Task Force on Student Life, Learning & Community
Universities exist for the free exchange of ideas and sometimes this can feel uncomfortable. But ideas are what universities are all about and ideas can only flourish in an atmosphere free of intolerance, hatred and harassment. It is up to each and every one of us to play our part in ensuring that we contribute to a climate where ideas can flourish freely. (See President Shoukri's statement about "the secular university.") The protests and disturbances on our campus around global have underlined key principles that the University has always stood for and will always stand for. We have to find ways to foster collegial relationships on campus if we are to fulfill our academic mission to the communities that we serve.
As a first step in that process, York President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri instituted the Task Force on Student Life, Learning & Community on March 16, 2009. The task force will review concerns about the student environment on the York campus (see Terms of Reference). It will examine the broad spectrum of student life, the learning environment and student community at York University, with special attention to the relationships between and among students, as well as between students and other parts of the community. It will report back to the president on August 31. (See YFile, March 16).
The task force membership includes seven students and seven appointed faculty members.
The mandate of the Task Force is to consult with all constituencies in the broader York community. This consultation process may include: online surveys; online discussion forums; in-person focus groups; town hall meetings; and written submissions. The task force will also gather information about best practices on the matters within its mandate at other universities in North America.
Students, professors, staff and groups within the University are encouraged to submit their views about the issues.
The task force may issue preliminary or interim reports and will, in any event, report to the president by August 31, 2009.
Office of the VP Students
E-mail: vpstdnts@yorku.ca
Location: N303, Bennett Centre for Student Services
