COVID-19 Update
Photo by Henry Mai.
Please ensure you regularly consult https://www.torontomu.ca/covid-19/ for campus-wide updates.
The Toronto Met Department of Architectural Science will be shifting all in-person classes to virtual and other alternative forms of delivery that do not involve face-to-face meetings. All events have been cancelled until further notice.
Due to the Covid-19 virus emergency the Department of Architectural Science continues to operate virtually, delivering classes with alternative forms of delivery that do not involve face-to-face meetings. All events have been cancelled until further notice. The Toronto Met Architecture Building including the Workshop, CAD Lab and all studio spaces remain closed until further notice.
If you require entry into the building for the purpose of retrieving belongings please contact your instructor or Campus Security (opens in new window) at 416-979-5040 or security@torontomu.ca. Personal belongings and models left in the building will not be thrown out. All faculty and staff members will be available via e-mail (see below).
As of March 17, 2020, the Toronto Met Department of Architectural Science main office will be closed. Staff members will be available via e-mail (see below).
Please practice safe social distancing and remember to do your part to flatten the curve. You can also reach out to us on Twitter (external link, opens in new window) , Facebook (external link, opens in new window) , and Instagram (external link, opens in new window) as well.
Toronto Public Health is supporting those who are confirmed cases. If you have come into close contact with someone with COVID-19, please contact Toronto Public Health (external link, opens in new window) .
For academic matters students should contact the Associate Chairs:
Hitesh Doshi, Associate Chair (Acting), Undergraduate Student Affairs: hdoshi@torontomu.ca
Marco Polo, Associate Chair, Graduate Program (Architecture): m2polo@torontomu.ca
Russell Richman, Associate Chair, Graduate Program (Building Science): richman@torontomu.ca
Undergraduate Program and Main Office:
Kathleen Sojor Champlin, Administration Manager: ksojorch@torontomu.ca
Deepa Jojo, Undergraduate Program Assistant: djojo@torontomu.ca
Bridgette Dalima, Department Assistant: bridgette.dalima@torontomu.ca
Finance:
Diane Chong, Departmental Administrator: diane.chong@torontomu.ca
Graduate program:
Mimi Lam, Graduate Program Administrator: mimi.lam@torontomu.ca
Communications:
Alex Berceanu, Communications Specialist: alexandra.berceanu@torontomu.ca
IT Questions or Concerns:
Leo Roytman, IT Specialist: lroytman@torontomu.ca
Mike Bartosik, Technician: mbartosik@torontomu.ca
Workshop:
Jordan So, Workshop Supervisor: jordan.so@torontomu.ca
Jason Ramelson, Workshop Technician: jason.ramelson@torontomu.ca
Filip Tisler, Workshop Technician: ftisler@torontomu.ca
Building Science Lab:
Greg Labbé, Building Science Research Lab Technician: glabbe@torontomu.ca
International students who are returning home and require proxy access to applications on the ryerson.ca domain can use the global.ryerson.ca proxy service. This service is available globally. Please direct students to information on how to use the proxy or they can log in directly at: https://global.ryerson.ca.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Leo Roytman at lroytman@torontomu.ca or Mike Bartosik at mbartosik@torontomu.ca.
The deadline for dropping winter 2020 undergraduate and graduate courses in good academic standing has been extended from the previously scheduled deadline of March 27, 2020. Students now have until the last day of classes, April 9, 2020, to drop a course. Withdrawal as of this date will result in no academic penalty or refund of fees. The deadline to drop Chang School courses is April 13, 2020.
The university is providing students with the option to replace final undergraduate and Chang School course grades with a credit (CRD) and no credit (NCR) grade for the winter 2020 term only. Undergraduate students wishing to opt for a grade replacement must submit a completed W2020 COVID-19 Grade Replacement Form no later than May 22, 2020. Please visit the Office of the Registrar website for full terms and conditions, as well as for updates regarding winter 2020 courses grading.
While the NCR/CRD option is not available for graduate students, the deadline to drop courses has been extended to April 9th, 2020. The deadline to clear outstanding graduation requirements for Spring Convocation including submission of a major research paper (MRP), thesis and/or dissertation has moved from May 8, 2020 to 12:00 p.m. on May 22, 2020. The internal DAS deadline is now May 20, 2020.
Graduate supervision, MRP/thesis/dissertation defences, and graduate student funding will continue to be available during this time. For the latest updates from YSGS, please visit the COVID-19 Continuity Information page.
If you’re new to eLearning or are coming across different techniques employed by different instructors, try the following strategies to set yourself up for success.
Secure Appropriate Learning Equipment and Support
- Ensure you have all of the necessary equipment to fully participate in learning (e.g. computer, wifi, microphone, camera, additional accessibility related resources). For laptops and wifi loans, email access@torontomu.ca.
- For requiring academic accommodations, Academic Accommodation Support (opens in new window) is available to support your elearning success.
- Utilize the learning resources offered by Student Learning Support (opens in new window) and Thriving in Action Online (opens in new window) .
- Familiarize yourself with the syllabus, paying close attention to the teaching format, course expectations, and assessments.
- Carve out specific time for completing all components of the course, including time to login and participate, time to study, and time to complete assessments/assignments.
Practice Effective Communication
- Be professional, clear, and intentional and adhere to grammar and spelling conventions in all forms of communication to instructors, TAs/GAs, and peers.
- Determine how and when you can communicate with your instructor and TA/GA (e.g. via virtual office hours, phone, or email).
- Follow norms and expectations regarding discussions or group work established by the instructor or clarify if none have been set.
Connect with Fenella Amarasinghe, Senior Manager Education Planning and Development for additional advice on eLearning strategies at famarasinghe@torontomu.ca.
Social distancing and wellbeing are incredibly important during COVID-19. To access the Centre for Student Development and Counselling (CSDC), visit their virtual support system. CAMH also has additional mental health resources during this time.
Toronto Met professors Dr. Josephine Wong and Dr. Mandana Vahabi have developed the following mindfulness exercises:
- Practice 1: Grounding (external link, opens in new window)
- Practice 2: Clouds in the Sky - Observing Thoughts and Emotions (external link, opens in new window)
- Practice 3: Loving Kindness (external link, opens in new window)
At Toronto Met, we recognize that things can come up throughout the term that may interfere with a student’s ability to succeed in their coursework. These circumstances are outside of one’s control and can have a serious impact on physical and mental well-being. Seeking help can be a challenge, especially in those times of crisis. Below are resources we encourage all Toronto Met community members to access to ensure support is reachable.
- https://www.torontomu.ca/mental-health-wellbeing
- If support is needed immediately, you can access these outside resources at anytime:
- Distress Line — 24/7 line for if you are in crisis, feeling suicidal or in need of emotional support (phone: 416–408–4357)
- Good2Talk- 24/7 hour line for postsecondary students (phone: 1-866-925-5454)
Connect with a co-op academic adviser
The DAS co-op program remains committed to supporting students and ensuring the success of current and future work terms. For general information, please contact arch.office@torontomu.ca.
Charles Dune |
Co-operative Education Office Coordinator: for fees and registrar. | charles.dune@torontomu.ca |
| Vincent Hui | Faculty Advisor: for individual counselling on employment opportunities and career development. | vincent.hui@torontomu.ca |
Schedule a Co-op Academic Advising Appointment
Weekly Zoom sessions are being held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays. Students also have the ability to directly schedule Zoom meetings with Vincent Hui or Charles Dune to discuss their situation. Please give us 24 hours to reply and schedule a Zoom meeting.
Toronto Metropolitan University has established a Toronto Met Student Relief Fund (external link) for undergraduate and graduate students as well as FEAS Graduate Studies COVID-19 Student Emergency Fund.