Get ready to connect and converse on September 15th

The inaugural gathering of the newly created U of T affinity group Connections and Conversations is taking place on September 15 from 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm at the OISE Library, 252 Bloor Street West.

This event will feature a welcome reception, a panel discussion and a networking session. Professor Angela Hildyard, Vice-President of Human Resources and Equity will bring opening remarks, followed by a keynote address from Celina Caesar-Chavannes, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister of Canada, Member of Parliament for Whitby and a former member of the Governing Council of the University of Toronto.

The moderated panel discussion will address the theme of the inaugural gathering, “Beginning the Conversation.” Professor Kelly Hannah-Moffat, incoming Vice-President of Human Resources and Equity, Archana Sridhar, Assistant Provost in the Office of the Vice-President and Provost and Kim McLean, Chief Administrative Officer at the Faculty of Arts & Science will be the featured panelists, providing their perspectives and insights about supporting and enabling racialized staff to thrive in the workplace.

The afternoon will end with a networking session where participants will be encouraged to meet new people and exchange contact information. Human Resources Departments and Managers across the University have been encouraged to support staff members to attend the event.

Connections and Conversations is an affinity group for racialized staff at the University of Toronto and their supporters. The staff-driven initiative offers discussions and a support network for racialized staff to flourish at U of T. The focus is to create an open and empowering environment for racialized staff to celebrate their accomplishments and contribute their unique ideas and talents to the University through networking, mentoring and other activities. Local chapters were created on all three campuses – earlier this year.

Please RSVP for this event at: http://tinyurl.com/UofTLaunchEvent.

Orientation at U of T

University of Toronto St. George Campus – UTSU Week of Welcome 2016
UTSU Week of Welcome orientation is the largest organized event at the University of Toronto. Now in its 12th year, the events and programming span an entire week from clubs day to the carnival, from the street festival to homecoming. All students across all disciplines, years, and programs are welcome to join. For more information, please visit their website at: http://www.uof6ix.ca/.

University of Toronto Mississauga Campus – Super Sixteen 2016
UTMSU’s Super Sixteen aims to build a community for all UTMSU students including mature students, student-parents, marginalized students, etc. through their events and programming which offers a mix of academic and social workshops/events for incoming first year UTM students. For more information and registration, please visit their website at: http://www.utmorientation.ca/.

University of Toronto Scarborough Campus – Legend 2016
SCSU Orientation: Legend 2016 is the best place to integrate into the UTSC community and campus, as well as be part of the UTSC legacy. Orientation consists of a variety of events tailored to all students; from academic presentations and performances to parties and socials, followed by a massive parade downtown. For more information, please visit their website at: http://orientation.scsu.ca/#index.

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.)

September 7, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, Multi-Faith Centre, 569 Spadina Avenue, Main Activity Hall: Orientation for Students with Family Responsibilities. The Family Care Office welcomes new student parents to Orientation 2016! This is your opportunity to start building your support networks by meeting other student parents and university staff; learn about the services and resources available to student parents on campus; get advice from student mentors on how to adjust to university life. Please register early, space is limited!

September 15, 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm, Hart House, 7 Hart House Circle (UTSG): Explore Hart House: Welcome BBQ. Explore Hart House where 85,000 students across all three campuses break from studying to meet, eat and celebrate 365 days of the year! Discover open spaces where you can relax, study and meet friends; stumble upon an improve session, poetry reading or short film screening in progress; take in a demonstration on bug spray making; unwind with a mini yoga session; enjoy a student jazz performance; learn about the building itself with the Hart House Artifact Exhibit and guided tour; see one of the few remaining wet darkrooms in the province; and finish your afternoon with a free barbecue and a chance to win tickets to upcoming Hart House celebrations!

September 15, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm, 21 Sussex Avenue, Room 416 of Sussex Court: Rainbow Cupcakes with the SGDO. Join the Sexual & Gender Diversity Office (SGDO) for an afternoon of cupcake decorating (and eating!). While enjoying your cupcakes, chat about sexual and gender diversity in Toronto, what’s being done at the University to promote inclusivity, and how to connect with U of T’s vibrant lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer communities on campus. All are welcome.

September 22, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Koffler Student Services Centre, 214 College Street, Room 313: Queer & Trans Family Planning. Come with your questions about family planning, including fertility, home and clinic insemination, sperm banks, adoption, co-parenting, single parenting, non-biological and social (non-biological) parenting, surrogacy, family configurations and family recognition. All community members are welcome including University of Toronto students, staff, faculty, and postdoctoral fellows! Registration required online or e-mail: family.care@utoronto.ca.

September 27, 11:45 am – 2:00 pm, Hart House, 7 Hart House Circle, Great Hall: 5 Buck Lunch at Hart House. The $5 lunch at Hart House offers a tasty and balanced meal. Experience the flavours and cultures of the world. Whether you like sweet or savoury, comfort fare or spicy dishes, there is something for all taste buds. Everyone that attends a 5-buck lunch will go home with a copy of all of the recipes used for their lunch and directions to recreate the meal at home. All of the recipes will be easy, budget friendly and delicious.