Message from President Lachemi on the year defined by life in a pandemic

On March 11, 2020 the World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) a global pandemic. That day and those that followed are unlike anything any of us have ever experienced. A year later, almost every aspect of our daily lives - how we live, how we learn, and how we work - continues to be impacted by the presence of COVID-19.

While the past year has been a difficult one for all of us, as a community we have found opportunities to thrive in the face of challenge.

I am sure the memory of March, 11 2020 strikes each of us very differently; I myself have clear recollections of how this university came together to support one another as we navigated what a global pandemic meant to the Ryerson community. The flexibility, creativity, collaboration and above all, resilience demonstrated by our students, faculty and staff fuelled strategies, solutions and compromises that helped the university successfully complete those important last few weeks of the winter term and then pivot to plan for the months ahead.

I hope you will agree that we have all come a very long way since those early days and that there is much to be proud of, even as we continue to define what resilience and strength looks like in an ongoing period of uncertainty.

Thank You

To our students:  Thank you for your commitment to your studies, to each other and to your communities. You have shown great tenacity and strength in facing the many challenges a global pandemic has presented. You have found ways to deliver resources to those in remote communities and those here in Toronto. You have mastered new ways of learning and found new methods of connecting with one another. You have cleared the hurdles of a global pandemic to find new opportunities.

To our faculty: The university would not have been able to continue to function without you. With very little warning and constantly changing circumstances and restrictions, you have continued to provide our students with an exemplary education. You have revolutionized virtual learning and teaching and come together to share best practices. The pandemic has challenged you to introduce new platforms to continue to engage our students in a virtual environment and embrace hybrid learning. Thank you for all you do to provide our students with the progressive, impactful and focused education that Ryerson is known for.

To our staff: You have risen to challenges you likely never imagined you would face. Teams from across the university, working both on campus and from home have been integral to making sure the work of the university continues. You have also gone above and beyond, helping our students, faculty and staff return home safely last spring and setting up the resources and supports necessary to help our faculty and students excel in a virtual learning environment. You have adapted quickly and thoroughly, to ensure our students have access to the much needed well-being programs from home and have continued to keep our campus safe and functioning, so we can look forward to a time when we are all together again. Thank you for your incredible support and commitment to Ryerson University.

To our alumni: you too have found ways to support your communities during a very challenging time. You have innovated new ways of disseminating information within our healthcare system and collaborated on solutions to support those experiencing food insecurity. You have supported our current students by raising funds for critical resources and  documented the pandemic for future generations.  Thank you for your continued support of Ryerson University.

No matter your role at Ryerson, thank you so very much for your understanding, tenacity and strength in facing the challenges the pandemic has brought to us - I cannot express my pride and gratitude enough.

Challenges continue

While there is certainly much to be proud of, I know that this milestone may be very challenging for many.

Working and learning from home is not an easy task, especially those with multiple responsibilities that must be balanced with the expectations of your position. And for those of you who have continued to come to campus for your role, I want to recognize the challenges you have all faced, particularly as it relates to feelings of personal safety.

The impact of COVID-19 is on-going. As we continue to live in this reality, I would like to remind you again that there are supports available to all of you at this time. Students can learn more about services available to them at the Ryerson Centre for Student Development and Counselling. Employees are encouraged to review the resources made available on the COVID-19 website regarding Wellbeing as well as the Ryerson Recharge campaign. The university is here to support you.

Planning for fall 2021 continues

As we look to the weeks and months ahead, our priority remains the health and safety of our community. The university continues to follow and adhere to evolving public health advice and government directives in planning for the fall 2021 term. We will not ask anyone to come to campus until our government and public health agencies have told us it is safe to open and that the safety and well-being of our community can be assured. The university is actively planning for a number of scenarios in advance of the 2021-22 academic year and we will keep you informed as decisions are made.

As we recognize a year of being away from our campus and living very different daily lives, I hope there are things that each of you can take pride in, and that you share those successes and victories with those around you. I hope you continue to take care of yourself and others, all my best to each of you.

Mohamed Lachemi
President and Vice Chancellor