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Call for nominations: York University’s Top 30 Changemakers Under 30

Graduates in their caps and gowns at convocation

At home and abroad, York University’s young alumni are making positive, impactful change. From business leaders championing equity, diversity and inclusion to social impact researchers and environmental activists, York alumni working across all sectors are making meaningful differences in their communities.

York University’s Top 30 Changemakers Under 30 program aims to recognize inspiring and diverse alumni aged 29 and younger who are driven to make a difference locally and globally. With previous recipients pursuing careers in science and technology, anti-Black racism in Canada and disability rights, we are honoured to recognize and engage these changemakers and highlight the inspiring work they’re doing.

To nominate a York grad, tell us how the candidate demonstrates a commitment to creating positive change through their actions and values for York students, the wider community and the world around them.

Eligibility criteria: Any York graduate who will be 29 years of age or younger on Dec. 31, 2022. Candidates can self-nominate or be nominated by their peers using this nomination form.

The deadline to submit a nomination is Oct. 18. The Top 30 Changemakers Under 30 will be announced in winter 2022.

For more information about how to nominate an outstanding alum, visit yorku.ca/alumniandfriends/top30-nominations or contact Nicole Light, senior alumni engagement officer, at nlight@yorku.ca.

A message from York’s president: Welcome to the 2021-22 academic year

Keele Campus Fall image of Stong Pond FEATURED for new YFile

York University President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton offers a warm welcome to new and returning students, faculty and staff. University community members are returning to campus this week following 18 months away due to the pandemic.

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

La version française suit la version anglaise.

Dear York community,

A very warm welcome to the 2021–22 academic year!

While I know that we still face challenges ahead, I am grateful that we are able to be safely reopening our campuses and resuming many of the activities that we have missed over the past 18 months – from in-person classes to extracurricular activities to just getting together to chat.

Throughout the pandemic, the health and well-being of our students, faculty, course directors, researchers and staff have always remained our highest priority. Those of you returning to our campuses this fall will likely notice that we have instituted multiple layers of pandemic defence that together create a stronger and more resilient protection against COVID-19, including: 

  • upgraded air filtration and ventilation systems running 24-7 to improve airflow; 
  • mask and face covering requirements for all indoor spaces; 
  • newly installed plexiglass barriers, especially in high-traffic locations; 
  • new contactless hand-sanitization stations; 
  • clear signage regarding COVID-19 safety measures;  
  • required daily screening and case management with the YU Screen tool;
  • reduced overall numbers on our campuses; and
  • capped numbers of students in classrooms and other teaching spaces.

Additionally, and most importantly, the University is requiring all individuals coming onto our campuses this fall to be vaccinated against COVID-19, subject to a limited set of exemptions that would permit regular COVID-19 testing as an alternative on the basis of medical or other grounds recognized by the Ontario Human Rights Code. 

Our community has rallied over the course of the pandemic – our students, faculty and course instructors expertly pivoted to remote learning; our researchers continued to find impactful solutions to complex problems, including those related to the pandemic; our required service staff played a critical role in keeping our campuses open and completing many important renovations and upgrades to our facilities; our staff continued to deliver high-quality services remotely to our entire community; our administrative team, including a host of pandemic response committees, supported the complex planning underpinning these efforts, and we have worked together to enable a gradual transition back onto our campuses, creating a new way forward informed by all that we have accomplished during this time.


Learn how York is Welcoming YU Back Safely this academic year

There are still remaining uncertainties about what this fall will bring, and how the public health situation here in Ontario may change. I want to assure all of our community members that the University will continue to work closely with Toronto Public Health, the chief medical officer of health, and the Ministry of Colleges and Universities to ensure that we are following all public health guidance, and to keep you updated on any important developments. The most up-to-date University planning information can always be found on our Better Together website.

I want to thank you all again for the innovation, perseverance and professionalism that you have shown over the past year and a half. I wish you all the best for a healthy and successful 2021–22 academic year.

Sincerely,

Rhonda L. Lenton
President and Vice-Chancellor

Bienvenue pour l’année universitaire 2021–2022!

Chers membres de la communauté de York, 

Je vous souhaite une chaleureuse bienvenue pour l’année universitaire 2021–22! 

Je sais que nous avons encore des défis à relever, mais je suis heureuse que nous puissions rouvrir nos campus de façon sécuritaire et reprendre les nombreuses activités qui nous ont manqué au cours des dix-huit derniers mois, qu’il s’agisse de cours en présentiel, d’activités para-universitaires ou de simples rencontres pour discuter.   

Tout au long de la pandémie, la santé et la sécurité de nos étudiants, de notre personnel, de nos chargés de cours et du corps professoral ont été notre priorité absolue. Ceux et celles qui reviennent sur nos campus cet automne remarqueront probablement que nous avons mis en place plusieurs niveaux de défense contre la pandémie qui, combinés, renforcent notre protection contre la COVID-19, notamment :  

  • Systèmes d’aération de qualité hospitalière fonctionnant en tout temps pour améliorer la circulation de l’air;  
  • Obligation de port de masque et de couvre-visage dans tous les lieux intérieurs; 
  • Nouvelles barrières en plexiglas installées dans les endroits très fréquentés; 
  • Nouveaux postes de désinfection sans contact; 
  • Nouvelle signalétique sur les mesures de sécurité contre la COVID-19;  
  • Exigence quotidienne de dépistage et de gestion des cas avec l’Outil YU Dépistage; 
  • Effectifs étudiants réduits sur nos campus; et 
  • Effectifs étudiants limités dans les salles de classe et autres espaces d’enseignement.

De plus, et surtout, l’Université exige que toutes les personnes fréquentant nos campus cet automne soient vaccinées contre la COVID-19, sous réserve d’un nombre limité d’exemptions permettant des tests de dépistage réguliers à la place pour des raisons médicales ou autres reconnues par le Code des droits de la personne de l’Ontario.

Notre communauté s’est mobilisée tout au long de la pandémie : la population étudiante, le corps professoral et le corps enseignant ont adopté l’apprentissage à distance; nos chercheurs ont continué à trouver des solutions efficaces à des problèmes complexes, y compris ceux liés à la pandémie; le personnel de soutien a joué un rôle crucial pour garder nos campus ouverts et pour effectuer des rénovations majeures de nos installations; les membres du personnel ont offert à distance des services de grande qualité à l’ensemble de notre communauté; notre équipe administrative — y compris plusieurs comités de réponse à la pandémie, — a appuyé la planification complexe qui appuyait ces efforts. Nous avons travaillé tous ensemble pour assurer un retour graduel sur nos campus, créant ainsi une nouvelle voie vers l’avant nourrie de tout ce que nous avons accompli durant cette période.  


Découvrez comment l’Université York vous accueille sécuritairement cette année[/

Il reste beaucoup d’incertitudes sur ce que l’automne nous réserve et sur la façon dont la situation sanitaire en Ontario peut évoluer. Je tiens à assurer tous les membres de notre communauté que l’Université continuera de travailler en étroite collaboration avec le Bureau de santé publique de Toronto, le médecin hygiéniste en chef et le ministère des Collèges et Universités pour assurer le respect des directives de santé publique et que nous continuerons à vous tenir au courant de tout développement important. Vous pouvez trouver les informations les plus récentes en matière de planification universitaire sur notre site Better Together.  

Je tiens à vous remercier une fois de plus pour l’innovation, la persévérance et le professionnalisme dont vous avez fait preuve au cours de la dernière année et demie. Je vous adresse mes vœux de santé et de succès pour l’année universitaire 2021-22.  

Sincères salutations,

Rhonda Lenton,
présidente et vice-chancelière 

Data science is booming. So where are the women? Click here for more York U in the news

York University alumna Kishawna Peck was profiled in the Globe and Mail Sept. 8. Read full story.

Choppy waters: Ontario canoe maker posts jobs only for ‘unvaccinated individuals’
Schulich School of Business Professor Yuval Deutsch was quoted in the Financial Post Sept. 7. Read full story.

Canada federal election 2021: ‘The Conservative Party is in a state of confusion’ but still winning voters over, expert says
York University Professor Greg Albo was quoted in Yahoo! News Sept. 7. Read full story.

Sony Music Korea appoints new managing director Bobby Ju
York University alumna Elin Her was mentioned in Variety Sept. 7. Read full story.

Meet the Seattle Kraken: defenseman Mark Giordano
York University was mentioned on TheHockeyWriters.com Sept. 7. Read full story.

Religious Accommodation Guidelines for the 2021-22 academic year

Vari Hall Sunny Day with fountain in foreground FEATURED image

The following is a message to the University community from Provost and Vice-President Academic Lisa Philipps and Vice-President Equity, People & Culture Sheila Cote-Meek:

La version française suit la version anglaise.

Dear colleagues,

Academic accommodation for Students’ Religious Observances (Policy, Guidelines and Procedures) can be found at the York Secretariat Policies website.

The policy addresses York’s commitment to sustaining an inclusive, equitable community in which all members are treated with respect and dignity and outlines the following guidelines/principles:

Guidelines/principles

  1. All students are expected to satisfy the essential learning outcomes of courses. Accommodations shall be consistent with, support and preserve the academic integrity of the curriculum and the academic standards of courses and programs.
  2. The University provides reasonable and appropriate accommodation for students whose religion or spiritual beliefs requires them to be absent from the University for the observance of recognized religious days of significance.
  3. A list of Commonly Observed Dates of Religious Significance are compiled concurrently with the establishment of the Sessional Dates for the upcoming academic year and disseminated to assist instructors in course planning.
  4. Normally the form of accommodation will be alternative dates for final examinations, and adjustment of dates for term work, mid-term examinations or other course components.
  5. The Registrar’s Office takes into consideration the dates of religious significance in its establishment of the final examination schedule.
  6. Documentation from faith leaders is not required to support requests for accommodation.

To assist you, we provide the following list of Commonly Observed Dates of Religious Significance. It is meant as a guide to religious accommodations. This is not a comprehensive list of all holy days of observance and the absence of other dates on this list should not be interpreted to mean that accommodation will not be provided to students who observe the additional holy days associated with their faith or spiritual beliefs.

The guide has been compiled in consultation with York’s student Interfaith Council to ensure it is inclusive for York’s student body. You can also consult the Interfaith Calendar (not maintained by York).

Event planners and faculty members are encouraged to take these days into consideration when scheduling events.

Additional information for students, faculty and staff on religious accommodation can be found on the Centre for Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion website.

You can also read more information on statutory dates in the academic year.

Sincerely,

Lisa Philipps 
Provost & Vice-President Academic   

Sheila Cote-Meek
Vice President Equity, People & Culture

Directives pour les adaptations religieuses : Année universitaire 2021-2022

Chers collègues, chères collègues,

La politique Academic Accommodation for Students’ Religious Observances (Policy, Guidelines and Procedures) relative aux adaptations académiques liées aux pratiques religieuses de la communauté étudiante peut être consultée sur le site Web des Politiques du Secrétariat de l’Université York.

Cette politique reflète l’engagement de York de favoriser une communauté inclusive et équitable dans laquelle tous les membres sont traités avec respect et dignité. Elle énonce les lignes directrices et principes suivants :

Principes et lignes directrices

  1. Il est attendu des étudiants et étudiantes qu’ils et elles satisfassent aux objectifs d’apprentissage essentiels des cours. Les adaptations fournies doivent respecter, appuyer et préserver l’intégrité académique du programme d’études et les normes académiques des cours et des programmes.
  2. L’Université fournit des adaptations raisonnables et appropriées aux étudiants et étudiantes dont la religion ou les croyances spirituelles requièrent qu’ils et elles s’absentent de l’Université pour l’observance de jours religieux reconnus comme étant importants.
  3. Le guide Commonly Observed Dates of Religious Significance est préparé en même temps que les dates de la session à venir et est distribué aux membres du corps enseignant pour les aider à bien planifier leurs cours.
  4. Normalement, ces adaptations consistent en l’ajustement de dates d’examens finaux et de travaux durant la session, d’examens de mi-session ou d’autres éléments du cours.
  5. Le Bureau du registraire prend en compte les dates liées à des pratiques religieuses lors de l’établissement du calendrier des examens finaux.
  6. Aucune documentation de la part de chefs religieux n’est requise pour appuyer ces demandes d’adaptation.

Vous pouvez consulter le guide Commonly Observed Dates of Religious Significance ici. Veuillez noter que ce guide n’est pas une liste exhaustive de tous les jours saints; l’absence de certaines dates sur cette liste ne doit pas être interprétée comme signifiant que des adaptations ne seront pas fournies aux étudiants et étudiantes qui observent d’autres jours saints associés à leur foi ou à leurs croyances spirituelles.

Le guide a été compilé en concertation avec le Conseil interconfessionnel des étudiants de York afin d’assurer son caractère inclusif pour toute la communauté étudiante de York. Vous pouvez également consulter ce calendrier interconfessionnel (non géré par York).

Nous invitons les organisateurs d’événements et les membres du corps professoral à tenir compte de ces dates lors de l’organisation d’événements.

Vous trouverez des informations supplémentaires pour la communauté étudiante, le corps professoral et le personnel relativement aux adaptations religieuses sur le site Web du Centre des droits de la personne, de l’équité et de l’inclusion.

Cette liste de jours fériés publics en 2021-2022 peut également vous être utile.

Sincères salutations,

Lisa Philipps 
Rectrice et vice-présidente aux affaires académiques   

Sheila Cote-Meek 
Vice-présidente de l’équité, des personnes et de la culture

Poonam Puri

Poonam Puri
Poonam Puri

Osgoode Hall Law School Professor Poonam Puri will speak about how women can best navigate their legal careers at the Women in Law Leadership Forum, Sept. 9

University community members can now upload proof of vaccination to YU Screen

Vari Hall Sunny Day with fountain in foreground FEATURED image

All York community members who plan to attend campuses this fall are required to submit proof of vaccination with a Health Canada- or World Health Organization-approved vaccine. Proof of vaccination can now be uploaded to YU Screen.

The following is an important return-to-campus message for members of the York University community. This message is from Parissa Safai, special advisor to the president for academic continuity planning and COVID-19 response:  

La version française suit la version anglaise. 

Dear York community, 

Vaccination is one of the most important ways to protect individuals and the York community against COVID-19. As of Sept. 7, you will be able to start uploading your proof of vaccination using YU Screen, following the tips outlined below.  

All York community members who plan to attend campuses this fall are required to submit proof of vaccination with a Health Canada- or World Health Organization-approved vaccine. Full details on the list of accepted vaccines, timelines for vaccination, testing requirements and locations can be found on the Better Together website.

Those who have been vaccinated in Ontario can generate and download their vaccine receipts here. Anyone arriving from out of province must provide proof of vaccination in that province and those arriving to Canada from international destinations must provide proof of vaccination in English or French, and if this isn’t available, must work with a certified translator to translate their vaccination record into either language.

Key dates 

  • If you have already been fully vaccinated with a Health Canada- or World Health Organization-approved vaccine, submit your proof today or as soon as you are able. 
  • If you have an approved exemption, you will need to upload your completed exemption form. 
  • Between Sept. 7 and Oct. 18, if you are unvaccinated, partially vaccinated or have an approved exemption, please read these FAQs for details on what is required to access York’s campuses. 
  • Proof of vaccination must be uploaded to the YU Screen tool by Oct. 18 to continue accessing York’s campuses from Oct. 19 onward.

Tips for uploading proof of vaccination

  • YU Screen can be accessed from the Better Together website via the web, smartphone, computer or a tablet. 
  • Have your Passport York login information handy to access the tool.
  • As soon as you click on the YU Screen link, you will see a landing page where you can log in with your Passport York username and password.
  • Once you have logged in, under Start Screening, select Vaccination Record. 
  • You will then be asked a series of questions to identify your vaccination status and you must upload proof to register your status. 
  • Details on what to do if you are unvaccinated, partially vaccinated or fully vaccinated as of today’s date are available here. 

While the Campus Access System will be available as needed should restrictions tighten again, community members are no longer required to use this to request access to campus. Everyone is still encouraged to come to campus only for scheduled activities and must continue using YU Screen daily before coming to York’s campuses to self-screen for symptoms of COVID-19.

Thank you for continuing to keep our campuses safe this year. For regular updates on York’s safe return to campus, please continue to visit the Better Together website.  

Sincerely,  

Parissa Safai  
Special Advisor to the President for Academic Continuity Planning & COVID-19 Response

Téléchargez votre preuve de vaccination dans YU Dépistage

Chers membres de la communauté de York,  

La vaccination est l’un des moyens primordiaux pour protéger les individus et la communauté de York contre la COVID-19. À partir d’aujourd’hui, vous pourrez commencer à télécharger votre preuve de vaccination dans l’outil YU Dépistage en suivant les conseils ci-dessous.   

Tous les membres de la communauté de York qui prévoient fréquenter les campus cet automne doivent soumettre une preuve de vaccination avec un vaccin approuvé par Santé Canada ou l’Organisation mondiale de la santé. Vous trouverez sur le site Better Together tous les détails sur la liste des vaccins acceptés, les échéances de vaccination, les exigences en matière de dépistage et les emplacements des centres de tests.  

Les personnes qui ont été vaccinées en Ontario peuvent générer et télécharger leurs reçus de vaccination ici. Les personnes arrivant de l’extérieur de la province doivent fournir une preuve de vaccination fournie dans cette province; les personnes arrivant au Canada en provenance de destinations internationales doivent fournir une preuve de vaccination en anglais ou en français. Si cette preuve n’est pas disponible, elles doivent demander à des traducteurs agréés de traduire leur carnet de vaccination dans l’une de ces langues. 

Dates importantes 

  • Si vous avez déjà été entièrement vacciné avec un vaccin approuvé par Santé Canada ou l’Organisation mondiale de la santé, veuillez soumettre votre preuve aujourd’hui ou dès que possible. 
  • Si vous avez une exemption approuvée, vous devrez également télécharger votre formulaire d’exemption dûment rempli. 
  • Entre le 7 septembre et le 18 octobre, si vous n’êtes pas vacciné, si vous êtes partiellement vacciné ou si vous avez une exemption approuvée, veuillez consulter la FAQ pour savoir ce qu’il faut faire pour accéder aux campus de York. 
  • La preuve de vaccination doit être téléchargée sur l’outil YU Dépistage avant le 18 octobre pour pouvoir continuer à accéder aux campus de York après le 19 octobre.  

Conseils pour télécharger la preuve de vaccination 

  • YU Dépistage est accessible à partir du site Web Better Together avec un téléphone intelligent, un ordinateur ou une tablette.   
  • Ayez vos identifiants Passport York à portée de la main pour accéder à l’outil. 
  • Dès que vous cliquez sur le lien YU Dépistage, vous voyez :  
    • Une page d’accueil sur laquelle vous pouvez ouvrir une session avec votre compte Passport York. 
    • Une fois la session ouverte, cliquez sur « Commencer le dépistage » et sélectionnez « Reçu de vaccination ». 
    • Une série de questions vous sera posée pour déterminer votre statut vaccinal et vous devrez télécharger une preuve pour entrer votre statut. 
    • Vous trouverez ici les détails sur ce qu’il faut faire si vous n’êtes pas vacciné et si vous êtes partiellement ou totalement vacciné en date d’aujourd’hui.  

Le système Campus Access sera disponible en cas de besoin si les restrictions sont à nouveau renforcées, mais les membres de la communauté ne sont plus tenus de l’utiliser pour demander accès au campus. Cependant, tout le monde est toujours encouragé à ne venir sur le campus que pour des activités prévues et doit continuer à utiliser YU Dépistage quotidiennement avant de venir sur les campus de York pour autodépister les symptômes de la COVID-19. Merci de continuer à assurer la sécurité sur nos campus cette année. Pour les dernières nouvelles au sujet du retour sécuritaire sur les campus de York, veuillez visiter le site Better Together.  

Sincères salutations,  

Parissa Safai  
Conseillère spéciale de la présidente pour la planification de la continuité académique et la réponse à la COVID-19 

The great ouster: Find lost students and woo them back to school. Click here for more York U in the news

York University Professor Carl James was quoted in Canada’s National Observer Sept. 7. Read full story.

Hurricane Ida shows the increasing impact of climate change since Katrina
An op-ed by York University Professor Jack L. Rozdilsky was published in the Conversation Sept. 2. Read full story.

‘Fifty Shades of Grey,’ 10 years later: Self-publishing wasn’t novel then, but now it’s easier to reach a niche audience
An op-ed by York University PhD candidate Elizaveta Poliakova was published in the Conversation Sept. 2. Read full story.

Proactive approach to Ontario law students’ mental health: Ocean Enbar and Monica Santos
A story co-written by Osgoode Hall Law School student Monica Santos was published in the Lawyer’s Daily Sept. 2. Read full story.

Will voter engagement ramp up after Labour Day, political expert questions
York University Professor Michael Johns was quoted on NewmarketToday.ca Sept. 3. Read full story.

Political pundit, north-Barrie candidates weigh in on Green Party’s absence this election
York University Professor Michael Johns was quoted on BarrieToday.com Sept. 3. Read full story.

Despite pandemic limitations, groups hope to engage voters through all-candidate events
York University Visiting Professor Michael Johns was quoted on BarrieToday.com Sept. 2. Read full story.

Muslim group tours N.B. in order to fight Islamophobia
York University student Athar Tahir was quoted in Global News Sept. 6. Read full story.

Young Huntsville entrepreneurs on the move: The Crepe Sisters, friends launch Sweet Creature
York University alumna Sarah Hutchison was profiled on MuskokaRegion.com Sept. 5. Read full story.

Profile: ‘My job’s not done yet’ says York-Simcoe Conservative incumbent
York University alumnus Scot Davidson was profiled on BradfordToday.ca Sept. 5. Read full story.

Riddell running for NDP in Winnipeg South Centre
York University alumna Julia Riddell was profiled in the Winnipeg Free Press Sept. 3. Read full story.

Conservative candidate runs for re-election
Osgoode Hall Law School alumnus Marty Morantz was profiled in the Winnipeg Free Press Sept. 3. Read full story.

New IP partner for Dickinson Wright in Toronto
Osgoode Hall Law School alumna Sanjukta Tole was mentioned in the Lawyer’s Daily Sept. 3. Read full story.

Carleton’s new business school embodies intimacy and belonging
York University’s Schulich School of Business was mentioned in the Globe and Mail Sept. 7. Read full story.

Memory of Craig Carter, real estate lawyer, honoured with new U of T academic award
York University’s Osgoode Hall Law School was mentioned in Law Times Sept. 6. Read full story.

Canadian law schools 2021-22: Resources if you’re considering whether, and where, to become a lawyer
York University’s Osgoode Hall Law School was mentioned in Canadian Lawyer Sept. 2. Read full story.

Mahon: Newest leader hopefuls come from common beginnings
York University’s Osgoode Hall Law School was mentioned in the Sarnia Observer Sept. 2. Read full story.

Tala Master: An interview with Trichy Sankaran
York University was mentioned on WorldMusicCentral.org Sept. 5. Read full story.

Supreme Court sides with York University in copyright tariff dispute
York University was mentioned in University Affairs Sept. 7. Read full story.

Major changes coming for GO Transit riders following Labour Day weekend
York University was mentioned in Global News Sept. 2. Read full story.

Law prof’s career takes her from advising on Nigeria bond market to protecting Canadian investors
York University was mentioned in Canadian Lawyer Sept. 2. Read full story.

Learn how Anishinaabe knowledge can inform mainstream history at next Scholars’ Hub event

history-books-FEATURED

For the Sept. 15 edition of the Scholars’ Hub @ Home speaker series, York University Assistant Professor Alan Corbiere (MES ’00, PhD ’20), Canada Research Chair in Indigenous History of North America, will host a discussion titled “Waking up the medicine: Instilling Anishinaabe knowledge into history.”

Alan Corbiere

Attendees will learn how the Anishinaabe ways of knowing, perspective and language can inform mainstream history during this time of truth and reconciliation.

Brought to you by York University’s Office of Alumni Engagement, the Scholars’ Hub @ Home speaker series features discussions on a broad range of topics, with engaging lectures from some of York’s best and brightest minds. Students, alumni and all members of the community are invited to attend. All sessions take place at noon via Zoom.

Events are held in partnership with Vaughan Public Libraries, Markham Public Library and Aurora Public Library.

To register for the event, visit bit.ly/2WSl02H.

Reminder: Music Professor Ron Westray’s autobiography is available now

An open book

York University Associate Professor Ron Westray, in the Department of Music, School of the Arts, Media, Performance and Design, released an autobiography this month titled Life in Reverse: Tales of a Very Stable Narcissist (Anthem Press).

Ron Westray
Ron-Westray

“It is possible that we exist in a predominantly narcissistic society in which people want you to love them; and then they don’t want you anymore,” says Westray, the inaugural Oscar Peterson Chair in Jazz Performance at York, about the book’s key message.

Starting from present and going back 30 years to 1990, the story of African-American jazz musician Westray’s life journey – striving for knowledge, opportunity, acceptance and understanding – is written in reverse.

An embedded road itinerary guides the progression of the book. Years are rarely mentioned in the text; and, in most cases, only initials are used for all characters. People, places and things are all real in relation to the timeline. The work involves the insertion of common conversations – from sources such as texting and emails – to shed light on the fallibility of human relations. To a large degree, and within reason, the length of conversations are meant to be overbearing, countered by other aspects of the writing. Stories from Westray’s father and grandfather are featured in the book and his mother’s free-verse poetry is the soul that binds it together like a second narrator.

Westray’s book is available now on Google Books, BarnesAndNoble.com, Waterstones.com and other places books are sold. For more information about Life in Reverse: Tales of a Very Stable Narcissist, visit the publisher’s website.

Kindness Campaign promotes community and support this fall

Campus-Walk-FEATURED banner

York University students, staff and faculty are invited to join the Division of Students in spreading kindness on campus and online through the Kindness Campaign this September.

With a focus on patience and non-judgemental support, this important campaign fosters an ongoing dialogue about the importance of kindness in our everyday lives as we get used to new health protocols this fall. Gentle reminders and tips around kindness taking time, holding space and giving support will inspire York community members to take the campaign to heart as we navigate changes to the ways we interact.

York Kindness Campaign banner

“It has been a long time since a lot of us have interacted in person on our campuses,” said Alfred Ene, manager of the Office of Student Community Relations (OSCR). “For most of our new students, staff and faculty, it is their first time. The Kindness Campaign is a helpful reminder to stay mindful of others in the community as we navigate new ways of being around each other and move forward together. Whether it is helping out a colleague or a stranger who needs support, waiting a few extra minutes for a service or even getting coffee for the person behind you in line, simple acts of kindness will let everyone on our campuses feel welcome and supported.”

To get involved and show your support, explore the Kindness Toolkit to download, use and share campaign assets, from social media avatars and Zoom backgrounds to website buttons and print postcards. Let’s help spread some kindness!

The Kindness Campaign also helps raise awareness about the supports and services offered by the Division of Students, including Athletics & Recreation; the Centre for Sexual Violence Response, Support & Education; OSCR; Student Counselling, Health & Well-being; and Student Accessibility Services.

To learn more about the Kindness Campaign, visit go.yorku.ca/kindness.