Dear York Community, 

It is my pleasure to offer you all a very warm welcome to the 2022–23 academic year! 

For those of you who are new to York University, we are delighted you have chosen to be part of our ever-growing community. To all returning students, faculty, course instructors, and staff, welcome back.  

Despite the complex challenges we have faced, we have consistently balanced our responsibility towards the broader community with a wholehearted commitment to providing a welcoming, inclusive and engaging teaching, learning, and working experience for everyone at York University.  

As we return to the more typical in-person experiences we remember, I hope you will take advantage of every opportunity York has to offer as a 21st-century university, including engaging in work-integrated learning opportunities, participating or supporting athletics and recreation programs, joining clubs and organizations and attending events. These experiences have a profound impact on our lives. We benefit immensely both personally and professionally from the development of new connections, experiences and ideas that have the potential to shape our future success.  

As mentioned in a recent update, York University has transitioned to a community of care approach to health and safety which will see a pause on requirements related to masking, vaccination and screening in alignment with public health guidance. Masking and vaccination remain the two most effective ways for everyone to protect their health. York will continue to monitor the changing COVID-19 landscape on an ongoing basis to ensure the safety and well-being of the community. Please note that it may be necessary to pivot or introduce new measures if circumstances should change during the academic year.  

For more information on the different resources available to you on-campus – including vaccine clinics, rapid tests, and masks – and updates on what the University is doing in response to the ongoing pandemic, I encourage you to visit our Better Together website. 

I would like to thank all of you for your role in fostering an inclusive, welcoming and resilient community across our campuses over the past few years, and for embodying our trademark York spirit by pursuing excellence, innovation, and leadership while uplifting one another and the world around us through purposeful action. 

I am confident that this academic year will yield countless new achievements as we continue to come together and make connections that not only add value to our lives but also lay the foundation for catalyzing positive change in our local and global communities. Together, we will right the future. 

I wish you all the best for a healthy and successful 2022–23 academic year and look forward to seeing you on campus!  

Sincerely, 

Rhonda Lenton
President and Vice-Chancellor