This Week @ York for Week of May 19, 2020

Announcement

  • A message from President Lenton: “We are committed to ensuring students are able to access the courses they need to progress in their programs, so I am pleased to share with our broader community that York University will be offering our full selection of academic programming this Fall.”  Read the full message from the President here.

Money Matters

  • York has instituted a number of initiatives to address the increased financial need of students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please refer to the new COVID-19 Financial Assistance webpage for more information regarding awards, bursaries and temporary policy changes here at York that will help you, as well as a list of Federal and Provincial government financial supports for students. Stay tuned for a Financial Assistance Special Edition of This Week @ York coming out later this week!

  • Emergency Bursaries. York has established bursaries to help students for domestic and international undergraduate and graduate students who require immediate short-term financial relief because of unexpected expenses in March and April 2020. Learn more at the link above. Application deadline: Sunday, May 31.

International Connections

  • IRCC extends exemptions for international students. Immigration, Refugees and Citzenship Canada (IRCC) has extended the Post-Graduate Work Permit eligibility and rules around online studies while outside of Canada to include the fall intake of international students. Along with international students who began their programs in May or June of this year, incoming fall students will be allowed to begin and complete up to 50% of their program online in anticipation of a transition to Canada. The extension will be in place until December 31 and IRCC states that students will not have time deducted from the length of a future post-graduation work permit for studies completed outside of Canada.

  • York International’s Virtual Coffee Breaks: All students welcome! Join student leaders on Zoom and meet other students from various programs, Faculties, countries and cultures to connect and get to know each other while having fun. Some topics include: game night, Netflix watch party, microwave cooking, quarantine hobbies, exercising together and many more. Every day, Monday to Friday. Visit their calendar at the link above to see all events and how to join.

Out & About On Campus

  • NSSE closes on Friday, May 22! Thousands of students in their first and fourth year of study were asked to participate in the National Survey of Student Engagement and are still eligible to win one of four $500 tuition waivers. See if you’re eligible by trying out York’s NSSE eligibility tool!

  • #YUBlog Presents: Keele Campus is Missing You. When all classes moved online and buildings closed on Keele Campus in response to the direction of our public health authorities, some internationalsome students were unable to return home, including authors at the #YUBlog. They’ve had the chance to get some unique photos of Keele Campus without its students, which you can view at the link above!

  • Student Virtual Assistant Naming Contest. Be on the leading edge of transformation and help name York’s new Student Virtual Assistant. Submit your most creative idea for a chance to win a 12.9-inch iPad Pro (valued at $1,249)!Submission deadline: Friday, May 29.

Health & Wellness

  • REDI Workshop: Creating and Maintaining Positive Space. Attend this “101” session and explore gender and sexual diversity, as well as homophobia and transphobia specific to the campus experience. Learn about using inclusive language, being a supportive ally, campus resources and creating safer spaces on campus for gender and sexually diverse students, staff and faculty. Learn more about Summer 2020 REDI Professional Development hereThursday, May 21, 2 to 3 p.m.

  • Free Virtual MUV Classes. Are you looking for a way to stay healthy and active while maintaining physical distancing as you help plank the COVID-19 curve? Why not try a FREE online MUV fitness class? Campus Recreation is bringing your favourite MUV class to you via Zoom. Check the schedule at the link above and use the Zoom code to join.

  • This Week @ York Mental Health Special Edition. Don't forget to check out the May 5 special edition of This Week @ York highlighted a series of supports and services to help you with your mental health and wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Find out more at the link above.

Academics

  • Fall/Winter 2020-2021 course enrolment.  Course enrolment windows for Fall/Winter 2020-2021 have been revised and will be available online by May 18, 2020. Course enrolment will open at the end of June 2020. Details are in the April 23, 2020 communication to students.

  • REMINDER: Check for available self-serve tools and resources on My Online Services. Get what you need, from wherever you are, at almost any time of the day. The list of available resources is growing daily as new online and mobile methods are introduced to deliver services and resources you need.