ASSU Letter to President Gertler re: Cancellation of Spring Convocation

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RE: Spring 2020 Convocation Ceremonies

Dear President Meric Gertler,

 

We are writing with respect to the University’s decision to cancel the Spring 2020 Convocation ceremonies.

Many students have understood this decision as equivalent to there being no future ceremonies held for this graduating class. If this is in fact the case, we simply cannot express how disappointed we are with this judgement.

Students have waited years for this moment. Their parents have waited years. Generations of family members – grandparents, great-grandparents – will all miss the literal once in a lifetime moment to see their loved ones finally earn their degrees. Thousands of hours, hundreds of restless nights, and an unimaginable amount of stress and struggle have been overcome by students. We continue to come here and push ourselves beyond our physical and mental limits all in the hopes that one day, we will be able to walk across that stage.

The cancellation of Convocation signals the University’s inability to recognize just how much this moment really means to students. This decision is disheartening, short sighted, and inconsiderate. Convocation is more than just an event, and it most certainly cannot be replaced by alternatives such as a reception. One student expressed her grief at the thought of having to explain to her immigrant parents, who sacrificed so much to see her succeed, that they will never get to witness this day. Hundreds, if not thousands, of students share similar stories. Students who are the first to graduate within their families will not be able to see the pride on their families’ faces. Low-income, marginalized, immigrants, and international students – all who have had to go the extra mile to get to this moment – have had their hearts broken today. Many will struggle to find ways to break this news to their families. This is not the type of decision your students expected from the University of Toronto. You have stolen more than just a moment from these students today.

We call on you to recognize the severity of your decision. We are truly upset that this decision was even considered, and cannot imagine how the University will reconcile its relationship with students in the coming years in light of this. Every single student makes sacrifices to attend this institution. We pay tens of thousands of dollars in tuition, our mental health and well-being suffers, and some of us spend months away from those we love. We all deserve this moment. Our families deserve this moment. Our future children will value this moment. Bring back Convocation for your students.

Yours sincerely,

The ASSU Executive

c.c.: Cheryl Regehr, Vice-President and Provost
Sandy Welsh, Vice-Provost, Students
Melanie Woodin, Dean, Faculty of Arts & Science
ASSU Constituents

ASSU Letter to Dean Woodin re: CR/NCR and Final Exams

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March 15, 2020

RE: Changes to the Winter 2020 Session for Arts & Science Undergraduate Students

Dear Dean Melanie Woodin,

We hope you are doing well during this difficult time. ASSU would first like to sincerely thank you for your dedicated leadership and consistent communication with students, and we appreciate the steps that have been taken thus far to support the students, faculty, and staff at our Faculty.

In light of the cancellation of in-person exams and the extension of the CR/NCR and drop deadline, we have heard the overwhelming concerns of students who are uncertain or worried about their outstanding assessments and final grades. We recognize that there are various options instructors may be considering during this time, and below, we have listed the common concerns students have raised to us regarding these options (as well as our own thoughts), and a set of recommendations supported by ASSU and a majority of our student body.

1) Re-weighting the marking scheme

We recognize that this is a possibility for a number of courses (especially those that cannot move to online assessments, take home tests, etc.). Students are particularly concerned that re-weighting may put them at a disadvantage in courses they were doing well in. We have heard from students who are concerned with the fairness of re-weighting, with one issue being the unanticipated increased importance of minimally graded assignments (i.e. re-weighting a 10% assignment to now be worth 20%). In addition, students are concerned about losing the opportunity to improve their performance in a course through future assignments, and we find this to be an unfair disadvantage.

2) Changing final exams to final papers or “take-home exams”

We have heard of many courses in the humanities and social sciences that have proposed this as an option already. There are three primary issues that students have raised to us in response: (1) a sudden increase in academic workload with each of these final papers now being worth upmost to 40%, (2) the expectation and anxiety that these heavily weighted assessments will be graded more stringently, and (3) the inability of students to adequately seek the assistance of their instructors.

On the first point, students may have purposefully enrolled in courses with final exams for multiple reasons, and replacing these final exams with final papers or take-home exams is unfair. Commonly, students may decide to enroll in courses with final exams instead of papers as they may feel more comfortable in test settings, and courses with final exams may lighten a semester’s course load. Accordingly, replacing final exams with final papers may result in students who believe they will not do as well in these courses, or are unable to simply cope with the immense amount of assessments and the increased pressures of the weighting (not to mention that many students will now have to follow this same scheme for more than one course, resulting in more than one such assignment due within a similar timeframe).

On the second point with respect to these assessments now being graded harder, students have expressed to us that their instructors have told them that they now expect more from their papers seeing as how they have the ability to “take them home”, have more time, and can use open-book sources. These expectations, coupled with the fact that these assessments are worth way more than any regularly assigned paper, have led students feeling as though they are more likely to do poorly in their courses than not.

On the final point with respect to an inability to adequately communicate with our instructors, students are for the most part left in the dark on what is expected of them with these assignments. In-person office hours & meetings are off the table, and email communication continues to be slow (due to many students emailing their instructors and TAs at the same time). With papers now worth a majority of course grades, students should have the opportunity to seek the guidance of their instructors, which unfortunately, is waning during this period in time.

3) Online Examinations

Many instructors in our Faculty rely on final examinations to test students on course material. As we have been told by students, some instructors have communicated to them that their exams will now take place online. We recognize that this is a positive solution for many courses, particularly those that rely on multiple-choice testing formats. However, we would like to note that similar to take-home exams, students are concerned that online examinations may be written to be more stringent and difficult given their at-home environment. In addition, students are also unsure how they will practically handle this shift (i.e. writing timed essays/long responses, finding quiet spaces to complete these assessments, etc.). Again, although this may work best with specific courses, for others, the practicality is simply low.

ASSU’s main concern at the moment is the mental health and well-being of our students. At a time when anxieties and fears are already at an unusual high, the above proposals that have already been communicated to students by their instructors have only contributed to these heightened emotions. We understand that this is a very difficult and complex situation for you and the Faculty to navigate, but we as students are also scared, worried, and unsure of what to expect next. Students are concerned about their final grades and increasing course loads, and we want to ensure that the Faculty’s response does its best to ease these fears.

Seeing as how students are not comfortable with the aforementioned solutions, we have included a set of recommendations below which continues to be suggested by our students (via messages, emails, and a petition now circulating), and has also been carefully assessed and agreed upon by us as an Executive.

Recommendations:

Our recommendations are closely aligned with the Faculty’s response during the 2015 CUPE 3902 strike which similarly prevented the continuation of in-person exams. We welcome the extension of the CR/NCR and drop deadlines to after final grades have been released and that students are now able to CR/NCR an unlimited number of courses. These changes are greatly appreciated, but we wish to see more done.

This solution does not address the overwhelming concerns of students who are worried with how this situation will affect performance in their program requirements. Most (if not all) the courses taken within an academic year are courses which count towards program requirements; this situation has affected the outcome of courses which students depend on to either: (1) fulfill degree requirements, or (2) gain acceptance into their desired POSt. The inability to CR/NCR program requirements will ultimately harm students’ overall performance and continue to accelerate anxieties.

We find it upsetting that the intention behind granting students the ability to CR/NCR an unlimited number of courses stems from the knowledge that grades may be adversely affected during this difficult time, and yet, this pressure-valve has not been extended to program requirement courses which are often the most stressful and where outcomes matter the most. In turn, students will continue to feel unsupported. Their hard work, dedication, and pressures to succeed during this year will culminate into an unknown and feared outcome without the option to CR/NCR their program requirements.

In keeping with the same protocol as the 2015 response, we recommend that the Faculty:

1) Allow students the option to CR/NCR any number of courses for this academic year,
including program requirements

2) Include a notation on each transcript explaining the circumstances which have led
to the increased use of CR/NCR

In addition to these recommendations, we also ask that the Faculty look into ways to ease the fears of students who intend to apply to graduate schools or programs which heavily factor grades. This could include releasing a public statement, working with the professional faculties at our University to understand the implications of such a scenario, initiating conversations with faculties from other institutions, and ensuring that the notation included on each transcript is thorough and informative.

We wish to thank you again for the continued steps the Faculty has taken in ensuring students are well accommodated during this difficult time. We urge you to consider these recommendations as students await the Faculty’s ongoing decisions. In addition, we will continue to inform you of the thoughts and concerns of our students as the situation progresses in hopes of coming to a thoughtful, compassionate, and agreeable decision. Please also know that we hope to support you and the Faculty in any way we can.

Yours sincerely, The ASSU Executive

C.C: ASSU Constituents

Spring Executive Election Statements

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Here are the statements from the candidates for our Spring elections:

 

Candidates for President

 

Katherine Jung

Hi all!

My name is Katherine and I am running for ASSU President. At the core of my campaign is establishing a COMMUNITY among both the ASSU Council and all Arts & Science students. I want to develop PERSONAL relationships with each of the 60+ course unions and their representatives. I want to learn more about YOU, the students you represent, your programming, events, courses/programs, and what YOU want from the ASSU. By hosting more events and creating more  programming, I also want to build the overall Arts & Science COMMUNITY.

I also want the ASSU to create a standardized system and online platform for recording and accessing lectures. Procedures in place are NOT sufficient to cover every life circumstance that prevents students from performing well academically, including illness, public transportation cancellations, dangerous weather, financial circumstance, family emergencies and high amounts of stress. Online lecture recordings can ensure everybody has equal access to the education they pay thousands of dollars for.

Furthermore, I want to increase student engagement by implementing Course Union Fairs where students can learn more about programs/courses and how to GET INVOLVED. I would also want to host networking events and a variety of workshops such as for academic success, finding jobs or getting research experience, and implement a mentorship/tutoring program for first-year students.

As ASSU President, I will listen to ALL of your concerns and suggestions; I will work with YOU to support Arts & Science students, build a welcoming community, and elevate the student experience.

 

Ikran Jama

As I write this statement, I begin to reflect on my last 3 years on ASSU. I have had the immense pleasure of serving you as ASSU President this year, and ask you to trust me once again to take on this role –to not only continue to contribute to both our ASSU Council and the students we represent, but to ensure growth and stability during this upcoming year.

I have heard your concerns with respect to our academic policies. I have fought for the changes we want to see on our campus, changes like the extension of our CR/NCR deadline to after classes have ended, ending the use of microtransactions, and fighting for the practice of grade manipulations to come to an end. If elected, I hope to continue my work in creating and shaping policies which affect our university experiences.

My experience on ASSU has taught me a lot. It has taught me that admin won’t necessarily be your bff in every conversation, that you will get criticisms, and that at times, an idea you propose may not turn out the way you envisioned it to. ASSU has also taught me how to navigate these issues –you should never back away from what students need at any discussion table, criticisms are valid, and that ideas require lots of commitment. I hope that you will continue to trust me to fight for our interests, and create initiatives which will best serve you.

Remember, we can with Ikran! ?

 

Candidates for Executive

 

Lydia Angarso

Hello everyone!

My name is Lydia and I’m in my third year studying Physiology, Global Health, and Immunology. Prayers up for me and my GPA, please.

It’s been one year since I became an ASSU executive, accompanied with 2 years of course union experience, and I hope to get the amazing opportunity to be on ASSU again!

As an ASSU executive, my main project was running the Undergraduate Research Conference (URC). We had over 50 amazing presentations, but I recognize that URC could use a little razzle dazzle. I hope that, with another year, I can work to make URC more engaging for students. Think three-minute theses, alternative presentation styles, and more interdisciplinary collaborations. Research is extremely important to me, and the person I’ve become, so it would be an honour to get the chance to work on URC even more.

If you were at the first ASSU general meeting in September, you may remember me saying that I hate microtransactions, and I still do! It’s hard to navigate this issue, but in my final year of undergrad, I want to continue the work ASSU has done the past few months, to alleviate financial burdens of the students we represent.

My first experience with ASSU was at the September meeting in my first year. Immediately, I felt this sense of community and familiarity that ASSU fosters. Contributing to this community was the best part of my year and I hope you consider voting me to be an ASSU executive again.

 

Victoria Chen

Hi there!

My name is Victoria and I’m currently in my second term on the ASSU executive, serving as Treasurer. I’ve gained valuable experience in the past two years working with my incredible team on various projects.

In the first year, I took the lead in organizing ASSU’s second annual Undergraduate Research Conference, which showcases Arts & Science students’ scholarly research across the humanities, sciences, and social sciences.

Moreover, I proposed a mentorship program for first-years, international students, and students with accessibility needs—student groups on campus that may have additional challenges adjusting to and navigating life at U of T. I’m thrilled that my idea came to fruition. The ASSU Mentorship Project (AMP) is now CCR-recognized and in its second year, with 90 participants. Moving forward, I hope to continue to expand this program into a network of student mentors and mentees, ultimately enabling greater cohesion within our Arts & Science community.

This year, I also took on ASSU’s American Sign Language (ASL) Course Proposal initiative. I have been working on developing a course proposal with the Dean’s Office, the Linguistics Department, SLUGS, and the UTSU to present at the upcoming Humanities Curriculum Committee meeting. Our goal is to offer UTSG’s first ASL course by Winter 2021.

I’m grateful for my time with ASSU, and I’m eager to continue the work that I’ve already begun. I hope that, through this statement, you can appreciate my commitment to ASSU and to improving the student experience.

Remember: stick with Vic!

 

Emma Davy

Hi Everyone!

My name is Emma Davy and I’m a third-year student pursuing a specialist in International Relations and a double minor in Economics and Women and Gender Studies. I had the pleasure of serving as an ASSU exec for the first time this year and I am running now because I am confident in my ability to listen and advocate for the student unions and to create change. If re-elected, I want to continue to create podcasts that showcase students’ accomplishments and highlight important issues across the faculty. I also want to create new initiatives that strengthen ASSU’s ties with course unions and to make it easier for students to share their concerns in order to better address the problems facing students across the faculty.

I just started as an exec, but I recognize all the important work that still needs to be done. Specifically, in regard to promoting access to mental health services throughout the university and helping to improve academic support services and policies that build community and foster a sense of community. If I am elected, I do everything to make sure this happens. I have gained so much knowledge in the past year and I feel that skills I have acquired qualify me as effective and dedicated ASSU executive going forward.

Thank you for considering me as your ASSU Executive. Vote for Emma!

 

Faaris Hussain

Hello everyone, it is a great honour to be announcing my candidacy to be running to be your ASSU Executive. To introduce myself, my name is Faaris Hussain, and I am a third year, going into my fourth year of a Political Science Specialist.

I plan on bringing much insight into the positions that will be informed by my wealth of experience having been an Executive in two large student clubs on campus—in the Muslim Student’s Association, as well as Pakistan Student’s Federation, in which I have served Equity, Administrative, and Finance Roles.

Having engaged with the Vice Provost of Students, and University administration, on issues of student-safety on campus in my time in the MSA, I feel as though the critical role that the ASSU performs on campus in liaising and representing student concerns to the Arts and Science Faculty is something I will have a strength and experience in.

As someone who has been involved with Research in the Faculty of Political Science, I have personally witnessed how immensely rewarding experiences research projects and opportunities are for students, and will make it my personal project to work diligently on the Arts and Science Undergrad Research Conference, in order that other students may also enjoy the rewarding nature of such projects as well.

In sum, my student life exposure has made me acutely aware of the insights of students, and I will seek to represent those insights and concerns to bring a fresh, dynamic, and nuanced perspective into the ASSU.

 

Martha Taylor

Hi y’all ?

I’m going to keep this brief, because I have assignments I have to write! But for those of you who don’t know me, my name is Martha Taylor and I’m running for re-election with ASSU. I have had the great fortune of being part of this amazing student union for the past 2 years, and I was able to start the #ASSUMovingOnFromCampaign, which I started in order to show students that we are never alone in our struggles. The positive feedback that I have received as a result of this campaign has really shown me that it is positively impacting students. I would love to continue this work, and expand upon it as well and do a “Where are they now” edition for past participants.

Power to the People!

 

Foti Vito

Hi everyone!

It has been an honour to serve as your ASSU Executive for the past two years, and I could not be more excited to seek re-election for the 2020-2021 year! With your support, I hope to continue bringing my experiences, dedication and enthusiasm to the table to help improve the student experience at the Faculty of Arts & Science.

As an ASSU Executive, my primary initiative has been re-launching the Arbor Journal of Undergraduate Research – a multidisciplinary journal for the arts and sciences. The Arbor Journal gives all students the opportunity to publish their work regardless of particular discipline, and if re-elected, I hope to continue celebrating undergraduate research through initiatives such as Arbor. In particular, I hope to create a database of funding opportunities for international research as well as restructure the ASSU Undergraduate Research Conference to better engage with students.

Having also served on the Arts & Science Council and its various subcommittees, I have aimed to ensure that the policies and programs at our Faculty support student wellbeing and success. With your support, I hope to push forward on more academic policy changes such as allowing CR/NCR on program requirements and ensuring that student consultation is taken on all new course proposals and program modifications. In addition, I hope to increase collaboration with course unions on campaigns regarding grade manipulation and microtransactions, as well as further support course union initiatives, events, and your program-specific campaigns.

Remember, Voti for Foti!

Elena Iourtaeva

ASSU Office Closure

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Due to the cancellation of in-person classes and the need to contain the spread of COVID-19, the ASSU Office will be closed from March 16th to April 3rd. We will reevaluate as we get closer to the end of the term.

During this time we will be available through all of our social media as well as email at students.assu@utoronto.ca

Stay safe, everyone! We’re all in this together.

Exam Jam is right around the corner!

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Our exciting Exam Jam for the Spring semester is just around the corner! It’s happening in the Sid Smith lobby from 11-3 on Friday, April 3rd! Come out and check out some review sessions and fun destressor events.

All info can be found on the Sid Smith Commons site:

https://sidneysmithcommons.artsci.utoronto.ca/exam-jam/

Congratulations to our Award Winners!

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Congratulations to our Leadership Award Winners! These students demonstrate the amazing work and leadership that students in the Faculty of Arts and Science accomplish. Thank you everyone who applied to be a leadership award winner this year. It was an incredibly competitive year and the scholarship committee had a difficult time deciding on the winners.