U of T ENGINEERING

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

Dean's Messages

Latest information for Engineering students, faculty & staff from Dean Chris Yip

@uoftengdean

Advisory Committee on the Appointment of a Director, Institute of Biomedical Engineering: Call for Nominations

January 9, 2023

Professor Warren Chan ends his first term as Director, Institute of Biomedical Engineering on December 31, 2022. He is eligible for a second term.

Therefore, in accordance with the Policy on Appointment of Academic Administrators, we will be commencing the process to seek approval of an Advisory Committee to the Deans of Engineering, Dentistry and Medicine on the appointment of a Director, Institute of Biomedical Engineering.

The Committee should normally be composed as follows:

    • the Dean of the Faculty or School or representative who shall chair the committee;
    • three to five members of the teaching staff appointed to the Institute;
    • one or two students where appropriate;
    • two to four other qualified individuals, at least two of whom shall be from outside theInstitute, and;
    • a librarian, where appropriate.Members of the Institute of Biomedical Engineering are invited to nominate individuals to serve on the Advisory Committee by August 19, 2022. Please forward your suggestions to the attention of Dean Christopher Yip at dean.engineering@utoronto.ca.

Thank you for your input.

Ensuring a safe and healthy transition into exams

November 23, 2022

To our U of T Engineering community,

As the end of the Fall Term nears and we prepare for exams, I wanted to check in and share important information to ensure a smooth and safe next few weeks.

Staying healthy

We are in cold and flu season at a time when our health-care systems are overwhelmed. We all have a part to play in protecting ourselves and others against a range of respiratory illnesses. Here are three simple ways you can reduce spread:

  1. Mask up: The University recommends the use of medical masks. Wearing a high-quality, tight-fitting mask indoors is an effective way to slow the spread of the flu, RSV and COVID-19. While supplies allow, community members with an active UTORid can pick up a free mask across campus. Please remember that we each have different health needs and levels of comfort: respect the masking choices of those around you.
  2. Get vaccinated: Staying current on your seasonal vaccines is a key part of maintaining good health — and it has never been easier to get your shots. I’m excited to share that we’re hosting a flu shot clinic on Thursday, December 1 in the Bahen Centre (40 St. George Street), courtesy of a partnership with the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy. If you’re unable to attend or are seeking a different vaccine (e.g., bivalent COVID-19 booster), consider booking an appointment at U of T’s Discovery Pharmacy, conveniently located at 144 College Street.
  3. Stay home if you feel sick: If you are exhibiting flu-like symptoms — even if they seem mild and you are fully vaccinated — do not come to campus to minimize risk of infecting others. If you are a student experiencing symptoms or circumstances that you feel will severely impact your performance during the examination period, do not write your exam. Instead, follow the instructions below to file a petition.

Preparing for exams

As we enter the last few weeks of lectures, tutorials and laboratories for the term, below are several resources to support you through the end of your exams.

  • Consult the exam schedule to learn where and when your exams are taking place. Any changes or updates will be reflected on the schedule — please check back regularly.
  • Take part in exam prep opportunities offered by your instructors and through engineering-specific initiatives like the upcoming exam prep workshop (Nov 25), Exam Jam (Dec 8) for first-year students and ongoing Guided Engineering Academic Review Sessions for first-year Core 8 and EngSci students. Additionally, Student Life is hosting Exam Ready coaching sessions, workshops and other ways to prep and de-stress through the end of this week.
  • Know how to file a petition. If you are feeling ill on the day of your exam, do not attend and file a petition. U of T Engineering undergraduates who are absent from class — including final examinations — for any reason (including illness and injury) and require consideration for missed academic work should: 1) Declare their absence on ACORN on the same day the exam was missed; and 2) Submit an exam petition through the Engineering Portal within seven days of the exam.
    • Students who petition their exam may be granted a deferred exam to be written during the 2023 Winter Term Reading Week (February 20 to 24, 2023), or an assessed mark if deemed most appropriate and on the basis of sufficient, meaningful term work.

Taking care of yourself

Between the ongoing pandemic and several challenging global events in recent months, it is critically important to take time for yourself and reflect on how you’re feeling. Sleeping, drinking water, eating healthy foods, regular exercise and taking mental health breaks can help you stay energized.

If you are feeling overwhelmed by exams or other aspects of your life, you are not alone. Support for students, staff and faculty is a click or call away. I’ve included a list of some of these resources below as a reference.

Stay well and all the best with your exams,

Chris

Christopher Yip
Dean
Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering
University of Toronto

Welcome back to Skule™

September 7, 2022

To our U of T Engineering community

I’m delighted to welcome you back to Skule™! Each September brings renewal, and this year I feel that energy more than ever as I look forward to seeing all our students, staff and faculty back on campus.

When we’re together in person, we get to do what we do best here at U of T Engineering: learn from each other, work as a team and create new things. Our interactions spark ideas, improve designs, launch projects and strengthen relationships, and together we celebrate our many successes.

I know it hasn’t been easy getting to this point and we’ve all faced unexpected challenges over the past few years, whether academically, professionally or personally. For many of our students, arriving in Toronto has been more difficult than usual. Let’s take a moment to appreciate that we’ve made it this far — that alone is a testament to our resilience. There will continue to be twists and turns on the path ahead, and you may stumble: when you do, there is help, and I’m including a list of supports below.

A reminder that the University remains a mask-friendly environment, and we encourage masking, especially indoors where physical distancing isn’t possible. We also have a responsibility to respect the decisions, comfort levels and health needs of our colleagues and classmates. Engineering is a tight-knit community: let’s choose to show each other kindness and support as we embark on this new term together.

Finally, a word of reassurance: the year ahead will be a marathon, not a sprint. Pace yourselves, take breaks and try to find balance. I look forward to continuing to check in with you in the coming months.

My best wishes for a successful Fall Term — can’t wait to see you.

Chris

 

Christopher Yip

Dean

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

University of Toronto

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Support Resources for Students

U of T My Student Support Program (MySSP)

Immediate and/or ongoing confidential, free, 24-hour counselling support available in several languages

Multifaith Chaplains

Campus Chaplains offer spiritual care in times of stress, anxiety or grief

U of T St. George Health & Wellness

Physical & mental health care by physicians, nurses, counsellors and psychologists

  • 416-978-8030

U of T Engineering Mental Health & Wellness

Mental Health learning opportunities, COVID-related resources, reports, services & supports for U of T Engineering

Student Mental Health Resources

U of T’s mental health resource hub containing the tools, strategies and experts to meet you exactly where you are on your mental health journey

Support Resources for Staff and Faculty

For staff and faculty who are supporting students navigating mental health challenges, the U of T Engineering Student Well-Being Resource Guide outlines additional considerations and a variety of resources for both you and the student. We thank you in advance for all the ways that you continue to foster a culture of care and support here at U of T Engineering.

U of T staff and faculty members have access to the Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP). If you are experiencing distress, please reach out at any time — 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year — by contacting the EFAP at:

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