This Week @ York for Week of June 16, 2020

Announcement

  • York recognizes the deep pain and frustration that members of the Black community feel as we continue to witness and experience the consequences of systemic racism that have permeated society for too long. We also know it is not enough to simply condemn anti-Black racism.

  • Message from President Lenton on Anti-Black Racism: “The message has been clear: while it is essential to stand in solidarity, it is not enough to issue statements. Action is required to address the long and destructive legacy of anti-Black racism in Canadian society.” Read the full message from the president at the link above.

  • Dedicated staff continue to provide remote support to help students manage their well-being:

    • Racialized Students Support Group Kick-off Meeting. This group is facilitated by two racialized counsellors at SCD. The weekly drop-in group provides a safe space for students who identify as Black, Indigenous or a Person of Colour (BIPOC) to reflect on their identities, experiences, and challenges and to build community. The group will focus on processing and healing from racial trauma. Thursday, July 16, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. To join the next group or for more information please contact: Tara Pouyat at tpouyat@yorku.ca or Sawan Sengupta at sawans@yorku.ca.

    • A Dialogue about the Impacts of Racism for Black-Identified Students. In an effort to support the many conversations already taking place, the Centre for Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion (REI) and Student Community & Leadership Development (SCLD) invite you to attend “A Dialogue about Race & the Impacts of Racism". This conversation will provide an opportunity for Black-identified students to connect with one another on these critical issues and hear about helpful resources to prevent and address experiences and concerns of racism. Thursday, June 25, 1 to 2 p.m.

    • Race & Privilege: An Honest, Overdue Conversation with Ourselves. All students are encouraged to join this interactive session hosted by CHREI and SCLD where you will engage in a facilitated listening and dialogue session on race and privilege, gaining perspective on and challenging the assumptions we make about one another based on our personal privileges. Friday, June 26 11:30 a.m.

    • REDI Workshop: Freedom of Speech at York University. Strengthen your understanding of fundamental freedom of speech rights in Canada and explore current conflicts and resolutions in post-secondary institutions. Learn more about the Summer 2020 REDI Professional Development here. Wednesday, June 24, 9 to 10 a.m.

    • SCLD have shared an anti-racist resource document that will be continually updated, with the intention to amplify Black and Melanated voices and businesses and provide links to strengthen our allyship, identify petitions, donate, and educate so that we may do better and be better in the challenging and dismantling of anti-Black racism.

    • Residence Life’s Diversity and Social Justice Portfolio engages students in current diversity and social justice issues. Events provide students with a safe space in which they can learn how to be an active, inclusive member of the community and develop a respectful understanding of different values and norms.

    • VIDEO: Take a moment to watch this video where Student-Athletes and the Varsity Sport Council #SpeakOutAgainstRacism.

    • VIDEO: "Will this be the ONE that finally energizes us all to dismantle anti-Black racism forever and create a better future for Black youth?” In case you missed it, watch this panel discussion from last week hosted by the Alumni Office, featuring scholars, researchers and students from the Youth Research & Evaluation Exchange (YouthREX).

FYI

  • Virtual Town Hall. Join President Rhonda Lenton and other York senior leaders at this all-community Virtual Town Hall. The panel will answer questions from students, staff and faculty concerning academic, research and professional work. Submit your questions in advance using this Virtual Town Hall question submission form. Wednesday, June 24, 1:30 to 2:45 p.m.

Academics

  • Fall/Winter 2020-2021 course enrolment. Courses this fall will be, for the most part delivered online/remotely, and course enrolment for continuing students opens June 30. Use the Enrolment & Registration Guide to check when your enrolment window opens and start planning your course schedule now.

  • 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.

  • When thinking about year-long courses for next year, don’t forget to check out the award-winning C4: The Cross-Campus Capstone Classroom. This unique learning opportunity brings together students at the third-, fourth-, and fifth-year level to work in interdisciplinary teams on real work challenges with social impact. Sign up here for more information.

Money Matters

  • 2020-2021 OSAP applications are now open. If you are enrolling as a full-time student in Fall/Winter 2020/2021, York recommends that you apply and submit all required documentation through your OSAP application by Tuesday, June 30 in order to have your funds at the beginning of the fall term.

Health & Wellness

  • It Starts with YU. Join this Zoom tutorial hosted by The Centre and learn how to make your own non-medical mouth and nose cover from our in-house sewing expert. Help keep our community safe. Wednesday, June 17, 1 to 2 p.m.

  • Student-Parents & the COVID-19 Pandemic. Are you a student-parent at York U that is looking for ways to juggle school and work while home-schooling your kids? This Zoom session, hosted by the Atkinson Centre for Mature & Part-time Students (ACMAPS), will provide resources to help you and your family cope during this pandemic, new skills to balance it all, tips for online learning and keeping your kids busy as school. Register at the link above. Wednesday, June 17, 2 to 3 p.m.

  • Wellness Weekend Windup. Start your weekend off right and join students, staff and faculty in this event hosted by the Division of Students where you’ll engage in practices that reduce stress, calm anxiety and increase feelings of positivity. Friday, June 19, noon to 2 p.m.

  • Student Counselling & Development (SCD) is hosting a Pride 2020 Celebration/ Student Get-Together. Hosted by SCD counsellors who are a part of the LGBTQ+ community the event will provide a safe space for students to discuss how they plan to celebrate virtual pride, tips and strategies about celebrating safely online, and foster a space for peer-to-peer connection. The event will also be kicking off the resumption of SCD’s biweekly LGBTQ+ Support Group. Please email counselling@glendon.yorku.ca for more information. Wednesday, June 24, 3:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m.

Connect with Community

  • Regenesis Cycle York is offering fee-based drop-off repair services for bicycles and curbside pick-up for parts, accessories, and new and used bikes by appointment only. To minimize the risk of contagion, they work on bikes on Thursdays and Fridays, but you can e-mail cycleyork@regenesis.eco to coordinate drop-offs and pick-ups for any day of the week! Their assisted DIY repair program is closed because of COVID-19.