York faculty and staff invited to virtual Alumni Celebration on Nov. 19

Alumni Celebration FEATURED
Alumni Celebration FEATURED

All York University faculty and staff are invited to join The York U Alumni Celebration: Honouring 20 Years of Bryden Awards on Nov. 19  from 7 to 8 p.m.

For 20 years, the Bryden Alumni Awards have celebrated alumni who have changed the world for the better. This virtual entertaining and inspiring evening recognizing their contributions will feature past award recipients together with York University’s global community of alumni, friends, students and leaders.

Natasha Ramsahai
Natasha Ramsahai

Join host Natasha Ramsahai (MSc ’01) for an evening of entertainment along with Kardinal Offishall, The Social’s Cynthia Loyst (BFA ’98) and Melissa Grelo (BA ’02), Come From Away playwrights and Bryden award recipients Irene Sankoff (BA ’99) and David Hein (BFA ’97), chefs and entertainers Noah Cappe and Paul Lillakas (BA ’12), York student group WIBI A Cappella, and others.

This special event will also include remarks from York Chancellor Greg Sorbara and President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda L. Lenton, a cooking demonstration and musical performances.

Kardinal Offishall
Kardinal Offishall

The Division of Advancement is offering complimentary tickets for this event and invites those who are able to consider making a donation of $20 or more to York’s Emergency COVID-19 Student Relief Fund. Visit the Division of Advancement website for more information and to RSVP to reserve a place.

This event’s premier sponsor is TD Insurance, Affinity program partner, which provides home and car insurance for York University alumni, students, employees and retirees.

Appointment of Maureen Armstrong as Interim Ombudsperson

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

York University President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda L. Lenton issues the following announcement:

I am delighted to share with you that Maureen Armstrong has been appointed Interim York University Ombudsperson.

Maureen Armstrong
Maureen Armstrong

Maureen will be familiar to the York community through her service as University Secretary and General Counsel from 2014 to 2019. In this role, she provided strategic and informed counsel to address a multitude of complex governance and legal matters. As a champion of equity and inclusion, Maureen played an important role in obtaining partial bilingual designation for Glendon Campus, creating York’s Sexual Violence Policy and chairing our AODA Coordinating Committee.

Prior to her time at York, Maureen worked in the federal and provincial public services, holding senior positions at the Canadian Human Rights Commission, Legal Aid Ontario, and the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board.

In addition to the day-to-day work of the ombudsperson, Maureen has a mandate to implement important reforms to the Office of the Ombudsperson to ensure it meets the needs of our community today and in the future.

Maureen is well known for her work in promoting a culture of service excellence at the University, and for her collegiality. It is my pleasure to welcome her back to York in this interim role.

At this time, I would also like to thank Professor Emeritus John D. McCamus, who has served as Ombudsperson for the University since March 2009. As Ombudsperson, John used his tremendous professionalism to provide more than a decade of invaluable service to our community.

John began his career as a professor at Osgoode Hall Law School in 1971, and served as dean at the school from 1982 to 1987. Prior to his time as Ombudsperson, he acted as Chair of Legal Aid Ontario and Chair of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association. Last fall, he was awarded the Justice Medal Award by the Canadian Institute for the Administration of Justice (CIAJ) for exceptional achievement by a person who has shown distinctive leadership in the administration of justice in Canada.

I would ask that you join me in thanking John for his outstanding service to York, and in welcoming Maureen back to the University and into her new role.

Sincerely,

Rhonda L. Lenton
President and Vice-Chancellor


Je suis ravie de vous annoncer que Maureen Armstrong a été nommée ombud par intérim de l’Université York.

Maureen Armstrong
Maureen Armstrong

En tant que secrétaire de l’Université et conseillère juridique de 2014 à 2019, Maureen connaît bien la communauté de York. Dans l’exercice de ses fonctions, elle a fourni des conseils stratégiques et éclairés sur une multitude de questions complexes de gouvernance et de droit. Championne de l’équité et de l’inclusion, Maureen a joué un rôle important dans l’obtention d’une désignation bilingue partielle pour le campus Glendon et dans la création de la politique de York sur la violence sexuelle; elle a également présidé notre comité de coordination de la Loi sur l’accessibilité pour les personnes handicapées de l’Ontario.

Avant de rejoindre York, Maureen a travaillé dans la fonction publique fédérale et provinciale, occupant des postes supérieurs au sein de la Commission canadienne des droits de la personne, d’Aide juridique Ontario et de la Commission d’indemnisation des victimes d’actes criminels.

En plus des tâches quotidiennes de son rôle d’ombud, Maureen a pour mandat de mettre en œuvre d’importantes réformes du Bureau de l’ombud afin qu’il réponde aux besoins actuels et futurs de notre communauté.

Maureen est bien connue pour son engagement dans la promotion d’une culture de l’excellence du service à l’Université et pour son esprit collégial. Je suis heureuse de l’accueillir à nouveau à York dans ce rôle intérimaire.

Je tiens également à remercier le professeur émérite John D. McCamus qui occupait le poste d’ombud de l’Université depuis mars 2009. En tant qu’ombud, John a mis à profit son grand professionnalisme pour fournir des services inestimables à notre communauté pendant plus d’une décennie.

John a commencé sa carrière en 1971 comme professeur à l’École de droit Osgoode Hall, dont il a été doyen de 1982 à 1987. Avant d’occuper le poste d’ombud de l’Université, il a été président d’Aide juridique Ontario et président de l’Association canadienne des libertés civiles. En automne dernier, l’Institut canadien d’administration de la justice (ICAJ) lui a remis la Médaille de la justice, qui souligne les réalisations exceptionnelles d’une personne ayant joué un rôle déterminant dans l’administration de la justice au Canada.

Je vous demande de vous joindre à moi pour remercier John pour les services exceptionnels qu’il a rendus à York, et pour souhaiter à Maureen un bon retour à l’Université dans son nouveau rôle.

Veuillez agréer mes sincères salutations,

Rhonda L. Lenton
Présidente et vice-chancelière

Provost announces launch of York’s multi-year Complement Renewal Strategy

Vari Hall

Lisa Philipps, provost and vice-president academic, issues the following announcement to the York University community:

I am very pleased to launch York University’s multi-year Faculty Complement Renewal Strategy. The strategy outlines:

  • understanding what high-level principles should guide the University, and what outcomes we should strive for, as we invest in faculty complement renewal over the next five to 10 years;
  • informing the annual, Faculty-based complement planning process with an appreciation of longer-term goals for the University; and
  • clarifying how best to build the complement needed to achieve academic priorities as expressed in key planning documents including the University Academic Plan and Strategic Research Plan.

This strategy builds on the sector and literature study that was undertaken, the resulting papers, and extensive feedback received from individuals and groups consulted in person, online and through email over the last year and a half.

The Faculty Complement Renewal Strategy and related background resources can be found at http://vpap.info.yorku.ca/ppy_protected/renewing-york-universitys-full-time-faculty-complement/.

Markham Centre Campus Virtual Town Hall planned for Wednesday, Nov. 25

Markham Centre Campus FEATURED image

York President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda L. Lenton issues the following invitation to University community members:

In September, York University marked an exciting milestone with the commencement of construction on the Markham Centre Campus (MCC). When doors open in 2023, the MCC will provide thousands of students with access to innovative programming and experiential education opportunities in high-demand areas, while helping to meet the growing needs of the University and the communities we serve.

On Wednesday, Nov. 25, we will be hosting a virtual town hall for those interested in learning about the latest updates on our plans for the MCC. From its inception, the MCC has been a collaborative endeavour for our community, so this town hall will also give students, staff and faculty an opportunity to ask questions about the University’s plans. We encourage you to submit questions in advance of the event using this form.

Date: Wednesday, Nov. 25
Time: 2 to 3:15 p.m.
Zoom Webinar: https://yorku.zoom.us/j/98271984911?pwd=SG5WRTlaQ1ozU2hOK2U0Vzk1NkJUUT09
Webinar ID: 982 7198 4911
Telephone Dial-In: (647) 374-4685
Password: 243293
Livestream: https://conversations.info.yorku.ca/

To help answer your questions, I will be joined by: Lisa Philipps, vice-president academic and provost; Carol McAulay, vice-president finance and administration; Amir Asif, vice-president research and innovation; Sheila Cote-Meek, vice-president equity, people & culture; Jeff O’Hagan, vice-president advancement; and Lucy Fromowitz, vice-provost students.

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

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

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

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

I look forward to your questions.

Sincerely, 

Rhonda L. Lenton 
President & Vice-Chancellor


Participez à une conversation communautaire virtuelle au sujet du campus Markham Centre le mercredi 25 novembre

En septembre, l’Université York a franchi une étape marquante avec le début des travaux de construction du campus Markham Centre (CMC). Lorsque les portes du CMC ouvriront en 2023, des milliers d’étudiants auront accès à des programmes innovants et à des possibilités d’éducation expérientielle dans des domaines très recherchés et nous pourrons répondre aux besoins croissants de l’Université et des communautés que nous servons.

Le mercredi 25 novembre, nous tiendrons une conversation communautaire virtuelle pour ceux et celles qui souhaitent en savoir plus sur ce projet collaboratif. Cette conversation communautaire donnera donc l’occasion aux membres du corps étudiant, du corps professoral et du personnel de poser des questions sur les plans de l’Université. Nous vous encourageons à soumettre vos questions à l’avance à l’aide de ce formulaire.

Date : Mercredi 25 novembre 2020
Heure : 14 h à 15 h 15
Webinaire Zoom : https://yorku.zoom.us/j/98271984911?pwd=SG5WRTlaQ1ozU2hOK2U0Vzk1NkJUUT09
Code du webinaire : 982 7198 4911
Numéro de téléphone : (647) 374-4685
Mot de passe : 243293
Lien pour la diffusion en direct : https://conversations.info.yorku.ca/

Pour m’aider à répondre à vos questions, je serai accompagnée de : Lisa Philipps, rectrice et vice-présidente aux affaires académiques, Carol McAulay, vice-présidente aux finances et à l’administration, Amir Asif, vice-président de la recherche et de l’innovation, Sheila Cote-Meek, vice-présidente de l’équité, des personnes et de la culture, Jeff O’Hagan, vice-président à la promotion, et Lucy Fromowitz, vice-rectrice aux affaires étudiantes.

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

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

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

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

J’attends vos questions avec impatience.

Veuillez agréer mes sincères salutations, 

Rhonda L. Lenton
Présidente et vice-chancelière

Welcome to the November 2020 issue of ‘Brainstorm’

Brainstorm graphic

“Brainstorm,” a special edition of YFile publishing on the first Friday of every month, showcases research and innovation at York University. It offers compelling and accessible feature-length stories about the world-leading and policy-relevant work of York’s academics and researchers across all disciplines and Faculties and encompasses both pure and applied research.

In the November 2020 issue

The social, political and moral crisis of Anti-Black racism
How did we get here as a society? Where can we go from here? What role does the university play? Brainstorm’s guest contributor Paul Fraumeni poses these vital questions to three foremost academics carving out a path for positive change, a big part of which involves coming to terms with colonialization.

PhD student develops tool for improved symptom management in oncology patients
Collaborating with a team from Sunnybrook and U of T, a grad student in the Lassonde School of Engineering leverages artificial intelligence – machine learning – to develop a new tool for symptom management in the breast radiation oncology clinic. It could have wide application in cancer treatment.

Novel interventions reduce stress, depression, anxiety in students
Three York Professors, with U of T collaborators, discover some interventions that could help undergrads struggling with mental health issues. Not only could this aid the pupils, but it could also relieve the overburdened mental health services for this community.

The slippery editorial slope of the documentary into ‘reality’ TV
An acclaimed filmmaker’s dissertation, on how the editing of documentary television is increasingly following reality tv’s dictate to entertain, is transformed into a timely book. With a subtitle that includes “frankenbite,” you know something’s gone askew.

Research uncovers different levels of Muslim participation in society – why?
A sociologist has discovered that Muslim contributions to or engagement with society, as newcomers, varies from France to Canada. Shedding light on how and why this is happening will inform national debates on religious diversity in both countries and around the world.

Politicians’ temperament may pave way to war, suggests book by legal scholar – bonus video
Given the politicization of COVID-19, a new and ground-breaking book offers insights on the personalities of diplomats, and the risks that those with certain mindsets introduce on a world stage. The author considers the perils of having political leaders with a depressive temperament.

Launched in January 2017, “Brainstorm” is produced out of the Office of the Vice-President Research & Innovation in partnership with Communications & Public Affairs; overseen by Megan Mueller, senior manager, research communications; and edited by Jenny Pitt-Clark, YFile editor and Ashley Goodfellow Craig, YFile deputy editor.

Bryden Alumni Awards celebration goes virtual, Nov. 19

Bryden FEATURED Vari Hall

For 20 years, York University’s Bryden Alumni Awards have celebrated alumni who have changed the world for the better. The tradition of recognizing their contributions will continue at The York U Alumni Celebration: Honouring 20 Years of Bryden Awards on Nov. 19 from 7 to 8 p.m. All alumni and friends are invited to join the University for this virtual entertaining and inspiring evening featuring past award recipients together with York’s global community of alumni, friends, students and leaders.

Natasha Ramsahai 

Joining host Natasha Ramsahai (MSc ’01) for an evening of entertainment will be The Social’s Cynthia Loyst (BFA ’98) and Melissa Grelo (BA ’02), Come From Away playwrights and Bryden Award recipients Irene Sankoff (BA ’99) and David Hein (BFA ’97), chefs and entertainers Noah Cappe and Paul Lillakas (BA ’12), York student group WIBI A Cappella, and others.

This special event will also include remarks from York Chancellor Greg Sorbara and President & Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton, a cooking demo, and musical performances.

The Division of Advancement is offering complimentary tickets for this event and invites those who are able to consider making a donation of $20 or more to York’s Emergency COVID-19 Student Relief Fund. Visit the Division of Advancement website for more information and to RSVP to reserve your place.

This event’s premier sponsor is TD Insurance, Affinity program partner, which provides home and car insurance for York University alumni, students, employees and retirees.

New Project Commons showcases depth of experiential education at York University

Vari Hall

Experiential Education (EE) at York University just got a lot easier with the launch of a new and innovative Project Commons created by the York Capstone Network team.

The Project Commons is a pan-University, open-access resource built with support from York’s University’s Academic Innovation Fund and the York University Faculty Association (YUFA) Teaching and Learning Development Grant.

Danielle Robinson
Danielle Robinson

“This is a space to find real-world, hands-on, research opportunities for students, year-round,” says Danielle Robinson, the director of the Cross-Campus Capstone Classroom (C4), executive director of the York Capstone Network and associate professor in the School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design. “These 65-plus projects, grouped by themes, are connected with partners and organizations who want to help students make the world a better place.”

Liz Haines, the executive director of Story Planet, has four projects in the Project Commons. “The Project Commons is a great bridge between organizations seeking to support research integral to their mission, and the professors and students seeking real world experience,” says Haines. “By building this kind of connection real world learning on both sides can flourish.”

In addition to Story Planet, current partners include the MaRS Discovery District, Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville, Markham Arts Council, Jobster, Centre for Free Expression, TechConnex, the Canadian Language Museum, University Women’s Club, Peel Community Climate Council, Electronic Recycling Association, FYI: For Youth Initiative, YuRide, Barnes Management Group, and Nascent Digital. There are also several on-campus partners from York University that are participating in the Project Commons.

“The Project Commons amplified my understanding of what is possible in EE courses. As a result, I was able to develop a fourth-year bilingual EE class in Glendon College, based on a project-oriented capstone model that challenges students with real world problems that need to be solved,” says Sabine Dreher, a contract faculty member in the International Studies Department in Glendon College where she teaches courses on global political economy, religion and international relations. “My class will work with different community partners at Glendon to increase sustainability (food waste, fast fashion, and economic democracy), and students will be supported by mentors from the Project Commons.”

Some of the exciting, big-picture questions that can be found in the Project Commons include: 

  • What would a collaborative community-integrated and industry-based loop waste system look like that is engaging, affordable, scalable and effective?
  • What does a community-driven approach to celebrate and support Afro-diasporic heritage and promote paths to further learning look like?
  • Which policies and structures in Ontario and Canada would we revise to address anti-Black and systemic racism, and how?
  • How can student learning and well-being be supported by reaching out both locally and globally, in the wake of the challenges from COVID-19?
  • How can design and use of Artificial Intelligence be reframed to ensure more equitable benefit for all?
  • How would we reimagine city and rural spaces to make them more equitable, sustainable and healthy to live in?
  • How can we imagine repairing the cracks, tears and vulnerabilities in society that have been exposed through the challenges of social distancing?
  • How can countries better support their newcomers, to feel welcomed, supported and successful?
  • How can we support community efforts to enhance their own mental health and wellness?
  • How can interdisciplinary approaches to medical research and design speed innovation as well as accessibility?

“We are excited to be able to work for change with students and hope that our combined efforts will result in meaningful learning for all,” says Barbara Cook, president of the University Women’s Club of North York. Cook has five projects in the Project Commons. “This is a wonderful way for us to extend the reach of our advocacy work.”

new brand featured imageEE is integral to York University’s central narrative. The new Project Commons makes it virtually “plug-and-play” for professors in any Faculty, says Robinson, who notes that the Project Commons helps faculty members conserve their energy and time so that can be better invested back into their courses and research.

“The most helpful aspect of the Project Commons has been that it facilitates connections with community partners who are already thinking about what an experiential education collaboration looks like,” says Brandee Easter, an associate professor of writing in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies. “The Project Commons removes a great barrier to developing community partnerships by opening up the conversation about experiential education broadly, which then allows capstone instructors to find specific opportunities that achieve their course’s goals and outcomes.”

To learn more about the Project Commons, visit https://www.yorku.ca/c4/c4-project-commons/ to peruse the more than 65 unique projects on offer this year. Faculty wishing to connect with the people behind a specific project should email ycn@yorku.ca for an introduction.

Recent grad urges current students to consider study abroad opportunities after the pandemic

Marie Gomez
Marie Gomez in Costa Rica

Ask Marie Gomez if the old adage about travel broadening your horizons is true and she’ll agree without hesitation.

“Honestly, my life really did change once I went abroad to study,” said Gomez, a 2020 graduate of York University’s Glendon College.

For Gomez, who earned an iBA in communications at Glendon and now works as a video journalist for City-TV in Winnipeg, spending an exchange semester in Barcelona was eye-opening.

Marie Gomez
Marie Gomez in Costa Rica at York University’s Ecocampus

“It was my first time away from my family for an extended period and Barcelona was someplace I’d always dreamed of visiting,” Gomez said. “I was excited about going, making friends, learning a different language and having roommates for the first time.”

Living with students from Korea, Italy and Spain gave her an opportunity to learn about different cultures while realizing that people are people the world over.

“I really grew as a person,” she said. “There were situations I was in that I wouldn’t have had at home. For example, I got caught in a protest at school where the protesters didn’t want to let us in, and I took a class taught in Catalan because the content was fascinating, although I didn’t speak a word of the language.

“I just tried to adapt and be positive about things.”

After the semester ended, Gomez indulged her passion for travel, exploring Europe before returning home, since she didn’t expect to have an opportunity to return for a while. Little did she know that she’d be back in Europe the following year for a summer internship with a non-governmental organization (NGO) in Romania.

“It was very different from my academic experience in Spain,” Gomez said. “I was living on my own, so it was lonelier.”

It was the work itself that grabbed her hardest. “We were helping migrant youth resettle and worked with people in transit, including the Roma. I learned a lot about migration and it’s an area I could see myself working in down the road,” she said.

Gomez’s love of travel led her to York International (YI), the University’s hub for all things international, and she became one of YI’s Global Ambassadors, speaking at the Global Fair, making presentations and hosting global chat sessions for students preparing to go abroad at the YI offices on campus.

“Because I was so fond of my international experiences, I wanted to share my experiences,” she said.

It turned out that European countries weren’t Gomez’s only ports of call during university. She took a summer course at Las Nubes, York’s Eco-Campus in Costa Rica, and she attended the Japan Canada Academic Consortium Student Forum in Japan this past winter as a York University representative.

Marie Gomez in Japan
Marie Gomez in Japan where she attended the Japan Canada Academic Consortium Student Forum

“In Costa Rica, my course focused on the history of the people and the culture,” Gomez said. I got to really talk to people, which was perfect for me as a future journalist.”

The conference in Japan brought together students from both countries. This year, the focus was on energy politics and each group made a presentation of their research at the Canadian embassy in Tokyo.

“I was part of the group that won first place and it was very validating that we could make a difference,” Gomez said.

York financial aid made some of Gomez’s trips possible and she expressed her gratitude. All York students selected to participate in study and work/intern opportunities abroad receive a York International Mobility Award.

“York is great at trying to give financial help,” she said. “It really helped financially, because it’s not cheap to go abroad.”

After graduation, Gomez accepted her video journalist’s position and works as a general assignment reporter.

“Every day is really different,” she said. “What I love about my job is that you never know what you’ll be talking about.”

With her career, as with her life, she isn’t plotting a path that’s immutable.

“A communications degree can lead you anywhere,” Gomez said. “I’m open to whatever comes my way. It’s the attitude I’ve had since I went on exchanges abroad.

“University gives you the critical thinking skills to do any job and you learn to adapt really quickly to things.”

By Elaine Smith, special contributing writer