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Changes to York University operations, online learning continues

Vari Hall

York University President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda L. Lenton issues this important COVID-19 announcement to the University community:

On Tuesday, March 17, Premier Doug Ford declared an emergency and new public health guidelines were released. To ensure the health and safety of our campus communities and to prevent the risk and spread of COVID-19, we are moving to offer only required services on our campuses. Effective by end of day Thursday, March 19, buildings on our campuses will close with limited access as needed for required services.

Effective immediately, legally required closures include:

  • libraries;
  • childcare centres;
  • dine-in food facilities – only take-out or delivery is available; and
  • other changes could come into effect and will be communicated.

Transition to required services

The University will continue to support our students to complete their academic term – with required employees physically present on campus and all others working off-campus in a virtual mode.

York has continuity plans to guide this shift in operations. Managers will work closely with staff regarding the transition with the goal of having all non-required staff working from home no later than end of day, Thursday, March 19. Implementation details will continue to be communicated to the community through email with follow up from managers, as well as through our website and social media.

We intend to operate virtually as much as possible.

The University is fully committed to helping our students complete the term.

  • Our academic plans to complete the term by shifting to various online learning strategies will continue.
  • Support for faculty moving their courses to electronic formats will continue.
  • Food services and residences will be available for those who cannot return home due to travel restrictions, health, personal circumstances, or various obligations.
  • Those in residences who can return home should do so immediately.
  • York International is encouraging all students currently studying abroad to come home if they are able.
  • Details on final exams will be forthcoming.
  • Further information will be forthcoming on how students can access library resources and services online.

Please note that while the University has moved to a required services model, employees will continue to be paid for any currently scheduled days/shifts. Employees may be redeployed to other critical work priorities.

York is committed to continuing ongoing research

  • Researchers are encouraged not to start, or submit, any new research protocols requiring on-campus activities. Researchers should also assess the needs for ongoing projects.
  • Researchers, their staff, graduate students and postdoctoral scholars should ensure they have the necessary tools, materials and data to continue work remotely where possible.

York is committed to the wellness and well-being of our entire community

We know this situation is causing anxiety and stress for our community. The University offers comprehensive supports that will continue despite the move to a required services model.

  • Students: Dedicated staff will continue to provide support to help students manage their academics and well-being. If they’re experiencing anxiety or stress, please encourage them reach out to Student Counselling & Development at 416-736-5297 or visit the website https://counselling.students.yorku.ca/ to learn about remote access of services. Other mental health and wellness resources are available here: https://mhw.info.yorku.ca/resources/resources-at-york/students/. If students need academic support, they can reach out to their course instructor, program office or Faculty advisor.
  • Employees: York’s Employee Assistance Program can be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week for immediate confidential help at 1-800-268-5211; TTY service is available at 1-800-363-6270.

As always, if you are sick, please stay home.

There are many new travel restrictions, which York has communicated and can be found on our dedicated website. It is very important that students, faculty and staff inform themselves on these restrictions.

York employees who are impacted by this directive should speak with their supervisors as soon as possible. Public Health Ontario has resources available to help people learn how to properly self-isolate.

We recognize managers in units across campus may have questions and these can be directed to their manager or their human resources representative.

More information will follow as it becomes available. If you have questions not addressed on York’s dedicated COVID-19 website, please email coronavirusinfo@yorku.ca.

Thank you.

I want to thank and acknowledge every member of our community for coming together to support each other. I am profoundly grateful to the faculty and staff who have undertaken all the work necessary to help our students complete their courses and to the staff working long hours to plan and respond to this emergency.

The fight against the pandemic is global, and it includes every one of us. Please take every precaution to keep you and your loved ones safe. We will get through this together, as a community, something which has always been York’s greatest strength.

To all of you, my sincere thanks.

Mardi 17 mars le premier ministre Ford a déclaré une situation d’urgence et de nouvelles directives de santé publique ont été diffusées. Afin d’assurer la santé et la sécurité de la communauté de nos campus et de prévenir le risque et la propagation de COVID-19, nous allons mettre en place un niveau de services essentiels uniquement sur nos campus. À compter du jeudi 19 mars en fin de journée, certains bâtiments de nos campus fermeront avec un accès limité pour des services essentiels, au besoin.

Les fermetures immédiates prévues par la loi concernent:

  • les bibliothèques;
  • les garderies;
  • les restaurants avec des salles à manger: seuls les plats à emporter ou à livrer seront disponibles;
  • d’autres changements peuvent entrer en vigueur et seront communiqués.

Transition vers des services essentiels

L’Université continuera à appuyer les étudiants afin qu’ils achèvent leur semestre – certains employés devront être physiquement présents sur le campus tandis que d’autres travailleront hors campus en mode virtuel.

York a des plans de continuité en place pour orienter ce changement d’opérations. Les gestionnaires travailleront avec le personnel au sujet de la transition, l’objectif étant d’avoir tout le personnel non essentiel travaillant de la maison le jeudi 19 mars en fin de journée au plus tard. Des détails sur la mise en œuvre continueront d’être communiqués à la communauté par courrier électronique, avec un suivi de la part des gestionnaires, ainsi que par le biais de notre site web et des médias sociaux.

Nous avons l’intention de fonctionner virtuellement dans la mesure du possible.

L’Université s’engage pleinement à aider les étudiants à achever ce semestre.

  • Nos plans académiques visant à achever le semestre en adoptant diverses stratégies d’apprentissage en ligne se poursuivent.
  • Le soutien aux professeurs qui mettent leurs cours en ligne continue.
  • Les services alimentaires et les résidences seront disponibles pour les étudiants qui ne peuvent pas rentrer chez eux en raison de restrictions de voyage, de leur santé, de leur situation personnelle ou de diverses obligations.
  • Les étudiants en résidence qui peuvent rentrer chez eux doivent le faire immédiatement.
  • York International encourage tous les étudiants qui étudient actuellement à l’étranger à rentrer à la maison dans la mesure du possible.
  • Des détails sur les examens finaux seront communiqués prochainement.
  • D’autres renseignements seront fournis sur l’accès des étudiants aux ressources des bibliothèques et aux services en ligne.Veuillez noter que bien que l’Université soit passée à un modèle de services essentiels, les employés continueront à être payés pour tous les jours/quarts de travail prévus; les employés peuvent être redéployés pour d’autres priorités de travail critiques.

York s’engage à poursuivre les recherches en cours

  • Les chercheurs sont toutefois encouragés à ne pas commencer ni soumettre de nouveaux protocoles de recherche nécessitant des activités sur le campus. Les chercheurs doivent également évaluer les besoins des projets en cours.
  • Les chercheurs, leur personnel, les étudiants de cycle supérieur et les chercheurs postdoctoraux doivent s’assurer qu’ils disposent des outils, du matériel et des données nécessaires pour continuer à travailler chez eux lorsque cela est possible.

York s’engage à assurer la sécurité et le bien-être de toute sa communauté

Nous savons que cette situation entraîne de l’anxiété et du stress chez les membres de notre communauté. L’Université offre des soutiens complets qui restent en place malgré le passage à un modèle de services essentiels.

  • Étudiants et étudiantes: Un personnel spécialisé continuera à apporter son soutien pour aider les étudiants à gérer leurs études et leur bien-être. S’ils sont anxieux ou stressés, veuillez les encourager à communiquer avec le service de counseling et de développement des étudiants au 416-736-5297 ou à consulter le site Web https://counselling.students.yorku.ca/pour en savoir plus sur l’accès à distance aux services. D’autres ressources de bien-être et de santé mentale sont disponibles ici: https://mhw.info.yorku.ca/resources/resources-at-york/students/.
  • Les étudiants qui ont besoin de soutien académique peuvent contacter leur directeur/directrice de cours, le bureau de leur programme ou leur conseiller/conseillère pédagogique.
  • Pour joindre le centre Accessibilité, bien-être et counseling de Glendon, veuillez composer le 416-487-6709 ou visitez https://www.glendon.yorku.ca/counselling/fr/ pour plus d’information.
  • Employés: Les employés de York ont accès au programme d’aide aux employés 24 heures sur 24 et 7 jours sur 7 pour une aide confidentielle immédiate en composant le 1-800-268-5211; Service ATS offert au 1-800-363-6270.

Encore une fois, si vous êtes malades, veuillez rester à la maison.

Il existe de nombreuses nouvelles restrictions de voyages que York a communiquées; vous pouvez les trouver sur notre site Web consacré au coronavirus. Il est très important que les étudiants, les membres du corps professoral et du personnel soient informés de ces restrictions.

Les employés de York concernés par cette directive doivent parler à leurs superviseurs le plus rapidement possible. Le Bureau de santé publique de l’Ontario a des ressources disponibles pour aider les gens à apprendre à s’isoler correctement.

Nous reconnaissons que les responsables des unités de l’ensemble du campus peuvent avoir des questions et celles-ci peuvent être adressées à leur gestionnaire ou à leur représentant des ressources humaines.

De plus amples informations suivront au fur et à mesure qu’elles seront disponibles. Si vous avez des questions qui ne sont pas traitées sur le site Internet dédié de COVID-19 à York, veuillez envoyer un courriel à coronavirusinfo@yorku.ca.

Remerciements.

Je tiens à remercier et à reconnaître tous les membres de notre communauté qui se sont rassemblés pour s’entraider. Je suis profondément reconnaissante envers le corps enseignant et le personnel qui ont entrepris tout le travail nécessaire pour aider nos étudiants à achever leurs études et le personnel qui travaille de longues heures pour planifier et répondre à cette urgence.

La lutte contre la pandémie est mondiale, et elle concerne chacun d’entre nous. Veuillez prendre toutes les précautions nécessaires pour assurer votre sécurité et celle de vos proches. Nous allons traverser cela ensemble en tant que communauté, ce qui a toujours été la plus grande force de York.

À vous tous, mes sincères remerciements.

President Rhonda L. Lenton issues a statement on the University’s response to COVID-19

Vari Hall

The following is an important statement to the York University community from President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda L. Lenton. This statement was issued on Friday, March 13:

As the COVID-19 pandemic has grown and evolved, York University has kept the safety and well-being of students, staff and faculty at the heart of all its decisions. We are also conscious of our role in the national and global fight against a serious illness. In light of the developments we have seen at home and around the world this week, it is time for the University to enter a new phase in its comprehensive response.

Beginning on March 16, we will be suspending all face-to-face instruction and moving courses to online formats. We are committed to completing the term and will deploy all of our resources to support faculty and students through this transition. Further information will be forthcoming from the Provost and Deans regarding courses with lab and studio requirements, and arrangements for examinations. Where possible, work and clinical placements will continue.

As of midnight tonight, we will be cancelling or postponing all non-essential events that are not required as part of an academic program. We will also be closing the Tait Mackenzie Centre and the Glendon Athletic Club until April 30. Our Keele and Glendon campuses will remain open, and research activities will continue.

In the days ahead, we will also be introducing new policies on working from home and doctors’ notes to minimize risk and maximize flexibility for our community. More details on these changes will be forthcoming. As always, we encourage everyone to take preventative measures such as enhanced hand washing and social distancing. If you feel unwell, please stay home.

It will take time to sort out the details of the initiatives we are announcing today. I am grateful for the patience and support of students, staff and faculty during this period of rapid change. And to the members of York’s Emergency Management Team and the many staff and faculty members who have put in so many hours – with many more to come – preparing and implementing our COVID-19 response, thank you. Your commitment to our community is extraordinary.

Compassion and care are among York’s most important values. Some members of our community may need special accommodations to sustain their mental and physical health as the COVID-19 situation unfolds, and unfortunately, others will likely fall ill. York will be part of the network of family, friends and institutions that will help them recover.

I know this is an anxious and upsetting time for everyone. Let me say, without reservation, that York will be there to support every member of the community as we face this pandemic together. For students, my commitment is that you will have the academic and wellness supports you need to thrive in and beyond the current situation. For faculty and staff, know that the University recognizes your dedication and is, in turn, committed to your health and well-being.

Please stay tuned for additional information over the coming days. As always, you can find the latest updates on York’s dedicated COVID-19 website and you can email your questions to coronavirusinfo@yorku.ca. Senate Executive will also be providing guidance on adjustments to academic regulations, deadlines and schedules as required.

Take care of yourselves and each other.

Tout au long de la montée et de l’évolution de COVID-19, l’Université York a placé la sécurité et le bien-être du corps étudiant, du corps professoral et du personnel au cœur de toutes ses décisions. Nous sommes également conscients de notre rôle dans la lutte nationale et internationale contre une maladie sérieuse. À la suite des développements de cette semaine au pays et dans le monde entier, il est temps pour l’Université d’entrer dans une nouvelle phase de sa réponse globale.

À partir du lundi 16 mars, les cours en personne seront suspendus et remplacés par des cours en ligne. Nous sommes déterminés à achever le semestre et nous déploierons toutes nos ressources pour appuyer le corps professoral et le corps étudiant durant cette transition. La rectrice et les doyens fourniront plus d’information sur les cours qui comportent des laboratoires et des classes pratiques et sur les aménagements pour les examens. Dans la mesure du possible, le travail et les placements cliniques continueront.

À partir de ce soir à minuit, tous les événements non essentiels qui ne font pas partie des exigences d’un programme académique seront annulés ou reportés. Nous fermerons également le centre Tait Mackenzie et le club athlétique de Glendon jusqu’au 30 avril. Nos campus Keele et Glendon demeureront ouverts et les activités de recherche se poursuivront.

Dans les jours à venir, nous introduirons aussi de nouvelles politiques sur le travail à la maison et les notes des médecins pour minimiser les risques et optimiser la flexibilité pour notre communauté. Vous recevrez bientôt plus de détails au sujet de ces changements. Comme toujours, nous encourageons tout le monde à prendre des mesures de prévention comme un lavage de mains soigneux et l’éloignement social. Si vous ne vous sentez pas bien, veuillez rester à la maison.

Cela prendra du temps pour régler les détails des initiatives que nous annonçons aujourd’hui. Je suis reconnaissante de la patience et du soutien du corps étudiant, du personnel et du corps professoral durant cette période de changements rapides. Et je remercie les membres de l’équipe de gestion des urgences et les membres du personnel et du corps professoral qui ont consacré tellement d’heures — et en consacreront beaucoup plus — à préparer et mettre en place notre réponse à COVID-19. Votre engagement envers notre communauté est extraordinaire.

La compassion et l’assistance font partie des valeurs les plus importantes de York. Des membres de notre communauté auront peut-être besoin d’aménagements spéciaux pour assurer leur santé mentale et physique durant la situation de COVID-19; malheureusement, certains tomberont sans doute malades. York fera partie du réseau de familles, amis et institutions qui les aideront à se remettre.

Je sais que cette période est bouleversante et angoissante pour tout le monde. Mais laissez-moi vous dire, sans réserve, que York sera présent pour appuyer chaque membre de la communauté tandis que nous affrontons ensemble cette pandémie. En ce qui concerne les étudiants, je m’engage à ce que vous disposiez du soutien académique et de bien-être nécessaire pour prospérer dans la situation actuelle et par la suite. En ce qui concerne le corps professoral et le personnel, sachez que l’Université reconnaît votre dévouement et s’engage, en retour, à protéger votre santé et votre bien-être.

Veuillez rester à l’écoute pour d’autres informations au cours des jours à venir. Comme toujours, vous pouvez trouver les dernières mises à jour sur le site Web de York consacré à COVID-19 et vous pouvez envoyer vos questions par courriel à coronavirusinfo@yorku.ca. Les membres du Sénat fourniront également des informations sur les modifications des règlements académiques, sur les dates d’échéance et sur le calendrier, suivant les besoins.

Prenez bien soin de vous et des autres.

The Keele Campus Community Conversation rescheduled to April 3

Vari Hall at night

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

The Keele Campus Community Conversation, which was originally scheduled to take place on Wednesday, March 11, has been rescheduled.

Keele Campus Community Conversation
NEW DATE: April 3, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Collaboratory, Scott Library (Second Floor)

The senior leadership team apologizes for any inconvenience, but we hope you will still be able to join us for a productive discussion about our community’s progress on our shared goals. Please RSVP for the rescheduled event on the Community Conversations website, where you can also submit any questions you may have.

The Glendon Community Conversation will take place as planned on Thursday, March 26 at 10 a.m. in the Sky Room, room A300, York Hall, Glendon Campus.

La Conversation communautaire qui devait avoir lieu au campus Keele le mercredi 11 mars a été reportée.

Conversation communautaire au campus Keele
NOUVELLE DATE : vendredi 3 avril 2020 de 9 h 30 à 11 h 30
Collaboratory – Bibliothèque Scott (2e étage)

Nous vous prions d’excuser les désagréments occasionnés. Nous espérons que vous pourrez tout de même vous joindre à nous pour une discussion productive sur les progrès de notre communauté envers nos objectifs communs. Veuillez confirmer votre présence à l’événement sur le site Web des conversations communautaires où vous pourrez aussi envoyer vos questions éventuelles.

La Conversation communautaire au campus Glendon aura lieu comme prévu le jeudi 26 mars à 10 h dans la verrière (YH A300).

Professor Detlev Zwick appointed interim dean of the Schulich School of Business

FEATURED_DZwick_Schulich
FEATURED_DZwick_Schulich

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

I am pleased to inform members of the Schulich School of Business and the York University community that Professor Detlev Zwick will serve as interim dean of the Schulich School as Dean Dezsö J. Horváth steps down following more than three decades of outstanding leadership. The Board of Governors has approved my recommendation of Professor Zwick’s appointment, which will take effect on July 1, 2020. The search for Dean Horváth’s successor is ongoing.

Detlev Zwick

Professor Zwick will be well known to members of the York community.  He has been a full-time faculty member in the Schulich School since 2002 and is also a member of faculty in the Graduate Program in Communication & Culture. Since 2018, Professor Zwick has served as the Schulich School’s associate dean academic, with responsibility for teaching and learning innovation, recognition, and leadership; program development; academic policy; student services; and international relations. He is a member of the University Senate and currently represents the Schulich School on the Senate Executive Committee, as well as serving on the Joint Committee on Affirmative Action.

Professor Zwick holds a PhD in marketing from the University of Rhode Island, as well as master’s degrees from the University of Memphis and the University of Cologne/Université de Montpellier. His research explores modern marketing practices and new forms of consumer surveillance, capture and manipulation. It has been published widely in marketing, communication, media culture and sociology journals, as well as in several edited collections. He is co-editor of Inside Marketing: Practices, Ideologies, Devices (Oxford), and his expertise is frequently called upon by the media about current issues in marketing. He teaches undergraduate and graduate courses on digital marketing, leadership skills and the philosophy of knowledge in the social sciences.

I am very grateful for Professor Zwick’s willingness to undertake this important responsibility. I know that he will provide outstanding leadership as interim dean, and I look forward to working with him and colleagues in the Schulich School to continue to advance the school’s reputation.

I look forward in the coming months to recognizing and celebrating with you Dean Horváth’s extraordinary contributions to the Schulich School and York University over the past 30 years.

Reminder: Keele and Glendon community conversations planned for March

Join members of York’s senior leadership team and me on the morning of Thursday, March 26 for our Glendon Community Conversation to discuss our shared priorities and Glendon’s central role in York’s future.

Community Conversations provide all members of our community an opportunity to discuss our collective goals, so we invite all students, staff and faculty to join us:

Glendon Community Conversation
Thursday, March 26, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Sky Room (A300, York Hall)

This is a reminder that all York community members are also invited to the Community Conversation at the Keele Campus:

Keele Community Conversation
Wednesday, March 11, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Collaboratory, Scott Library (Second Floor)

For more information and to RSVP, go to the Community Conversations website. While you are there, please let us know what topics or questions you would like to see addressed during our discussion.

Sincerely,

Rhonda L. Lenton, PhD
President & Vice-Chancellor

Je vous invite à vous joindre à l’équipe de leadership de York et à moi le jeudi 26 mars au matin pour notre conversation communautaire à Glendon afin de discuter de nos priorités communes et du rôle central de Glendon dans l’avenir de l’Université York.

Les conversations communautaires donnent à tous les membres de notre communauté une occasion de discuter de nos objectifs communs. Nous invitons donc tous les étudiants, membres du personnel et du corps professoral à se joindre à nous :

Conversation communautaire au campus Glendon
Jeudi 26 mars 2020, de 10 h à 12 h
Sky Room (YH A300)

Nous rappelons également que tous les membres de la communauté de York sont invités à la conversation communautaire au campus Keele :

Conversation communautaire au campus Keele
Mercredi 11 mars 2020, de 10 h à 12 h
Collaboratory, bibliothèque Scott (Deuxième étage)

Pour obtenir de plus amples renseignements et répondre à cette invitation, rendez-vous sur le site Conversations communautaires. Profitez-en aussi pour nous indiquer les sujets ou les questions que vous aimeriez voir aborder lors de notre discussion.

Veuillez agréer mes sincères salutations,

Rhonda L. Lenton
Présidente et vice-chancelière

Mississauga mayor tells McLaughlin College students ‘never stop learning’

Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie provided McLaughlin College students with “gems of wisdom” when she visited the Keele Campus on Jan. 22, during the college’s First Year Student Dinner.

The event, which launched last year, recognizes first-year students as they make their full transition to university studies.

Other speakers at the dinner were:

  • York University Chancellor Greg Sorbara, who chaired the formal program for the evening;
  •  Rhonda Lenton, York University president and vice-chancellor; and
  • J.J. McMurtry, the newly appointed dean of the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies.

Crombie, who is a York University alum and holds an MBA from the Schulich School of Business, spoke to students during a 40-minute address. She was introduced by Howard Brown, president of Brown & Cohen Communications & Public Affairs.

Bonnie Crombie

She began her keynote address by acknowledging those in attendance, saying, “This is a room full of power and potential,” and stating the students at McLaughlin College would undoubtedly “change the world throughout their lives.”

Crombie shared what she learned over her 40-year career in both business and politics, and pointed out that her own background and life experience is instructive.

“I am a first generation Canadian, born to Polish and Ukrainian parents in the 1960s in Etobicoke. My grandfather was a janitor at The Globe and Mail and my grandmother ran a rooming house,” she said, adding that her upbringing did not include “fancy vacations or dinners out,” but, it “made me the person I am today.”

She then went on to outline what she called her “10-point plan to succeed in your career,” which included:

  • Number 10, always invest in yourself. Be a life-long learner and never stop learning.
  • Number 9, listen. Be an active listener. It will allow you to connect with others, build trust and gain knowledge.
  • Number 8, be humble and truthful. Those who are, ultimately, succeed.
  • Number 7, be a life-long volunteer. Volunteer experience can be some of the most rewarding and satisfying things that one can do.
  • Number 6, work hard. Crombie made the point of stating, “There is no substitute for hard work,” and noted that her mother told her when she was growing up that “if it is meant to be, it is up to me.”
  • Number 5, do your homework. “If you know your stuff, you will get ahead,” she said. She noted this applies especially for women who must meet a “different bar” that necessitates that they must always be “over-prepared to get ahead.”
  • Number 4, do not confuse being liked with being respected. Being respected, she noted, “requires hard work, doing your homework, and being principled and genuine.”
  • Number 3, be kind. She made the emphatic point that, “Kindness sustains our humanity.”
  • Number 2, failure is okay. Do not be afraid to take “calculated risks in your career.” You should not fear failure because it provides tangible lessons from which we can learn. “Be smart and thoughtful about the risks you take, but don’t hold back because you might fail,” she said.
  • Number 1, do good. “If you’re not guided by a passion to do good – if selflessness and the common good are not your reason for public service – then please pick another profession,” she said. Doing good is essential to success in life.

Crombie concluded her address by stating she was happy to share her 10 points with the first-year students.

Those in attendance agreed it was a memorable First Year Student Dinner.

Bonnie Crombie with some of the attendees at the event

“It also left the students with ‘gems of wisdom’ that they could apply throughout their studies, careers and life,” said Milena Basciano, junior ambassador of the McLaughlin College Public Policy and Administration student association, who sat at the head table with the dignitaries.

“It was truly a remarkable evening,” said Matthew Ko, another McLaughlin College student ambassador, who was also seated at the head table.

McMurtry thanked Crombie, and said she provided a shining example and model for students who wish to aspire to important leadership positions within their communities. The City of Mississauga is one of the most dynamic multicultural urban communities in Canada, McMurtry observed.

He said Crombie is “demonstrating how engaged and inspirational leadership can make a significant difference realizing the goal of building a progressive community that unites and cares for all its members.”

All the program’s dignitaries were Fellows of McLaughlin College, which added to the cachet of the evening, and reinforced for all those in attendance, particularly, the students, the relevance and importance of their college affiliation.

The event also included a performance by the newly formed McLaughlin College Community Choir, led by Choir Director Sebastian Moreno.

From left: J.J. McMurtry, Bonnie Crombie, Greg Sorbara, Howard Brown, Rhonda L. Lenton and James Simeon

McLaughlin College Head James Simeon recognized all the students’ work and efforts during their challenging first year of university studies. The first year “transition” to a new learning environment requires different skill sets, he noted, including a variety of assessment methods, expectations and demands from professors that can often be strenuous, but ultimately, entirely “transformative.”

Simeon also introduced Sorbara, and noted that all those who took the subway to the dinner, have Sorbara to thank, as he played a vital role in the subway being extended to the Keele Campus and beyond.

Sorbara said it was a 35-year campaign to realize the subway extension that began when he was the Ontario Minister of Colleges and Universities. At that time, he came to the view that Toronto’s two great universities, University of Toronto and York University, should be connected by the TTC subway system.

Lenton also addressed students, and encouraged them to continue working on mastering their new skill sets as they progress through their programs of study. She further made the point that universities play an integral role in the social, cultural and economic life of their communities.

Save the date: Glendon Campus Community Conversation planned for March 26

Glendon Campus in the winter
Glendon Campus

Join members of York’s senior leadership team and me on the morning of Thursday, March 26 for our Glendon Community Conversation to discuss our shared priorities and Glendon’s central role in York’s future.

Community Conversations provide all members of our community an opportunity to discuss our collective goals, so we invite all students, staff and faculty to join us:

Glendon Community Conversation
Thursday, March 26, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Sky Room (A300, York Hall)

This is a reminder that all York community members are also invited to the Community Conversation at the Keele Campus:

Keele Community Conversation
Wednesday, March 11, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Collaboratory, Scott Library (Second Floor)

For more information and to RSVP, go to the Community Conversations website. While you are there, please let us know what topics or questions you would like to see addressed during our discussion.

Sincerely,

Rhonda L. Lenton, PhD
President & Vice-Chancellor

Je vous invite à vous joindre à l’équipe de leadership de York et à moi le jeudi 26 mars au matin pour notre conversation communautaire à Glendon afin de discuter de nos priorités communes et du rôle central de Glendon dans l’avenir de l’Université York.

Les conversations communautaires donnent à tous les membres de notre communauté une occasion de discuter de nos objectifs communs. Nous invitons donc tous les étudiants, membres du personnel et du corps professoral à se joindre à nous :

Conversation communautaire au campus Glendon
Jeudi 26 mars 2020, de 10 h à 12 h
Sky Room (YH A300)

Nous rappelons également que tous les membres de la communauté de York sont invités à la conversation communautaire au campus Keele :

Conversation communautaire au campus Keele
Mercredi 11 mars 2020, de 10 h à 12 h
Collaboratory, bibliothèque Scott (Deuxième étage)

Pour obtenir de plus amples renseignements et répondre à cette invitation, rendez-vous sur le site Conversations communautaires. Profitez-en aussi pour nous indiquer les sujets ou les questions que vous aimeriez voir aborder lors de notre discussion.

Veuillez agréer mes sincères salutations,

Rhonda L. Lenton
Présidente et vice-chancelière

Online survey will help establish York University’s carbon emission reduction targets

Usa globe resting in a forest - environment concept

Carol McAulay, vice-president finance and administration, issues the following message to the University community:

In November 2017, York University released its institutional Sustainability Strategy with a purpose of communicating and implementing a shared vision. The Sustainability Strategy has been designed to inspire positive change, build capacity, empower people and harness innovation to foster a culture of sustainability within and beyond the University.

As part of the University’s continuing efforts to advance the strategy, a discussion paper has been written by the University. The paper is titled “Advancing York University’s Sustainability Strategy Through Goal PL5: A call for community collaboration in reducing York University’s carbon footprint.” The paper provides context for community discussion and participation in a collaborative process to help inform recommendations in setting carbon emissions targets for the University.

I am inviting you to participate in an online survey on setting carbon emission reduction targets for the University. The input received from the survey will be collated, synthesized and used to develop recommendations; the recommendations will then be compiled in a report to be delivered to President Lenton by the end of April 2020.

By working together, we can establish achievable targets that will support the University’s vision and align to the pillars of accessibility, connectedness, excellence and impact, as we continue to strive to create positive change as a leading post-secondary institution in sustainability.

To view the discussion paper and to provide your feedback and input, please visit the Sustainability website.

Call for nominations: President’s Sustainability Leadership Awards

Photo by Singkham from Pexels

Photo by Singkham from PexelsYork University President’s Sustainability Leadership Awards recognize students, faculty and staff who are contributing to making York a leading university in sustainability. The purpose of the awards are to raise awareness on the important work that sustainability champions are doing at York, to provide much deserved recognition of their work, and to encourage others to get involved in sustainability initiatives on the University’s campuses. Up to five (5) awards will be given out each year.

Eligibility Criteria: Anyone from the York University community can nominate any other individual or group for consideration. For the purposes of the award, the York University community is defined as students, faculty, and staff members. The geographic focus of the nominees sustainability work should be on one of York’s campuses or in the surrounding community.

Nomination Process: The nomination period for 2019-20 is now open. 
Please complete and submit the online Sustainability Leadership Award Form.

Deadline to submit a nomination: Friday, March 13.

Review Period: Applications will be reviewed at the beginning of March with final decisions on awards to be made by or before June 2020.

Review Committee: Applications will be reviewed by a committee of five, including two  students, one faculty member and two staff members.

Evaluation Criteria: Nominees will be considered for the Sustainability Leadership Awards based on their demonstrated leadership in sustainability, specifically through the following criteria:

  • The overall impact of the nominee’s contributions to sustainability, including the depth (how significant the contribution is) and breadth (how widespread, collaborative and/or replicable the contribution is).
  • The degree of innovation and originality and/or degree of enhancement (to existing initiatives).
  • How the individual or group went “over and above the call of duty” (additional time and resources committed that were not part of their job description or academic program).

Announcement of Awards: Award winners will be announced by or before June 2020.

Questions: If you have any questions or concerns, contact Nicole Arsenault, program director, Sustainability narsenau@yorku.ca or 416-736-5866.

Reminder: Keele Campus Community Conversation planned for March 11

Keele Campus
Keele Campus entrance

In the fall of 2019, York University students, staff and faculty came together for a Town Hall to discuss our community’s priorities and our plans for the University’s future. We began a meaningful conversation about our goals and how we should leverage our strengths and reputation to achieve them.

We appreciated everyone’s input, and we want to keep the discussion going. We will be holding two Community Conversations – one at Keele and one at Glendon – next month.

Keele Community Conversation
Wednesday, March 11, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Collaboratory, Scott Library (Second Floor)

Details for the Community Conversation at Glendon Campus will be forthcoming in a future email.

Provost Lisa Philipps, VP Finance and Administration Carol McAulay, Interim VP of Research & Innovation Rui Wang, VP Advancement Jeff O’Hagan, and VP Equity, People & Culture Sheila Cote-Meek will be joining me to answer your questions. We invite all students, staff and faculty to attend.

RSVP today.

I look forward to seeing you there.

Sincerely,

Rhonda L. Lenton, PhD
President & Vice-Chancellor

En automne 2019, le corps étudiant, le corps professoral et le personnel de l’Université York se sont rencontrés pour une discussion ouverte au sujet des priorités de la communauté et des plans d’avenir de l’Université. Nous avons engagé une conversation enrichissante au sujet de nos objectifs et de la meilleure façon de mettre à profit nos forces et notre réputation pour les atteindre.

Votre opinion est importante et nous vous remercions pour votre apport. Nous souhaitons maintenant poursuivre cette discussion. Nous allons tenir deux conversations communautaires – une à Keele et une à Glendon – le mois prochain.

Conversation communautaire au campus Keele
Mercredi 11 mars 2020 de 10 h à 12 h
Collaboratory – Bibliothèque Scott (2e étage)

Les détails de la conversation communautaire au campus Glendon feront l’objet d’un courriel ultérieur.

La rectrice, Lisa Philipps, la vice-présidente aux finances et à l’administration, Carol McAulay, le vice-président à la recherche et à l’innovation, Rui Wang, le vice-président à la promotion, Jeff O’Hagan, et la vice-présidente de l’équité, des personnes et de la culture, Sheila Cote-Meek, se joindront à moi pour répondre à vos questions. Nous invitons tous les étudiants et étudiantes, membres du personnel et du corps professoral à y assister.

RSVP aujourd’hui.

J’ai hâte de vous y voir.

Veuillez agréer mes sincères salutations,

Rhonda L. Lenton, PhD
Présidente et vice-chancelière