Tag: VP Finance and Administration

Internal YFile sub-tag

President announces appointment of a new vice-president finance & administration

Vari pond

York University President and Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri issues the following announcement:

I am very pleased to announce that the Board of Governors has approved the appointment of York University’s next Vice-President Finance and Administration. Following a national search, and upon the recommendation of a six-member selection committee, Carol McAulay has been appointed Vice-President Finance and Administration for a five-year term, commencing October 30, 2017.

Carol McAulay
Carol McAulay

Carol McAulay is an experienced university executive with a reputation for aligning resources and activities with strategic direction, delivering results and building responsive administrative organizations to support the institution’s academic mission. She currently serves as the Vice-President Administration at Laurentian University, a role she has held since 2011. In this role, she is responsible for the areas of finance, human resources, equity and diversity, safety and security, information technology, campus services and business operations. In addition, she has had the executive responsibility for the development of the new McEwen School of Architecture, located in Sudbury’s downtown, and for the first major modernization of the Laurentian campus since it was founded in the 1960s.

Previously, she was the Associate Director of Education for the Simcoe County District School Board, where she oversaw administrative functions for the Board including finance, facilities, human resources and information technology. Prior to that, she served as Assistant Superintendent of Business for the St. Clair Catholic District School Board, where she was responsible for system planning, financial services, facility services and human resources.

A former Chair of the Board of Governors of the University of Western Ontario, Carol previously served as President of the University of Guelph Central Student Association and as Treasurer of the Ontario Federation of Students. She holds a Bachelor of Science (Agriculture) degree from the University of Guelph, a Master’s of Catholic Thought from St. Jerome’s University, University of Waterloo, and is a Chartered Accountant (CPA, CA), Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario.

Trudy Pound-Curtis will serve as Interim Vice-President Finance and Administration until October 29, 2017. We appreciate Trudy’s willingness to undertake this important interim leadership role.

We look forward to welcoming Carol to York University, and to her leadership as the Vice-President Finance and Administration in strengthening and building on the success of the University and the broader community we serve. I know she will enjoy the support of colleagues across the University in working collaboratively to advance our strategic priorities and to champion York’s academic mission, vision and values.

 

Debbie Hansen named Executive Director, Community Support & Services

Debbie Hansen
Debbie Hansen

Vice-President Academic and Provost Rhonda Lenton, and Trudy Pound-Curtis, interim vice-president finance and administration, issue the following announcement:

We are pleased to announce that Debbie L. Hansen has been named the Executive Director, Community Support & Services at York University.

Debbie Hansen

Debbie’s new portfolio brings together the Office of Student Community Relations and the Centre for Sexual Violence Response, Support and Education. This step underscores York University’s commitment to creating an environment where all people feel welcome, valued and safe and to providing the services, programs and resources that will ensure our entire community – staff, faculty and students – is supported and empowered.

Debbie brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to this new role, as well as a strong passion for justice, a deep understanding and commitment to the York community and to student success. Debbie has professional training and expertise in mediation, labour relations, collective bargaining and alternate dispute resolution, and extensive experience in violence threat risk assessment, sexual violence prevention and response, and human and financial resources management. Previously, Debbie was the Director of Client Services in the Division of Students and has served in key positions such as Director of Non-Academic Employee Relations, Associate Registrar and Acting Director in the Office of Student Affairs, with service spanning more than 35 years at York.

Office of Student Community Relations
The Office of Student Community Relations (OSCR) supports students impacted by critical incidents, facing personal crises or multiple complex issues. The Office’s mandate is to provide advice, referrals, training, alternate dispute resolution methods, judicial processes (local adjudication, tribunals), critical incident support and student leadership opportunities. Under Debbie’s direction, OSCR implemented a strengthened Code of Student Rights & Responsibilities, guided the formation of the Students of Concern Committee (SoCC), provided critical incident and support services during crisis situations on and off campus, developed a student peer support network, and was integral to the development of the Sexual Violence Response Policy and the Sexual Violence Response Office (SVRO), designated as the first point of contact for those who have experienced sexual violence.

Centre for Sexual Violence, Response, Support, and Education
The Centre for Sexual Violence, Response & Education, now incorporating the SVRO, has been created to coordinate supports and resources for all members of the community who have experienced sexual violence; to receive disclosures and complaints; facilitate safety planning; and, assist survivors through the complaint process. The Centre reaffirms the University’s longstanding commitment to foster a culture where attitudes and behaviours that perpetuate sexual violence are rejected, survivors are supported, and those who are found to have committed sexual violence are held accountable. The Centre will handle all matters relating to care and support, advocacy and navigation, governance and policy, and education and training to address sexual violence and to support the University’s ongoing commitment to be proactive in our initiatives and communications.

Further plans regarding the Centre are forthcoming.

Please join us in congratulating Debbie on her new role.

Sincerely,

Rhonda L. Lenton, vice-president academic & provost
Trudy Pound-Curtis, interim vice-president finance & administration

York University moving away from Lotus Notes to Microsoft Office 365

Keyboard

Beginning in June 2017, York faculty and staff will begin to transition away from Lotus Notes to Microsoft Office 365.

This change is the culmination of work which began in late 2015. Recognizing the broad community desire for change in email and calendaring platforms, a review of alternatives was done by a group of University academic and administrative community members. Informed by a community survey, the experience of other universities and functional assessment, the group concluded that Microsoft Office 365 was the best fit for the University’s needs.

The Office 365 platform addresses important criteria identified by the community: a broad set of features, ease of use, highly functional and reliable access from mobile devices, robust security, and greater storage (100 GB). The platform also provides the University with the potential to leverage a large number of collaborative tools that are available as part of the Office 365 suite.

The transition to MS Office 365 will be done in stages starting in June and continuing through the summer. More details about the transition timetable and other aspects of this project will be communicated on a regular basis through YFile, yu link and a website to be released shortly.

For more information, contact the implementation team at o365@yorku.ca.

Consultations on the Department of Community Safety’s Strategic Plan start Jan. 27

Everyone has a role to play in ensuring that York University is an inclusive and safe place to study, live, work and visit. In keeping with its community-centred approach to safety, the Department of Community Safety is asking York community members to help shape its multi-year strategic plan.

Community Safety consolidated Security Services, goSAFE, Emergency Preparedness and Safety Initiatives into one department to increase the profile of safety and to take a more coordinated, collaborative and intersectional approach.

The department is inviting students, staff and faculty members to participate in upcoming Open Forums to share ideas for improving both the social and physical aspects of safety on York University campuses:

  • Friday, Jan.27, from 12 to 2pm, 280N York Lanes, Keele campus
  • Monday, Feb. 6, from 10am to 12pm, Glendon Hall, BMO Conference Centre, Glendon campus
  • Monday, Feb. 13, from 12 to 2pm, 280N York Lanes, Keele campus

Light refreshments will be served.

In addition, meetings are being held with individual student, faculty and staff groups/organizations for focused discussions about their safety concerns and ideas. To arrange a meeting with a group/organization, contact Susan Seaby, director, community safety program and policy development, at sseaby@yorku.ca or ext. 30323.

Community members also have the option of providing written input through an anonymous and confidential online form.

Information on the Department of Community Safety’s services and programs, and on the strategic plan consultations, is available at yorku.ca/safety.

Ransomware: The menace of today’s digital age

Keyboard image
Keyboard image

Ransomware is malware that infects a computer, encrypts the files to make them inaccessible, and then asks for ransom in exchange for the key that unlocks the encrypted files. In 2016, two Canadian higher education institutions, the University of Calgary and Carlton University, fell victim to a ransomware attacks. The attacks severely impacted the academic and administrative operations of both institutions for several days.

York University has experienced similar ransomware attacks over the past two years. In most cases, the University’s backup system successfully restored critical data and minimized the disruptions to operations. York University has never been forced to pay any ransom. Nevertheless, the frequency of attacks is increasing.

York University’s University Information Technology (UIT) has deployed a number of security technologies to mitigate these attacks. These proactive technologies, such as an email filtering system, anti-malware technology, and network-based prevention systems, protect against ransomware, but more is required. Vigilance on the part of University community members is also important in preventing ransomware and includes the following:

  • Do not click on links or open attachments in unsolicited email from people or groups you do not recognize.
  • Keep your anti-virus software up to date and enabled; York provides Trend Micro AV to all staff, faculty, and students at the University.
  • Keep your computer up to date, including key software such as your web browser, Adobe Reader, Adobe Flash, Microsoft Silverlight or Java.
  • Use York network shared drives, or something similar that has a regular backup, to store important information, and ensure this information is stored not just on your local computer.
  • If you or your department maintain servers, it is important to ensure these servers are up to date from operating system and application layer perspectives.
  • If you suspect your computer is being attacked, shut down your computer immediately and contact your information technology support.

Additional help, resources, and updates:

For questions or concerns, contact UIT Client Services by email askit@yorku.ca or visit https://askit.yorku.ca.

York University Board of Governors approves new Sexual Violence Policy

Vari Hall as seen during the early evening

The following is a special message from Vice-President Academic and Provost Rhonda Lenton and Vice-President Finance and Administration Gary Brewer to the York University community:

At a special meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 14, the York University Board of Governors approved York’s new Sexual Violence Policy. The policy confirms the University’s longstanding commitment to foster a culture where attitudes and behaviors that perpetuate sexual violence are rejected, survivors are supported, and those who are found to have committed sexual violence are held accountable. Through this new policy, York commits to working collaboratively with our community to build effective training and education programs to address sexual violence and rape culture.

This policy, through its “Commitment and Statement of Principles,” recognizes the intersectional experiences of survivors and the barriers they face.  We are determined to break down those barriers wherever possible and we are committed to providing survivor-centric supports and services.

The policy is the culmination of many months of work undertaken by our Sexual Violence Policy Working Group. In the last several weeks, more than 35 consultations have been undertaken, with close to 600 members of our community participating, the vast majority of whom were our students. With candor and insights, members of our community helped to guide and shape the final document approved by the Board. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Working Group and all those members of our community who participated in this important process.

We also wish to acknowledge the leadership of the Province of Ontario for bringing sexual violence to the forefront of their agenda by requiring all post-secondary institutions to address this issue and to work collaboratively with their student communities to strengthen supports and procedures for survivors of sexual violence.

As a university community, we know that sexual violence is prevalent in society. We also recognize the important role that we and other universities and colleges can and must play in ensuring that sexual violence is understood by all members of our society as unacceptable.

The approval of York’s Sexual Violence Policy is an important milestone for our community. In January, the University will be providing the community with more information about how we intend to implement the policy along with key institutional commitments stemming from our community consultations.

For more information about York’s new policy, visit http://sexual-violence-response.info.yorku.ca/policy/.

Sincerely,

Rhonda Lenton
Vice-President Academic and Provost 

Gary Brewer
Vice-President Finance and Administration

Reminder: Register soon for open forums on IIRP reports and recommendations

The Academic Policy, Planning and Research Committee (APPRC) is sponsoring a series of forums on the reports and recommendations of Institutional Integrated Resource Plan (IIRP) working groups. The forums are open to the University community. Faculty, staff and students are invited to attend and participate in these important discussions.

The events will be held on both the Glendon and Keele campuses and everyone is welcome to attend more than one forum.  The schedule is as follows:

  • Thursday, Oct. 20, from 9am to 12pm at the Glendon campus, BMO SkyRoom, 3rd Floor, Centre of Excellence.
  • Tuesday, Oct. 25, from 9am to 12pm at the Keele campus, 519 Kaneff Tower and adjacent areas.
  • Wednesday, Oct. 26, from 9am to 12pm at the Keele campus, Founders Assembly Hall, 152 Founders College.

The forums will begin with remarks by Vice President Academic and Provost Rhonda Lenton and Vice-President Finance and Administration Gary Brewer.

These events offer opportunities for timely, in-depth explorations of academic planning opportunities pivoting around IIRP initiatives that are designed to advance University Academic Plan 2015-2020 objectives. Each forum will feature two break-out sessions led by members of the Academic Policy, Planning and Research Committee and representatives of the working groups.

Participants should prepare by reading the reports prepared by the IIRP working groups.

For more details, to access the working group documents and to complete an RSVP for one or more forums, follow this link http://bit.ly/2dRsgTt.

A link to the forums website is also found on the APPRC pages under “Related Resources.”

For additional information, contact Robert Everett of the University Secretariat, by email to beverett@yorku.ca.

Reminder: Register soon for open forums on IIRP reports and recommendations

The Academic Policy, Planning and Research Committee (APPRC) is sponsoring a series of forums on the reports and recommendations of Institutional Integrated Resource Plan (IIRP) working groups. The forums are open to the University community. Faculty, staff and students are invited to attend and participate in these important discussions.

The events will be held on both the Glendon and Keele campuses and everyone is welcome to attend more than one forum.  The schedule is as follows:

  • Thursday, Oct. 20, from 9am to 12pm at the Glendon campus, BMO SkyRoom, 3rd Floor, Centre of Excellence.
  • Tuesday, Oct. 25, from 9am to 12pm at the Keele campus, 519 Kaneff Tower and adjacent areas.
  • Wednesday, Oct. 26, from 9am to 12pm at the Keele campus, Founders Assembly Hall, 152 Founders College.

The forums will begin with remarks by Vice President Academic and Provost Rhonda Lenton and Vice-President Finance and Administration Gary Brewer.

These events offer opportunities for timely, in-depth explorations of academic planning opportunities pivoting around IIRP initiatives that are designed to advance University Academic Plan 2015-2020 objectives. Each forum will feature two break-out sessions led by members of the Academic Policy, Planning and Research Committee and representatives of the working groups.

Participants should prepare by reading the reports prepared by the IIRP working groups.

For more details, to access the working group documents and to complete an RSVP for one or more forums, follow this link http://bit.ly/2dRsgTt.

A link to the forums website is also found on the APPRC pages under “Related Resources.”

For additional information, contact Robert Everett of the University Secretariat, by email to beverett@yorku.ca.

Reminder: Register soon for open forums on IIRP reports and recommendations

The Academic Policy, Planning and Research Committee (APPRC) is sponsoring a series of forums on the reports and recommendations of Institutional Integrated Resource Plan (IIRP) working groups. The forums are open to the University community. Faculty, staff and students are invited to attend and participate in these important discussions.

The events will be held on both the Glendon and Keele campuses and everyone is welcome to attend more than one forum.  The schedule is as follows:

  • Thursday, Oct. 20, from 9am to 12pm at the Glendon campus, BMO SkyRoom, 3rd Floor, Centre of Excellence.
  • Tuesday, Oct. 25, from 9am to 12pm at the Keele campus, 519 Kaneff Tower and adjacent areas.
  • Wednesday, Oct. 26, from 9am to 12pm at the Keele campus, Founders Assembly Hall, 152 Founders College.

The forums will begin with remarks by Vice President Academic and Provost Rhonda Lenton and Vice-President Finance and Administration Gary Brewer.

These events offer opportunities for timely, in-depth explorations of academic planning opportunities pivoting around IIRP initiatives that are designed to advance University Academic Plan 2015-2020 objectives. Each forum will feature two break-out sessions led by members of the Academic Policy, Planning and Research Committee and representatives of the working groups.

Participants should prepare by reading the reports prepared by the IIRP working groups.

For more details, to access the working group documents and to complete an RSVP for one or more forums, follow this link http://bit.ly/2dRsgTt.

A link to the forums website is also found on the APPRC pages under “Related Resources.”

For additional information, contact Robert Everett of the University Secretariat, by email to beverett@yorku.ca.

Open forums planned to discuss IIRP reports and recommendations

Vari Hall in the sunshine
Vari Hall in the sunshine

The Academic Policy, Planning and Research Committee (APPRC) is sponsoring a series of forums on the reports and recommendations of Institutional Integrated Resource Plan (IIRP) working groups. The forums are open to the University community. Faculty, staff and students are invited to attend and participate in these important discussions.

The events will be held on both the Glendon and Keele campuses and everyone is welcome to attend more than one forum.  The schedule is as follows:

  • Thursday, Oct. 20, from 9am to 12pm at the Glendon campus, BMO SkyRoom, 3rd Floor, Centre of Excellence.
  • Tuesday, Oct. 25, from 9am to 12pm at the Keele campus, 519 Kaneff Tower and adjacent areas.
  • Wednesday, Oct. 26, from 9am to 12pm at the Keele campus, Founders Assembly Hall, 152 Founders College.

The forums will begin with remarks by Vice President Academic and Provost Rhonda Lenton and Vice-President Finance and Administration Gary Brewer.

These events offer opportunities for timely, in-depth explorations of academic planning opportunities pivoting around IIRP initiatives that are designed to advance University Academic Plan 2015-2020 objectives. Each forum will feature two break-out sessions led by members of the Academic Policy, Planning and Research Committee and representatives of the working groups.

Participants should prepare by reading the reports prepared by the IIRP working groups.

For more details, to access the working group documents and to complete an RSVP for one or more forums, follow this link http://bit.ly/2dRsgTt.

A link to the forums website is also found on the APPRC pages under “Related Resources.”

For additional information, contact Robert Everett of the University Secretariat, by email to beverett@yorku.ca.