Dear York community,
We recognize that conflicts and crises occurring locally and globally continue to impact many community members and in different ways. The past year has been particularly challenging for those who have community and familial ties to Israel and Palestine, and who continue to be deeply impacted. It has also been a difficult year for our University community and universities across the world. We have heard directly from students, staff and faculty who are grieving, advocating, processing and learning as a result of these events, and from those who want to contribute to building understanding and community. We are grateful for the honest, and at times critical, feedback received and strive to live up to York’s values, but we cannot do this alone.
Throughout our history, we have strived to show care and empathy for each other during challenging times. Continuing to demonstrate that compassion for one another is fundamental if we are to grow as an institution that reflects the many diverse perspectives shared by members of our community. As we welcome new members and students to York this fall, we each have a responsibility to uphold our principles of care, support and inclusion, and to ensure our spaces remain welcoming for all to learn, work and succeed together.
Over the next year, we are looking forward to focusing on a community-centred approach to promoting respectful engagement and dialogue between individuals and groups on the University’s campuses. Later this week, you will receive information from the vice-president equity, people and culture, the vice-provost students and the dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies about upcoming opportunities to engage in this important work. I hope you will find ways to be a part of these and other efforts to cultivate deeper understanding, mutual respect and a sense of belonging at York.
Wishing you a safe year ahead,
Rhonda L. Lenton,
President and Vice-Chancellor