Monthly Updates: May 2023

May 2023What's New?

Invest in Our People

Launching Drop-in Break Time

Employees from the Office of the University Registrar (OUR) took the opportunity to connect, relax, and participate in several stress-busting activities at the OUR's first Drop-in Break Time on May 17. Stay tuned for future social and wellness activities for OUR employees.

30+ OUR employees took part in the session.
Launching an Advising intranet

The Office of the University Registrar’s Strategy, Planning & Projects Team recently launched an intranet for advising colleagues across the institution, an online website focused on sharing resources, upcoming development opportunities and key information to facilitate referrals between teams.

Engaging in conversations about women leadership in sports

Athletics & Recreation hosted it’s fourth annual Women & Girls Leadership and Sport Conference in April. The conference featured a number of influential Canadian women in sport presentations under the theme, Aim High, Play Safe, with an emphasis on safety in sports.

 

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Attendees learned from the engaging key note speakers, Canadian gymnast Ellie Black and former Canadian Olympian and safe sport advocate, Allison Forsyth.
Ask Me Anything (AMA) with the Vice-Provost, Students

Nona Robinson, Vice-Provost, Students, led an AMA to launch the summer term. Robinson shared more about herself, her vision for the future and answered pre-submitted questions over two sessions. Sessions were attended by over 75 staff with extensive engagement across the Division.

Learn more about the walks and hangouts with VPS, Nona Robinson
75
staff from across the Division participated and 22 pre-submitted questions were answered over two sessions.

Impact the Student Journey

Introducing new transition coaches at ACMAPS

The Atkinson Centre for Mature and Part-Time Students will be introducing a new initiative for summer 2023 to support mature, part-time and transfer students: Transition Coaches. The Transition Coaches program will assist new incoming students with next steps after they enrol in courses. 

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The coaches will support mature, part-time and transfer students for the first time this year.
Learning Skills Services supports with procrastination

Learning Skills Services introduced a new workshop this year that quickly became one of the top five in-demand topics. In the new Motivation & Procrastination workshop, students learn about why we procrastinate, what drives our motivation and strategies to overcome barriers to getting down to work. 

Learn more about Learning Skills workshops and offerings
95%
of students agreed or strongly agreed that they learned practical skills and strategies in the the new Motivation & Procrastination workshop that will help them to achieve their academic goals.
Celebrating accessibility

Student Accessibility Services hosted its annual End-of-Year Celebration with 19 Faculty and staff who were recognized for their commitment to student-centricity, collaboration, care and innovation for students with disabilities. Sixty York community members participated in the celebration.

Learn more about the celebration
19 Faculty and staff were recognized for their commitment to supporting students with disabilities.
Celebrating the start of the summer term with international students

New international students joined York International on May 5 to form new friendships, learn about the supports available and celebrate the start of the summer term. The event wrapped up with students joining student leaders and volunteers for a guided tour of Toronto.

Learn More about International Orientation
New international students learned about what to expect about life as a student in Toronto. They were given tips and offered resources to help them navigate their time as a York student.
Athletics & Recreation hosts its annual award celebrations and banquets

York Lions returned in person to celebrate student athletes. The Intramural Banquet honoured internal York recreational athletes, while the Varsity Athletics Banquet highlighted significant athletic achievements from Lions teams.

Learn More about Varsity Award Winners
Attendees from the 57th Intramural Banquet and the 54th Varsity Athletics Banquet enjoyed returning back to in-person celebrations to highlight the achievements of the 2022-23 season.

Black Excellence at York University (BEYU) presented at the BSA Highschool Conference, Celebrating Black Joy & Brilliance, hosted by the Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community and Diaspora in May. BEYU's session presented York University myth-busters and a student panel discussion.

This session positively impacted the student journey for high school students who are considering York University.
Launching the Black Excellence Network: A Community of Practice

The Black Excellence at York University (BEYU) team launched the Black Excellence Network: A Community of Practice on April 19. It brings together members of the York community and community partners who aim to create and sustain conditions where Black Students are seen, supported and celebrated.

The network impacts the student journey by building a network of people, knowledge resources and activities that responds to the needs of Black Students at York.