Hey Lions! Here’s your timely & targeted compilation of key events, noteworthy news and important dates for the remainder of the week. All posted event times are in Eastern Standard Time.
Note: any information related to changes due to COVID-19 found in this newsletter has already been communicated to the community and can be found at York’s YU Better Together website. All this information is accurate at the newsletter’s time of publication.
If you don’t have time to read This Week @ York, or would like to refer to it again, every edition can be found on the This Week @ York Archive web page.
Here are some other important items to keep in mind this week.
| 1 | Announcement about international Travel: On Friday, January 29, the federal government announced new restrictions regarding international and interprovincial travel to help limit the spread of COVID-19. The restrictions state that individuals and families who return to Ontario from other countries or provinces/territories across Canada during the province-wide shutdown must self-isolate/quarantine for 14 days upon arrival.
A 14-day quarantine period remains a federal requirement for all travelers (including Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents) entering Canada from international locations (including the US). Students living on campus and those taking in-person courses will receive direct communication regarding international and interprovincial travel and self-isolation/quarantine. |
| 2 | All-Community Virtual Town Hall. Join President Rhonda Lenton and other York senior leaders at this all-community Virtual Town Hall. The panel will answer questions from students, staff, instructors and faculty concerning the upcoming months. Submit your questions in advance using this Virtual Town Hall question submission form. Monday, February 8, 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. |
| 3 | York is celebrating Black History Month. February is packed with virtual events to educate the community and celebrate Black culture at York, in Canada and around the world. Here’s a snapshot of what you can find this week:
For some fun student-led events this week such as trivia, cooking classes and more, the Student Community & Leadership Development (SCLD) Student Engagement Ambassadors have partnered with many of York’s Student Associations to hold #CelebrateWhileWeEducate to celebrate different branches of Black culture at York! Whether you’re looking to learn about famous African icons and pioneers, looking for a dance workshop or testing your knowledge about international flags, there is something for you here. The Centre for Human Rights, Equity & Inclusion (CHREI) is holding a weekly Understanding Racism Workshop Series throughout February to provide students, staff and faculty the tools to understand racism and develop strategies to be anti-racist. This week’s workshops: Acknowledging & Addressing Racism. Join this workshop and gain an understanding of how to recognize racism, how it can manifest and what its impacts are. You'll learn about strategies to address barriers to inclusive spaces and become familiar with relevant tools, policies and legislation within the York context. Tuesday, February 2, 1 to 2:30 p.m. Registration required. Challenging Unconscious Bias & Microaggressions. Attend this workshop to learn about forms of unconscious bias and stereotyping that lead to microaggressions and discriminatory behaviour. Learn effective strategies that challenge our biases, reframe our ways of thinking and strengthen the experience of inclusion for all. Tuesday, February 9,1 to 2:30 p.m. Registration required. In addition to this, you can also attend this month’s Respect, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (REDI) Workshops. These workshops are not only a great way to learn, but they are a professional development opportunity that will help you for your career beyond York. Attend at least three of the REDI workshops (90 minutes each) and complete the REDI Online Tutorial to receive a REDI Certificate of Completion! Panel Discussion: Diaspora, Humanism & the Global Project of Black Freedom. Organized by Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS), this panel brings together several influential scholars from Canada, the United States and Kenya to discuss the ideas in their recent books. Once the registration has reached capacity, this event will be streamed live on YouTube. Friday, February 5, noon to 2 p.m. The week ends with a Celebrate While We Educate Panel representing all of York’s Black Student Associations together, discussing Black History Month on Friday, February 5 from noon to 1 p.m. Registration is required for all events. You can also find them on the SCLD Events Calendar. Webinar: How York alumni are advancing initiatives in Black communities. This lunchtime webinar brings together LA&PS graduates who are currently involved in various initiatives addressing anti-black racism, to share their work in this area. Join as they discuss their path to success and learn valuable insights. Includes Q&A session. Tuesday, February 9, noon to 1 p.m. Registration required. More Resources for Black Students: Career Education & Development offers specialized resources for Black students, aiming to help them with job searches, career guidance and post-graduate study options. To provide students with a safe space, Student Counselling, Health & Well-Being has created a support group exclusively for Black, Indigenous & People of Colour (BIPOC) students. As part of the Division of Student's work to address oppression and confront anti-Black racism, SCLD has compiled a working anti-racist resource document to inform and educate the student community. |
| 4 | Sexual Violence Response Education Week. Join the Centre for Sexual Violence Response, Support & Education as they raise awareness about Sexual Violence Response from Friday, February 5 to Friday, February 12. Take a look through the itinerary and sign up for virtual workshops, panels and training open to all students. |
| 5 | Register for the upcoming 2021 Winter Spark Leadership Summit! Hosted by the office of Student Community & Leadership Development (SCLD) in collaboration with Alumni Engagement, the Career Education & Development and LA&PS. The theme this year is transitioning out of university life, or into your next academic year during/post-pandemic. With multiple sessions to choose from, the summit is designed to both SPARK leadership and career potential for York students. Event: Friday, February 5, 10 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Registration required before Wednesday, February 3 at noon. |
| 6 | Workshop: Academic Integrity for Academic Success. Join this event hosted by the Learning Commons and York International to learn strategies to avoid plagiarism and write proper academic papers. This event is open to all undergraduate and graduate students. Wednesday, February 3, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Registration required.
View the York International Events Calendar for the full Virtual Coffee Break weekly schedule. YI’s daily Virtual Coffee Breaks are an online space for international and domestic students from across programs, Faculties, countries and cultures to connect and get to know each other! Student Leaders are on Zoom every weekday with different fun and interesting topics. When you sign up, a confirmation email with the zoom link will be sent to you upon registration. |
| 7 | Health Education Workshop: Sexual Health 101. Join this session and learn more about sexual health, consent and safe sex, which can help keep youand others safe regardless if you are engaging in sexual activity or not. This workshop is open and welcoming to all levels of knowledge and experience. Wednesday, February 3, 3 to 4 p.m. Registration required. Bonus: Participants will be entered to win an INDIGO gift card.
Workshop: Nutrition Basics & Meal Planning on a Budget. Attend this virtual session and get tips on how to prepare easy, healthy meals at home. Learn about shopping for healthier foods, comparing nutrition labels and easier ways to plan your meals on a student-friendly budget. Thursday, February 4, 10 to 11 a.m. Registration required. Bonus: Participants will be entered to win a food-themed gift card. Workshop: Virtual Mental Health 101. This workshop will provide you with ways to support your peers with mental health concerns. It will also provide a safe online space for discussion and education about self-care practices, healthy boundaries and more. Friday, February 5, 2 to 3 p.m. Registration required. Bonus: Participants will be entered to win an INDIGO gift card. Workshop: Nutrition Basics for Plant-Based Diets. Join the team of peer health educators while they discuss the importance of nutrition for vegan or vegetarian diets. Monday, February 8, 1 to 2 p.m. Registration required. Bonus: Participants will be entered to win an INDIGO gift card. Workshop: Physical Health & Sleep: Staying Physically Active at Home. Attend this workshop for tips on how to remain active while staying at home during the lockdown and hear tips on improving your sleep. Tuesday, February 9, 10 to 11 a.m. Registration required. Bonus: Participants will be entered to win an INDIGO gift card. |
| 8 | Mature Student Workshop: Learn How Career Education & Development Can Help Mature Students. Join this webinar hosted by the Career Education & Development and the Atkinson Centre for Mature and Part-time Students (ACMAPS) to learn about York's Career Decision Making Model and how it can help you move forward in your career as a mature student. You will also learn more about the range of virtual supports Career Education & Development provides remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thursday, February 4, 10 to 11 a.m. Registration is required through Experience York.
Mature Student Event Schedule. Are you a mature student at York? Are you interested in meditation or attending a casual, drop-in café hour to meet other mature students or a mature student peer mentor? Check the schedule at the link above and attend any session you wish, via Zoom. |
| 9 | Libraries Workshop: Road to Research Success: How to Find Scholarly Articles and Books Through York Libraries. Join this workshop and learn tips on everything you need to know about library research, from how to find your way around the library website to evaluating different sources and asking for help when you need it. If you’re just getting started – or maybe don’t know where to start – with library research, this workshop is for you. Monday, February 8, 1 to 2:15 p.m. Registration required.
Workshop: Academic Integrity: How You Can Learn to Stop Worrying and Love Citations. Join this workshop on citation and academic integrity, where you’ll discuss the hows and whys of citation to teach you the skills you need to succeed at York and beyond. Tuesday, February 9, 1 to 2:15 p.m. Registration required. |
WORTH REPEATING
Student Accessibility Services continues to meet with students virtually! Students already registered with Student Accessibility Services can connect with their Accessibility Counsellor by email or via sasinfo@yorku.ca.
To learn more, join one of their Information Sessions on the first Monday of each month from noon to 1 p.m. You can find the Zoom link on the York Events Calendar. If you are interested in registering with Student Accessibility Services, visit the New Students page on their website.
Writing Centre One-To-One and Drop-in Appointments. The Writing Centre invites you to bring any writing related to academics to a 50-minute one-on-one appointment with a writing expert. They’re open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you don't have time for a full appointment, drop in for a 15-minute session to have a question answered. They’re always happy to help.
Ideas about how to improve This Week @ York? Email thisweek@yorku.ca