Centre for Indigenous Knowledges and Languages launches learning resource

June 20, 2023

In celebration of National Indigenous History Month and the United Nations Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022-2032), the Centre for Indigenous Knowledges and Languages (CIKL) has launched a collection of Indigenous language resources, which focus on the languages currently spoken by First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples.

The collection can be found on the CIKL website in two parts, each with its own webpage. One focuses on general resources – from in-phone apps to online videos – for 38 distinct Indigenous languages belonging to six language families. The second is dedicated to language learning at York University, identifying language teachers and researchers, as well as courses focused on Indigenous language learning.

The websites are representative of CIKL’s mandate to bring together Indigenous and non-Indigenous faculty, researchers, students and community members, with a focus on centering Indigenous knowledges, languages and ways of being. The collection of language learning resources aims to promote and preserve Indigenous languages by providing resources to learn and explore.

The site embodies the spirit of a quote – translated from Kanien’kéha – by Tekáhkw, a Kanien’kéha speaker & faithkeeper: “The earth carries knowledge that has the power to inform our minds as we are moving about upon it. Our language is the key to understanding the knowledge that the earth carries. The responsibility of a teacher is to lead students through experiences with the power to inform their minds and enlighten their thinking. Enlightenment is the process of learning and the pathway to peace.”

Among the York courses highlighted by the website are:

‘Introduction to the Ojibwe Language and Culture,” taught by Brock Pitawanakwat, CIKL associate director, associate professor and coordinator of the Indigenous Studies program, which provides students with the opportunity to delve into the rich linguistic and cultural heritage of the Ojibwe.

‘Introduction to Kanien’keha (Mohawk),’ will be offered through the Indigenous Studies program and will be taught by Jeremy Green, CIKL associate and assistant professor in Indigenous Studies. The Indigenous Studies program is thrilled to offer the Mohawk language for the first time at Keele campus and hopes to add additional courses if student interest continues to grow.

‘Anishinaabemowin (Ojibway) Language and Culture,’ taught by Maya Chacaby, lecturer in the Department of Sociology at Glendon. The course appears alongside a diverse range of courses at Glendon aiming to create a dynamic learning environment for the study of the Anishinaabemowin language and culture.

The CIKL language resources were put together by Cassidy McInnis, a CIKL workstudy student and recent graduate, and the overall project was guided by Alan Corbiere, CIKL associate and assistant professor, Department of History. By offering these resources, CIKL strives to provide valuable tools for learners, researchers, and the public alike. Visitors to the site are encouraged to engage with the available materials, allowing them to enhance their understanding of Indigenous languages, whether they are beginners or advanced learners.

To learn more about Indigenous languages at York, visit the website here.

Undergraduate students receive Governor General’s Silver Medal

June 16, 2023

Christine Cooling, Ali Samani and Ariana Zunino

Three undergraduate students at York University have been awarded the Governor General’s Silver Medal. The medal recognizes the outstanding scholastic achievements of undergraduate students in Canada. Receiving this year’s medals are dedicated community changemakers Christine Cooling, Ali Samani and Ariana Zunino.

The Governor General awards are considered the highest honour earned by exemplary Canadian scholars throughout every level of academia. This year’s recipients offered words of gratitude to their peers and mentors, and expressed what the medals mean to them, ahead of their Spring Convocation ceremonies.

Christine Cooling

Cooling is graduating from York’s Communication & Media Studies program, where she became captivated by the study of communication policy and its influence on national culture and identity. Among her accomplishments, Cooling is most proud of her undergraduate thesis, for which she “conducted a mixed-methods research study on the relations between governing Canadian culture, nation-building and contemporary broadcasting policy.”

Cooling has also been the winner of the Penny Jolliffe Scholarship, the Jerry Durlak Prize, the Reva Orlicky Memorial & Founding Friends Award, the YUFA Undergraduate Scholarship, and a position as an assistant to Associate Professor Anne F. MacLennan on multiple projected funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).

Cooling has recently received her own SSHRC funding as well. “I’m now a recipient of a generous SSHRC Canada Graduate Scholarship through York to fund my master’s studies, which I will be beginning in the fall in the joint Communication & Culture program with York University and Toronto Metropolitan University,” Cooling says. “I look forward to the prospect of contributing to an esteemed community of learners. My experience at York University has already been nothing short of wonderful.

“To be awarded the Governor General Silver Medal is the utmost honour to recognize my accomplishments and dedication to communication research over the past four years, while serving as a bright source of inspiration and motivation for a successful future in academia,” she adds.

Ali Samani

Samani joined York’s Department of Psychology in 2018, following closely in the footsteps of his sister Maryam Samani, who graduated that year having also received the Governor General Silver Medal for her exceptional performance throughout her undergraduate psychology studies. Inspired by Maryam, Samani promised himself to achieve the same honour.

“This medal is the culmination of that promise. It is a testament to the power of an ambitious goal, the relentless pursuit it demands and the resilience it builds. It serves as an enduring reminder that no dream is too far when pursued with determination,” Samani says.

It was that determination which led Samani to the labs of Associate Professor Jennifer Steele and former York professor Joni Sasaki, where he researched everything from cognition and perception to culture and religion. More recently, Samani worked with Assistant Professor Julie Conder, who inspired in him a love for statistics.

“Currently, I am working as a data scientist for GivingTuesday, a global nonprofit organization where I have the privilege of using my skills to drive meaningful change,” he adds. “Regarding my future plans, I am also open to exploring the multifaceted possibilities that my unique set of skills and interests offer. I am intrigued by potential pathways ranging from medicine to clinical psychology to research. My experience at York has provided me with the foundation that makes these possible, and I look forward to carrying the lessons learned into future opportunities.”

Ariana Zunino

Zunino will graduate with an honours BA in criminology with a humanities minor. She says the combined insights gleaned from these areas of study allowed her “to develop a critical view of the popular conceptions of criminality in our modern world and illuminate the significant impacts such erroneous beliefs can have on individual lives.”

She points to a number of extracurricular opportunities at York which contributed to her growth as a well-rounded academic, including: working with the sociology undergraduate student association to examine the impact of COVID-19 on undergraduate sociology students, enrolling in the Dean’s Ambassador Program for inspiring student leadership, and the Advancing Women’s Scholarship Program for fledgling women scholars pursuing careers in academia.

“My experience at York University can be characterized by one term: enabling. The support I was granted by the teaching faculty and the opportunities offered by the institution all culminated to enable the progression of my dreams into a reality,” Zunino says.

“Being awarded the Governor General’s Silver Medal is an immense honour, one for which I will be forever grateful. This medal serves as a representation of the dedication and resilience I have practiced in pursuit of my education, but even more than that, it is a reminder that sacrifices do not go unrecognized,” she adds. “I begin my pursuit of a Juris Doctorate at the University of Toronto in the fall. My interest in the unique experience youth and families have with the criminal justice system has narrowed my focus to the practice of child advocacy law. I see myself one day returning to the world of academia as a professor, and hopefully supporting future changemakers, as my professors were able to support me.”

About the awards

For 150 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.

LA&PS and faculty look to global future

June 16, 2023

Following the release of York University’s new Internationalization and Global Engagement Strategy, the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS) and Dean J.J. McMurtry consider the future of its global engagement priorities – students, alumni networks and intellectual and research competencies.

LA&PS is currently home to York’s largest population of international students. The Faculty’s student success team is dedicated to ensuring they find a smooth landing at York, working closely with York International. There is a pre-arrival orientation online, an international retreat that invites these students to arrive on campus a few days early to acclimate and meet peers; and a strong peer mentorship program.

Lily Cho

“We want to get our international students started with the right steps,” said Lily Cho, associate dean, global & community engagement. “We recognize they’ve taken a huge risk coming to a new country to pursue their studies.”

“When we talk about international students, it’s not just about recruiting, it’s about offering a high-quality education,” McMurtry said. “This is an opportunity for them to engage in a whole new set of experiences.

“Ideally, we talk to parents and students in person and engage with them before they apply so we can gauge their dreams and ambitions and connect that to the curriculum, pedagogy and teaching in relevant ways. We can offer a wide variety of courses and opportunities with intention.”

But more can be done too. “I want to do more to support international students,” McMurtry said. “We’re in the process of establishing specific supports for both global and Indigenous students in our colleges to provide more welcoming and supportive spaces for them, and we’d like the topics students study in LA&PS to continue to improve on bringing a diversity of voices and local, regional and international experiences to our curriculum. We recognize that York is a global university, so we need to act accordingly.”

The Faculty also has a robust study abroad program through international exchanges and courses taught overseas by LA&PS instructors. “We’re proud of our offerings and know that our students are eager to be out in the world, especially after the pandemic,” Cho said.

McMurtry believes internationalization also offers opportunities for further exposing research being done by LA&PS faculty in the future. Both students and research are topics addressed in the LA&PS Academic Plan, which highlights the need to “connect students and faculty scholars to global opportunities.”

“We don’t promote our research and faculty enough,” he said. “We need to learn from other universities and understand their approach to these challenges.

“We also need to take advantage of opportunities to build relationships with other institutions and encourage intellectual exchange in a meaningful way: not only relations between institutions but faculty-to-faculty and student-to-student relationships.”

Connecting with alumni networks will also be important, as McMurtry believes that LA&PS “can do more to connect with alumni as they move into the working world and to connect with them throughout the various stages of their lives.”

With 130,000 LA&PS alumni worldwide, he wants to see more opportunities for alumni everywhere to connect with the University and to foster relationships that will make mentorships possible for current students.

“We want our students to recognize that a global mindset is a distinct advantage these days and we need to provide the supports they need to understand how international opportunities can be accessed and engaged with,” he said. “Alumni can be a key to open that door.”

Overarching all of McMurtry’s plans and ideas is the concept of strategic engagement.

“There are some places where we need to be strategically engaged and do more to create dialogue and exchange, such as India and West Africa,” he said. “Africa, in particular, is a place where the world will continue to expand engagement, so we need to strengthen relationships with countries like Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya.

“We also need to look closer to home, too,” he said. “There are many opportunities to engage with other regions and cultures within Canada and with communities in the United States.”

No matter how and where LA&PS expands its reach, McMurtry emphasizes that it behooves the Faculty to do so strategically and with an emphasis on the value proposition it offers our students, faculty, alums and the global community.

Lassonde students receive 2023 Bergeron Medal

June 16, 2023

Each year, top graduating students from the Lassonde School of Engineering at York University are awarded the Bergeron Medal by the Bergeron Entrepreneurs in Science and Technology (BEST) program, which recognizes outstanding entrepreneurial achievement throughout their time at the School. This year, the award was presented to Nick Di Scipio and Megan Gran.

Di Scipio, a mechanical engineering student, received his medal for a number of accomplishments, including completing both the BEST Certificate and BEST Co-op program. The latter led him to put his passion for 3D printing into practice by creating a startup at BEST called Pantheon Prototyping, an on-demand additive manufacturing firm catering to various small to medium-sized organization.

Di Scipio prioritized Pantheon giving back to the Lassonde community by sponsoring technical clubs. He also mentored students, as well as participated in programs like the BEST Startup Experience and UNHack to support teams and guide them through their projects. During his time at Lassonde, Di Scipio also received the BEST Award in 2021 for his exceptional achievements.

Gran, a space engineering student, has been an active participant in the BEST program throughout her degree, having engaged in various BEST initiatives and completed the BEST Certificate. Gran took part in Lassonde’s co-op program, where she had the opportunity to work for KPM Power. Throughout her time at Lassonde, she has been recognized as a Lassonde Scholar and a BEST Entrance Award Recipient.

Gran supported experiential education activities as a mentor, providing guidance and support to fellow students, by hosting tutoring sessions, participating in the York University Robotics Society and taking on leadership roles in various campus activities such as WeekZero. Additionally, she volunteered for several community events, including Innovire’s Annual Summit and various FIRST Robotics competitions. In her second year, she was one of just 24 students selected worldwide by the European Space Agency to participate in building and launching a rocket in northern Norway, through the “Fly a Rocket” program.

Find out more information about Lassonde’s BEST program here.

Schulich and OneEleven partner to run Venture Studio within Tech MBA

June 14, 2023

Women in casual business attire browsing through paper documents and tablets

York University’s Schulich School of Business and OneEleven have formalized the collaborative Venture Studio as part of the School’s new MBA in Technology Leadership (Tech MBA) to network students with select startups.

Led by the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI), OneEleven is a highly curated community focused on helping post-seed companies get the most out of their talent by providing bespoke programming to ensure that emerging team leaders and people managers are growing and learning as fast as their companies are scaling. Similarly, Schulich’s 16-month Tech MBA program – the first of its kind in Canada – is designed to equip tomorrow’s business leaders with the knowledge to thrive throughout continuous technological disruption.

Together, OneEleven and Schulich will host the Venture Studio as a part of the Tech MBA, to be co-led by award-winning Schulich Adjunct Professor Chris Carder. Carder will match teams of top students with member companies from both OneEleven and the Schulich Startups communities, completing pro bono strategic product and fundraising analysis for select startups.

The Venture Studio will also feature guest lectures by top founders and venture capitalists, project mentorship by leading innovators and investors, special joint events with OneEleven community members, and networking opportunities with OneEleven and the Schulich Startups community recruiting for new talent.

“This partnership will enable OneEleven to continue contributing to the ecosystem of talent and upskilling and we can’t wait to work with these leaders of the future,” says Angelo Casanas, OneEleven interim managing director. “Schulich is an iconic business education brand and we’re thrilled with this partnership.”

Carder, who is now actively recruiting for additional course instructors, guest lecturers and mentors, adds, “The Venture Studio will unlock a world of learning opportunities and relationships for our students. OneEleven is a dream partnership for us, with their impressive track record of supporting high-growth companies, which have raised more than $800 million in follow-on funding in the past 24 months.”

The Schulich Tech MBA program will launch in Fall 2023 and will help develop the next generation of leaders for a business world that is increasingly tech driven. The highly experiential professional program will equip students with the leadership and management skills needed to succeed in a business world facing major transformational changes, including the rapid application of artificial intelligence and other technological advances. Key program features include a guaranteed workplace internship, direct exposure to industry leaders as part of a small selective class, and career support through the Tech MBA’s Professional Development Hive.

Joan Andrew shares highlights of career in public service with Glendon grads

June 13, 2023

By Ashley Goodfellow Craig, editor, YFile

Graduands of Glendon College crossed the stage on June 9 as the first cohort of York University’s Class of 2023 during this year’s Spring Convocation.

During the first of 12 ceremonies planned through June, Glendon graduands had the opportunity to hear from York University’s newly installed chancellor, Kathleen Taylor, as well as from honorary degree recipient and Glendon alum Joan Andrew.

Taylor first addressed the graduating class with an inspirational message to foster connections, to give back and to embrace failure as a stepping stone toward success.

“Your hard work, determination and perseverance have all paid off and succeeded in completing your degrees. And, what a massive feat this is,” said Taylor, who is also a York alum. “As you embark embark upon this next exciting chapter of your lives, remember that success is not a destination, but a continuous journey of learning and growth. So embrace change, seize opportunities, adapt and evolve. And continue to strive for excellence for yourself, for those in the world around you.”

Chancellor Kathleen Taylor, honorary degree recipient Joan Andrew and President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton

Andrew, who spent more than 35 years in public service working for the federal and provincial governments, shared her personal journey with graduands, as well as their families and friends, after receiving an honorary doctor of laws.

Graduating from Glendon more than 50 years ago with a BA majoring in sociology, Andrew recalled one of the most important experiences during those years was the friendships she made, noting that some of her closest friends today she met at Glendon.

After completing her studies at Glendon, Andrew spent a year combining work and travel in Europe before settling in Toronto and accepting a six-week contract with the federal government, where she ended up working for 15 years. Most of her career, she shared, was spent working on issues of employment and labour market policy, but also focusing on working with community organizations to work on improving employment and training, women’s issues, immigration and refugee matters and environmental issues.

“I think this experience also created a focus for my career in terms of trying to figure out how governments could design policies and programs to better serve people historically not well served by governments. I know much more remains to be done – particularly in the context of reconciliation with Canada’s Indigenous communities and the pervasiveness of racism, and other forms of discrimination and exclusion – but there has been some progress in the last 40 or 50 years,” she said.

“I hope as you choose your career path or paths that you think seriously about some form of public service, whether in governments at different levels, in the community sector or in education or health related fields.”

Her path then led her to the British government for a year, and then back to Ontario to take on a role at the Ontario Women’s Directorate leading a branch that was responsible for promoting employment equity for women. From there, she led policy development on women’s issues with an emphasis on partner and sexual violence, and three years later became an assistant deputy minister in the Ontario Public Service, taking on a variety of roles.

In 2005, Andrew became deputy minister and was responsible for the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration, the Ontario Women’s Directorate and briefly for the Ontario Seniors Secretariat. The government’s priority at that time, she said, was to improve the prospects for newcomers to Ontario to work in their chosen field and to gain access to regulated professions. While in this role, the government introduced legislation with the support of all parties to create an act initially called the Fair Access to Regulated Professions Act, said Andrew, adding that it was later amended to include compulsory trades.

“Ontario was the first province in the country to introduce this kind of legislation and while progress has not been as significant as some of us might have hoped, there have been some amendments to tighten some provisions and some professions have made significant improvements, there is still much to be done to support newcomers access to their chosen careers and recognition of their credentials,” she said.

Andrew retired from Ontario Public Service in 2009 to focus on volunteering with the United Way of Greater Toronto and with TRIEC, the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council. She also spent some time as the public servant in residence at what is now Toronto Metropolitan University, and helped master’s level students find work placements in public service.

In 2015, Andrew took on a special project in the Ontario Cabinet Office to address a cross-government approach to the arrival of the refugees from Syria, and to work on better coordination with the federal government. This involved addressing housing issues for the arriving refugees – both short and long term – as well as health care services, including vaccinations, so the children could go to school; English-as-a-second-language training for the adults; getting the children into school, supporting sponsorship groups; and addressing refugee mental health issues.

“It was a challenging but very rewarding project and tied in with my personal interests, as I was part of a sponsorship group that helped three families come to settle in Toronto,” she shared.

“There are many ways to be involved in public service on both a professional and voluntary level. There can be lots of challenges, but it can be exciting and fun too. Think about public service as you choose your career.”

Visit the Convocation website for more on upcoming ceremonies.

Better Buildings Boot Camp exemplifies experiential sustainability education

June 13, 2023

architect working on house blueprint, hardhat, pen

The Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change (EUC) at York University, in partnership with Sustainable Buildings Canada, will host the Better Buildings Boot Camp (BBBC) 2023 for undergraduate and graduate students, researchers and instructors from Canadian universities from June 19 to 23, 8:30 a.m to 3:30 p.m.

The BBBC comprises five full-day workshops led by professional and academic experts which explore emergent topics in sustainability and eco-friendly design. Each day’s activities and discussions will bolster the understanding of the camp’s participants as they prepare to plan the deep energy retrofit of York’s Assiniboine Graduate Student Residence.

With its emphasis on experiential education, the camp encourages undergraduate and graduate student participants to form interdisciplinary, inter-institutional groups to network with each other, as well as the diverse groups of builders, researchers and instructors leading the daily activities. The week will begin with participants and activity leaders leveraging each other’s expertise and assembling their groups’ plans in order to end the week by presenting their ideas and providing feedback to the project building team who will renovate the 51-year-old, 19-story residence at 320 Assiniboine Rd.

By collaborating with academics and technicians, BBBC organizers expect that participants will enjoy a hands-on learning experience that dissolves the boundary between theoretical and practical education, and inspires the next generation’s best minds to endeavor for a future that is sustainable and equitable.

Aren Sammy

“The Better Buildings Boot Camp is an excellent experiential education opportunity that emphasizes the collective responsibility of environmental professionals working towards change in our community,” says Aren Sammy, EUC experiential education coordinator, community partnerships and employers. “This experience takes eager-to-learn students, seasoned professionals and our own alumni to work alongside EUC, York facilities and sustainability offices to get one step closer to net zero emissions by 2049.”

To maximize the accessibility of this year’s event, all introductory, networking and consultation activities – including those with York’s Facilities team – will be hosted as webinars for participants at York and at partnering institutions.

Initially conceived as a joint effort between George Brown College, Seneca College, University of Toronto, Carleton University and Toronto Metropolitan University, the boot camp has expanded year after year adding more Canadian institutions into the partnership, with the 2023 instalment marking the first time that York has hosted the event.

“This is how we make a difference, it takes all of us to come together with our specializations to work towards one goal, a more just and sustainable future,” Sammy adds.

A summary of each day’s themes and speakers are included below, for a detailed event schedule, including breaks and mixers, click here.

Monday: Goals – featuring Mike Singleton, executive director of Sustainable Buildings Canada (SBC); Bettina Hoar, CEO and sustainability officer of Sage Living; Nicole Arsenault, program director, sustainability; and more
Tuesday: Tools – featuring Juan Sebastián Carrizo, senior building performance consultant at DIALOG; Sean Sirgi, building performance analyst at EVNA Engineering; and more
Wednesday: Humans – featuring Leslie Kulperger, founder and CEO of MylesAhead; Jayde Malam, founder and accessibility consultant at Beautifully Inclusive; and more
Thursday: Workshop – featuring Mike Layton, chief sustainability officer at York University; the York University Facilities team; the SBC consultation team; and more
Friday: Lessons Learned – featuring EUC alumnus David MacMillian, program manager at City of Toronto; Justin J. Podur, EUC associate dean, teaching and learning; Alice J. Hovorka, EUC dean; and more

During Thursday morning’s session, Layton – who joined York in March after serving for 12 years as Toronto city councillor and who continues to be an environmental champion – will share his personal knowledge with the SBC and York facilities teams and help shape the project proposals that will make the residence a net-positive development for the campus environment.

“The buildings we live, work and play in, at York University and everywhere, play an important role in achieving our sustainability objectives,” Layton says. “The BBBC workshop is a great opportunity for students, practitioners, and York staff to learn from each other and put into practice their expertise in a collaborative and practical application.”

This year’s BBBC is currently approaching 70 student registrants representing 19 different schools across Canada and 10 unique fields of study. Registration for the event will remain open until Friday, June 16 at 5 p.m. Due to limited space, interested parties are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. For more information and to sign up for BBBC 2023, click here.

York Capstone Day awards recognize SDG innovation

June 13, 2023

A total of 16 awards were given to teams of upper-year students based on their presentations at Capstone Day, an annual showcase hosted by the York Capstone Network (YCN) and the Lassonde School of Engineering.

Capstone Day offers upper-year students the chance to share capstone and pre-capstone projects focused on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to fellow students, faculty members and off-campus project partners.

“This exciting event serves as the culmination of their capstone projects, as well as their degree and university experience. It is also a pan-campus, community-building event, as it brings together hundreds of students, professors, and their on/off-campus partners into one virtual space, within which we can connect, share ideas, and imagine new ways to create impact on our world together,” Danielle Robinson, co-founder and co-lead of the University’s Cross-Campus Capstone Classroom (C4), has said of the occasion.

This year’s Capstone Day saw more than 200 members of the York community and external visitors learn about the work of 517 presenting students focused on real world issues and creating positive change. The projects collectively represent innovative and sustainable design solutions, the addressing of societal issues, advancement of SDGs or creation of long-term positive change. That is especially true for the award winners, determined by a committee of 20 judges.

For example, the winners of the Tech Stewardship Prize – awarded to the work with the greatest commercial potential – went to a team project called KROP Vision, an indoor farming system meant to promote sustainable agriculture and reduce crops losses.

Another team, which received York’s Office of Sustainability SDG Award, developed a curriculum made up of four lessons that target various facets of sustainability to support creating a culture of sustainability among York’s residences.

“Through our meetings with senior residence staff, we learned that within the residence education plan, there’s little to no emphasis on sustainability,” said Ravi Mahadeo, a biology student and team member of Sustainable 7. “We believed that building that culture of sustainability through education would be effective.

“Our goal was to educate students in these areas, all while equipping them with the knowledge to act more sustainability in their everyday lives.”

Faculty members can learn more about capstone courses, C4, the Project Commons and implementing experiential education into their classrooms by connecting with members of the York Capstone Network.

The full list of awards and project titles are:

Engineering Capstone Prize: “Smart Nordic Walk” by ENG Team 21 – The Pole Walkers
Honorable Mention: “Drone Range Extension (D.R.E.)” by Team 36a – Aerial-Electro-Claw
CIVL GeoSolv Innovation & Sustainability Award: “Timber Pedestrian Bridge” by Team 7 – Sapling Solutions
CSCE – CSCE National Capstone Design Competition Nominee: “Integrated Water Systems Design at Downsview Taxiway West District” by Team 2 – IRD Engineering
CIVL: Student Choice Award: “Integrated Water Systems Design at Downsview Taxiway West District” by Team 2 – IRD Engineering
Technology Impact Award (BEST Lab): “Modular Smart Home” by ENG Team 38 – Modular Smart Home
Technology Impact Award (BEST Program for C4): “Nordic Walking Poles” by Team BE
Office of Alumni Engagement, Alumni EDI Award: “DiaSol” by Team CA
Office of Alumni Engagement, Alumni Engagement Award: “Sustainable 7” by Team AF
YSPACE General Innovation Award: “Building Cents” led by Munzungu Nzeyedio, Team BC
YSPACE Black Entrepreneurship Alliance Award: “Financial Education” led by Bobby Lewis, Team BI
C4 Community Impact Award (Positive Change Initiative): “ECO6IX” by Team Cj and “YU Waste” by Team AD
C4 Pivot Award: “The Pivoteers” by Team BB and “DiaSol” by Team CA
C4 Partner Choice Award: “RydUp” by Team AB

For more on these projects, the winners and other C4 information, contact with the York Capstone Network at ycn@yorku.ca.

COVID-19 vaccine clinics scheduled for June

June 9, 2023

A photo with a black backgroud that features two vials of COVID-19 vaccine and a syringe

York University’s Health, Safety and Employee Well-Being will host a series of COVID-19 vaccination clinics for the York community.

Clinics will be hosted at both the Keele and Glendon Campuses, beginning June 14.

Keele Campus clinic

Wednesday, June 14

Location: Central Square, East Bear Pit
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
How to access: walk-in only
Vaccines offered: COVID-19 Pfizer monovalent and bivalent, Moderna monovalent and bivalent

Mercredi 14 Juin

Emplacement : Central Square, East Bear Pit
10h00 à 14h00
Comment y accéder : Sans rendez-vous uniquement
Vaccins offerts : Vaccins Pfizer monovalent et bivalent contre la COVID-19, vaccins Moderna monovalent et bivalent contre la COVID-19

Glendon Campus clinic

Wednesday, June 28

Location: Lobby for the Centre of Excellence, Glendon
Time: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
How to access: walk-in only
Vaccines offered: COVID-19 Pfizer monovalent and bivalent, Moderna monovalent and bivalent

Mercredi 28 Juin

Emplacement : Lobby for the Centre of Excellence, Glendon
10h00 à 14h00
Comment y accéder : Sans rendez-vous uniquement
Vaccins offerts : Vaccins Pfizer monovalent et bivalent contre la COVID-19, vaccins Moderna monovalent et bivalent contre la COVID-19

Four projects receive funding through York’s Sustainability Innovation Fund

June 9, 2023

tablet united nations sustainability goals unsdgs

A selection committee from the President’s Sustainability Council identified projects that advance climate action at the University for the second round of funding from York’s Sustainability Innovation Fund (SIF).

The Sustainability Innovation Fund provides funding to support campus sustainability projects that help build a culture and practice of sustainability at York University and advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This round of funding awarded over $50,000 to projects that contribute to the University’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 45 per cent by 2030 and achieving net zero and advancing SDG 13 (Climate Action).

The winning projects reflect various ways to utilize the campus as a living lab and address direct or indirect emissions through activities such as commuting, energy use, food consumption, waste management, behaviour change, awareness and engagement, and nature-based solutions.

“By supporting these projects, we are making significant strides towards creating a more sustainable community at York University and beyond,” said Mike Layton, chief sustainability officer. “We’re also breaking down financial barriers to empower students, staff and faculty to become agents of positive change and take meaningful steps to reduce our impact on the planet.”

The four winning projects are:

Living Learning Community – Sustainability 

Project team: Aaron Brown and Melanie Howard, Residence Life, Division of Students  
Residence Life will pilot a Living Learning Community (LLC) specific to sustainability during the 2023-24 academic year. The program seeks to address SDG 12 (Ensure sustainable production and consumption patterns) and 13 (Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts).

York University Composting Centre 

Project lead: John Simoulidis
Project team: Andrew Maxwell (Lassonde School of Engineering), Dean J.J. McMurtry (Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS)), Dean Alice Hovorka (Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change (EUC)), Tom Watt (Ancillary Services), Calvin Lakhan (EUC), Mark Winfield (EUC), Karl Karvonen (Facilities Services), Sabine Dreher (Glendon College), Nicolas Cabal (student), Ronon Smith (student), Sabrina de Losada Casab (student) 
This project began through the first round of SIF. It will continue to develop an on-site composting centre to divert organic waste away from landfills, process it on site and turn it into useful compost that can be applied at Maloca Garden (Keele) or Glendon Garden, two spaces well situated as ”living labs.”

Green Career Fair: Exploring Climate Careers to Achieve Net Zero 

Project leads: Lauren Castelino, Joanne Huy and Rosanna Chowdury (EUC)
This project will host an annual Green Career Fair at York University to engage students and GTA youth. The fair will lead discussions on transitioning to net-zero emissions and showcase green career paths and organizations championing initiatives towards this goal. It aims to prepare underrepresented youth for green careers through nurturing a stronger sense of connection, inclusion and well-being.

Determining the merits of large battery electricity storage at York University 

Project lead: Tim Hampton (EUC)
Project team: Mark Winfield (EUC), Hany Farag (Lassonde), Steven Prince (Facilities Services) 
This project will assess the desirability (environmental impact reduction), feasibility (fit with existing campus infrastructure and staffing) and viability (whether the system will reduce overall costs) of a large battery storage system at York University.

The next round of SIF funding is planned for Fall 2023. To learn more about the Sustainability Innovation Fund, visit the Office of Sustainability website.

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Centre for Indigenous Knowledges and Languages launches learning resource