Student leaders celebrated for giving back to the community

Student leaders with Sara Diamond and Amanda Hotrum
Thursday, April 21, 2016 - 4:00am

The Diversity & Equity Excellence Awards were handed out at a reception in March to acknowledge OCAD University’s exceptional student leaders and their tremendous contributions to advancing equity at the institution. This year, with generous support from Office of the Vice-President, Academic; Office of the President; and Office of Diversity, Equity & Sustainability Initiatives, the selection committee chose to give out three awards rather than one.

The recipients were:

  • Rouzbeh Akhabari
  • Zviko Mhakayakora
  • ​Amanda Robertson-Hebert

The contributions of this year’s winners ranged from advancing equity in OCAD U’s governance and policy through community initiatives in art and design creation and in the learning environment.

At the same event, the Peer Mentor Awards were given to students who made outstanding contributions to the Student Mentor Program, demonstrating enthusiasm and positivity while providing helpful advice and support to their student mentees.

This year’s recipients were:

  • Ahmed Bokhari
  • ​Jacqueline Lee

Tracy Cai and Madison Leeson were recognized by Andre De Freitas, Manager, Financial Aid & Awards, for their excellence in Financial Literacy. They collaborated to produce CreativeFunds, a series of videos that teach students how to manage and budget their finances.

Brent Everett James, Campus Life Coordinator, recognized the students behind two student initiatives on campus: 

  • Sofy Mesa and Oliver Roberts coordinated a winter clothing drive and soup kitchen community members in need.
  • Tooba Syed took on an active role with Textbooks for Change, coordinating the collection of donated textbooks on campus, repurposed to create social impact and improve the educational landscape for students around the world.

The awards celebration was made possible by the First Generation Program; Financial Aid & Awards; Alumni Relations; and the Office of the President. Contributions to Diversity, Equity & Excellence Awards were made by the Student Union; the Office of the Associate Vice-President, Students; the Office of the Vice-President, Academic; the Office of Diversity, Equity & Sustainability Initiatives; and the Office of the President.
 

Call for Nominations: DEEAS

Recognized students from 2014/2015 Awards Dinner
Thursday, January 28, 2016 - 2:00pm to Friday, February 26, 2016 - 10:00pm

DIVERSITY & EQUITY EXCELLENCE AWARD FOR STUDENTS:
The Diversity & Equity Excellence Award for Students (DEEAS) is sponsored by OCAD Student Union and the Office of the Associate Vice-President, Students. It includes a $1,000.00 prize and congratulatory letter from Dr. Sara Diamond, President/Vice-Chancellor. Nominations will be accepted from all members of the OCAD U community, describing the nominee’s exceptional contribution to OCAD University and to equity and diversity through advocacy and leadership, promoting human rights, social justice, inclusion, and impactful engagement.

NOMINATION FORMS can be found online, or pick up printed copies at Campus Life (51 McCaul Street); Diversity, Equity & Sustainability Initiatives (Level 2, 115 McCaul Street); or OCAD Student Union (Level 5, 205 Richmond St. West). Submission deadline: Friday, February 26, 2016.

Venue & Address: 
OCAD U Campus Life, 51 McCaul Street
Website: 
http://www.ocadu.ca/services/campus-life/student-leadership-awards.htm
Email: 
bjames@ocadu.ca
Phone: 
416 977 6000, Ext. 275

Feminist FOMO NOMO

Black and green poster
Tuesday, November 10, 2015 - 5:00am to Sunday, December 6, 2015 - 5:00am

OCAD U: Feminist Art Exhibition, November 2015

Artists, this is your chance to show what feminism means to you. From November 10 to December 6, The Learning Zone at OCAD U will exhibit the collaborative creativity of artists reflecting on feminism. For a month, interact within a feminist space that connects artists across ages, mediums and perspectives. Don’t let the word feminism dissuade you. This is an all-inclusive event.

GET INVOLVED Artists, email us for more information as we will require some information from you as an artist before the show, including name, school, copyright and redistribution rights. Groups, this is the perfect time and space to host discussions, presentations and events relating to feminism. Submit a date on which you would like to host an event during the exhibit along with a description of it. Submit your interest by November 3rd, and for any further information contact feministfomonomo@gmail.com. A call for the online exhibition will follow so if you can't get it ready for this one.

This exhibition is sponsored by WIAprojects at CWSE/OISE University of Toronto, the OCAD University Library’s Learning Zone, OCAD U's Office of Diversity, Equity and Sustainability Issues (ODESI) and the Feminist Art Conference (FAC).

Venue & Address: 
The Learning Zone at OCAD U
Email: 
<p>feministfomono@gmail.com</p>
fomo nomo poster

Creating a culture of consent

Image of zine called Create Consent
Wednesday, September 9, 2015 - 4:00am

First-year OCAD University students received something new in their Welcome Packets this September: Create Consent, a ‘zine that aims to create consent culture in a way that centres anti-oppression and intersectionality.

Developed at a two-day student workshop facilitated by OCAD U faculty Sheila Sampath and led by OCAD U’s Sexual Violence Prevention & Awareness Working Group, the 30-page ‘zine is a student resource that examines issues of sexual consent in classrooms and studios, on-line and in our communities. It offers information on where to go for support in cases of sexual violence and marks the beginning of a series of initiatives to continue this dialogue.    

The ‘zines are available around campus and at the Office of Diversity, Equity & Sustainability Initiatives at 115 McCaul.

At the Student Gallery, the grassroots non-profit organization Bad Subject facilitated a workshop called “Let’s talk consent!” Participants engaged in role-playing activities to develop practical tools to gain and understand consent.

Find out more about sexual violence resources available on- and off-campus.

Read OCAD U President Dr. Sara Diamond’s statement about the university’s policies and resources.

The Ontario Government’s #whowillyouhelp video has received international attention for its stark message on sexual violence. Watch and share!

 

 

 

FACULTY RECOGNIZED WITH TEACHING, DIVERSITY AND EQUITY AWARDS

Associate Professor Maria Gabankova is retiring this spring. Photo: Sarah Mulholland.
Assistant Professor Ananda Chakrabarty.
Assistant Professor Shannon Gerard, Instructor Michael Antkowiak, and Instructor Spencer Harrison.

The accomplishments and careers of OCAD University’s talented faculty members were celebrated last week at the university’s annual Faculty Appreciation Event. 

Retiring faculty members Associate Professors Maria GabankovaDavid ChavelDavid Pellettier and Shirley Yanover, all of the Faculty of Art, were recognized and thanked for their many years of service and dedication to OCAD U students. 

Faculty members who have completed terms as academic administrators were also recognized for their important service:

  • Assistant Professor Ananda Chakrabarty as Associate Dean, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Sciences and School of Interdisciplinary Studies
  • Assistant Professor Luke Painter as Chair, Contemporary Painting and Print Media
  • Associate Professor Simon Glass as Associate Dean in the Faculty of Art

Several faculty members were recognized for their many years of service. Celebrating their 20 year milestone are Professors Paul Epp and Helen Kerr, and Integrated Media Technician Almerinda Travassos. Marking 25 years are Assistant Professor Ted Hunter, Professor Stuart Reid and Associate ProfessorCathy Daley. At 30 years of service are Assistant Professor Bentley Jarvis, and Associate Professors Stan Krzyzanowski and Bill Leeming. Associate Professor Wendy Cain and Associate Professor Paul Dempsey are celebrating 35 years of service. Finally, celebrating 40 years at OCAD University are Professors Keith Rushton and Assistant Professor Michael Page

The Faculty and Curriculum Development Centre (FCDC) recognized nominated faculty members with the Inspired Teaching Awards, which acknowledge faculty members, administrators, tutors, technicians, teaching assistants or librarians whose passion for art and design education has enhanced learning and influenced artistic practice. This year’s recipients are:

Associate Professor Bonnie Devine and Instructor Spencer Harrison were both recognized with BLG Faculty Equity Awards this year, which celebrates successes of faculty in their promotion of an inclusive work and learning environment. 

Faculty of Art Instructor Michael Antkowiak was recognized with a Non-Tenured Faculty Teaching Award, cited in his nomination for always being well prepared for class, and encouraging students by recognizing and drawing out their strengths, while also challenging students conceptually, stimulating growth and perspective. 

The Price Award for Excellence in Teaching was awarded to Assistant Professor Shannon Gerard in the Faculty of Art. Gerard was recognized for her instrumental work in developing OCAD U’s new Publications Cross-Disciplinary Art specialization, in which she is the sole teaching faculty member, and for her unbridled enthusiasm and passionate commitment to the discipline and her students.

 

Staff Equity, Excellence and Service Recognition Awards announced

Friday, June 20, 2014 - 3:30pm

The annual Employee Appreciation Event, held Friday, June 20, celebrated OCAD University staff for their dedicated years of service, excellence and commitment to diversity. 

Ana Pineiro, Senior Procurement Officer in the Finance Office, was recognized with the Equity Award. Pineiro oversees the purchase of goods and services for the university, and took a lead role in ensuring that accessibility criteria be embedded in OCAD U's Procurement Policy. Her initiatives help ensure products, services and systems used by students, faculty and staff are as accessible as possible, and the accessibility requirements help encourage vendors to be forward-thinking. She was commended for not only achieving minimum compliance, but also pushing us all to a higher standard.

James Morrow and Renzi Guarin both received Employee Excellence Awards. 

Morrow is a student advisor and was recognized for contributing to the success of the new Student Advising Centre and for his insightful, respectful and encouraging student coaching in his capacity as advisor. In addition to inspiring students, he is also making a contribution to the university's goals around accessibility as part of the Customer Service Working Group on Accessibility.

Guarin is an AV support specialist in the IT Services Department. He was recognized for consistent and exceptional service to the entire OCAD U community, playing an instrumental role in ensuring the university's many events are seamless, and assisting everyone from the president to the student union to external stakeholders. He was highly praised for his energy, patience, professionalism and "can do" attitude.

The following employees were granted Service Recognition Certificates:
Peter Lashko, for 35 years: Lashko is the Director, Facilities Planning & Management.
Cynthia Little for 30 years: Little is a payroll administrator.
Jill Patrick for 25 years: Patrick is the Director, Library Services.

Dr. Sara Diamond, OCAD U’s President, was at the event to extend her thanks and congratulations to the staff.

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