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Poet Dionne Brand to deliver keynote talk at event celebrating 20 years of Canadian Writers in Person

Dionne Brand

This year, Canadian Writers in Person celebrates its 20th anniversary with a special guest talk titled “What does writing do.” led by Canadian author, poet and activist Dionne Brand.

Dionne Brand.
Photo by Jason Chow

York University students, faculty and staff are invited to attend this anniversary event, which is presented by the Hal Jackman Foundation. The lecture will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. in the Sandra Faire & Ivan Fecan Theatre on York University’s Keele Campus. There will be a reception following the event. Organizers request that those interested in attending RSVP.

Brand is one of Canada’s most accomplished authors. Through poems, essays, documentaries, fiction and non-fiction, Brand’s work inspires audiences with its fearless exploration of important topics such as gender, political power, sexuality, feminism and race. Her writing has earned multiple honours, including the Governor General’s Award for poetry, the Griffin Poetry Prize, the Trillium Prize for literature, the Pat Lowther Award for poetry, the Harbourfront Festival Prize, the Toronto Book Award, book selections in the New York Times and the LA Times, among many other accolades.

“Canadian Writers in Person is a fantastic program,” said Brand, “[It is] a unique opportunity that brings writers in Canada together with their present and future audience.”

Humanities professors and Canadian Writers in Person event co-ordinators Gail Vanstone and Leslie Sanders echo Brand’s sentiments, describing the evolution of the program since its introduction in 1999 by York University English Professor John Unrau.

“York was one of the first Canadian universities to offer a course in Canadian literature, and Canadian Writers in Person has carried on that tradition,” said Vanstone. “We are also a free public reading series to those interested in state-of-the-art Canadian literature in the GTA and beyond.”

Canadian Writers in Person celebrates culture and diversity, and the program typifies some of the goals set by York University’s Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS). The series is now available as both a Culture & Expression course in the Department of Humanities in LA&PS and a public reading series that all members of the community are encouraged to attend.

“Canadian Writers in Person is a one-of-a-kind event that offers a unique and immersive experience for all,” said LA&PS Interim Dean J.J. McMurtry. “Our Faculty is so proud to support this endeavour. Twenty years is an incredible milestone.”

Canada Post services are returning to the Keele Campus

York Keele campus bookstore
Bookstore entrance

Since the closure of the previous Canada Post outlet in York Lanes, Ancillary Services has been working with Canada Post to re-establish service on the Keele Campus for the community. Work is underway to establish a new full-service postal outlet in the York University Bookstore. It is expected that the new outlet will open in January 2020.

In the meantime, the York University Bookstore has established a parcel pick-up location for community members and others within the vicinity of the Keele Campus. The parcel pick-up is in the York Lanes mall across from the York University Bookstore.

This location is limited to the following services:

  • Parcel pickup for incoming parcels only that are delivered by Canada Post. Recipients will be notified by Canada Post of the location for pickup.  Pickup hours are Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • The sale of stamps.

This location is unable to accept outgoing letters or parcels.  To mail letters, community members can use the lettermail boxes on campus, including the box located on the north side of York Lanes mall.

To facilitate access to other postal services for community members, Ancillary Services is operating a complimentary shuttle from the Atkinson Road parking lot to the Downsview Post Office at 1027 Finch Ave. W.  The shuttle runs on Wednesdays and departs at 2:30 p.m.

Letters and parcels addressed to York University residence buildings or departments are not affected and continue to be served by Mailing Services.

McLaughlin’s Common Read Workshop addresses concerns of first-year students, Oct. 23

A group of people walking outside
Professor Thomas Klassen
Thomas Klassen

The second event in McLaughlin College’s Common Read Workshop series, “Mastering Tests, Essays and Note-taking,” will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 23 from 12 to 1:30 p.m. in 140 McLaughlin College.

For the start of this academic year, all first-year students entering programs in McLaughlin’s affiliated units (politics; public policy and administration; sociology; and social science) were asked to do a “common read.” The book selected was Thomas R. Klassen and John A. Dwyer’s How to Succeed at University (And Get a Great Job!): Mastering the Critical Skills you Need for School, Work, and Life (UBC Press, 2015). This highly acclaimed book, designed to assist first-year university students in acquiring the academic skills necessary to excel in their post-secondary studies, was written by two of York University’s leading professors in the field of student growth and development.

First-year students were then invited to attend a matriculation and common read workshop held on Sept. 4, the first day of classes, intended to welcome them formally to McLaughlin College and discuss their common read. At this special event, students met the head of the college and one of the authors of the book, Klassen, who is professor in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, as well as a number of student leaders. Klassen introduced his book to the students and took them through various exercises to engage them in its substantive contents.

“When some of our first-year students receive feedback on their first assignments, they realize how different their high-school experience was from what is expected of them at university,” said Klassen, who leads the workshop series. “The common read series of workshops is intended to help students at key points throughout their all-important first year of university studies.”

The common read has been recognized as a high-impact educational practice by the Association of American Colleges & Universities (AACU). It is widely used throughout the world, especially in the United States, and best practices have emerged as to how it should be applied as part of the first-year student’s transition to university. Those best practices have been applied at McLaughlin College.

Here’s a look at the rest of McLaughlin’s Common Read Workshop lineup for this academic year:

Jan. 8, 2020: “Skills for success at university, work and life”

Feb. 12, 2020: “Practical problem solving and strengthening critical skills”

All sessions will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. in 140 McLaughlin College. Everyone is welcome to attend and light refreshments will be provided.

The Common Read Workshop Series is hosted by the Office of the College Head, McLaughlin College. For more information, contact Vicky Carnevale at ext. 33824 or vcarneva@yorku.ca.

Upcoming symposium will celebrate experiential education at York University

Students at York University
Featured image

The Experiential Education (EE) Symposium at York University, on Jan. 21 and 22, 2020, will celebrate and showcase the achievements of students who have participated in experiential education activities. Co-sponsored by York University Libraries and the Office of the Vice-President Teaching and Learning, the symposium is co-led by the YU Experience Hub, York University Libraries and the Teaching Commons. The organizers’ goal is to bring the York community together to highlight the many ways experiential education has helped students to learn, develop and make a positive impact on campus, locally and internationally.

Applications opened on Oct. 7 for students to participate in the EE Symposium. Undergraduate students from all years and Faculties are invited to submit an idea for a poster that will highlight the positive impact of their EE experience, including their most meaningful insights or lessons and how the experience may have deepened or supported their classroom learning. Students will have the opportunity to present their posters at the symposium to their peers, faculty and staff, while also interacting with Learning Commons partners who will be on hand to provide resources and helpful advice on making the most of an EE experience.

With the opening of the application window, organizers request that faculty share this information with their students and encourage them to consider applying to present a poster at the symposium. The application window closes on Nov. 4.

For more information, visit eesymposium.yorku.ca. Questions can be directed to eesteam@yorku.ca.

York-led study on trauma intervention shows early success, seeks student participants

A person in meditation pose

Jennifer Kaczanowski is a trauma survivor.

The 36-year-old is also a student in York University’s psychology program, and aspires to one day counsel others.

Her inspiration to help those who are faced with mental health challenges comes from her own experiences; five years ago, she suffered a trauma, and she continues to struggle with the impact of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Kaczanowski recognizes that her healing process is an evolving journey, and has sought help over the years. What she didn’t expect, however, was to deepen that journey by answering a call for student participants in a research study at the University.

As part of the first-year psychology degree program, students are offered the opportunity to earn marks toward their PSYC 1010 grade by participating in psychological research at York. While perusing available studies, Kaczanowski came across one that piqued her interest: an impact of trauma study.

Although not a study offered for credit, Kaczanowski contacted Megan Kirk Chang, the York PhD student leading the research, to ask if she could participate.

Megan Kirk Chang

Kirk Chang is a doctoral candidate in the School of Kinesiology & Health Science, and a 25-year trauma survivor. Her research focuses on investigating the mind-body impact of PTSD, and involves an eight-week online mindfulness-based cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and yoga intervention to help survivors of trauma. It’s a free program called Heal My Trauma Imprint, and the clinical trial is open to young adults enrolled at York University.

Kirk Chang’s research explores the effectiveness of mindfulness-based approaches such as breath awareness, meditation and yoga-based movements to help with healing symptoms of past trauma. Participants in the study also receive a free yoga mat and eight weekly health coaching calls to assist with symptom management.

“I did trauma counselling in the past, and it helped, but this study is a study with a mind and body focus, and it helped so much,” said Kaczanowski. “In my last long-term trauma counselling, we would go through different issues, such as triggers and feelings. But in this study, whenever there was a cognitive component we would also delve into the physical impact of that.”

For instance, if she felt anger, she would be asked how that translates physically, and would also be offered tools and suggestions to help ease the physical symptoms.

Kirk Chang says there are some exciting preliminary results since beginning the clinical trial in October 2018. The study so far shows a close to 50-per-cent reduction in PTSD symptoms and a 57-per-cent reduction in depression.

“I believe that people with symptoms of PTSD feel chronically unsafe in their body, as if the danger or threat were still present, even if the trauma happened many years ago,” said Kirk Chang. “I’ve noticed that the chronic fear people carry manifests as uncomfortable bodily sensations such as pain, migraines, muscle tension and digestive issues. My goal is to help people address their bodily sensations in a safe, empowering and calming way.”

Kirk Chang’s intervention is part of the first registered clinical trial in Canada to investigate an online mind-body intervention to regulate autonomic function and alleviate symptoms of PTSD. The trial is also studying the psychophysiological aspects of PTSD using innovative technology, including the Tobii Pro Glasses and an electrocardiogram (ECG) machine to measure pupillometry and heart rate variability of participants before and after the intervention.

“Our research is the first of its kind to examine biomarkers of PTSD using an ECG and the Tobii Pro 2 Glasses to assess if our intervention helps people regulate their autonomic nervous system,” she said. “We use a blend of mindfulness-based cognitive behavioural therapy, health coaching, and muscle stretching to help people repair and restore their mind-body connection.”

Although it’s the first study of its kind in Canada, Kirk Chang’s goal is to one day present this to the World Health Organization. Findings from this research will help inform large-scale global mental health interventions aimed at addressing PTSD, said Chang.

Kaczanowski, who completed the program in January, says she continues to use the tools and strategies from the study to help manage her PTSD symptoms.

“It’s really, really neat how everything really stuck with me, and that I’m still using the tools like meditation and breathing techniques,” she said. “I also have all of my email summaries to reflect back on when I need them.”

She encourages other students who are struggling with trauma-based challenges to consider enrolling in the study and working with Kirk Chang.

“I would say, even though all of the information and the tools are really helpful, one of the biggest differences (between this and other programs) was the person I was working with,” said Kaczanowski. “Megan is such a kind, compassionate person and she really cares about you and about what she’s doing.”

The clinical trial is actively recruiting York U students who may be struggling with PTSD until at least December.

For more information or to participate in this clinical trial, contact Kirk Chang at mkirk@yorku.ca. To read more in YFile about this research, visit yfile.news.yorku.ca/2019/04/17/students-invited-to-participate-in-york-led-clinical-trial-studying-online-interventions-for-ptsd.

Soccer Lions look to continue winning ways in the inaugural Community Day games

Lions logo
York U Lions

The York University Lions soccer teams are rolling as the regular season winds down and they will be back on the pitch on Friday for the inaugural Community Day Games against the Wilfrid Laurier University Golden Hawks.

The women kick off the action at 11 a.m. at Alumni Field and the men will follow at 1:15 p.m. Both games can also be seen live online on OUA.tv.

The two squads have played a combined 20 games and have just one loss between the two of them, an opening day defeat by the women to the second-place University of Guelph Gryphons. They have earned points in every game since and are riding a season-best three-game winning streak in which they have outscored their opponents 6-1. The Lions won all three games they played last week, defeating the McMaster University Marauders 1-0 on an 89th-minute goal by Kiyani Johnson, followed by a 2-1 win over the Brock University Badgers and a 3-0 defeat of the University of Waterloo Warriors.

Johnson has scored in four of her last five games, beginning with a hat-trick against the Golden Hawks in their earlier meeting this season, and is now sixth in Ontario University Athletics (OUA) scoring with six goals.

The men know all about long streaks and are currently riding their best unbeaten stretch against OUA opponents in program history. The Lions have not lost to a conference foe in more than two years, a run that is now at 46 games and reaches back to Aug. 30, 2017. Last week they did not allow a goal in three matches, posting a 0-0 draw with McMaster and then a 5-0 victory over Brock and a 1-0 triumph over Waterloo.

Fans at Friday’s games have the potential to see plenty of goals if the first meetings between these teams are any indication. Three weeks ago, the Lions were in Waterloo, Ont., and won big, with the women posting a 4-0 victory and the men pouring in a season-high nine goals in a 9-3 triumph. The Lions men have not lost to the Golden Hawks since Laurier upset York in the OUA final in 2008, posting a 15-0-5 record since then and winning the last seven match-ups. The women’s teams split their season series last year in a pair of one-goal games that saw the home team win each time.

In addition to their offensive prowess, both Lions squads are also strong defensively. The men lead the OUA West with just five goals allowed and have eight clean sheets in 10 games, while the women are second in the division with six goals allowed.

All eight of those clean sheets came courtesy of Mike Argyrides, who has started all 10 games this season and earned York’s male athlete of the week award for making 14 saves and allowing zero goals in three games last week.

Laurier’s soccer teams have struggled this season and have matching 1-6-3 records. The women recorded their lone win over the University of Windsor Lancers in mid-September and the men picked up their victory against the Western University Mustangs the week prior.

After Friday, the Lions each have three games remaining. They will head to Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., on Sunday to face the Algoma University Thunderbirds before the final weekend of the regular season. They will be in London, Ont., to face the Mustangs on Friday and will host the Lancers on Sunday, Oct. 20 at Alumni Field.

President provides an update on the Markham Centre Campus

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

As you know, York University has been working to develop a path forward for our Markham Centre Campus (MCC) following the withdrawal of provincial capital funding for the project last October. We continue to believe that Markham provides an important opportunity to advance the University’s priorities while bringing innovative academic programming to a diverse, growing and economically vibrant region.

On Tuesday, Oct. 8, a new business plan for the Markham Centre Campus was approved by the York University Board of Governors. This approval allows us to continue to advance the process for the MCC with the Government of Ontario and our partners in the city of Markham and York Region while restarting our collaborative planning around academic programs and governance with colleagues across the University.

This new campus will allow York University to serve the increasing growth needs in York Region by:

  • accommodating the projected dramatic 34-per-cent increase by 2040 in the 18- to 22-year-old population in York Region, the highest growth rate in the province;
  • allowing prospective students in York Region to study closer to home while supporting the enrolment plans of several Faculties and schools;
  • building on York’s already thriving presence in the city of Markham (Innovation York, YSpace, IBM Innovation Space – Markham Convergence Centre) to solidify York’s position as the provider of higher education in York Region, benefiting the University as a whole;
  • providing additional space and facilities to support new programming and faculty complement renewal, while leveraging the surrounding Markham infrastructure; and
  • offering a wide range of degree programming focusing on digital technologies, entrepreneurship, new media and communications in response to the emerging labour market needs of York Region and Ontario.

Planning for the MCC will be incorporated into our broader institutional priorities and objectives, ensuring that we are able to leverage this strategic opportunity while also investing in our Keele and Glendon campuses to fully realize our mission and vision as a leading comprehensive and research-intensive university committed to access, connectedness, excellence and impact.

New College invites York community to 10th anniversary celebration

New College, one of York University’s nine colleges, will celebrate its 10th anniversary on Oct. 10. The special event will include an evening of music, appetizers, and a chance to mix and mingle with faculty, staff, students, alumni and campus partners.

New College was formed in 2009, when York University launched the new Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS), combining the strengths of the former Atkinson Faculty of Liberal & Professional Studies and the Faculty of Arts.

The 10th anniversary event will include staff and faculty from past and present, including:

  • J.J. McMurtry, interim dean of LA&PS;
  • Lucy Fromowitz, vice-provost students;
  • Carol McAulay, vice-president finance and administration;
  • Gary Spraakman, former master of New College;
  • Marie-Helénè Budworth, former master of New College;
  • Christian Marjollet, former head of New College; and
  • Vanessa Pichelli, alumna.

As part of the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, New College serves students in Administrative Studies (BCom), Information Technology (ITEC), Human Resource Management (HRM), and Disaster & Emergency Management (DEM).

This free event is open to all members of the York community. Light refreshments will be provided. To register, visit yorku.ca/newcol/forms/view.php?id=130.

The event takes place from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Harry Crowe Room, 109 Atkinson Building.

On Oct. 23, celebrate Red & White Day and First Generation Day

Red and White day featured image
Red and White Day is Oct. 29

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

On Wednesday, Oct. 23, join students, faculty, staff and alumni as we show our #YUSpirit on Red & White Day.

This event is a chance to celebrate the diversity and excellence of the York community alongside the University’s 60th anniversary.

There are also a number of ways you can get involved in Red & White Day at the Keele and Glendon campuses:

  • wear red and white or York gear;
  • enjoy tasty treats at the food trucks;
  • play games at the indoor carnival;
  • take a great picture and enter the #YUSpirit Photo Contest;
  • save up to 50 per cent off branded merchandise at the Bookstore and the Vari Hall Pop-Up Shop between Oct. 21 and 25;
  • save up to 20 per cent off York Lions wear at the Tait Pride Shop Sale on Oct. 23;
  • find the free giveaways and student club tabling; and
  • attend the Campus & Alumni Donor Breakfast.

This year, Red & White Day coincides with First Generation Day, a celebration of the York students, staff, faculty, alumni and supporters who were the first in their family to attend university. York is now home to more than 12,000 of these students, and it is important that we continue to discuss how to provide the resources, mentorship and support that will allow first-generation students to thrive.

For a full schedule of events and details, please visit the Red & White Day website and the First Generation Day website.

Le mercredi 23 octobre, joignez-vous aux étudiantes et étudiants, membres du corps professoral et du personnel, anciens et anciennes pour afficher notre esprit #YUSpirit lors du jour Rouge et blanc.

Le jour Rouge et Blanc est une occasion de célébrer la diversité et l’excellence de la communauté York, mais aussi de fêter, cette année, le soixantième anniversaire de l’Université York.

Vous pouvez manifester votre esprit #YUSpirit de multiples façons sur les campus Keele et Glendon :

  • En portant des vêtements rouge et blanc ou de la marque York;
  • En savourant la nourriture des camions-restaurants de rue;
  • En participant à des jeux à la fête foraine d’intérieur;
  • En prenant une belle photo pour le concours de photos #YUSpirit;
  • En profitant de rabais allant jusqu’à 50 % sur les articles de la marque York à la librairie et à la boutique éphémère du pavillon Vari entre le 21 et le 25 octobre;
  • En économisant jusqu’à 20 % sur les vêtements de sport York Lions lors lors des soldes du Tait Pride Shop le 23 octobre;
  • En trouvant des articles gratuits et les tables des clubs étudiants;
  • En assistant au déjeuner des anciens étudiants et donateurs de York.

Cette année, le jour Rouge et blanc coïncide avec la journée Première génération, une célébration des étudiants, membres du personnel et du corps professoral, anciens étudiants et donateurs de York qui étaient les premiers à faire des études universitaires dans leur famille. York accueille actuellement 12 000 étudiants de première génération et il est important de continuer à parler des moyes d’offrir les ressources, le mentorat et le soutien nécessaires pour permettre aux étudiants de première génération de prospérer.

Rendez-vous sur les sites Web du Jour Rouge et Blanc et de la Journée Première génération pour plus de détails sur toutes les activités.

Save the date: Take Our Kids to Work Day returns to York University, Nov. 6

Take Our Kids To Work Day 2018

York University is participating in the annual Take Our Kids to Work Day program, a day when Grade 9 students accompany a parent, guardian or relative to work to observe the daily activities of the employee. The program was initiated by the Learning Partnership in 1994. This year’s program will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 6 in the Second Student Centre on York’s Keele Campus and in Room B108, York Hall on the Glendon Campus.

The Take Our Kids to Work Day program at York University is open to University staff and faculty members.

Why is it important to support the Take Our Kids to Work Day program?         

  • Take Our Kids to Work helps to bridge that gap with the common purpose of providing young people with the skills and abilities they’ll need in the future.
  • Take Our Kids to Work allows employers to explain to students the skills that are most important in the workplace – communication, team work, time management, self-regulation and more, so that they will be more prepared as incoming employees.
  • The program gives employers a chance to promote their industry and the professionals within it so that they can attract future specialists for their fields.

In addition to Grade 9 students shadowing their parent or guardian at work, the University is offering the following optional activities:

  • a Keele Campus tour starting at 9:30 a.m. that will begin and end at the Tait Gymnasium on the Keele Campus;
  • a Glendon Campus tour starting at 9:45 a.m. that will begin and end at York Hall on the Glendon Campus;
  • a complimentary lunch that will be served from noon to 1 p.m. in the Convention Centre in the Second Student Centre (Keele Campus);
  • a Discover Glendon presentation in Room A224, York Hall at the Glendon Campus, which will be followed by lunch in the Glendon Dining Hall; and
  • students on the Keele and Glendon campuses accompanying their parent or guardian to work starting at 1 p.m.

If participating in the information session and tour, parents and guardians are expected to drop students off at the Tait Gymnasium, Keele Campus between 8 and 8:30 a.m. and York Hall, Glendon Campus between 9:30 and 9:45 a.m. Parents and guardians are expected to rejoin the students for lunch at noon and remain with them thereafter.

Note:

  • If students are participating in the above activities, parents and guardians are responsible for co-ordinating drop-off and pick-up from the activities (i.e. students are not to tour or roam between activities without adult supervision).
  • Students will not be permitted to leave the lunch area without a parent or guardian.

To register for the Take Our Kids to Work Day program and the optional information session, the following is required:

Health and safety

There are some areas of the campus, such as workshops and science labs, where operational risk factors may make it challenging to accommodate a Grade 9 student. If you work in this type of environment, organizers will try to find an alternate supervised University worksite. To arrange an alternate worksite, contact Farah Rafiq, Human Resources, at ext. 66220 or frafiq@yorku.ca.

All employees bringing students to participate in the Take Our Kids to Work Day program are reminded that the safety rules of the workplace apply to the students and, accordingly, each student should be instructed and supervised by their respective employee.