St. George campus

‘Welcome home’: U of T’s on-campus housing offers more than a place to live

lanthierj — Thu, 05 Oct 2023 14:11:10 +0000

‘Welcome home’: U of T’s on-campus housing offers more than a place to live

lanthierj Thu, 10/05/2023 - 10:11

Cutline

Harmony Commons, a new, 746-bed student residence at U of T Scarborough, is part of U of T’s broader plan to meet the growing need for student housing across its three campuses (photo by Don Campbell)

Ann Perry

Topic

Our Community

Back to School 2023

Student Experience

Current Students

Future Students

Subheadline

The university expects to add 1,450 more spaces across its three campuses over the next several years

Zupaash Naveed arrived at �ؿ�ζSM just a few weeks ago, but she already feels right at home.

The first-year computer science co-op student is part of the first cohort to live at Harmony Commons, a new, 746-bed student residence at U of T Scarborough that opened at the beginning of September.

The residence is part of U of T’s broader plan to meet the growing need for student housing across its three campuses, with 1,450 more spaces expected to be added over the next three years.

“It’s amazing. There’s so much more here than I expected,” says Naveed, a National Scholar from Oshawa, Ont. “The technology is great, the layout is modern and clean, and it gives me the opportunity to be fully immersed among my first-year peers.”

Zupaash Naveed is one of more than 10,300 students living in university housing this year across U of T’s three campuses (photos by Racquel Russell)

Reserved for first-year students, Harmony Commons has doubled the number of residence spaces at U of T Scarborough as part of the university’s broader strategy to provide more housing options for students. It is also one of the largest buildings in North America built to highly energy-efficient passive house standards.

Then there is the food.

“I love it,” says Naveed, pointing to the breakfast pastries and variety of international cuisines on the menu. She also appreciates the halal options and praises food services staff for being attentive to diverse dietary requirements. “They really take care of me.”

Naveed is one of more than 10,300 students living in university housing this year across U of T’s three campuses. Many are new undergraduate students – both domestic and international – who, like Naveed, qualified for the university’s first-year residence guarantee. Spaces are also available for upper-year and graduate students, as well as students with families.

Staff and volunteers greet new student residents at Harmony Commons on move-in day (photo by Don Campbell)

“Living in residence can be a transformational experience for our students, particularly in their first year as they navigate the transition from high school to university,” says Sandy Welsh, vice-provost, students. “Being far from family and friends, adjusting to the demands of university studies, and, for our international students, adapting to life in a new country can be challenging.

“Our residences provide a ready community and support system that enhance our students’ well-being and academic success.”

Demand for university housing is growing amid rising rents and declining vacancy in the Greater Toronto Area. While surveys suggest more than 55 per cent of U of T students live with family and commute to one of the three campuses, many others, particularly in their upper years, seek off-campus rental options – with U of T providing resources, education and support – or on-campus alternatives.

U of T is already a major provider of student housing, with several new buildings under construction. These include Oak House, a 500-bed residence on the St. George campus near Spadina and Sussex Avenues that is scheduled to open in 2024, and a new, 350-bed residence at Trinity College that is expected to be ready in fall 2025. Two more projects – one at U of T Mississauga and the other on the St. George campus – are in development and will provide 600 additional residence spaces.

“We are working hard to build more residences faster because we know how important they are to our student experience, and we are engaging with governments around policy changes that will help us do this,” says Scott Mabury, vice-president, operations and real estate partnerships.

The university receives no government support for student housing. U of T is advocating for new financing or funding mechanisms to help universities respond to students’ demand for housing, as well as continuing to work with governments at all levels on appropriate zoning frameworks that can lower barriers to adding new spaces.

“Students bring a lot of life and business to the neighbourhoods surrounding our three campuses. Building more student residences makes for a better academic experience for them and for more dynamic neighbourhoods in this city,” Mabury said.

Minister of Colleges and Universities Jill Dunlop tours Harmony Commons a few days before the residence opened to students (photo by Don Campbell)

For Ana Divarzak, an international student from Brazil, living in residence provided a strong foundation for life at university and in Canada. Now in her third year of a biotechnology specialist and chemistry major, she arrived at U of T Mississauga in 2021 three weeks into the fall term due to visa delays and the then-mandatory 14-day quarantine for travellers entering Canada due to COVID-19. When she finally reached her residence she found a “welcome home” sign with messages from all her floormates that was taped to the door of her room, surrounded by a rainbow of candy.

“The support and welcome I experienced from day one in residence have made a huge difference for me, especially as an international student,” says Divarzak, who now works as a community assistant at U of T Mississauga. In that role, she supports eight residence student staff in Living Learning Communities (LLC), which group together students who share similar interests and areas of study.

Ana Divarzak (supplied image)

Divarzak chose to live in the life sciences Living Learning Community in her first year and credits it with enhancing her overall university experience. “It helped me make friends a lot more easily because we were in the same courses and we saw each other all the time in class, and we also had weekly community gatherings hosted by our residence LLC program facilitators and don that offered opportunities for social interaction and reflection.”

Back at U of T Scarborough, residence adviser Joshua Cloete says that in addition to acting as a resource for students on his floor, one of his main goals is to build an engaged and supportive community.

He says he can already see the difference Harmony Commons is making to the first-year experience.

“In the past month, I’ve seen more social interactions and bonding and friendships form than in my whole first year,” says Cloete, a second-year paramedicine student. “Everyone on my floor already knows everyone else.”

U of T kicks off Pride Month with flag-raising ceremonies across its three campuses

siddiq22 — Thu, 01 Jun 2023 19:26:13 +0000

U of T kicks off Pride Month with flag-raising ceremonies across its three campuses

siddiq22 Thu, 06/01/2023 - 15:26

Cutline

Flags were raised at U of T Mississauga, the St. George campus and U of T Scarborough to mark the beginning of Pride Month (photos by Angelia Meffe, Polina Teif and Don Campbell)

Topic

Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education

LGBTQ

Pride

Sexual & Gender Diversity Office

St. George campus

U of T Mississauga

U of T Scarborough

The �ؿ�ζSM kicked off Pride Month celebrations on its three campuses Thursday with flag raising ceremonies and associated events.

As the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education (KPE) prepared for its annual flag-raising on the St. George campus, Ivan Canete thought back to when Toronto hosted WorldPride back in 2014 – in particular, the flags that lined Bloor Street.

The event prompted the assistant manager of merchandise, apparel and ticketing sales for the KPE’s sport and recreation department to suggest a flag at Varsity Stadium. So, Beth Ali, U of T’s director of athletics and physical activity, tasked him with developing an accompanying ceremony.

“I drafted a modest model and we held the inaugural ceremony in 2016,” Canete said. “We added the Trans flag in 2017 and transitioned to the Progress Pride flag – which includes black and brown stripes to represent marginalized LGBTQ+ communities of colour, along with the colours pink, light blue and white, which are used on the transgender Pride flag.

(photo by Polina Teif)

KPE’s annual event, hosted in collaboration with the Sexual & Gender Diversity Office, takes place alongside similar ceremonies at U of T Mississauga and U of T Scarborough, as well as other Pride-related events at the university throughout the month.

At U of T Mississauga, the Pride Month launch barbecue and flag-raising opened with a performance by Danielle Migwans, an Indigenous drummer from M'Chigeeng First Nation and the community of Wikwemikong.

For the first time on the campus, U of T Mississauga is displaying a 2-Spirit flag alongside the More Colour, More Pride flag.

(Photo by Angelia Meffe)

Professor Nicholas Rule, incoming vice-principal, academic and dean, said the chance to speak at the U of T Mississauga’s kickoff event was meaningful in multiple ways.

“As someone who identifies as part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, [I] recognize that in many parts of the world – including in my own place of origin in the U.S. – issues such as anti-Trans bills and attacks on gender-affirming care continue to be pervasive,” he told a crowd gathered in front of the U of T Mississauga Student Centre.

“Many people are suffering, dying and fighting for rights of equality – something that a lot of us in Canada take for granted. But today I want to focus on the positive by reflecting on how fortunate we all are to be able to gather here on this beautiful campus – on a beautiful day, in the spirit of comradeship – to commemorate and honour this month.”

(photo by Don Campbell)

At U of T Scarborough, the More Colour, More Pride flags were raised for the fifth year in a row.

“By raising this flag, we honour the experiences and resiliency of gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans and queer people and the experiences of Black, Indigenous and racialized people in the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Additionally, we raise the Trans Pride flag to represent 2-spirit, trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming people,” said Nadia Rosemond, U of T Scarborough’s assistant dean, co-curricular programs and student leadership, during her opening remarks.

“I want to pause and express gratitude and love to our 2SLGBTQ+ students, staff, faculty and librarians at UTSC. I don’t know how often you hear or feel this outside the month of June, but I want you to know that you belong here. You are welcomed here.”

The ceremony was followed by a courtyard celebration in front of the Arts and Administration Building with snacks, a unique floral mural marking Pride Month and a welcome table set up by the Positive Space Committee.

(photo by Don Campbell)

Back at the Varsity Stadium event, Sport and Recreation aquatics instructor Alex Jung was selected as the KPE staff guest of honour for his dedication to improving trans pool hours and launching upcoming trans swim lessons.

“As we swim through eliminationist policy and transgender athlete bans, I look to the spaces we trans folk grow for us,” Jung said. “I’m excited for more of us to be in the pool, comfortable in our own skin and in the water.”

Allison Burgess, U of T’s acting executive director of equity, diversity and inclusion, reminded guests that June is also National Indigenous History Month and said raising the Progress flag should be viewed both as a gesture of support for 2SLGBTQ+ communities and a stand against all oppression.

“All of this might feel like ancient history – but we know that, sadly, the fight for equity is not over,” said Burgess, adding that Pride is a time to celebrate the invaluable contributions of 2SLGBTQ+ members of the U of T community and get involved in Pride Month initiatives across the three campuses.

“Simply being here today to help us raise the Pride flag is a political act, but I hope this won’t be the only action you take during Pride Month.”

Seven ways to celebrate U of T’s Alumni Reunion

siddiq22 — Tue, 16 May 2023 16:07:50 +0000

Seven ways to celebrate U of T’s Alumni Reunion

siddiq22 Tue, 05/16/2023 - 12:07

Cutline

�ؿ�ζSM graduates can take part in more than 100 events across the three campuses during Alumni Reunion, which runs May 31 to June 4 (all images supplied)

Adina Bresge & Alice Lawlor

Topic

Our Community

Academic + Campus Events

From a street festival to topical lectures and an Ontario Science Centre gathering, there are plenty of ways �ؿ�ζSM graduates can reconnect with tri-campus life at Alumni Reunion this spring.

The annual celebration, which runs from May 31 to June 4, is expected to attract thousands of alumni to catch up with old friends, make new memories and come together as a global community.

The festival features more than 100 events across the three campuses and online, including fun activities for kids, special events organized by faculties and colleges as well as milestone celebrations for those who earned their diplomas in a year ending in 3 or 8.

“Alumni Reunion is a wonderful opportunity to renew our bonds to the university and to one another as a community – with a wide array of planned in-person and online events,” says Barbara Dick, assistant vice-president, alumni relations.

“We see our alumni community as ambassadors of U of T and look forward to celebrating their continued success while helping them foster connections – both old and new."

Here’s just a small sample of the many events and activities on offer in 2023:

Alumni Fest is back

Hit the streets for some food, music and entertainment at this family-friendly outdoor event. Alumni Fest takes place in downtown Toronto along St. George Street.

Give the kids a passport to hands-on learning

Best suited to children aged four to 12, the Kids’ Passport event on the St. George campus gives young explorers a chance to earn stamps for participating in hands-on activities such as a bookstore scavenger hunt, catching Pokémon and investigating a pretend crime.

Get back to class (without worrying about grades)

This year’s Stress-Free Degree lectures cover a broad swath of subjects ranging from the buzzy TV show Squid Game to the legal side of AI. There are nine lectures on offer by experts from U of T Mississauga, U of T Scarborough, OISE, Temerty Faculty of Medicine and more, available in-person and online.

Learn from racial justice champion Lesra Martin

The activist and acclaimed lawyer who helped secure the freedom of Rubin “The Hurricane” Carter is also a U of T alumnus from Innis College. In this online conversation, Lesra Martin shares his origin story, journey to U of T and the insights that shaped his successful career. The �ؿ�ζSM Alumni Association’s Annual General Meeting will follow the talk.

Party like a scientist

New and new-ish grads take over the Ontario Science Centre for the biggest SHAKER event of the year. Admission is $20 and includes all non-alcoholic beverages, treats and one alcoholic drink ticket. Shuttle buses from the St. George campus are available.

Kick off Pride month with Italian eats

Head to Eataly Toronto for an evening of cocktails, fine cuisine and mingling with alumni and friends at the 2SLGBTQ+ Spring Soirée.

A big anniversary deserves a big celebration

Take a trip down memory lane at invite-only events for alumni celebrating their 50th, 55th, 60th, 65th, 70th, 75th, and 80th anniversaries of graduation, including the Chancellor's Breakfast and the 50th Anniversary Ceremony at Convocation Hall.

Add new story tags

Alumni Relations

Alumni Reunion

U of T exchange students help organize exhibit in memory of Ukrainian students killed in war

siddiq22 — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 19:26:45 +0000

U of T exchange students help organize exhibit in memory of Ukrainian students killed in war

siddiq22 Tue, 03/07/2023 - 14:26

Cutline

National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy exchange students Sofiia Kekukh and Daryna Zavhorodnia were among the organizers of the Unissued Diplomas exhibit, currently on display at Hart House (photo by Johnny Guatto)

Tabassum Siddiqui

Topic

Global Lens

Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy

Faculty of Arts & Science

“When your classroom turns into a battlefield, your major becomes bravery.”

That’s the powerful tagline for Unissued Diplomas, an art exhibit organized by Ukrainian students across Canada – including several from the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy (KMA) who are currently studying at the �ؿ�ζSM as part of an exchange program with the Faculty of Arts & Science.

Organized in partnership with the Ukrainian Canadian Students’ Union, the exhibit is presented in two parts – Unissued Diplomas, which features stark black-and-white plaques displaying the photos and stories of 36 Ukrainian students killed during the current war in Ukraine; and Traces of War, a collection of illustrations and text by Ukrainian youth. Works from both parts of the exhibit are currently on display at Hart House on St. George campus until March 16.

Two of the lead organizers, KMA exchange students Sofiia Kekuh and Daryna Zavhorodnia, have been working with fellow Ukrainian students across multiple time zones – holding virtual meetings and exchanging online messages around the clock – to coordinate the exhibit, which launched on Feb. 24, the one-year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

“Nearly every one of us on the team, we have a friend or a friend of a friend, or an acquaintance, classmate or roommate who has died,” Zavhorodnia said. “So we felt that we needed to do something to spread awareness – these are actually people like us: students who were just living their lives.”

Unissued Diplomas is being displayed at 45 universities around the world, including U of T. In Toronto, it is also being shown at St. Volodymyr Institute on Spadina Ave. until March 11 and at the KUMF Gallery in Etobicoke until March 12. Other participating Canadian universities include Carleton University, St. Mary’s University and the University of Alberta.

Students view the exhibit at a launch event at St. Volodymyr Institute on Feb. 23 (photo by Sofiia Kekukh)

Kekuh, a third-year student from Kyiv majoring in English and Ukrainian studies, and Zavhorodnia, who is from Rohatyn in western Ukraine and is in her third year of sociology with a focus on gender studies, are part of a group of students from KMA who were welcomed by the Faculty of Arts & Science when their studies were disrupted by the war.

“The Faculty of Arts & Science has always been proud of the strong relationship we have with Ukraine’s academic community. Over the years, we have hosted many students from Ukrainian universities, and it's wonderful to see these partnerships continue to flourish,” said Melanie Woodin, dean of the Faculty of Arts & Science.

“This exhibit truly brings into focus the permanent, irreversible impact that war has on a nation and its people. Amid the turmoil they have faced throughout the past year, the students who put this exhibit together have honoured their peers in a manner that enables the U of T community to bear further witness to what has been lost.”

Unissued Diplomas project manager Daryna Zavhorodnia, right, with Melanie Woodin, dean of the Faculty of Arts & Science, at a reception last week for students from Ukraine on exchange at U of T (photo by Delicia Ansalem)

Adapting to “a completely new environment” at first proved challenging, Zavhorodnia said, “but in terms of community, there are a lot of Ukrainians here in Toronto and Canada in general – we could feel the power of that in the way they keep the traditions and language alive. And there was a sense of community here at the university as well.”

Drawing on that close-knit network, the pair began discussing with other Ukrainian students what they could do to bring more attention to the conflict – especially at their new campuses, where many of their peers didn’t seem to be fully aware of the human cost of the war.

“It’s so far away, and they don’t know what it’s like to live there and experience it – to get up every day and still have to try to go to work and school in the middle of this war,” Kekuh said. “The main goal is to remind viewers that the war is not over. It’s an exhibit that never should have existed – but now it’s something to keep the memory alive of the students who were killed.”

Liudmyla Kryvoruchka, director of the Yuchemenko Family Doctoral School at National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, speaks on Feb. 23 during a panel discussion about Ukraine at St. Volodymyr Institute (photo by Sofiia Kekukh)

Since January, Kekuh and Zavhorodnia and their fellow organizers have been reaching out to family and friends of students who died in combat or in attacks on their cities to compile their stories for the Unissued Diplomas plaques, as well as curating the artwork, poems and messages from young Ukrainians that make up the Traces of War exhibit.

Those efforts come between their everyday studies and worriedly trying to reach their parents and loved ones amid the conflict and sustained power outages back home – Kekuh notes that Ukrainians now joke about how much they can get done in the brief blocks of time between blackouts.

“You never know if it’s a missile, or whether they just don’t have electricity or what’s happening,” Zavhorodnia said. “Physically, I’m here [in Toronto] and it’s safe. But mentally and emotionally, I’m still there – so the struggle is being in two environments at the same time.”

Working on the Unissued Diplomas project allowed the KMA students to channel their fear and concern into something productive – in addition to the exhibit, they also partnered with U of T’s Centre for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies (CERES) at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy for a panel discussion on Feb. 23 to mark the one-year anniversary of the invasion, which examined the resilience of Ukrainians during the war. The group also hosted a film screening of the documentary War Note at Innis Town Hall on Feb. 26 with director Roman Liubyi in attendance, and are collecting donations to buy medical supplies and camera drones for students fighting on the frontlines in Ukraine.

The Unissued Diplomas exhibit at Hart House (photo by Johnny Guatto)

At Hart House, in the main floor hallway where the exhibit is currently displayed, the portraits of the Ukrainian students who never got a chance to graduate stop passerby in their tracks.

“Viewing this series of photos of Ukrainian students killed in the war – some as soldiers, most as civilians – it is a painful experience to see these young faces and to know their fate,” said Lynne Viola, University Professor emerita in the department of history in the Faculty of Arts & Science – with a cross-appointment to the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy – who is a specialist in 20th-century Russian history and has worked with many Ukrainian students and scholars over the years.

Kekuh and Zavhorodnia, who plan to return to Ukraine to help rebuild their country when their exchange term wraps up in April, hope the exhibit inspires U of T students to reflect on a conflict that may seem distant but has a global impact.

“We hope the biggest takeaway will be that the war is not just numbers – that those are names, those are personal stories and those are real people,” Zavhorodnia said. “And there is a high price to pay for freedom – that’s the price we are paying, and that’s why the world has to remember that it’s not only about Ukraine, but about larger, greater ideas about freedom and democracy.”

U of T is reminding students, faculty and staff affected by the war in Ukraine that services are available at each of the three campuses for those who need support.

The following services are available to students:

Health and Wellness Centre (St. George)
Health and Wellness Centre (U of T Scarborough)
Health and Counselling Centre (U of T Mississauga)
My SSP (support available 24-7/365)
Centre for International Experience

For staff and faculty:

Employee and Family Assistance Program (support available 24-7/365)

The year in pictures: U of T News looks back at 2022

davidlee — Tue, 20 Dec 2022 17:38:49 +0000

The year in pictures: U of T News looks back at 2022

davidlee Tue, 12/20/2022 - 12:38

Cutline

The Toronto High Containment Facility, based at Temerty Faculty of Medicine, houses the largest containment level 3 lab in Ontario. Researchers can study high-risk pathogens, such as SARS-CoV-2 and HIV, in a safe and secure way. (Photo by Nathan Cyprys)

Mariam Matti

Topic

City & Culture

Back to School 2022

Black Research Network

Eagle Feather Bearer

Institutional Strategic Initiatives

Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy

Global

International

Photographs

Research & Innovation

Undergraduate Students

Members of the �ؿ�ζSM community shared many memorable moments across the three campuses in 2022.

In spring, graduating students returned to Convocation Hall. In fall, more than 90,000 students from across Canada and around the world were welcomed back to U of T for what President Meric Gertler described as “our biggest back-to-school ever.” Through the year, the university’s renowned scholars continued to make their mark through pathbreaking research and innovation that made an impact locally and globally. Meanwhile, events with world leaders deepened the university’s international collaborations and partnerships.

For all those highlights and more, U of T News photographers were there. Below is a selection of striking images and special moments from 2022:

Indigenous artist Que Rock, a member of the Nipissing First Nation, stands in front of the mural he created honouring the 215 children whose unmarked graves were discovered at the site of a former residential school in Kamloops, B.C., in 2021.

The mural is on the north facade of the building housing U of T’s John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design. (Photo by Nadya Kwandibens/Red Works Photography)

The Hidden Stories project, co-ordinated by the research team at U of T Mississauga’s Old Books New Science Lab and funded by the Mellon Foundation, aims to explore the systems, peoples and cultures that make a book.

Alexandra Gillespie, U of T vice-president and U of T Mississauga principal, leads the Old Books New Science Lab. (Photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)

The founders of the Black Research Network, Alissa Trotz, Beth Coleman, Rhonda McEwen and Maydianne Andrade, appeared in an episode of Groundbreakers, a U of T multimedia series on Institutional Strategic Initiatives, to discuss Black research excellence and enhancing the research capacity of Black scholars across U of T's tri-campus community.

The renowned scholars and pathbreaking leaders also discussed the origins of the Black Research Network and opportunities for collaboration and policy change. (Photo by Lisa Lightbourn)

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the president of Ukraine, delivered an address and participated in a Q and A with students at U of T and other universities across Canada at an event hosted by U of T President Meric Gertler and the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy in June. (Photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)

More than 90,000 U of T students were welcomed back to U of T for their fall term with a wide range of events, including a cheer-off at Varsity Stadium on the St. George campus. (Photo by Johnny Guatto)

The proximity of the U of T Scarborough campus to Highland Creek Valley and Rouge National Urban Park offered many opportunities for students to enjoy the outdoors throughout the seasons.

A year-round program started by Athletics and Recreation organizes activities such as snowshoeing, hiking, dragon boating and rock climbing. (Photo by Don Campbell)

U of T President Meric Gertler welcomed Yoon Suk-yeol, South Korean president, to Simcoe Hall to discuss artificial intelligence and opportunities for further collaboration between the university and South Korean partners.

The meeting included a roundtable discussion titled “AI for the Better Future of Humanity,” that featured AI leaders and luminaries, including University Professor Emeritus Geoffrey Hinton and Lee Jong-ho, South Korea’s minister of science and ICT (information and communication technology). (Photo by Polina Teif)

Kaeliana Smoke, a master’s student in anthropology at U of T Mississauga, was a member of the inaugural cohort of Eagle Feather Bearers during spring convocation.

The Eagle Feather Bearer carries a ceremonial Eagle Feather into Convocation Hall at the outset of each ceremony. The new tradition symbolizes the university’s enduring partnership with Indigenous Peoples. (Photo by Lisa Sakulensky)

The U of T Scarborough Cheer Team – open to all U of T students, regardless of athletic ability – is one of hundreds of clubs and extracurricular options students participated in across U of T’s three campuses this year. (Photo by Geoffrey Vendeville)

In 2022, a new ranking placed the university second in the world for sustainability, recognizing the way sustainability permeates U of T's entire mission of research and teaching as well as its operations.

The greenhouse atop the Davis Building at U of T Mississauga, which provides research opportunities for undergraduate biology students, is home to some annuals, including beans and corn and has a permanent collection of flora that includes hibiscus, orchids, mosses, peppers, cotton, bananas and figs. (Photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)

President Meric Gertler wishes U of T community 'all the best in the year to come'

lanthierj — Wed, 07 Dec 2022 17:23:24 +0000

President Meric Gertler wishes U of T community 'all the best in the year to come' lanthierj Wed, 12/07/2022 - 12:23

Topic

Our Community

Holidays

President Meric Gertler

St. George campus

U of T Mississauga

U of T Scarborough

As 2022 draws to a close, there’s “a sense of energy and enthusiasm” across the �ؿ�ζSM’s three campuses, President Meric Gertler says.

In his annual holiday message, the president looks back on a year that saw the return of in-person graduation celebrations at Convocation Hall and the biggest back-to-school season in U of T’s history – and reflects on how it feels to be together once again.

“The past year has also brought its share of challenges for all of us,” President Gertler says. “But thanks to you, the �ؿ�ζSM is a tremendous source of hope.”

He congratulates members of the U of T community on their accomplishments and thanks them for their contributions – from tackling the climate crisis and “addressing urgent needs in the city around us,” to offering refuge to scholars fleeing war and oppression.

“I wish you and your loved ones a wonderful holiday season, and all the best in the year to come.”

U of T marks International Women's Day with lectures, a pitch competition and other events

mattimar — Mon, 07 Mar 2022 18:47:32 +0000

U of T marks International Women's Day with lectures, a pitch competition and other events

mattimar Mon, 03/07/2022 - 13:47

Cutline

Hart House is co-hosting a virtual event called Women in Hip-Hop: Erasure, Trailblazers and Place-makers to mark International Women's Day (photo by Johnny Guatto)

Mariam Matti

Topic

Our Community

ICUBE

Faculty of Arts & Science

Hart House

International Women's Day

St. George campus

U of T Mississauga

U of T Scarborough

Women and Gender Studies

The �ؿ�ζSM community is marking International Women’s Day on March 8 with a variety of events across the three campuses.

From lectures and workshops to a startup pitch competition and a fun trivia night, the events will highlight the cultural, political and socioeconomic achievements of women across the world.

Here’s a snapshot of what’s scheduled across the three U of T campuses this week:

Women in Hip-Hop: Erasure, Trailblazers and Place-makers

Co-hosted by Hart House and Fresh, Bold and So Def at the Universal Hip Hop Museum, this virtual event will showcase the historical and continuing contributions of women in hip-hop. The conversation will be led by moderator Francesca D'Amico-Cuthbert, a post-doctoral researcher at U of T’s Jackman Humanities Institute. She’ll be joined by Martha Diaz, curator, archivist, educator, media producer and social entrepreneur; DJ Lynnée Denise, artist, scholar and writer; and Kayja Edwards, a student at U of T Mississauga who is studying a double major in communications, culture, information and technology and women and gender studies. March 8, 4 – 5:30 p.m. ET

Pitch With a Twist

Part of U of T’s Entrepreneurship Week, ICUBE – home of early-stage start-ups at U of T Mississauga – is hosting Pitch with a Twist, International Women’s Month Edition. The event provides an opportunity for women-identifying entrepreneurs to pitch early-stage ventures to a panel of women-identifying judges from a variety of sectors for cash prizes and support. March 8, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. ET

Faith on the Margins – International Women’s Day Event

The Multi-Faith Centre at U of T is hosting a virtual conversation to explore how gender rights, justice and spirituality are connected. The participants include Maryam Khan, social work professor at Wilfrid Laurier University, Rev. Cheri DiNovo, minister and former MPP, and Rabbi Ariella Rosen, senior director and senior Jewish educator at Hillel U of T. March 8, 5:30 – 8 p.m. ET

International Women's Day – Crowns of Change Head Wrap Workshop

Hosted at the Meeting Place at U of T Scarborough, the Crowns of Change is a workshop for women to learn how to protect their hair with a head wrap or head covering. Participants will get to leave with their own crown. March 8, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. ET

International Women’s Day Lecture with Tara Houska

The Women & Gender Studies Institute is hosting a virtual lecture – Defend the Sacred: Reconnection is Resistance – with tribal attorney, land defender and climate justice activist Tara Houska. She co-founded Not Your Mascots, an organization committed to educating the public about representation of Indigenous Peoples. March 9, 6 – 7:30 p.m. ET

International Women’s Day Trivia Night

Students, staff and faculty are invited to take part in a fun trivia night focused on women who are trailblazers in their respective fields. Hosted by the International Student Centre, there are prizes available. March 11, 5 – 6 p.m. ET

“We treat them like our family”: Food Services staff on feeding students who couldn’t go home

sungjimi — Mon, 17 Aug 2020 14:10:10 +0000

“We treat them like our family”: Food Services staff on feeding students who couldn’t go home sungjimi Mon, 08/17/2020 - 10:10

There’s no recipe to follow when providing food to students on campus during a pandemic. Staff at the �ؿ�ζSM’s Food Services had to add a heavy dose of agility to processes and policies overnight to ensure students who relied on them were staying fed.

“There was a lot of uncertainty about what the future held,” says Jaco Lokker, director of culinary operations and executive chef.

Looking back on the early days of the pandemic, Lokker recalls that while many staff were concerned for the safety of health of their own families, they were also deeply aware of “their commitment to the students who remained on campus and the importance of making sure they were looked after as well.”

Lokker’s team oversees the dining programs at three residences at St. George – Chestnut, New College and Campus One – as well as campus catering and some retail locations. During the academic year, the team numbers at around 230 staff members. Currently, around 22 staff members are actively working to serve on average 212 meals a day. (Read stories about other U of T residences here and our plans for a safe return to campus here.)

For many of those students, the Food Services staff were some of the few familiar faces they were able to interact with on a daily basis while isolating in their residences.

Danita Seenarine, a Food Services staff member who has worked at Chestnut Residence & Conference Centre for more than 20 years, says it was important to be a comforting presence to the diners. As a frontline staff member, she’s the friendly face that many students interact with when picking up their meals.

“Some students who weren’t able to go back home are feeling homesick, so we are making sure they feel happy to see us and know that we are here to support them,” she says. “I treat them as if they were my own children. We treat them like our family. I’ve continued to keep up conversations with them to encourage them.”

While showing their care and kindness during those in-person interactions, the staff also devised a safe way for students to order and receive their snacks and meals.

The menu was pared down to offer a hot or cold option in a to-go box, so that diners could pick up their meals and return to their rooms. An online menu was also created so that students could check out their meal options in advance and pick up a box, snack and drink with minimal contact.

Lokker says it was important to make the meals something students would look forward to, from the food itself, to the opportunity for connection.

“When you’re quarantined, you can’t go anywhere and meals and food become all that’s left in a sense,” he says. “We focused on bringing that extra bit of joy to our students through the dining experience, because it was probably one of the very few times that they got to interact with people in a day.”

One way the team sought to bring joy to the students was ensuring that the menu remained innovative – such as a fun breakfast ramen – that kept diners looking forward to their meals.

“The diners have been happy with the transition to the boxed meal program, because they felt that we were taking their safety seriously,” says Chef Edward Low, executive chef at Chestnut.

“Some even commented that they thought the food tasted better than before,” says Lokker. “The quality of the food didn’t change, but the students have just been getting more joy out their meals.”

In the early days of the quarantine, there were still more than 200 students living in the three residences. The staff created about 600 boxed meals a day to feed them. To accommodate that volume, the ballroom at Chestnut was converted into an assembly area, ensuring staff were working at a safe physical distance from each other while packaging the food to be shipped across campus.

Colin Porter, executive director of Food Services, says the commitment of the staff to support the students and a teamwork mindset was key to helping the office make a successful pivot once public health officials enacted strict policies at the onset of the pandemic.

“The Food Services team have truly come together and used their expertise to ensure our students didn’t experience any disruption of service and were still able to enjoy freshly prepared meals despite the limitations of the pandemic,” says Porter. “It’s been inspiring to witness how they’ve all remained so positive throughout it all.”

“I want to commend the entire Food Services team for stepping up in this time of uncertainty,” says Anne MacDonald, U of T’s assistant vice-president of ancillary services. “They should feel proud of the essential service they provided to our students.”

As the team looks ahead to the fall semester, they’ve used their experiences of the past four months to prepare for the large volume of students they will be feeding. The team has been stocking up on the takeaway boxes, cutlery kits and PPE for staff.

“The entire pandemic so far has been a big learning curve for all of us,” says Low. “We’re looking forward to meeting new students and offering them the same level of safety and service in September.”

“We treat them like our family”: Food Services staff on feeding students who couldn’t go home

From left to right: Chef Jaco Lokker, Danita Seenarine, Chef Edward Low

Jenny Rodrigues

Off

‘We all have a responsibility’: Meet six U of T essential staff members keeping our campuses running despite the pandemic

sungjimi — Wed, 03 Jun 2020 03:12:35 +0000

‘We all have a responsibility’: Meet six U of T essential staff members keeping our campuses running despite the pandemic sungjimi Tue, 06/02/2020 - 23:12

When the novel coronavirus forced the university to close non-essential spaces in mid-March, many staff, faculty and librarians had to adapt to remote work – sometimes while homeschooling or caregiving.

Essential staff, such as those who keep our campuses secure, clean and operational, continued to come to campus, ensuring workplaces are safe and ready to welcome everyone back once restrictions lift. In addition, residence staff and researchers have continued to come to campus to support students and conduct time-sensitive research.

“Our many essential workers are working hard to keep our facilities running,” says Ron Saporta, chief operating officer of property services and sustainability. “From responding to emergencies to fixing critical equipment to cleaning and disinfecting our physical spaces, essential staff across the university’s campuses have truly risen to the many challenges of operating during these times and adapting to new circumstances and new realities.”

The facilities and services department alone has more than 400 essential staff who continue to work on-site at the three campuses. These dedicated staff members include caretakers, tradespeople such as plumbers and electricians, building operators and engineers, property managers, fire prevention and hazardous materials specialists, switchboard operators, building patrol and campus police, recycling and waste management, campus movers, shipping and receiving and more.

In addition to maintaining the campus grounds, essential staff support on-campus residences that have remained open to house students, as well as offices and labs conducting time-sensitive or COVID-19-related research.

On any given day, hundreds of staff deliver vital services on-site and they will play a critical role in creating and supporting a safe environment once more people and activities return to campus.

Meet six essential staff members who have continued to work on campus during COVID-19.

Ryan Dow and Anastasia Shimansky: St. George Campus Police

[[{"fid":"14387","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","alignment":""},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"default","alignment":""}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"height":453,"width":680,"style":"width: 750px; height: 500px;","class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"1"}}]]

Ryan Dow is a staff sergeant with Campus Police (photo by Johnny Guatto)

Ryan Dow, staff sergeant of the Campus Police’s Resource Unit, says there was uneasiness among the police force when the lockdown was announced.

“When this started, we were scared. Everybody was. Nobody really understood how dangerous this virus could be,” he said. “But it came down to leadership. We all agreed to be positive instead of dwelling on the what-if scenarios and ensuring that we kept communication open to stop officer burnout.”

As staff sergeant, Dow hadn’t donned a uniform in years, but he and other police managers didn’t hesitate to wear them again in order to cover shifts for officers who had to self-isolate or had to care for their children at home. His responsibilities during the pandemic include ensuring staff have enough personal protective equipment and developing procedures to allow for physical distancing while maintaining security on campus.

Dow notes that there has been a heightened sense of unity since the pandemic began. He emphasizes the dedication of the officers and says this is something that he attributes to the university culture – one which is inclusive, approachable and supportive.

“We have each other’s backs to keep this university safe,” says Dow.

[[{"fid":"14388","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","alignment":""},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"2":{"format":"default","alignment":""}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"height":453,"width":680,"style":"width: 750px; height: 500px;","class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"2"}}]]

Anastasia Shimansky is a special constable with Campus Police (photo by Johnny Guatto)

Special Constable Anastasia Shimansky echoed Dow’s initial feelings of uncertainty but adds that she has found that we are all resilient.

“The new lifestyle we’ve had to live for the last couple of months is difficult and unusual. But we’ve learned that it is doable and we can do it,” she says. “But I know it’s not easy for everyone.”

Shimansky says with less activity on campus, people have been more open about approaching the officers with questions or asking for support.

“It’s important now, more than ever, for us to be a physical presence that can provide a sense of security and comfort for the people who are still on campus,” she says.

Tarun Patel: U of T Mississauga Building Operations, lead hand engineer

[[{"fid":"14389","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","alignment":""},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"3":{"format":"default","alignment":""}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"height":453,"width":680,"style":"width: 750px; height: 500px;","class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"3"}}]]

Tarun Patel, a lead hand engineer, monitors the building automation system in the Central Utilities Plant at U of T Mississauga (photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)

The job of a building engineer involves a lot of behind-the-scenes work. For the last 20 years, Tarun Patel, a lead hand engineer, has been helping to maintain the heating, ventilation and cooling systems – among other responsibilities – of the 29 properties on the U of T Mississauga campus.

As the team of 15 engineers manages major changes to their work as a result of the pandemic, such as staggering shifts to accommodate physical distancing, they must also manage regular yearly challenges such as the switch from heating to cooling as warmer weather approaches.

“This changeover season is a busy one,” he says. “Some of our staff members are immunocompromised so they’re in self-isolation. We’re a bit short-staffed but we’re doing our best to keep everyone comfortable, especially in the spaces where researchers are still coming in.”

Patel notes that with a smaller crew, he’s been grateful to see upper management take a hands-on approach.

“They could be working from home, but they come in every day to help us manage the load,” he says. “Everybody was anxious when the lockdown began, but our managers have always supported us from the beginning. They told us to take care of ourselves first and have provided us with extra sanitizing supplies and PPE.”

Patel says he feels less anxious now. With strict distancing and sanitizing protocols in place, plus fewer people on campus in general, he says he feels comfortable going into work.

Kwame Bloomfield: U of T Scarborough Facility Operations, assistant manager

[[{"fid":"14390","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","alignment":""},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"4":{"format":"default","alignment":""}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"height":453,"width":680,"style":"width: 750px; height: 500px;","class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"4"}}]]

Kwame Bloomfield, an assistant manager with U of T Scarborough Facility Operations, labels supplies (photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)

A largely empty campus isn’t new for Kwame Bloomfield. As the night supervisor overseeing trades on the U of T Scarborough campus, he usually doesn’t see much of the typical campus hustle and bustle. But he says things feel different now.

“It feels a bit eerie,” he says. “Not because campus is empty, but the reason behind it.”

Now that he’s working day shifts, Bloomfield says he feels reassured to see an empty campus, knowing that people are adhering to shelter-in-place orders.

Bloomfield and his team of caretakers and tradespeople have increased their disinfecting protocols to go over each area multiple times in a day. They have also increased the number of hand sanitizer stations by 40 per cent and have ensured disinfecting wipes are available to essential staff.
He says keeping these spaces safe for university leaders, students, staff and researchers is important, but the impact goes beyond the campus.

U of T Scarborough has opened up space on campus to the disaster relief organization GlobalMedic, which is organizing food distribution to those in need in the community.

“We’re also cleaning and maintaining the space that GlobalMedic is using, so that they can continue to operate and reach those people,” Bloomfield says.

According to Bloomfield, a large part of why his job is rewarding is because he can see the impact it makes. “There’s a special sense of appreciation at U of T Scarborough – there always was,” he says. “It’s part of what makes it such a nice place to work.”

“Nowadays, everyone is thinking about everyone else’s health, even in the way they sign off on emails. There’s a lot of well-wishing and checking in on health. It’s unusual, but it’s welcome.”

Matthew Malcolm: U of T Mississauga Stores/Shipping & Receiving, supervisor

[[{"fid":"14391","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","alignment":""},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"5":{"format":"default","alignment":""}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"height":453,"width":680,"style":"width: 750px; height: 500px;","class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"5"}}]]

Matthew Malcolm, supervisor at U of T Mississauga Stores, hauls in a shipment (photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)

When Matthew Malcolm first heard news of a potential lockdown, he started to think ahead. As the supervisor of shipping, receiving and stores at U of T Mississauga, he knew he had to stock up on supplies for researchers and other essential staff who needed them.

With many workplaces shutting down, some courier companies assumed that shipping and receiving on campus was closed and diverted supplies back to their warehouse.

“Not only was I finding alternate suppliers for our stock, but I had to contact all our couriers to let them know that we were open and accepting packages,” he says.

Malcolm, a 25-year veteran U of T staff member, knows that undelivered shipments could make a big impact on research.

“We have to ensure that we have enough supplies for researchers to reopen their labs with minimal disruption once it’s safe to do so. Being designated as ‘critical staff’ means it’s my job to make sure all of this is taken care of,” he says.

Like many, Malcolm felt a sense of uncertainty at the start of the pandemic. “It’s only natural,” he says. “But I think I’ve adjusted fairly easily and now, the out-of-the-ordinary has become ordinary.”

Stanley Czerniec: St. George campus, lead hand caretaker

[[{"fid":"14392","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","alignment":""},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"6":{"format":"default","alignment":""}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"height":453,"width":680,"style":"width: 750px; height: 500px;","class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"6"}}]]

Stanley Czerniak, a lead hand caretaker, poses with a new sterilizing gun that the caretaking team has recently begun using (photo by Johnny Guatto)

In his 35 years of working at U of T as a caretaker on the St. George campus, Stanley Czerniak says the COVID-19 pandemic is unlike anything he’s experienced. But despite some concerns expressed by his family and neighbours, he isn’t worried.

“If you have work to do, then you have to go to work,” he says. “We all have a lot of responsibility to take care of these buildings.”

He says it was a bit of shock when the campus became mostly vacant before the end of the spring semester, but he and his fellow caretakers quickly adjusted by implementing stricter disinfecting processes and using a new sterilizing gun. The caretaking staff have completed 3,400 projects in 75 buildings on the St. George campus, including deep cleanings and making necessary updates to lightbulbs and lamps in every room.

“I like that it’s a little quieter on campus because we’ve been able to be more productive, but I hope that this virus goes away soon and things go back to normal,” he says. “Whatever that may be.”

‘We all have a responsibility’: Meet six U of T essential staff members keeping our campuses running despite the pandemic

Building operations team member Genene Assefa checks on generator room equipment in the Central Utilities Plant at the �ؿ�ζSM Mississauga campus (photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)

Jenny Rodrigues

Off

�ؿ�ζSM acquires key parcel of land

lanthierj — Mon, 21 Aug 2017 18:59:36 +0000

�ؿ�ζSM acquires key parcel of land lanthierj Mon, 08/21/2017 - 14:59

Cutline

(Image courtesy Michal Kuzniar, assistant planner, Campus & Facilities Planning and Google Earth)

Topic

City & Culture

St. George campus

Subheadline

'This investment will benefit future generations of faculty and students'

The �ؿ�ζSM is laying the groundwork for future academic initiatives, acquiring a key parcel of land located within the footprint of its St. George campus.

The purchase of the four-acre site bordered by College Street and Spadina Avenue will allow the university to shape the future use of a prominent gateway to its campus. The site’s current tenant, The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, which is one of U of T’s fully affiliated hospital partners, will continue to operate there as long as needed. The hospital’s lease runs until 2038, with an option to renew for another 20 years.

“This is great news for U of T,” said President Meric Gertler. “This investment will benefit future generations of faculty and students, and will allow the university to continue its work as an important city builder.”

The move comes at a pivotal time for the downtown Toronto campus as the university considers its long-term land use through a review of its Secondary Plan and prepares for a major revitalization of King’s College Circle through its Landmark project.

The newly acquired site is across the street from the recently renovated home of the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design at One Spadina Crescent, which is quickly gaining renewed prominence as a city landmark. Acquiring this nearby property will create an important link to this site and continue the university’s efforts to create a welcoming entrance to the St. George campus from the west.

“This is a rare chance for us to acquire a strategic piece of property within our campus precinct and make sure it will be used in ways that support our academic mission for years to come,” said Professor Scott Mabury, U of T’s vice-president of operations.

U of T’s downtown Toronto campus is home to about 88,000 students, faculty and staff who work, study, teach and conduct research on a campus that is intertwined with the fabric of Canada’s largest city. Mabury described the purchase as the most significant addition to the campus in decades. It comes at a time when Toronto is experiencing rising demand for office and residential space and its profile as a centre of research and innovation is attracting worldwide attention.

The university is buying the property from a fund managed by Brookfield Asset Management, for $123-million. The site includes three buildings built in 1968 – a 15-storey tower that fronts on College Street and two buildings on Russell Street. There is also a house on College Street currently used for office space, and a parking garage.

The majority of the purchase will be funded with long-term debt, with some money coming from reserves and cash.

“This is excellent news for CAMH,” said Lori Spadorcia, CAMH’s vice-president of communications and partnerships. “U of T is a valued partner in the patient care, research and education that CAMH provides and we look forward to collaborating with them as we plan our space needs going forward.”

In the long-term, the university intends to consult broadly as it develops plans for the site, which is likely to be the home of future academic, research, innovation and residential projects for students, faculty and staff.

“This is an exciting opportunity for the university,” Mabury said. “This is a once-in-a-generation chance for us to shape this major intersection where the university and the city meet. We have an obligation to future students and researchers to make this investment and ensure this land is available for their use for decades to come.”