Initiatives by Student Community & Leadership Development (SCLD)

The first YODA Symposium brought together staff and students involved in the planning of orientation activities. The symposium, hosted by SCLD, featured a panel of York alumni sharing their experiences as orientation leaders and how their involvement at York supported their career growth.

Due to the success of January's Care Ambassadors Program, SCLD re-visioned the ASK ME Program. Stationed at four locations throughout York’s Keele campus, ASK ME ambassadors answered questions about wayfinding, campus services and York’s health and safety requirements.

The Vari Hall Kiosk re-opened in late January to support students returning to in-person activities at York's Keele Campus. The kiosk is open from Monday to Thursday and is run by the Student Engagement Team who can answer questions, such as wayfinding, services and getting involved on campus.

Students and graduates attended the Spark: Winter Leadership Summit, organized by The Office of Student Community & Leadership Development and Alumni Engagement, to help attendees build leadership capacity with the return to society and help them thrive in the ongoing uncertainty of the pandemic.

The Division of Students offered a wide variety of orientation programming for all new and incoming students on Jan. 7. Students attended a virtual welcome session which included a panel of students providing advice to new students on how to be successful in their first year at York.

Winter Orientation 2022 offers a wide variety of programming for all new and incoming students. It is a great way for new students to meet new people, discover campus resources and learn all about their degree while providing students with a smooth transition to York.

Census Days, led by SCLD, took place on Oct. 19 and 27 to help encourage students to complete the Student Equity & Diversity Census Survey. With support from volunteers across the Division, students were invited to complete the survey while being treated to candy and additional prizes.

SCLD, along with Black Student Associations and other student governments, held the first ever Community Welcome for Black students. The 2-day event included both virtual activities and an outdoor gathering for students to meet various communities on campus that support Black students.

New students attended virtual and in-person Fall Orientation activities. York Orientation Day was held virtually on September 3, 2021, which included Academic Orientation and a Welcome Ceremony video. The video has been seen over 3,688 times.

To support students returning to campus, the Division of Students organized Ask Me Booths from September 13 to 17, 2021. More than 15 volunteers interacted with students outside of the Bennett Centre for Student Services, the Kanneff Building, and inside the Vari Hall Kiosk.

In April, the SCLD hosted the 12th Annual Peer Leadership Training Conference. Student leaders participated in asynchronous training modules, networking sessions, live workshops and an alumni keynote panel featuring some of York's Top 30 Under 30 Changemakers.