This meeting will be held remotely via Zoom. The link and password to join the meeting may be found via the meeting’s email notice.

1. Welcome and Chair’s Remarks

Chair Mike Zryd

2. Faculty of Graduate Studies’ Faculty Teaching Award

Presentation
2025-2026:
Professor Mary Goitom, Graduate Programs in Development Studies, and Social Work

3. Minutes (Previous Meeting April 2, 2026) (.docx)

4. Business Arising from the Minutes

5. Dean's Remarks

Dean Alice MacLachlan

6. Changes to Faculty Regulations:  Graduate Supervision, and Policy on Appointments to the Faculty of Graduate Studies

For discussion
Associate Dean Academic, Cheryl van Daalen-Smith
Associate Director, Graduate Academic Affairs, Wes Moir
Proposal (.docx)

7. Summer Authority

For approval
Motion: “that all items that need Council approval be delegated to the FGS Academic Planning & Policy Committee after the last meeting of

8. Report of the Nominating Committee

For information
Associate Dean Academic, Cheryl van Daalen-Smith
Report (.pdf)

9. Reports from Faculty of Graduate Studies' Representatives to Senate Committees

Cheryl van Daalen-Smith, Senate Academic Standards, Curriculum & Pedagogy Committee
Anne MacLennan, Senate Academic Policy, Planning and Research Committee
Naomi Couto, Senate Executive Committee

10. Student Electronic Communication Policy

For information
Associate Dean Students Tokunbo Ojo
Policy (.pdf)

11. Senate Synopses

Summaries of Senate meetings of March 26 and April 23, 2026 (URL, .pdf)

12. Other Business

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Awards Committee

Gordon Fitch, Graduate Program in Biology
Dr. Gordon Fitch is, since 2023, Assistant Professor of Pollination Ecology in the Biology Department and an executive member of York’s Centre for Bee Ecology, Evolution and Conservation. His research addresses the role of environmental stressors, particularly urbanization, disease, and agricultural intensification, in structuring interactions between plants and pollinating insects, particularly bees. His lab integrates community ecology, chemical ecology, and physiology, using a combination of field work, mesocosm and greenhouse experiments, and lab studies. He teaches undergraduate courses in Population Ecology and Community Ecology, with an emphasis on data analysis and critical thinking. At the graduate level, he has taught the seminars Critical Skills in Ecology and Evolution and Current Topics in Ecology and Evolution. Gordon is currently supervising four MSc students, three of which will graduate this year. His mentorship emphasizes career stage-appropriate development of independence as a researcher and a strong professional network both within and beyond academia. Gordon received his PhD from the University of Michigan, and was a US National Science Foundation postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Prior to becoming an ecologist, Gordon worked as an environmental educator and high school science teacher, and he is committed to public engagement, advocacy and activism that promotes the equitable flourishing of ecological and human diversity.

Divya Sharma, Graduate Programs in Health, and Mathematics & Statistics
I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at ¿ì²¥ÊÓƵ, with cross-appointments at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto and as a Scientist at the University Health Network (UHN). I lead the , where my research focuses on interpretable deep learning and multimodal AI for complex healthcare data. My work has been published in journals including Nature Communications and The Lancet Digital Health and supported through more than $4 million in competitive funding from CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC as PI or co-PI. I was honoured to receive the 2025 Petro-Canada Emerging Innovator Award at ¿ì²¥ÊÓƵ.

In addition, I regularly provide consultations across UHN clinical teams on machine learning/ statistics and am a founding member of the Bias in AI and Oncology initiative at UHN. I am also affiliated with Connected Minds, the Centre for AI and Society, and the Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence for Public Health Advancement (AIPHA) at ¿ì²¥ÊÓƵ. I serve as an adjudicator for national funding competitions including CIHR and NFRF and participate in Knowledge Mobilization Grants adjudication within Connected Minds, as well as tenure adjudication in my department at ¿ì²¥ÊÓƵ. I have experience mentoring graduate students across ¿ì²¥ÊÓƵ and the University of Toronto across multiple disciplines. Through these roles, I have developed a strong appreciation for evaluating excellence across diverse disciplines and forms of scholarship. I would be pleased to contribute these perspectives to the FGS Awards Committee. 

James Simeon, Graduate Program in Public Policy, Administration & Law
Dr. James C. Simeon is a Professor in the School of Public Policy and Administration (SPPA), Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies, and a former Head of McLaughlin College, Director of the SPPA, and a former Acting Director and Deputy Director at the Centre for Refugee Studies (CRS), at ¿ì²¥ÊÓƵ, Toronto, Canada. James serves currently as the Vice-President of the Canadian Association for Refugee and Forced Migration Studies (CARFMS). He is also a past-President of CARFMS, a member of the International Association for the ¿ì²¥ÊÓƵ of Forced Migration (IASFM) and the Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC). James’s areas of research include international refugee law, international human rights law, international humanitarian law, international criminal law, and public policy and administration and he has published widely in these areas. He is on the Editorial Board of the online journal Laws. And he is a graduate of King’s College and a life member of Clare Hall, at the University of Cambridge.

Prior to joining the faculty at ¿ì²¥ÊÓƵ, James served as the first Executive Director of the International Association of Refugee Law Judges, now the International Association of Refugee and Migration Judges (IARMJ). He is currently an Associate Member of the IARMJ and serves as the Coordinator of its Inter-Conference Working Party Process. He is also one of the founding members of the IARMJ Americas Chapter.

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N.B.: This meeting will be held in person.

1. Welcome and Chair’s Remarks

Chair Mike Zryd

2. Supporting Indigenous Graduate Students

Presentation
Gaswéñdah – A Framework for Graduate Supervision with Indigenous Graduate Students (.pdf)
Dr. Ruth Green

3. Minutes (Minutes of Previous Meeting March 5, 2026) (.docx)

4. Business Arising from the Minutes

5. Dean's Remarks

Dean Alice MacLachlan

6. Changes to Faculty Regulations: Leave to Appeal

For approval
Associate Director, Graduate Academic Affairs Wes Moir
Motion (.docx)

7. Changes to Faculty Regulations: Oral Examination Guidelines and Reporting of Results

For approval
Associate Director, Graduate Academic Affairs Wes Moir
Motion (.docx) New file as amended at the meeting

8. Reports from Faculty of Graduate Studies' Representatives to Senate Committees

Cheryl van Daalen-Smith, Senate Academic Standards, Curriculum & Pedagogy Committee
Anne MacLennan, Senate Academic Policy, Planning and Research Committee
Naomi Couto, Senate Executive Committee

9. Senate Synopsis

Summary of Senate meeting of February 26, 2026 (URL, .pdf)

10. Other Business

The post Council Meeting Agenda April 2, 2026 appeared first on Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS).

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This meeting will be held remotely via Zoom. The link and password to join the meeting may be found via the meeting’s email notice.

1. Welcome and Chair’s Remarks

Chair Mike Zryd

2. Division of Equity, People and Culture

Presentation (.pdf)
Parissa Safai, Vice-President Equity, People & Culture

3. Launch of the Graduate Student Certificate in Decolonization, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEDIA)

Presentation
Guests: Dalia El Farra, Advisor, Education & Communications, and Oliver Martin, Director Workplace Restoration & Culture, Centre for Human Rights, Equity & Inclusion

4. Minutes (Minutes of Previous Meeting February 5, 2026) (.docx)

5. Dean's Remarks

Dean Alice MacLachlan

6. The Graduate Supervision Capacity-Building Professional Development Fund

Associate Dean Academic Cheryl van Daalen-Smith
Supervision toolkit capacity-building fund (URL, pdf)

7. Changes to Faculty Regulations: Leave to Appeal

For discussion
Associate Director, Graduate Academic Affairs Wes Moir
Motion (.docx)

8. University Academic Plan

For discussion
Presentation (.pptx)
Dean Alice MacLachlan
University Academic Plan 2025-2030 Consultations (URL, pdf)

9. Reports from Faculty of Graduate Studies' Representatives to Senate Committees

Cheryl van Daalen-Smith, Senate Academic Standards, Curriculum & Pedagogy Committee
Anne MacLennan, Senate Academic Policy, Planning and Research Committee
Naomi Couto, Senate Executive Committee

10. Other Business

The post Council Meeting Agenda March 5, 2026 appeared first on Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS).

We’ve got a series of webinars planned to help you choose Graduate Studies at ¿ì²¥ÊÓƵ.

Wherever you are in your graduate school journey, holding an offer, waiting on a decision, or simply exploring your options, the Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) invites you to Choose Grad York, a week-long lunch-hour webinar series designed to support your decision-making process. Running from March 23 to March 27, 2026, this series helps demystify graduate studies at York and gives you a clearer picture of what it’s like to be part of our graduate community.

Across five online sessions, you’ll hear from decanal leadership, faculty, staff, current students, and alumni about why York is an excellent place to pursue graduate studies and how a York degree can help you make an impact beyond the University. All webinars take place online via Zoom from 12:00 to 1:00 P.M. ET. Registration is free and now open.

TOPIC: Navigating A Graduate Degree with Dean MacLachlan

DATE: Monday, March 23, 2026

TIME: 12:00–1:00 p.m. ET

Details of Session: In this webinar, our Vice Provost & Dean (Alice MacLachlan) will be speaking on the role of the student in a graduate degree, degree types and structures in the different disciplines, forming your individualised research ideas, and supports for personal and research development.

TOPIC: Learning about Grad School from Our Alumni – Panel Discussion

DATE: Tuesday, March 24, 2026

TIME: 12:00–1:00 p.m. ET

Details of Session: Entering a master’s program or continuing into a PhD presents many considerations for students to think about. We want to help support future students in their decision-making process! Associate Dean Academic, Cheryl van Daalen-Smith, will be speaking with both master’s and doctoral alumni to learn about their graduate student experience, and how their degrees have supported their future aspirations. The panelists will bring rich perspectives to future students grappled with various questions and share resources available to graduate students in the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

TOPIC: How to Pay for Grad School: Funding, Scholarships, Bursaries, OSAP, and more

DATE: Wednesday, March 25, 2026

TIME: 12:00–1:00 p.m. ET

Details of Session: Join us to learn more about the many kinds of financial support available to graduate students to help fund their studies. This session will cover the separate categories of financial support, including funding packages, scholarships, other awards, bursaries, and OSAP. Learn more about which supports require an application, which supports you are automatically considered for, and the various timelines associated with each.

TOPIC: Discussion Panel with Current Scholars

DATE: Thursday, March 26, 2026

TIME: 12:00–1:00 p.m. ET

Details of Session: Join us to learn more about the graduate student experience at York. Our student panellists will discuss a range of topics, including their application experience, the transition from undergraduate to graduate studies, funding, scholarships, program experiences, research & supervision experience, and much more.

TOPIC: Coming to Canada - The International Student Experience

DATE: Friday, March 27, 2026

TIME: 12:00–1:00 p.m. ET

Details of Session: Coming to Canada: The International Student Experience is an engaging session designed to help prospective and newly admitted students understand what life in Canada truly looks like, from navigating academics and campus culture to settling into a new country with confidence. Through real stories, practical guidance, and honest insights into the challenges and opportunities international students face, this session prepares learners to thrive both inside and outside the classroom. Attendees will leave with a clearer picture of what to expect, where to find support, and how to make the most of their Canadian journey.

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Supporting Your Transition: Pre-Arrival Webinars

New students are encouraged to look ahead to program orientation events, many of which will take place over the summer or at the start of the Fall semester. To support early preparation, the Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) offers a series of virtual pre-arrival webinars designed to help ensure a smooth transition into your program. These sessions serve as a guide to the key steps between acceptance and the start of classes.

TOPIC: ¿ì²¥ÊÓƵ Permit Application Support Session for Graduate Students

DATE: Wednesday, April 1, 2026

TIME: 9:00–10:00 a.m. ET

Details of Session: Join our support session led by York International’s licensed immigration advisors. Learn how to navigate the study permit application process, avoid common mistakes, and get answers to your questions. This session is designed to ensure you feel confident as you take this important step toward studying in Canada.

TOPIC: You've Been Admitted! What's Next?

DATE: Tuesday, April 28, 2026

TIME: 12:00–1:00 p.m. ET

Details of Session: In this session, we will go over a checklist of useful resources such as: how to accept your offer, submitting required documentation to meet conditions, accommodations for students with a disability, setting up Passport York and your email account, how to register for academic terms, how to enrol in courses, getting your YU card, the cost of living in Toronto, transit options, health plans and services, attending GRAD@York and more! 

TOPIC: How to Pay for Grad School: Funding, Scholarships, Bursaries, OSAP, and more

DATE: Wednesday, May 13, 2026

TIME: 12:00–1:00 p.m. ET

Details of Session: Join us to learn more about the many kinds of financial support available to graduate students to help fund their studies. In this session we will cover each of these separate categories of financial support: Funding Packages Scholarships Other Awards Bursaries OSAP Learn more about which supports require an application, which supports you are automatically considered for, and the various timelines associated with each.

TOPIC: Ask Us Anything: Applying for a ¿ì²¥ÊÓƵ Permit for Graduate Programs

DATE: Wednesday, May 20, 2026

TIME: 9:00–10:00 a.m. ET

Details of Session: Join York International’s licensed immigration advisors for an interactive Q&A session designed to help you understand the process and get answers to what matters most to you.

TOPIC: Discover Graduate Supervision at York

DATE: Tuesday, June 16, 2026

TIME: 12:00–1:00 p.m. ET

Details of Session: This webinar explores the role supervision plays in graduate studies, highlighting how it shapes your learning experience. Designed for new graduate students, we will unpack the Ontario Principles for Graduate Supervision, focusing on student responsibilities. Hearing from current grad students, participants will learn tips for effective supervisor-student relationships, do’s and don’ts for understanding expectations, and making the most of your supervisory experience. Our goal is to help start you off on a successful grad school journey. 

TOPIC: Navigating Course Registration and Online Resources at York

DATE: Thursday, June 25, 2026

TIME: 12:00–1:00 p.m. ET

Details of Session: In this session, we will go over the various web platforms at York that you should become familiar with. This includes: Registering Online, Enrolling in Courses, our Faculty of Graduate Studies’ website, your graduate program website, York’s Events Calendar, Better Together, Appointment Booking Portals, Important Contacts, Incoming Class Facebook Group, and more!

TOPIC: A New Chapter: Dean MacLachlan Welcomes New Graduate Students to York

DATE: Tuesday, July 21, 2026

TIME: 12:00–1:00 p.m. ET

Details of Session: In this special session from the Dean of Graduate Studies, we are excited to connect with you and introduce you to the incredible opportunities that await you at ¿ì²¥ÊÓƵ. This conversation is your chance to learn more about our vibrant academic community, the support systems in place to help you succeed, and the lifelong connections you’ll build here. We look forward to answering your questions, sharing insights and resources, and helping you navigate this exciting new graduate studies chapter.

TOPIC: A Day in the Life of an MA Student

DATE: Tuesday, August 11, 2026

TIME: 12:00–1:00 p.m. ET

Details of Session: This session will feature a group of current MA students from a variety of programs talking about their experiences during the transition to graduate school. We'll discuss what 'a day in the life' looks like, what the most surprising thing about graduate school was, tips and tricks for incoming students, and more!

TOPIC: A Day in the Life of an MSc/MASc Student

DATE: Tuesday, August 18, 2026

TIME: 12:00–1:00 p.m. ET

Details of Session: This session will feature a group of current MSc/MASc students from a variety of programs talking about their experiences during the transition to graduate school. We'll discuss what 'a day in the life' looks like, what the most surprising thing about graduate school was, tips and tricks for incoming students, and more!

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This meeting will be held remotely via Zoom. The link and password to join the meeting may be found via the meeting’s email notice.

1. Welcome and Chair’s Remarks

Chair Mike Zryd

2. Mitacs Programming for the Graduate Community

Presentation (.pptx)
Guest: Rachel Sung, Mitacs Specialist/Business Development Specialist, VISTA/Innovation York
(±«¸é³¢);Ìý (URL)

3. Minutes (Previous Meeting, December 4, 2025) (.docx)

4. Business Arising from the Minutes

5. Dean's Remarks

Dean Alice MacLachlan

6. Osgoode Professional Development: Exemptions from Faculty of Graduate Studies’ Regulations

Meghan Thomas, Director, International and Professional Graduate Programs

For approval

Osgoode Professional Graduate Programs exemption from FGS Regulations and new Osgoode Professional Graduate Regulations (.docx)
Draft Professional Graduate Regulations – Comparison Chart (.docx)

7. Changes to Faculty Regulations: Applicability

Associate Director, Graduate Academic Affairs Wes Moir

For approval

Motion (.docx)

8. Update to Faculty Regulations: Change of Program/Change Within a Program

Associate Director, Graduate Academic Affairs Wes Moir

For approval

Motion (.docx)

9. Reports from Faculty of Graduate Studies' Representatives to Senate Committees

Cheryl van Daalen-Smith, Senate Academic Standards, Curriculum & Pedagogy Committee
YU-card FAQ for Faculty and Staff Fall 2025 (.pdf)

Anne MacLennan, Senate Academic Policy, Planning and Research Committee
Naomi Couto, Senate Executive Committee

10. Senate Synopses

Summaries of meetings of November 27 and December 11, 2025, and January 22, 2026 (URL/.pdf)

11. Other Business

The post Council Meeting Agenda February 5, 2026 appeared first on Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS).

^{Graduate students conducting vision research.}

Innovation and Interdisciplinary Research

Pioneering Interdisciplinary Graduate Training in Vision Research
¿ì²¥ÊÓƵ advanced interdisciplinary education in health and science with the launch of the Collaborative Specialization in Vision Research—the first graduate-level program of its kind at the university. Bringing together faculty from diverse disciplines, this initiative provides cutting-edge training and formal credentials in vision research, preparing students to address pressing scientific and technological challenges and contribute meaningfully to health and science innovations.

Supporting Postdoctoral Researchers to Secure Funding
Tailored guidelines were introduced to support postdoctoral researchers in preparing and submitting grant applications, enhancing external research funding at the institution. These resources provide clear guidance at a critical stage in researchers’ careers, fostering professional development and enabling impactful contributions to the broader research community.

Strengthening Systems and Academic Processes

Graduate Supervision Toolkit & Flipbook
The Graduate Supervision Toolkit and Flipbook provide accessible, practical guidance to foster equity-informed, communicative, and collaborative supervisory relationships. By centering clarity, mutual care, and co-created success, these resources strengthen trust, communication, and the well-being of both students and supervisors.

Enhancing the Systems That Support Every Graduate Journey
The Special Projects team focused on maintaining and improving the five online graduate portals—Petition, Proposal Milestone, Progress Report, Oral Exam, and Supervisor & Supervisory Committee. Through issue resolution, targeted upgrades, and new features, these platforms became more reliable, efficient, and supportive, simplifying administrative processes and enabling a smoother graduate experience for students, faculty, and staff.

^{Graduate Supervision resources support effective supervisory pedagogy and guidance.}

Introducing a More Streamlined Proposal Milestone Process
A redesigned research proposal milestone process, effective November 5, 2025, reduces approval timelines and allows students to begin research sooner. Students conducting research involving human participants or higher-risk protocols can now develop ethics applications concurrently with proposal review, creating a more efficient pathway from proposal development to research initiation.

Automating Funding Processes for Greater Accuracy and Efficiency
Advanced Excel macro automations streamlined key funding workflows, including the Annual Funding Commitment Review, monthly revenue-recognition reconciliation, and ARMS-to-FAAS data conversions for Fellowships and GIA payments. These enhancements minimized manual effort, reduced errors, and created faster, more dependable, processes for staff and students alike.

Strengthening Clarity and Integrity in Academic Policies
Restructured academic integrity policies and procedures enhanced consistency, transparency, and practicality, supporting efficient case resolution while reinforcing a culture of honesty, responsibility, and fairness. These improvements provide the graduate community with clear guidance and strengthen an environment where ethical scholarship can thrive.

Strengthening Support for Professional Graduate Programs
Updated regulations distinguishing research-focused from professional graduate degrees improved guidance for program development and reinforced partnerships with program proponents. This framework supports programs in delivering offerings that meet student needs, reflect professional standards, and enrich the graduate education landscape.

^{Incoming students meet Joseph Hafner, Dean of Libraries (left), and Alice MacLachlan, Vice-Provost & Dean of Graduate Studies (right).}

Supporting Students and Building Community

Seamless Transition of Graduate Admissions Support
The Graduate Admissions team was successfully integrated from its previous unit into FGS. This transition centralized graduate recruitment and admissions support, enhancing coordination, accessibility, and consistency for prospective students. Applicants now benefit from clearer communication, streamlined processes, and a stronger connection to the faculty guiding them throughout their graduate journey.

Providing Personalized Support for Prospective Graduate Students
Individualized 1:1 advising sessions offered dedicated time for prospective students to ask questions and gain clarity on next steps. These personalized meetings help applicants feel informed, confident, and supported as they navigate the admissions process, fostering a welcoming introduction to the graduate community.

Enhancing Connections for Incoming Graduate Students
Expanded and , led by the new Graduate Recruitment team, provided incoming students with early answers to common questions and a deeper understanding of York’s campus, community, and research environment. Also, FGS hosted its first in-person social () since 2019. These initiatives eased transitions, fostered connection, and strengthened confidence in choosing York.

Connecting International Students Through Insightful, Targeted Panels
A new international student recruitment panel series connected prospective and admitted students with current graduate students. With a focus on engagement from the , , these panels provided first-hand insights, helping students feel confident in choosing ¿ì²¥ÊÓƵ and Canada as a study destination while fostering a welcoming global graduate community.

Graduate Student Support Group
Launched in 2025, the Graduate Student Support Group provides a safe space for students to connect, share experiences, and access peer support. The group allows participants to gain perspective on common graduate challenges, exchange wisdom and resources, and realize they are not alone in their academic journey. Feedback from students has been overwhelmingly positive, and the drop-in, year-round format ensures ongoing accessibility and support throughout the graduate experience.

Equipping Graduate Students through GradForward Series
The inaugural GradForward series, a new approach to graduate orientation, offered 30-minute virtual sessions covering scholarships, graduate funding, academic integrity, professional skills, student affairs, and portal use. Accessible via Zoom, these sessions equipped students with practical knowledge and resources to navigate graduate studies successfully and build a strong foundation for academic and professional growth.

Celebrating Achievement and Inclusion

Associate Director honoured with York’s Excellence in DEDI Award
Richolette Freckleton received the Excellence in DEDI Award from ¿ì²¥ÊÓƵ in recognition of her exceptional commitment to advancing decolonization, equity, diversity, and inclusion across the graduate community. Her leadership led to the creation and funding of a new scholarship for BIPOC part-time students and the launch of a workshop that connects Black graduate students with faculty mentors — concrete actions that expand access, promote representation, and foster a stronger sense of belonging and support for equity-seeking scholars at York.

Looking Ahead…

Our achievements in 2025 reflect a shared commitment to innovation, equity, and student success. By strengthening systems, supporting research, and building inclusive communities, FGS continues to create an environment where graduate students and researchers can thrive today—and shape the breakthroughs of tomorrow.

^{President & Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton with Richolette Freckleton.}

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