years ago, he had a vision and he has scaled the heights of that vision,” added Cohen. “Both the school and York have been beyond fortunate to have had Dezsö as the dean of Schulich.”
According to Horváth, one of his proudest accomplishments is the success of Schulich’s graduates. The school has more than 32,000 alumni living and working in more than 90 countries, as senior managers, CEOs and Chairs, as well as entrepreneurs and heads of organizations in fields including government, health, the arts and the non-profit sector – many based here in Toronto.
For all his accomplishments and contributions, Horváth was selected by the Toronto Star in 2014 as one of the 180 most important people, past and present, who helped shape the City of Toronto. He was also recognized as a great contributor to Canada, in 2012, with a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.
JohnHunkin (MBA ’69, Hon LLD ’04), one of the school’s earliest graduates and also one of its most successful, rose to the position of Chair and CEO of one of Canada’s largest banks, CIBC. Over the years he maintained strong ties to his alma mater. He has chaired the school’s Dean’s Advisory Council for the past 25 years in addition to serving on York’s Board of Governors. Hunkin believes that Horváth fits the mold of a great leader.
“Dezsö Horváth has demonstrated his leadership skills and strategic effectiveness for the past thirty years,” said Hunkin. “Great leaders recognize change and act on the ‘new reality’ to create competitive advantage. The challenge is to make the right changes quickly and relentlessly and with confidence. This takes a strong leader with strong teams operating in a culture of change.”
And this, says Hunkin, is what Horváth did at Schulich while building a foundation of “first-class physical infrastructure, outstanding faculty, leading-edge courses reflecting today’s new reality, and a domestic and global network of people of influence who believe in what has been built and who believe in Schulich’s next 30 years.”
Dean Dezsö J. Horváth with Cheryl and Rob McEwen
One of Horváth’s most significant recent accomplishments was overseeing the school’s Leading Change Campaign, which launched in 2016 – the year of Schulich’s 50th anniversary. It was the largest and most ambitious fundraising initiative in the school’s history, with a goal of raising $50 million. As the campaign prepared to wind down last week, the Schulich announced that it had not only met its fundraising target, but had far surpassed it – bringing in more than $65 million. One of the campaign’s highlights was the opening last year of the award-winning Rob and Cheryl McEwen Graduate Study & Research Building. Horváth said what he found most gratifying about the Leading Change Campaign was that it could never have succeeded without the generous financial assistance provided by more than 2,500 of the school’s own alumni. He called it a “truly inspirational show of support for their alma mater.”
York University President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda L. Lenton paid tribute to Schulich’s outgoing dean when she addressed the school’s faculty and staff in the following message: “For three decades, Dezsö has exemplified our shared commitment to creating positive change and has encouraged and inspired thousands of graduates to go out and make a better world through community-engaged, ethical and transformative business leadership. For the past 32 years, the Schulich School of Business, York University, our city and the world have benefited from his visionary leadership.”
Horváth, meanwhile, is about to begin a two-and-a-half year sabbatical, during which he plans to work on several books, including a history of the school during his time as dean.
Dezsö J. Horváth, 1970s
For the one-time visiting professor from Sweden, it’s been a long and incredible journey – one that saw him take the helm at Schulich and lead the School into a position of global prominence and renown. In one of his final messages to the Schulich community, Horváth gave heartfelt thanks to the faculty and staff, the students and alumni, and the many advisors and friends within the community, saying his time as dean was the “most enjoyable, rewarding and fulfilling period of my professional life,” and concluding by reminding everyone that together, they built a world-class school.
“I am very proud of what we have accomplished together, proud to have known you, and proud to have worked alongside you over the past four decades,” he said.
Details on teaching, learning and working during the fall term provided at Virtual Town Hall
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Students, staff and faculty once again had an opportunity to ask York University’s senior leadership team questions about how plans for a gradual, phased return to campus will impact their academic, research and professional work during the third all-community Virtual Town Hall on June 24.
The event featured President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda L. Lenton, Provost and Vice-President Academic Lisa Philipps, Vice-President Research & Innovation Amir Asif, Vice-President Equity, People and Culture Sheila Cote-Meek, Vice-President Finance and Administration Carol McAulay, Vice-President Advancement Jeff O’Hagan and Vice-Provost Students Lucy Fromowitz, answering questions received through Zoom and by email.
York University President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda L. Lenton
Lenton began the session by providing an overview of how York’s approach to gradually returning to campus is intended to increase the University community’s access to resources, and reaffirmed that the Fall term will primarily be delivered online, with the exception of select experiential learning programs, such as labs that are required for graduation. The president noted that York has joined other universities and organizations in Toronto in having non-required staff continue to work remotely until at least September.
Information was provided for approved researchers who will be able to return to campus beginning next week supported by provincial guidelines, while Lenton noted that work is underway to restore library services and University Information Technology (UIT) support. The York University Libraries will implement a plan for curbside pickup next week and work to expand access to content currently not available online, and UIT is increasing hours and will be expanding classroom support in the fall.
In response to questions about safety measures for people visiting campuses, Philipps discussed the potential for self-screening protocols, different stances on mask requirements and work being done to address corridor travel challenges with signage and physical barriers. McAulay assured participants the University is working hard to procure any necessary personal protective equipment. Asif noted an online health and safety module researchers visiting campus will be required to complete.
Asif responded to a question from a faculty member regarding the University’s stance on travel for research, outlining how travel for University business, including research, has been cancelled until at least Aug. 31. He added that student exchange experiences have been cancelled for the upcoming term. He encouraged all members of the York community to follow the Government of Canada’s travel advisory to avoid all non-essential travel.
For more information on international travel, he urged graduate students to contact York International (at goglobal@yorku.ca) as well as their research supervisors. All research-related international travel for graduate students and travel related to academic program completion will be assessed on a case-by-case basis when government travel advisories begin to lift in the future.
In response to a question about whether some staff would be able to continue working from home as others return to campus and what cultural changes will be needed to support remote working in the long term, Lenton spoke about how the universities that will come out of the COVID-19 pandemic stronger are those that are learning, and how York will leverage investments and lessons from the current teaching and learning environment to improve the quality of the student experience in the future. The president said conversations are happening with Human Resources about flexibility around where and how staff work could look like.
Several participants had concerns about future flexibility for students, faculty and staff, ranging from the availability of resources for online teaching, access to childcare, balancing school and work and the potential creation of physical teaching and study spaces for those who lack conducive home environments or technology. In response, Lenton and colleagues assured the community that York is committed to being innovative with pedagogy and looking for ways to increase blended online learning opportunities beyond the pandemic, with supports available from the Teaching Commons and other resources to support student and faculty success. She explained that discussions are underway to develop physical spaces for those who require them to study or teach. Sheila Cote-Meek noted the University’s Accommodating Family policy is available to support those balancing family demands.
Philipps confirmed that students would not be able to opt for a pass/fail evaluation in the current or upcoming terms as they had in the winter, explaining that the situation in that term presented unique challenges for students and faculty who had to adjust overnight, compared to the summer term where the mode of delivery for courses has been consistent. Lenton elaborated that pass/fail grades can impact students’ future opportunities and emphasized that services will be available to support students experiencing challenges, noting that individual accommodations will be considered. The provost also clarified that whereas no final decisions have been made about the delivery of upcoming winter term courses, and that year-long courses beginning remotely in the fall will continue to be delivered remotely for the full term.
Responding to a live question about the potential for sharing resources between faculty at different universities, Lenton acknowledged that Francophone institutions have been working together to address the unique challenges presented by bringing French courses online, and encouraged individual faculty to engage their colleagues at other universities.
For those with questions about how the pandemic is impacting enrolment and whether that will lead to layoffs, the president provided assurances that while the University is moving cautiously to mitigate the financial impacts of COVID-19, continuity of employment will be a priority and plans with the least impact on employees will be pursued.
Lenton addressed questions about why tuition fees have been maintained as classes have gone remote by laying out the costs associated with delivering a high-quality learning experience online, noting that tuition fees support several aspects of the university experience that contribute to a rich environment. Fromowitz said that some ancillary service fees have been reduced. Students with concerns about the quality of their online learning environment were encouraged to have conversations with their instructors. International students were advised to explore international student awards and bursaries and made aware that course load requirements for federal work permits have been relaxed as a result of the pandemic.
A student asked about recommendations in Justice Thomas Cromwell’s review of York’s policies and procedures to shift security services to special constables, and how the University plans to proceed. Lenton stated that some recommendations, such as this one, called for further discussions and review, and McAulay emphasized the need for consultation and listening to all voices.
At the conclusion of the town hall, Lenton said future town halls could be accommodated if there is interest in additional sessions.
Any unanswered questions submitted for the town hall will be forwarded to the appropriate department for a response. The town hall webcast, along with two previous online town halls from April, can be viewed on the YorkU Conversations website. Questions that were not addressed during the webcast will be answered by email.
And the winners of the 2019 President’s Staff Recognition Awards are…
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York University is committed to fostering the engagement of its employees and recognizing the excellence of their contributions to our community. As in previous years, staff members nominated their colleagues, and after careful deliberation by selection committees, President & Vice-Chancellor Rhonda L. Lenton is pleased to acknowledge the recipients and nominees of the 2019 President’s Staff Recognition Awards.
“From facilitating the transition to remote learning to keeping students living in residence safe and healthy, York staff have responded to the pandemic with ingenuity, dedication and compassion,” said Lenton. “Through the Staff Recognition Awards, I am delighted we have the chance to share the stories of this year’s winners and nominees, and to celebrate all York staff who continue to go above and beyond despite the challenges of the last several months.”
The winners will be honoured at an event at a later date.
This year’s recipients and nominees are:
The Ronald Kent Medal
The medal recognizesthecontributionsof employees who promote and strengthen collegiality,values,and goals of York University.
Winner: Michele Millard, coordinator, Centre for Refugee Studies.
The other staff members nominated for this award are:
Mary Pecchia, administrative assistant, Department of Theatre, School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design;
Josie Sansonetti, administrative assistant, Department of Languages,Literatures & Linguistics, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies;
Madeleine Maleki, academic resources analyst, Faculty Affairs Support, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies;
Carolyn Sebastian, undergraduate program coordinator, School of Administrative Studies, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies;
Rod Potter, web developer, Integration, Design and Identity Services,University Information Technology;
Kathy Armstrong, graduate program assistant, Department of English, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies.
The Deborah Hobson York Citizenship Award
This award recognizes employees who have demonstrated a high level of service to students and who promote York’s spirit in terms of creativity, innovation and redefining the possible in service to the university community.
Winner: Yassin Handouleh, assessor, Transfer Credit and Degree Audit, Academic and Student Financial Services, Glendon.
The other staff members nominated for this award are:
Sheila Ferreira, apartments assignment coordinator, York University Apartments;
Kate Duncan, senior planner, On Campus Recruitment & Events, Recruitment;
Lori-AnneSantos, administrative assistant, Psychology Program, Faculty of Graduate Studies.
The President’s Leadership Award
ThePresident’s LeadershipAward recognizes contributions that go beyond the published requirements of a position, performance levels that foster a high level of professionalism, and usually extend beyond an individual department into the University community at large.
Winner: Tuan Nguyen, manager, Library Information Systems, Library, Digital Systems & Initiatives.
The other staff members nominated for this award are:
Margaret Hough, director, Research and Partnerships, Office of the Dean, Faculty of Science;
Brad Sheeller, director, Safety and Business Operations, Office of the Dean, Faculty of Science;
Ross McMillan, director, Student Community & Leadership Development, Student Success Centre;
The Voice of York Award is given to an individual who is a first-line-of-contact person at York University. The most important voice of York is the onewho makes the first contact with a visitor or a community member. Compassionand professionalism, particularly in handling difficult or sensitive situations, is essential to our work at York University.
Winner: Madeline Salzarulo, Undergraduate Program Assistant, Department of Mathematics & Statistics, Faculty of Science.
The other staff members nominated for this award are:
Lyna Truong, student success program administrator, Student Community & Leadership Development;
Patricia Di Benigno, undergraduate program administrator, Department of History, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies;
Esther Ng, field education program assistant, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies;
Diana Frasca, specialist, Strategic & Institutional Research Initiatives, Office of Research Services;
Emma Yuen, operations manager, Research Commons, Vice-President Research & Innovation;
Kuowei Lee, graduate program assistant, Department of Cinema & Media Arts, School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design;
Alexandra Kloczko, executive assistant, Community Support & Services;
Deborah Goodby, system services coordinator, Recruitment.
The Phyllis Clark Campus Service Award
Thisaward is presented annually to a non-academic employee of York University who has made exemplary contributions to the operations of either of York’s campuses in terms of efficiency, cleanliness, safety, security and/or other campus or plant services.
Winner: Tom Hodgson, manager, Physical Resources, Health & Safety, Research Support, Office of the Dean, Faculty of Health.
The other staff member nominated for this award is:
Graham Bell, team lead – custodian day shift, Facilities.
The Gary Brewer Emerging Leader Award
This award is presented annually to a non-academic employee of York University who has shown tremendous promise for assuming a leadership role at the University, is known for their innovative and meaningful contributions to the effectiveness of their unit and has significantly contributed to the University’s commitment to excellence. The award recognizes and encourages early-career professionals who have demonstrated significant promise of leadership in their career.
Winner: Julie Hard, manager, International Relations, Office of the Dean, Faculty of Health.
The other staff members nominated for this award are:
Scott McBride, manager, Enterprise Academic Application Services, University Information Technology
Anesa Albert, executive assistant to the Dean/AVP & special projects lead, Office of the Dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies;
Carl Sachs, regional recruitment manager, Middle East, Recruitment and Admissions.
The Harriet Lewis Team Award for Service Excellence
This award recognizesateam’s excellence in service and support to students, faculty, staff and/or other service users anditspromotion ofthe York spirit in terms of imagination, creativity, innovation and redefining the possible in service to York’scommunity (internal or external).
Winner: Gosford Fire Emergency Response Team
Kelly Young, assistant manager, Security Operations, Security Services, Community Safety Department;
Samina Sami, executive director, Community Safety Department;
Cameron Baguley, executive assistant, Community Safety Department;
Jennifer Myers, executive director, Athletics & Recreation;
Duke Dickson, director, Business Development & Operations, Athletics & Recreation;
Mike O’Brien, manager, Emergency Preparedness, Community Safety Department;
Anthony Barbisan, executive director, Ancillary Services;
Donna Hubbert, director, Parking & Transportation Services, Ancillary Services;
Amal Awini, director, Housing & Conference Services, Ancillary Services;
Debbie Hansen, executive director, Community Support & Services;
Joanie Cameron Pritchett, director, Community Support & Services;
Yanni Dagonas, advisor & deputy spokesperson, Media Relations;
Aldo Altomare, director, Security Services, Community Safety Department;
Prashanna Kantharasa, security supervisor, Security Services, Community Safety Department;
James Thomson, security supervisor, Security Services, Community Safety Department;
Joseph Arthur Young, security supervisor, Security Services, Community Safety Department;
Joseph Sanguedolce, manager, Custodial Services, Facilities Services;
Peter Colasante, manager, Corrective Maintenance, Maintenance, Facilities Services;
And the NSSE Champion Cup goes to the Schulich School of Business!
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The Schulich School of Business achieved a spectacular 47.5 per cent participation rate in the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) to win the 2020 NSSE Champion Cup. This is the third time the school claimed bragging rights to the coveted prize.
NSSE, or “Nessie,” is the National Survey of Student Engagement, which seeks input from first- and fourth-year York University undergraduates about their experiences at the University. Through NSSE, students contribute their insights and influence York University’s future direction. Organizers at York University challenged individual Faculties (except the Faculty of Education and Osgoode Hall Law School) to encourage participation in the survey through a little friendly competition. The Faculty achieving the highest percentage of complete responses wins the NSSE Champion Cup and bragging rights until the next survey.
Faculty response rates for NSSE 2020. Image courtesy of Richard Smith
In his opening comments, Richard Smith, who is York University’s Director of Institutional Research, Reporting and Analysis in the Office of Institutional Planning and Analysis, noted that this year’s effort was remarkable. “The closing of campus due to the pandemic meant we had to stop most of our promotion and communication efforts to make room for emergency messaging,” said Smith. “Despite the challenges, York achieved an impressive participation rate of 32.9 per cent when all responses are counted. We felt it was important to get the community together [via Zoom] to celebrate this impressive accomplishment.”
Participatnts in the NSSE Champion Cup presentation Zoom Webinar
In her remarks, York University President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda L. Lenton praised the NSSE results. “I am delighted to have this opportunity to celebrate the University’s progress with NSSE and to thank all of you who were most directly responsible for that progress,” said Lenton. “I remember when I was Provost and Vice-President Academic at York University in 2013, I sponsored the NSSE campaign because the University felt there was significant opportunity to increase our participation rate through promotion efforts. I asked Richard Smith and then Vice-Provost Students Janet Morrison, to put together a team to come up with a plan to improve our participation rates.
“That team eventually became the NSSE steering committee, which created the campaign that has increased York’s response rate dramatically for the next three survey administration years of 2014, 2017 and 2020,” said Lenton. “As a result, we are now able to rely on NSSE to inform a great deal of our institutional planning, both at the institutional level and at the faculty level.”
She noted that this year’s overall participation rate came in just shy of what was achieved in 2017 but had 675 more participants and set a York record for responses. Lenton described the accomplishment as remarkable given the disruption of the COVID-19 global pandemic.
Lenton said that past survey data has been used to make improvements that directly benefit students. “Once NSSE results come out in the fall, we plan on running post-survey sessions to present and disseminate data to York students, faculty and staff. We will then hold community sessions to discuss the data and how we can use it to improve student supports and enhance the student experience.”
She thanked the NSSE Steering Committee and the 25-member Working Group of “NSSE Champions” for their efforts to make the survey a success. She also thanked prize sponsors Aramark, York Lanes and the Student Centre, and “the 6,237 students who took the time to tell us how they engage with York, what works, what doesn’t and how we can do better.”
Dezsö J. Horváth
Lenton then presented the NSSE Champion Cup to Dezsö J. Horváth, the Dean and Tanna H. Schulich Chair in Strategic Management at the Schulich School of Business. A beaming and very proud Horváth hoisted the NSSE Champion Cup high. He received hearty congratulations from York University President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda L. Lenton.
“On behalf of the Schulich School of Business, I am pleased and honoured to accept the 2020 NSSE Champion Cup – the third time that Schulich has taken the top spot since York University began participating!” said Horváth. “Let me first of all congratulate the many Schulich undergraduate students who made this happen. You achieved an impressive participation rate of nearly 50 per cent! “And what is even more remarkable is that you did this during a year like no other – a year none of us will ever forget!
“When it comes to undergraduate business students in Canada, Schulich students are among the best of the best!” said Horváth. “Every student who enters our school comes into the program not only with top marks …. but also proven leadership skills and entrepreneurial skills. To all of our students who took part this year: thank you for your enthusiasm and your dedication!”
Horváth took time to thank Schulich’s Associate Dean of Students Marcia Annisette, Lindsay Hillcoat, the school’s interim executive director of student services, and Keshia Grey, the former director of student and enrolment services at Schulich, for their important work in motivating the students to complete the survey.
Eric Mézin from Glendon College and Josephine Campanelli Zeeman from Environmental Studies accepted “most improved” awards on behalf of their Faculties. Glendon increased its participation rate by 8.1 per cent over 2017 and Environmental Studies increased it by 6.4 per cent.
Three participating students were drawn as winners of a $500 tuition waiver: Rebecca Sarchese, first-year student in Linguistics and Language Studies from Glendon; Fidelia Erugom, first-year student in Political Science from LAPS; and Paula Molina, graduating student in Criminology from LAPS.
NSSE gives students in their first and fourth years an opportunity to have a say in making meaningful change happen at York University. It is offered every three years and the 2020 edition of NSSE began Feb. 10 and ended on May 22. Students were asked how much time and effort they put into educationally rewarding activities and to what degree York University facilitates this involvement. The data gathered is a valuable resource for the University that helps it make decisions about changes that will benefit students.
Quick facts about this year’s NSSE:
Student response rate (complete and partial) was 32.9 per cent.
Overall winner of the inter-faculty contest: Schulich School of Business.
Most improved response rate: Glendon College +8.4 per cent and Environmental Studies +6.4 per cent.
The online survey, which takes about 15 minutes to complete, asked first-year and graduating students in a four-year degree how they engaged with their studies and their campus. The results provide insights to York on what the University does well and what it could improve.
Data from previous NSSE surveys led to improvements in career advising: more programming and workshops by the Career Centre in career planning, the introduction of Career Peer Educators in 2018, and the expansion of the Career Fair websites. Career programming was also improved to meet the needs of targeted audiences, including new grads, graduate students, international students, Indigenous students, and students with disabilities. The 2017 data informed the expansion of Mental Health & Wellness services for students: more consultation and outreach with students to develop the University’s Mental Health and Wellness Strategy, the new Wellness Hub and the introduction of Peer Health Educators. NSSE data also contributed to the realignment of Student Counselling and Development, Student Accessibility Services and the Centre for Sexual Violence Response, Support and Education.
By Jenny Pitt-Clark, YFile editor
Reminder: Tune in Wednesday for the third All-Community Town Hall
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The following is a message to the York University community from President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda L. Lenton:
La version française suit la version anglaise.
I would like to remind you that you that the third all-community Virtual Town Hall takes place this Wednesday, June 24.
Whether you are a student, staff or faculty member, the Town Hall is an opportunity to connect with the York community and have the senior leadership team answer your questions about the University’s plans.
We encourage you to submit questions in advance using this form. During the event, please use the email conversations@yorku.ca.
If you have any accessibility needs, notes or comments, please let us know.
As always, the latest updates, resources, and answers to frequently asked questions are on our COVID-19 website.
Sincerely,
Rhonda L. Lenton President & Vice-Chancellor
Rappel: Joignez-vous à la troisième conversation communautaire
J’aimerais vous rappeler que vous êtes invités à la troisième conversation virtuelle avec toute la communauté qui aura lieu ce mercredi 24 juin.
Que vous soyez membre du corps étudiant, du corps professoral ou du personnel, les conversations communautaires vous donnent la chance de vous joindre à la communauté de York et de poser vos questions sur les plans de l’Université aux hauts dirigeants.
Nous vous encourageons à soumettre vos questions à l’avance à l’aide de ce formulaire. Durant l’événement, veuillez utiliser le courriel conversations@yorku.ca.
