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What’s New for December 2015
The Anti-Racism and Cultural Diversity office would like to wish all faculty, staff and students happy holidays. December marks the end of another term at U of T and the approaching winter break. Enjoy this time with family, friends and loved ones while the university is closed. And remember, there are lots of activities before the winter break, so check out our events listings below.
Are you a student or do you support students? Feeling the crunch? You are not alone! The University of Toronto provides lots of support for students. Take advantage of one of the Writing Centres across all three campuses; contact the Academic Success Centre to help prep for exams; or if you need emotional support contact Counselling and Psychological Service. Take a deep breath, you’re almost there. And remember, you have break coming up so take advantage of the holiday season and enjoy yourself.
The 2016 IDERD Call for Nominations is Here!
The University of Toronto would like to recognize students, faculty and staff doing anti-racism work. Do you know someone on campus who supports anti-racism work? Then this call is for you.
The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (IDERD) was established by the United Nations in 1966 to commemorate the Sharpeville Massacre of 1960. It is observed every March 21st to bring the world community together to increase its efforts in the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination and racism (United Nations, Resolution 2142, XX1).
The elimination of racial discrimination and racism is an essential part of U of T’s efforts to cultivate an equitable and inclusive working and learning environment. The UofT IDERD Campaign was launched in March 2012 in commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The tri-campus communication campaign is implemented annually as a key part of the University’s ongoing effort to eliminate racial discrimination and advance anti-racism, throughout the University community.
The IDERD Campaign also provides a unique platform for the University to recognize and profile the excellent work that students, faculty and staff are undertaking to advance anti-racism while contributing to the University’s commitment to create diverse, equitable and inclusive teaching, learning and working environments.
On November 2015, The President’s Statement on Diversity and Inclusion was Released
Diversity, inclusion, respect, and civility are among the University of Toronto’s fundamental values. Outstanding scholarship, teaching, and learning can thrive only in an environment that embraces the broadest range of people and encourages the free expression of their diverse perspectives. Indeed, these values speak to the very mission of the University. They spark education, discovery, and understanding and so take their place among humanity’s greatest forces for good.
In this context, a reported encounter near College and Spadina involving a Muslim student from U of T, and similar incidents across the region, are extremely disturbing. The incidents come amid growing ethnic and religious tensions in Western society and around the world. And they are completely unacceptable.
Scapegoating or targeting individuals or groups based on their religion, ethnic or cultural heritage, country of origin, skin colour, gender, age, or any other identity is intolerable.
Such actions are reprehensible and antithetical to the fundamental values of our academic community. Instead, our institution reaffirms its commitment to be a safe and welcoming place for the widest breadth of communities – and their perspectives, ideas, and debates.
The principles of free expression and free inquiry are cornerstones of the academy. No university embracing those principles can retreat from them. By their very nature, diversity, inclusion, respect, and civility are not in tension with academic freedoms. On the contrary, they ground such freedoms.
In closing, I am acutely aware that in the face of intolerance and discrimination, no statement from the administration, however forceful, is a substitute for the public and private commitment, kinship, and professionalism demonstrated so abundantly by students, faculty, and staff across our three campuses.
It is a tremendous privilege to serve as President of this University.
More Events
(If you wish to request that your event be included in our monthly newsletter, please submit requests to antiracism@utoronto.ca at least one week prior to the beginning of the new month.)
December 10, 11 am – 3 pm, Sidney Smith, 100 St. George Street: Exam Jam – Review, refresh, de-stress! All are welcome. This is a FREE event. Come to Exam Jam for course review sessions, open study space, free snacks and coffee, and free, fun, and active stuff.
December 10, 6 pm – 8 pm, 2 Carlon, suite 1001: WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT RELIGIOUS PROFILING? Urban Alliance on Race Relations presents a conversation with Dr. Remi Warner from the Ontario Human Rights Commission about their new policy on preventing discrimination based on creed. 6-8 pm. Free. Pre-register.
December 12, 11 am onward, 519 Church Street Community Centre: Pink Xmas! Building on the success of the inaugural PINK MARKET held at Pride Toronto 2015, PINK XMAS provides a platform for queer creators to show off their work and connect with the public. This season’s event is in support of The 519, and will give the community a chance to ring out 2015 with art, music, performances, food, drinks, and good cheer.
December 15-17, 11:45 am – 2:45 pm, Heart house, 7 Heart House Circle: Heart House Winter Buffet. Celebrate the season and break bread with your friends and colleagues at our famous Winter Buffet. Held annually in our historic Great Hall, the luncheon will feature Chef Marco Tucci’s bountiful selection of locally-sourced dishes including traditional stuffed turkey, Ontario slow-roasted beef, pasta, sustainable seafood catch of the day, vegan entrées, assorted sides and a decadent medley of desserts. Winter Buffet Single ticket rates: Non-Students: $45 tax incl., Students: $35 tax incl. *valid student ID required at the door. Come in from the cold for an elegant, culinary experience next to a roaring fire, and enjoy the warmth and comfort of one of our most architecturally-rich spaces.
December 23, 5 pm, Mississauga Celebration, 300 City Centre Drive, Mississauga: UTM BSA Presents: Skating in Celebration Square! Are you pooped out after exams? Looking for a way to enjoy the holidays season? Come out to BSA’s Skating event and skate the night away! Don’t have skates? No worries! Skates and helmets can be rented on the spot! Pricing details are: Skate Rental – Children (12 and under): $5.00; Skate Rental – Adults: $10.00; Helmet Rental (free for; children 7 and under): $5.00; Skate Sharpening: $8.00 – *pricing is based on 2 hour rentals.
Disclaimer: This newsletter may contain links to non- Anti-Racism & Cultural Diversity Office (ARCDO) websites. These links are provided solely as convenience to you. The ARCDO is not responsible for the content of any non-ARCDO websites and does not endorse the information contained therein.