Robarts / en 茄子直播's Stefania Hurko was a poet and political activist who 'believed the individual could move mountains' /news/u-t-s-stefania-hurko-was-poet-and-political-activist-who-believed-individual-could-move <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">茄子直播's Stefania Hurko was a poet and political activist who 'believed the individual could move mountains'</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/Hurko%201996.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=yvw2mKF0 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/Hurko%201996.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=iLukN0WL 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/Hurko%201996.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=gPDvfBRS 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/Hurko%201996.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=yvw2mKF0" alt="portrait of Stefania Hurko wearing a hat"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>Christopher.Sorensen</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2020-02-10T11:06:09-05:00" title="Monday, February 10, 2020 - 11:06" class="datetime">Mon, 02/10/2020 - 11:06</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item"><p>Stefania Hurko, pictured here circa 1996, worked for 茄子直播 Libraries for more than 25 years and contributed to the cataloguing of 茄子直播鈥檚 extensive Slavic and East European collection, the largest of its kind in Canada (photo courtesy of Marijka Hurko)</p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/richard-blackwell" hreflang="en">Richard Blackwell</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/our-community" hreflang="en">Our Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/faculty-arts-science" hreflang="en">Faculty of Arts &amp; Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/global" hreflang="en">Global</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/history" hreflang="en">History</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/humanities" hreflang="en">Humanities</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/poetry" hreflang="en">Poetry</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/political-science" hreflang="en">Political Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/robarts" hreflang="en">Robarts</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-libraries" hreflang="en">茄子直播 Libraries</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/ukraine" hreflang="en">Ukraine</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>Stefania Hurko</strong>, a longtime employee at University of Toronto Libraries,<strong>&nbsp;</strong>was&nbsp;an accomplished poet and activist 鈥 she once belonged to an underground liberation movement&nbsp;鈥 who passionately supported Ukrainian culture and political freedom.</p> <p>Hurko, who died in November at the age of 95, survived the occupation of western Ukraine by the Soviets and Nazis, worked underground for Ukrainian independence and&nbsp;then came to Canada where she established a career at 茄子直播 that would last over 25 years.&nbsp;Yet, she still managed to maintain her close ties to Ukrainian culture, publishing poetry in her native language and actively working to free political prisoners.</p> <p>In 1991 she was finally able to celebrate Ukraine鈥檚 independence.</p> <p><img alt class="migrated-asset" src="/sites/default/files/Hurko%201975.jpg">&nbsp;A skilled linguist, Hurko spoke English, Ukrainian, Polish, German, French and Russian and&nbsp;worked in book acquisitions and processing. Her knowledge of Ukrainian culture and her language skills meant she was a valuable contributor to the cataloguing of&nbsp;茄子直播鈥檚 extensive Slavic and East European collection, which numbers over 500,000 titles and is now the largest of its kind in Canada. Hurko also worked with academics interested in Slavic culture and history.</p> <p><strong>Paul Robert Magocsi</strong>, a 茄子直播 history and political science professor who is also chair of Ukrainian studies at 茄子直播, said Hurko was supportive of his work&nbsp;and once helped him with complex research for a book he was writing&nbsp;鈥&nbsp;a section of text needed to be translated into the Galician dialect of western Ukraine.</p> <p>&nbsp;鈥淪he had a sweet, soft-spoken and pleasant personality,鈥 he said. 鈥淪he was always smiling and upbeat and outgoing.鈥</p> <p>While working at the library, Hurko continued her lifelong interest in writing poetry. She admired the famous 19th-century Ukrainian writer and poet Taras Shevchenko and emulated his style.</p> <p>Hurko managed to be innovative while following the traditional Ukrainian poetic style, said her 茄子直播 library colleague <strong>Wasyl Sydorenko</strong>. 鈥淪he was able to take her poems beyond simple literary realism to higher levels of philosophical and symbolic expression. She could be surrealistic or expressionistic.鈥</p> <p>Hurko's poetry was published in the Ukrainian press in Canada and the United States, and she continued to write plays, poems and political satire long after her retirement from 茄子直播.</p> <p><img alt class="migrated-asset" src="/sites/default/files/0J5A9821.jpg"></p> <p><em>Works by&nbsp;Stefania Hurko are part of 茄子直播 Libraries' collection&nbsp;(photo by David Lee)</em></p> <p>Hurko was active in her support of dissidents&nbsp;鈥 especially Ukrainians jailed or oppressed by the Soviet Union&nbsp;鈥 and she was a member of Amnesty International鈥檚 茄子直播 group. In 1974, she participated in a hunger strike in front of the Soviet embassy in Ottawa&nbsp;over the treatment of a Ukrainian dissident held in a Moscow prison. In a letter to the editor of the <em>Toronto Star</em> following the strike, she insisted that 鈥渢here is nothing free in the Soviet Union; no free press, no free enterprise, no free thought.鈥 The dissident was in prison 鈥渏ust because he wanted to act as a free man,鈥 she wrote.</p> <p>Hurko was born Stefania Deychakiwska in 1924 in the village of Yamnytsia, in an area of what is now western Ukraine, but was at the time under Polish control. After high school and teachers鈥 college,&nbsp;she worked briefly as a teacher. But the start of Second World War brought enormous upheaval to the region, which was occupied by the Nazis before later coming under Soviet control.&nbsp;</p> <p>After the outbreak of the war, she joined the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists&nbsp;and worked in an underground movement in German-occupied eastern Ukraine building support for Ukrainian independence. Later in the war, and after it ended, she worked in western Europe as a courier for the Ukrainian Supreme Liberation Council, an umbrella organization for Ukrainian nationalists.</p> <p>In 1948,&nbsp;she met and married Eugene Hurko&nbsp;in a displaced persons camp in Germany. The following year the couple moved to Australia&nbsp;and settled in Adelaide, where their first two children were born.&nbsp;Then, in 1956, the family moved to Canada, where they had relatives and saw greater opportunities.</p> <p>After settling in Toronto&nbsp;in 1963, Hurko joined 茄子直播 and&nbsp;worked in the Sigmund Samuel Library before moving to the Robarts Library.</p> <p>Hurko had grown up in a household where art and literature were important, and she loved being around students and books, said her son Roman. 鈥淚 remember once, when we were growing up, my brother getting an earful from my mother because he had put a coffee cup on a book.鈥</p> <p>Hurko鈥檚 husband died in 1979 at the age of 65, but Stefania continued her work at the library until she retired in 1989. One day during that period,&nbsp;she was processing a box of books that had come in from Vienna, where her husband had gone to university and earned a PhD in law. The box contained a book from the 1930s 鈥 with her husband鈥檚 signature on the front. It was like her husband was speaking to her from the past, Roman said, but she also recognized that the book still belonged to the library.&nbsp;</p> <p>鈥淪he made a photocopy of the page and put the book back into the system.鈥</p> <p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen frameborder="0" height="422" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xMsdc1SZy1U" width="720"></iframe></p> <p><em>A poem written by&nbsp;Stefania Hurko is translated to English by Roman Hurko and set to music in this YouTube video.&nbsp;</em></p> <p>Hurko鈥檚 extraordinary language skills were put to good use translating poetry or text for anyone who needed it, Roman said, and after he began working in opera she would help him translate librettos.</p> <p>She could recite lengthy epic poems by Shevchenko and others, Roman said, 鈥淓ven into her 90s, when much of the past was in a fog, she could recite these things by heart, they were so deeply embedded in her.鈥</p> <p>He described his mother as a 鈥渟tructured person鈥 who liked to have her time and space under control, but at the same time was very artistic&nbsp;and loved the theatre and opera. 鈥淪he was an artist by nature and organized by necessity鈥 because of her busy job and three children, he said.</p> <p>Her daughter Marijka said that Hurko鈥檚 鈥渓ife of the mind鈥 would come alive late in the evening after she returned home from work and made dinner for her family. That鈥檚 when she would write&nbsp;鈥 sometimes late into the night. 鈥淪he was creative, very energetic&nbsp;and had a strong sense of her rights. And for a woman of her time, she had an innate sense of equality for women.鈥</p> <p>Hurko鈥檚 intense interest in human rights was often translated into action, Marijka said. 鈥淪he believed that the individual could move mountains, and she was an immovable force if she really believed in something.鈥</p> <p>Hurko saw her dream of an independent Ukraine finally realized in 1991&nbsp;when the Soviet Union dissolved. She travelled to the country that year to do volunteer work translating documents for a cultural commission within Ukraine鈥檚 new parliament, and even bought an apartment in Kyiv so she could return regularly. She was also able to reunite with a brother and sister who had spent time in Soviet labour camps.</p> <p>While her human rights work was a central part of her life, Roman said, the activism caused some misgivings in the family.</p> <p>鈥淚 thought, 鈥極h my God, this is my mother against the Soviet Union,鈥 he said.&nbsp;鈥淏ut as I look back on her life, I have to say, she won.鈥&nbsp;</p> <p>Stefania Hurko leaves her children Marijka, Andrew and Roman.</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Mon, 10 Feb 2020 16:06:09 +0000 Christopher.Sorensen 162578 at Five mental health and wellness developments 茄子直播 students need to know /news/five-mental-health-and-wellness-developments-u-t-students-need-know <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Five mental health and wellness developments 茄子直播 students need to know </span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/087A0325.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=_Rn1Qf8O 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/087A0325.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=FgMuU5sM 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/087A0325.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=c1Xii5K6 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/087A0325.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=_Rn1Qf8O" alt="Students walking through 茄子直播's St. George campus"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>geoff.vendeville</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2020-01-29T11:31:00-05:00" title="Wednesday, January 29, 2020 - 11:31" class="datetime">Wed, 01/29/2020 - 11:31</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">(photo by Lisa Lightbourn)</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/geoffrey-vendeville" hreflang="en">Geoffrey Vendeville</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/city-culture" hreflang="en">City &amp; Culture</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/presidential-and-provostial-task-force-student-mental-health" hreflang="en">Presidential and Provostial Task Force on Student Mental Health</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/centre-addiction-and-mental-health" hreflang="en">Centre for Addiction and Mental Health</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/mental-health" hreflang="en">Mental Health</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/meric-gertler" hreflang="en">Meric Gertler</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/robarts" hreflang="en">Robarts</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-mississauga" hreflang="en">茄子直播 Mississauga</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-scarborough" hreflang="en">茄子直播 Scarborough</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Over the past year, the University of Toronto has taken several significant steps to support mental health and wellness on campus&nbsp;鈥 incorporating feedback from students, staff and faculty&nbsp;鈥 and is planning further improvements following the recent recommendations of <a href="/news/we-heard-call-change-task-force-student-mental-health-issues-report-and-recommendations">the independent Presidential and Provostial Task Force on Student Mental Health.</a></p> <p>From new partnerships to 24-7 student support services, here&nbsp;are five recent developments the 茄子直播 community needs to know about:&nbsp;</p> <hr> <h3>1. 茄子直播 My SSP</h3> <p>The university recently rolled out <a href="/news/u-t-rolls-out-demand-my-ssp-counselling-service-all-students">a new text-and-chat helpline service for students that offers free and confidential counselling 24-7</a>. My SSP (short for My Student Support Program) links students with professional counsellors&nbsp;who can help with issues including stress, depression and loneliness. The on-demand service is available over the phone in 35 languages while&nbsp;support scheduled in advance can be accessed in 146 languages.</p> <h3>2. A new partnership with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health</h3> <p><a href="/news/u-t-partner-camh-overhaul-mental-health-services-students">茄子直播 is now working with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health</a>, Canada鈥檚 largest mental health teaching hospital, to harmonize mental health services across the three campuses. CAMH experts will be part of a mental health services re-design team&nbsp;whose goal is&nbsp;to create an 鈥渋ntegrated tri-campus鈥 system overseen by a clinical director. The university will also look to leverage expertise at CAMH to create more opportunities for clinical education in student mental health and train the expert clinicians of tomorrow.</p> <h3>3. Drop-in counselling during exam season</h3> <p>Recognizing that the final exam crunch can be a particularly stressful time for students, the university last year made drop-in counselling available at Robarts Library during the&nbsp;spring and fall exam seasons. That鈥檚 in addition to the <a href="/news/drop-counselling-therapy-dogs-u-t-rolls-out-supports-ahead-exam-season">many other exam season supports available</a>&nbsp;on all three campuses, including Mindful Moments sessions, therapy dogs and de-stressing walks.&nbsp;</p> <h3>4.&nbsp; A new initiative to improve the atmosphere in labs</h3> <p>茄子直播 launched <a href="/news/u-t-ombudsperson-lauds-mandatory-leave-absence-policy-critiques-high-pressure-lab-environment?utm_source=miragenews&amp;utm_medium=miragenews&amp;utm_campaign=news">a healthy labs initiative</a> at the end of last year to improve the atmosphere in some university laboratories.&nbsp;<a href="https://memos.provost.utoronto.ca/appointment-of-professor-reinhart-reithmeier-as-special-advisor-on-the-healthy-labs-initiative/">The university recently appointed <strong>Reinhart Reithmeier</strong></a>, a professor of biochemistry, to identify best practices in lab management, develop a healthy labs charter&nbsp;and outline strategies for delivering healthy lab programming on each campus.&nbsp;</p> <h3>5. Advocacy for&nbsp;government support</h3> <p>While 茄子直播 has taken steps&nbsp;to improve its own mental health and wellness&nbsp;supports, the university also&nbsp;recognizes that the&nbsp;issue cuts across society and therefore&nbsp;requires a collaborative response from universities, hospitals, governments and other actors.&nbsp;Last fall, <a href="/news/u-t-supports-toronto-city-council-request-mental-health-funding">茄子直播 <strong>President Meric Gertler</strong> supported a motion at Toronto city council</a> to urge the federal government to invest $300 million per year 鈥渢o address Toronto鈥檚 mental health and addiction crises.鈥&nbsp;</p> <p>鈥淭he magnitude of these problems requires multiple partners working together so that solutions can be found,鈥 President Gertler wrote.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Wed, 29 Jan 2020 16:31:00 +0000 geoff.vendeville 162088 at 'Tis the season to study, reflect and share a meal with family and friends: Check out these December events /news/tis-season-study-reflect-and-share-meal-family-and-friends-check-out-these-december-events <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">'Tis the season to study, reflect and share a meal with family and friends: Check out these December events</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/UofT15601_LPedersen__85A2824-scr_0.JPG?h=6d78ab35&amp;itok=lymUxoXd 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/UofT15601_LPedersen__85A2824-scr_0.JPG?h=6d78ab35&amp;itok=654Bi7-D 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/UofT15601_LPedersen__85A2824-scr_0.JPG?h=6d78ab35&amp;itok=5qOTf1y4 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/UofT15601_LPedersen__85A2824-scr_0.JPG?h=6d78ab35&amp;itok=lymUxoXd" alt="Students walk through the Sir Daniel Wilson quad in the winter."> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>tomyun</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2019-12-02T13:52:24-05:00" title="Monday, December 2, 2019 - 13:52" class="datetime">Mon, 12/02/2019 - 13:52</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">The semester is almost done, but there's still plenty to do on campus this month (photo by Laura Pedersen)</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/tom-yun" hreflang="en">Tom Yun</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/our-community" hreflang="en">Our Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/centre-drama" hreflang="en">Centre for Drama</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/faculty-applied-science-engineering" hreflang="en">Faculty of Applied Science &amp; Engineering</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/hart-house" hreflang="en">Hart House</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/ontario-institute-studies-education" hreflang="en">Ontario Institute for Studies in Education</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/robarts" hreflang="en">Robarts</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/theatre-erindale" hreflang="en">Theatre Erindale</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-mississauga" hreflang="en">茄子直播 Mississauga</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-scarborough" hreflang="en">茄子直播 Scarborough</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/victoria-college" hreflang="en">Victoria College</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>December is here, which means the holidays are right around the corner. Get&nbsp;into the festive spirit with an array of holiday-themed events taking place on all three campuses.</p> <p>December also means it's exam season at the University of Toronto. Fortunately,&nbsp;there are plenty of events to help you de-stress and do your best.&nbsp;</p> <p>Here are some events to check out this month:</p> <hr> <h3>Dec. 2</h3> <p>From Dec. 2 to 19, the 茄子直播 Students鈥 Union will be <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/2457581497823260/">offering free snacks and stress-relief kits</a> for your late-night study sessions. UTSU鈥檚 Got You service is taking place at various buildings across the downtown campus, starting with the Dentistry Building on Dec. 2.</p> <p>Ahead of the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, several&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/528167981369724/">memorial events</a> are taking place at 茄子直播 Mississauga in honour of the 14 women who lost their lives three decades ago at l鈥櫭塩ole Polytechnique de Montr茅al. A smudging ceremony is taking place at the Student Centre board room followed by a vigil outside and hot drinks and desserts at the Communication Culture &amp; Technology Building鈥檚 atrium.</p> <h3>Dec. 3</h3> <p>Get into the holiday spirit at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/413947892842347/">Robarts Library Holiday Market</a>. You鈥檒l find a wide array of 茄子直播 merchandise perfect for stocking stuffers, as well as free holiday treats.</p> <p>Renowned Canadian film director Director X, who has directed music videos for artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Drake and Rihanna, will be joining several hip-hop artists and activists for <a href="https://harthouse.ca/events/humanz-of-hip-hop">Humanz of Hip Hop</a>, a 鈥渉uman library鈥 of hip hop knowledge taking place at Hart House.</p> <p>If you haven鈥檛 already, bring your TCard and get your&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/2687427021278868/?event_time_id=2687427027945534">flu shot on campus</a>. Vaccinations will be available from at Robarts Library and St Michael鈥檚 College on Dec. 3 and 4, respectively.</p> <h3>Dec. 4</h3> <p>Victoria College鈥檚 student newspaper, the&nbsp;<em>Strand</em>, is <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/2530415060376930/">celebrating the launch of its magazine</a> at the Goldring Student Centre. The theme of the magazine is 鈥淪pace鈥&nbsp;and there will be free snacks courtesy of Caffiends.</p> <p>A holiday buffet featuring herb-roasted turkey and stuffed acorn squash is taking place at <a href="https://utsc.utoronto.ca/news-events/events/holiday-fare">茄子直播 Scarborough鈥檚 Miller Lash House</a>. Tickets are $42 for seniors and students and $45 for everyone else.</p> <h3>Dec. 5</h3> <p><a href="https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/utm-engage/academic-support/utm-exam-jam">Exam Jam is taking place</a> all day at 茄子直播 Mississauga. Instructors will be hosting review sessions alongside therapy dogs, crafts, board games and more.</p> <p>茄子直播 Student Life is hosting a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1405088462987923/?active_tab=about">winter social at the Sussex Clubhouse</a>. Decorate gingerbread cookies, meet new people and learn about the various clubs housed at 21 Sussex.</p> <p>Santa Claus is coming to town! The 茄子直播 Mississauga鈥檚 Communication Culture &amp; Technology Building atrium&nbsp;will be <a href="https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/united-way/events">turned into Santa鈥檚 workshop</a>&nbsp;in support of the United Way. 茄子直播 Mississauga principal&nbsp;<strong>Ulrich Krull</strong>&nbsp;and dean of student affairs&nbsp;<strong>Mark Overton</strong>&nbsp;will both be dressed as Santa. There will also be a re-gift shop where you can donate or purchase new or lightly used gifts.</p> <p>See the <a href="https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/engdept/dec-5-film-screening-spirited-away">critically acclaimed animated film&nbsp;<em>Spirited Away</em></a>&nbsp;with&nbsp;the&nbsp;Students of English Literature and Film&nbsp;(SELF) as part of their fall film screenings at 茄子直播 Scarborough. Free pizza will be served. On Dec. 6, SELF will also be <a href="https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/engdept/dec-6-crazy-rich-asians-film-screening">screening </a><em><a href="https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/engdept/dec-6-crazy-rich-asians-film-screening">Crazy Rich Asians</a>.</em></p> <h3>Dec. 6</h3> <p>The 茄子直播 community will come together for the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women to mark the 30<sup>th</sup> anniversary of the 脡cole Polytechnique massacre. The Office of Sexual Violence Prevention &amp; Support Centre will be holding a <a href="https://www.svpscentre.utoronto.ca/event/utsg-national-day-of-remembrance-and-action-on-violence-against-women-utsgremembers/?fbclid=IwAR3bZerNdm3ER_sy-EN48TTtET2L98ODu8T7ISx63ZdoSSen80mM3LaVp6A">memorial event at Hart House</a> at noon. In addition, <a href="https://www.engineering.utoronto.ca/event/national-day-of-remembrance-and-action-on-violence-against-women/">the Faculty of Applied Science &amp; Engineering</a> will join 13 other engineering schools across Canada and shine a light into the sky in solidarity. This will be part of a at 5 p.m. ceremony taking place on Front Campus in front of Convocation Hall. Later in the evening, an <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/514674066042866/?active_tab=about">outdoor vigil will be held</a> at Philosopher鈥檚 Walk. There will be speakers, musicians and a ceremonial laying of the roses.</p> <p>A memorial event will also take place at 茄子直播 Scarborough, where members of the campus community will have an opportunity to have conversation on gender-based issues.</p> <p>Seek some stress relief along with academic review sessions at <a href="https://sidneysmithcommons.artsci.utoronto.ca/exam-jam/">茄子直播 Exam Jam</a>&nbsp;at Sidney Smith Hall. There will be snacks, massages, button making, a therapy dog and a photo booth.</p> <h3>Dec. 7</h3> <p>Celebrate <a href="https://www.millerlashhouse.ca/christmas-in-the-valley/">Christmas in the Valley</a>.&nbsp;Over 30 artisan vendors will be selling handmade crafts and transforming 茄子直播 Scarborough鈥檚 Miller Lash House into a holiday market.</p> <h3>Dec. 8</h3> <p>Students from the Centre for Drama, Theatre &amp; Performance Studies will be performing <a href="https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/eurydice-tickets-81567595875"><em>Eurydice</em> at the Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse</a>. This modern re-imagining of the ancient myth of Orpheus will be told from the perspective of Orpheus鈥檚 wife, Eurydice. Tickets are free and the show runs from Dec. 6 to&nbsp;8.</p> <h3>Dec. 11</h3> <p>Hit the ice at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education鈥檚&nbsp;Winter Wonderland and Community Skate at Varsity Stadium.&nbsp;Free helmet and skate rentals are available, although supplies are limited. There will also be off-ice activities, dancing and treats. <a href="https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07egq8270n0d554b00&amp;oseq=&amp;c=&amp;ch=">Registration is required</a>.</p> <h3>Dec. 12</h3> <p>If you need a break from studying for your exams, check out <a href="https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/english-drama/beck-festival">the Beck Festival</a> at 茄子直播 Mississauga鈥檚 Theatre Erindale. The festival will feature a variety of one-act plays curated and produced by students. The show runs from Dec. 12 to 14 at the MiST Theatre.</p> <p>Join 茄子直播 Mississauga鈥檚 Centre for Student Engagement for Giizhiitaa, an <a href="https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/utm-engage/indigenous-initiatives/giizhiitaa-indigenous-spirit-journey-celebration">Indigenous Spirit Journey Celebration</a>. The event is taking place at Maanjiwe Nendamowinan and will feature smudging, drumming, a multimedia showcase and a light lunch.</p> <h3>Dec. 16</h3> <p>Kick off the festive season with a feast at Hart House's Gallery Grill, which runs until Dec. 20. Choose from a menu including Arctic char, crispy kabocha squash rice cakes, cassoulet and more. Just remember to save room for dessert. You don't want to miss out on the warm chocolate olive oil cake with brandy butter ice cream.&nbsp;<a href="https://harthouse.ca/events/winter-cheer/2019/12/17/">Reserve a spot soon before the dates sell out.</a></p> <h3>Dec. 23</h3> <p>The university is closed for the winter break through&nbsp;Jan. 3. Happy holidays!</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Mon, 02 Dec 2019 18:52:24 +0000 tomyun 161024 at For the first time, Robarts Library offers child-minding pilot during fall exams /news/first-time-robarts-library-offers-child-minding-pilot-during-fall-exams <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">For the first time, Robarts Library offers child-minding pilot during fall exams</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/family-study-space_1.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=gryjTDPv 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/family-study-space_1.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=Yxq_O1HO 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/family-study-space_1.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=OyRelAJ7 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/family-study-space_1.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=gryjTDPv" alt="Family Study Space at Robarts Library"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>geoff.vendeville</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2019-10-30T15:50:07-04:00" title="Wednesday, October 30, 2019 - 15:50" class="datetime">Wed, 10/30/2019 - 15:50</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">Chelsea Chen, who was pursuing an English teaching certificate, visits the new family study space with her kids, London and Chloe, in 2018 (photo by Geoffrey Vendeville)</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/geoffrey-vendeville" hreflang="en">Geoffrey Vendeville</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/our-community" hreflang="en">Our Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/student-experience" hreflang="en">Student Experience</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/exams" hreflang="en">Exams</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/graduate-students" hreflang="en">Graduate Students</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/robarts" hreflang="en">Robarts</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-libraries" hreflang="en">茄子直播 Libraries</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/undergraduate-students" hreflang="en">Undergraduate Students</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>To help student-parents get some quiet study time during the fall exam season, Robarts Library is offering students with young children up to four hours of free child-minding at the library鈥檚 family study space over two weekends in November.</p> <p>Student-parents can register for the child-minding pilot by email to drop off their kids aged 12 and under on Nov. 16, 17, 23 and 24 between 1 and 5 p.m.&nbsp;</p> <p>The pilot is a first for University of Toronto Libraries, which created the family study space last year.</p> <p>User Services Librarian <strong>Kyla Everall</strong> says research done before the creation of the special study area showed how much stress student-parents face.&nbsp;</p> <p>鈥淭hey鈥檙e busy with their classes. They鈥檙e busy with their family responsibilities and possibly also working on the side,鈥 she said.</p> <p>鈥淎nd child care is extremely expensive in Toronto.鈥&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>The family study space on the ninth floor of the stacks is equipped with desktop workstations for adults and a chalkboard, child-sized furniture and range of toys for kids. Two child-minders from 茄子直播鈥檚 Early Learning Centre, a licensed child-care facility, will provide supervision.</p> <p>The libraries partnered with 茄子直播鈥檚 Family Care Office on the pilot. A T-card is required to access the stacks.</p> <p>Interested students <a href="https://library.utoronto.ca/family-study-space-robarts">can learn more online</a> and are required to register by emailing <a href="mailto:libraryhelp@utoronto.ca">libraryhelp@utoronto.ca</a>.&nbsp;</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Wed, 30 Oct 2019 19:50:07 +0000 geoff.vendeville 160059 at Meet the 茄子直播 faculty, alumni and supporters named to the Order of Canada /news/meet-u-t-faculty-alumni-and-supporters-named-order-canada <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Meet the 茄子直播 faculty, alumni and supporters named to the Order of Canada</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2018-01-10-orderofcanada.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=9EaHHdWy 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/2018-01-10-orderofcanada.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=M7aSp5SD 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/2018-01-10-orderofcanada.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=H8eRJ3Y4 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2018-01-10-orderofcanada.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=9EaHHdWy" alt="Two order of Canada medals"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>Christopher.Sorensen</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2019-06-27T09:46:35-04:00" title="Thursday, June 27, 2019 - 09:46" class="datetime">Thu, 06/27/2019 - 09:46</time> </span> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/perry-king" hreflang="en">Perry King</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/rahul-kalvapalle" hreflang="en">Rahul Kalvapalle</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/romi-levine" hreflang="en">Romi Levine</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/our-community" hreflang="en">Our Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/pediatrics" hreflang="en">Pediatrics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/alumni" hreflang="en">茄子直播</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/awards" hreflang="en">Awards</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/faculty-applied-science-engineering" hreflang="en">Faculty of Applied Science &amp; Engineering</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/faculty-arts-science" hreflang="en">Faculty of Arts &amp; Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/hart-house-theatre" hreflang="en">Hart House Theatre</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/history" hreflang="en">History</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/hospital-sick-children" hreflang="en">Hospital for Sick Children</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/humanities" hreflang="en">Humanities</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/immunology" hreflang="en">Immunology</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/john-h-daniels-faculty-architecture" hreflang="en">John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/leslie-dan-faculty-pharmacy" hreflang="en">Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/ontario-institute-studies-education" hreflang="en">Ontario Institute for Studies in Education</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/order-canada" hreflang="en">Order of Canada</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/robarts" hreflang="en">Robarts</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/rotman-school-management" hreflang="en">Rotman School of Management</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/sunnybrook-hospital" hreflang="en">Sunnybrook Hospital</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/varsity-blues" hreflang="en">Varsity Blues</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/victoria-college" hreflang="en">Victoria College</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>From a critically acclaimed actor to a respected immunologist, the latest appointments to the Order of Canada include several members of the University of Toronto community, reflecting the range of expertise and the diversity that make 茄子直播 one of the top universities in the world. &nbsp;</p> <p>The latest appointees to one of Canada鈥檚 highest civilian honours were named on Thursday by Governor General <strong>Julie Payette</strong>, a 茄子直播 alumna and former astronaut with the Canadian Space Agency.</p> <p>Of the 83 Order of Canada honourees, at least 11 have close ties to 茄子直播, from faculty members to alumni and donors.</p> <p>The list includes Emmy and Golden Globe-winning actor <strong>Donald Sutherland</strong>, who graduated from Victoria College in 1958, and 茄子直播 Professor and acclaimed immunologist at the Hospital for Sick Children <strong>Chaim Roifman</strong>, whose research led to the discovery of a rare congenital disorder and its genetic roots.</p> <p>The recent Order of Canada honourees with connections to 茄子直播 include:</p> <hr> <p><strong>Joseph Raymond Buncic</strong> is a 茄子直播 professor of ophthalmology and a staff ophthalmologist at the Hospital for Sick Children. A 1965 graduate of McGill medical school, Buncic completed his ophthalmology residency at 茄子直播 in 1970. He has maintained an interest in clinical research related to pediatric and central nervous system disorders during his career. 鈥淔or his pioneering contributions to the field of pediatric neuro-ophthalmology, notably through his mentorship of multiple generations of pediatric eye specialists,鈥 Buncic has been named a Member of the Order.</p> <p><strong>Chaim Roifman</strong> is a professor of pediatrics in the Faculty of Medicine at 茄子直播 and head of the division of immunology and allergy at the Hospital for Sick Children. He is best known for discovering a rare congenital disorder that bears his name 鈥 Roifman Syndrome 鈥 as well as uncovering its genetic cause. He was made a Member for his contributions to the field of immunology, 鈥渘otably in the diagnosis and management of pediatric primary immunodeficiency.鈥</p> <p><strong>Dorothy E. Smith</strong> is a celebrated sociologist who is credited with helping to bring feminist principles and perspectives to the field. Recognized as the founder of the sub-discipline of feminist standpoint theory, Smith wrote several highly-cited books including <em>The Everyday World as Problematic: A Feminist Sociology</em>&nbsp;and <em>Conceptual Practices of Power: A Feminist Sociology of Knowledge</em>. She taught sociology at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at 茄子直播 for nearly 25 years until 2005. She was made a Member for 鈥渆xtending the boundaries of traditional sociology to incorporate a feminist perspective, and for developing institutional ethnography.鈥</p> <p><strong>Donald </strong><strong>Sutherland</strong> is a critically acclaimed actor whose career spans over 50 years and 100 film credits, from <em>The Dirty Dozen</em> (1967) and <em>M*A*S*H</em> (1970) to <em>Ordinary People </em>(1980) and <em>Citizen X</em> (1995). The Saint John, N.B.-born Sutherland had never seen a theatre play prior to enrolling in Victoria College at 茄子直播, but went on take part in several productions at Hart House Theatre before graduating in 1958 and going on to establish himself as a Hollywood heavyweight. Named an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1978, Sutherland has now been promoted to a Companion 鈥渇or his sustained contributions to the motion picture industry before a global audience and for his championing of social issues.鈥</p> <p><img class="migrated-asset" src="/sites/default/files/GettyImages-458538438.jpg" alt></p> <p><em>Donald Sutherland had never seen a theatre play prior to enrolling in Victoria College at 茄子直播 and went on take part in several productions at Hart House Theatre before going on to establish himself as a Hollywood heavyweight (photo by&nbsp;Sean Gallup via Getty Images&nbsp;for GQ)</em></p> <p><strong>Graham Fraser</strong>, who received both his Bachelor of Arts degree and his Master of Arts degree in history from 茄子直播, served as Canada鈥檚 Commissioner of Official Languages from 2006 to 2016. Fraser, who has been named an Officer of the Order of Canada, is known as a champion of bilingualism and a defender of the rights of linguistic minority communities. As a journalist, he wrote in both English and French for many of Canada鈥檚 leading news publications. He also authored five books, including the highly influential <em>Sorry, I Don鈥檛 Speak French</em>.</p> <p>Alumnus <strong>H. Roger Garland</strong> is being recognized as a Member of the Order of Canada 鈥渇or his influential leadership in business, and for his significant contributions to numerous art and health care institutions.鈥 The certified chartered accountant is a former chief financial officer of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. Prior to Four Seasons, Garland was vice-president of corporate banking with Citibank in Canada and Switzerland. Garland is the founding chair of the board of Soulpepper Theatre Company, a past director of the board for the Young Centre for the Performing Arts and was a chair of the 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games in Toronto.</p> <p><strong>Lotfollah Shafai</strong> is a leading expert in the field of applied electromagnetic systems and telecommunications, and is a distinguished professor emeritus of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Manitoba. Shafai, who earned his master鈥檚 and doctoral degrees in electrical engineering from 茄子直播, is credited with an array of pioneering contributions to the telecommunications field. Shafai was named an Officer for his 鈥渇undamental contributions to the fields of electromagnetics and antenna and satellite development,&nbsp;which have led to renowned advancements in the telecommunications industry.鈥</p> <p><strong>Donald Schmitt</strong> earned a Bachelor of Architecture from 茄子直播 before going on to co-found Diamond Schmitt Architects in 1975. Some of Schmitt鈥檚 recent designs include the Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning at the Hospital for Sick Children and the rejuvenation of the Senate of Canada and National Arts Centre buildings in Ottawa. The firm also worked on 茄子直播鈥檚 Gerstein Science Information Centre and Earth Sciences Centre and is involved with <a href="/news/u-t-s-robarts-library-expansion-featured-canadian-architect">the expansion of Robarts Library</a> and the contruction of a <a href="/news/u-t-reaches-agreement-build-23-storey-student-residence">new residence building on the downtown Toronto campus</a>. Schmitt was named a Member 鈥渇or his rehabilitation of iconic heritage buildings and for his sustainable architecture designs.鈥</p> <p><strong>Nicholas Saul</strong> was made a Member for his 鈥渋nnovative vision and leadership as president and CEO of Community Food Centres Canada,鈥 a national anti-poverty organization that supports access to food in low-income neighbourhoods. Saul graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in history from 茄子直播 in 1990, and was also captain of the varsity basketball team.</p> <p><strong>John David Spence</strong> is a world-renowned expert in stroke prevention research, with hundreds of research publications to his name. A professor of neurology and clinical pharmacology at Western University&nbsp;and director of the university鈥檚 affiliated Stroke Prevention &amp; Atherosclerosis Research Centre in London, Ont., Spence graduated from the executive MBA program at 茄子直播鈥檚 Rotman School of Management. He was named a Member for his 鈥渃ontributions to our understanding of atherosclerosis and to the prevention of stroke.鈥</p> <p><strong>Aubrey Dan</strong> is a Canadian businessman, philanthropist and award-winning producer. The son of <strong>Leslie Dan</strong>, fellow Member of the Order of Canada and the namesake of 茄子直播鈥檚 Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, Aubrey is the founder and president of Dancap Private Equity and the co-founder and executive chairman of EmpowerPharm, a speciality pharmaceutical company. As a philanthropist, Dan has donated millions to various charitable organizations 鈥 including to the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, the Sunnybrook Foundation and the Baycrest Centre Foundation. As a producer and founder of commercial theatre company Dancap Productions, he has been dedicated to bringing Broadway-style theatre to the city of Toronto, including performances of <em>The Addams Family</em>, <em>West Side Story</em>, and <em>Jersey Boys</em>. Dan is being recognized for 鈥渉is achievements in finance, and for his philanthropic contributions to health care, education and the arts.鈥</p> <p><em>Did we miss anybody? If you know of an Order of Canada honouree with ties to 茄子直播 who was announced in this round but who isn't&nbsp;mentioned above, please let us know at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:uoftnews@utoronto.ca">uoftnews@utoronto.ca</a>.</em></p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Thu, 27 Jun 2019 13:46:35 +0000 Christopher.Sorensen 157119 at Avoid the lines at High Park: Five fascinating things to consider before viewing 茄子直播's cherry blossoms /news/sakura-season-take-part-1300-year-old-tradition-cherry-blossom-viewing-u-t <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Avoid the lines at High Park: Five fascinating things to consider before viewing 茄子直播's cherry blossoms</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/Cherry-blossoms-main---1140-x-760.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=L9jVdAu5 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/Cherry-blossoms-main---1140-x-760.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=5UWMWi_Q 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/Cherry-blossoms-main---1140-x-760.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=J0KcFZ_a 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/Cherry-blossoms-main---1140-x-760.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=L9jVdAu5" alt="photo of cherry blossoms outside Robarts Library"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>Romi Levine</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2019-05-06T12:39:52-04:00" title="Monday, May 6, 2019 - 12:39" class="datetime">Mon, 05/06/2019 - 12:39</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">Cherry blossoms are beginning to bloom outside of Robarts Library on the downtown Toronto campus (all photos by Romi Levine)</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/romi-levine" hreflang="en">Romi Levine</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/city-culture" hreflang="en">City &amp; Culture</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/cherry-blossoms" hreflang="en">Cherry Blossoms</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/cherry-trees" hreflang="en">Cherry Trees</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/cities" hreflang="en">Cities</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/japan" hreflang="en">Japan</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/robarts" hreflang="en">Robarts</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-libraries" hreflang="en">茄子直播 Libraries</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-scarborough" hreflang="en">茄子直播 Scarborough</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Warm spring weather means the cherry blossoms outside of Robarts Library at the University of Toronto are finally blooming.</p> <p>The 70 Japanese cherry trees, also known as <em>sakura</em>, were originally given to the university as a gift from the Consulate General of Japan in the early 2000s. They鈥檙e now an annual showpiece, attracting visitors from across the city who snap countless selfies with the photogenic backdrop.</p> <p>There are also&nbsp;50 cherry blossom trees at&nbsp;茄子直播 Scarborough&nbsp;between the H-Wing and Social Sciences building.</p> <p>When you go to check out the blooms, you鈥檒l be participating in a tradition that鈥檚 over 1,300 years old 鈥 and one that now spans the globe.</p> <p><em>茄子直播 News</em> went to the Cheng Yu Tung East Asian Library to speak with librarian <strong>Fabiano Takashi Rocha</strong> about the history and culture of cherry blossom viewing. Here鈥檚 what we found out:</p> <hr> <h4><strong>History of <em>hanami</em></strong></h4> <p>Flower-viewing parties 鈥 events where people gather to view tree blossoms 鈥 date back to the 700s, says Rocha.</p> <p>While they are associated with Japanese culture, the first events of this kind were believed to have taken place in China, he says, but with plum blossoms instead of cherry.</p> <p>In Japan, the custom,&nbsp;known as&nbsp;<em>hanami,&nbsp;</em>first took place during the Heian period, which began in 794. The event was initially exclusive to the aristocracy, but by the 1600s, during the Edo or Tokugawa period, <em>hanami </em>was enjoyed by the elite and commoners alike, says Rocha.</p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__10850 img__view_mode__media_original attr__format__media_original" height="500" src="/sites/default/files/Hokusai-750-x-500.jpg" typeof="foaf:Image" width="750" loading="lazy"><br> <em>You may recognize the work of famous Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai from 鈥<a href="http://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/great-wave-evolution-5.jpg">Th</a><a href="https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/great-wave-evolution-5.jpg">e Great Wave off Kanagawa</a><a href="http://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/great-wave-evolution-5.jpg">,鈥</a>&nbsp;but he also painted other scenes of Japanese life and nature, like this one, featuring cherry blossom trees. Both works of art are part of a series called 鈥淭hirty-six views of Mount Fuji鈥</em></p> <h4><strong>Picnic in the park</strong></h4> <p>鈥淚n many ways, Japanese cherry blossoms and <em>hanami </em>became part of the national identity,鈥 says Rocha.</p> <p>Today, he says, Japanese families, friends and co-workers flock to groves of <em>sakura </em>to have picnics under the trees, either with food they prepare themselves&nbsp;or bento decorated with cherry blossom motifs sold by vendors at some of the bigger parks.</p> <p>鈥淚t's an opportunity for people to bond and enjoy the very ephemeral beauty of the <em>sakura</em>, which is there for a very limited amount of time,鈥 Rocha says.</p> <h4><strong>Kanpai!</strong></h4> <p>Along with lunch, Rocha says it鈥檚 tradition to drink sake, Japanese rice wine, during <em>hanami</em>.</p> <p>鈥淭he first time I did a cherry blossom viewing in Japan, they said if you hold your sake cup and if a petal falls into your cup, that鈥檚 a sign of good luck,鈥 he says.</p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__10851 img__view_mode__media_original attr__format__media_original" src="/sites/default/files/Kyoto-750-x-500.jpg" style="width: 750px; height: 500px; margin: 10px;" typeof="foaf:Image"><br> <em>Japanese artist Ando虅 Hiroshige captured cherry blossoms in bloom outside&nbsp;Kyoto鈥檚 Kyomizu Hall in the 1800s, printed here in the 2007 book&nbsp;Meisho Edo hyakkei: hizo虅 Iwasaki korekushon</em></p> <p><strong>Deeper meaning</strong></p> <p>What draws people to cherry blossoms year after year? Rocha says it鈥檚 more than just their beauty.</p> <p>鈥淚t鈥檚 because of the transience,鈥 he says. 鈥淵ou know it鈥檚 not going to be there for a very long time, so you want to enjoy as much as you can. There鈥檚 a connection to the cycles of life 鈥 you know death is probably inevitable but while you鈥檙e alive you should be enjoying the beauty of life.鈥</p> <p>Cherry blossoms are, indeed, only in bloom for a short period&nbsp;鈥 about four to 10 days.</p> <p><img alt="poem" class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__10852 img__view_mode__media_original attr__format__media_original" src="/sites/default/files/poem-750-x-500.jpg" style="width: 750px; height: 500px; margin: 10px;" typeof="foaf:Image"><br> <em>Cherry blossoms appear in literature as well as art, says Rocha. Here, a woman is depicted attaching a poem about her lover to a sakura that reads 鈥淥n meeting again, there will be sorrows / How fleeting are the cherry blossoms鈥</em></p> <h4><strong>Blossom biodiversity</strong></h4> <p>There are over 200 species of cherry blossoms, says Rocha.</p> <p>The most common type is the <em>Yoshino</em>, he says, which is the kind you will see outside of Robarts.</p> <p>Most <em>sakura </em>are cultivated by people, but there are some that grow in the wild. They include the <em>Yamazakura</em>, which often grows in Japan鈥檚 mountainous regions. &nbsp;</p> <h4><em>Snapped a selfie with&nbsp;cherry blossoms at Robarts or 茄子直播 Scarborough? Share it on social media using #UofTBlooms for a chance to be featured on 茄子直播 channels.&nbsp;</em></h4> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Mon, 06 May 2019 16:39:52 +0000 Romi Levine 156581 at Design, drones and drumming: 茄子直播 hosts 26th annual Bring Our Children to Work Day /news/design-drones-and-drumming-u-t-hosts-26th-annual-bring-our-children-work-day <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Design, drones and drumming: 茄子直播 hosts 26th annual Bring Our Children to Work Day</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/DSC_0182a.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=52Sa9KTX 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/DSC_0182a.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=lA8EmKID 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/DSC_0182a.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=YoAvSFaL 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/DSC_0182a.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=52Sa9KTX" alt="Professor Edward Banning of the department of anthropology with children"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>noreen.rasbach</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2019-05-03T13:24:54-04:00" title="Friday, May 3, 2019 - 13:24" class="datetime">Fri, 05/03/2019 - 13:24</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">Professor Edward Banning of the department of anthropology exhibits a series of Jordanian pottery and stone tools from the Bronze Age to the Neolithic period (photo by Luke Ng).</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/luke-ng" hreflang="en">Luke Ng</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/city-culture" hreflang="en">City &amp; Culture</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/anthropology" hreflang="en">Anthropology</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/faculty-staff" hreflang="en">Faculty &amp; Staff</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/faculty-arts-science" hreflang="en">Faculty of Arts &amp; Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/human-resources-equity" hreflang="en">Human Resources &amp; Equity</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/robarts" hreflang="en">Robarts</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/student-life" hreflang="en">Student Life</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-mississauga" hreflang="en">茄子直播 Mississauga</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-scarborough" hreflang="en">茄子直播 Scarborough</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Faculty, librarians and staff collectively brought more than 450 kids to the University of Toronto鈥檚 26<sup>th</sup> annual Bring Our Children to Work Day on Thursday.</p> <p>The event welcomed those who work at 茄子直播 to bring children in Grades 4 to 7 to learn about their careers and participate in a day of activities hosted by departments across all three campuses.</p> <p>Professor <strong>Heather Boon</strong>, 茄子直播鈥檚 vice-provost of faculty and academic life, kicked off this year鈥檚 events on the downtown Toronto campus with a special message directed at the younger participants.</p> <p>鈥淭he University of Toronto is your home too,鈥 said Boon. 鈥淓very day, your parent or other important person comes to work at 茄子直播. Because you share your family with us, that means you are a part of our family too.鈥</p> <p>Boon鈥檚 welcome remarks were followed by a talk from Professor <strong>Marcel Danesi</strong>. The expert on semiotics and linguistic anthropology gave a captivating address about riddles. The talk provided examples from childhood literature, and what they tell us about language, the mind and the origin of human cultures.</p> <p>After the talk, Camp 茄子直播 staff led participants&nbsp;to one of their pre-selected tours and activities in one of 16 departments.</p> <p>For <strong>Jennifer Sheehan</strong>, the opportunity to bring her child to experience 茄子直播 for a day meant a lot for both of them.</p> <p>鈥淸My son] has always been curious about where I work and the campus in general so this is a great opportunity to bring him down here with me,鈥 said Sheehan, a LAN administrator for the Information Commons in Robarts Library. 鈥淲e live in Whitby so we don鈥檛 get to spend a lot of time here. I鈥檓 glad that 茄子直播 does this because it shows that they really care about faculty and staff.鈥</p> <p>One of the activities this year included 鈥淒rones in the City.鈥 This exercise, facilitated by the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and&nbsp;Design, explored the disruptive technology鈥檚 potential and how city designs might respond to this budding element. This demonstration also served as a preview into some of the <a href="https://www.daniels.utoronto.ca/outreach/daniels-summer-academy">faculty鈥檚 new summer programs</a>, which will include a more in-depth look at how drone technology might affect design.</p> <p>鈥淚 don鈥檛 work for this faculty [Daniels] but my child is interested in architecture, so this is a really cool thing for him to be able to experience,鈥 added Sheehan.</p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__10840 img__view_mode__media_large attr__format__media_large" height="453" src="/sites/default/files/BOKTW_UTSC_4.jpg" typeof="foaf:Image" width="680" loading="lazy"></p> <p><em>茄子直播 Scarborough Elder <strong>Wendy Phillips</strong> (right) and <strong>Juanita Muise</strong>, Indigenous engagement co-ordinator (left), led a sharing circle with participants. The children in attendance also took part in a drumming activity after the session (photo by Tina Adamopoulos).</em></p> <p>This year鈥檚 Bring Our Children to Work Day also served as an opportunity to travel down memory lane for another member of the 茄子直播 community. <strong>Tricia Kenderdine</strong>, manager of communications projects in the Division of Student Life, got her kids to agree to sign up for a tour that was tied to her own history with the university.</p> <p>鈥淚 studied archeology at 茄子直播,鈥 said Kenderdine, who took her children on a tour in the department of anthropology where Professor <strong>Edward Banning</strong> exhibited a series of Jordanian pottery and stone tools from the Bronze Age to the Neolithic period. 鈥淚 had classes with Professor Banning so I thought it would be interesting for them to see what I studied when I was a student here.鈥</p> <p>Over at 茄子直播 Scarborough, faculty, staff and children spent their day participating in activities that included making slime and bath bombs in chemistry sessions, taking part in a sharing circle on Indigenous ways of being, and interactive presentations on safety and culture. At lunch, participants were treated to a cold treat as they watched liquid nitrogen being used to make ice cream.</p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__10841 img__view_mode__media_large attr__format__media_large" height="453" src="/sites/default/files/UTM-BOCTWD-Blake%20Eligh-3.jpg" typeof="foaf:Image" width="680" loading="lazy"></p> <p><em>茄子直播 Mississauga鈥檚&nbsp;Marc Johnson, an associate professor of biology, took kids on a trek along the UTM Trail to discover local wildlife and nature (photo by Blake Eligh).</em></p> <p>And at the opposite end of the city, participants at 茄子直播 Mississauga trekked along the UTM Trail to search for wildlife with Associate Professor <strong>Marc Johnson</strong> and students from the department of biology.</p> <p>Attendees were also treated to activities in the department of geography with Assistant Professor <strong>Trevor Porter </strong>and laboratory technician <strong>Philip Rudz</strong> where they examined a fallen pine tree in the forest, counted its rings and took several core samples to learn more about the tree.</p> <p>Lunch activities included a virtual fire-extinguishing exercise where participating children got a chance to use the same digital training equipment used by campus fire marshals to put out computer-simulated flames.</p> <p>In the afternoon, kids&nbsp;got their hearts pumping with leadership games organized by assistant camp directors <strong>Sarah Tracz</strong> and <strong>Graham Childs</strong> of Camp 茄子直播 Mississauga.</p> <p>鈥淥ur goal is to encourage the kids to think about their health and wellness with activities to support a healthy lifestyle,鈥 says <strong>Cameron Walker</strong>, community outreach officer for the Recreation Athletics &amp; Wellness Centre.</p> <p>The annual tri-campus 茄子直播 Bring Our Children to Work Day is hosted by 茄子直播 Mississauga and 茄子直播 Scarborough, and in partnership with the Office of the Vice-President, Human Resources &amp; Equity, the Office of the Vice-President &amp; Provost, Family Programs &amp; Services, the Organizational Development &amp; Learning Centre and Camp 茄子直播.</p> <p><em>With files from Alexa Battler, Maeve Doyle and Blake Eligh</em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Fri, 03 May 2019 17:24:54 +0000 noreen.rasbach 156556 at Cherry blossoms and black holes: Check out these May events /news/cherry-blossoms-and-black-holes-check-out-these-may-events <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Cherry blossoms and black holes: Check out these May events</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2018-05-04-cherry-blossoms_0.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=eUpr8whm 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/2018-05-04-cherry-blossoms_0.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=bJc64hTN 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/2018-05-04-cherry-blossoms_0.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=Z12vt37M 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2018-05-04-cherry-blossoms_0.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=eUpr8whm" alt="Photo of cherry blossoms"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>Romi Levine</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2019-05-01T12:14:22-04:00" title="Wednesday, May 1, 2019 - 12:14" class="datetime">Wed, 05/01/2019 - 12:14</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">Cherry blossoms are beginning to bloom outside of Robarts Library (photo by Noreen Ahmed-Ullah)</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/romi-levine" hreflang="en">Romi Levine</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/city-culture" hreflang="en">City &amp; Culture</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/myhal-centre-engineering-innovation-entrepreneurship" hreflang="en">Myhal Centre for Engineering Innovation &amp; Entrepreneurship</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/munk-school-global-affairs-public-policy-0" hreflang="en">Munk School of Global Affairs &amp; Public Policy</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/school-cities" hreflang="en">School of Cities</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/art-museum" hreflang="en">Art Museum</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/cherry-blossoms" hreflang="en">Cherry Blossoms</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/daniels-faculty-architecture" hreflang="en">Daniels Faculty of Architecture</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/faculty-arts-science" hreflang="en">Faculty of Arts &amp; Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/faculty-law" hreflang="en">Faculty of Law</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/faculty-medicine" hreflang="en">Faculty of Medicine</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/hart-house" hreflang="en">Hart House</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/housing" hreflang="en">Housing</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/photography" hreflang="en">Photography</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/physics" hreflang="en">Physics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/robarts" hreflang="en">Robarts</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/rotman-school-management" hreflang="en">Rotman School of Management</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/science-rendezvous" hreflang="en">Science Rendezvous</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/thomas-fisher-rare-book-library" hreflang="en">Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-mississauga" hreflang="en">茄子直播 Mississauga</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-scarborough" hreflang="en">茄子直播 Scarborough</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>April showers have brought May flowers as the cherry blossoms outside Robarts Library begin to bloom. But the Instagram-worthy foliage isn鈥檛 the only event getting people excited at the University of Toronto this month.</p> <p>May is full of fascinating events 鈥 from city-wide science, architecture and photography festivals to talks by a Nobel Prize-winning physicist and a researcher on the team who captured the first-ever image of a black hole.</p> <p>Here is a selection of events taking place on all three campuses this month:</p> <h3>May 2</h3> <p>Kids can learn about what it鈥檚 like to work and study at 茄子直播 at Bring Our Children to Work Day. The annual event invites appointed faculty, librarians and staff to bring children in Grades 4 to 7 for an exciting day of activities. Registration is now closed but you can find out more about the events on the <a href="http://www.odlc.utoronto.ca/hr/bocwdstg">downtown Toronto</a>, <a href="https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/hr/bring-our-children-work-day">Scarborough</a> and <a href="https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/faculty-staff/bring-our-children-work-day-utm">Mississauga</a> campuses.</p> <p>Faculty and students from 茄子直播, York, Ryerson and OCAD have been working together on a research project exploring affordable student housing in Toronto. The group will be presenting some of their findings <a href="https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/studentdwell-reimagining-student-housing-tickets-59075865504">at StudentDwell+: Reimagining Student Housing, a two-day symposium</a> held at York University.</p> <p>Donna Strickland, Nobel Prize in Physics recipient for 2018, <a href="https://welsh.physics.utoronto.ca/history/2019/public-talks/generating-high-intensity-ultrashort-optical-pulses/">will be delivering the Welsh Lecture in Physics at 茄子直播</a>. She鈥檒l be talking about her award-winning work on ultrashort optical pulses. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>Hear from Harvard University鈥檚 Peter Galison, a member of the Event Horizon Telescope collaboration, about what went into capturing the historic image of a black hole, at <a href="https://hps.utoronto.ca/peter-galison-philosophy-of-the-shadow/?utm_source=Bulletin+Brief&amp;utm_campaign=425e41805c-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_06_13_COPY_01&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_66bc4ba557-425e41805c-109987547">an event presented by 茄子直播鈥檚 Institute for the History and Philosophy of Science and Technology</a>.&nbsp;</p> <h3>May 3</h3> <p>Exciting news for the Robarts Library expansion 鈥 <a href="https://onesearch.library.utoronto.ca/news/notice-concrete-drilling-robarts-library-may-2-7-7-am-12-pm">crews have begun to drill the concrete to connect the library with the new Robarts Common structure</a>. Studying at Robarts may be a little loud, but you can ask staff at the ground floor information desk and second-floor Ask Us desk for earplugs.</p> <p>Shutterbugs rejoice 鈥 Toronto鈥檚 Contact photography festival is back, with captivating exhibitions taking place on 茄子直播 campuses:&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li>See the world through the eyes of an engineer at <a href="https://scotiabankcontactphoto.com/exhibition/ambition-innovation-and-excellence-a-decade-at-skule/">Ambition, Innovation, and Excellence: A Decade at Skule</a>, which will feature photographs from current students and alumni, providing an intimate look at the faculty.</li> <li>Director of the International Human Rights Program in the Faculty of Law, <strong>Samer Muscati</strong>, will be showcasing photographs from his visits to Rwanda 15 and 25 years after the genocide at <a href="http://harthouse.ca/about-i-live-on/">Hart House</a> and at 茄子直播 Scarborough. An event to commemorate the 25<sup>th </sup>anniversary of the genocide <a href="https://utsc.utoronto.ca/news-events/events/commemorating-25-years-rwandas-genocide">will be taking place at 茄子直播 Scarborough this afternoon</a>.</li> </ul> <h3>May 4</h3> <p>American artist <a href="https://www.daniels.utoronto.ca/events/2019/05/04/spotlight-lecture-carrie-mae-weems">Carrie Mae Weems will be speaking at 茄子直播</a> as part of the Contact festival. The MacArthur grant recipient, whose work has been displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, will also be presenting her work at 茄子直播鈥檚 Art Museum and at locations across the city. Her lecture is sold out but you can join the waitlist.</p> <h3>May 5</h3> <p>Roll up your sleeves and join the 茄子直播 Trash Team for <a href="https://twitter.com/UofT/status/1121428917536083968">the annual Clean up the Don event</a>, where you can do your part for the environment by picking up litter along the Don River watershed.</p> <h3>May 8</h3> <p>What makes a successful city? <a href="https://www.schoolofcities.utoronto.ca/events/perfect-city">茄子直播鈥檚 School of Cities is hosting an event</a> that will explore the challenges and opportunities faced by big cities around the world&nbsp;for the book launch of <em>Perfect City: An Urban Fixer鈥檚 Global Search for Magic in the Modern Metropolis</em>, by <strong>Joe Berridge</strong>, one of the world鈥檚 leading urban planners.</p> <p>Ahead of the G20 summit in Japan, the Centre for the Study of Global Japan and the G20 Research Group of 茄子直播 are <a href="https://munkschool.utoronto.ca/event/27719/">hosting a one-day symposium to discuss the evolving agenda of the annual meeting of global leaders</a>. Officials and scholars from around the world will be attending the event held at the Munk School of Global Affairs &amp; Public Policy, including Takako Ito, consulate-general of Japan in Toronto.</p> <h3>May 11</h3> <p>Glowing bacteria, mutant flies, scavenger hunts and virtual reality tours are just a few of the displays and activities at this year鈥檚 Science Rendezvous, the annual family-friendly festival. Here鈥檚 what鈥檚 happening on the <a href="https://www.sciencerendezvous.ca/event_sites/university-of-toronto-st-george-campus/">downtown Toronto</a>, <a href="https://www.sciencerendezvous.ca/event_sites/university-of-toronto-scarborough/">Scarborough</a> and <a href="https://www.sciencerendezvous.ca/event_sites/lets-talk-science-central-library/">Mississauga</a> campuses.</p> <h3>May 13</h3> <p>This is the last week to <a href="https://artmuseum.utoronto.ca/exhibition/2019-university-of-toronto-mvs-studio-program-graduating-exhibition/">see the work of some of 茄子直播鈥檚 talented artists</a> at the Master&nbsp;of Visual Studies graduate exhibition and the Shelley Peterson art exhibition at 茄子直播鈥檚 Art Museum.</p> <h3>May 14</h3> <p>Listen to captivating stories told by members of Toronto鈥檚 medical community at <a href="https://medicine.utoronto.ca/event/story-slam">the department of medicine鈥檚 annual Story Slam</a>, in partnership with the Annals of Internal Medicine.</p> <h3>May 25</h3> <p>Explore some of 茄子直播鈥檚 most fascinating spaces at this year鈥檚 Doors Open Toronto. It鈥檚 your chance to admire the architecture in the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, explore One Spadina, and check out the new <a href="http://uoft.me/doorsopenmyhal">Myhal Centre for Engineering Innovation &amp; Entrepreneurship</a>, which will be hosting lightning lectures and interactive activities for kids.</p> <h3>May 28</h3> <p>Join urban thought leaders, policy-makers, planners, community advocates and business leaders to exchange ideas on ways to meet the challenges of governing cities in the midst of change at the Governing Cities in the 21st Century symposium. The event will feature experts including Michelynn Lafl猫che, vice-president of United Way Greater Toronto, Bill Peduto, mayor of Pittsburgh, and <strong>Richard Florida</strong>, <a href="https://www.provost.utoronto.ca/awards-funding/university-professors/#section_2">University Professor </a>at the Rotman School of Management.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.schoolofcities.utoronto.ca/events/governing-cities-21st-century">You can learn more and register here</a> or <a href="https://livemedia.biz/UofT.html">watch the livestream</a>.</p> <h3>May 30</h3> <p>Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic will be at the Rotman School of Management <a href="http://www.rotman.utoronto.ca/ProfessionalDevelopment/Events/UpcomingEvents/20190530TomasChamorro-Premuzic">to discuss his new book, <em>Why Do So Many Incompetent Men Become Leaders? (And How To&nbsp;Fix It)</em></a><em>, </em>which explores the flaws in a system that rewards arrogance and loudness over humility and wisdom. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Wed, 01 May 2019 16:14:22 +0000 Romi Levine 156489 at From presidential visits to maple syrup magic: Check out these April events /news/presidential-visits-maple-syrup-magic-check-out-these-april-events <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">From presidential visits to maple syrup magic: Check out these April events</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/farm-boiler-lead_0.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=so-QPf6w 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/farm-boiler-lead_0.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=CxK4MTwX 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/farm-boiler-lead_0.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=zdbWPhuU 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/farm-boiler-lead_0.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=so-QPf6w" alt="Photo of student at Hart House Farm"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>Romi Levine</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2019-04-02T12:06:12-04:00" title="Tuesday, April 2, 2019 - 12:06" class="datetime">Tue, 04/02/2019 - 12:06</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">Students at the Sugaring Off event at Hart House Farm peer inside the evaporator to see how the syrup is made (photo by Geoffrey Vendeville)</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/romi-levine" hreflang="en">Romi Levine</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/city-culture" hreflang="en">City &amp; Culture</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/centre-drama" hreflang="en">Centre for Drama</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/faculty-applied-science-engineering" hreflang="en">Faculty of Applied Science &amp; Engineering</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/global" hreflang="en">Global</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/hart-house" hreflang="en">Hart House</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/munk-school-global-affairs-public-policy" hreflang="en">Munk School of Global Affairs &amp; Public Policy</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/research-innovation" hreflang="en">Research &amp; Innovation</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/robarts" hreflang="en">Robarts</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/rotman-school-management" hreflang="en">Rotman School of Management</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/thomas-fisher-rare-book-library" hreflang="en">Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-mississauga" hreflang="en">茄子直播 Mississauga</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-scarborough" hreflang="en">茄子直播 Scarborough</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>The semester may be coming to an end, but the University of Toronto is still bustling with events on all three campuses that鈥檒l make for the perfect study break.</p> <p>Stretch your legs between cramming sessions at Robarts Library with the MoveU crew, take a day trip to Hart House Farm to sample super sweet maple syrup, or sit in on a talk with one of two former world leaders who will be on campus this month 鈥 from Estonia and Australia.</p> <p>On April 5, spend the evening hearing from a number of faculty members at 茄子直播 and three other Toronto universities, at CRAM, a free festival of ideas.&nbsp;<span style="color: rgb(72, 86, 103); font-family: &quot;Open Sans&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"></span></p> <p>Here are some of the events taking place in April:</p> <h3>April 2</h3> <p>Join the Black Students鈥 Association tonight for <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/uoftbsa/permalink/10157137159397390/">Black Study Hall at Wetmore Hall</a>. Munch on some snacks while prepping for your next exam.</p> <p>茄子直播 Mississauga鈥檚 last Lecture Me event of the season takes place tonight at the UTM Experiential Education Unit. <a href="https://allevents.in/mobile/amp-event.php?event_id=200016917882152">Hear from <strong>Sanja Hinic-Frlog</strong></a>, an assistant professor, teaching stream, of biology, about what fossils can teach us about the evolution of modern birds.</p> <h3>April 4</h3> <p>Explore the 16<sup>th</sup>-century craft of mask-making at <a href="https://utoronto.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ab25ca92b77a18c11ccbf007e&amp;id=65052f954b&amp;e=0cbee6d38e">the opening of Unmasked</a>, an exhibit organized by the Centre for Drama, Theatre &amp; Performance Studies that pays tribute to Italian mask-maker Paolo Consiglio, who was a visiting artist at 茄子直播.</p> <p>Give those legs a shake at Robarts Library on April 4 and 5. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/338365726798531/">Brain Break, hosted by the MoveU crew</a>, will be running 10-minute exercise sessions all afternoon.</p> <p>The lives of people and spirits intertwine in this talk at 茄子直播 Scarborough by&nbsp;<strong>Michael Lambek</strong>, a&nbsp;professor&nbsp;of anthropology. <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/prof-michael-lambek-exotic-ordinary-spirit-mediums-in-madagascar-tickets-56514544524">He will be speaking about spirit mediums in Madagascar</a> as part of the Celebration of Research Excellence lecture series.</p> <h3>April 5</h3> <p>Satisfy your curiosity about everything from the mysteries of the universe to the future of artificial intelligence at the <a href="https://sites.grenadine.co/sites/publicinc/en/cram">CRAM festival of ideas</a>. 茄子直播 faculty members will join researchers from across the city to share their fascinating discoveries with the public. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="/news/cram-festival-connects-leading-u-t-researchers-and-public">Read more about CRAM here</a><br> <br> It鈥檚 cycling season! <a href="https://utoronto.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ab25ca92b77a18c11ccbf007e&amp;id=a6629861bc&amp;e=0cbee6d38e">Bring your bike for a $30 tune-up</a> at the downtown Toronto campus鈥檚 Athletic Centre. The initiative is hosted by the Varsity Blues mountain biking team.</p> <p>Philosophy fans will want to attend this event, featuring 茄子直播 Mississauga's <strong>Rasmus Rosenberg Larson</strong>, <a href="http://sites.utoronto.ca/kierkegaard/upcoming.htm">who will be talking about&nbsp;S酶ren Kierkegaard and&nbsp;Friedrich Schelling</a> and the similarities of their work.&nbsp;</p> <h3>April 6</h3> <p>Head to Hart House Farm for the annual <a href="http://harthouse.ca/events/sugaring-off-3/">Sugaring Off event</a>,&nbsp;where the farm's own maple trees are tapped to be made into delicious maple syrup.&nbsp;</p> <h3>April 9</h3> <p>Take a moment to relax and improve your focus during <a href="https://onesearch.library.utoronto.ca/news/mindful-moments-secular-guided-meditation-sessions-robarts-library">a guided meditation session</a> at Robarts Library鈥檚 reflection room.</p> <h3>April 11</h3> <p><a href="https://munkschool.utoronto.ca/event/27554/">Toomas Ilves, the former President of Estonia, will be at the Munk School of Global Affairs &amp; Public Policy</a> speaking about how his country revolutionized the digitization of government and became a leader in cyber security.</p> <h3>April 16</h3> <p>There鈥檚 just over a week left to see the <a href="https://onesearch.library.utoronto.ca/promo/nature-page-print-and-manuscript-culture-victorian-natural-history">Nature on the Page exhibit</a> at the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library. Go back in time to Victorian England where obsessions with ferns, orchids and seaweed spawned an incredible collection of beautifully-illustrated books.<br> <br> <a href="/news/escape-winter-gloom-and-surround-yourself-nature-new-u-t-library-exhibit">Read more about the exhibit here</a></p> <h3>April 24</h3> <p>What is the best way to improve the public trust in journalism, and at the same time strengthen the foundations of democracy?&nbsp;That question will be front and centre at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.masseycollege.ca/event/german-consulate-media-symposium/">(Un) Truth 鈥 Journalism and Democracy in the Digital Age</a>, a media symposium co-hosted by the German Consulate General in Toronto, Massey College and University of Toronto Communications.</p> <p><a href="https://munkschool.utoronto.ca/event/27363/">Kevin Rudd, the former prime minister of Australia,</a>&nbsp;is coming to the Rotman School of Management to talk about Canada-China-U.S. relations. &nbsp;</p> <h3>April 25</h3> <p>The Faculty of Applied Science &amp; Engineering <a href="https://www.engineering.utoronto.ca/event/open-discussion-on-equity-diversity-and-inclusion-3/">will be hosting an open discussion on equity, diversity and inclusion</a>, inviting engineering community members to share their thoughts on how the faculty could create a more welcoming and inclusive environment.</p> <h3>April ??</h3> <p>It鈥檚 almost cherry blossom time outside of Robarts Library.&nbsp;While there isn鈥檛 a definite date yet,&nbsp;they are expected to bloom at the end of April or beginning of May.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Tue, 02 Apr 2019 16:06:12 +0000 Romi Levine 155971 at Robert Blackburn, 茄子直播's pioneering former chief librarian, celebrates 100th birthday /news/robert-blackburn-u-t-s-pioneering-former-chief-librarian-celebrates-100th-birthday <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Robert Blackburn, 茄子直播's pioneering former chief librarian, celebrates 100th birthday</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/robert-blackburn.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=YqXBrNSJ 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/robert-blackburn.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=opXmnXcK 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/robert-blackburn.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=D1Zluvxn 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/robert-blackburn.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=YqXBrNSJ" alt="photo of Robert Blackburn"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>geoff.vendeville</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2019-02-04T00:00:00-05:00" title="Monday, February 4, 2019 - 00:00" class="datetime">Mon, 02/04/2019 - 00:00</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">Former chief librarian Robert Blackburn, seen here in October, 2017 at the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library for the 125th anniversary of 茄子直播 Libraries, is turning 100 on Feb. 3 (photo by Geoffrey Vendeville) </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/geoffrey-vendeville" hreflang="en">Geoffrey Vendeville</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/our-community" hreflang="en">Our Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/faculty-staff" hreflang="en">Faculty &amp; Staff</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/robarts" hreflang="en">Robarts</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-libraries" hreflang="en">茄子直播 Libraries</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>The University of Toronto and its surroundings have changed a lot since <strong>Robert Blackburn</strong> started at 茄子直播 Libraries&nbsp;in 1947.</p> <p>Classes were packed with veterans of the Second World War. On the radio, Francis Craig crooned, 鈥<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbZLpAMnclQ"><em>There's just one place for me, near you</em></a>.鈥&nbsp;And <a href="https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/citizenship">Canadian citizenship had just been created</a> (until then, Canadians were British subjects).</p> <p>Blackburn took the helm of the libraries in 1954 and was the first to officially hold the title of chief librarian, retiring after 27 years. On Feb. 3, he celebrated another important milestone: his 100<sup>th</sup> birthday.</p> <p>His busy tenure at 茄子直播 encompassed the building of Robarts Library and first efforts to automate the library catalogue with computers, setting the example for institutions around the globe.&nbsp;</p> <p>When he visits 茄子直播 Libraries these days, he鈥檚 proud of what it鈥檚 become 鈥&nbsp;and also somewhat relieved that he's no longer in charge.&nbsp;鈥淭here is still the intensity of study going on around me,鈥 he says, 鈥渂ut now in ample space and pleasant physical environment and I am no longer responsible for the budget, staffing, services or security.鈥&nbsp;</p> <p>Over tea in Blackburn's Streetsville home, which he bought for $9,000 in 1950, he looked back on the chapters of his life. He took out a manila folder and leafed through photos of himself over the years: as a baby in his parents' arms, a wide-eyed university freshman, an Air Force navigator and a librarian.</p> <p>He spent his childhood on a farm in Vegreville, Alta.,&nbsp;east of Edmonton 鈥 where his life might have taken a drastically different turn if not for a lucky harvest.&nbsp;</p> <p>In his youth, the economy was mired in the Great Depression, and his family could not have afforded to send him to university if not for a good barley crop one dry summer. They sold the crop for $490, enough to cover his first year at the University of Alberta.</p> <p>He wrote about the significance of that crop many decades later in his memoirs,<em>&nbsp;<a href="https://heritage.utoronto.ca/islandora/object/heritage%3A230">From Barley Field to Academe</a>.&nbsp;</em>It was a life-changing stroke of luck 鈥 particularly since he didn't appear to have a knack for farming. 鈥淵ou better get that boy all the education he can hold,鈥 his grandfather had said. 鈥淗e'll&nbsp;never make a farmer.鈥</p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__10011 img__view_mode__media_original attr__format__media_original" height="500" src="/sites/default/files/blackburn-young.jpg" typeof="foaf:Image" width="750" loading="lazy"><br> <em>鈥淚 look like a frightened rabbit,鈥 Blackburn says of a portrait of himself as a university freshman (photo by Geoffrey Vendeville)&nbsp;</em></p> <p>Blackburn had originally set his sights on a medical career, but changed his mind after a classmate took him on a tour of the anatomy lab.&nbsp;鈥淚n half an hour there, he killed any ambition I ever had to study medicine,鈥 Blackburn wrote. He enrolled in honours English.</p> <p>At the onset of the war, Blackburn considered himself an objector, but felt compelled to enlist&nbsp;by the spring of 1941 after his father joined the Air Force and some of his friends were reported missing in action. He put&nbsp;off enlistment until after library school at 茄子直播, 鈥渟o as to have some kind of professional qualification in case I survived the war,鈥 he wrote.&nbsp;</p> <p>He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and attended&nbsp;navigation school. Of the 19 graduates in his class, 17 were posted overseas for night raids over the Ruhr. Only a few returned.&nbsp;鈥淚 hope there were more, but I heard of only three,鈥 he wrote.&nbsp;</p> <p>He was held back as a navigation instructor and posted to Manitoba. After three years in the military,&nbsp;he applied for an honourable discharge from the RCAF, worked for the Calgary Public Library and went on for a master鈥檚 degree in library sciences at Columbia University.</p> <p>He was lured back to Canada by 茄子直播 librarian <strong>Stewart Wallace</strong>, a former history professor and soldier wounded at Vimy Ridge, who kept a wartime souvenir on his desk: a piece of shrapnel from his leg that served as a paperweight.</p> <p>When he succeeded Wallace at the helm of 茄子直播 Libraries,&nbsp;Blackburn inherited a library system that was bursting with books and desperate for space. To make matters worse, universities in the 1960s were bracing themselves for a surge in graduate students. Blackburn and then-茄子直播 President <strong>Claude Bissell</strong>'s advocacy were instrumental in getting a new library built, one that was meant to serve people's needs for the next 50 years. A $41-million project was approved at Hoskin Ave. and St. George St.</p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__10050 img__view_mode__media_original attr__format__media_original" height="500" src="/sites/default/files/robarts-library.jpg" typeof="foaf:Image" width="750" loading="lazy"><br> <em>Robarts Library under construction in 1972&nbsp;(photo courtesy of University of Toronto Archives)</em></p> <p>The university hired a New York architecture firm and chose a triangular design with room for hundreds of study carrels with windows looking out on the campus below.</p> <p>But Blackburn had to sacrifice some frills to reduce costs. The library nixed plans for an auditorium, outside terracing and&nbsp;artwork. Planners&nbsp;even considered scrapping the Fisher library's tower to save $10,000. The architect lobbied successfully to keep it, saying its absence would make the library look from one angle 鈥渓ike an elephant backing out of its stall.鈥</p> <p>Construction started in 1968 and finished four-and-half years later. Robarts Library was named after the former premier, John Robarts,&nbsp;whose support for the project was vital.&nbsp;But for some, it was and remains 鈥淔ort Book.鈥</p> <p>鈥淚t's an extraordinary facility,鈥 current Chief Librarian&nbsp;<strong>Larry Alford</strong> says. The building's aesthetics are the subject of never-ending debate,&nbsp;<a href="http://thevarsity.ca/2017/01/30/is-robarts-the-ugliest-building-on-campus/">in&nbsp;the student paper</a> and beyond. But&nbsp;Alford, who likes its appearance, notes it's an icon of Brutalist architecture that attracts admirers from around the globe.&nbsp;</p> <p>The carrels, meanwhile, remain prime real estate for studying. 鈥淪tudents use laptops instead of typewriters but they're still writing their dissertations there,鈥 he says.</p> <p>Under Blackburn's watch, the central library amassed a collection that was the envy of institutions across the continent. In the 1960s, the library&nbsp;acquired up to a quarter million books per year, 鈥渕ore than any other university on the continent and maybe the world,鈥 he said. Many of those materials are among the library's greatest treasures, including Shakespeare's Four Folios gifted by the Fisher family. <a href="https://onesearch.library.utoronto.ca/news/display-shakespeares-first-folio">The First Folio</a>, published in 1623, was the first collected edition of Shakespeare's plays and only 232 copies still exist.&nbsp;</p> <p>Another of Blackburn's signature achievements, and possibly the most important, is taken for granted by most people who use the library today, Alford says. In the early 1960s, libraries usually had card catalogues with entries for individual titles, each typed and filed by hand. Blackburn supported the efforts of <strong>Ritvars Bregzis</strong>, associate librarian, and <strong>Calvin Gotlieb</strong>,&nbsp;director of the Institute of Computer Science, to use computers to automate the library's catalogue. <img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__10051 img__view_mode__media_original attr__format__media_original" height="500" src="/sites/default/files/computer.jpg" typeof="foaf:Image" width="750" loading="lazy"><br> <em>The console of the IBM&nbsp;7094 computer at the Computer Centre at 茄子直播 (photo courtesy of University of Toronto Archives)</em></p> <p>It was impossible to foresee where the technology would lead, Blackburn recalls. 鈥淚 had no idea where it was going, except to speed up our services and paperwork, and maybe save some money,鈥 he says.</p> <p>The library acquired its own computer, a clunky Sigma&nbsp;7 that required its own air conditioning. In the late 1970s, the library succeeded in freezing its card catalogue and introduced the forerunner of today's electronic catalogue.</p> <p>鈥淚t was the beginning of using computers as other than toys,鈥 Alford says.&nbsp;鈥淚t was truly, truly pioneering and became really the basis for what we now consider the standard discovery tools of all kinds. I would actually include Google in that.鈥</p> <p>鈥淭oronto was the first large library anywhere to have its whole catalogue in machine-readable form,鈥 Blackburn recalls in his memoir.</p> <p>Blackburn retired in 1981, freeing up time for other things. He's spent time with family and friends, travelled, gained acclaim for the home garden he tends to with his second wife Verna, and has written nine books, including a&nbsp;history of 茄子直播 Libraries. He also survived major health scares 鈥 a heart attack and broken hip.</p> <p>He attributes his longevity partly to his upbringing on the farm, where he grew up on fresh food and worked up a hearty appetite. He's never smoked and, for the last 35 years, has exercised almost every day before breakfast. He does sit-ups, stand-ups and touches his toes.</p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__10091 img__view_mode__media_original attr__format__media_original" height="500" src="/sites/default/files/blackburn-lunch.jpg" typeof="foaf:Image" width="750" loading="lazy"><br> <em>Chief Librarian Larry Alford had lunch at 茄子直播's Faculty Club with his predecessor Robert Blackburn to celebrate Blackburn's 100<sup>th</sup> birthday (photo by Paul Terefenko)</em></p> <p>Ironically, although he spent&nbsp;his life surrounded by books, Blackburn rarely had time to take them home. Alford, who became chief librarian in 2011, sympathizes. The libraries have become a large IT operation, managing a petabyte of data. They select, acquire and preserve a vast collection. And they welcome tens of thousands of visitors per day, about 18,000 at Robarts alone.</p> <p>Blackburn says much has changed at the library since his time, except, of course, 鈥渢he intensity of study鈥 all around. Speaking before his birthday, he said he would think about the library when he blows out the candles on his cake.</p> <p>His birthday wish?&nbsp;鈥淥nly that my work in all those covered-wagon days will continue to provide my successors with the flexibility and scope that are needed to command a great future.鈥</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Mon, 04 Feb 2019 05:00:00 +0000 geoff.vendeville 151800 at