For those interested in getting vaccinated this winter, flu and COVID-19 vaccinations are being made available on York University’s Keele Campus.
When: Tuesday, Dec. 19, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Where: Central Square, Bear Pit Vaccines offered: Quadrivalent influenza (under 65 years of age) and COVID-19 (12 years and up)
It is safe to get both the COVID-19 and Influenza vaccine at the same time, if eligible. OHIP is not required. The clinic is walk-in; first come, first served. Free masks and rapid antigen test kits are available while supplies last.
Anyone who has any new symptoms of illness, or has tested positive for COVID-19, is encouraged to complete the Ministry of Health’s Provincial Screening Tool (ontario.ca/autoevaluation/) for further direction and guidance.
SCHW@yuoffice.yorku.ca remains available for students with questions regarding respiratory virus protocols.
SFCCM@yorku.ca remains available for employees with questions regarding respiratory virus protocols.
Hours of operation for these resources are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Get ‘REDDI’ for 2024: sign up for workshops on systemic inequities
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York University community members are invited to register now for the Winter 2024 REDDI (Rights, Equity, Diversity, Decolonization & Inclusion) miniseries workshops, offered through the Centre for Human Rights, Equity & Inclusion.
Sessions begin on Jan. 8, 2024, and cover a wide range of topics to ensure University community members are prepared to address systemic inequities.
In furthering the goals of the York University Academic Plan and the DEDI (Decolonizing, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion) Strategy, the REDDI certificate workshop sessions are designed to provide opportunities for community members to learn, reflect upon and discuss ways to contribute to an equitable academic environment.
Each session will run for approximately 90 minutes and will be offered virtually, to facilitate the attendance of participants on and off campus.
All students, staff and faculty are invited to attend REDDI workshops. Sessions cover topics including challenging ableism, addressing racism, dialogues across difference and more. The series also features French sessions on: creed-based harassment and discrimination, called “Créer et maintenir des espaces positifs;” anti-racism work, called “Reconnaître et aborder le racisme;” and allyship, called “Lutter contre la discrimination.”
Participants who complete three full-length core workshops will receive a REDDI series certificate. The Winter 2024 workshops are also an opportunity for participants to attend and add onto their requirements for the REDDI miniseries certificates.
REDDI miniseries workshops also offer certificates of completion. For certificates to be awarded following a miniseries, three miniseries workshops plus one full-length workshop must be attended.
To see the available workshops, and their descriptions, for the Winter 2024 term, visit the CHREI REDDI page.
Registration for these workshops is required and can be accessed through the YU Learn Learning Opportunities website. To learn more about York’s new DEDI Strategy, click here.
Update on search for vice-president equity, people and culture
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La version française suit la version anglaise.
Dear York community,
I first want to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Alice Pitt for her service as the interim vice-president equity, people and culture, a position she has held since April 1, 2023. As a long-standing and dedicated member of the York community, Dr. Pitt demonstrated leadership at a critical time for the University, including the launch of the Decolonizing, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (DEDI) Strategy and the successful launch of the DEDI website and toolkit, which is fundamental to weaving DEDI into the fabric of York University. She has also successfully led a pan-University commemoration for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and launched community consultations for the Well-Being Strategy. Personally, I am grateful to Alice for her friendship and wise counsel throughout the years. Along with the York community, I wish Alice the very best as she embarks on the next chapter.
Laina Bay-Cheng
The search for the new vice-president equity, people and culture will resume in the new year, and in the meantime, it is my pleasure to announce that Dr. Laina Bay-Cheng has agreed to take over the role on an interim basis effective Jan. 1, 2024 through Dec. 31, 2024, providing continuity for the division as we continue to implement the DEDI Strategy and other important initiatives relevant to the portfolio.
Her appointment has been endorsed by the search committee and has been approved by the Executive Committee of the Board of Governors. Dr. Bay-Cheng brings to the role exceptional leadership and dedication to cultivating equitable, expansive and thriving academic communities – work that she will continue in her new position. As the inaugural associate vice-president, faculty affairs, she was instrumental in advancing the mandate of the Division of Equity, People & Culture and York’s mission to create access and promote success for diverse academic staff. She has been particularly invested in supporting faculty colleagues across roles, ranks, disciplines and career pathways. Her efforts have included expanding resources for hiring committees, hosting faculty meetups to facilitate mentoring and community-building, and bolstering institutional and interpersonal resources for York’s scholars.
Alongside her administrative efforts, Dr. Bay-Cheng’s scholarship offers profound insight into the impact of interlocked misogyny, racism, economic injustice and age-based oppression on young women’s sexual lives. She holds an appointment as professor in the Department of Psychology’s Historical, Theoretical, and Critical Studies area. Prior to joining York, Dr. Bay-Cheng was a faculty member at the University at Buffalo School of Social Work. During her 17 years there, she served as PhD program director, associate dean for doctoral programs and associate dean for faculty development. She was appointed full professor in 2019. Throughout her career, she has worked within universities and communities to advocate for and create conditions in which diverse people and ideas may thrive.
Please join me in thanking our two outstanding colleagues for their service to York University.
Sincerely,
Rhonda Lenton President & Vice-Chancellor
Mise à jour sur la recherche d’une personne pour la vice-présidence de l’équité, des personnes et de la culture
Chers membres de la communauté de York,
Je voudrais tout d’abord profiter de cette occasion pour remercier Mme Alice Pitt, Ph. D., qui assure la vice-présidence par intérim de l’équité, des personnes et de la culture depuis le 1er avril 2023. Membre dévouée et de longue date de la communauté de York, Mme Pitt a fait preuve de leadership à un moment crucial pour l’Université, notamment lors du lancement de la Stratégie de décolonisation, d’équité, de diversité et d’inclusion (DEDI), ainsi que du site Web et de la boîte à outils DEDI, des outils essentiels pour intégrer la DEDI à l’Université York. Elle a également dirigé une commémoration panuniversitaire pour la Journée nationale de la vérité et de la réconciliation et a organisé des consultations communautaires sur la Stratégie de bien-être. Je tiens à exprimer à Alice ma gratitude pour son amitié et ses conseils avisés tout au long de ces années. Au nom de la communauté de York, je lui souhaite beaucoup de succès pour la suite de sa carrière.
Laina Bay-Cheng
La recherche d’une personne pour la vice-présidence de l’équité, des personnes et de la culture reprendra au cours de la nouvelle année. Entre-temps, j’ai le plaisir d’annoncer que Mme Laina Bay-Cheng, Ph. D., a accepté d’assumer cette fonction par intérim du 1er janvier 2024 au 31 décembre 2024, assurant ainsi la continuité de la Division dans la poursuite de la mise en œuvre de la stratégie DEDI et d’autres initiatives importantes concernant le portefeuille.
Sa nomination a été approuvée par le comité de recherche et par le comité de direction du conseil d’administration. Mme Bay-Cheng se distingue par son leadership et son dévouement à la promotion de communautés universitaires équitables, élargies et prospères, un travail qu’elle poursuivra dans ses nouvelles fonctions. En tant que première vice-présidente associée aux affaires professorales, elle a joué un rôle déterminant dans l’avancement du mandat de la Division de l’équité, des personnes et de la culture ainsi que de la mission de York, qui consiste à favoriser l’accès et promouvoir la réussite d’un personnel universitaire diversifié. Elle s’est particulièrement investie dans le soutien aux membres du corps professoral, quels que soient leur rôle, leur rang, leur discipline et leur parcours professionnel. Ses efforts ont notamment consisté à développer les ressources pour les comités de recrutement, à organiser des rencontres entre les membres du corps professoral pour faciliter le mentorat et la création d’une communauté, et à renforcer les ressources institutionnelles et interpersonnelles pour les universitaires de York.
Par ailleurs, les travaux universitaires de Mme Bay-Cheng permettent de mieux comprendre l’impact de la misogynie, du racisme, de l’injustice économique et de l’oppression liée à l’âge sur la vie sexuelle des jeunes femmes. Elle enseigne les études historiques, théoriques et critiques au Département de psychologie. Avant de rejoindre York, Mme Bay-Cheng était membre du corps professoral de l’École de travail social de l’Université de Buffalo. Au cours des 17 années qu’elle y a passées, elle a été successivement responsable pédagogique du programme de doctorat, doyenne associée des programmes de doctorat et doyenne associée pour le développement facultaire. Elle a été nommée professeure titulaire en 2019. Tout au long de sa carrière, elle a travaillé au sein d’universités et de communautés pour défendre et créer des conditions propices à l’épanouissement de personnes et d’idées diverses.
Veuillez vous joindre à moi pour remercier nos deux collègues exceptionnelles pour leur engagement envers l’Université York.
Sincères salutations,
Rhonda Lenton Présidente et vice-chancelière
Lions hockey coach leads para athletes, advances inclusion in sport
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Russ Herrington has coached and won at various levels of hockey for close to three decades, having spent the past six as head coach of the York University Lions men’s hockey team after serving as an assistant for two years.
Since joining the Lions staff, he’s taken on a new coaching challenge in the world of para hockey with the Canadian national team.
First invited to guest coach the team in 2016, Herrington continued to be called on to join the coaching staff and moved from video coach to the bench as an assistant coach in 2019, and then became head coach in September 2022.
Russ Herrington coaching the Canadian national para hockey team.
And, aside from a few minor differences – such as no backwards skating, bilateral skill sets (using both hands proportionately rather than one in the stand-up game) and the fact the players are on a sled – there aren’t many discrepancies from the traditional game to the para game.
“In terms of tactics and the approach, I don’t really treat these players any differently than the players at York,” said Herrington. “They’re high-performance athletes; they just sit in a sled rather than stand on their feet. So, other than a few minor tweaks in terms of defending the rush because they don’t skate backwards, it’s basically the same thing.”
The biggest difference, perhaps, lies in the path of Herrington’s para athletes as opposed to the ones he coaches with the Lions. From players with disabilities from birth to amputees to paralysis and more, the players’ journeys are inspiring and unique, with many being relatively new to the game.
“What it has taught me is the importance of simplicity, repetition and language,” Herrington said. “In hockey, quite often, you’re trying to be multifaceted, trying to be good at 10, 15, 20 different things. We had that approach, but we would become jacks of all trades and masters of none, so let’s simplify the game and streamline our focus and be pointed in our language. Let’s try and be brilliant at three things and then we can worry about trying to be brilliant at a fourth.”
While there have been great strides made in growing the game of hockey in certain areas, the para game has, in some sense, lagged behind, he said, stressing that while para athletes may do it differently, para hockey players are, indeed, hockey players.
“They’re as able as anybody else,” he said. “They’re fiercely independent, they don’t want pity, they don’t want sympathy; they want to be treated like everyone else, and that’s the way I approach it.”
Herrington also said he views the game through a much broader lens in terms of accessibility than he did before entering the para hockey world.
“I look at rinks completely differently now,” he said. “There are a lot of arenas I go in now and I’m like, ‘This is a great facility, but we couldn’t bring a para team here, and that’s a shame.’ So, it’s really opened my eyes in terms of the need to make things more accessible.”
Under Herrington’s leadership, the Lions have made it a priority to broaden their knowledge and understanding of a variety of social issues, including Black Lives Matter, Pride and Truth & Reconciliation.
They also recently held their second annual Colt’s Crusade game on Dec. 3 against the Western Mustangs, spotlighting seven-year-old para hockey player Colton Hagarty, whom Lion forward Michael Douglas met while serving the youngster and his family at a restaurant in Toronto. The Lions also co-ordinated an invitation to a national team camp in Elmira, Ont., where Hagarty was able to meet some of the athletes.
“A lot of the things we’ve done, especially coming out of the pandemic, have been collaborative ideas coming from our players,” Herrington said. “Michael came to me and said, ‘Hey, this is a kid that is trying to get into para sport; what can we do to get him involved?,’ so we were really glad to be able to celebrate Colt.”
The Lions head coach said that being leaders in social initiatives is a key component in the program’s mission of providing a transformational student-athlete experience on and off the ice.
“That’s one of the things I challenge our group to do, individually and collectively: to change the narrative around hockey,” he said. “As part of the CROSS (character, respect, optimism, sacrifice, self-care) acronym, we talk about character, and that to us is the understanding that the true essence of a person is in their actions, behaviours and choices, not what their external appearance looks like.
“We can’t change all of hockey culture; we can change our hockey culture and hope it starts to spread.… We need to be leaders in that space, and that’s a challenge I’m thankful our players are willing to take on.”
Herrington is currently with the Canadian para team coaching at the 2023 Para Hockey Cup in Quispamsis, N.B. The tournament began on Dec. 3 – International Day of Persons With Disabilities, an annual observance promoted by the United Nations since 1992. The Canadians have won the first two games of the preliminary round, beating China 4-1 and Czechia 3-0.
Statement from President Rhonda Lenton in response to Ontario auditor general report
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La version française suit la version anglaise.
York University has received the Operations and Capital Audit that was undertaken by the auditor general of Ontario (AGO). The report was released as part of the AGO’s annual report to the Ontario Legislature and follows recent audits of other Ontario universities.
The University appreciates the work of the Office of the Auditor General and thanks them for their collaborative approach to undertaking this audit. The University agrees with the auditor general’s overall conclusion that York is financially sustainable and we accept the recommendations.
The University had identified many of the areas highlighted in the report as part of our own planning processes including those related to international students and capital investments. We will use the recommendations in the report to further strengthen the robust plans already underway.
Over the last six years, the University has been delivering on the vision and priorities set out in the University Academic Plan guided by a strategic framework that aligns the external context with our Integrated Resource Plans to hone a financially sustainable approach supporting the success of our students and driving positive change for the communities we serve. That approach includes plans to grow enrolment; assess program, department and Faculty sustainability; and diversify sources of revenue. The University has a strong debt repayment strategy, has no plans to take on more debt and we have already increased annual contributions to deferred maintenance.
As we work through the recommendations from the auditor general, we will continue to deliver on our mandate to provide a diverse demographic of students access to a high-quality, research-intensive university committed to enhancing the well-being of the communities that we serve. We will do this while continuing to make sound investments in the long-term sustainability of York University.
Déclaration de la présidente Lenton en réponse au rapport du vérificateur général de l’Ontario
L’Université York a reçu l’audit des opérations et du capital réalisé par le Bureau du vérificateur général de l’Ontario (VGO). Ce rapport a été publié dans le cadre du rapport annuel du VGO à l’Assemblée législative de l’Ontario et fait suite à des vérifications récentes d’autres universités de l’Ontario.
L’Université est reconnaissante du travail du Bureau du vérificateur général et le remercie pour l’approche collaborative adoptée dans le cadre de cet audit. Nous sommes d’accord avec la conclusion générale du vérificateur général selon laquelle York est financièrement viable et acceptons les recommandations.
L’Université avait recensé plusieurs domaines mis en évidence dans le rapport dans le cadre de ses propres processus de planification, notamment ceux liés aux étudiants internationaux et aux investissements en capital. Nous utiliserons les recommandations du rapport pour renforcer les plans rigoureux déjà en cours.
Au cours des six dernières années, York a concrétisé la vision et les priorités définies dans le Plan académique de l’Université en se basant sur un cadre stratégique qui aligne le contexte externe sur nos plans de ressources intégrés afin de parfaire une approche financièrement durable appuyant la réussite de nos étudiants et suscitant des changements positifs pour les communautés que nous servons. Cette approche comprend des plans visant à augmenter le nombre d’inscriptions, à évaluer la viabilité des programmes, des départements et des facultés, et à diversifier les sources de revenus. L’Université dispose d’une solide stratégie de remboursement de la dette, n’a pas l’intention de s’endetter davantage et a déjà augmenté ses contributions annuelles à la maintenance différée.
Tout en travaillant sur les recommandations du vérificateur général, nous continuerons à remplir notre mandat, qui est d’offrir à une population étudiante diversifiée l’accès à une université de haute qualité, à forte intensité de recherche, qui s’engage à améliorer le bien-être des communautés qu’elle sert, tout en continuant à investir de façon judicieuse dans la viabilité à long terme de l’Université York.
York University climbs in QS Sustainability Rankings
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York University continues to strengthen its momentum as a global leader in sustainability, climbing more than 100 spots in the latest QS Sustainability Rankings – which evaluate the social, environmental and governance impact of global institutions – to rank 118th out of over 1,400 universities.
In addition to its momentum in the overall rankings, York also achieved strong global placement in several significant categories, including ranking 14th in equality and 100th in governance.
“These rankings reflect York University’s steadfast commitment to creating a world that is equitable, just and sustainable,” says York University President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton. “The climate crisis is the most urgent priority we face on the planet, and failure to take action will have severe environmental, social and economic repercussions for us all. As a modern and progressive international university, York plays an important role in promoting the cross-sectoral and interdisciplinary collaboration needed to respond to global challenges through our purposeful research and teaching, our university-wide call to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and through the bold initiatives we are taking to reduce emissions on our campuses.”
York’s placement in the QS Sustainability Rankings builds on the institution’s strong showings in other prestigious rankings throughout 2023.
In July, the University strengthened its global position as a leading research-intensive university by climbing more than 100 spots to 353rd in the world in the QS World University Rankings.
According to the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings in June, the University placed among the top 40 institutions advancing the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals, including ranking 21st in fighting poverty, 25th in reducing inequalities and 12th in building more sustainable cities and communities.
York University recently committed further to becoming one of the most sustainable institutions in Canada, to develop a strategy with an aim to achieve net-zero emissions on Scope 1 and 2 emissions at York University and to significantlyreduce Scope 3 emissions before 2040 – a decade sooner than its previous commitment.
“As an internationally recognized leader in sustainability, York University has a responsibility to act on global challenges facing humanity, including ecological degradation, climate change and growing socio-economic inequality. The bold actions we are taking on our campuses, and in our local and global communities, will build on the strong foundation we have created and move us closer to our goal of becoming one of the most sustainable institutions in Canada,” Lenton said during a special announcement on Nov. 23.
Guided by a University Academic Plan and Sustainability Policy that seek to inspire and deliver positive change, York’s high-quality academic programming and research continue to position the institution as a leader in sustainability in post-secondary education in Canada and around the world.
Help support a safe and healthy workplace at York
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York community members interested in strengthening our safe and healthy workplace environment are invited to apply for vacant positions on the University’s Joint Health and Safety Committees (JHSCs).
York University is a large organization with 23 JHSCs established based on work location/department/Faculty, which deal with their specific hazards and work areas. Each of these 23 committees consist of employee and management representatives that work in a collaborative partnership to continuously improve workplace health and safety. The role of a JHSC member is primarily advisory, but also includes distinct rights and responsibilities.
The JHSCs regularly seek members who are passionate about workplace safety and want to collegially collaborate and contribute to a safe workplace for all. Prior experience is not required and training is available for all members.
Additionally, members are recognized at the annual Joint Health and Safety Committee Appreciation Event, which was held on Nov. 23 this year.
“The University values our Joint Health and Safety Committees as an integral part of the Internal Responsibility System at York. On behalf of the University, we sincerely appreciate the dedication and effort our JHSC members put forth to strengthen health and safety and our culture of well-being,” said Mary Catherine Masciangelo, assistant vice-president of human resources and chief human resources officer.
The half-day event, sponsored by York’s Health, Safety and Employee Well-Being unit, recognizes contributions and successes of the University’s JHSCs from all York campuses and sites. Committee members gather to participate in learning and development activities, and share best practices to further enhance the health and safety culture in the workplace. JHSC members who exemplify dedication, collaboration and leadership receive certificates for their contributions.
To learn more, visit the JHSC website where you will find a list of vacancies, as well as resources to learn more about the role and how to be appointed to a committee.
Warm wishes from President Rhonda Lenton
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Dear York community,
This season is a natural time to pause and reflect. On behalf of York University, I am incredibly grateful for our students, faculty, course instructors and staff for achieving yet another year of innovative learning, cutting-edge research and transformative impact, but also for the ways that so many of our community members have exemplified all the values enshrined in York University’s mission, and which our world is currently in urgent need of.
I recognize that it is a difficult time for many in our community. In this spirit, I wanted to share a short video message with you. I wish you all a restful break and an opportunity to connect with family and friends. I look forward to welcoming you back to campus in the new year.
Sincerely,
Rhonda Lenton President & Vice-Chancellor
Vœux sincères de la présidente Rhonda Lenton
Chers membres de la communauté de York,
Cette époque de l’année est idéale pour faire une pause et réfléchir. Au nom de l’Université York, je suis reconnaissante aux membres de la communauté étudiante, des corps professoral et enseignant et du personnel pour une nouvelle année d’apprentissage innovant, de recherche de pointe et d’effet transformateur. Je suis également redevable aux nombreux membres de notre communauté qui ont incarné toutes les valeurs inscrites dans la mission de l’Université York. Notre monde en a besoin de toute urgence.
Je sais que c’est une période difficile pour beaucoup de membres de notre communauté. C’est dans cet esprit que je partage cette courte vidéo. Je vous souhaite une agréable pause afin de vous rapprocher de votre famille et de vos personnes aimées. Je me réjouis de vous accueillir à nouveau sur les campus au début de la nouvelle année.
Sincères salutations,
Rhonda Lenton Présidente et vice-chancelière
AGYU earns awards for exhibit, education programs
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Meleko Mokgosi: Imaging Imaginations
Two awards for the Art Gallery of York University (AGYU) recognize the impact of the facility’s programming in both exhibiting art and offering educational opportunities to the community.
The 46th Annual Galeries Ontario / Ontario Galleries (GOG) Awards, which took place Dec. 2, named the AGYU as the recipient of its Education Award and its Exhibition, Design and Installation Award.
The GOG Awards is the only annual juried awards program of its kind, recognizing the “outstanding achievement, artistic merit and excellence of arts institutions and professionals in the public art gallery sector.”
“It is always encouraging to be acknowledged by your peers. The GOG Awards give those of us working in public art galleries and museums the time to reflect on the work being presented in our field and give due credit to those who are pushing their work in truly engaging and creative ways,” says Jenifer Papararo, director/curator, Art Gallery of York University. “We at AGYU are proud of our colleagues Felicia Mings and Allyson Adley, who both received awards for their unique programs. Adley was awarded for Arts on My Mind, a program she developed in the community to give youth access to develop their crafts by pairing them with professional musicians and poets from the Jane-Finch neighbourhood. Mings, who won for the exhibition design for Meleko Mokgosi: Imaging Imaginations, a curatorial response to space and community that featured a massive, nine-panel figurative painting spanning 16 feet high and over 40 feet in length.”
Read about these exhibits, and how they exemplify excellence in the arts, in this YFile story.
The AGYU was also noted as a partner in the GOG’s First Exhibition in a Public Art Gallery Award, which went to the Art Gallery of Peterborough for the Tim Whiten – Elemental: Earthen exhibit. Whiten is a professor emeritus at York University with a prolific career in the arts.
The AGYU is a socially minded not-for-profit contemporary art gallery that is a space for the creation and appreciation of art and culture. It is a supported unit of York University within the President’s Division. It is externally funded as a public art gallery through the Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council, the Toronto Arts Council, local and international foundations, embassies and its membership, who support all of its programs.
The 2023 York Cares United Way Campaign has been extended to Dec. 8.
Staff and faculty have raised an impressive amount for the campaign – more than $63,000. However, more help is needed to reach the fundraising goal of $150,000 to support the United Way Greater Toronto in funding local organizations that make a difference in the lives of friends, families, neighbours, students and colleagues. York University is a community of changemakers committed to creating positive change for its students, communities and the world. Everyone is encouraged to participate and make every dollar count.
Show support for the community by supporting United Way’s neighbourhood-strengthening work across the Greater Toronto Area. (Photo courtesy of United Way.)
A personalized link to the pledge form will be sent Dec. 4, and again in a final email Dec. 8. The last day to donate by payroll is Dec. 8, but credit card donations can be made towards the campaign until Dec. 31.
meet the basic needs of everyone in the local community, through mental health supports, food security initiatives, employment programs and housing assistance;
ensure the creation of economic opportunities in neighbourhoods hit hard by the pandemic;
help advocate for emergency paid leave and affordable housing; and
invest in the infrastructure of agencies serving the communities most impacted by bias and discrimination, specifically Indigenous- and Black-led organizations, to change the systems that divide the community.
