Varsity Stadium

U of T kicks off Pride Month with flag-raising ceremonies across its three campuses

siddiq22 — Thu, 01 Jun 2023 19:26:13 +0000

U of T kicks off Pride Month with flag-raising ceremonies across its three campuses

siddiq22 Thu, 06/01/2023 - 15:26

Cutline

Flags were raised at U of T Mississauga, the St. George campus and U of T Scarborough to mark the beginning of Pride Month (photos by Angelia Meffe, Polina Teif and Don Campbell)

Topic

Equity

Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education

LGBTQ

Pride

Sexual & Gender Diversity Office

St. George campus

U of T Mississauga

U of T Scarborough

The University of Toronto kicked off Pride Month celebrations on its three campuses Thursday with flag raising ceremonies and associated events.

As the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education (KPE) prepared for its annual flag-raising on the St. George campus, Ivan Canete thought back to when Toronto hosted WorldPride back in 2014 – in particular, the flags that lined Bloor Street.

The event prompted the assistant manager of merchandise, apparel and ticketing sales for the KPE’s sport and recreation department to suggest a flag at Varsity Stadium. So, Beth Ali, U of T’s director of athletics and physical activity, tasked him with developing an accompanying ceremony.

“I drafted a modest model and we held the inaugural ceremony in 2016,” Canete said. “We added the Trans flag in 2017 and transitioned to the Progress Pride flag – which includes black and brown stripes to represent marginalized LGBTQ+ communities of colour, along with the colours pink, light blue and white, which are used on the transgender Pride flag.

(photo by Polina Teif)

KPE’s annual event, hosted in collaboration with the Sexual & Gender Diversity Office, takes place alongside similar ceremonies at U of T Mississauga and U of T Scarborough, as well as other Pride-related events at the university throughout the month.

At U of T Mississauga, the Pride Month launch barbecue and flag-raising opened with a performance by Danielle Migwans, an Indigenous drummer from M'Chigeeng First Nation and the community of Wikwemikong.

For the first time on the campus, U of T Mississauga is displaying a 2-Spirit flag alongside the More Colour, More Pride flag.

(Photo by Angelia Meffe)

Professor Nicholas Rule, incoming vice-principal, academic and dean, said the chance to speak at the U of T Mississauga’s kickoff event was meaningful in multiple ways.

“As someone who identifies as part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, [I] recognize that in many parts of the world – including in my own place of origin in the U.S. – issues such as anti-Trans bills and attacks on gender-affirming care continue to be pervasive,” he told a crowd gathered in front of the U of T Mississauga Student Centre.

“Many people are suffering, dying and fighting for rights of equality – something that a lot of us in Canada take for granted. But today I want to focus on the positive by reflecting on how fortunate we all are to be able to gather here on this beautiful campus – on a beautiful day, in the spirit of comradeship – to commemorate and honour this month.”

(photo by Don Campbell)

At U of T Scarborough, the More Colour, More Pride flags were raised for the fifth year in a row.

“By raising this flag, we honour the experiences and resiliency of gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans and queer people and the experiences of Black, Indigenous and racialized people in the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Additionally, we raise the Trans Pride flag to represent 2-spirit, trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming people,” said Nadia Rosemond, U of T Scarborough’s assistant dean, co-curricular programs and student leadership, during her opening remarks.

“I want to pause and express gratitude and love to our 2SLGBTQ+ students, staff, faculty and librarians at UTSC. I don’t know how often you hear or feel this outside the month of June, but I want you to know that you belong here. You are welcomed here.”

The ceremony was followed by a courtyard celebration in front of the Arts and Administration Building with snacks, a unique floral mural marking Pride Month and a welcome table set up by the Positive Space Committee.

(photo by Don Campbell)

Back at the Varsity Stadium event, Sport and Recreation aquatics instructor Alex Jung was selected as the KPE staff guest of honour for his dedication to improving trans pool hours and launching upcoming trans swim lessons.

“As we swim through eliminationist policy and transgender athlete bans, I look to the spaces we trans folk grow for us,” Jung said. “I’m excited for more of us to be in the pool, comfortable in our own skin and in the water.”

Allison Burgess, U of T’s acting executive director of equity, diversity and inclusion, reminded guests that June is also National Indigenous History Month and said raising the Progress flag should be viewed both as a gesture of support for 2SLGBTQ+ communities and a stand against all oppression.

“All of this might feel like ancient history – but we know that, sadly, the fight for equity is not over,” said Burgess, adding that Pride is a time to celebrate the invaluable contributions of 2SLGBTQ+ members of the U of T community and get involved in Pride Month initiatives across the three campuses.

“Simply being here today to help us raise the Pride flag is a political act, but I hope this won’t be the only action you take during Pride Month.”

Cheers, clubs and the first day of class: Students kick off the fall term across U of T's three campuses

Christopher.Sorensen — Mon, 12 Sep 2022 16:24:36 +0000

Cheers, clubs and the first day of class: Students kick off the fall term across U of T's three campuses

Christopher.Sorensen Mon, 09/12/2022 - 12:24

Cutline

Students from St. Michael’s College make their voices heard at a cheer-off event at Varsity Stadium during U of T's biggest ever back-to-school season (photo by Johnny Guatto)

Mariam Matti

Topic

Our Community

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture

Meric Gertler

St. George

St. Michael's College

U of T Mississauga

U of T Scarborough

Undergraduate Students

Carly Jazbec was excited to kick off her final year at the University of Toronto by sitting in class – in an actual classroom.

Perched in the front row for her media and advertising course inside Carr Hall on the St. George campus, Jazbec said she is particularly keen to participate in discussions and form new connections in person after two years of virtual experiences.

“Being back in the classroom is really nice,” says Jazbec, who is doing a double major in cognitive science and book and media studies, and a minor in mental health studies. There are more opportunities to connect with different people.

“I missed that.”

As for students who are brand new to U of T, Jazbec suggests talking to the people sitting beside them and to take advantage of the office hours to visit professors.

“When I first came to U of T, I would say I didn’t do that. But now that I’ve gotten older and done more classes, it’s easier to talk to that person beside you.”

Students at U of T Mississauga listen to a lecture during the first week of classes (photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)

Jazbec was one of more than 90,000 students from across Canada and around the world starting their fall term across U of T’s three campuses during what U of T President Meric Gertler has described as “our biggest back-to-school ever.”

New and returning students were welcomed back with a wide range of events, including the student clubs fair, a cheer-off at Varsity Stadium, welcoming ceremonies and the openings of two new spaces for students.

The U of T Students’ Union kicked off the week by officially opening the Student Commons building at 230 College Street, a new hub for students to gather, socialize and study.

“It’s wonderful to have this new facility that will provide so many important services and spaces for our students – both of which are badly needed and long-awaited,” said President Gertler, who attended the event.

U of T President Meric Gertler attended the opening of the new Student Commons building at 230 College Street on the St. George campus (photo by Johnny Guatto)

He also attended a ribbon cutting ceremony later in the week to officially open Robarts Common, a five-storey study and meeting space for students. The multi-year renovations created 1,200 new study spots, soundproof rooms with big screens to practice presentations and charging stations everywhere.

At U of T Scarborough, Welcome Day on Sept. 6 was an opportunity for new and returning students to explore the campus and all the resources available on the first day of classes. There was a performance by a brass band, balloons, games, food trucks and plenty of information booths for students to check out.

Professor Wisdom Tettey, a U of T vice-president and principal of U of T Scarborough, was in attendance to greet students and answer their questions.

“They look at all the sea of people and go, ‘Together with these folks, we can make an impact,’” said Tettey in a video that was posted to YouTube. “That’s the kind of feeling I want folks to have and everything else will flow from that.”

Meanwhile, at U of T Mississauga, students participated in the Eagle Orientation from Sept. 6 to 8 before classes began for the fall term. Scheduled events included a tour of campus, a carnival, a barbecue and a keynote speech by graduate and spoken word poet Wali Shah.

Back on the St. George campus, on a hot and humid Wednesday, students gathered for 2022’s cheer-off at Varsity Stadium. Dressed in colours representing their faculty or college, they traded chants, cheers and banter.

It was the first time Brooke Abdulah had participated in a cheer-off. Arriving from Trinidad and Tobago for her first year as a student in the Faculty of Arts & Science, Abdulah said she was looking forward to meeting new people.

“I’ve never experienced anything like this,” she said. “I’m from the Caribbean so this is very different and exciting.

“I want to make a lot of friends from all over.”

Students from the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design participate in a cheer-off event at Varsity Stadium on the St. George campus (photo by Johnny Guatto)

The sentiment was echoed by two students who accompanied Abdulah.

Ariann Ramdhanie, a first-year Faculty of Arts & Science student who plans to major in microbiology, and Astika Bhandari, a first-year Faculty of Arts & Science student who wants to major in human biology, both said they intend to make the most out of their in-person university experience.

“I want to explore the city with everyone and have friends in my classes,” Bhandari said. “I want a support system and to find my people.”

For third-year students Nadia Persaud and Soban Atique, the cheer-off was an opportunity to attend frosh events that had been previously virtual.

Atique, who is working on a double major in criminology and political science, said it feels awesome to be back.

“I am here to be in that environment that I lacked in my first year and really hope that people can have an engaging and enthusiastic experience,” he said.

“The energy is so amazing,” added Persaud, who was covered in colourful markings and is pursuing a double major in criminology and political science and a minor in gender studies. “Everyone is chanting.”

Students fill the street at Devonshire Place during the clubs fair on the St. George campus (photo by Johnny Guatto)

Following the cheer-off, students filled the street on Devonshire Place for the clubs fair. With hundreds of clubs and student groups to join at U of T, students were invited to explore everything from the Autism Alliance to the Quidditch team.

Owen Darling, a second-year student in the Faculty of Arts & Science, was standing near the U of T rowing team’s booth handing out flyers.

In hopes of recruiting members, the team had two rowing machines set up in front of their booths to test people’s rowing abilities.

“Being on the team is awesome,” Darling said. “It’s a great, hard-working environment.”

There are hundreds of clubs and student groups to join at U of T (photo by Johnny Guatto)

In addition to being a second-year student working on a double major in the department of molecular genetics in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, Amelia Wilder is also the assistant music director for U of T’s “Tunes. Beats. Awesome” a cappella club.

“A cappella is a great way to meet people that like to sing,” Wilder said. “I had a lot of fun last year, singing and putting on concerts, making arrangements and I’m really excited to have more in-person events this year.”

“We hope people join. We really need a beat boxer.”

Members of the U of T Naginata club, dedicated to the practice of the Japanese martial art of Atarashii (Modern) Naginata, were dressed in head-to-toe traditional armour.

Banrong Hu, a fourth-year student in physiology in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, said he discovered the group, which practises at Hart House, through the clubs fair in 2019.

“Joining the club has been the best part of my university experience,” he said. “Last time I was at clubs fair, I was the one receiving the flyers, but now I’m handing out flyers to introduce the club and Hart House to more people.”

Wisdom Tettey (far right), U of T vice-president and principal of U of T Scarborough, takes a photo with students in front of a balloon wall (photo courtesy of U of T Scarborough)

Students weren’t the only ones soaking up the campus atmosphere.

Felan Parker, associate professor, teaching stream, in the book and media studies program at St. Michael’s College, said he is looking forward to inviting guest lecturers and taking students on field trips – one of them being to U of T Mississauga to see the Syd Bolton Collection of video games.

“Showing that kind of material online would have been okay, but not really the same as getting hands on with historical video games,” said Parker, who was teaching the media and advertising course in Carr Hall.

Felan Parker, associate professor, teaching stream, in the book and media studies program at St. Michael’s College, teaches a course on media and advertising (photo by Johnny Guatto)

He also reflected on the value of in-person learning and what he planned to do differently in the classroom after two years of virtual teaching.

“I’ve done away with late penalties entirely in my classes,” he said. “Back in April 2020, it felt downright unethical to put late penalties on people. I’ve come to see it as something that is unnecessary – a sort of stick when it comes to keeping students on task.

“Ultimately, at the end of the day, it doesn't make that much of a difference to me if I'm marking something a week or two later.”

Parker added that his big takeaway from pandemic teaching was to lead with compassion.

“I’m really excited about the possibilities of what we can do in the classroom. What new ways can we learn together?”

U of T staff recognized at annual OREP BBQ & Awards

ksoobria — Wed, 20 Oct 2021 16:50:39 +0000

U of T staff recognized at annual OREP BBQ & Awards ksoobria Wed, 10/20/2021 - 12:50

The 6th annual Operations & Real Estate Partnerships (OREP) Thank You BBQ & Awards event took place at Varsity Stadium on October 5 to recognize and celebrate exceptional staff and team contributions over the past year and a half.

Over 470 OREP staff had RSVP’d, and guests were entertained throughout the event with music from the Faculty of Music’s steel pan band as they enjoyed food prepared by the culinary team at U of T’s Food Services. The names and award citations for the 119 individual and team recipients of awards were noted on the jumbotron, which also served to convey social distancing rules throughout the event. Staff were clearly excited to be able to gather together as a team, safely but socially, for the first time since the 2019 BBQ & Awards event.

Since its inception in 2015, the OREP Award ceremony has honoured over 400 OREP and shared services staff for their exceptional contributions to their particular OREP unit, the OREP portfolio and the university.

“It’s important to celebrate the efforts of our staff members that often happen behind the scenes, particularly during the pandemic,” says Professor Scott Mabury, vice-president, operations and real estate partnerships. “Our folks have gone above and beyond to keep our people safe and facilities operational. These awards are one way to recognize the incredible talent, compassion and dedication of our staff.”

Using the Event Assessment Tool (EAT) to apply COVID-19 exposure-reducing controls, strategies and precautions, the event was a great example of how teams can work within the restrictions to host morale boosting, fun events to celebrate staff and to herald the return to campus by many of our staff. .

The awards were divided into three categories: Outstanding Individual Employee Awards, Distinguished Service Awards and Outstanding Team Awards.

Recipients of the Outstanding Individual Employee Awards were recognized for their outstanding contributions that went beyond the ordinary fulfillment of their positions’ duties. Examples included adapting and creating children’s programming for virtual platforms for University Family Housing, leading groups to revise the Food Services’ operating procedures in response to COVID-19, supporting students concerned about their housing and getting home to their families during the mass move out in March 2020.

Distinguished Service Awards were given to six employees with more than 15 years of service at the university who have also made outstanding contributions beyond their ordinary duties. Among the recipients at this year’s ceremony, several had been with the university for more than 30 years.

The Outstanding Staff Team Awards were presented to teams who took on time-limited projects. Recipients included the Proactive Disinfection Team which coordinated almost daily cleaning of spaces across the St. George campus, the cross-portfolio Quarantine Housing Program team for developing and managing a program to support the safe entry and reentry of the university’s international students, and the Community Policing Initiatives teams for organizing their Holiday Toy Drive for under privileged children and Spring Sock Drive the homeless. In total, 11 teams, including 93 members from across the university, were recognized.

Read the recap and full list of winners on the Vice President Operations and Real Estate Partnerships website.

U of T staff recognized at annual OREP BBQ & Award

Photo by Jackie Shapiro

Kevin Soobrian

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