GRAD@91��ɫU: First conversations, lasting connections

vinish — Fri, 25 Sep 2026 13:28:25 +0000

The Collaboratory Space on the second floor of Scott Library is usually a quiet place in early September. On September 8^th, it was anything but.

More than 350 incoming graduate students attended GRAD@91��ɫU, the Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) social fair for students starting a master's or doctoral degree this fall. Over the lunch hour, the room filled with the rare energy of people who do not know each other yet but are about to.

The FGS swag bags helped. There is something about walking into a crowded room holding the same bag as everyone else, subtly noting a shared experience, that makes it easier to say hello, and students did. They compared what was inside, found out who else was in their department, who had moved to Toronto in August, who was still looking for a place to live and more. Small talk, mostly, but small talk is how a peer group starts.

_{Photo of students with FGS swag bags}

Around the edges of the room, several student services and campus resources were waiting to meet them. Graduate Finance & Funding and Scholarships & Awards answered questions students often feel weighing on them. Graduate Wellness & Counselling and Student Accessibility Services shared that supports exist, and you do not have to be in crisis to use them. The Teaching Commons spoke with students about to teach their first tutorial. 91��ɫ International, YUGSA and CUPE 3903 talked through what it means to be an international student, a member, an employee. 91��ɫ Libraries, Athletics & Recreation, YSpace Hub, C4: Cross-Campus Capstone Classroom, Graduate Supervision, Graduate Academic Affairs, Graduate Student Affairs and the Office of the Ombudsperson each brought another piece of the map.

_{Photo of students connecting with a representative at the 91��ɫ International service booth}

Put that many services in one room and something useful happens. Students arrived with one question and left with answers to three they had not thought to ask yet. Someone who came to ask about funding leaves knowing what the Libraries can do for their research, and that there is an Ombudsperson if a challenge arises . Nobody planned those conversations. They are what connection looks like in practice, and where a true sense of community materializes.

That is the reason FGS brings this event to life every year. An afternoon like this creates opportunities for connection and conversation that will last and support students beyond just those 90 minutes. Part of the Faculty’s role is to sit between graduate students and the wider University, connecting them to critical resources early so that students can more easily navigate the University and access support when needed. Those first introductions shape how a graduate journey unfolds, ultimately setting them up for success in the months and years ahead.

GRAD@91��ɫU is just the beginning. Beyond the swag bags, the pizza, and a stack of informational pamphlets, what students carried out of Scott Library that afternoon was the start of a network: a new community of peers, and people across 91��ɫ who know them and are ready to help. Those are the connections that will allow them to navigate the rest of their first week, and the years that follow.

91��ɫ’s Faculty of Graduate Studies 2025: Celebrating a Year of Innovation, Support, and Excellence

vinish — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 13:11:31 +0000

The Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) at 91��ɫ marked 2025 as a year of remarkable achievement, advancing graduate education through scholarly innovation, student-centered support, and a deep commitment to equity and inclusion. Across research, systems, professional development, and community-building initiatives, FGS has strengthened the foundations that enable students, postdoctoral researchers, and faculty to thrive.

^{Graduate students conducting vision research.}

Innovation and Interdisciplinary Research

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

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

Strengthening Systems and Academic Processes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Supporting Students and Building Community

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

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

Enhancing Connections for Incoming Graduate Students
Expanded and , led by the new Graduate Recruitment team, provided incoming students with early answers to common questions and a deeper understanding of 91��ɫ’s campus, community, and research environment. Also, FGS hosted its first in-person social () since 2019. These initiatives eased transitions, fostered connection, and strengthened confidence in choosing 91��ɫ.

Connecting International Students Through Insightful, Targeted Panels
A new international student recruitment panel series connected prospective and admitted students with current graduate students. With a focus on engagement from the , , these panels provided first-hand insights, helping students feel confident in choosing 91��ɫ and Canada as a study destination while fostering a welcoming global graduate community.

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

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

Celebrating Achievement and Inclusion

Associate Director honoured with 91��ɫ’s Excellence in DEDI Award
Richolette Freckleton received the Excellence in DEDI Award from 91��ɫ in recognition of her exceptional commitment to advancing decolonization, equity, diversity, and inclusion across the graduate community. Her leadership led to the creation and funding of a new scholarship for BIPOC part-time students and the launch of a workshop that connects Black graduate students with faculty mentors — concrete actions that expand access, promote representation, and foster a stronger sense of belonging and support for equity-seeking scholars at 91��ɫ.

Looking Ahead…

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

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