Every year when December rolls around, I have the same musing – I can’t believe another year has come and gone.  

This year has been no different. At York, we’ve continued to navigate a new normal, welcomed back students for a more fulsome return to campus, continued to progress major transformation programs – including the Service Excellence Program (SEP) and the Student System Renewal Program (SSRP) – strengthened our role and reputation as a sustainable University, and more. In our homes, we’ve experienced triumphs and challenges – being able to gather with loved ones safely after many months apart, navigating challenges with education, witnessing our healthcare system under duress as multiple viruses surge and feeling worried about the state of children’s health.  

Each of these moments and feelings, and many more, represent a tile in the mosaic of the last year. While some are larger than others, they nestle together to paint a picture that helps us reflect, acknowledge, celebrate and commemorate all that has taken place over the past 12 months.  

In the last few weeks, I’ve found myself in the 2022 archives, poring over past announcements, blogs, YFile articles and videos. I’ve smiled, cried, reflected and felt proud. To round out a year well spent, I wanted to share some of the pieces that resonated with me the most and their significance. As you read, listen and watch your way through this list, I hope you feel inspired by what we have accomplished together as a division. Though it has not always been easy, I am proud of our team for forging ahead, creating solutions, being innovative and doing the right thing. I am grateful for each of you and the role you play in making our York community better.  

Best wishes for a safe and happy holiday break, 

Carol 

Our People: In conversation with Ruth Bramham 

In October 2021, the Division of Finance and Administration’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Council was formed. Over the last year, the council has worked hard to develop an overall strategy, as well as sub-committees and action plans for EDI in our division. In addition to these strategic pieces, council members have also helped move the discussion forward through a variety of means, including a new website, updates at divisional town halls and a new vlog series that features conversations with DFA colleagues about their lived experiences. The first of these videos features Ruth Bramham, a founding member of the council. In this video, Ruth shares her story as a transgender woman through the years, dealing with illness, unemployment, working in a male-dominated industry and gender discrimination in the workforce. I am grateful to Ruth for her vulnerability in sharing her story and know many have already been inspired by her journey.  

York University undertakes a Security Services review 

Last February, our division took an important step toward actioning a commitment identified in the University’s Action Plan on Black Inclusion by forming an expert panel to undertake a review of York University’s Security Services. The Security Services Review is York’s tangible response after conversations with the University’s Black and racialized community revealed feelings of lack of personal and emotional safety, daily experiences of racial harassment, exclusion, discrimination, lack of respect and barriers to academic and career advancement. 

Over the last 11 months, this work has critically progressed with the input of our community. Through written submissions, town hall discussions, meetings and more, the panel has identified overarching topics, and has worked with the community to map out current state with proposed solutions and options. While the full Security Services Review is planned for release in the new year, I encourage you to read the preliminary report from September 2022 to understand the lived experiences of our Black and racialized colleagues and the shared accountability we have to create a more inclusive, safe environment.  

June reflections – Indigenous History Month, Pride Month and York’s largest spring convocation 

As someone who has spent their career in the education sector, it is well fitting that I consider myself to be a lifelong learner. While my time spent in a classroom has been invaluable and foundational, much of my learning over the last several years has been through books, articles, podcasts, lectures, films and conversations. For my June blog, I reflected on the learning that had taken place around Indigenous History Month and Pride month, and how understanding history is often the best way to make sense of what the future holds.  

Grandma graduates from York U, following in granddaughter’s and younger sister’s footsteps 

This is a headline you can’t finish reading without a smile. This past October, 85-year-old Hortense Anglin walked across the stage at York’s fall convocation to receive her first degree. She followed the inspiring lead of her sister, Orsa Lindo, who made headlines in 2018 for also graduating form York at 79. These women exemplify that education has no age restriction and that no matter where you are in life, there is always an opportunity to learn and grow.  

York introduces University Services Centre to make services easier to access, faster and more consistent 

While this story was first published in 2021, I find it encouraging to return to our original plans for the University Services Centre (USC) to see how far we’ve come. York began implementation of the USC in June 2021, gradually building new teams and introducing systems to make services simpler and faster to access. Over the last year and a half, the USC has delivered on many of the promises outlined in this initial announcement, including the creation of a USC Contact Centre to deliver consistently high-quality, professional and efficient services, and the establishment of a digital ticketing system that provides greater transparency around open tickets. 

I want to take a moment to acknowledge the USC team. I realize deeply, through experience, that forging new paths is difficult, and often the light at the end of the tunnel is dim. I am grateful that you have persevered through challenges in pursuit of our vision for service excellence. As you continue to build a world-class service organization, know that our division stands in support of you every step of the way.