NEWSWIRE

Relax at this winter's
Stress Buster Carnival

With the mounting pressure of finishing final assignments and studying for exams, some students may be feeling as grey as a dull winter day and as wound up as a ball of yarn. That’s why york is U has organized a winter Stress Buster Carnival for Thursday, March 20, from noon to 5pm, in Vari Hall and East Bear Pit in Central Square. It’s a chance to unwind, relax and have some fun. It’s a day-long event featuring free massages, good eats, carnival games and great prizes.

Snowstorm's fury fails to dampen York spirit
York’s March Gala events, the biggest on-campus recruitment events of the year, were held at the Keele and Glendon campuses during one of the worst snowstorms to hit the Toronto area this winter. The weather barely slowed down York’s best and brightest, who showcased the University and helped future top scholars explore the campus.

Atkinson students honoured for academic excellence
More than 200 members of York's Atkinson Faculty of Liberal and Professional Studies gathered to recognize the achievements of students at the annual Celebrating Academic Excellence event. Students were honoured for their commitment to their studies, contributions to student life at York, and demonstrated leadership.

Leadership development program proves a success
York is providing students with leadership skills they can use to create a better future for themselves and their communities. York's Student Leadership Development Program, launched by the Centre for Student Community & Leadership Development in January, has received an overwhelmingly positive response to its leadership sessions.

Jazz Festival turns up the heat this week
York’s Department of Music will welcome spring this week with a four-day Jazz Festival running from March 17 to 20, as part of the third annual York Fine Arts Festival. The talented young artists in Canada's oldest and largest university jazz program will melt away with winter blues in six concerts, directed by leading lights of the Canadian jazz scene.

St. Bernard strikes gold in Lions medal haul
David St. Bernard saved his best for last. The York Lions triple jumper claimed a gold medal in the final meet of his university career at the 2008 Canadian Interuniversity Sports track and field championships, winning in dominating fashion with a top leap of 15.34 metres.

York Shorts showcases six grad-student films
York’s Film Department showcases the diversity, originality and excellence of works by rising filmmakers in its graduate program with York Shorts, a screening of six thesis productions created over the past decade. Ranging from festival favourites to rarely-seen gems, this hand-picked selection will be presented on Thursday, March 20.

Symposium marks Elimination of Racial Discrimination Day
Selwyn McSween, York's acting ombudsperson, heads a list of speakers at a symposium celebrating International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on Wednesday, March 19, from 1 to 4:30pm, in the Contact Room of The Underground in the Student Centre, Keele campus.

The downside of work in long-term care facilities
A new study led by York University researchers reveals that a staggering number of Canadians working in long-term care facilities suffer violence on the job. The study found that 43 per cent of personal support workers endure physical violence at work on a daily basis, while another 25 per cent face such violence every week.

Festival marks a homecoming for award-winning director
Theatre @ York caps its season with a theatrical sensation: American playwright Mary Zimmerman’s Tony Award-winning play Metamorphoses, directed by the acclaimed Canadian director Jillian Keiley. The show opens March 18 and runs to March 22.

York confers honorary degree on Nathanson
York University has conferred an honorary doctor of laws degree on philanthropist Mark Nathanson at a special private ceremony in Nassau, Bahamas. Nathanson was supposed to have received his honorary degree during Fall 2006 Convocation ceremonies for Osgoode Hall Law School, but was unable to travel to Toronto.

Founders College holds its first book sale
Looking for an intriguing fictional tale, a romance or perhaps a used textbook? Founders College, in conjunction with York University Bookstores, is holding its first-ever book sale next week, March 17 to 20.

Seminar looks at race, atrocities and outrage
Why is there such a lack of outrage at the images on the television of atrocities such as the Rwanda genocide? That is the question Sherene Razack, a professor from the University of Toronto, will discuss in her talk, titled "Stealing the Pain of Others: Race and the Humanitarian Response", at the 4th Annual School of Social Work Seminar.

Looking at the damage caused by extractive industries
Extractive industries such as mining and oil can exact a toll on the host country environmentally and socially. The upcoming Colloquium on the Global South symposium, titled "The Social and Environmental Implications of Extractive Industries in the Global South" on March 19, will examine ways to minimize the impact.

Police investigate report of a sexual assault
The Toronto Police Service is investigating a report of sexual assault which occurred on Sunday, March 16, at approximately 2:20pm at the north side of the Harry W. Arthurs Common on the Keele campus.