As classes start remotely this week, the U of T Engineering community has a message to new and returning students, and to one another: we got this.
The Faculty has launched the Back to Skule™ video capsule, inviting faculty, staff, students and alumni to record messages of encouragement, support and advice. The project serves as a reminder to its community that they are not alone in navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and the school year ahead.
“As Dean, my goals this year is to find the resources and opportunities to make sure that you are successful while you’re here,” says Chris Yip, Dean of U of T Engineering, in his welcome message. “But probably my most important goal is to think of new ways to reach out and connect to each and every one of you.”
The start of #Skule™ may look different this fall, but the spirit of our #UofTEngineering community remains strong. Join us in showing support for one another 💙. We’re agile. We’re resilient. #WeGotThis. Submit your own video message🤳 : https://t.co/xieXxqvYKP pic.twitter.com/e53zoBcfzN
— University of Toronto Engineering (@UofTEngineering) September 2, 2020
“Welcome to U of T or welcome back. Whether you’ve been here a while or are new to U of T, we are all class of 2-T-COVID,” says Professor Dionne Aleman (MIE) in her message. “Things are strange and different these days, like working from home, but there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. We’ll all be able to go back to normal, we just got to do our part to be responsible.”
While #BackToSkule may look a little different this year, #UofTEngineering Professor Dionne Aleman (@uoftmie) knows that whether you're a new or returning student, we're all in this together: https://t.co/zQdevVffAn #WeGotThis #BackToSkule pic.twitter.com/fH5q8vIAQn
— University of Toronto Engineering (@UofTEngineering) September 10, 2020
In sharing advice to first-year students, Adriana Diaz Lozano Patiño (Year 3 EngSci) says to never hesitate to ask for help. “If you’re struggling through something, just reach out… make sure that you feel connected and that you don’t feel alone. We’re all here to support you.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CE7Iv6Ih96q/
Mikhail Burke has experienced U of T Engineering as a student, instructor and as the Faculty’s Inclusion & Transition Advisor. His advice is to “stay calm and be you.”
“You’re the best at being you. Community will find you,” says Burke. “And if you still feel unsure about your place here at U of T, we have great resources, like me, to reach out to for help…. you got this.”
Stay calm and be you — #UofTEngineering student advisor & @uoftalumni, Mikhail Burke, has solid advice for our incoming class of 2T4 💙: https://t.co/zQdevVffAn #WeGotThis #BackToSkule pic.twitter.com/qmYBvVZ95O
— University of Toronto Engineering (@UofTEngineering) September 4, 2020
At time of publication, the capsule has received nearly 50 video messages. To watch, or record a message, visit: uofteng.capsule.video.
