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Apply by May 4 to the Provostial Fellows Program

Students stand outside of Vari Hall on York's Keele Campus

La version française suit la version anglaise.

Dear colleagues, 

The Office of the Provost and Vice-President Academic has a call open for the next round of applicants to the Provostial Fellows Program. This program is open to all tenured faculty members who are interested in working directly with the Provost and relevant senior leadership on a project or initiative geared towards advancing the University Academic Plan, including York’s SDG Challenge.   

Indigenous faculty and those from equity deserving groups are encouraged to apply. The program is intended to give tenured faculty a chance to gain hands-on experience in University leadership. Those who are interested in applying or who may have a particular project in mind, should consider the following: 

  • Projects may relate to any of the six UAP priorities, and also seek to enhance and intersect with the University-wide challenge to elevate contributions to the UN Sustainable Development Goals; 
  • Proposed projects should also seek to provide an opportunity for personal professional growth and learning, as well as the exploration of leadership at the Faculty or institutional level; and
  • Projects do not need to target a Fellow’s home Faculty.

Here is a look at what last year’s Provostial Fellows have achieved. Details on the program, how to apply and the relevant timelines can be found on the Provost & Vice-President Academic site. I encourage all tenured faculty who are interested in advancing academic priorities while working to build a better future and create positive change at York to apply by May 4.  

Sincerely, 

Lisa Philipps
Provost and Vice-President Academic   

Postulez d’ici le 4 mai au Programme rectoral de bourses

Chers collègues, chères collègues, 

Le Bureau de la rectrice et vice-présidente aux affaires académiques lance un appel aux candidatures pour la nouvelle ronde du Programme rectoral de bourses. Ce programme est ouvert à tous les membres permanents du corps professoral qui aimeraient travailler directement avec la rectrice et les leaders concernés sur un projet ou une initiative faisant progresser le Plan académique de l’Université (PAU), y compris le défi des Objectifs de développement durable (ODD) de York.   

Nous encourageons les membres du corps professoral autochtones et issus de groupes dignes d’équité à poser leur candidature. Ce programme a pour objectif de donner aux professeurs permanents la chance d’acquérir une expérience pratique de leadership universitaire. Les personnes intéressées par une candidature ou qui ont un projet particulier en tête devraient prendre en compte les points suivants : 

  • Les projets peuvent se rapporter à n’importe laquelle des six priorités du PAU et viser à renforcer et à appuyer le défi de l’Université de rehausser ses contributions aux Objectifs de développement durable de l’ONU;  
  • Les propositions de projets doivent également être une source de croissance et de perfectionnement professionnel ainsi que de découverte du leadership au niveau facultaire ou de l’Université; 
  • Les projets ne doivent pas nécessairement cibler la faculté d’attache du postulant ou de la postulante. 

Voici un aperçu des réalisations des boursiers et boursières de l’année dernière. Vous trouverez plus de détails au sujet du programme, du processus de candidature et des dates limites sur le site Web de la rectrice et vice-présidente aux affaires académiques. J’invite tous les membres permanents du corps professoral qui souhaitent faire avancer des priorités académiques tout en œuvrant pour bâtir un avenir meilleur et pour créer des changements positifs à York à poser leur candidature avant le 4 mai. 

Veuillez agréer mes sincères salutations, 

Lisa Philipps
Rectrice et vice-présidente aux affaires académiques

Upcoming changes to public health restrictions

Image shows a medical mask, vials of COVID-19 vaccine and needles

La version française suit la version anglaise. 

Dear York community,  

Further to the recent COVID-19 update, we are writing to inform you of upcoming changes to the public health restrictions in place on York University’s campuses.  

In line with the easing of public health restrictions in other sectors in Toronto and across the province, York will pause its COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate and masking protocol effective May 1 (May 4 for Osgoode Hall Law School students, faculty and staff).  This decision is supported by advice from government and public health authorities and is consistent with the approach taken by other Ontario universities.  

Health screening and self-monitoring 

The requirement for daily health screening for those coming to our campuses is similarly paused effective May 1 (May 4 for Osgoode Hall Law School students, faculty and staff).  However, community members should continue to monitor their health and not attend campus if they are feeling unwell.  YU Screen will continue to be available to support self-screening and the University’s case and contact management approach. The case and contact team will continue to support those who report symptoms.  

Vaccination 

York strongly recommends that everyone receives a completed vaccine series, including third or fourth doses, when eligible. In partnership with GO-VAXX, we are pleased to host a mobile vaccination clinic on the Keele Campus, on March 31. Details are available here. A date for the Glendon Campus GO-VAXX mobile clinic will be announced shortly. All community members are responsible for keeping their vaccination status up to date on YU Screen.   

Current students who have yet to comply with the University’s Vaccination Mandate and who were not able to register for classes with in-person requirements prior to May 1 will be able to do so. Further information will be shared with students in short order. Should the University reinstate the Vaccination Mandate policy, students who do not keep their vaccination status up to date or who are unvaccinated could find their in-person studies interrupted. 

Continuing employees who have yet to comply with the University’s Vaccination Mandate and who are on a full or partial unpaid leave of absence at this time will be contacted by their manager or associate dean in the coming days about their work schedule beginning May 1. In the meantime, if employees have specific questions, they should reach out to their Manager or Associate Dean directly. If the University needs to reinstate the Vaccination Mandate, employees may have in-person work interrupted if out of compliance with University requirements. 

Masks 

Masks will remain available for purchase through the Bookstore and mask vending machines on the Glendon and Keele Campuses. All community members should respect those who choose to continue wearing a mask. 

Looking forward 

The University continues to monitor the pandemic and remains in a state of preparedness so that we can quickly resume any necessary protocols and reengage the resources that have served us so well. York will continue to work with public health authorities in the event it is necessary to reinstate requirements for mask wearing and Proof of Vaccination on very short notice. 

We are proud of our community’s strong, supportive response to all public health requirements over the past two years. With a 97 per cent vaccination rate amongst our students, staff, faculty, and instructors, together, we have created a community of care which permits us to move forward in this manner. 

York is committed to the health and safety of all and will be prepared to be as responsive as the public health situation demands. Please continue to check the YU Better Together website for the most current information and ongoing updates.  

Sincerely,  

Rhonda Lenton 
President and Vice-Chancellor 

Lisa Philipps 
Provost and Vice-President Academic

Chers membres de la communauté de York,  

Suite à la dernière communication sur la COVID-19, nous vous informons des changements à venir concernant les restrictions de santé publique en place sur les campus de l’Université York.  

Dans le cadre de l’assouplissement des restrictions de santé publique dans d’autres secteurs à Toronto et dans toute la province, York interrompra sa Politique de vaccination obligatoire contre la COVID-19 et de port du masque à compter du 1er mai 2022 (à compter du 4 mai 2022 pour les membres de la communauté étudiante, du corps professoral et du personnel de l’École de droit Osgoode Hall). Cette décision est basée sur les recommandations du gouvernement et des autorités de santé publique et elle est conforme à l’approche adoptée par d’autres universités ontariennes.  

Dépistage et autoévaluation 

L’obligation pour les personnes qui se rendent sur nos campus d’effectuer un dépistage quotidien est également interrompue à compter du 1er mai (4 mai 2022 pour les membres de la communauté étudiante, du corps enseignant et du personnel de l’École de droit Osgoode Hall). Les membres de la communauté doivent toutefois continuer à surveiller leur état de santé et ne pas se rendre sur le campus s’ils ne se sentent pas bien. YU Dépistage continuera à être disponible pour appuyer l’autoévaluation et la gestion des cas et des contacts par l’Université. L’équipe chargée de la gestion des cas et des contacts continuera de soutenir les personnes signalant des symptômes.  

Vaccination 

York recommande vivement à tout le monde de recevoir une série complète de vaccins, y compris la troisième ou la quatrième dose, en cas d’admissibilité. En partenariat avec GO-VAXX, nous aurons le plaisir d’accueillir le 31 mars une clinique de vaccination mobile sur le campus Keele. Les détails sont disponibles ici. La date de la clinique mobile GO-VAXX sur le campus Glendon sera annoncée prochainement. Tous les membres de la communauté sont chargés de la mise à jour de leur statut vaccinal dans YU Dépistage.   

Les étudiantes et étudiants actuels qui ne sont pas en conformité avec la Politique de vaccination de l’Université et qui n’ont pas pu s’inscrire à des cours ayant des composantes obligatoires en présentiel avant le 1er mai pourront le faire. De plus amples détails seront communiqués à la population étudiante très prochainement. 

Si l’Université rétablit sa Politique de vaccination obligatoire, les membres de la population étudiante dont le statut vaccinal n’est pas à jour ou qui ne sont pas vaccinés encourent le risque d’interruption de leurs études.  

Les employés permanents qui ne sont pas en conformité avec la Politique de vaccination obligatoire de l’Université et qui sont en congé sans solde complet ou partiel en ce moment seront contactés par leur gestionnaire ou leur doyen associé dans les prochains jours au sujet de leur horaire de travail à compter du 1er mai. Entre-temps, si les employés ont des questions spécifiques, ils doivent s’adresser directement à leur gestionnaire ou au doyen associé. Si l’Université est dans l’obligation de rétablir sa politique de vaccination, ils encourent le risque d’interruption de leur travail s’ils ne respectent pas les exigences de l’Université. 

Masques 

Les masques resteront en vente à la librairie et dans les distributeurs automatiques sur les campus Glendon et Keele. Tous les membres de la communauté doivent respecter la décision des personnes qui continuent de porter un masque. 

À l’avenir 

L’Université continuera de surveiller la pandémie et restera sur le pied d’alerte afin de rétablir rapidement au besoin tous les protocoles nécessaires et les ressources qui l’ont si bien servie. York continuera à travailler avec les autorités de santé publique s’il s’avère nécessaire de rétablir les exigences relatives au port du masque et à la preuve de vaccination dans des délais très brefs. 

Nous sommes fières de la réponse forte et solidaire de notre communauté à toutes les exigences de santé publique au cours des deux dernières années. Avec un taux de vaccination de 97 % parmi notre population étudiante, notre personnel, notre corps professoral et notre corps enseignant, nous avons créé ensemble une communauté de soins qui nous permet de progresser. 

L’Université York s’engage à assurer la santé et la sécurité de toute sa communauté et sera aussi réactive que l’exige la situation de santé publique. Veuillez continuer à consulter le site Web Mieux ensemble pour obtenir les nouvelles et les mises à jour les plus récentes.  

Sincères salutations,  

Rhonda Lenton 
Présidente et vice-chancelière 

Lisa Philipps 
Rectrice et vice-présidente aux affaires académiques

Call for applications to the Provostial Fellows Program

Vari Hall New Featured image

La version française suit la version anglaise.

Dear colleagues,

The Office of the Provost and Vice-President Academic is issuing a call for applications to the Provostial Fellows Program between now and May 4. The call is open to all tenured faculty members who are interested in working directly with the provost and relevant senior leadership on a project or initiative geared towards advancing the University Academic Plan, including York’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Challenge.

Indigenous faculty and those from equity deserving groups are encouraged to apply. The program is intended to give tenured faculty a chance to gain hands-on experience in University leadership. Those who are interested in applying or who have a particular project in mind should consider the following:

  • projects may relate to any of the six UAP priorities, and also seek to enhance and intersect with the University-wide challenge to elevate contributions to the UN Sustainable Development Goals;
  • proposed projects should also seek to provide an opportunity for personal professional growth and learning, as well as the exploration of leadership at the Faculty or institutional level; and
  • projects do not need to target a Fellow’s home Faculty.
UAP Graphic shows the 17 United Sustainable development goals in context within the York University Academic Plan
The University Academic Plan 2020-2025 identifies six academic priorities

Here is a look at what last year’s Provostial Fellows have achieved. Details on the program, how to apply and the relevant timelines can be found here on the Provost & Vice-President Academic site. I encourage all tenured faculty who are interested in advancing academic priorities while working to build a better future and create positive change at York and beyond to apply.

Sincerely,

Lisa Philipps
Provost & Vice-President Academic

Appel aux candidatures pour le programme rectoral de bourses

La version française suit la version anglaise.

Chers collègues, chères collègues,

Le Bureau de la rectrice et vice-présidente aux affaires académiques lance un appel aux candidatures pour le programme rectoral de bourses à partir d’aujourd’hui et jusqu’au 4 mai. Cet appel est ouvert à tous les membres permanents du corps professoral qui aimeraient travailler directement avec la rectrice et les hauts dirigeants concernés sur un projet ou une initiative visant à faire progresser le Plan académique de l’Université (PAU), y compris le défi des ODD de York.

Les membres du corps professoral autochtones et issus de groupes dignes d’équité sont encouragés à poser leur candidature. Ce programme vise à donner aux professeurs permanents la chance d’acquérir une expérience pratique de leadership à l’Université. Les personnes intéressées par une candidature ou qui ont un projet particulier en tête devraient prendre en compte les points suivants :

  • Les projets peuvent porter sur l’une des six priorités du PAU et doivent aussi viser à renforcer et à appuyer le pari de l’Université de rehausser ses contributions aux objectifs de développement durable des Nations Unies;
  • Les propositions de projets doivent également être une occasion de croissance, de perfectionnement professionnel et de découverte du leadership facultaire ou universitaire; et
  • Les projets ne doivent pas nécessairement cibler la faculté d’attache du postulant ou de la postulante :
Le Plan académique universitaire 2020-2025 identifie six priorités académiques
Le Plan académique universitaire 2020-2025 identifie six priorités académiques

Voici un aperçu de ce qui a été réalisé l’année dernière dans le cadre de ce programme. Vous trouverez plus de détails au sujet du programme, du processus de candidature et des dates limites sur le site Web de la rectrice et vice-présidente aux affaires académiques. J’encourage tous les membres permanents du corps professoral qui souhaitent faire avancer des priorités académiques tout en contribuant à la construction d’un avenir meilleur et à la création de changements positifs – à York et au-delà – à y postuler.

Sincères salutations,

Lisa Philipps
Rectrice et vice-présidente aux affaires académiques  

Provostial Fellows deliver on academic priorities and SDGs

Vari Hall Winter scene showing the Harry Arthurs Common

Over the past year, York University’s Provostial Fellows have made steady progress on the University Academic Plan priorities and fulfilling the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Here is a look at how the current fellows are helping build a better future and answering the call on our most pressing global issues.

Action on climate change begins at York University

Burkard Eberlein
Professor of Public Policy and Sustainability, Schulich School of Business

Burkhard Eberlein
Burkhard Eberlein

Eberlein set out to reduce York’s carbon dioxide emissions. His project, titled “Advancing Carbon Neutrality at York: Reimagining Mobility,” targets emissions from commuting and travel related to studying, research and carrying out other University business activities.  

As mobility-related emissions are the single largest contributor to York’s carbon footprint, Eberlein’s focus aligns with other York scholars and the University’s leadership who have identified the need to reduce carbon emissions. The University is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2049 and this target can only be achieved by reducing the carbon impact stemming from mobility.

The first phase of this project is now complete, including a scan of actions taken by universities across North America and globally to identify how they reduce carbon emissions and zero in on the best practices that are relevant for York. Nearly 100 leading universities were included in this analysis and criteria for best practices have been developed. 

Schulich students have also been engaged on the project and this year the team will be analyzing emerging data from York’s carbon inventory. Firmly based in data, the goal is to match innovative ideas and best practices with York’s emissions profile so that proposals for action target relevant areas and achieve significant impact. 

In the project’s next phase, a community-wide survey is expected to roll out to gauge awareness of this issue along with support for initiatives to reduce mobility related emissions at the University. Results are expected to inform recommendations for an emission reducing pilot to test the appetite for behavior and policy change on York’s campuses.

Improving access to clean water

Sapna Sharma
Associate Professor in the Department of Biology, Faculty of Science

Sapna Sharma
Sapna Sharma

Sharma has been working on a University-wide engagement strategy to build partnerships that focus on access to clean water.

She has identified more than 100 faculty whose work touches on equitable access to fresh water. After recruiting three undergraduate students, her team has identified more than 40 relevant student clubs to engage on this important issue. They have also planned a United Nations World Water Day networking event in coordination with the United Nations SDG Student Hub that will take place on March 25 for professionals in the water sciences. Interested students are invited to this event and should register here.

Ultimately, Sharma says the goal is to create a forum of researchers who are engaged in solutions-oriented work on water availability, water quality and accessibility in a time when the global climate change crisis poses significant risks to communities in Canada and globally.

For World Water Day on March 22, the team will also host an interactive knowledge-exchange workshop in partnership with CIFAL York and the Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research. If you are interested in attending, register here.

Integrating Sustainable Development Goals in York curriculum

Cheryl van Daalen-Smith
Associate Professor in the School of Nursing, Faculty of Health
Associate Professor in the School of Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies and the Childhood and Youth Studies Program, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies.

Cheryl van Daalen-Smith
Cheryl van Daalen-Smith

Through a community-development approach, van Daalen-Smith has been looking at ways to foster the infusion of the SDGs into York’s wide array of classrooms.

Nitima Bhatia, a PhD student with expertise on SDGs and curriculum and Will Gage, associate vice-president, teaching and learning, are key collaborators on this work, along with Innovation York’s Knowledge Mobilization Unit, The UNESCO Chair in Reorienting Education towards Sustainability, Sustainability York, York International and CIFAL York.

Working in close collaboration with many existing University partners and stakeholders who are engaged on the SDGs, an “SDGs-in-the-Classroom Community of Practice” has been developed. An SDG Faculty Toolkit is also being developed to support faculty who wish to integrate the SDGs in the curriculum but could use some fresh pedagogical ideas.

The first-ever “SDGs in the Classroom Teach-In” will also take place on May 10 in collaboration with the Teaching Commons. All are invited to join the half-day event featuring interactive discussions, panels, live coaching as well as an exercise that allows participants to enter several faculty-based virtual classrooms to see how different disciplines have infused SDGs in their own curriculum.

The project has also focused on integrating SDGs into proposals for Globally Networked Learning initiatives, where students, faculty and non-academic researchers connect from around the world to work on research projects and knowledge-making activities. York International is a key member of the community of practice along with CIFAL York, the UNESCO Chair in Reorienting Education towards Sustainability and the Teaching Commons among others.

Overall, 50 consultations have taken place with students, faculty, staff and York-based stakeholders on this project. This has revealed a substantive interest in social justice and the global reach of the UN SDGs, particularly when it comes to pedagogical innovations aimed at engaging students to make connections between their area of study and the global goals outlined in the SDGs.

Building global and SDG-informed core competences

Qiang Zha
Associate Professor, Faculty of Education

Qiang Zha
Qiang Zha

Zha has been examining more than 12,000 course offerings at York University. By analyzing course descriptions and learning expectations, his work focuses on discerning how students can develop intellectual, intelligent and global core competences as an approach to reinventing liberal arts education.

With a special focus on creating more course resources that build global competence and learning outcomes, Zha has received support from the Mitacs Globalink Research Internship program to examine the conceptualization and development of global competence in higher education.

Drawing on the SDGs, he also plans to develop core competence assessment toolkits, in consultation with York’s Teaching Commons, the UNESCO Chair in Reorienting Educations towards Sustainability, the International Association of Universities and the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Other efforts underway include a proposal to explore a reinvented model of liberal arts education involving a research network that consists of liberal arts education institutions and leaders from North America, East Asia and Western Europe.

Even more changemakers will be recognized through an upcoming call for applications for the next cohort of Provostial Fellows, which will open later this month. Details on how to apply to the program will be shared with the community in the coming weeks.

Announcement of appointment of assistant vice-president, institutional planning & chief data officer

Vari Hall Winter Scene

Dear colleagues,

Margaret Kierylo
Margaret Kierylo

We pleased to announce that the search for a new assistant vice-president, institutional planning & chief data officer has concluded successfully with the recruitment of Dr. Margaret Kierylo.

Following an extensive search which attracted excellent candidates, the search committee recommended the appointment of Dr. Kierylo, who will take up her position commencing April 1. Dr. Kierylo joins us from Athabasca University where, since 2014, she has taken on progressively more senior administrative roles, culminating in her 2019 appointment as associate vice-president, integrated planning and assessment. She has also worked with the Canadian Museum for Human Rights as acting curator, Indigenous content.

Dr. Kierylo’s 12-year career in higher education has evidenced a commitment to lifelong learning and to open and collegial processes. With a BA and MA from the University of Waterloo, a PhD in history from Queen’s University and a more recent Certificate in College and University Administration from the University of Manitoba, Dr. Kierylo will be joining York University at a moment when evidence-based planning has never been more important.

The Office of Institutional Planning and Analysis (OIPA) supports integrated planning; enrolment and resource planning; research, analysis and surveys; and accountability and reporting across the entire institution. OIPA also supports the University’s Data Hub, offering reliable data to the public and to the York community through a range of portals. This highly collaborative role supports initiatives across the University and reports to the Office of the Provost & Vice-President Academic.

This is an important and exciting time in York’s evolution as we turn ever more attention to data governance, strategic enrolment management and academic resource planning, prepare for the opening of our new Markham Campus, and continue to advance the goals of the University Academic Plan 2020-2025: Building a Better Future.

We would like to thank the members of the search committee for their contributions to this important process.

We know that all members of the University will join us in congratulating and welcoming Dr. Kierylo.

Sincerely,

Lisa Philipps
Provost and Vice-President Academic

Two professors honoured with Postdoctoral Supervisor Award

Image announcing Awards

The Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) awarded York University Professors Petros Faloutsos and Ellen Bialystok with the Postdoctoral Supervisor of the Year Award.

This honour is bestowed annually on a postdoctoral supervisor who provides an exemplary environment of support for professional skill development, promotes a climate of respect and collegiality. They offer advocacy and guidance in long-term personal and professional development and is a role model for intellectual leadership and professionalism.

On Dec. 2, Lisa Philipps, provost and vice-president academic, kicked off the celebration during the FGS faculty council meeting to announce the recipients and recognizing their contributions to postdoctoral research and development at the University. Faloutsos received the Postdoctoral Supervisor of the Year Award for 2020 followed by Bialystok for 2021.

From left (top): Petros Faloutsos and Ellen Bialystok. From left (bottom): Provost and Vice-President Academic Lisa Philipps and Faculty of Graduate Studies Dean and Associate Vice-President Graduate Thomas Loebel.

In the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Faloutsos is well-known for his work composing controllers for virtual characters, which resulted in a prototype virtual stuntman that has received international media attention. In 2011, Faloutsos co-founded the Graphics and Media at York (GaMaY) Lab, at the Lassonde School of Engineering. The lab is the site of several research projects that concern themes of computer graphics and interactive media, including autonomous agents for computer games and virtual world applications, computer graphics, facial animation and more.

“I’m lucky in my career to work with excellent researchers and good people. I work with a small number of postdocs and students, to work closely with them to help them build their research and their career,” says Faloutsos. “York is an excellent environment where postdocs can find success, and nothing is more rewarding than seeing my postdocs succeed.”

Bialystok is a Distinguished Research Professor in the Department of Psychology, the Walter Gordon Research Chair of Lifespan Cognitive Development at York University, and an associate scientist at the Rotman Research Institute of the Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care. Bialystok has supervised more than 10 postdoctoral Fellows since 2007. Her discoveries include identifying the differences in the development of essential cognitive and language abilities for bilingual children, the use of different brain networks by monolingual and bilingual young adults and the postponement of symptoms of dementia in bilingual older adults.

“I’ve had a lot of awards, but there is something very special about this one. There is no higher praise than hearing that gratification from those you are responsible for,” says Bialystok. “My students and postdocs that I collaborate with, and work through problems with, are part of the family, and we all benefit from it.”

The Postdoctoral Supervisor of the Year Award accepts nominations annually. To learn more, visit yorku.ca/gradstudies/postdoctoral-fellows/current-fellows/supervisor-award/. Nomination letters for 2022 recipients are due June 1, 2022.

Announcement of the retirement of the vice-provost, students

Vari Hall in the winter
Vari Hall in the winter

La version française suit la version anglaise.

Dear colleagues,

It is with decidedly mixed emotions that I announce the upcoming retirement of the Vice-Provost, Students Lucy Fromowitz.

Lucy Fromowitz
Lucy Fromowitz

Ms. Fromowitz has had a long history with York. Prior to joining the University as vice-provost, students in 2017, she had worked at York from 1978 to 2001 in several directorial positions, including as director of admissions/recruitment, before her terms as vice-president, student and community engagement at Centennial College and then as assistant vice-president, student life at University of Toronto. She is also a York alumna, holding a BA in English and LLM in alternate dispute resolution.

Throughout her career and in all her roles, Ms. Fromowitz has been completely dedicated to enhancing student life and experience. Under her leadership, York set a record response rate for the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) in 2020, developed a new Appreciative Advising model and supporting technology, and saw marked improvement in how students evaluate our advising services. In addition, SAVY – the interactive, bilingual virtual assistant for students – was named in a student competition and won the 2020 CUCCIO Innovation Award. She and her team are now extending these learnings to develop an innovative student advising model for the Markham Campus. 

Ms. Fromowitz’s dedication to learning from and responding to students has also manifested in York’s first-ever Student Equity & Diversity Census to help ensure that the University can continue to remove barriers to access and student success with inclusive services that support the full representational diversity of our student body.

She has also been deeply engaged in the work of renewing our student-facing systems through the Student System Renewal Program, advancing the University’s frameworks on anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism, ensuring every new student has a peer support network, enhancing tailored welcome and support services for international students, delivering speedier access to mental health services, and expanding access to the tools of learning for all York students. She has been instrumental in moving forward the President’s Initiative on Open and Respectful Dialogue.

These initiatives, and many others, have all been undertaken in her trademark collaborative style with many others across the University, and with laser focus on improving the quality of experience and access for all who come to learn at York.

Ms. Fromowitz will remain in her role through to June 30, 2022. A search for her successor will commence shortly.

Sincerely,

Rhonda Lenton
President and Vice-Chancellor

Annonce du départ à la retraite de la vice-rectrice aux affaires étudiantes

Chers collègues, chères collègues 

C’est avec des sentiments mitigés que je vous annonce le départ à la retraite prochain de Lucy Fromowitz, vice-rectrice aux affaires étudiantes.

Lucy Fromowitz
Lucy Fromowitz

Mme Fromowitz a un lien de longue date avec York. Avant de rejoindre l’Université en tant que vice-rectrice aux affaires étudiantes en 2017, elle a occupé plusieurs postes de direction à York entre 1978 et 2001, notamment le poste de directrice des admissions et du recrutement, avant de devenir vice-présidente de l’engagement étudiant et communautaire au collège Centennial et vice-présidente adjointe de la vie étudiante à l’Université de Toronto. Mme Fromowitz est une diplômée de York : elle détient une licence en études anglaises et une LL.M en règlement alternatif des différends.

Tout au long de sa carrière et dans toutes ses fonctions, Mme Fromowitz s’est consacrée entièrement à l’amélioration de la vie et de l’expérience étudiantes. Sous sa direction, York a obtenu en 2020 un taux de réponse sans précédent au Sondage national sur la participation des étudiants (NSSE); elle a également mis au point un nouveau modèle d’orientation appréciatif accompagné de moyens technologiques qui a permis d’améliorer nettement la façon dont les étudiants évaluent nos services de conseils. De plus, SAVY — l’assistant virtuel interactif et bilingue de la communauté étudiante — a été conçu dans le cadre d’un concours étudiant et il a remporté en 2020 le prix CUCCIO de l’innovation. Mme Fromowitz et son équipe appliquent maintenant ces apprentissages au développement d’un modèle innovant de conseils aux étudiants pour le campus Markham. 

Son dévouement pour apprendre des étudiants et pour répondre à leurs besoins s’est aussi manifesté dans le tout premier Recensement sur l’équité et la diversité de la population étudiante de York, afin que l’Université puisse continuer à éliminer les obstacles à l’accès et à la réussite étudiante grâce à des services inclusifs appuyant la diversité représentative complète de la population étudiante.

Elle s’est énormément investie dans le Programme de renouvellement des systèmes étudiants; elle a promu les programmes-cadres de l’Université sur le racisme anti-Noirs et anti-Autochtones, et elle a veillé à ce que chaque nouvelle étudiante et chaque nouvel étudiant dispose d’un réseau de soutien par les pairs; elle a amélioré les services d’accueil et de soutien personnalisé pour les étudiantes et étudiants internationaux; elle a contribué à l’amélioration de la vitesse d’accès aux services de santé mentale et a élargi l’accès aux outils d’apprentissage pour tous les étudiants de York. Par ailleurs, elle a fait progresser l’initiative de la présidente sur le dialogue ouvert et respectueux.

Ces projets et bien d’autres ont été entrepris avec le style propre à Lucy, et en collaboration avec plusieurs autres collègues de l’Université, dans le but d’améliorer la qualité de l’expérience et de l’accès pour tous ceux et celles qui viennent étudier à York.

Mme Fromowitz occupera ses fonctions jusqu’au 30 juin 2022. La recherche de la personne qui lui succédera commencera sous peu.

Sincères salutations,

Rhonda Lenton
Présidente et vice-chancelière

An update on provincial reopening plan

Students walk through the centre of the Keele Campus

York will continue to abide by public health guidelines as the University moves toward full reopening and primarily in-person instruction for the winter term. The University’s strong vaccine mandate and the co-operation received from the community in observing health and safety measures while on campus, has allowed York to plan the return of most classes for the Winter 2022 term. 

La version française suit la version anglaise.

Dear York Community, 

As President Lenton discussed at Friday’s town hall, the Ontario Government announced plans to further reopen the province over the next five months and manage COVID-19 for the long-term. As mentioned late last month, this does not impact York’s Vaccination Mandate policy, including the requirement for community members to be fully vaccinated, or have an approved exemption in order to come to our campuses. 

For the remainder of the fall term, York plans to continue with the public health measures that are currently in place, including all of the requirements outlined in the community of care commitment. All community members must wear a mask or face covering in indoor spaces and continue physical distancing where possible. In addition, please continue submitting daily COVID-19 screening through YU Screen and confirm this has been done with a manager or designate, where required to do so.  

We will also continue to abide by public health guidelines as the University moves toward full reopening and primarily in-person instruction for the winter term. Our strong vaccine mandate, and the co-operation we have received from our community in observing health and safety measures while on campus, has allowed us to plan the return of most of our classes this coming Winter 2022. 

Here are some important reminders related to York’s health and safety plans:  

  • The University remains in Level 2 on the Welcoming YU Back Roadmap for the fall term.  
  • York’s Vaccination Mandate, mask/face covering protocol and required daily screening will remain in place into the winter term. 
  • As announced, all students must disclose their vaccination status no later than Nov. 8, regardless of whether or not they will access campus in person. For the winter term, students may not be enrolled in any course if they have not disclosed their vaccination status (whether fully vaccinated, partially vaccinated, or unvaccinated). 
  • In order to attend campuses in person in January for any purpose, students must upload proof of vaccination to YU Screen no later than Dec. 1. The University will continue supporting arriving international students to quarantine and to access approved vaccines where needed.   
  • To make rapid testing even easier and more convenient for the York University community, students, staff, faculty and instructors can participate in York’s at-home rapid antigen testing program free of charge.   

Thank you again for your ongoing commitment to upholding a community of care while on York’s campuses, and for continuing to screen for COVID-19 symptoms daily using  YU Screen. Please continue to visit the Better Together website for the latest updates. We look forward to seeing more of the community on campus safely this winter.  

Sincerely,  

Lisa Philipps 
Provost & Vice-President Academic  

Amir Asif
Vice-President, Research & Innovation

Mise à jour sur le plan provincial de réouverture

Chers membres de la communauté de York, 

Comme la présidente Lenton l’a évoqué lors de la conversation communautaire de vendredi dernier, le gouvernement de l’Ontario a annoncé son intention de rouvrir davantage la province au cours des cinq prochains mois et de gérer la COVID-19 à long terme. Comme mentionné à la fin du mois dernier, cette annonce n’a aucune incidence sur la Politique de vaccination de l’Université York, notamment l’obligation pour les membres de la communauté d’être entièrement vaccinés ou d’avoir une exemption approuvée pour venir sur nos campus. 

Pour le reste du trimestre d’automne, York prévoit poursuivre les mesures sanitaires actuellement en place, y compris toutes les exigences décrites dans la Promesse envers le bien-être de la communauté. Tous les membres de la communauté doivent porter un masque ou un couvre-visage dans les espaces intérieurs et continuer à respecter la distanciation physique dans la mesure du possible. Par ailleurs, veuillez continuer à effectuer le dépistage quotidien de la COVID-19 au moyen de l’outil YU Dépistage et confirmez que cela a été fait auprès d’un responsable ou d’une personne désignée lorsque cela est requis.  

Nous continuerons également d’observer les directives sanitaires tandis que l’Université s’apprête à rouvrir complètement ses portes et à offrir des cours en personne pour le trimestre d’hiver. Notre solide politique de vaccination et la collaboration des membres de notre communauté en matière de respect des mesures de santé et de sécurité sur le campus nous ont permis de planifier la reprise de la plupart de nos classes en hiver 2022. 

Voici quelques rappels importants au sujet des plans de santé et de sécurité de York:  

  • L’Université demeure au niveau 2 de son Plan d’action pour le retour sur les campus pour le trimestre d’automne. 
  • La Politique de vaccination de York, le protocole du port de masque et le dépistage quotidien obligatoire resteront en place pendant le trimestre d’hiver. 
  • Comme annoncé, tous les étudiants et étudiantes doivent divulguer leur statut vaccinal au plus tard le 8 novembre 2021, qu’ils accèdent ou non au campus. Pour le trimestre d’hiver, aucun membre de la communauté étudiante ne pourra s’inscrire ou rester inscrit à un cours s’il n’a pas divulgué son statut vaccinal (entièrement vacciné, partiellement vacciné ou non vacciné). 
  • Afin de pouvoir fréquenter le campus en personne en janvier pour une raison quelconque, les étudiants et étudiantes doivent télécharger leur preuve de vaccination dans YU Dépistage au plus tard le 1er décembre 2021. L’Université continuera d’aider les étudiantes et étudiants internationaux qui arrivent à se mettre en quarantaine et à accéder aux vaccins approuvés en cas de besoin.   
  • Afin de rendre le dépistage rapide encore plus facile et plus pratique pour la communauté de York, les étudiants, le personnel, le corps professoral et le corps enseignant peuvent participer gratuitement au Programme de tests antigéniques rapides à domicile de York.   

Nous vous remercions une fois de plus pour votre engagement continu envers le bien-être de la communauté sur les campus de York et pour votre utilisation quotidienne de l’outil YU Dépistage pour dépister les symptômes de la COVID-19. Veuillez continuer à visiter le site Better Together pour les dernières nouvelles. Nous espérons voir davantage de membres de la communauté sur nos campus cet hiver.  

Sincères salutations,  

Lisa Philipps
Rectrice et vice-présidente aux affaires académiques  

Amir Asif
Vice-président de la recherche et de l’innovation

A community update on the Vaughan Heathcare Centre Precinct

Featured image for Mackenzie Health and York U MOU signing shows a medical worker with a chart

York University is pleased to be partnering with the City of Vaughan, Mackenzie Health, and VentureLAB to design and develop the Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct. Through research and innovation, this partnership is designed to support and improve the health and health care of those within York Region and the Greater Toronto Area.

Lisa Philipps
Lisa Philipps

At its meeting on Oct. 20, the City of Vaughan Council voted to enter a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) to formalize a Vaughan health-care partnership. The MOU allows partners to continue work to build capacity for a future health-care precinct and drives collaboration in the areas of research, education, innovation and commercialization.

“York University is a leader in education that prepares the health workforce of tomorrow. We are at the forefront of research and innovation that advances preventive health knowledge and practice and focuses on questions of health equity, access and partnership,” says York University’s Provost and Vice-President Academic Lisa Philipps. “We are committed to a model where students and faculty work closely with clinicians and community agencies to improve health outcomes and health systems overall.”  

Anchored around the Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital, the Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct has the potential to connect those from different sectors to look at preventive medicine and treatment from diverse professional lenses.

Partner organizations are each pursuing next steps within their communities. At York University, internal consultation with stakeholders from across Faculties, programs and disciplines will continue over the coming months.

“Together with our partners, we remain committed to advancing our collective vision to create a world-class health innovation hub that will enhance the well-being of our communities,” adds Philipps.

To learn more, see these previous stories on the Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct:

City of Vaughan, York University, Mackenzie Health and VentureLAB sign MOU for feasibility study to create health-care precinct, YFile, Oct. 2, 2019.

York University, Mackenzie Health launch innovative health collaboration in York Region, YFile, Jan. 20.

York University’s groundbreaking Academic Innovation Fund turns 10

A hand clasps balloons

York University’s Academic Innovation Fund celebrates an important anniversary this year. The program has promoted exceptional innovation in teaching, learning and the student experience, and it continues to grow and thrive.

By Elaine Smith, special contributor

A photograph of York's President
Rhonda Lenton

Bring on the balloons, the streamers and the cake for York University’s Academic Innovation Fund (AIF), which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. The AIF, overseen by the Office of the Associate Vice-President of Teaching and Learning, financially supports projects that advance York University’s priorities in terms of teaching, learning and the student experience, allowing faculty to experiment and innovate in new and creative ways, both in teaching and in pedagogy. Its creation was spearheaded by a team that included President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda L. Lenton, who was vice-provost academic at the time.

“I am delighted to be celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Academic Innovation Fund,” said Lenton. “By supporting groundbreaking approaches to teaching and learning, including technology-enhanced learning, and facilitating increased access to fundamental student success programs and international perspectives that extend around the world, the AIF continues to provide our faculty and course directors with the resources they need to push pedagogical boundaries and enhance the student learning experience, solidifying York’s reputation as an innovative, progressive and forward-thinking institution dedicated to teaching excellence.”

Will Gage
Will Gage

The AIF was also a means of elevating and celebrating teaching and learning in the eyes of the York community, said Professor Will Gage, associate vice-president teaching and learning.

“It showed how committed the University is to teaching and learning and provided leadership to the higher education world around teaching and learning,” Gage said. “When AIF began, our early investments paid dividends in a number of different ways, including helping faculty members advance their priorities, putting a focus on technology-enhanced learning, and creating champions of teaching and learning among the faculty, who served as role models for their colleagues.”

In fact, a report by York’s Institute for Social Research validated the importance of AIF, noting how impactful it was in furthering innovation in pedagogy and curriculum.

Provost and Vice-President Academic Lisa Philipps has seen the AIF continue to flourish and believes it sends “an important signal to faculty that at York we have an aspirational culture around teaching and we value the effort and creativity of our faculty in developing new, high-quality learning experiences for our students.” 

Lisa Philipps
Lisa Philipps

A number of projects that date back to the early days of the AIF are now fixtures at the University: the Cross-Campus Capstone Classroom (C4); globally networked learning (GNL); YU Start, the transition program for incoming students; SPARK, the Student Papers and Academic Research Kit; and an e-learning program from the School of the Arts, Media, Performance and Design (AMPD) that connects students to the community. The originators of these programs are enthusiastic about the effect that the fund has had in making these projects possible.

Franz Newland
Franz Newland

“The funding makes a huge difference,” said Franz Newland, an associate professor at the Lassonde School of Engineering and one of the creators of C4. “It really enables us, because it pays for things that make innovation possible. Innovation around teaching and learning requires a community of engaged, interested people and AIF is a mechanism to bring them together.”

Danielle Robinson, co-creator of C4 and an associate professor at AMPD, said, “There is no way that C4 could have been launched without the AIF. It gave the program legitimacy and a vote of confidence that amplified its impact across the community, not to mention the financial resources required. Students have directly benefited, because C4 is designed as a personal and professional journey of self-discovery for them.”

Globally networked learning “began as a provost-driven initiative in 2015 with a three-year AIF grant​ that allowed the GNL initial team to work closely with students, faculty and senior administration at both York campuses to inform and train on best GNL practices around the world,” said Dominique Scheffel-Dunand, an associate professor in the Department of French Studies who helped create York’s program.

“York GNL has grown so much that in 2020-2021 alone, more than 600 students – 312 from York and 293 from international partner institutions – have had the opportunity to learn, share perspectives on challenging world-related questions,” added Scheffel-Dunand, who has also taught at the Glendon Campus.

Lara Ubaldi, a member of the team that created YU Start, is appreciative of AIF too. “What a thrill to have an idea and have the University recognize it with funding to help get it started,” said Ubaldi, now director of student advising and academic services. “It makes you feel invested; you can do something to make a change.”

The YU Start program has become an award-winning success.

Danielle Robinson
Danielle Robinson

SPARK also grew out of an early AIF grant. “This was our first real pan-University project,” said Sarah Coysh, digital engagement librarian. “It involved the library, the Writing Department, Learning Skills Services and other groups across the University that supported students. It was an opportunity for us to work together and look at best practices.

“We were one of the first to license such an effort through a Creative Commons licence, something that the AIF afforded us the opportunity to do. It has now been adapted by universities nationally and internationally as a result. We also know that it’s widely used; I hear from faculty if it’s not up to date,” said Coysh.

In addition, SPARK has been translated into French at the Glendon Campus, thanks to a Heritage Canada grant.

Dominique Scheffel-Dunand
Dominique Scheffel-Dunand

At AMPD, faculty members David Gelb, Michael Longford and Judith Schwarz were early adopters of online learning for the arts and pioneers in offering blended studio courses. Their initial grant allowed them to work with a team to build the infrastructure to support online learning across the faculty; develop six large introductory courses, a combination of blended and online; develop best practices for online pedagogies; and nurture a community of practice. They have received subsequent AIF grants to augment these opportunities and establish excellence in media production.

“When the pandemic struck and we had to move fully online, AMPD was prepared to step up to the challenge, offering a full range of support to faculty during that time,” said Longford. “We’re quite proud of that.”

In fact, said Gage, all of the AIF advances “emerged as essential when COVID shut the world down. AIF established a foundation that helped us respond as an institution.”

Karthiga Gowrishanger, program director, teaching and learning strategic initiatives for the Office of the Associate Vice-President of Teaching and Learning, agrees: “AIF innovation helped prepare us to be creative, agile and resilient.”

At York, AIF has become one of the proverbial gifts that keeps on giving.