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Progress update: Addressing anti-Black racism at York

The Campus Walk at York University's Keele location

The following is an important message to the York University community from Rhonda L. Lenton, president and vice-chancellor, and Sheila Cote-Meek, vice-president, Equity, People and Culture:

La version française suit la version anglaise.

Dear Colleagues,

Over the past months with the help of community members, York University has intensified efforts to improve and expand initiatives that aim to address anti-Black racism, and further our principles of equity, diversity and inclusion across the entire University.

To support this work, we have undertaken a series of consultations with students, faculty, instructors, staff and other community leaders at York on anti-Black racism and to identify ways to address systemic barriers within the institution. We are grateful to the community members who have taken the time to share their experiences and thoughts with us. Reliving experiences of racism can be painful and even traumatic, and we appreciate the courage and commitment of participants in the process. We therefore acknowledge and thank all of those who have helped us shape our collective response so far and continue to invite all members of the community to engage with this process. It is the responsibility of the University to turn this invaluable feedback and insight into meaningful change.

We also want to thank those students and colleagues who, for many years, have worked to advance the equity, diversity and inclusion of York through innovative programs and initiatives. Such work is often done in addition to regular responsibilities and in some cases has not received the recognition it deserves.

The honest dialogue, insights and guidance received to date will inform the development of a draft Anti-Black Racism Framework. The dialogue must continue and we will welcome ongoing conversations through a second series of consultation meetings that will focus on the draft framework.

Our goal is for students, faculty, instructors and staff to see concrete steps that will improve their lived experiences and further strengthen York’s efforts to be a more equitable, diverse and inclusive university.

In the President’s June update to the community, a set of specific action items were shared, and today, we want to provide an update on the important progress that has been made in those areas, as well as new work now underway.

Improving representation of Black faculty members  

We have heard from many community members that increasing the number of Black faculty is critical in addressing the issue of under representation. The York University-York University Faculty Association (YUFA) Joint Subcommittee on Employment Equity Initiatives (JSCEEI) issued a report which further highlighted the need to increase and broaden the representation of Black faculty members across the University. We want to acknowledge the work of the subcommittee and thank the colleagues who represented both YUFA and York University, for their report and recommendations.

Recently, the Provost issued the annual call for proposed new faculty positions including support to address the under representation of Black faculty at York. The response was enthusiastic. Many Faculties have prioritized hiring Black faculty members within their existing complement plans and budgets, and as part of their broader Affirmative Action goals to strengthen the diversity of our faculty complement. The University has invested $1.4 million from the University Fund so that more Faculties are able to advance their plans and participate in the initiative to address the under representation of Black faculty.

As a result of these combined plans and with support from the York University-YUFA Joint Committee on Affirmative Action, the University expects to exceed the JSCEEI recommendation of six new dedicated hires. We are happy to report that advertisements for 12 new tenure stream positions for Black scholars (as well as one open to Black and Indigenous, and one open to Black, Indigenous and racialized minority candidates) have been authorized for 2020/21 strengthening specific program needs and increasing the representation of Black faculty across the University.

New Senior Advisor, Equity and Representation 

We are pleased and proud to have recently welcomed Professor Carl James as a Senior Advisor, Equity and Representation in the Division of Equity, People and Culture. We are fortunate to have Professor James’ deep and internationally recognized expertise to help us achieve our equity, diversity and inclusion goals.

University Equity Plan 

Together with Professor James, Vice-President of Equity, People and Culture Sheila Cote-Meek will lead the development of a University Equity Plan. Being accountable to our community through an equity plan is another way that the University can demonstrate our ongoing commitment to anti-racism. We are currently developing the process and expect to begin work on the plan in the fall.

Next steps 

Again, we wish to thank everyone who has contributed to these collective efforts to make real changes, confront difficult challenges and demonstrate an ongoing commitment to fight anti-Black racism. Other important elements of our plan outlined in our June statement  – such as better understanding the representation of Black faculty, students and staff; anti-racism training for staff, students, faculty and instructors; and refining our community safety model – are still underway and we hope to have more concrete updates on these areas soon as work continues towards developing the anti-Black racism framework.

We are grateful to all concerned for the efforts that have been made to date to advance the important initiatives that seek to improve equity and representation across the University, and to make our community safe and welcoming for all BIPOC individuals. We will continue to dedicate the energy and resources needed to make further improvements to enhance our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion across all members of society. We also know that this process must continue to be a dialogue. We present the above actions and initiatives not as a final statement, but as part of a continuing process of listening, learning and acting. We plan to consult widely on our anti-Black racism framework and University Equity Plan, but if you have any feedback on the measures outlined in this message, or any other thoughts and ideas, please email vpepc@yorku.ca.

Sincerely,

Rhonda L. Lenton,
President and Vice-Chancellor 

Sheila Cote-Meek,
Vice-President, Equity, People, and Culture

Rapport d’avancement : Lutte contre le racisme anti-Noirs à York

Chers collègues,

Au cours des derniers mois et avec l’aide des membres de la communauté, l’Université York a intensifié ses efforts pour améliorer et étendre des initiatives visant à lutter contre le racisme anti-Noirs et pour contribuer à l’avancement de ses principes d’équité, de diversité et d’inclusion dans toute l’Université.

Afin d’appuyer ce travail, nous avons entrepris une série de consultations relatives au racisme anti-Noirs avec les membres du corps étudiant, du corps professoral, du corps enseignant et du personnel et d’autres leaders de la communauté de York pour déterminer des façons d’aborder le problème des obstacles systémiques dans notre établissement. Nous tenons à exprimer notre gratitude aux membres de la communauté qui ont pris le temps de partager leurs expériences et réflexions. Revivre des expériences de racisme peut être douloureux et traumatisant et nous sommes reconnaissants envers les personnes qui ont eu le courage de s’engager dans ce processus. Nous saluons et remercions donc tous ceux et celles qui nous ont aidés à façonner notre réponse collective jusqu’à présent et nous continuons à encourager tous les membres de la communauté à s’investir dans ce processus. Il incombe à l’Université de transformer ces précieux témoignages et idées en changements véritables.

Nous souhaitons également remercier les étudiants, étudiantes et collègues qui, depuis de longues années, œuvrent pour faire progresser l’équité, la diversité et l’inclusion à York avec des initiatives et des programmes novateurs. Ce genre de travail s’ajoute souvent aux responsabilités habituelles et, dans certains cas, il n’a pas reçu la reconnaissance méritée.

Les fruits de ce dialogue honnête, les perspectives et les conseils reçus à ce jour contribueront à l’élaboration d’un projet de décision-cadre de lutte contre le racisme anti-Noirs. Nos conversations doivent continuer, et nous favoriserons leur poursuite en tenant une deuxième série de réunions de consultation portant sur le projet de décision-cadre.

Notre but est que les membres du corps étudiant, professoral, enseignant et du personnel voient des mesures concrètes améliorant leurs expériences vécues et renforçant les efforts de York pour être une université plus équitable, diverse et inclusive.

Dans sa mise à jour à la communauté du mois de juin, la présidente a fait part d’une série d’actions précises. Aujourd’hui, nous souhaitons faire le point sur les progrès importants qui ont été réalisés dans ces domaines, ainsi que sur les nouveaux travaux en cours.

Améliorer la représentation de personnes noires dans le corps professoral 

De nombreux membres de la communauté sont d’avis que l’intensification de l’embauche de professeurs noirs est essentielle pour résoudre le problème de la sous-représentation. Le sous-comité mixte JSCEEI (Joint Subcommittee on Employment Equity Initiatives) de l’Association des professeurs de l’Université York (YUFA) a publié un rapport soulignant le besoin d’accroître et d’élargir la représentation de professeurs noirs à l’échelle de l’Université. Nous saluons le travail du sous-comité et remercions les collègues qui ont représenté la YUFA et l’Université York pour ce rapport et leurs recommandations.

Récemment, la rectrice a émis un appel annuel pour de nouveaux postes de professeurs proposés, qui inclut un soutien pour remédier à la sous-représentation des professeurs noirs à York. La réponse a été enthousiaste. De nombreuses facultés ont donné la priorité à l’embauche de professeurs noirs dans le cadre de leurs plans d’effectifs et de leurs budgets existants et de leurs objectifs généraux d’action positive afin de renforcer la diversité des effectifs du corps professoral. L’Université a investi 1,4 million de dollars du fonds de l’Université afin que plus de facultés puissent faire progresser leurs projets et participer à l’initiative visant à remédier à la sous-représentation des professeurs noirs. Grâce à ces plans combinés et au soutien du comité mixte Université York-YUFA sur l’action positive, l’Université prévoit dépasser la recommandation du JSCEEI d’engager six nouvelles personnes. Nous avons le plaisir de vous informer que l’annonce de 12 nouveaux postes de titulaires pour des universitaires noirs (ainsi qu’un poste ouvert aux personnes noires et autochtones et un autre ouvert aux personnes noires, autochtones et issues de minorités racialisées) a été autorisée pour 2020-2021, renforçant ainsi les besoins spécifiques des programmes et accroissant la représentation des professeurs noirs dans toute l’Université.

Nouveau conseiller principal pour l’équité et la représentation 

Nous sommes heureux et fiers d’avoir accueilli récemment dans la Division de l’équité, du personnel et de la culture le professeur Carl James à titre de conseiller principal pour l’équité et la représentation. Nous sommes chanceux de pouvoir compter sur l’expertise approfondie et internationalement reconnue du professeur James pour atteindre nos objectifs d’équité, de diversité et d’inclusion.

Plan d’équité universitaire 

Avec le professeur James, Sheila Cote-Meek, vice-présidente de l’équité, des personnes et de la culture, dirigera le développement d’un plan d’équité universitaire. La reddition de comptes à notre communauté grâce à un plan d’équité est une autre façon pour l’Université de démontrer son engagement continu à la lutte contre le racisme. Nous développons actuellement le processus et nous prévoyons commencer à travailler sur le plan en automne.

Prochaines étapes 

Une fois de plus, nous souhaitons remercier tous ceux et celles qui ont contribué à ces efforts collectifs pour apporter de réels changements, relever des défis difficiles et faire preuve d’un engagement constant dans la lutte contre le racisme anti-Noirs. D’autres éléments importants de notre plan exposés dans notre déclaration de juin — tels qu’une meilleure compréhension de la représentation des personnes noires dans le corps professoral, le corps étudiant et le personnel; une formation antiracisme pour le personnel, le corps étudiant, le corps professoral et le corps enseignant; et le perfectionnement de notre modèle de sécurité communautaire — sont en cours; nous espérons pouvoir vous faire des mises à jour plus concrètes dans ces domaines très prochainement, tandis que des travaux se poursuivent pour développer le cadre de lutte contre le racisme anti-Noirs.

Nous sommes reconnaissants envers toutes les personnes concernées des efforts déployés jusqu’à présent pour faire avancer les initiatives importantes qui visent à améliorer l’équité et la représentation à l’échelle de l’Université et à rendre notre communauté sûre et accueillante pour toutes les personnes autochtones, noires et de couleur. Nous continuerons à consacrer l’énergie et les ressources nécessaires pour réaliser d’autres améliorations afin de renforcer notre engagement en faveur de l’équité, de la diversité et de l’inclusion de tous les membres de la société. Nous sommes conscients que ce processus doit prendre la forme d’un dialogue. Nous présentons les actions et initiatives ci-dessus non pas comme une déclaration finale, mais dans le cadre d’un processus continu d’écoute, d’apprentissage et d’action. Nous avons prévu de tenir une vaste consultation sur notre décision-cadre pour lutter contre le racisme anti-Noirs et sur notre plan d’équité universitaire, mais si vous avez des commentaires sur les mesures énoncées dans ce message, ou d’autres réflexions ou idées, veuillez envoyer un courriel à vpepc@yorku.ca.

Veuillez agréer nos sincères salutations,

Rhonda L. Lenton,
présidente et vice-chancelière 

Sheila Cote-Meek,
vice-présidente de l’équité, des personnes et de la culture

Osgoode Professor Janet Walker receives title of Distinguished Research Professor

Professor Janet Walker of York University’s Osgoode Hall Law School has been selected to receive the title of Distinguished Research Professor.

The title is given to active members of the academy in recognition of their scholarly achievements in research, is awarded for life and evolves into a Distinguished Research Professor Emeritus on retirement.

The major criterion for the honour is sustained and outstanding scholarly, professional or artistic achievement where a significant portion of the candidate’s work has been accomplished at York University. The award is inclusive of all full-time faculty in all disciplinary areas.

Janet Walker
Janet Walker

Walker is a full professor and past associate dean, and currently teaches private international law, international commercial arbitration and complex litigation in the JD and the professional LLM programs and is director of the Professional LLM in Civil Litigation and Dispute Resolution. She has also taught civil procedure, professional responsibility and international business transactions and has served as convener of the Litigation, Dispute Resolution and the Administration of Justice Stream, and director of the Mooting Program.

She is the author of Castel and Walker: Canadian Conflict of Laws, and the Halsbury’s Laws of Canada volume on the Conflict of Laws; she is the general editor of The Civil Litigation Process, and of Class Actions in Canada, and co-editor of Common Law, Civil Law and the Future of Categories. She is also a co-author of Irwin Essentials: Civil Procedure, Private International Law in Common Law Canada, and A Practical Guide to Mooting.

Walker has lectured and taught internationally, and held various visiting professorships around the world. As well, she has served as an international advisor to the American Law Institute in its project with Unidroit to develop Principles and Rules of Transnational Civil Procedure; and as a member of the Uniform Law Conference of Canada Committee on National Class Actions, of the IBA Task Force on Guidelines on Recognition and Enforcement of Collective Redress Judgments, of the ILA Committee on International Civil Litigation, the ABA Canada/US Class Working Group on Protocols for Parallel Class Actions and the Uniform Law Conference of Canada’s Project on Uniform International Arbitration Legislation.

She has served as President of the Canadian Branch of the International Law Association, Chair of the Toronto Chapter of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, and she is Secretary General of the International Association of Procedural Law. Walker was the Law Commission of Ontario’s first scholar in residence, she has been the common law advisor to the Federal Courts Rules Committee since 2006 and she is currently serving as academic advisor to the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

She is a member of the American Law Institute and a senior Fellow of Massey College. She is a member of the University Club of Toronto, as well as the Athenaeum Club in London. Walker has also served as an ICC and ICDR arbitrator in various matters, as well as a consultant.

“Your nominators have highlighted your international leadership in the fields of private international law, procedural law, comparative law and international commercial arbitration,” said York University President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda L. Lenton in a letter to Walker. “Your commitment to excellence is evidenced by your strong publication record, particularly your authorship of the main text on private international law in Canada, Canadian Conflict Laws, which is the most-cited private law work in Canadian courts. As an academic and an eminent practitioner, you have had a significant and positive impact on the University community as well as the legal profession.”

The title of Distinguished Research Professor has in the past been announced and celebrated during York’s convocation; however, a date is pending given the current COVID-19 circumstances.

Program for women business owners receives funding boost from FedDev Ontario

Two women at a computer, smiling
Student Services Department Of University Providing Advice Smiling Looking At Laptop

York University’s Entrepreneurial Leadership and Learning Alliance program for women business owners – ELLA – has received top-up funding from the Government of Canada to establish a new program to help female business owners who are facing barriers to expansion.

The Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES) Ecosystem Fund investment of $281,600, delivered through FedDev Ontario, will be used to create a new Fractional Executive Program that will enable participants in ELLA’s Altitude program to hire a professional to deliver a specific program or solve a specific problem, in order to accelerate the company’s growth.

Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade joined York University Vice President Research & Innovation Amir Asif and Lucrezia Spanolo, Founder of Vesta Social Innovation Technologies, to announce top-up funding for ELLA program.
Mary Ng, minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade joined York University Vice-President Research & Innovation Amir Asif and Lucrezia Spanolo, founder of Vesta Social Innovation Technologies, to announce top-up funding for the ELLA program

Mary Ng, minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, announced the funding on Aug. 25. This investment builds on an initial $1.86 million in federal funding for ELLA announced last summer, bringing federal investment in the ELLA program to more than $2.1 million.

“We understand the challenges businesses are facing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and those challenges can be amplified for women entrepreneurs,” said Ng. “Today’s investment for ELLA through the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy Ecosystem Fund top-up will help our women-led businesses to weather these challenging times while preparing for future success.”

“Economists and leading philanthropists agree about the importance of increasing the diversity of entrepreneurs to keep Canada competitive including the representation of women,” said Rhonda L. Lenton, president and vice-chancellor of York University. “The Government of Canada’s investment in York University’s ELLA program is a vote of confidence in this innovative program that supports women entrepreneurs in Ontario. It will empower these women to take their businesses global reflecting on the context created by the pandemic and enhancing the benefits for ELLA participants, their families and their communities.”

Ten women entrepreneurs will be chosen to take part in the four-month ELLA Altitude program, which will begin in October.

“Many applicants need help reaching customers through different channels than they used before the COVID-19 pandemic,” said ELLA Entrepreneurship Manager Nicole Troster. “The Altitude program will enable them to turn to seasoned professionals for help with specific challenges such as, for example, selling through digital channels. It will build on the business skills they are already employing.”

York research calculates that humans have overshot sustainable use of Earth’s resources

Glass planet in the sunshine

As of this past Saturday, humanity has overdrawn its ecological account for the year. Known as Earth Overshoot Day, Aug. 22 marked the day when humans will have used as much from the Earth as the planet can renew in a year. York University produces the data that informs this calculation.

The good news is that Earth Overshoot Day this year arrived 21 days later than in 2019. Coronavirus-induced lockdowns around the world have reduced wood harvests and the burning of fossil fuels. Even so, the world will demand more from nature than can be renewed this year.

York University has partnered with the Global Footprint Network to calculate the ecological footprint and biocapacity of every nation on the planet. This data is needed to determine Earth Overshoot Day.

“At a time when the COVID-19 pandemic has shown us the true scale of our global interconnectedness, we have an opportunity to leverage partnership and collaboration to overcome complex global challenges like inequality, COVID-19, and of course, climate change,” said President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda L. Lenton. “York is proud to provide leadership through an international research collaboration like the Ecological Footprint initiative that helps countries determine whether they are on track to meeting the Sustainable Development Goals, and gives us the data to calculate Earth Overshoot Day.”

A message from Lenton for Earth Overshoot Day can be found on YouTube.

Eric Miller
Eric Miller

Eric Miller leads a team of researchers and graduate students in York’s Faculty of Environmental Studies to produce the National Footprint Accounts for the Footprint Data Foundation, a Canadian not-for-profit organization.

Miller and his team measure the carbon footprint, the amount of built-up land or urban sprawl, how much forest is used for timber and paper, how much cropland and pasture is used to produce food and the amount of seafood fished every year. These all add up to humanity’s ecological footprint.

Since 1970, humanity’s ecological footprint has overshot the capacity of nature to sustain it. The resulting ecological debt has been an accumulation of carbon pollution in the atmosphere and declines in biodiversity.

“As we emerge from the pandemic, we must rebuild our economies for well-being and sustainability,” Miller said. “We need regenerative economies that use natural resources at rates that can be sustained.”

York’s measurement of the Ecological Footprint helps to inform individuals, communities, and governments to make better decisions on how to better manage resources, reduce economic risk and improve well-being.

Details on next stage of the pandemic reopening covered in latest town hall

People walk through Vari Hall, which is located on York U's Keele campus

During the fourth All-Community Virtual Town Hall on Aug. 6, community members were able to pose questions to the University’s senior leadership about Stage 3 of the pandemic reopening plan, the fall and winter terms, research activities, academic integrity, tuition fees and more.

Rhonda L. Lenton
Rhonda L. Lenton

The event, which was hosted on Zoom by President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda L. Lenton, is part of an ongoing series designed to keep the University community informed of developments related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The fourth session included Provost and Vice-President Academic Lisa Philipps, Vice-President Finance & Administration Carol McAulay, Vice-President Research & Innovation Amir Asif, and Vice-Provost Students Lucy Fromowitz.

In her opening remarks, Lenton spoke about the recent announcement that the city of Toronto would move into Stage 3 in the province’s pandemic plan and what that would mean for York University. She characterized Stage 3 as a major transition. “It is essential to recognize that while this means that restrictions will loosen, the pandemic is an ongoing challenge and it is expected to be with us for some time,” said Lenton. “Stage 3 does allow for the gradual reopening of spaces under certain conditions. For York University, this means that we need to look at each of these conditions to see how we can best implement them within the terms of our own gradual reopening plans.”

She went on to explain that the complex list conditions set out by the province and public health had implications and presented logistical puzzles for the province’s colleges and universities. Lenton highlighted that work was underway to review all the Stage 3 requirements and get the details ironed out and communicated as quickly as possible to students, faculty, and staff.  “We are continuing to work closely with government on the interpretation of the public health guidelines for higher educations and we will be regularly updating the community,” she said, noting that updates would continue to be posted on the YU Better Together website.

Lisa Philipps

The president reiterated that the fall term would be delivered primarily online with only a select number of courses approved for in-person activities. “We also anticipate that most of our employees will continue to work remotely during this upcoming fall semester,” said Lenton adding that immediate priorities are to fulfill the core teaching and research activities at the University.

Lenton and Philipps praised the entire University community for their ongoing support throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. They also spoke about how impressed they were with the energy and enthusiasm displayed by faculty who have embraced online learning tools and displayed a deep commitment to delivering a meaningful online learning experience for students.

With respect to the winter term, both Lenton and Philipps reiterated that conversations with the Senate of York University were ongoing about the fall provisions and winter term planning, with all discussions  conducted through the lens of public health and a variety of course delivery models being considered. “We understand that learning happens in many ways,” said Philipps. “We are developing plans to clarify what the winter term is most likely to look like.” She noted that continued and careful monitoring of all developments related to the pandemic was ongoing.

Lucy Fromowitz

A question about when non-required staff would be required to return to campus was answered by Lenton, who said that it would be in the best interests for the community that non-required staff who can work from home should continue to work from home during the fall term. She made note of the situation experienced by other countries that rushed reopening, saying that until a vaccine was in place, there were important lessons on the need for a measured, thoughtful approach to resuming regular activities. She highlighted that the status of the winter term working arrangements for staff would be done in concert with guidance from public health and any changes communicated well in advance.

Responding to a question about international students coming to York University, Fromowitz outlined the comprehensive plan for international students to assist them with quarantine requirements. These arrangements include an off-campus hotel to accommodate the 14-day quarantine requirements, a 24-hour shuttle to transport incoming students from the airport to the hotel quarantine site, wellness supports, health checks and regular contact with staff from the Division of Students.

For domestic students without computers or study space, Fromowitz said the University will continue to offer its laptop loan program. Lenton added that the University is looking into how to best provide students with access to on-campus computer facilities through booked appointments and work was underway by the University Libraries to expand supports for students.

A question about reducing tuition fees was posed to the group from a student. Lenton highlighted that the University had made huge investments to ensure the academic integrity of online and remote course delivery. “Online course delivery is not less expensive than in-person delivery,” said Lenton, noting that the University has invested heavily in supports such as the Teaching Commons and the hiring educational developers to give faculty the support they need to provide high-quality online learning to students. Other innovations such as virtual experiential learning and enhancing ways to help students connect with each other are also being investigated said Lenton, noting that student ancillary fees have been reduced where possible.

Researchers posed questions about graduate student experiences, transparency about access to laboratories and research experiences. The vice-president research & innovation answered a series of questions about access to facilities. Asif highlighted the process is documented on the YU Better Together website. He said that transparency is key and a Research Continuity Group with representation from across the University considers all requests to ensure that health and safety standards can be addressed. The requests are forwarded to the Space Allocations Committee, which ensures that the spaces are adequately prepared, necessary safety materials like the sanitizer are available, and then informs the Research Continuity Group once the preparations are complete. Once arrangements are completed, Asif said they are communicated to the researcher.

Amir Asif

“Given the importance of ensuring that there is no lapse in health and safety, and the fact that we find ourselves in a unique situation that we have never faced previously, all universities and organizations, including us, have decided to take a very cautious approach. All research activities that can be conducted off-campus stays off-campus,” said Asif.

He noted that in the first phase of ramping-up-research, less than 466 faculty members from across the University returned to campus for research. The total number of researchers that returned to campus in the first phase during the last week of June, including graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and supporting technical/administrative staff, was 245. “Going forward in phase II of ramping up research, the Faculties and schools have received requests from 100 researchers for a total of 371 graduate students, post-doctoral and staff researchers asking to resume their on-campus research activities,” said Asif. “We are very hopeful that we will be able to make preparation to approve an overwhelmingly large majority and possibly all these requests. We are planning to have these researchers return to campus during the third and fourth weeks of August.”

For graduate students, Asif said the tri-councils (NSERC and SSHRC) have started contacting eligible grant holders directly to offer a supplement for each eligible grant that they hold to offset the cost associated with COVID19 research disruption.

As the town hall drew to a close, a question about the forward-looking picture for enrolment was posed to the team. Lenton answered that the fall enrolment was better than expected given that new students may be considering waiting a year to attend classes and some international students faced travel barriers due to the pandemic. The smaller enrolment base would have a negative impact on future years, and this coupled with a decline in tuition revenues would increase the University’s deficit. However, the University, due to its culture of planning, is in “far better shape over many other universities,” she said. The University, she said, is strengthening its offerings and the new Markham Centre Campus would be an important part of the post-pandemic recovery plan for York University. “We are looking two to three years ahead. Keeping an eye on the short and long term will help us emerge from this stronger than before COVID-19.”

By Jenny Pitt-Clark, YFile editor

Professor Robert Myers honoured with University Professorship

Professor Robert Myers, from the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, has been honoured with a University Professorship.

photo of Robert Myers
Professor Robert Myers

University Professor is a member of faculty recognized for extraordinary contributions to scholarship and teaching and participation in university life. The award is conferred upon long-serving tenured faculty members who have made extraordinary contributions to the University as colleagues, teachers and scholars.

Such achievement fulfills the following requirements: significant long-term contribution to the development or growth of the University or of its parts; significant participation in the collegium through mentorship, service and/or governance; sustained impact over time on the University’s teaching mission; and recognition as a scholar.

Myers’ teaching and research interests include theoretical ethics, related issues in epistemology and philosophy of action and political philosophy. He focused his early work on developing a theory that would reveal impartial beneficence, prerogatives and restrictions to be equally fundamental components of morality.

In more recent years, his research has been directed at working on metaethical questions concerning the possible objectivity of value, and especially on the question whether philosophers have been hindered in their thinking here by inadequate conceptions of what desires are.

He has been a faculty member at York University since 2001.

“Your nominators have highlighted your dedicated service and significant contributions to the mission of the University,” said York University President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton. “Your interdisciplinary approach to philosophy has expanded collaboration and benefitted academic initiatives at our Osgoode Hall Law School, Schulich School of Business, Lassonde School of Engineering, and Faculty of Science.

“Your colleagues noted your commitment to advancing the Philosophy Department through curriculum, pedagogy, research and the growth of the full-time faculty component. As a colleague, teacher and scholar, you have had a significant and positive impact on the University community.”

Myers will be celebrated for earning this honorific title at a future convocation ceremony.

Reminder: Zoom in Thursday, Aug. 6 for the next All-Community Virtual Town Hall

Vari pond

The following is a message to the community from York University President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda L. Lenton:

La version française suit la version anglaise.

I would like to remind you that the next all-community Virtual Town Hall takes place this Thursday, Aug. 6.

Whether you are a student, staff or faculty member, the town hall is an opportunity to have your questions about academic, research or professional work answered by the University’s senior leadership team.

Date: Thursday, Aug. 6

Time: 1:30 – 2:45 p.m.

Zoom Webinar: https://yorku.zoom.us/j/93638974421?pwd=OW5VWUpldjVYay9PeFVJbTM0bUJndz09

Webinar ID: 936 3897 4421

Telephone Dial-In: +1 (647) 374-4685

Password: 243293

Livestream:  https://conversations.info.yorku.ca/first-page/webcast/

We encourage you to submit your questions in advance using this form. During the event, please use the email conversations@yorku.ca.

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

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.

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

Rappel: Joignez-vous à notre conversation communautaire virtuelle

J’aimerais vous rappeler que la prochaine conversation virtuelle avec toute la communauté aura lieu ce jeudi 6 août.

Que vous soyez membre du corps étudiant, du corps professoral ou du personnel, les conversations communautaires vous offrent l’occasion d’obtenir des réponses à vos questions relatives aux programmes académiques, de recherche et professionnels de la part des hauts dirigeants de l’Université York.

Date: Jeudi 6 août

Heure : de 13 h 30 à 14 h 45

Webinaire Zoom : https://yorku.zoom.us/j/93638974421?pwd=OW5VWUpldjVYay9PeFVJbTM0bUJndz09

Code du webinaire : 936 3897 4421

Numéro de téléphone : +1 647 374 4685

Mot de passe : 243293

Diffusion en direct : https://conversations.info.yorku.ca/first-page/webcast/

Nous vous encourageons à soumettre vos questions à l’avance à l’aide de ce formulaire. Durant l’événement, veuillez utiliser le courriel conversations@yorku.ca.

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

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

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.

Je vous prie d’agréer mes sincères salutations,

Rhonda L. Lenton
Présidente et vice-chancelière

Preparing for a new academic year

The York University Emergency Bursary for students who needed urgent financial aid to cover the unexpected costs of the pandemic is helping students, however, their need for emergency relief has far surpassed expectations.
The York University Emergency Bursary for students who needed urgent financial aid to cover the unexpected costs of the pandemic is helping students, however, their need for emergency relief has far surpassed expectations.

The following is an important message to York University community members from President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda L. Lenton:

La version française suit la version anglaise.

Dear Colleagues,

As a follow-up to the communication I sent out on Friday, July 31, I am writing to provide further details about what you can expect from the University in the coming weeks and months.

As I indicated last week, while Toronto has moved to Stage 3, the pandemic is still ongoing. The gradual reopening of our campuses will therefore continue to be guided by public health guidelines and the government. Within those guidelines, the goal is to make the best use of our facilities to meet urgent needs of students, faculty and staff in ways that put the health and safety of our community first. As you know, only a select number of courses have been approved for in-person activities in the fall term, and we anticipate that most of our employees will continue to work remotely for the duration of the fall term.

I am confident that our approach will enable the University to provide a high-quality learning experience for our students and allow research activities to proceed.

Gradual return to campus

As it is safe to do, so we will continue to implement a gradual return of campus activities guided by York’s Emergency Operations Centre, and in consultation with other universities, the Government of Ontario, and Public Health officials.

Ramping Up Research

On June 29, in compliance with public health directives and following institutional principles and guidelines, we started to gradually re-open research labs that were closed due to the pandemic. The University began opening research spaces to faculty members who had graduate students near completion, and who had other deadline-driven or seasonal research. We anticipate opening additional research spaces beginning the week of Aug. 17 to support post docs nearing the end of funding, researchers with imminent grant or publication deadlines, and early career researchers whose work cannot continue remotely. The phased return to on-campus research activities is continuing as part of the Ramping Up Research recovery plan.  

Fall term 2020

The University has a full selection of academic programming for the fall term, with more than 95 per cent of the 3,500 undergraduate courses being taught through online and remote delivery. We expect that more graduate courses can be offered in person during the fall term due to their generally smaller size and will be able to share more information about those courses shortly. Careful planning has facilitated our ability to offer experiential in-person learning in a select number of courses, including labs, studios and clinical placements, and additional details will be shared shortly.

Winter term 2021 

We understand that many students, faculty and instructors are seeking guidance about course delivery modes required for the winter term. Discussions have been ongoing with public health authorities and various levels of government regarding challenges for winter including the likelihood of border openings. Work to clarify plans for the winter term is underway, and more information will be available soon. 

Campus safety

The wearing of non-medical mouth and nose coverings continues to be mandatory at York, if maintaining two-meter physical distancing is not possible or predictable in common and shared spaces within buildings. To ensure maximum physical distancing, classrooms, shared offices, library facilities, teaching labs and other academic and non-academic spaces are being reorganized. In high-traffic areas where maintaining physical distancing is not possible, additional protective measures such as plexiglass barriers are being installed. The University is also implementing requirements for deep cleaning prior to reopening new spaces, installing adequate signage and hand sanitizers, and ensuring that systems are in place so that we stay within prescribed limits on the number of people who can congregate indoors and outdoors. 

In addition, a training module on health and safety measures has been developed and all faculty and staff will be required to complete the training prior to returning to campus.

Campus information

Updates and information will continue to be posted on our Better Together website, and directly to community members, including:

  • services available on our campuses;
  • what is open and closed on campuses;
  • processes and procedures to maintain the health and safety of our community members; and
  • where to find important campus information. 

A healthy, safe and successful fall term

I would like to express my sincere gratitude and thanks to our students, York’s Emergency Operations Centre Team, the Emergency Policy Group, deans, faculty members, librarians, and staff, for their leadership, perseverance, patience and support as we have successfully navigated these past extraordinary months – while preparing for the extraordinary months still to come.

I remain confident that by working together, we will ensure a healthy, safe and successful start to the new academic year in September.

Sincerely,

Rhonda L. Lenton
President and Vice-Chancellor

Préparation d’une nouvelle année universitaire

Chers collègues,

Pour faire suite au communiqué envoyé le vendredi 31 juillet, je vous écris pour vous donner plus de détails sur ce que vous pouvez attendre de l’Université dans les semaines et mois à venir.

Comme je vous l’ai dit la semaine dernière, bien que Toronto soit passée à l’étape 3 du déconfinement, la pandémie n’est pas finie. La réouverture graduelle de nos campus continue donc d’être orientée par les directives de la santé publique et du gouvernement. Dans le cadre de ces directives, notre objectif est de maximiser l’utilisation de nos installations pour répondre aux besoins urgents du corps étudiant, du corps professoral et du personnel tout en privilégiant la santé et la sécurité de notre communauté. Comme vous le savez, un nombre restreint de cours du trimestre d’automne ont été approuvés pour des activités en présentiel et nous nous attendons à ce que la majorité de nos employés continuent de travailler à distance durant le trimestre d’automne.

Je suis persuadée que cette approche permettra à l’Université de fournir une expérience d’apprentissage de grande qualité aux étudiants et étudiantes et de continuer les activités de recherche.

Retour graduel sur le campus

Nous continuerons à reprendre graduellement les activités sur le campus de façon sécuritaire en suivant les directives du Centre des opérations d’urgence de York et après consultation avec les autres universités, le gouvernement de l’Ontario et les responsables de la santé publique.

Reprise des activités de recherche

Le 29 juin, conformément aux instructions de la santé publique et aux lignes directrices institutionnelles, nous avons commencé à rouvrir graduellement les laboratoires de recherche qui étaient fermés en raison de la pandémie. L’Université a entrepris de rouvrir les locaux de recherche pour les membres du corps professoral dont les étudiants de cycle supérieur achevaient leurs études et ceux qui avaient des échéances à respecter ou qui faisaient des recherches saisonnières. Nous prévoyons ouvrir d’autres espaces de recherche à compter de la semaine du 17 août pour appuyer les étudiants de postdoctorat dont le financement tire à sa fin, les chercheurs ayant des subventions ou des dates de publication imminentes, et les chercheurs en début de carrière qui ne peuvent pas poursuivre leur travail à distance. Le retour graduel des activités de recherche sur les campus continue dans le cadre du plan de reprise de la recherche.

Trimestre d’automne 2020

L’Université offre une gamme complète de programmes académiques pour le trimestre d’automne; plus de 95 pour cent des 3 500 cours de premier cycle seront donnés en ligne ou à distance. Nous comptons offrir plus de cours de cycle supérieur en personne durant le trimestre d’automne en raison de la petite taille des classes; nous vous communiquerons prochainement des informations à ce sujet. Grâce à une planification minutieuse, nous pourrons offrir des possibilités d’éducation expérientielle en personne pour plusieurs cours, comme des laboratoires et des placements cliniques; plus d’information sera fournie prochainement.

Trimestre d’hiver 2021

Nous sommes conscients que de nombreux membres du corps étudiant, du corps professoral et du corps enseignant sont à la recherche de conseils sur les modes de prestation de cours requis pour le trimestre d’hiver. Nous discutons actuellement avec les autorités de santé publique et différents niveaux du gouvernement des défis à relever pour l’hiver, notamment la probabilité d’ouverture des frontières. Nous travaillons sur la clarification des plans pour le semestre d’hiver et de plus amples informations seront bientôt communiquées. 

Sécurité sur les campus

Le port d’un couvre-visage non médical continue d’être obligatoire à York quand une distanciation physique de deux mètres n’est pas possible ou envisageable dans les emplacements communautaires et partagés des bâtiments. Pour assurer une distanciation physique maximale, les salles de classe, bureaux partagés, locaux de bibliothèques, laboratoires d’enseignement et autres espaces académiques et non académiques sont en train d’être réorganisés. Des mesures de protection additionnelles comme des barrières en plexiglas sont en cours d’installation dans des lieux achalandés où la distanciation physique est impossible. L’Université a également mis en œuvre des exigences de nettoyage en profondeur avant la réouverture de nouveaux espaces, l’installation de signalisation appropriée et de postes de désinfection des mains; elle s’assure aussi d’avoir des mesures en place pour respecter le nombre maximum de personnes pouvant se rassembler à l’intérieur et à l’extérieur. 

De plus, un module de formation sur les mesures de santé et de sécurité a été élaboré; tous les membres du corps professoral et du personnel devront suivre cette formation avant de retourner sur le campus.

Renseignements sur le campus

Des mises à jour et des renseignements continuent d’être publiés sur notre site Web Better Together et sont envoyés directement aux membres de la communauté, notamment au sujet :

  • des services disponibles sur nos campus;
  • de ce qui est ouvert et fermé sur nos campus;
  • des processus et procédures pour maintenir la santé et la sécurité des membres de notre communauté; et
  • des endroits où on peut trouver des renseignements importants relativement aux campus. 

Un trimestre d’automne sécuritaire, en santé et couronné de succès

Je tiens à exprimer ma gratitude et à remercier nos étudiants et étudiants, l’équipe du Centre des opérations d’urgence de York, le groupe des politiques d’urgence, les doyens et doyennes, les membres du corps professoral, les bibliothécaires et les membres du personnel pour leur leadership, leur persévérance, leur patience et leur soutien qui ont permis de gérer efficacement ces derniers mois extraordinaires, alors que nous nous préparons pour les mois extraordinaires encore à venir.

Je suis convaincue qu’en coopérant, nous garantirons la santé, la sécurité et un bon départ pour la nouvelle année universitaire en septembre.

Je vous prie d’agréer mes sincères salutations,

Rhonda L. Lenton
Présidente et vice-chancelière

 

Toronto moves to stage three – what it means for York University

The Campus Walk at York University's Keele location

The following is an important message to York University community members from President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda L. Lenton:

La version française suit la version anglaise.

Dear Colleagues,

Now that Toronto has joined the rest of the GTA in moving to Stage 3, I wanted to write with an update on what it means for York. As always, our first priority is the health and safety of the entire York community.

As the pandemic is ongoing, public health guidelines are still determining how businesses, services and spaces are able to gradually reopen. Universities also continue to work with government on the interpretation of the public health guidelines for higher education. With advice from our Emergency Operations Committee, work is being undertaken to assess how we can best comply with the guidelines for our campuses including how to maintain physical distancing and adhere to the limits regarding the number of people gathered in spaces. Immediate priorities include responding to requests for increased access to labs and offices that are required for colleagues to support the core teaching and research activities of the University. Plans are underway to facilitate these requests including requirements for deep cleaning prior to reopening new spaces, having adequate signage and hand sanitizers, and ensuring that systems are in place so that we stay within prescribed limits on the number of people who can congregate indoors and outdoors.

It will remain necessary for the balance of summer and into the fall to rely on the request protocols that we have in place for anyone needing access to our campuses in order that we are able to comply with the public health guidelines. As colleagues are already aware, only a select number of courses have been approved for in-person activities in the fall term, and we anticipate that most of our employees will continue to work remotely for the duration of the fall term.

Exceptions for community members being on campus include:

  • those living in residences,
  • pre-approved in-person teaching and learning for the fall term,
  • pre-approved on-site research for the summer and fall term,
  • pre-scheduled appointments with service and support providers,
  • visiting libraries for curbside pickup, and
  • faculty and staff providing designated on-campus services.

If you have obtained permission to be on campus, always follow the established safety protocols, including the COVID-19 Screening Checklist.

Other than the above noted exceptions, please continue to work and study remotely.

I want to thank you all once again for your patience and for your support as we work to advance the mission and vision of the University and keep our community safe.

Sincerely,

Rhonda L. Lenton
President and Vice-Chancellor

Toronto passe à l’étape 3 – Incidence sur York

Chers collègues,

Maintenant que Toronto passe à l’étape 3 du déconfinement et rejoint le reste de la région du Grand Toronto, je veux faire le point sur ce que cela signifie pour York. Comme toujours, notre première priorité est la santé et la sécurité de toute notre communauté universitaire.

Comme la pandémie se poursuit, les directives de santé publique continuent de déterminer comment les entreprises, les services et les lieux peuvent progressivement rouvrir. Les universités poursuivent leur collaboration avec le gouvernement sur l’interprétation des directives de santé publique pour l’enseignement supérieur. Forts des conseils de notre comité des opérations d’urgence, nous entreprenons des travaux pour évaluer la meilleure façon de respecter les directives sur nos campus, notamment sur la façon de maintenir la distanciation physique et de respecter les limites sur les rassemblements. Nous accordons la priorité en ce moment aux demandes d’accès aux laboratoires et aux bureaux que nos collègues doivent utiliser pour soutenir les activités d’enseignement et de recherche de base de l’Université. Des plans sont en cours pour accorder ces demandes, en répondant aux exigences de nettoyage en profondeur avant la réouverture de nouveaux espaces, en mettant en place une signalisation adéquate et des désinfectants pour les mains, et en assurant que des systèmes sont en place pour que nous respections les limites prescrites quant au nombre de personnes pouvant se rassembler à l’intérieur et à l’extérieur.

Afin de nous conformer aux directives de santé publique, il sera nécessaire de respecter les protocoles de demande que nous avons mis en place pour toute personne ayant besoin d’accéder à nos campus pendant le reste de l’été et cet automne. Comme des collègues le savent déjà, seul un certain nombre de cours ont été approuvés pour des activités en personne au cours du trimestre d’automne. Nous prévoyons également que la plupart de nos employés continueront à travailler à distance pendant tout le trimestre d’automne.

Exceptions possibles pour être sur le campus :

  • Habiter dans une résidence,
  • Enseignement et apprentissage en personne préapprouvés pendant le trimestre d’automne,
  • Recherche en personne préapprouvée pendant les trimestres d’été et d’automne,
  • Rendez-vous planifiés avec des fournisseurs de services et d’assistance,
  • Visite de bibliothèques pour ramassage à l’auto,
  • Corps professoral et personnel fournissant des services désignés sur le campus.

Si vous avez obtenu l’autorisation d’être sur le campus, suivez toujours les protocoles de sécurité établis et notamment la Liste de contrôle pour le dépistage de la COVID-19.

Sauf pour les exceptions ci-dessus, veuillez continuer à travailler et à étudier à distance.

Je tiens à vous remercier toutes et tous une fois de plus pour votre patience et votre soutien au cours de cette période où nous travaillons à faire avancer la mission et la vision de l’Université et à assurer la sécurité de notre communauté.

Bonne journée,

Rhonda L. Lenton
Présidente et vice-chancelière

Message from the President: York University will build the Markham Centre Campus

Markham Centre Campus FEATURED image

The following is an important message to the community from York University President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda L. Lenton. This message was released on Friday, July 24:

La version française suit la version anglaise.

Over the past months, as we have all adapted our daily lives to managing the pandemic and its impacts, the University’s focus has necessarily been on ensuring the health and safety of our community and our campuses as the top priority.

At the same time, we have continued to advance the important longer-term initiatives that will help to build and secure our future, like the Markham Centre Campus (MCC).

Today marks a bright spot, encouraging us to look ahead to 2023 when the doors to the much-anticipated MCC will open to students.

Earlier today, I was joined by the premier, minister of colleges and universities, York Region’s Chair, the mayor of Markham and other leaders and dignitaries to officially announce the exciting news that we will be moving ahead with the Markham Centre Campus and shovels will be in the ground in the coming days.

We have long had a bold vision for a new campus in the fast-growing York Region – an opportunity to make sure that we keep our brightest and best in Ontario collaborating across sectors to offer innovative academic programs in high demand areas with a rich array of experiential education activities, and partnering on pressing research problems to build inclusive and resilient communities.

MCC is a state-of-the-art campus that ensures thousands of students have increased access to a high-quality, research-intensive learning experience in York Region.

It has been a great honour to be part of the Markham community these past few years as we have increased our community connections through YSpace, Innovation York, and with IBM Canada.

The success we have today belongs to our entire community – faculty, students, staff, alumni and friends whose commitment and perseverance have made our vision become a reality. I hope you will join me in celebrating this important milestone.

Please visit www.yorku.ca/markham to learn more.

Sincerely,

Rhonda L. Lenton
President and Vice-Chancellor

L’Université York annonce la construction de son campus Markham Centre

Au cours des derniers mois, tandis que nous adaptions tous notre vie quotidienne à la gestion de la pandémie et de ses répercussions, la priorité absolue de l’Université était nécessairement la santé et la sécurité des membres de sa communauté et de ses campus.

Toutefois, nous avons poursuivi simultanément les initiatives à plus long terme qui nous permettront d’avancer et de bâtir l’avenir, comme le campus Markham Centre (CMC).

Aujourd’hui, nous entrevoyons une lueur d’espoir qui nous incite à imaginer l’année 2023 lorsque les portes du CMC tant attendu ouvriront pour les étudiants et étudiantes.

Ce matin, je me suis jointe au premier ministre provincial, au ministre des Collèges et Universités, au président de la région de York, au maire de Markham et à d’autres dirigeants et dignitaires pour annoncer officiellement que le campus Markham Centre ira de l’avant et que le chantier démarrera dans les jours à venir.

Nous avons depuis longtemps une vision audacieuse pour un nouveau campus dans la région de York qui connaît un essor rapide. Grâce à ce campus, nous retiendrons nos meilleurs éléments en Ontario avec une collaboration intersectorielle qui nous permettra non seulement d’offrir des programmes académiques innovateurs dans des domaines très recherchés et une vaste gamme de programmes d’éducation expérientielle, mais aussi d’associer nos efforts à des problématiques de recherche pressantes afin de bâtir des communautés robustes et inclusives.

MCC sera un campus à la fine pointe du progrès qui donnera accès à des milliers d’étudiants et étudiantes à une expérience d’apprentissage de haute qualité et axée sur la recherche dans la région de York.

C’est un grand honneur pour nous d’avoir fait partie de la communauté de Markham ces dernières années alors que nous resserrions nos liens communautaires avec YSpace, Innovation York et IBM Canada.

Le succès que nous connaissons aujourd’hui est le fruit du travail de toute notre communauté — corps professoral, corps étudiant, personnel, diplômés et amis de l’Université — dont l’engagement et la persévérance ont permis à notre vision de devenir une réalité. J’espère que vous célébrerez avec moi cette étape importante. Veuillez visiter www.yorku.ca/markham pour en savoir plus.

Sincères salutations,

Rhonda L. Lenton
Présidente et vice-chancelière