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How one professor is engaging community to shrink York’s carbon footprint

York Professor Burkard Eberlein, from the Schulich School of Business, set out to reduce the University’s carbon emissions in his 2021-23 Provostial Fellowship.

Burkard Eberlein
Burkard Eberlein

Through the program, Fellows have traditionally engaged the community to take action on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Challenge – a key commitment of the University Academic Plan.

Eberlein’s project, “Advancing Carbon Neutrality at York: Reimagining Mobility,” took aim at reducing emissions from commuting and travel to studying, research and carrying out University business activities.

In 2022, Eberlein surveyed York community members about their travel and commuting routines, and this year he released a video highlighting the University’s current carbon footprint with a call to action suggesting how community members can help reduce it.

Here’s a look at the inspiration behind his work.

Q: What was the thinking behind creating this video and what did you hope to achieve?
A: I was looking for engaging and fun ways to communicate my findings to the wider community. I wanted this to be something we could all relate to and that would work as a call to action.

I worked with Alexandre Magnin, a francophone illustrator, who produced this animated video (available in English and French). Alex has a YouTube channel called “Sustainability illustrated” and he does excellent videos on sustainability that I have used before in my teaching. I provided the script and Alex produced this fantastic work to engage the community in thinking about ways they can help York achieve its net zero before 2040 target.

Q: What are some concrete ways community members can make an impact?
A: First thing, just be more mindful of the choices that you make when it comes to commuting and travel. Many of us have habits and routines that we can examine more closely. For example, if you’re driving to campus regularly, are there ways you can set up a car pool with colleagues or classmates? This would be a small but meaningful, positive change.

Bike share station on York University's Keele campus
A bike share station on York University’s Keele Campus.

Below are some concrete steps that people can take, along with advocating to get more community members involved:

  • Taking the bus or the subway can reduce emissions by around six (bus) and 30 (subway) times compared to driving alone. 
  • Walking and biking generate virtually no emissions and York is investing in bike share programs. 
  • Driving an electric car typically generates a third of the emissions compared to fossil fuel vehicles. 
  • When driving a car, the more people in it the more efficient it becomes. 
  • Make your business travel count and consider whether you can deliver a presentation remotely or think about conference travel sustainably. 

Q: What is your biggest takeaway or lesson learned from this project?
A: Change is hard and it requires both passion and perseverance. Begin with small steps and make sure to involve all of your fellow community members and partners. By coming together, we can show what is possible to right the future.

Eberlein is co-chair of the Transportation Working Group that will develop proposals in this area (e.g. York business travel policy), in the context of York’s new sustainability framework. He is also looking forward to sharing his comprehensive slide deck and report on how York can reduce carbon emissions from commuting and business travel when it is officially released.

Learn more about Eberlein’s work as a curricular champion to support the UN SDGs and his work to engage students in reducing York’s carbon footprint. 

Watch the video here:

Provostial fellowships support scholars from marginalized groups

open book with glasses and pen

York University has announced Doug Anderson and Jean de Dieu Uwisengeyimana as this year’s recipients of the Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellowships for Black and Indigenous Scholars.

The Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellowship program seeks to attract outstanding scholars who will push the boundaries of knowledge in necessary ways. With a salary of $70,000 provided each year for a two-year term, award recipients will be able to dedicate their time to pursuing a proposed project, working alongside a supervisor and other mentors.

“This program allows York to promote and develop some of the most exciting, cutting-edge research that will shape the next generation of scholarship, by supporting the remarkable scholars who are producing it,” says Alice MacLachlan, vice-provost and dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies. “One theme that emerges from the innovative research being produced by this year’s scholars is connection – whether between learners and the land, or in artificial neural networks – and we are delighted by the connections they will be able to nurture among our dynamic community of researchers.”

While gaining a foothold to begin a career can be difficult in itself, Black and Indigenous scholars face the additional challenges of racism and systems structured to protect others’ privilege. This fellowship begins to address this issue by providing collegial resources, supervision, mentorship and funded time to successful applicants to help them become successful in their chosen careers.

Doug Anderson

Doug Anderson
Doug Anderson

Anderson is completing his PhD in education at York University. His project, “Inaakonigewin Akinomaagegamig,” addresses how Indigenous principles can begin to define and orient the resources in education systems in ways that benefit the work of sovereign Indigenous learning and resurgence in the land.

“I will bring my emerging academic focus under the direction of the Memtigwaake Kinomaage Mawnjiding Advisory Circle, now managing over 20 acres of land in Toronto as a learning space grounded in Indigenous ceremony, sovereignty and laws. This land hosts cyclical, perennial culture and language learning for Indigenous students in ways that are at the core of how learning and site management proceed,” shares Anderson. “I will work to support Indigenous students and partners to have this culture-based learning recognized by Toronto school boards and focus on how the learning can be supported through post-secondary institutions, all in ways defined by Indigenous people and principles. I am grateful for the support of doctors Deb Danard, Steve Alsop, Kate Tilleczek and Deborah McGregor in this work.”

Jean de Dieu Uwisengeyimana

Jean de Dieu Uwisengeyimana
Jean de Dieu Uwisengeyimana

Uwisengeyimana holds a PhD in biomedical engineering from the University of Science & Technology of China. His cutting-edge project will focus on developing video-based, biologically inspired, artificial neural networks for dynamic scene understanding. Uwisengeyimana will be affiliated with York’s Vision: Science to Applications (VISTA) program, which aims to advance vision and produce applications that generate positive health, societal, technological and economic impacts for Canada and the world.

“I express my sincere appreciation for the opportunity to pursue a Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellowship at York University, which will allow me to conduct cutting-edge research to develop computational models of visuocognitive tasks,” says Uwisengeyimana. “I will work on this project under the guidance of Dr. Kohitij Kar, a VISTA program core member and faculty member. I appreciate that Dr. Kar is actively interacting with industrial (e.g. Google Brain Toronto) and academic (e.g. the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard) partners to provide me with high-quality networking opportunities to help me advance my career.”

Learn more about the Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellowships for Black and Indigenous Scholars at York University by visiting the Faculty of Graduate Studies website.

Faculty, administrators encouraged to complete ‘Maclean’s’ survey for university rankings 

Diverse teacher and student at a laptop

York faculty members and senior administrators are invited to fill out a reputational survey as part of the Maclean’s University Ranking.  

The Canadian news magazine’s annual rankings are considered to be one of the most influential sources for prospective university students when choosing their school, and boosts reputation in higher education.  

The annual reputational survey is part of the Maclean’s ranking methodology, which aims to gather the opinions of university faculty, senior administration and businesspeople from across Canada.  

The Reputational Survey is now available for York faculty and senior administrators to complete until early September 2023, when the survey closes. The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete. 

The Maclean’s Reputational Survey for Faculty (English version) is available at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MacleansAcademicSurvey202302.  

The French-language version of the Reputational Survey is available at:  https://fr.surveymonkey.com/r/MacleansSondageEnseignant202302. 

“The Maclean’s University ranking is an important signal for prospective students. Strong rankings for York improves awareness about our leadership in higher education, attracting students as well as research funding and strategic partnerships to our academic community. It also supports the University’s efforts to recruit talented future faculty and staff,” says Lisa Philipps, provost and vice-president academic.   

“I encourage faculty colleagues and senior administrators to complete the reputational survey to highlight York’s academic excellence and the advantages of choosing York,” she says. “The University is truly a driving force for positive change.” 

Maclean’s has made two major changes this year: there is no student satisfaction survey; and, they are asking universities to distribute their reputational survey to participants on their behalf, instead of sending directly to participants.  

Maclean’s has advised that when completing the survey, participants should choose the job title that most closely describes their role. For example, “assistant professors” and “associate professors,” will need to choose the “professor” option. Also, any staff member who teaches at York qualifies to complete the survey as an academic.  

 Any eligible faculty and senior administration member who encounters issues while completing the survey is encouraged to contact the Office of Institutional Planning and Analysis at oipa@yorku.ca.  

From a research perspective, York University has much to be proud of: 

  • York leads Connected Minds, a $318.4-million, first-of-its-kind AI research initiative examining how technology is transforming society, drawing on the expertise of core researchers from the Faculty of Health, the School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design, the Lassonde School of Engineering, Osgoode Hall Law School and Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies.   
  • York’s total sponsored research income continues to increase amounting to $112 million in 2022-23, the highest in the history of the University.   
  • York successfully hosted 10,310 global scholars at Congress 2023, showcasing leadership on social justice and sustainability and the Faculty of Graduate Studies ensured all graduate students were supported to attend through the Academic Excellence Fund, including equity-deserving groups.   

“From our historic Connected Minds initiative to accelerating research in AI and health to the transformative work of more than 30 Organized Research Units that draw on expertise from STEM, social sciences and humanities, and other various fields, York is an interdisciplinary powerhouse for research excellence,” said Amir Asif, vice-president, research and innovation. “University ranks like Maclean’s help us demonstrate the significant reach and impact of our research faculty.” 

Other points of institutional pride that highlight excellence happening at York include: 

  • The School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design (AMPD) and the Schulich School of Business Executive Education partnered with Cinespace Studios to create the first micro-credential program in production accounting for professionals in the film and television industry. 
  • York ranked in the Top 40 globally out of 1,500-plus institutions participating in this year’s Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, once again demonstrating the University’s leadership on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
  • The Faculty of Science strengthened its training and research capacity by creating a program to train the next generation of technologically advanced graduates for the pharmaceutical industry and secured major research awards including $7.25 million from the International Development Research Centre.  
  • Glendon College launched a first-of-its-kind Certificate in Indigenous Cultural Competency and Trauma-Informed Training, in partnership with Nokiiwin Tribal Council, and funded in part by the Donner Canadian Foundation.  
  • York University Libraries Accessibility Services have been recognized as an international leader for those requiring alternate formats of texts or access to the Libraries’ adaptive lab to conduct research, course work and studies.  
  • Faculty of Education Professor Celia Haig-Brown was one of six York faculty members to be elected by The Royal Society of Canada (RSC) as part of the Class of 2022 and Professor Carl James was one of five recipients of the 2022 Killam Prize, honouring his research on identity, race, class, gender, immigration and creating more equitable societies.  
  • The School of Continuing Studies opened a new state-of-the-art building and increased the number of internationally educated baccalaureate graduates by 64 per cent. These students received post-graduate certificates in programs designed in partnership with industry, focusing on in-demand skills that enable students to launch careers in Canada.
  • The University approved the 2023-2028 Strategic Research Plan – Knowledge for the Future: From Creation and Discovery to Application, laying out a vision for accelerating the growth and supporting the development of our research, scholarship and creative activity over the next five years. 

York University to address budget deficit over next three fiscal years 

Arial view of Kaneff

La version française suit la version anglaise. 

The following is a communication from York University:

York University, like many post-secondary institutions across Canada, is facing short-term financial pressures related to a variety of internal and external factors. Fortunately, the University maintains healthy reserves to help mitigate enrolment fluctuations, support strategic opportunities and priorities that will continue to advance our vision and reduce our exposure to future risks.  

The key drivers of the revenue shortfall include provincial operating funds that have been outpaced by inflation, a decline in international student enrolment exacerbated by slow visa processing times and a concurrent three-year tuition freeze. York has a clear plan to respond to the challenges we face. A number of immediate measures are being taken to reduce the expected gap in revenue compared to expenditures that will see the budget balanced by 2025-26. The aim is to strengthen our enrolment, diversify revenue, and to minimize the impact on the high-quality education we provide where reductions in expenditures are necessary.   

Consequently, to bridge the gap, administrative units will face an average of 2.5 to 4 per cent reduction in expenditures, with the Faculties and School of Continuing Studies absorbing up to a 2 per cent expenditure reduction. Budget reductions include a temporary pause or reduction in employee professional development, limiting the hiring of tenure stream faculty and staff to only urgently needed appointments, and a reduction in advertising that is not directly related to strategic enrolment management. It will also include the deferral of minor renovations and some equipment renewals. 

Strategies to drive new revenue will also be enhanced including program innovation, expanding capacity in high-demand programs, advancing 21st century learning such as microcredentials, launching our Markham Campus, student success and retention initiatives, strengthening our global engagement and internationalization strategy, implementing our Decolonizing, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (DEDI) Strategy, building our profile and reputation, increasing our success in research and commercialization, intensifying University Advancement, and progress on our Campus Vision and Strategy. While each of these will contribute to our future financial sustainability, it will take time to realize the full benefit of our efforts.

“York University has seen tremendous success and growth over the past few years, and I am confident we can maintain our momentum while navigating this short-term challenge. Our leadership in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and our commitment to decolonization, equity, diversity and inclusion has helped propel York as the first-choice university for domestic students. These successes are a testament to the dedication and perseverance of our community and their commitment to driving positive change,” says Rhonda Lenton, president and vice-chancellor. “It will be important for us not to lose sight of our long-term goals and delivering on our vision to provide students with access to a high-quality, research-intensive learning environment committed to the public good.” 

Based on current university application data, York is in a strong position for the 2023-24 academic year with domestic first choice applications up 11.2 per cent. Converting these applications to enrolled students will have a positive budget impact. 

“Mitigating current financial pressures require all Faculties, divisions and units to do their part,” says Lisa Philipps, provost and vice-president academic. “We will work with units and Faculties to ensure their individual goals, plans and initiatives are supported through a temporary pause of some activities. We have faced these challenges in the past with success and have identified a strategic way forward that allows us to continue to advance the priorities set out in the University Academic Plan.” 

L’Université York va gérer son déficit budgétaire au cours des trois prochaines années fiscales

L’Université York, tout comme de nombreux autres établissements d’enseignement supérieur au Canada, fait face à des pressions financières à court terme liées à divers facteurs internes et externes. Fort heureusement, l’Université conserve des réserves saines pour atténuer les fluctuations des inscriptions, appuyer des possibilités stratégiques et les priorités qui continueront à faire progresser sa vision et à réduire son exposition aux risques futurs.

Les principaux facteurs à l’origine de ce manque à gagner sont les fonds de fonctionnement provinciaux qui ont été insuffisants pour faire face à l’inflation, la baisse des inscriptions d’étudiants internationaux exacerbée par la lenteur du traitement des demandes de visa et le blocage parallèle des frais de scolarité pendant trois ans. York a un plan d’action clair pour répondre aux défis auxquels elle est confrontée. Plusieurs mesures immédiates sont actuellement mises en place pour réduire l’écart attendu entre les recettes et les dépenses, et cela permettra d’équilibrer le budget d’ici 2025-2026. Même si des réductions de dépenses sont nécessaires, l’objectif demeure de renforcer nos effectifs, de diversifier nos revenus et de minimiser l’impact sur l’enseignement de qualité que nous offrons.  

Par conséquent, pour combler ce déficit, les unités administratives devront réduire leurs dépenses de 2,5 à 4 % en moyenne, tandis que les facultés et l’École de formation continue devront absorber une réduction des dépenses allant jusqu’à 2 %. Les réductions budgétaires prévoient une suspension temporaire ou une réduction du développement professionnel des employés, l’embauche de professeurs et d’employés permanents restreinte à des nominations indispensables, et la réduction de toute publicité n’ayant pas de lien direct avec la gestion stratégique des inscriptions. Elles comprennent également le report de rénovations mineures et du renouvellement de certains équipements.

Les stratégies visant à générer de nouveaux revenus seront également consolidées, notamment : l’innovation en matière de programmes; l’augmentation de la capacité de programmes très recherchés; la promotion de l’apprentissage au 21e siècle (comme les microcrédits); le lancement de notre campus Markham; les initiatives de réussite et de rétention étudiante; le renforcement de notre engagement mondial et de notre stratégie d’internationalisation; la mise en œuvre de notre stratégie de décolonisation, d’équité, de diversité et d’inclusion (DEDI); l’amélioration de notre profil et de notre réputation; l’augmentation de nos succès en matière de recherche et de commercialisation; l’intensification des activités d’avancement de l’Université; et la progression de notre Vision et stratégie du campus. Chacun de ces éléments contribuera à notre future viabilité financière, mais il faudra un certain temps pour que nos efforts portent leurs fruits.

« L’Université York a connu un succès et une croissance extraordinaires au cours des dernières années. Je suis convaincue que nous continuerons sur notre lancée tout en relevant ce défi à court terme. Notre leadership dans la promotion des objectifs de développement durable des Nations Unies et notre engagement envers la décolonisation, l’équité, la diversité et l’inclusion ont contribué à faire de York un choix privilégié pour les étudiantes et étudiants nationaux. Ces succès témoignent du dévouement et de la persévérance de notre communauté et de son engagement à susciter des changements positifs, déclare Rhonda Lenton, présidente et vice-chancelière. Il est important de ne pas perdre de vue nos objectifs à long terme et de concrétiser notre vision, à savoir donner à la communauté étudiante l’accès à un environnement d’apprentissage de haute qualité, axé sur la recherche et engagé en faveur du bien public. »

Sur la base des données actuelles sur les demandes d’inscription, l’Université York est en bonne posture pour l’année universitaire 2023-2024 avec des demandes nationales de premier choix en hausse de 11,2 pour cent. La conversion de ces demandes en inscriptions aura des incidences budgétaires positives.

« Pour atténuer les pressions financières actuelles, toutes les facultés, divisions et unités doivent faire leur part, déclare Lisa Philipps, rectrice et vice-présidente aux affaires académiques. Nous travaillerons avec les unités et les facultés pour nous assurer que leurs objectifs, plans et initiatives individuels sont appuyés par une suspension temporaire de certaines activités. Dans le passé, nous avons relevé ces défis avec succès et nous avons tracé une voie stratégique nous permettant de continuer à faire avancer les priorités définies dans le Plan académique de l’Université. »

Passings: Connie Vince

passings

Connie Vince, a dedicated member of the York University community for over 40 years, passed away peacefully on May 14. Vince’s remarkable commitment and service to the University left an indelible mark on the institution and the countless lives she touched.

Vince’s passion for her work at York University was evident throughout her four decades of service. She contributed wholeheartedly to the University’s growth and success until her retirement from the Office of Institutional Planning & Analysis (OIPA) in 2018. Her unwavering dedication and strong work ethic inspired her colleagues.

Beyond her professional achievements, Vince will be remembered for her infectious warmth, joy and genuine love for those around her. Her ever-present smile and jolly nature brought comfort and happiness to all who had the pleasure of knowing her. Vince possessed a remarkable capacity to uplift and support others, always ready with a kind word or a helping hand. She leaves behind a legacy of compassion and kindness that will continue to resonate within the York University community.

Vince’s memory will forever be cherished by her colleagues, friends and the countless lives she influenced. Her dedication to York University, coupled with her remarkable ability to spread love and joy, will be deeply missed.

She is described by former colleagues as patient and kind, devoted and as the “heart” of the OIPA unit.

Vince is survived by her children Diana Evangelista, Stephanie Adamason (Josh), her grandchildren Nolan, Luke, Charlotte, Cole and her brother Tommy Schmidt (Shelda). She was predeceased by her parents Thomas and Gertrude Schmidt.

Memories and expressions of sympathy can be shared at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/en-ca/obituaries/thornhill-on/connie-vince-11288631.

Faculty of Science hosts science deans from across Canada

STEM student working with science beaker

York’s Faculty of Science hosted the 2023 Annual General Meeting of the Canadian Council of Deans of Science (CCDS) from May 12 to 14, to share knowledge and strengthen pan-Canadian advocacy for science education.

The three-day event was attended by 30 science and associate deans from universities across Canada, and featured talks by experts on topics including: research data storage and security; the emergence of AI (artificial intelligence) and its effect on academic integrity; student and employee mental health and well-being; equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility (EDIA) in science education; an update on NSERC (the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada) funding mechanisms; and internationalization strategy.

“Our CCDS AGM presented a critical opportunity to build relationships with deans and associate deans in science education across our country,” says Rui Wang, dean of York’s Faculty of Science and CCDS president.

Science and associate deans at the 2023 Annual General Meeting of the Canadian Council of Deans of Science
Science and associate deans at the 2023 Annual General Meeting of the Canadian Council of Deans of Science

Several York community members played a role in guiding the AGM’s conversations. Provost & Vice-President Academic Lisa Philipps provided opening remarks, highlighting the rapid pace of change in academia, the need for administrators to be nimble and responsive and to promote ample dialogue with colleagues about a shared vision. Amir Asif, vice-president research and innovation, addressed attendees at the conference banquet, highlighting the recent successes of York’s Faculty of Science, including its prowess in infectious disease modelling, spectroscopy, and astronomical exploration, and calling for continued collaboration amongst CCDS member institutions.

The event also included a networking reception and tour of the Allan I. Carswell Observatory.

As a result of the AGM, moving forward the CCDS has committed to several united initiatives that will bolster the advocacy of science education, including:

  • strengthening its effort to present an organized and united voice for science education and research across the nation, raising public awareness of the critical importance of science education and research, positioning science and research as a national priority, and working together with tri-council and other funding mechanisms to increase funding to science research program and the training of highly qualified personnel;
  • continuing to facilitate institutional collaboration and communication via multiple channels for science education and research among all Faculties of Science in Canada;
  • exploring channels to enhance its organizational functions to include leadership training possibilities for deans and associate deans of science; and
  • promoting best practices and strategies, including but not limited to EDI, accessibility, student and employee well-being and mental health, international collaboration, emerging AI challenges on academic integrity, and research data storage and security among membership Faculties of Science of CCDS.

“We were successful in our objectives: to learn from each other, share knowledge about pressing issues and challenges in science education, and further our collective voice to help drive positive change by advocating for science education and research as a national priority,” says Wang.

Call for applications to Provostial Fellows Program

Aerial_York-Station_Summer-2

The Office of the Provost and Vice-President Academic at York University is issuing a call for applications to the Provostial Fellows Program for 2023-24.

Applications are due by May 4 and the call is open to all tenured faculty members who are interested in future leadership opportunities at the University. Indigenous faculty and those from equity-deserving groups are encouraged to apply.

The program offers a unique opportunity for tenured faculty to advance the University’s commitment to building a better future and creating positive change.

In 2022, four Fellows were selected to lead projects that advanced the priorities of York’s University Academic Plan (UAP) alongside United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. These projects are focussed on reducing the University’s carbon footprint by changing transportation patterns, to ensuring that 2SLGBTQIA+ students can access support to successfully launch their careers, among other key areas.

Now in its third year, the program aims to keep advancing York’s position as world-class teaching institute through projects that directly address University Academic Plan priorities. Academic career development is also a key feature, as Fellows have the opportunity to create, collaborate and receive mentorship directly from University leaders.

Those interested in applying or who have a particular project in mind should consider the following: 

  • There will be an opportunity to work with the provost and relevant members of senior leadership on an innovative project or initiative that advances one of the UAP priority areas at an institutional or faculty level.
  • Projects do not need to be limited to a Fellow’s home Faculty.
  • Projects must seek to enhance and intersect with, the University-wide challenge to elevate York’s contributions to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
  • The proposed project should also seek to create an opportunity for personal professional growth and learning, and the exploration of leadership at the Faculty or institutional level.

Details on program eligibility, how to apply and relevant timelines can be found on the Provost Office website. Fellows will be selected by a panel that includes the provost and vice-president academic (Chair), and representatives from the Offices of the VP Research & Innovation; the VP Equity, People & Culture; Vice-Provost Students; and others as appropriate.

Members appointed to Task Force on the Future of Pedagogy

Group Of Students Meeting For Tutorial With Teacher

Twenty members of the York University community have been selected to serve on a new Joint Task Force on the Future of Pedagogy with a mandate to re-examine the 2020-2025 University Academic Plan priority 21st Century Learning.

The task force – announced in February by the Senate Academic Policy, Planning & Research (APPRC) and Academic Standards, Curriculum & Pedagogy (ASCP) Committees together with the Provost and Vice-President Academic Affairs – includes senior and junior tenure-stream faculty members from across Faculties and campuses. It will draw on the expertise of contract course directors, a teaching and learning librarian, an undergraduate and graduate student and non-academic staff from the Teaching Commons and University Information Technology units.

This year, the task force will host a number of community-wide consultations to get a sense of what the University can prioritize to scale up successful innovations that enhance quality learning experiences.

York Provost and Vice-President Academic Lisa Philipps said “There is a need in this moment for the University to take stock of how to scale up approaches to teaching and learning that prepare students to navigate a world where change is the only constant. Quality must remain at the core of the innovation that is taking place and the task force is really championing this.”

Task force co-chair Anita Lam, associate dean, teaching and learning, says she is delighted to serve alongside Michael Moir, Chair of APPRC.

“Given the ambitious timeline, the task force will be reviewing various environmental scans and literature reviews, as well as gathering key insights from collegial discussions with faculty members and through consultations with students,” says Lam. “My hope is that we will be able to provide empirically grounded, pedagogically sound recommendations to help the university prioritize its actions to facilitate and support 21st century learning across a diverse range of teaching and learning contexts.”

The task force will examine the role of in-person learning as a core part of what York University offers along with how the University can support the growth of high-quality technology-enhanced learning to create added flexibility for students, while protecting instructor time for pedagogically valuable activities.

It will also prioritize advancing decolonization, equity, diversity and inclusion in the design of future pedagogy along with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). Finally, it will examine ways to grow experiential learning and work-integrated learning opportunities for students and maintain academic integrity in an era of technological disruption.

The group will convene in the coming weeks. Its success in meeting the goal to deliver a strong set of recommendations will depend on the individual and collective contributions from faculty members, course directors, staff and students. The community will be invited to share their ideas in planned focus group consultations led by the task force when dates are announced.

Everyone is invited to watch for announcements on opportunities to collaborate on an initiative that will help shape the University’s teaching and learning plans at this critical juncture for the University. To support the feedback gathered by the group, progress reports from Senate committees will also be shared with the community at appropriate intervals.

When the work is complete, the task force will issue a final report that includes key recommendations to support the achievement of the 2020-2025 University Academic Plan priority 21st Century Learning: Diversifying Whom, What, and How We Teach.  

New task force on future of pedagogy seeking participants

Teaching FEATURED

The Senate Academic Policy, Planning & Research and the Academic Standards, Curriculum & Pedagogy committees are establishing a Future of Pedagogy Task Force. The task force is seeking faculty and student representatives.

The mandate of the task force is to re-examine the 2020-2025 University Academic Plan priority on “21st Century Learning: Diversifying Whom, What, and How We Teach” in light of learnings from the shift to online delivery of programming during the COVID-19 pandemic and pedagogical reform initiatives currently underway in academic units. The task force will make high-level recommendations on teaching and learning plans for the University moving forward. 

Universities across Ontario are engaging in the exercise of redefining their pedagogy plans and York University needs to articulate a teaching and learning agenda that will advance its distinctive vision, core values and academic goals.

Full information about the task force mandate, deliverables and composition is posted on a dedicated Task Force webpage. The task force will launch in early March and continue until its final report is issued in December 2023.

The Senate committees are issuing a call for expressions of interest for its faculty and student positions. Interested candidates are asked to complete this form. The deadline for submission of completed forms is Friday, Feb. 17. The submissions will be reviewed by the Chairs of APPRC and ASCP together with the provost who will confirm a representative membership for the task force by the end of February to enable its start in March.

Questions about this initiative can be directed to Cheryl Underhill, secretary of Academic Policy, Planning & Research committee.

Announcement of appointment of interim assistant vice-president, continuing studies (AVP)

The south west corner of the new building that will house York University's School of Continuing Studies

La version française suit la version anglaise. 

Dear colleagues,

I am pleased to inform members of the York University community of the appointment of Christine Brooks-Cappadocia as interim assistant vice-president (AVP), continuing studies, effective Feb. 1, until the completion of the search for the next AVP has concluded.

Christine Brooks-Cappadocia
Christine Brooks-Cappadocia

Christine previously served as the executive director, programs & partnerships, the director of professional education and director of marketing & enrolment management in the School of Continuing Studies.

The school’s Continuing Professional Education division is considered to be among the most innovative in the country, receiving unprecedented enrolment and program growth during her tenure. Recently, she has been focusing on supporting the transformation of the English Language Institute in the post-pandemic market. Christine is especially proud of the success of the school’s international students who have built careers in Canada and of the programs that help recent and mid-career professionals thrive in emerging roles.

Prior to joining York’s School of Continuing Studies in 2014, Christine spent six years building and managing the marketing department at McMaster’s Centre for Continuing Education. Her career highlights include supporting the launch of the York University School of Continuing Studies; the establishment of two endowed bursaries to support non-traditional students; the creation of several programs which are the first of their kind in Canada; launching a foundation to support at-risk youth; the development of the communications department for St. Joseph’s Healthcare Foundation in Hamilton; and the management of a high-profile event featuring former U.S. President Bill Clinton and former Ontario Premier Bob Rae.

She has been privileged to serve in several governance roles in non-profit organizations including as president and founding board member of the International Association of Business Communicators’ (IABC) Golden Horseshoe chapter, the vice-president of Community Arts Ontario, and as a founding board member of the Coalition of Ontario Voluntary Organizations.

Christine has earned several awards for marketing from the Association of Healthcare Philanthropists, the International Business Communicators, and the Learning Resources Network (LERN). Christine holds a bachelor of fine arts from York University and a master of management, innovation and entrepreneurship from Queen’s.

Please join me in welcoming Ms. Brooks-Cappadocia to the School of Continuing Studies. We are looking forward to working with her and benefitting from her leadership and experience.

Sincerely, 

Lisa Philipps
Provost & Vice-President Academic

Annonce de la nomination de la vice-présidente adjointe à la formation continue (VPA) par intérim

Chers collègues, chères collègues,

J’ai le plaisir d’informer les membres de la communauté de l’Université York de la nomination de Christine Brooks-Cappadocia au poste de vice-présidente adjointe (VPA) à la formation continue par intérim, à compter du 1er février et jusqu’à ce que la recherche du ou de la prochaine VPA soit terminée.

Christine Brooks-Cappadocia
Christine Brooks-Cappadocia

Elle a précédemment occupé les postes de directrice générale des programmes et des partenariats, de directrice de la formation professionnelle et de directrice du marketing et de la gestion des inscriptions à l’École de formation continue.

La division de formation professionnelle continue de l’École est considérée comme l’une des plus innovantes du pays et a connu une croissance sans précédent des inscriptions et des programmes pendant son mandat. Récemment, elle s’est attachée à soutenir la transformation de l’Institut de langue anglaise sur le marché post-pandémique. Elle est particulièrement fière de la réussite des étudiantes et étudiants internationaux de l’École qui ont bâti leur carrière au Canada et des programmes qui aident les professionnels récents et en milieu de carrière à s’épanouir dans des carrières émergentes.

Avant de se joindre à l’École de formation continue de York en 2014, Mme Brooks-Cappadocia a passé six ans à mettre sur pied et à gérer le service de marketing du Centre de formation continue de McMaster. Parmi les faits saillants de sa carrière, citons le soutien au lancement de l’École de formation continue de l’Université York, la création de deux bourses d’études pour soutenir les étudiantes et étudiants non traditionnels, la création de plusieurs programmes qui sont les premiers du genre au Canada, le lancement d’une fondation pour soutenir les jeunes à risque, le développement du département des communications de la St. Joseph’s Healthcare Foundation à Hamilton et la gestion d’un événement très médiatisé mettant en vedette l’ancien président américain Bill Clinton et l’ancien premier ministre de l’Ontario Bob Rae.

Elle a eu le privilège d’assumer plusieurs rôles de gouvernance au sein d’organismes sans but lucratif, notamment en tant que présidente et membre fondatrice du conseil d’administration de la section Golden Horseshoe de l’International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), vice-présidente de Community Arts Ontario et membre fondatrice du conseil d’administration de la Coalition of Ontario Voluntary Organizations.

Mme Brooks-Cappadocia a remporté plusieurs prix de marketing de l’Association for Healthcare Philanthropists, de l’International Association of Business Communicators et du Learning Resources Network. Elle est titulaire d’un baccalauréat en beaux-arts de l’Université York et d’une maîtrise en gestion, innovation et entrepreneuriat de l’Université Queen.

Veuillez vous joindre à moi pour accueillir Christine Brooks-Cappadocia à l’École de formation continue. Nous avons hâte de travailler avec elle et de nous enrichir de son leadership et de son expérience.

Sincères salutations, 

Lisa Philipps
Rectrice et vice-présidente aux affaires académiques