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New Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change created to address world’s most pressing issues

Image shows a hand holding a pine cone against a lush backdrop of greenery

Environmental change and urbanization represent two of the most critical challenges facing people and the planet. The world’s awareness of the need to develop sustainable solutions is vividly illustrated by the massive global Climate Day of Action protests that took place in September 2019 ahead of the United Nations Climate Action Summit. The climate action saw youth take to the streets to raise their concerns about environmental degradation, the injustices facing humanity, and the uncertainty of their future.

Universities are uniquely positioned to advance knowledge of and solutions to the issues posed by the climate crisis, degradation of nature and the rapid growth of cities. In response, York University is taking a leadership role to advance teaching and learning, research and scholarship, and multisectoral engagement in environmental and urban realms by bringing together the expertise housed in the Faculty of Environmental Studies (FES) and the Geography program in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies to create a new Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change.

Envisioned to be an international leader in critical and innovative urban, environmental and geographical knowledges and skills, the Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change will focus on advancing sustainability and justice. In 2019, both the Board of Governors and the Senate of York University approved the proposal for the new faculty, which will formally come into existence on Sept. 1, 2020 with new curricular offerings planned for Sept. 1, 2021.

Rhonda L. Lenton

“Students today are simultaneously faced with a competitive and dynamic global knowledge economy and a series of existential social and environmental challenges. The Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change combines the historical excellence of our environmental studies and geography programs with a renewed commitment to innovative teaching, scholarship and experiential learning. This interdisciplinary and collaborative approach will help society tackle its most complex challenges while training the leaders who will put solutions into practice,” said President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda L. Lenton.

Current and future students will have unprecedented opportunities to explore and learn from global thought leaders in geography, urban and environmental studies within a new faculty that fosters interdisciplinary approaches spanning and connecting biophysical sciences, social sciences, and the arts

Alice Hovorka

“The Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change will champion interdisciplinarity through curricular programs and scholarship,” said its inaugural Dean Alice Hovorka. “The new faculty will draw together scholars from geography and environmental studies as well as from across York University, building on existing synergies and encouraging collaboration in teaching, research and engagement activities.”

Field-based and experiential learning opportunities will further enhance students’ understanding of biophysical processes and social issues. Undergraduate students will have opportunities to pursue majors and minors in new programs that include bachelor’s degrees in global geography, urban studies, environmental science, sustainable environmental management, and environmental arts and justice. Masters and PhD programs in Geography and Environmental Studies will offer advanced study and application in these topical areas. Programs will feature hands-on, community-engaged learning locally, for example at York’s Maloca Garden and woodlot sites, regionally through field courses at Bruce Peninsula and within the Greater Toronto Area, and internationally at the York University Las Nubes EcoCampus in Costa Rica. Programs will also highlight work- and research-based placements connecting students with non-governmental organizations, industry, and government partner to help guide their career paths.

Demand for career professionals in environmental and urban realms has outpaced that of the rest of the workforce. Governments around the world are now placing an emphasis on regulation and public policies focused on sustainability and smart cities, requiring that organizations rethink their practices. New positions for environmental, urban planning and sustainability experts are needed, and the Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change will be uniquely positioned to meet this increased global demand for trained professionals. According to a 2018 Eco Canada Job Posting Trends Report, anticipated job growth leading into 2025 will be seen in careers in natural resource management (15 per cent increase), waste management (15 per cent increase), urban planning and development (13 per cent increase), energy management (12 per cent increase) and environmental health & safety and water quality (seven per cent increase).

Some of the potential career positions available to the inaugural graduating class of 2025 include chief sustainability officers, regulators and analysts; energy entrepreneurs, auditors and consultants; environmental lawyers, advocates and diversity educators; environmental scientists, geoscientists, technicians and specialists; and, urban planners, social service administrators and infrastructure directors.

To learn more, visit https://newfaculty.info.yorku.ca/.

Call for nominations: President’s Sustainability Leadership Awards

Photo by Tobias Weinhold on Unsplash

The York 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.

Save the date: Keele Campus Community Conversation planned for March 11

Vari Hall

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

Consul General to discuss strengthening collaborative initiatives between York and the Philippines

York International is inviting students, faculty and members of the community to welcome the Consul General of the Philippines to Toronto, Orontes V. Castro, on his first official visit to York University. The Consul General will provide remarks during his visit at a free hour-long event at 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 7. in 901 Kaneff Tower, Keele Campus.

Philippine Consul General to Toronto Orontes V. Castro
Philippine Consul General to Toronto Orontes V. Castro

Castro, a certified public accountant, assumed his post in Toronto in September 2019, following a career in consular services that included roles in Beirut, New York and Chicago. In the Philippines he also served as an assistant secretary in the offices of Fiscal Management Services and Foreign Affairs. He is a graduate of University of the East, Manila and the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines, and has been awarded the the Presidential Medal of Merit the Mabini Award (Rank of Commander) for his service in promoting the interests of his home country.

The Consul General will make a presentation that will focus on building closer academic and community partnerships between York University and the Philippines that range from academia to community work and beyond.

According to Helen Balderama, associate director of International Partnerships and Programs at York International, the University receives an average of 70 special delegations a year, including representatives from universities, research partners, non-government organizations and diplomats like Castro. For Balderama, these official visits represent an important opportunity to expand and deepen the University’s existing relationships. “The Philippines is an important partner for York because of the different, multifaceted angles of our partnership,” she explains.

A critical aspect of that multifaceted partnership includes a continually strengthened relationship with University of the Philippines (UP), the country’s top-ranked and largest university. In addition to research and faculty mobility agreements already in place, York has also signed an agreement with UP that will see a York student heading to the institution on international exchange for the first time. UP is also recruiting a student to send to York as part of the reciprocal mobility agreement.

Philip Kelly
Philip Kelly

Philip Kelly, a York University professor and the Chair of the Geography Department, has been championing York’s relationship with UP and the Philippines throughout his career, from his graduate studies in Manila to his involvement with York’s Centre for Asian Research. His current research project, which examines the role of the Filipino diaspora in Canada in imagining and enacting alternative economic practices and political visions for the Philippines, includes two UP faculty researchers. In addition, Kelly has been responsible for recruiting a handful of UP graduate students to research and study in his department, and has an undergraduate student who hopes to be the first student to attend UP on exchange.

For Kelly, the increasing opportunities for Philippines studies at York are an exciting development. In addition to student and faculty mobility agreements, York offers the David Wurfel Award for Philippine Studies which helps encourage students to pursue studies in Filipino topics and research areas. Furthermore, Patrick Alcedo, York Associate Professor of Dance, will be leading a group of York students to a month-long dance and culture summer abroad program this summer in the Philippines. “I think it’s pretty exciting that we have those opportunities for students at York,” said Kelly.

Further to the public talk, the Consul General will also be having meetings with York University President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda L. Lenton, a group of faculty and the Filipino Student Association at York University. Organizers hope the visit will be of interest not only to Philippines researchers and York’s estimated 300 Filipino or Filipino-Canadian students, but to the entire University community. Kelly expects the event could appeal to “anyone who is interested in how the Philippine government sees its relationship with its diaspora.”

The Philippine Consulate General has operated in Toronto since 1978.

Call for nominations: President’s Sustainability Leadership Awards

Photo by Tobias Weinhold on Unsplash

The York 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.

Are you ready for NSSE?

Have you ever wanted to have a say in making meaningful change happen at York University? Starting Feb. 10, thousands of first- and fourth-year York University undergraduate students will have the opportunity to make change happen by participating in the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), or “Nessie” for short.

More than 600 universities from across North America participate annually in the survey, but every Ontario and most Canadian universities participate using a Canadian version every three years. Ontario universities also include Ontario-specific questions. The data collected from the survey will be used by the University to make changes that directly benefit future generations of students.

“On February 10, all the students who are eligible to take the NSSE survey will receive an email invitation to their preferred address from President Lenton,” said Richard Smith, director of Institutional Research, Reporting and Analysis at York University. It will contain the invitation and a unique link that will take the student directly to the survey. Friendly reminders, also with the link, will be sent to students who do not complete it.

Students can also get the link on their personal Moodle and my.yorku.ca sites.

This year, York University’s NSSE website has been redesigned to include informative short videos and a glossary of American terms used in the survey along with their Canadian equivalents. It also contains information on who is eligible to participate, how the data will be used, how incentives and prizes will be awarded and many other valuable pieces of information. Faculty and administrative staff can download additional resources they can use to help promote NSSE in their classroom or unit. The NSSE Team is also working on a way to check eligibility: more details to come soon.

The NSSE survey takes around 15 minutes to complete and is equally accessible on PCs and modern smartphones or tablets. It is open to undergraduate students in their first year or their graduating year of a four-year degree, except for Bachelor of Education and Osgoode Hall Law students. The results will provide insight into what York University does well and what it could improve.

The survey is used to measure student engagement, said Smith, so students will be asked how much time and effort they put into educationally rewarding activities and to what degree York University facilitates this involvement. The data gathered is a resource for the University that helps it make decisions about changes that will benefit students. In fact, data from the 2017 NSSE survey led to improvements in career advising, including more programming and workshops by the Career Centre in career planning, the introduction of Career Peer Educators in 2018, and the expansion of the Career Fair websites. Programming was also honed to meet the needs of targeted audiences, including new grads, graduate students, international students, Indigenous students and students with disabilities.

Another result of the 2017 data was the expansion of Mental Health & Wellness services for students, including more consultation and outreach with students to develop the University’s Mental Health and Wellness Strategy, the new Wellness Hub and the introduction of Peer Health Educators. NSSE data also informed the realignment of Student Counselling and Development, Student Accessibility Services and the Centre for Sexual Violence Response, Support and Education.

The 2017 survey provided a much better response than in previous years. In 2014 27.8 per cent of students invited to take the survey responded. The 2017 participation rate was 34 per cent. For 2020, Smith said the NSSE team is targeting 40 per cent. The better the response rate, the better and more granular the data.

Every student who completes the survey will receive a “thank you” email within one business day that indicates that we have put a virtual coupon on their YU-card for a free Grande Latte at Starbucks in the Centre for Film and Theatre (Keele Campus) or a large Marley Fair Trade Coffee at the Glendon Campus cafeteria. Students can also go to the cash desk in the York Bookstore and exchange their coupon for a $5 York Lanes or a $5 Underground gift card.

“When the survey closes on March 31, we will draw four names from students who completed the survey for one of four $500 tuition waivers, two for fourth-year students and two for first-year students,” said Smith. The first-year students will be able to apply their waiver to their second year, while the fourth-year students can opt to take a cheque, or apply the waiver to another year of studies or their graduate or professional degree tuition.

As well, the NSSE Working Group at York University is repeating their challenge to individual Faculties to compete for the highest response rate. “The Faculty with the highest participation rate will win the ‘NSSE Champion Cup’ and bragging rights until the next survey. It was won in 2014 and 2017 by the Schulich School of Business,” said Smith, “but other Faculties gave them a good run.” Updated Faculty NSSE standings will be published on the York University’s NSSE website and on every LCD screen on the Keele and Glendon campuses every Thursday at 2 p.m. for the duration of the survey and publicized every Monday in YFile. The NSSE Cup will be awarded at a special ceremony at the end of the survey.

Through the NSSE results, Smith says York University can improve the educational experience for students, but only if students take the time to complete the survey.

The NSSE campaign is sponsored by the Office of the Vice-President Academic and Provost with Aramark, York Lanes and the Student Centre as partners. It is led through a Working Group of more than 20 people from the University community, including Faculties, students, administration and student services.

To learn more, see York University’s NSSE website.

A message from President Lenton regarding the assault of a York student

Vari Hall at night

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

Last Wednesday, a York student was a victim of a serious assault near campus. Since that time, we have provided a series of updates on the situation as more information has become available.

The thoughts of the entire York community are with the injured student, and we are united in our hope for a full recovery as soon as possible. I also recognize and understand the significant emotional impact this incident has had on her friends and classmates. As a caring community, this event affects all York students, faculty members and staff.

I want to assure you that we continue to do everything possible to support our student. York staff have been to the hospital and will continue to visit. We are also assisting her family, who is now at her side.

We remain in close contact with Toronto Police Services and will continue to support their investigation in any way possible. York security has also increased its patrols on campus. If you have any information about this incident, I urge you to contact police at 416-808-3100.

Going forward, if you have been affected by this event, I encourage you to take full advantage of the support services and resources offered by the University:

For faculty and staff in need of support, please get in touch with the Employee and Family Assistance Program toll-free 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.

The Student Counseling & Development office offers personal counseling services to all York students. They can be reached by calling 416-736-5297 or visit http://counselling.students.yorku.ca/ for more information.

Services are also available through the Office of Student Community Relations (OSCR), see https://oscr.students.yorku.ca/, telephone 416-736-5231 or visit W128 Bennett Centre for Student Services.

As we receive more information, we will provide additional updates to the community.

Last call: Nominations for the President’s University-Wide Teaching Awards are due Jan. 31

image shows a class in the Curtis Lecture hall

The President’s University-Wide Teaching Awards honour those who, through innovation and commitment, have significantly enhanced the quality of learning by York students. Four awards are offered each year in the following categories:

  • Full-time tenured faculty with 10 or more years of full-time teaching experience,
  • Full-time faculty (tenured/tenure-stream/CLA) with less than 10 years of teaching experience,
  • Contract and adjunct faculty,
  • Teaching assistants.

The purpose of these awards is to provide significant recognition for excellence in teaching, to encourage its pursuit, to publicize such excellence when achieved across the University and in the wider community, and to promote informed discussion of teaching and its improvement. The awards demonstrate the value York University attaches to teaching. Recipients of the awards, selected by the Senate Committee on Awards, receive $3,000, have their names engraved on the University-Wide Teaching Award plaques in Vari Hall and are recognized at convocation ceremonies.

Nominators are encouraged to approach the Teaching Commons to explore ways to best highlight the teaching strengths and accomplishments of the nominee. Nominators may schedule a consultation – by phone, via Zoom or in person – with an educational developer at the Teaching Commons to discuss the preparation of a nomination package by sending a request to teaching@yorku.ca.

Only online nominations for the 2020 Teaching Awards, submitted by 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 31, will be accepted.

The Teaching Awards criteria and nomination form are available on the Senate Committee on Awards webpage.

Seymour Schulich doubles investment in scholarship program to $200M

handshake and books

Longtime businessman and philanthropist Seymour Schulich is doubling his investment in the Schulich Leader Scholarships from $100 million to $200 million.

This science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) undergraduate scholarship offers the largest payout of any scholarship program, at a value of $80,000 or $100,000 to each recipient depending on the area of study. The increase in funding means the number of recipients will double to 100 from 50 annual awards.

“Schulich Leader Scholarships are the premiere STEM scholarship program in Canada and the world. With 100 outstanding students selected in Canada each year it is all but guaranteed that this group will represent the best and brightest Canada has to offer,” said Schulich. “These future leaders will make great contributions to society, both on a national and global scale. With their university expenses covered, they can focus their time on their studies, research projects, extracurriculars and entrepreneurial ventures. They are the next generation of technology innovators.”

Out of a pool of more than 300,000 potential candidates, 1,500 high school students are nominated annually. Students are chosen based on academic excellence, demonstrations of leadership and financial need.

Rhonda L. Lenton

“The doubling of funds for the Schulich Leaders program will help open the door to higher education for some truly outstanding students. In a hyper-competitive global knowledge economy, we cannot afford to leave any talent behind,” said York President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda L. Lenton. “This investment once again shows Seymour’s incredible commitment to philanthropy, and the development of Canada’s future leaders.”

Since its launch in 2012, the program has continued to increase the value of its scholarships. York University has had 47 Schulich Leaders receiving a total of $910,000 in scholarships since the program’s inception. These students have joined the engineering program at the Lassonde School of Engineering, the Faculty of Science and other York Faculties. Outside of the classroom, these students have created new clubs on campus, spearheaded entrepreneurship ventures, conducted research projects and much more.

The Schulich Leaders program recognizes student leaders for their hard work, removes financial barriers and allows the brightest minds to pursue their passions while benefiting the economy and the world with their work.

Reminder: Budget Town Hall planned for Jan. 20

Keele Campus
Keele Campus entrance

York University President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda L. Lenton issued the following invitation to the community on Jan. 14. This is a reminder to the community:

As we shape the 2020-21 University budget, we have been seeking input from faculty, staff and students in a series of meetings across our campuses. As part of this community consultation process, I would like to invite you to join me, the provost and the vice-president of finance and administration for a Budget Town Hall Meeting.

Monday, Jan. 20, from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Senate Chamber, N940 Ross Building
Keele Campus

This is your opportunity to learn about and participate in the University’s budget-planning process. We will provide an overview and context regarding the University’s current financial framework, including the opportunities and challenges we need to consider when planning for the academic year. We would like to hear what you think are our most urgent budget priorities and where you believe the University should be investing going forward. This is also an opportunity to provide your input on the SHARP budget model.

At the end of this budget consultation process, we will once again report back to the community on what we heard and the major themes that were identified.

I look forward to an engaging and informative discussion. RSVP today, and if you can’t attend in person, please join us through the livestream link.