Campus Life

It’s hard to avoid getting caught up in Pokémon GO mania – whether you jumped on the bandwagon after (or even before) the app’s official Canadian launch on Sunday, or passed by countless groups of people glued to their phones, flicking at strange cartoon monsters on their screen.

“It’s kind of like Fitbit for geeks,” says Vicky McArthur, assistant professor at University of Toronto Mississauga Institute of Communication, Culture, Information and Technology.

“It gets you out the door to try to find new Pokémon and gets you exploring your own neighbourhood in ways you wouldn’t otherwise have done.”

She says the longstanding Pokémon brand is what gets people to download the game, but the clever augmented reality interface is what keeps people hooked.

Don Boyes, associate professor, teaching stream, in U of T's department of geography and planning, is an expert on geographic information systems (GIS). Boyes tweeted: “PokemonGo is a great example of a #GPS-based location service – I'll be covering this in my fall #GIS classes!”

The game has been a huge success for app maker Niantic Inc., and for part-owner Nintendo – whose stock has gone through the roof since its debut. And this month, Nintendo is set to bring in even more cash with the release of Pokémon GO Plus – a $35 device that makes it easier to catch those pesky Pokémon.

Employment equity survey at U of T includes new questions, language

lanthierj — Fri, 08 Jul 2016 16:14:15 +0000

Employment equity survey at U of T includes new questions, language lanthierj Fri, 07/08/2016 - 12:14

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The Greater Toronto Area is one of the most diverse urban regions in the world (photo by Ken Jones, U of T Scarborough)

Topic

Subheadline

Employee questionnaire to serve as starting point for survey of student population

The University of Toronto is seeking more information about the diversity of its faculty and staff with a new voluntary survey sent to more than 27,000 employees at the beginning of July.

The updated employment equity survey is the first revision of the questionnaire in a decade and the result of more than a year of consultations. It includes new language as well as new questions designed to increase the university’s understanding of the makeup of its workforce and highlight areas where recruiting efforts need to be improved.

“The language was old-fashioned and it was about time it changed,” said Angela Hildyard, vice-president of human resources and equity.

U of T is one of the first universities to collect such detailed information about staff and students, she said. Without it, there is no way for the university to know the extent to which faculty and staff reflect the community and the students they serve.

Such information will be valuable, she said, in targeting recruiting efforts and tailoring support to groups of employees.

“I am so pleased that the university is able to do this,” Hildyard said. “We should be proud.”

This is an important step, she said, if you believe, as the university does, that equity and diversity are linked to excellence.

New policy for student organizations

lanthierj — Fri, 24 Jun 2016 19:08:50 +0000

New policy for student organizations lanthierj Fri, 06/24/2016 - 15:08

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Student associations and clubs during Frosh Week (photo by Johnny Guatto)

Topic

Our Community

Students

Undergraduate Students

Campus Life

Subheadline

Putting more power in student hands, creating forum for students to discuss and resolve disputes

University of Toronto students will get a new forum to resolve disputes with the societies that represent them, under a new policy for student organizations.

The changes, approved by Governing Council on June 23, are outlined in the new Policy on Open, Accessible and Democratic Autonomous Student Organizations, and are the result of more than two years of consultations.

The policy confirms the principle of the autonomy of campus groups and student societies, describes principles to guide their open, accessible and democratic functioning, and establishes a complaint and resolution process to respond to conflicts that cannot be resolved at the society level.

“These changes put more power in the hands of students,” University of Toronto Vice-President and Provost Cheryl Regehr said. “We heard from students that they want additional measures to make sure the student societies that represent them are acting in an accountable and democratic way.”

The University collected about $38 million in fees from students on behalf of student societies in 2015-16. In return, it requires that student societies operate in an open, accessible and democratic fashion.

The policy creates a new student-focused body – the University Complaint and Resolution Council for Student Societies (CRCSS) – that will consider cases when all internal avenues for settling a dispute within a student society have been exhausted. The chair of the council will be appointed by the University Affairs Board of Governing Council and will assemble panels made up of the chair and four students to hear cases as they arise.

A summary of all the council’s decisions will be posted online to bring more transparency to the way disputes between students and their societies are addressed.

Vice-Provost, Students, Sandy Welsh stressed that the changes are designed to respect the autonomy of student organizations.

“The creation of this council will give students an important new forum to discuss and resolve disputes,” she said.

Governing Council heard arguments both for and against the change from student leaders.

Leaders from the University of Toronto Mississauga Student Union, the Association of Part-Time Undergraduate Students, the U of T Graduate Students’ Union and Scarborough Students’ Union spoke against the move, saying it will infringe on their ability to represent student interests.

Leaders from the University of Toronto Students’ Union, the Engineering Society, the UC Lit, Victoria University Students Administrative Council and New College Student Council spoke in support of the change, with several noting that if students associations conduct themselves in an open, democratic and accessible manner, there will be no need for the new council.

Welsh noted in her presentation to governing council that the new policy does not change the existing authority of the provost’s office or give it more power. As is the case under the existing Policy for Compulsory Non-Academic Incidental Fees, the provost will retain the power to withhold fees as a final measure if a student society is not acting in an open, accessible and democratic manner or is not following its constitution.

That long-standing policy is not changing, she noted.

Under the new policy, a five-member CRCSS panel convened to hear a complaint will consider informal mediation, whenever possible and appropriate. The panel may also determine no further action is required, issue a reprimand, recommend changes be made by the society or recommend to the Provost that fees be withheld.

The chair of the new council will serve for a two-year term and can be University of Toronto faculty, staff or alumni. Student members for a panel will be drawn at the chair’s discretion from a pool of students appointed by each student society and must be registered in a degree program at U of T. Panel members will change with each case, and one student member will always be drawn from the four representative student committees: the University of Toronto Students’ Union, the Association of Part-time Students, the Scarborough Student’s Union and the University of Toronto Graduate Students’ Union.

The new policy includes two sections. One sets out principles for the functioning of both campus groups as defined by the Policy on the Recognition of Campus Groups and student societies, defined as those for which the university collects fees under the Policy for Compulsory Non-Academic Fees.

The second part of the policy is devoted to the complaint and resolution process for student societies and the establishment of the CRCSS. This section applies only to student societies for which the university collects fees on their behalf.

Student Life, Divison of

sgupta — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 20:47:19 +0000

Student Life, Divison of sgupta Thu, 01/07/2016 - 15:47

URL

http://www.studentlife.utoronto.ca/

How would you like to see U of T's downtown campus transformed?

sgupta — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 11:51:34 +0000

How would you like to see U of T's downtown campus transformed? sgupta Tue, 09/29/2015 - 07:51

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U of T wants to know which of four design proposals you think would create the most pedestrian-friendly and welcoming environment (photo by Johnny Guatto)

Arthur Kaptainis

Author legacy

Arthur Kaptainis

Topic

Our Community

More News

St. George campus

Landscape of Landmark Quality Innovative Design Competition

Subheadline

All are invited to view presentations, submit feedback to online survey

Which proposal best addresses the principle of improved pedestrian experience? Which best addresses the principle of enhanced green space?

You can have your say on these and other central questions raised by the Landscape of Landmark Quality Innovative Design Competition.

Four teams have submitted their ideas on how to revive and restore the historic core of the St. George campus. You can view the images online or in a poster display on the main floor of the J. Robert S. Prichard Alumni House at 21 King's College Circle.

View the four design teams' proposals here

The exhibition opened on Sept. 29 and continues through Oct. 2. Opening hours are from 8:45 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Computer terminals will be available so viewers can provide immediate comment on the project.

“We want your help, your advice, in selecting the proposal that will change the physical landscape of the University,” Scott Mabury, U of T vice-president of operations and co-chair of the Landmark Committee, said after a public presentation by all four competing teams Monday night in Convocation Hall. “Please give us your feedback.”

The Landmark website includes descriptions, goals, an historic overview and documentation related to the project, including the Open Space Master Plan of 1999 and St. George Campus Master Plan of 2011.

There is also information about the four teams: KPMB Architects + Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates + Urban Strategies; DTAH + Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates; Public Work; and Janet Rosenberg & Studio + architectsAlliance + ERA Architects. Each has a list of subcontractors and collaborators.

The online survey combines multiple choice questions with space for individual comment.

Take the Online Survey here

After public input has been collected and considered, an evaluation committee including representatives of the Landmark Committee and university operations will choose a winner. This team will consult with the university to prepare a comprehensive design. An announcement is expected in November. (Read more about the competition here.)

Before and after images submitted by the four design teams include:

BEFORE: Sir Daniel Wilson Quad at University College (DTAH)

After: Sir Daniel Wilson Quad at University College (DTAH)

BEFORE: King's College Circle looking north (Public Work)

AFTER: King's College Circle looking north (Public Work)

BEFORE: King's College Circle, west side (KPMB)

AFTER; King's College Circle west side (KPMB)

BEFORE: King's College Circle looking northeast (Janet Rosenberg & Studio)

AFTER: King's College Circle looking northeast (Janet Rosenberg & Studio)

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Moon a no-show, but the U of T eclipse viewing party goes on

sgupta — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 12:13:36 +0000

Moon a no-show, but the U of T eclipse viewing party goes on sgupta Thu, 09/24/2015 - 08:13

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(Above photo by Lorne Bridgman courtesy U of T Magazine)

Arthur Kaptainis

Author legacy

Arthur Kaptainis

Topic

City & Culture

Improving the walking – and learning – environment at U of T's downtown campus

sgupta — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 15:15:22 +0000

Improving the walking – and learning – environment at U of T's downtown campus sgupta Thu, 08/06/2015 - 11:15

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Students, staff, faculty and tourists chat, study and even shoot hoops at Willcocks Commons – the portion of Willcocks St. closed to traffic (photo by Johnny Guatto)

Arthur Kaptainis

Author legacy

Arthur Kaptainis

Topic

Subheadline

How open spaces, pedestrian-friendly streets can enhance a “beautiful and important space” in the City of Toronto

An end to parking on King’s College Circle? Pedestrians only on Devonshire Place?

These and other dramatic improvements to the St. George campus are among the options being studied for inclusion in a new strategic document that will be submitted to the city in fall 2015.

“This is the next step from the 2011 Master Plan,” said Christine Burke, director, campus and facilities planning. “It will create an understanding with the city, our neighbours and all people for whom the downtown campus of the University of Toronto is a beautiful and important space.”

Like the Master Plan, the Secondary Plan – a municipal document that identifies land use and growth objectives in a specific part of the city – will reflect the importance of heritage, open spaces and environmental priorities but also allow for flexibility in building and reorganizing the space used by University divisions as they evolve.

“What we are doing now, in consultation with the city and other stakeholders, is evaluating the goals and priorities that should be incorporated into City policy,” Burke said.

While approval of the Secondary Plan ultimately resides with the City of Toronto, it will be developed in consultation with stakeholders, including campus groups and neighbourhood representatives. Crucial input is expected from the U of T Landmark Committee, which has solicited proposals from four competitive teams of urban designers and landscape architects on how to enhance the historical centre of the St. George campus.

Among the priorities foreseen is improving the walking environment west of St. George St. and creating a “heart” for these problematic city blocks, according Pino Di Mascio, a partner in Urban Strategies Inc., which has been retained by the University as a consultant.

“Clearly, Huron St. needs to be rethought,” he told a meeting of U of T Principals, Deans, Academic Directors and Chairs on June 24. “We need better pedestrian amenities, better landscaping.”

Di Mascio said the success of Willcocks Commons – the portion of Willcocks St. closed to traffic – and the redesigned stairs of Sidney Smith Hall have made this stretch of St. George St. more amenable to the pedestrians who continue to dominate the campus.

Russell St. and Devonshire Place (the latter now flanked by the Goldring Centre and Varsity Stadium) are other logical candidates for seasonal pedestrian-only designation, Di Mascio said. It might also be possible to extend Willcocks Commons to Spadina Ave.

The intersection of St. George St., Harbord St. and Hoskin Ave., anchored by the Robarts Library, is inevitably a crossroads of pedestrian traffic, Di Mascio noted.

“Do we need on-street parking on Harbord and Hoskin?” he asked. “Does it add anything to the University?”

One reason for the imperfect development of the west sector of the St. George campus, Di Mascio added, was the expectation in the 1960s and 1970s that Spadina Ave. would become the Spadina Expressway. University structures were built accordingly, with architecturally inexpressive (not to mention inaccessible) western façades.

The areas east of St. George St. are widely agreed to be beautiful and pedestrian-friendly.

Nevertheless, there are potential improvements to be considered, including the end of parking on King’s College Circle and Tower Road and new strategies for pedestrian flow across Queen’s Park.

While U of T officials foresee no rise in overall enrolment, a higher proportion of graduate students (and international students who live on campus) will have a significant effect on space and its use. Graduate studies entail more laboratories, seminar spaces, conference facilities and office space for faculty.

Other needs include improvements to the “edges” of the campus where pedestrians (and the public) gain access to the University, particularly College St and the intersection of Bloor St. and Spadina Ave. On campus, is widely accepted that ground-floor entrances should be vibrant and welcoming, and that architectural quality in general is an important element in a positive learning environment.

Despite these fixed priorities, the Secondary Plan must allow the University to be efficient and adaptable as it responds to changing academic needs over time.

“We don’t know what new programs will emerge,” Burke said. “It is in the nature of learning, research and collaboration for new directions to develop.”

In a question period following the June 24 briefing, Dr. Avrum Gotlieb, vice-dean, research and international relations, recommended that the plan include a statement communicating the University’s academic mission.

Other suggestions arising in question period concerned the clear expression of accessibility as a priority and the need to factor in the construction of new high-rise downtown housing into any consideration of public access to the St. George campus.

“This is a document with many parts, reflecting the complexity of the St. George campus and the University itself,” said Scott Mabury, U of T vice-president of University operations. “Everyone involved is determined to make it as clear and comprehensive as possible.”

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Campus safety, sexual violence and the University

sgupta — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 10:25:09 +0000

Campus safety, sexual violence and the University sgupta Fri, 07/17/2015 - 06:25

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Vice-President and Provost Cheryl Regehr

Terry Lavender

Author legacy

Terry Lavender

Features

Provost

Campus Life

“It is the goal of the University of Toronto to do everything possible to create an environment where students, staff and faculty can feel safe to learn, work and live.”

Those are the words that greet visitors to the University of Toronto’s safety website, and U of T stands behind them, says Vice-President and Provost Cheryl Regehr.

One particular aspect of campus safety that concerns Regehr is the prevention of and response to sexual violence.

(Visit safety.utoronto.ca for more information on programs and services.)

A presidential and provostial committee on sexual violence is soliciting feedback from students, faculty and staff across the University as it works to develop recommendations on preventing and responding to sexual violence. (You can find a confidential, anonymous survey here.)

Regehr sat down recently with U of T News writer Terry Lavender to discuss the University’s sexual violence supports and programs.

Can you tell us something about your own interest and expertise in this area?
The issue of sexual violence is one that I have been deeply interested in for many years. In the 1980s I was the director of one of the three hospital-based sexual assault care centres in Toronto, and consulted to a newly developed one in Parry Sound. As part of that, I was engaged not only with services for victims of violence, but also preventative education. I produced the film called "Lindsay's story: education for date rape prevention” which was used by public health offices in high schools across the country. I was also a social worker on the forensic unit of the former Clarke Institute, now CAMH [Centre for Addiction and Mental Health], where I worked on the sex offender treatment program. In that work, I conducted assessments for the courts of both those who were accused of sexual violence and those who were victims of sexual violence.

My academic research over the last number of years has also included issues of sexual violence, looking at the experience of victims of sexual violence in the court system, and looking at issues of recovery from rape trauma. Sexual violence continues to be an issue that is deeply disturbing and is horrifying for those who have been through the experience.

What specifically is the University of Toronto doing?
We have five components that we’ve focussed on over the years. The first component is preventative education. A second component is crisis services for those who have been recently assaulted. We have risk management services so if there is any ongoing risk to either a particular victim or people in general in our community, we can address that risk. We have counselling services that we provide both here on campus and through links that we have with community agencies. We also have a process for investigating and adjudicating reports of sexual violence that come forward if the accused is a member of our community.

Find more information on programs and services

Many of U of T’s students are away from home, experiencing the freedom and responsibilities of adulthood for the first time. How do the University’s sexual violence initiatives take this into account?
It begins with a good orientation and a positive environment. Our Orientation leaders and our residence dons are well-trained in these kinds of issues. But prevention doesn’t end with Orientation. The preventative education programs here at U of T focus on a large number of issues, such as respect for one another, which is required of all members of our community. Students also learn how to pay attention to personal feelings of discomfort, so each person, as they’re in a situation that’s unfamiliar, can learn to respect their own feelings of discomfort and act upon them if possible.

We also work to build community, so that if any member of our community thinks that another member of the community is at risk for whatever reason, they are able to help one another.

What is U of T doing in general to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for students, faculty, staff and visitors?
The education and outreach that we provide is certainly an important part of building a strong, healthy community. We couple this with a variety of safety programs, for example, the WalkSafer, Scarborough Patrol, and WalkSmart programs assist students, staff and faculty to safely navigate our campuses and the closest transit stops after-hours. We have our campus police who are on regular patrol and are able to assist should people make reports of any kind of suspicious activity.

Our residence dons and our deans of students are trained in responding to sexual violence. We also are continuing to speak with faculty and teaching staff so we all know how to recognize safety needs and refer students and colleagues to the appropriate services.

There’s growing consensus that sexual violence is a community concern, not just an individual one. Is U of T doing anything regarding bystander awareness?
There are a lot of programs in this area that come out of our health promotion service teams on all three campuses. We have educators who facilitate workshops on bystander training and building healthy relationships – how to help friends who might be in relationships that are unsettling or unsafe. We have Special Police Constables who do outreach and work with the Community Safety Office on bystander training. We try to engage the community so that they know how to recognize when something isn’t right and what resources they can access in the situation. We also have the Ask First campaign; this is mainly directed towards first-year students who are in Orientation, but it’s also provided to students throughout the year.

What about campus communities that might have particular needs and concerns, such as the LGBTQ community, international students or the disabled?
We have various equity offices around the university that provide specialized service so people who choose to go to specialized services can do so. Certainly, the work that we do in Orientation and other places addresses some of the challenges that individuals from different communities might be facing and the perceptions that they might have that are based on their own experiences of exclusion.

Are you working with colleagues from other colleges and universities on this issue?
Absolutely. We have three representatives on the Council of Ontario Universities sexual assault working group – myself, Andrea Carter [director of high risk] and [Trinity College Provost] Mayo Moran. We’re working across the sector on how we can learn best practices from one another and provide advice to one another when one organization has an approach that’s better. It is an opportunity to learn from one another and to support students across all institutions.

Is there anything further you’d like to say about U of T’s supports for victims of sexual violence?
Anyone who is a member of our community who has experienced violence, including sexual violence, should be aware that there are many avenues for them to receive support. People can disclose their needs to any number of people including the various specialized support services that we have and these services will assist in addressing what supports are required.

I think it is important to draw a distinction between disclosure and reporting. We recognize that if someone has experienced sexual violence, telling another person can be at times, overwhelming. It can often feel like you lose what little control you may have. There is a difference between reporting and disclosing. People have the choice about whether to report or disclose. When people disclose that they’ve been assaulted, they’re looking for support and they’re looking for someone to help them think through the various options they have. When they report, that sets in motion a process where they are looking to have some sort of action taken.

Here at the University, people can report to our campus police, and to the metro police. They can also report to many other members of our community who may involve the formal reporting mechanisms. When someone reports, that’s starting a process where an investigation may take place.

If the individual is looking for support, and they don’t want to become involved in a process where there’s an investigation, then they are welcome and encouraged to come forward as well. There are confidential supportive offices that can take disclosures (such as the Community Safety Office, counsellors, and health professionals). While a disclosure will not lead to an investigation the victim will be informed of their options and ways in which they can be supported (such as accommodations, housing needs, and counselling resources). Our goal is that whomever a victim discloses to will be helpful, and, if a victim chooses to report, then we will provide support as they go through that process of investigation.

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Sharing the best cherry blossom moments at U of T

sgupta — Tue, 05 May 2015 12:36:29 +0000

Sharing the best cherry blossom moments at U of T sgupta Tue, 05/05/2015 - 08:36

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More than 2,000 people have liked this photo on Instagram (so far) by U of T staff member Sarah Khan

Sarah Khan

Author legacy

Sarah Khan

Topic

Our Community

You saw it on Instagram, now learn the story behind the "shaggy dog" building

sgupta — Fri, 19 Sep 2014 15:42:32 +0000

You saw it on Instagram, now learn the story behind the "shaggy dog" building sgupta Fri, 09/19/2014 - 11:42

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Instagram by Valentin Pereda (with text by Jon Horvatin)

Dominic Ali

Kristina Doyle

Author legacy

Dominic Ali & Kristina Doyle

Incoming University of Toronto students might not realize it yet, but they’ll be attending classes in and around some of Canada’s most spectacular architecture.

One of the best places to see some of these storied buildings across three campuses is on the U of T Instagram account. These visually striking and even quirky buildings comprise some of the favorite subjects of U of T Instagrammers. But who built them and why are they an important part of the history and landscape of the Greater Toronto Area?

For answers, writer Dominic Ali turned to the man who wrote the book about the U of T’s campuses: Larry Richards. A professor emeritus and former dean of the U of T’s John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design, Richards is also the author of University of Toronto: The Campus Guide published by Princeton Architectural Press.

Below, Richards's expert commentary is illustrated by U of T Instagrammers. Our thanks to all the talented photographers who agreed to let us use their images here.

View the story "You saw it on Instagram, now learn the story behind that "shaggy dog" building" on Storify

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Campus Life

Pikachu sightings, rumours of Jigglypuff: Pokémon GO at the University of Toronto

Read more about the game

Employment equity survey at U of T includes new questions, language

Read more about diversity about U of T

Read more about the employee equity story in the Toronto Star here

New policy for student organizations

Student Life, Divison of

Tags

How would you like to see U of T's downtown campus transformed?

View the four design teams' proposals here

Take the Online Survey here

BEFORE: Sir Daniel Wilson Quad at University College (DTAH)

After: Sir Daniel Wilson Quad at University College (DTAH)

BEFORE: King's College Circle looking north (Public Work)

AFTER: King's College Circle looking north (Public Work)

BEFORE: King's College Circle, west side (KPMB)

AFTER; King's College Circle west side (KPMB)

BEFORE: King's College Circle looking northeast (Janet Rosenberg & Studio)

AFTER: King's College Circle looking northeast (Janet Rosenberg & Studio)

Moon a no-show, but the U of T eclipse viewing party goes on

Improving the walking – and learning – environment at U of T's downtown campus

Campus safety, sexual violence and the University

Find more information on programs and services

Sharing the best cherry blossom moments at U of T

You saw it on Instagram, now learn the story behind the "shaggy dog" building