We are deeply saddened and troubled by recent events of systemic injustice aimed at the Black community
and Indigenous communities. We unequivocally oppose and disavow racial discrimination
in any form. We stand in solidarity with the Black community and Indigenous
communities in the fight against systemic racism and injustice.
We at Yorkville University and
Toronto Film School also recognize that this time is one of incredible pain,
frustration, and angst for many of our students, staff, and faculty,
specifically those within the Black and Indigenous communities.
At Yorkville University and
Toronto Film School, we have a long-standing institutional policy of
inclusiveness designed to protect and nurture our wonderfully diverse community
of students, staff, faculty and alumni. Still, we recognize that real social change
takes much more than establishing policies and guidelines, and that if our
institution is going to be a leader in areas of inclusivity and diversity, we
need to work harder and do more.
That understanding has inspired
the following commitments:
Yorkville University and Toronto
Film School will appoint a diversity officer. This person will be responsible
for helping to maintain and advocate for a diverse population within the
schools. That individual will be instrumental in the development of a renewed diversity
and inclusion policy for Yorkville University and Toronto Film School that
includes concrete policies, procedures and interventions aimed at improving the
experience of traditionally marginalized persons studying at our institutions.
We will continue to listen to students and faculty who want to talk to us. We encourage them to reach out to us and tell us more about their experience. We have engaged with several black students and alumni who reached out to us to share details of their school experience with senior administration and offer guidance about ways to improve the experience of students from traditionally marginalized communities.
Senior leadership is fully
engaged in conversations around how we can create more inclusive environments
for students and staff. We are also finalizing our existing plans to roll out
diversity and cultural sensitivity training in the coming weeks.
For any of our students, staff
and/or faculty who may be struggling during this time, there are support
services available to assist. Please feel free to contact the necessary
resources below:
- Toronto Film School students can visit tfs.janeapp.com to make an appointment.
- Yorkville University students can visit https://yorkvilleu-bc.janeapp.com/ to make an appointment.
- Faculty and staff phone: 877 847 4525 or 416 956 2979 or email: [email protected].
