This Week @ York for Week of September 15, 2020

Announcement

  • Video message from President Rhonda Lenton: Welcome to the 2020-2021 Academic Year.

  • Meet SAVY, the newly-named Student Virtual Assistant! SAVY is a software-based agent, built on IBM’s Watson platform through a collaboration between York’s Division of Students, University Information Technology, our Faculties and service areas, and guided and informed by students.  Find all sorts of content designed to help you perform tasks related to your academic journey at York. SAVY is accessible through eClass or the web launcher.

  • The Creation of York’s new Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change. “I am very pleased to be able to announce the formal creation of the new Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change (EUC) which brings together the expertise housed in the Faculty of Environmental Studies (FES) and the department of Geography in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies. This new Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change is believed to be the first faculty of its kind in the world to bring together a critical mass of physical geographers, ecologists, social scientists, humanities researchers and artists whose innovative, world-renowned research addresses natural, built and social spaces from a global perspective.” Read the full message here.

Learning Skills

  • Student Guide to Remote Learning. Learning Skills Services has created this guide to help you find the resources and supports to successfully navigate being a remote learner.

  • Looking for ways to manage your time? Study and learn more effectively? Keep up with readings and course work? Let Learning Skills Services help you achieve your academic goals. Be sure to check out their workshops calendar throughout the term.

Health & Wellness

  • ACMAPS Event Schedule.  Are you a mature student at York? Are you interested in meditation or attending a casual, drop-in café hour to meet other mature students or a mature student peer mentor? Check the schedule at the link above and attend any session you wish, via Zoom.

Careers Support

  • Career Centre Webinar: Rock Your LinkedIn Profile. This workshop is ideal for students and new graduates who already have a LinkedIn profile. This webinar will include building your brand on LinkedIn, profile overhauls plus tips and tricks for job seekers. Wednesday, September 16, 1 to 2:30 p.m. Registration required at Experience York.

  • Webinar: What Can I Do With My Degree? Not sure what career options your degree might lead to? Attend this webinar to learn how the skills you are developing in your degree and the experiences you are gaining while at York will help build a foundation for your future. Thursday, September 17, 10 to 11 a.m. Registration required at Experience York.

International Connections

  • View the York International Events Calendar for the full Virtual Coffee Break weekly schedule. YI’s daily Virtual Coffee Breaks are an online space for international and domestic students from across programs, Faculties, countries and cultures to connect and get to know each other! Student Leaders are on Zoom every weekday with different fun and interesting topics. When you sign up, a confirmation email with the zoom link will be sent to you upon registration.

Student Support Services

  • Student Accessibility Services continues to meet with students virtually! Students already registered with Student Accessibility Services can connect with their Accessibility Counsellor by email or via sasinfo@yorku.ca.

    Interested in registering with Student Accessibility Services? Visit the New Students page on the SAS website.

Connect with Community

  • Black Life: A Toronto Teach-In on Black Studies, Literature, Visual Arts and Disability Studies. Hosted by the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies and moderated by Andrea Davis, this teach-in brings together five Toronto-based scholars and artists from York University, the University of Toronto, Ryerson University and OCAD University to discuss the ways in which their scholarship interprets and engages with the historic pasts and presents of Black life in Canada and other Black diasporas. Friday, September 18, 2 to 4 p.m. Registration required.

Money Matters

  • ICYMI: Check out last week’s Money for YU webinar hosted by Student Financial Services (SFS).

Worth Repeating

  • How York plans to keep students on campus safe this fall. “While the majority of our community will be working and studying from home this fall, there are some important activities that will require a phased return to campus, such as ongoing research and a limited number of in-person courses. The gradual reopening of our campuses will continue to be guided by public health guidelines and the government. Our priority is keeping you safe. Unless have been approved for select in-person activities (e.g. in-person courses, residence) in the Fall term, you do not need to come to campus.”

  • Information about Winter 2021: “We are now finalizing decisions about Winter 2021 term courses. We are all looking forward to being on our campuses as soon as it is safe to do so but whether your learning will be in-person or online, our instructors are finding innovative ways to provide the high-quality learning experience for which York is known.” Read the full message here. (En français)

  • Independent review of the culture in York's Athletics & Recreation varsity teams initiated. York University will always seek to promote an atmosphere of civility, diversity, equity, and respect in our interactions with others, either on or off campus. In response to concerns raised regarding the culture of our Athletics and Recreation varsity teams, York is launching an independent, third party review to explore the culture within York's athletic programs through the lens of the student-athlete’s experiences, and review York Athletics & Recreations’ policies. The review, commissioned by the Centre for Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion, on behalf of the Vice Provost, Students, has engaged Ethical Associates to lead the review. Anyone who would like to participate is invited to please contact: share@yorkathleticsreview.com. The review will begin immediately. Read the full message here.