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The event provided community members with an opportunity to discuss and ask questions about the University’s progress on key goals and initiatives for the year ahead.
The town hall was presented by York University President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton.
The full video of the town hall is now available and can be viewed here.
Dear York community,
On behalf of the president of York University, we invite you to attend a virtual town hall on Tuesday, Jan. 23 to share ideas, questions and comments related to the “Value for Money Audit: York University Operations and Capital” report, which was released by the Office of the Auditor General of Ontario in December 2023. The full report can be accessed here.
We appreciate receiving the community’s feedback on how we can all work together to drive positive change and to promote a more sustainable future for the University.
Participants are required to register for the town hall in advance using their York U email.
Questions and comments can be submitted prior to and during the event by emailing conversations@yorku.ca.
Learn more about the upcoming event on the Community Conversations website.
Date: Tuesday, Jan. 23
Time: 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Link to register: yorku.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_4AV833ZUQYa5LsB4Hfkcmg
Sincerely,
Rhonda Lenton
President & Vice-Chancellor
Chers membres de la communauté de York,
Au nom de la présidente de l’Université York, nous vous invitons à participer à une conversation communautaire virtuelle le mardi 23 janvier pour exprimer vos idées et vos commentaires et poser vos questions sur le rapport « Audit de l’optimisation des ressources : opérations et immobilisations » publié en décembre 2023 par le Bureau du vérificateur général de l’Ontario. Le rapport complet est disponible ici.
Nous aimerions recevoir les commentaires de la communauté sur la façon dont nous pouvons travailler ensemble pour susciter des changements positifs et promouvoir un avenir plus viable pour l’Université.
Pour participer, il faut s’inscrire à l’avance à la conversation communautaire avec son adresse courriel de l’Université York.
Vous pouvez soumettre vos questions et vos commentaires avant et pendant l’événement en envoyant un courriel à conversations@yorku.ca.
Pour en savoir plus sur l’événement, visitez le site Web des Conversations communautaires.
Date : Mardi 23 janvier 2024
Heure : 14 h à 15 h 30
Lien pour s’inscrire : https://yorku.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_4AV833ZUQYa5LsB4Hfkcmg
Sincères salutations,
Rhonda Lenton
Présidente et vice-chancelière
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:
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
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 :
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
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.
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
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.
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,
La version française suit la version anglaise.
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.
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.
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.
La version française suit la version anglaise.
Dear York community,
This season is a natural time to pause and reflect. On behalf of York University, I am incredibly grateful for our students, faculty, course instructors and staff for achieving yet another year of innovative learning, cutting-edge research and transformative impact, but also for the ways that so many of our community members have exemplified all the values enshrined in York University’s mission, and which our world is currently in urgent need of.
I recognize that it is a difficult time for many in our community. In this spirit, I wanted to share a short video message with you. I wish you all a restful break and an opportunity to connect with family and friends. I look forward to welcoming you back to campus in the new year.
Sincerely,
Rhonda Lenton
President & Vice-Chancellor
Chers membres de la communauté de York,
Cette époque de l’année est idéale pour faire une pause et réfléchir. Au nom de l’Université York, je suis reconnaissante aux membres de la communauté étudiante, des corps professoral et enseignant et du personnel pour une nouvelle année d’apprentissage innovant, de recherche de pointe et d’effet transformateur. Je suis également redevable aux nombreux membres de notre communauté qui ont incarné toutes les valeurs inscrites dans la mission de l’Université York. Notre monde en a besoin de toute urgence.
Je sais que c’est une période difficile pour beaucoup de membres de notre communauté. C’est dans cet esprit que je partage cette courte vidéo. Je vous souhaite une agréable pause afin de vous rapprocher de votre famille et de vos personnes aimées. Je me réjouis de vous accueillir à nouveau sur les campus au début de la nouvelle année.
Sincères salutations,
Rhonda Lenton
Présidente et vice-chancelière
The event provided community members with an opportunity to discuss and ask questions about the University’s progress on key goals and initiatives for the year ahead.
The town hall was presented by York University President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton.
The full video of the town hall is now available and can be viewed here.
Shared on Nov. 23 by President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton during a special event, the announcement highlights one of the most ambitious net-zero targets in the Canadian post-secondary sector.
With bold ambition to become one of the most sustainable institutions in Canada, York University is accelerating its timeline and aiming to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040 – a decade sooner than its previous commitment.
The new aspirational target is part of York’s renewed sustainability policy, which includes a commitment to develop and implement a process to track, measure, evaluate and report progress toward net-zero emissions.
To support this ambition, York recently released its own comprehensive emissions data and ecological footprint assessment from the Ecological Footprint Initiative – a group of York’s scholars, students, researchers and collaborating organizations working together to advance the measurement of ecological footprint and biocapacity – making it the first Canadian institution to do so. This new report provides York with information to identify opportunities to reduce its emissions and develop innovative solutions to support a more sustainable future.
“The United Nations has stated that climate change is the defining issue of our time, and the world is at a pivotal moment requiring urgent action,” says Lenton. “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.”
York’s ability to strive toward ambitious sustainable change is due in part to the expertise, experience and forward thinking that takes place across its campuses. The University draws on the strengths of its diverse community to approach sustainability through a holistic lens of collaboration, innovation and knowledge mobilization.
As a core value of the institution, York has embedded sustainability in every aspect of University life – teaching, learning, research and operations. An example of this expertise in action can be found in projects supported through York’s Sustainability Innovation Fund, including a green career fair, a campus composting centre and more.
To further advance the cutting-edge sustainability research done by the York community, the University announced a new $1-million allocation to the fund, which is currently accepting applications for projects that advance the University’s goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as well as contribute to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 13 (Climate Action).
The power of community engagement to create positive change has long been part of York’s legacy in becoming a more sustainable university. Activities conducted through the Office of Sustainability and sustainability-focused student groups empower York students, faculty and staff to take part in events such as campus clean-ups, film screenings, learning opportunities and tree plantings. In the past two years, community members have planted over 1,000 trees on the Glendon and Keele campuses.
The York community is also being engaged though consultations that are currently underway to update the Sustainability Strategy, with an aim of completion for spring 2024. York students, faculty, instructors and staff can provide their input in person or virtually to shape York’s sustainability priorities and help create a more sustainable future.
“Sustainability starts with our own actions,” said Mike Layton, York’s chief sustainability officer. “We also have a responsibility to our communities – locally and beyond – to ensure we are all contributing to advancing environmental and social sustainability across society. This new announcement demonstrates York’s commitment to sustainability and I look forward to the many ways we will work with the community in service of our new target.”
The Nov. 23 event included a panel about how York is using data and innovative solutions to shrink its footprint. Insights were also shared by York experts, including: Eric Miller, director of the Ecological Footprint Initiative in the Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change; Pirathayini Srikantha, associate professor and Canada Research Chair in Reliable and Secure Power Grid Systems at York’s Lassonde School of Engineering; Usman Khan, associate professor at Lassonde; and Steve Prince, director, Energy Management, Facilities Services at York.
The announcement also featured a short play with students from York’s School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design; a short video about sustainable travel by Burkard Eberlein, former provostial Fellow and professor from York’s Schulich School of Business; and samples of Las Nubes coffee for attendees to take home. After nearly a decade, Las Nubes coffee has made its way back to Canada and is available in select locations on York’s campuses, including Central Square and Glendon Marché. Part of the proceeds from the coffee sales will go toward supporting York’s Las Nubes Research and Conservation Program.
For more on the event, visit News@York.
La version française suit la version anglaise.
Dear York community,
We invite you to share your ideas, comments and feedback about York University at a virtual town hall on Tuesday, Nov. 28. Participants are required to register in advance. Learn more about the upcoming event, and how to connect, on the Community Conversations website.
Questions and comments can be submitted prior to and during the event by emailing conversations@yorku.ca.
Date: Tuesday, Nov. 28
Time: 3 to 4:30 p.m.
Link to register: yorku.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xyF5VNAgTDGJtb1oCFulZg#/registration
I look forward to a respectful and engaging discussion.
Sincerely,
Rhonda Lenton
President and Vice-Chancellor
Nous vous invitons à partager vos idées, vos commentaires et votre rétroaction sur l’Université York lors d’une conversation communautaire virtuellele mardi 28 novembre. Vous devez vous inscrire à l’avance pour pouvoir y participer. Pour en savoir plus sur l’événement et sur la façon de vous connecter, visitez le site Web des Conversations communautaires.
Veuillez soumettre vos questions et commentaires avant et pendant l’événement en envoyant un courriel à conversations@yorku.ca.
Date : Mardi 28 novembre 2023
Heure : De 15 h à 16 h 30
Lien pour participer : yorku.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xyF5VNAgTDGJtb1oCFulZg#/registration
J’ai hâte de participer à une discussion respectueuse et engageante.
Sincères salutations,
Rhonda Lenton
Présidente et vice-chancelière
