The sun has taken a step back and the leaves are lulling themselves to sleep — fall is here.
As you all know I believe in reflection and as each season flows into each other, I like to look back on the season past, remember all that was good, all the opportunities that were presented and plan for all the exciting things that lie ahead.
After many months, our campuses have once again come alive. Students can be seen crisscrossing the pathways and many more colleagues are back in offices. And as we continue with a combination of in-person and remote teaching, learning and working, we are hopeful that soon there will be an end to the pandemic. While it is still a very fluid situation, the University remains vigilant with its priority being the health and safety of the community.
I have taken the opportunity, since being able to come more often on campus, to explore and re-acquaint myself with our campuses. I’ve met many new ‘masked’ faces and reconnected with some familiar ones. I have stood in awe of the new School of Continuing Studies and its unique design, tilting my head this way and that, trying to imagine what it would be like standing in the building. As I walk around campus, I am overcome with an immense sense of pride in our colleagues in DFA. The many months of hard work by everyone in DFA is unmistakably present everywhere.
Our buildings have remained secure throughout the pandemic and continue to be well monitored thanks to the watchful team in the Community Safety Department. Campus signage, wayfinding signs, the distinct mask-vending machines, consistent cleaning protocols, enhanced ventilation and air filtration, plexiglass barriers installed, additional hand sanitization stations throughout, touchless washrooms, new campus benches, newly installed Bike Share Toronto stations and pristine campus grounds could hardly be missed—the handy work of colleagues in Ancillary and Facilities Services. And through it all, our colleagues in UIT and Financial Services have supported us and continue to do so, as we function like a well-oiled machine.
I greatly appreciate all your efforts in ensuring that robust measures are in place for the health and safety of our community and to helping to promote a positive experience for all.
As we settle into the month of October, the month we celebrate Thanksgiving with those near and dear to us, I encourage you to continue your journey of learning about the history of Canada’s Indigenous Peoples. September 30 was a solemn day; a historic day in which we as a nation came together to observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The York community showed its collective support for our Indigenous Peoples by wearing orange T-shirts as part of the Orange Shirt Day campaign; to experience, to witness and to honour the healing journey of the survivors and their families, and to commit to the ongoing process of reconciliation. Every Child Matters—the theme of the Orange Shirt Day campaign, because every child does matter!
The Ross building on the Keele campus, the Glendon Manor and the cranes on the Markham Campus construction site were all aglow in orange, thanks to the tremendous efforts from the Facilities Services team. This was the first time that buildings on York’s campuses were lit to shine a light on a very important matter.
Ross Building
Glendon Manor
Markham Campus Construction Site Cranes
One of the 94 recommendations in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s final report was the establishment of a statutory holiday, a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to honour Survivors, their families, and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process. And though September 30 is behind us, I ask that we not limit ourselves to just one day but to commit to continued reflection, learning and understanding as a way forward toward reconciliation.
We have much to be thankful for, we have been able to return to our campuses and re-connect with some of our colleagues in-person. We have tools and resources in place to ensure that while the pandemic is still around us, we can feel confident that our colleagues are doing their part to keep our community safe by using the YU Screen app before coming on campus.
I am grateful for students who give our jobs purpose and for our faculty, staff and university leaders who continue to work tirelessly to achieve the University’s vision and academic mission.
And as the leaves turn into vibrant colours of red, orange, yellow and brown, I feel a sense of excitement as I look forward to crisp morning walks with the leaves crunching under my feet and a steaming hot brew in hand before I begin my day, energized and grateful to be a part of this vibrant community.
I’d love to hear what you are grateful for.
Carol.