York’s Well-being Strategy has officially launched, taking a holistic, community-driven approach. This evolved strategy reinforces York’s commitment to fostering a positive environment for students, staff, faculty and instructors across all campuses and beyond!

SCLD supported the re-opening of the student-run Art Gallery inside Winters College which has been closed since 2020. The gallery is host to a variety of exhibitions, art-making workshops, artist talks and much more. This space is open to students, staff and the community.

The BE YU team had the honour of meeting Ryan Turnbull during his tour of the Jane & Finch Social Innovation Hub. The MP spoke to the group about his political career, received an overview of the BE YU Program and learned about the Black Student Summer Leadership Program students' project.

York’s new institutional Advising Framework was presented at a Canadian Advising Community event, which showcased York advising as an example of leading practice in Canada.

Spotlighting York’s journey, Cristina Bregar and Lara Ubaldi illustrated how the relationships we build with each other and with students can unleash the power to elevate advising practice across an institution.

During the week of January 22, the Centre will host several events to educate and empower York community members. Explore mindfulness sessions, writing letters of love to survivors, a riveting talk with the esteemed queer Pakistani Canadian Samra Habib, a Wen-Do self-defence class and more.

During the annual global campaign against gender-based violence, a variety of workshops were held at York. Topics included healthy relationships, misogynoir awareness, empowering student-athletes to advocate against violence against women, children and 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals and more.

During fall Well-being Week, the Centre organized an online workshop entitled Self-Care Through Art. Participants were encouraged to delve into therapeutic techniques aimed at cultivating a sustainable self-care practice that could be incorporated into their daily lives. 

During Consent Action Week, community members can attend a series of educational events teaching how to communicate consent and desire to partners, managing rejection, reclaiming personal agency and feeling safe and empowered in situations that may require self-defence.

Athletics & Recreation reflects with Rosemary Sadlier as she, and a panel of guests, honour the work done in getting Emancipation Day on August 1 recognized in Canada and celebrating Black Women in Leadership.

In honour of National Indigenous History Month, Larissa Crawford, a restorative circle keeper and published Indigenous and anti-racist researcher, was highlighted by the Athletics & Recreation department.
 

Staff and students shared what pride meant to them, as well as issues faced by the 2SLGBTQIA+ community during a Pride Month video.

The Office of the University Registrar gathered in person for the first time in several years in June to reconnect, celebrate accomplishments related to the OUR Strategic Plan and engage in professional development on the change and project implementation for the Student Systems Renewal Program. 

Athletics and Recreation proudly hosted Olympic icon and champion, Mark Tewksbury. Tewksbury shared his experiences and reflections with coaches, students and staff with a focus on the role that community, allyship and language played in his journey of self-acceptance and success.

International Women's Day is a global celebration of the achievements of women, and a call to action for gender equality. This year's campaign theme was #EmbraceEquity and the Centre hosted events that seek to challenge gender stereotypes and bias. 

Initiatives included a student-led Black Excellence speaker series & BHM fashion line. Black student-athletes and coaches were profiled throughout the month & Winston Larose received a YU Lions lifetime achievement award.

As follow-up to assessment-related workshops delivered by the Divisional Assessment Analyst, a virtual discussion group has been established. After core concepts of assessment workshops, attendees are invited to continue their learning and development with their peers, and at their own pace.

As a part of Consent Action Week, the Centre hosted a series of educational events that focused on self-advocacy and care with the goal to increase awareness of matters of consent, sharing existing support for survivors and promoting ally engagement.

On Monday, January 23, and Tuesday, January 24, Division of Students colleagues were invited to share their experience and passion for student success at facilitated brainstorming sessions. Attendees were encouraged to think and discuss five specific questions posed by the Vice-Provost, Students.

As a part of the 16 Days of Activism, an annual memorial service was hosted to commemorate the tragic mass shooting at L'École Polytechnique in Montréal on December 6, 1989. This ceremony honours the 14 murdered women and inspires our community to act against gender-based violence. 

The annual holiday gathering was held in-person for the first time since 2019. The theme was Candyland, because nothing is sweeter than spending time together. Division of Students staff enjoyed a turkey lunch with all the fixings and a performance by the Vanier College Productions.

The Assessment Community of Practice is a member-driven resource to help deepen knowledge and understanding among assessment experts in the Division of Students. They provide an informal space to refine approaches and practices, brainstorm solutions to challenges and celebrate successes.

The annual report captures stories, initiatives and projects that have advanced the 5-Year Strategic Plan. Learn about recent achievements and celebrate the Division's successes over the last two years.

Developed in collaboration with campus partners, the 2022-23 Digital Program Marketing Strategy launched in September. The strategy includes 13 advertising campaigns that support Student Recruitment & Admissions application goals. 

In collaboration with campus partners, the OUR recently hosted the inaugural SEM Learning Days. Colleagues from across campus came together to share best practices in recruitment, retention and learned innovative approaches to support and build a stronger SEM competency across York University.

A recent speaker series featured Jack Saddleback baring raw stories with humorous musings to uplift spaces for identities like his, a Cree, two-spirit, transgender gay man. Weaving experiences of personal resilience and community compassion, Saddleback inspires an intersectional holistic society. 

In collaboration with the Centre for Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion, the team presented about the community impact, proactive event planning and considerations surrounding offensive expression at student-led events at a Canadian Association of College and University Student Services session.

York University Athletics & Recreation hosted the annual Start2Finish run, which aims to help to break the cycle of child poverty through educational support, and celebration at York Lions Stadium, with special guest Yeo! 

Participate in this month’s events and sport the Lion's Pride Collection gear. 

In March, the Canadian Campus Wellbeing Survey was issued to all York students, giving them the opportunity to share their experiences and shape a culture of wellness on our campuses. Survey results will be used to enhance health and well-being resources and services available to students.

Staff learned about key findings from student journey maps developed last fall and how these findings have been applied (SAVY, SSRP and the website re-development project) during the Learning Days on Feb. 22 and 23. Participants contributed to interactive breakout sessions to pave the way forward.

Career Education & Development invited students to connect with hiring recruiters during the Employer Meet & Greet: Diversity and Inclusion Recruitment Event, where they learned about upcoming career opportunities with inclusive and equitable employers. 

The Division of Students is hosting multiple events during Black History Month (BHM), including, but not limited to: Black Excellence in COVID Times: Connections & Conversations Celebrating Black History Month; Career Resources for Black Students; Racialized Students Support Groups and more.

High school special education teachers, guidance counsellors, school board psychologists, and special education consultants attended a workshop that highlighted information on accommodations supports, documentation, registering and accessing financial information on Dec. 8, 2021.

Join the Centre for Sexual Violence Response, Support & Education as we raise awareness about consent during Consent Action Week at York U from Jan. 24 to 28. Virtual workshops, guest lectures and training is open to students, staff and faculty.

This 10-part eLearning series, This Place: 150 Years Retold, was based on the groundbreaking and critically acclaimed graphic novel anthology. Each session guided participants through the stories that reflect a rich history of Indigenous resistance and resilience.

Despite a challenging year, the Division of Students continues to advance York’s mission by providing services and programs that facilitates and fosters academic success, student development and an engaged community. The #BestOfYU 2021 YouTube playlist celebrates our successes and accomplishments.

SAVY, York's student virtual assistant, answered 34,555 questions from 9,964 unique students since January 1, 2021. The busiest days for questions were January 13 and September 7. In its lifetime, SAVY has answered more than 62,000 questions from just under 16,500 unique students.

Student Community and Leadership Development has partnered with The Centre for Human Rights, Equity, and Inclusion to host a three-part virtual education series about recognizing, dismantling, healing and ultimately – “Unlearning Hate”.

This 10-part eLearning series, This Place: 150 Years Retold, is based on the groundbreaking and critically acclaimed graphic novel anthology. Launched this fall, each session guides participants through the stories that reflect a rich history of Indigenous resistance and resilience.

After consultation with students and the York community, York introduced its first Student Equity & Diversity Census. Students were invited to participate from Sept. 21 to Oct. 29. Twenty per cent of York's students responded. A report will be made available on the VPS website in 2022.

The Division of Students hosted Learning Days for staff on October 14 & 15, 2021. Staff learned about York University's student demographics, heard from a panel of Divisional staff about how they are living the Divisional values,  and worked across units to develop student journey and empathy maps.

SCHW's Health Education & Promotion team is offering two mental health workshops for staff and faculty. Navigating Mental Health Resources 101 & Mental Health 201 provides well-being resources and strategies to support students in their academic journey.

From October to December 2021, Art Therapy group sessions are available for all York University community members. Participate and explore the therapeutic benefits of art making, such as: self-expression, stress relief, relaxation, and much more!

This campaign, Kindness is the New Normal, is being celebrated and encouraged throughout the community during the months of October and November 2021.

SAVY, York's student virtual assistant, answered 15,382 questions in 8,153 conversations held during York's back-to-school period, from August 25 to September 29, 2021. During that time, SAVY saw a total of 3,138 student logins and was able to answer 88.6% of all their questions.

The Office of the University Registrar (OUR) is developing strategic priorities, aspirational goals, and supporting actions that align with the Division of Student's Strategic Plan. OUR staff reviewed the draft OUR plan on October 14 and 15. The final OUR plan will be released in early November.

We have moved to a NEW way of delivering our Letters of Accommodation. Student and faculty log in to Passport York to request, review and approve letters that will be sent to the faculty portal. Faculty will be notified by e-mail and log in using passport York to receive student’s letters.  

This is a semester like no other. One thing we all have in common is that we are all adjusting to a new normal. This adjustment all begins with YU. This fall, we launched the Kindness Campaign complete with tips for spreading kindness, a Kindness Toolkit, and a list of support services for students.

The Division of Students Strategic Planning Days were held Aug 5 & 6 2021. Staff learned about and contributed to the 2020-2025 Strategic Plan through engaging in dialogue, reconnecting & working across units in the Division. More learning opportunities will be provided in October.

Canada Celebrates First-ever Emancipation Day with Virtual Celebration 

This year marked the First National Emancipation Day across Canada, as championed by Rosemary Sadlier. Over 25 years ago, Sadlier initiated the first of many commemorations of August 1st as Emancipation Day. 

Fathers have had a lot on their plates during this pandemic. To provide a safer space for dads, The Centre is hosting weekly support groups starting on June 20 to connect, converse and share coping strategies about during these unprecedented times.

Student Counselling, Health & Well-being launched its inaugural Health & Wellness Student Needs Assessment Survey in June to better understand student perceptions on health and well-being services. Data from the survey will be used to evaluate and enhance services available to York students.

Most strategy websites are static and short lived. To set the right tone for the Division of Students Strategy 2020-2025, a dynamic website has been created with monthly updates, filters by commitment, and views by unit and by progress. The site is also mobile optimized and printer-friendly.

York University Pride 2021 will be held on June 21-25, 2021, and will celebrate and honour Artists and Activism. The week of Pride is being organized by SexGen, with the support of The Centre for Sexual Violence Response, Support and Education and the Centre for Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion.

Over the past year, the OUR engaged in an external review process that made various recommendations, including creating a strategic plan. Across the OUR, staff engaged in meaningful conversations about the process and the development of a strategic plan that is student centered and service focused. 

Throughout the 2020-2021 academic year, SCHW engaged in bi-monthly clinical consultations on the topic of anti-oppressive practice. In May 2021, guest speakers from CAMH facilitated a departmental workshop on supporting Black Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) and queer students.

We’ve accomplished a lot -- and it’s time for us to celebrate! Check out the 2-year report that highlights major accomplishments completed across the Division.

A new suite of templates has been developed to help Divisional units map, plan and execute yearly communication activities. The templates will strengthen relationships and collaboration between units to advance the student experience. More information will be shared with units in the near future.

In partnership with local Jane & Finch community leaders and groups (Jane-Finch Concerned Citizens Organization, JFCCO), Athletics & Recreation produced a 3.5-hour virtual celebration called “Rooted & Resilient” with candid personal stories from homegrown Black Canadian trailblazers.

This year, York joined ARUCC to deliver digital documents to students through MyCreds - a trusted, centralized digital wallet that is easily accessible. This development is a critical step in modernizing our services to meet student needs and help them succeed, which is a central tenet of the UAP.