Welcome to the Winter 2024 term

Students walking outside Vari Hall

La version française suit la version anglaise. 

Dear York community, 

On behalf of all of us here at York, it is my pleasure to offer a very warm welcome to all our returning students, course instructors, faculty and staff members, and to all of you who are starting a new chapter with us.

I hope you are rested and ready for an exciting year ahead, full of opportunities to access and share new knowledge, form valuable connections, pursue excellence, and uplift one another and the world around us through purposeful action.  

At York, diversity in perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences has both helped our university thrive and given us opportunities to reassert our commitment to promoting inclusivity and a sense of belonging for all. By working together for the public good, we have consistently ranked as one of the top 40 universities in the world for contributing to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. 

Looking ahead, I am confident that we will find new ways of catalyzing positive change, including through:  

  • our new Markham Campus, set to open its doors to students in Fall 2024, which promises new avenues for 21st-century learning, research, innovation and community engagement in areas such as digital media arts, engineering, biotechnology and entrepreneurship;
  • our proposal for a new School of Medicine, focused on preparing a new generation of primary care physicians trained to work within integrative, comprehensive primary health-care teams;
  • a deeper integration of decolonizing, equity, diversity and inclusion (DEDI) principles, practices and actions into the fabric of our institution to ensure no talent is left behind; and
  • advancement of our sustainability leadership by actioning our goal of reaching net zero emissions by 2040 and supporting new projects through our new $1-million Sustainability Innovation Fund.

As part of our community of changemakers, I encourage you to learn more about these exciting initiatives. For example, York is offering a free DEDI toolkit (Part 1), which marks the first step to discovering ways you can advance DEDI on campus. You can also take an active role in living sustainably by taking this open-access Microlectures Series. And on Feb. 24, I invite you to join us for a Markham Skate Day for a day of fun. 

Both individual and collective contributions play a crucial role in realizing a brighter, inclusive and sustainable world. I hope you will make the most of every opportunity that comes your way during this new term and feel empowered to seek any of the numerous supports we have available – including those listed on our Well-being website – if you ever need assistance.

I wish you the very best in 2024 and look forward to seeing you all on campus!   

Sincerely,    

Rhonda Lenton  
President & Vice-Chancellor   


Bienvenue au trimestre d’hiver 2024

Chers membres de la communauté de York, 

Au nom de toute l’Université York, j’ai le plaisir de souhaiter une chaleureuse bienvenue aux étudiants et étudiantes qui poursuivent leurs études, aux membres de nos corps enseignant et professoral et du personnel, ainsi qu’aux personnes qui entament un nouveau chapitre à nos côtés.

J’espère que vous avez rechargé vos batteries en prévision d’une année passionnante, riche en occasions d’accéder à de nouvelles connaissances et de les partager, mais aussi de nouer des liens précieux, de rechercher l’excellence et de vous soutenir mutuellement — ainsi que le monde qui nous entoure — grâce à des actions ciblées. 

À York, la grande diversité des points de vue, des origines et des expériences nous permet de prospérer et de réaffirmer notre engagement à promouvoir l’inclusion et un sentiment d’appartenance commun. En œuvrant ensemble pour le bien collectif, nous nous classons régulièrement parmi les 40 meilleures universités mondiales en matière de contribution aux objectifs de développement durable (ODD) des Nations Unies. 

Je suis convaincue que nous trouverons de nouveaux moyens de catalyser les changements positifs notamment grâce à :

  • Notre nouveau campus Markham, qui ouvrira ses portes en automne 2024; il tracera de nouvelles voies pour l’apprentissage, la recherche, l’innovation et l’engagement communautaire au 21e siècle dans des domaines comme les arts médiatiques numériques, l’ingénierie, la biotechnologie et l’entrepreneuriat.
  • Notre proposition d’école de médecine est axée sur la préparation d’une nouvelle génération de médecins de première ligne formés pour travailler au sein d’équipes de soins de santé primaires intégrés et complets.
  • L’enracinement des principes, pratiques et actions de décolonisation, d’équité, de diversité et d’inclusion (DEDI) dans notre établissement afin qu’aucun talent ne soit laissé pour compte.
  • L’avancée de notre leadership écoresponsable en concrétisant notre objectif d’atteindre la neutralité carbone d’ici 2040 et en soutenant de nouveaux projets grâce à notre nouveau Fonds d’innovation durable, doté d’un million de dollars. 

En tant que membres de notre communauté d’artisans du changement, je vous invite à en apprendre davantage sur ces initiatives passionnantes. Par exemple, York propose une boîte à outils DEDI gratuite (1re partie) qui constitue une première étape pour découvrir les moyens de faire progresser l’initiative DEDI sur les campus. Vous pouvez également participer activement à l’adoption d’un mode de vie écoresponsable en écoutant cette série de microconférences en libre accès. Par ailleurs, je vous invite à vous joindre à nous le 24 février pour une belle journée de patinage à Markham. 

Les contributions individuelles et collectives jouent un rôle essentiel dans la réalisation d’un monde plus radieux, inclusif et écoresponsable. J’espère que vous tirerez le meilleur parti de toutes les possibilités qui se présenteront à vous au cours de ce nouveau trimestre et que vous n’hésiterez pas à utiliser l’une des nombreuses ressources à votre disposition — y compris celles répertoriées sur notre site Web du Bien-être — en cas de besoin.

Je vous souhaite une excellente année 2024 et j’ai hâte de vous voir sur les campus!

Sincères salutations,    

Rhonda Lenton  
Présidente et vice-chancelière   

York advances innovative decarbonization initiative at Glendon 

Glendon outdoors people smiling

By Ashley Goodfellow Craig, editor, YFile

In service of its new target to achieve net zero a decade sooner, York University is exploring a transformative decarbonization solution for the Glendon Campus, along with new research and education opportunities. 

On Dec. 14, the University signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Noventa Energy Partners Inc. to investigate implementing its revolutionary Wastewater Energy Transfer System (WET) at Glendon. The WET technology uses city-owned underground sanitary lines as a heat source, creating thermal energy from wastewater – from sources such as showers, dishwashers and hot tubs. 

This cutting-edge technology could position Glendon as York’s first net-zero campus in advance of the University’s 2040 goal. A feasibility study for this project has been conducted, and the MOU signals the development of a detailed design report as a next step.

Brad Parkes
Brad Parkes

“To reduce the University’s emissions, the facilities department employs a framework to conserve and measure, decarbonize and innovate,” said Brad Parkes, associate vice-president of facilities services. “With sustainable infrastructure already in place to help us conserve and measure, Noventa’s solution enables the University to decarbonize and innovate, moving us closer towards our new target to achieve net zero a decade sooner. Transitioning Glendon to a low to no-carbon environment will lead the way for the rest of York’s campuses.”

This collaboration not only marks a significant leap in sustainable practices, but also brings substantial opportunities to the York University community. 

The innovative approach is projected to not only eliminate scope 1 carbon emissions but also deliver substantial cost savings for the University. Noventa’s solution would create operating cost savings compared to the University’s current fossil fuel system, bring more than $2.5 million in savings compared to the prospect of system electrification – a common solution to reduce emissions – and retire $19 million in deferred maintenance on the Glendon campus over the life cycle of the project

The project is also a springboard for research and academic exploration. The collaboration with Noventa opens doors for a unique Living Lab model, offering unparalleled research and learning opportunities for faculty and students across various disciplines. 

Faculty members from the Lassonde School of Engineering, the Faculty of Science, the Faculty of Health, the Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change and the biology program at Glendon could have opportunity to engage in related research and experiential education. For example, ongoing studies in wastewater heat recovery at Lassonde align with this ambitious project.

Mike Layton
Mike Layton

“Sustainability solutions are prime for research, as we’re moving toward technology that leverages what already exists to reduce emissions in a way that is efficient and cost effective,” said Mike Layton, York’s chief sustainability officer. “Water running through heat pipes is essentially wasted energy. This initiative gives us the opportunity to harness that energy for something tangible, while creating opportunities for our students, faculty and researchers to play an active role in expanding our collective understanding of circular energy.” 

This groundbreaking initiative is an example of York University’s commitment to sustainability and to its leadership in driving tangible change. It was made possible by the diligent work of teams in the Department of Facilities Services, including Associate Vice-President Brad Parkes and Director of Utilities and Energy Management Steve Prince.

As the University continues to champion environmental responsibility, it positions itself, its faculty, staff and students as drivers of innovation. 

Smart holidays: how AI can make the season brighter 

Two people wearing holiday-themed sweaters on smart phones

By Ashley Goodfellow Craig, YFile editor 

As the festive season approaches, incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) technology into holiday planning can transform the way individuals navigate what are often hectic preparations. For those unfamiliar with AI, or those hesitant to embrace it, understanding its practical applications can help give back the gift of time. 

Utilizing AI, such as ChatGPT, can serve as an invaluable tool in simplifying holiday tasks. Though some may have reservations about using AI due to concerns about privacy, or uncertainty about its capabilities, ChatGPT offers settings to help keep data secure such as turning off the “chat history and training” setting.

To protect your privacy while using ChatGPT, you can also take the following steps: 

Avoid sharing any personal information such as your name, address, phone number, email address or financial information, says Vidur Kalive, artificial intelligence architect lead for York University. Kalive also suggests using a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your internet traffic and hide your IP address. 

What is ChatGPT? It’s an AI-powered conversational assistant designed to understand and generate human-like text based on the input it receives. It is capable of generating text based on context and past conversations. It can answer questions and assist you with tasks such as composing emails, essays and code.

Set up with a user-friendly interface, ChatGPT was designed to be accessible even to those less familiar with technology. For holiday planning tasks, it can guide users through suggestions and solutions tailored to their individual needs. 

“A well-structured prompt will ensure that ChatGPT gives you useful, relevant information,” says Kalive. “Prompts are the inputs that you provide to ChatGPT to generate a response.” 

To write effective prompts, consider the following tips: 

  1. Write one or two lines describing the task at hand, its purpose, your intended audience and the output you need ChatGPT to generate. 
  1. Assign ChatGPT a role – as an identity or profession – to help guide its responses. It will then generate output based on the area of expertise related to the role you assigned to it.  
  1. Keep prompts concise and to the point. Long prompts can lead to irrelevant or incorrect responses.  

Example prompt: You are a chef who specializes in holiday cuisine. Create a Christmas dinner menu that includes a main course, side dishes and dessert. You will be serving eight guests. Two of them are vegetarians.  

Below are some examples of how AI, and tools like ChatGPT, can trim planning time for the holidays. 

Food planning: One significant advantage is ChatGPT’s ability to plan and organize shopping lists and create them from recipes. It will also offer recipes for anything from appetizers to desserts to festive drinks. It can curate recipes and meal plans tailored to dietary needs. Planning a cooking schedule is another helpful tool AI offers. 

Gift items: Using AI to generate gift lists based on preferences, budget and recipient details can inspire new ideas and save time shopping in crowds. 

Greetings and messages: With the right prompts for tone, AI can expertly craft personalized greetings and messages. Using AI-generated images, personalized holiday cards can also be easily designed. Crafting poems and creating stories and songs with a personal touch are also options for holiday-related AI content. 

Consider this short poem, generated by ChatGPT: 

At York University, the campuses are aglow,  
Faculty, staff and students in festive flow. 
Amidst winter’s charm and joyous sights, 
Shared moments shine in holiday delights. 

Decorating: Understand the latest decorating trends, or where to find specific decorative items, to make your space more festive. 

Holiday-themed activities: For those who enjoy outings, experiences and more, ask ChatGPT to summarize activities in the area or provide a few holiday-inspired games to play with family and friends. 

Travel: Those planning travel during the festive season can rely on AI assistants to generate itineraries, provide real-time updates on weather or traffic conditions, offer directions and even suggest offbeat local experiences. 

By harnessing the power of AI in holiday planning, individuals can streamline preparations, reduce stress and create more time to spend with friends and family.  
 

A guide to navigating the holidays sustainably

assortment of wrapped gifts banner

The holiday season, with traditions rooted in gift giving and big meals, can be a challenge for those looking to consume responsibly, keeping sustainability in mind. Associate Professor Nicole Mead, an expert in consumer behaviour, shares a few tips on how to navigate the season sustainably.

Mead, who is also an expert in sustainable consumption, offers these suggestions for finding ways to shop – whether for gifts or food – with sustainability in mind throughout the holidays.

Research who and where you are buying from

Nicole Mead
Nicole Mead

As sustainable consumption has grown as a priority across the world, resources have become available to provide transparency about which companies are prioritizing sustainability, too.

“Even five years ago, it was hard to know what the provenance was of what you were purchasing,” says Mead. “There’s increasingly consumer-friendly ways to identifying companies that are more sustainable than others.”

Going into holiday season, she encourages searching Google and scanning company-provided QR codes linking to sustainability transparency, among other options, to better understand the sustainability practices of companies you want to buy from. She also points to resources that have done some of the work already.

“There’s a lot of other companies that are doing independent work to make the supply chain a lot more transparent to consumers,” says Mead. For example, she points to B Corp, a non-profit organization that provides businesses with a certification indicating high sustainability standards, as one of many resources now widely available to be help make informed sustainable consumption decisions this holiday.

Consider buying better quality

Inflation has proven a financial challenge for many this year, with hard-earned dollars not going as far as they used to. When considering gifts, that can lead to consider more frugal options. “As we feel the pressure on our bank accounts, there’s perhaps a tendency sometimes to buy cheaper things,” says Mead. She suggests reconsidering.  

“In terms of sustainability, there’s really good evidence that buying higher price or better quality goods is really important for the environment,” she says. “Maybe up front there is a higher ticket price, but you’ll probably save time and money down the road, because what you buy will actually last longer.”

Shop locally

“If you’re going to be planning a holiday gathering – if you’re going to be cooking food – consider local markets, where farmers are selling their products,” says Mead. Beyond the benefits of supporting one’s local community, shopping locally supports sustainability since the shipping and transportation of goods can be a huge source of carbon emissions. Buying locally – not just food, but even handmade goods as gifts – helps people consume more sustainably during the holidays.

Explore alternative modes of giving

There are more ways to shop than through big-name online or box-store retailers. Sustainability options exist that go beyond material goods. Experiences – which can include museum memberships, donations, group outings and more – can be gifted, which consume fewer resources, making them an option that is not only better for the planet but can be good for the soul. “There’s research that suggests that experiences can be actually better for your happiness. You’re going to enjoy them more over time, in part because they can help us connect to other people,” says Mead.

Another means of giving that can minimize resource consumption is repairing and regifting something loved ones already appreciate. “A lot of times we have things around the house that we love that need a little bit of extra attention or to be repaired. We just don’t really get around to actually doing it, but we really would like to use those things again,” says Mead. Someone fixing and regifting something can be a sustainable and appreciated mode of giving.  

By following these tips, it’s possible to join a movement that rights the future through increasingly easier and more rewarding ways of being sustainable. “It’s no longer this environment of ‘I need to sacrifice in order to be sustainable.’ Now it’s ‘I can be sustainable and really enjoy what I’m consuming.’ That’s the way forward for our world,” says Mead.

Keele Campus vaccine clinic on Dec. 19

A syringe with a vaccine bottle

For those interested in getting vaccinated this winter, flu and COVID-19 vaccinations are being made available on York University’s Keele Campus.

When: Tuesday, Dec. 19, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Central Square, Bear Pit
Vaccines offered: Quadrivalent influenza (under 65 years of age) and COVID-19 (12 years and up)

It is safe to get both the COVID-19 and Influenza vaccine at the same time, if eligible. OHIP is not required. The clinic is walk-in; first come, first served. Free masks and rapid antigen test kits are available while supplies last.

Anyone who has any new symptoms of illness, or has tested positive for COVID-19, is encouraged to complete the Ministry of Health’s Provincial Screening Tool (ontario.ca/autoevaluation/) for further direction and guidance.

  • SCHW@yuoffice.yorku.ca remains available for students with questions regarding respiratory virus protocols.
  • SFCCM@yorku.ca remains available for employees with questions regarding respiratory virus protocols.
  • Hours of operation for these resources are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For more information, staff and faculty can visit yorku.ca/hr/covid19.

Students can find more information at students.yorku.ca/health/communicable-diseases/covid-19.

Get ‘REDDI’ for 2024: sign up for workshops on systemic inequities

Equity, diversity, inclusion

York University community members are invited to register now for the Winter 2024 REDDI (Rights, Equity, Diversity, Decolonization & Inclusion) miniseries workshops, offered through the Centre for Human Rights, Equity & Inclusion.

Sessions begin on Jan. 8, 2024, and cover a wide range of topics to ensure University community members are prepared to address systemic inequities.

In furthering the goals of the York University Academic Plan and the DEDI (Decolonizing, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion) Strategy, the REDDI certificate workshop sessions are designed to provide opportunities for community members to learn, reflect upon and discuss ways to contribute to an equitable academic environment.

Each session will run for approximately 90 minutes and will be offered virtually, to facilitate the attendance of participants on and off campus.

All students, staff and faculty are invited to attend REDDI workshops. Sessions cover topics including challenging ableism, addressing racism, dialogues across difference and more. The series also features French sessions on: creed-based harassment and discrimination, called “Créer et maintenir des espaces positifs;” anti-racism work, called “Reconnaître et aborder le racisme;” and allyship, called “Lutter contre la discrimination.”

Participants who complete three full-length core workshops will receive a REDDI series certificate. The Winter 2024 workshops are also an opportunity for participants to attend and add onto their requirements for the REDDI miniseries certificates.

REDDI miniseries workshops also offer certificates of completion. For certificates to be awarded following a miniseries, three miniseries workshops plus one full-length workshop must be attended.

To see the available workshops, and their descriptions, for the Winter 2024 term, visit the CHREI REDDI page.

Registration for these workshops is required and can be accessed through the YU Learn Learning Opportunities website. To learn more about York’s new DEDI Strategy, click here.

Update on search for vice-president equity, people and culture

Vari Hall Winter Scene

La version française suit la version anglaise. 

Dear York community,

I first want to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Alice Pitt for her service as the interim vice-president equity, people and culture, a position she has held since April 1, 2023. As a long-standing and dedicated member of the York community, Dr. Pitt demonstrated leadership at a critical time for the University, including the launch of the Decolonizing, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (DEDI) Strategy and the successful launch of the DEDI website and toolkit, which is fundamental to weaving DEDI into the fabric of York University. She has also successfully led a pan-University commemoration for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and launched community consultations for the Well-Being Strategy. Personally, I am grateful to Alice for her friendship and wise counsel throughout the years. Along with the York community, I wish Alice the very best as she embarks on the next chapter.

Laina Bay-Cheng
Laina Bay-Cheng

The search for the new vice-president equity, people and culture will resume in the new year, and in the meantime, it is my pleasure to announce that Dr. Laina Bay-Cheng has agreed to take over the role on an interim basis effective Jan. 1, 2024 through Dec. 31, 2024, providing continuity for the division as we continue to implement the DEDI Strategy and other important initiatives relevant to the portfolio.

Her appointment has been endorsed by the search committee and has been approved by the Executive Committee of the Board of Governors. Dr. Bay-Cheng brings to the role exceptional leadership and dedication to cultivating equitable, expansive and thriving academic communities – work that she will continue in her new position. As the inaugural associate vice-president, faculty affairs, she was instrumental in advancing the mandate of the Division of Equity, People & Culture and York’s mission to create access and promote success for diverse academic staff. She has been particularly invested in supporting faculty colleagues across roles, ranks, disciplines and career pathways. Her efforts have included expanding resources for hiring committees, hosting faculty meetups to facilitate mentoring and community-building, and bolstering institutional and interpersonal resources for York’s scholars.

Alongside her administrative efforts, Dr. Bay-Cheng’s scholarship offers profound insight into the impact of interlocked misogyny, racism, economic injustice and age-based oppression on young women’s sexual lives. She holds an appointment as professor in the Department of Psychology’s Historical, Theoretical, and Critical Studies area. Prior to joining York, Dr. Bay-Cheng was a faculty member at the University at Buffalo School of Social Work. During her 17 years there, she served as PhD program director, associate dean for doctoral programs and associate dean for faculty development. She was appointed full professor in 2019. Throughout her career, she has worked within universities and communities to advocate for and create conditions in which diverse people and ideas may thrive.

Please join me in thanking our two outstanding colleagues for their service to York University.

Sincerely,

Rhonda Lenton
President & Vice-Chancellor


Mise à jour sur la recherche d’une personne pour la vice-présidence de l’équité, des personnes et de la culture

Chers membres de la communauté de York,

Je voudrais tout d’abord profiter de cette occasion pour remercier Mme Alice Pitt, Ph. D., qui assure la vice-présidence par intérim de l’équité, des personnes et de la culture depuis le 1er avril 2023. Membre dévouée et de longue date de la communauté de York, Mme Pitt a fait preuve de leadership à un moment crucial pour l’Université, notamment lors du lancement de la Stratégie de décolonisation, d’équité, de diversité et d’inclusion (DEDI), ainsi que du site Web et de la boîte à outils DEDI, des outils essentiels pour intégrer la DEDI à l’Université York. Elle a également dirigé une commémoration panuniversitaire pour la Journée nationale de la vérité et de la réconciliation et a organisé des consultations communautaires sur la Stratégie de bien-être. Je tiens à exprimer à Alice ma gratitude pour son amitié et ses conseils avisés tout au long de ces années. Au nom de la communauté de York, je lui souhaite beaucoup de succès pour la suite de sa carrière.

Laina Ya-Hui Bay-Cheng
Laina Bay-Cheng

La recherche d’une personne pour la vice-présidence de l’équité, des personnes et de la culture reprendra au cours de la nouvelle année. Entre-temps, j’ai le plaisir d’annoncer que Mme Laina Bay-Cheng, Ph. D., a accepté d’assumer cette fonction par intérim du 1er janvier 2024 au 31 décembre 2024, assurant ainsi la continuité de la Division dans la poursuite de la mise en œuvre de la stratégie DEDI et d’autres initiatives importantes concernant le portefeuille. 

Sa nomination a été approuvée par le comité de recherche et par le comité de direction du conseil d’administration. Mme Bay-Cheng se distingue par son leadership et son dévouement à la promotion de communautés universitaires équitables, élargies et prospères, un travail qu’elle poursuivra dans ses nouvelles fonctions. En tant que première vice-présidente associée aux affaires professorales, elle a joué un rôle déterminant dans l’avancement du mandat de la Division de l’équité, des personnes et de la culture ainsi que de la mission de York, qui consiste à favoriser l’accès et promouvoir la réussite d’un personnel universitaire diversifié. Elle s’est particulièrement investie dans le soutien aux membres du corps professoral, quels que soient leur rôle, leur rang, leur discipline et leur parcours professionnel. Ses efforts ont notamment consisté à développer les ressources pour les comités de recrutement, à organiser des rencontres entre les membres du corps professoral pour faciliter le mentorat et la création d’une communauté, et à renforcer les ressources institutionnelles et interpersonnelles pour les universitaires de York.

Par ailleurs, les travaux universitaires de Mme Bay-Cheng permettent de mieux comprendre l’impact de la misogynie, du racisme, de l’injustice économique et de l’oppression liée à l’âge sur la vie sexuelle des jeunes femmes. Elle enseigne les études historiques, théoriques et critiques au Département de psychologie. Avant de rejoindre York, Mme Bay-Cheng était membre du corps professoral de l’École de travail social de l’Université de Buffalo. Au cours des 17 années qu’elle y a passées, elle a été successivement responsable pédagogique du programme de doctorat, doyenne associée des programmes de doctorat et doyenne associée pour le développement facultaire. Elle a été nommée professeure titulaire en 2019. Tout au long de sa carrière, elle a travaillé au sein d’universités et de communautés pour défendre et créer des conditions propices à l’épanouissement de personnes et d’idées diverses.

Veuillez vous joindre à moi pour remercier nos deux collègues exceptionnelles pour leur engagement envers l’Université York.

Sincères salutations,

Rhonda Lenton
Présidente et vice-chancelière

Lions hockey coach leads para athletes, advances inclusion in sport

Russ Herrington

Russ Herrington has coached and won at various levels of hockey for close to three decades, having spent the past six as head coach of the York University Lions men’s hockey team after serving as an assistant for two years.

Since joining the Lions staff, he’s taken on a new coaching challenge in the world of para hockey with the Canadian national team.

First invited to guest coach the team in 2016, Herrington continued to be called on to join the coaching staff and moved from video coach to the bench as an assistant coach in 2019, and then became head coach in September 2022.

Russ Herrington coaching the Canadian national para hockey team
Russ Herrington coaching the Canadian national para hockey team.

And, aside from a few minor differences – such as no backwards skating, bilateral skill sets (using both hands proportionately rather than one in the stand-up game) and the fact the players are on a sled – there aren’t many discrepancies from the traditional game to the para game.

“In terms of tactics and the approach, I don’t really treat these players any differently than the players at York,” said Herrington. “They’re high-performance athletes; they just sit in a sled rather than stand on their feet. So, other than a few minor tweaks in terms of defending the rush because they don’t skate backwards, it’s basically the same thing.”

The biggest difference, perhaps, lies in the path of Herrington’s para athletes as opposed to the ones he coaches with the Lions. From players with disabilities from birth to amputees to paralysis and more, the players’ journeys are inspiring and unique, with many being relatively new to the game.

“What it has taught me is the importance of simplicity, repetition and language,” Herrington said. “In hockey, quite often, you’re trying to be multifaceted, trying to be good at 10, 15, 20 different things. We had that approach, but we would become jacks of all trades and masters of none, so let’s simplify the game and streamline our focus and be pointed in our language. Let’s try and be brilliant at three things and then we can worry about trying to be brilliant at a fourth.”

While there have been great strides made in growing the game of hockey in certain areas, the para game has, in some sense, lagged behind, he said, stressing that while para athletes may do it differently, para hockey players are, indeed, hockey players.

“They’re as able as anybody else,” he said. “They’re fiercely independent, they don’t want pity, they don’t want sympathy; they want to be treated like everyone else, and that’s the way I approach it.”

Herrington also said he views the game through a much broader lens in terms of accessibility than he did before entering the para hockey world.

“I look at rinks completely differently now,” he said. “There are a lot of arenas I go in now and I’m like, ‘This is a great facility, but we couldn’t bring a para team here, and that’s a shame.’ So, it’s really opened my eyes in terms of the need to make things more accessible.”

Under Herrington’s leadership, the Lions have made it a priority to broaden their knowledge and understanding of a variety of social issues, including Black Lives Matter, Pride and Truth & Reconciliation.

They also recently held their second annual Colt’s Crusade game on Dec. 3 against the Western Mustangs, spotlighting seven-year-old para hockey player Colton Hagarty, whom Lion forward Michael Douglas met while serving the youngster and his family at a restaurant in Toronto. The Lions also co-ordinated an invitation to a national team camp in Elmira, Ont., where Hagarty was able to meet some of the athletes.

“A lot of the things we’ve done, especially coming out of the pandemic, have been collaborative ideas coming from our players,” Herrington said. “Michael came to me and said, ‘Hey, this is a kid that is trying to get into para sport; what can we do to get him involved?,’ so we were really glad to be able to celebrate Colt.”

The Lions head coach said that being leaders in social initiatives is a key component in the program’s mission of providing a transformational student-athlete experience on and off the ice.

“That’s one of the things I challenge our group to do, individually and collectively: to change the narrative around hockey,” he said. “As part of the CROSS (character, respect, optimism, sacrifice, self-care) acronym, we talk about character, and that to us is the understanding that the true essence of a person is in their actions, behaviours and choices, not what their external appearance looks like.

“We can’t change all of hockey culture; we can change our hockey culture and hope it starts to spread.… We need to be leaders in that space, and that’s a challenge I’m thankful our players are willing to take on.”

Herrington is currently with the Canadian para team coaching at the 2023 Para Hockey Cup in Quispamsis, N.B. The tournament began on Dec. 3 – International Day of Persons With Disabilities, an annual observance promoted by the United Nations since 1992. The Canadians have won the first two games of the preliminary round, beating China 4-1 and Czechia 3-0.

Statement from President Rhonda Lenton in response to Ontario auditor general report

Arial view of Kaneff

La version française suit la version anglaise. 

York University has received the Operations and Capital Audit that was undertaken by the auditor general of Ontario (AGO). The report was released as part of the AGO’s annual report to the Ontario Legislature and follows recent audits of other Ontario universities.

The University appreciates the work of the Office of the Auditor General and thanks them for their collaborative approach to undertaking this audit. The University agrees with the auditor general’s overall conclusion that York is financially sustainable and we accept the recommendations. 

The University had identified many of the areas highlighted in the report as part of our own planning processes including those related to international students and capital investments. We will use the recommendations in the report to further strengthen the robust plans already underway. 

Over the last six years, the University has been delivering on the vision and priorities set out in the University Academic Plan guided by a strategic framework that aligns the external context with our Integrated Resource Plans to hone a financially sustainable approach supporting the success of our students and driving positive change for the communities we serve. That approach includes plans to grow enrolment; assess program, department and Faculty sustainability; and diversify sources of revenue. The University has a strong debt repayment strategy, has no plans to take on more debt and we have already increased annual contributions to deferred maintenance. 

As we work through the recommendations from the auditor general, we will continue to deliver on our mandate to provide a diverse demographic of students access to a high-quality, research-intensive university committed to enhancing the well-being of the communities that we serve. We will do this while continuing to make sound investments in the long-term sustainability of York University. 


Déclaration de la présidente Lenton en réponse au rapport du vérificateur général de l’Ontario

L’Université York a reçu l’audit des opérations et du capital réalisé par le Bureau du vérificateur général de l’Ontario (VGO). Ce rapport a été publié dans le cadre du rapport annuel du VGO à l’Assemblée législative de l’Ontario et fait suite à des vérifications récentes d’autres universités de l’Ontario. 

L’Université est reconnaissante du travail du Bureau du vérificateur général et le remercie pour l’approche collaborative adoptée dans le cadre de cet audit. Nous sommes d’accord avec la conclusion générale du vérificateur général selon laquelle York est financièrement viable et acceptons les recommandations. 

L’Université avait recensé plusieurs domaines mis en évidence dans le rapport dans le cadre de ses propres processus de planification, notamment ceux liés aux étudiants internationaux et aux investissements en capital. Nous utiliserons les recommandations du rapport pour renforcer les plans rigoureux déjà en cours. 

Au cours des six dernières années, York a concrétisé la vision et les priorités définies dans le Plan académique de l’Université en se basant sur un cadre stratégique qui aligne le contexte externe sur nos plans de ressources intégrés afin de parfaire une approche financièrement durable appuyant la réussite de nos étudiants et suscitant des changements positifs pour les communautés que nous servons.   Cette approche comprend des plans visant à augmenter le nombre d’inscriptions, à évaluer la viabilité des programmes, des départements et des facultés, et à diversifier les sources de revenus. L’Université dispose d’une solide stratégie de remboursement de la dette, n’a pas l’intention de s’endetter davantage et a déjà augmenté ses contributions annuelles à la maintenance différée. 

Tout en travaillant sur les recommandations du vérificateur général, nous continuerons à remplir notre mandat, qui est d’offrir à une population étudiante diversifiée l’accès à une université de haute qualité, à forte intensité de recherche, qui s’engage à améliorer le bien-être des communautés qu’elle sert, tout en continuant à investir de façon judicieuse dans la viabilité à long terme de l’Université York. 

York University climbs in QS Sustainability Rankings

Aerial view of York Keele campus summer

York University continues to strengthen its momentum as a global leader in sustainability, climbing more than 100 spots in the latest QS Sustainability Rankings – which evaluate the social, environmental and governance impact of global institutions – to rank 118th out of over 1,400 universities.

In addition to its momentum in the overall rankings, York also achieved strong global placement in several significant categories, including ranking 14th in equality and 100th in governance.

“These rankings reflect York University’s steadfast commitment to creating a world that is equitable, just and sustainable,” says York University President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton. “The climate crisis is the most urgent priority we face on the planet, and failure to take action will have severe environmental, social and economic repercussions for us all. As a modern and progressive international university, York plays an important role in promoting the cross-sectoral and interdisciplinary collaboration needed to respond to global challenges through our purposeful research and teaching, our university-wide call to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and through the bold initiatives we are taking to reduce emissions on our campuses.”

York’s placement in the QS Sustainability Rankings builds on the institution’s strong showings in other prestigious rankings throughout 2023.

In July, the University strengthened its global position as a leading research-intensive university by climbing more than 100 spots to 353rd in the world in the QS World University Rankings.

In March, the 2023 QS Subject Report Rankings found York ranked among the top 100 in the world in three subject areas: English language and literature, philosophy and, for the first time, performing arts

According to the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings in June, the University placed among the top 40 institutions advancing the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals, including ranking 21st in fighting poverty, 25th in reducing inequalities and 12th in building more sustainable cities and communities.   

York University recently committed further to becoming one of the most sustainable institutions in Canada, to develop a strategy with an aim to achieve net-zero emissions on Scope 1 and 2 emissions at York University and to significantly reduce Scope 3 emissions before 2040 – a decade sooner than its previous commitment. 

“As an internationally recognized leader in sustainability, York University has a responsibility to act on global challenges facing humanity, including ecological degradation, climate change and growing socio-economic inequality. The bold actions we are taking on our campuses, and in our local and global communities, will build on the strong foundation we have created and move us closer to our goal of becoming one of the most sustainable institutions in Canada,” Lenton said during a special announcement on Nov. 23.

Guided by a University Academic Plan and Sustainability Policy that seek to inspire and deliver positive change, York’s high-quality academic programming and research continue to position the institution as a leader in sustainability in post-secondary education in Canada and around the world.