THE PHOENIX – FOUNDERS COLLEGE Winter 2017/2018

FOUNDERS COLLEGE

NEWSLETTER

founders.laps.yorku.ca

VOLUME 1 / ISSUE 5 SELF, CULTURE AND SOCIETY Connections Editor The fifth issue of The Phoenix has as its theme, “Connections”. In this issue, you will find poetry, articles and artwork that all relate to how we connect to each other and to the world of which we are a part of. Why “Connections”? “Connections” emerged as a somewhat natural sequitur to our last edition, which focused on “The College Idea”. The heart of the College System at York is to create smaller com- munities within the larger community of . And at the heart of all communities are the connections that exist between the individuals and groups that comprise those communities. Not only that, but the opening of the York subway station brought with it a very tan- gible and real connection between the university and the GTA. Connections, therefore, exist not only in the realm of the intangible (Friendships, Family, Love, Culture, Religion, Language) but through the tangible (Roads, Walkways, Air Travel), the audible (Music, Speech) and the edible (the binding and bonding effect of sharing a meal comes readily to mind). We hope that in reading this issue of The Phoenix that all these various forms of connections enlighten and inspire you to make connections of your own.

“Lounging Shapes” - Matt Panzini, 2018

1 THE PHOENIX – FOUNDERS COLLEGE Winter 2017/2018 Community Messages

A Message from the College Head A Message from the President Prof. Pablo Idahosa Marlon Gullusci If the transition Connections. Connec- I myself have had the opportunity to from Master to tions are everywhere. branch out and make a wide range of con- Head is thankfully Connections are or- nections with peers, alumni, staff, faculty now over, it in no ganic in nature that members, and community members. way changes our we create through These connections are ever evolving. As I constant reaffirma- adversity, family, conclude my final term as College Presi- tion of our College’s friendship, and com- dent my connections shall continue to core functions. In- munity. These con- grow outward and into new and unchart- deed, whether nections routinely ed territory. With your time at school, through Academic and effortlessly cross boarders, traverse take time away from readings to connect Orientation, the first year transition, our vast geographic landscapes, unite cul- with new people. You never know where academic success programming, the peer tures, and bisect individual and shared and what they might lead to. leadership and support, student engage- experiences. ment and leadership development, the Founders is the embodiment of diversity, support we give to College Council and the not only in respect to program affiliations, affiliated student support, along with our but also home to people with diverse ex- student-faculty interaction, and our broad periences and ideas on a global scale. The and specific intellectual commitments and community sews together an insurmount- social and communities, here at Founders able amount of connections into one we will maintain our obligations to ensure place. Connections are free flowing and our mandates are met. dynamic, constantly altering their trajecto- ry. To this end, the theme of connections, notwithstanding the unfortunate labour dispute, is an appropriate one for this is- sue of The Phoenix. Indeed, it perhaps Remembering Professor Emeritus signals a moment to reflect on the con- nections that we have, we want to sustain, and the newer ones that we intend to Michail Vitopoulos make. In the coming months, one of those connections we will be making is to local It is with great sadness that we in- schools, in reaching out to them about the meaning and value of university in gen- form the Founders Community of eral, as well as finding ways to reconnect the passing of Professor Emeritus with the communities that surround Michail Vitopoulos on February 18, York. Additionally, considering the inter- 2018. In addition to his scholarly nationalization initiative which the Univer- sity is re-undertaking, we here at the col- work as associate professor of lege are reaching out to students to estab- Modern Greek Studies in the De- lish partnerships with Universities in Tan- partment of Languages, Literatures zania and Italy. Study can be a lonely, singular practice. It & Linguistics, Professor Vitopoulos need not be, however. Despite and maybe was also an active member and leader in ’s Greek community. because of the labour disruption, we hope that in thinking about the connec- To those of us who had the pleasure of meeting Professor Vitopoulos, tions with our core values and our practice he will always be remembered for his kindness, warmth and laughter of reaching out beyond ourselves – to oth- and will be dearly missed. er students, to other communities and to other students in other countries-- we can find a way of re-grounding ourselves.

2 THE PHOENIX – FOUNDERS COLLEGE Winter 2017/2018 Community Messages

How does Founders maintain con- cannot be replaced by electronic means. to his teammate that in turn links them to nection with the community? That is why beginning this September each other? Do we really exist in a world 2018, our Peer Mentors will have the add- of connections or is it a world where we Erica Alusio ed responsibility of Class Ambassador. A inhabit different separate states of being? College Programs Assistant Class Ambassadors role will be to visit var- An overly compartmentalized jigsaw that Technology moves fast, ious classrooms throughout the academic fits together but whose pieces remain this isn’t news. There year to interact with and promote our inherently singular? are always new apps upcoming events, workshops and re- I remember as a university student a par- and mediums for social- sources to faculty members and students. lor game called “Six Degrees of Kevin Ba- izing, sharing and mes- We hope that this new initiative will give con” [I suppose it was the early 2000s hip- saging. So how does students who are not familiar with our ster version of “Six Degrees of Separa- Founders connect with college a chance to better understand tion”, assuming of course that hipsters their community? who we are, what we do, and in addition, were even around back then. Who 1. Facebook: become familiar with our Peer Mentors. knows]. As an example, let’s take Humph- https://www.facebook.com/ Our aim is to put a face to Founders Col- rey Bogart, who connects to our man Kev- FoundersCollegeAtYorkU lege. This initiative is also in conjunction in as follows: Kevin Bacon => Apollo 13 => 2. Instagram: founderscollege with our longstanding and continuing Bill Paxton => Titanic => Kathy Bates => open door policy, where students, faculty Misery => Lauren Bacall => Key Largo => 3. Twitter: @FoundersYorkU and staff are always welcome to see us. Humphrey Bogart. Impressive? I suppose. 4. Weekly event emails to Founders One should not underestimate the value Useful? I’ll get back to you. So what does listserve of human interaction. this have to do with connections? Wheth- er or not “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon can As you can see, we use various platforms Threads to connect with our student body and truly link every actor to Mr. Bacon is not faculty members. We use these outlets to Marco Sestito important [Although if you have time to advertise various sponsored and cospon- College Administrative Coordinator kill, do visit https:// sored events and workshops. These The theme of this edi- bacon.mybluemix.net/]. What is im- platforms allow us to stay connected and tion of The Phoenix, portant, however, is the clue it provides as reach out to hundreds, sometimes thou- “connections”, is a we search for our “United Field Theory of sands, of people. So, what is the issue? broad one. After all, Connectedness”. A theory with a fairly According to our students, it’s overwhelm- connections exist every- simple answer. ing. Being bombarded by countless emails where and in a myriad The thread that links the tapestry that is and posts from their programs, depart- of different forms. To the life of one individual to that of another ments, faculty and college can be so over- name just the first few and theirs to others still until they are all whelming that plenty of students end up types of connections linked to the tapestry that is existence is ignoring this information altogether. We that come to mind there are interpersonal us: me, you, that guy you just passed on are now living in a digital generation, and connections, biological connections, physi- the subway this morning, etc. If connec- although there are many positive aspects cal connections, religious connections and tions exist it is because we want them to, to today’s technology and mediums for symbolic connections. What’s more, actually, we need them to. In an age communication, this may sometimes these categories are broad in and of them- where social media and the Internet have cause a lack of authenticity as well as in- selves. Take, for example, interpersonal promised infinite connections and deliv- formation overload. Through our own connections. The connection that exists ered instead unprecedented levels of iso- means of communication, we have wit- between a parent and child is different lation, perhaps it is time to remember that nessed firsthand, due to their overuse, the than that which exists between co- we are—if we choose to be—the thread ineffectiveness of digital communication. workers, that in itself is different than the that can tie people together. connection that exists between lovers, Although, we will continue to use these In elementary school we learned about siblings, or teammates. And within these platforms, for the sake of keeping up to the web of life and how all these different subcategories are further subcategories: date with trends, Founders also seeks a plants and animals are connected to each how many of us, for example, have one more human approach to connecting to its other. Let’s expand on that shall we and friend who is best and even if all our community members. It is important to create a web of humanity, where we put friends are equal in our eyes do we not remember that humans are social beings down our cell phones and seek out real relate to each of them slightly differently? who are programed to read and under- connections with the people around us. Amidst all these different connections is stand facial expressions and body lan- Who knows, you might find out that you there a common thread—a “United Field guage. These are the basic areas upon and Kevin Bacon are not as far apart as Theory of Connectedness” as it were— which humans connect and bond that you thought. that links a man to his wife, to his country, 3 THE PHOENIX – FOUNDERS COLLEGE Winter 2017/2018 Community Messages

Professor Fahim Quadir Leaving times at York: On behalf of the College, we established scholars and former students York University want to thank Fahim so much for his fel- and colleagues of Professor Rogers will be Professor Pablo Idahosa lowship, which is emblematic of his held at Founders College on May 24 & 25, College Head selfless service to Founders and reflected 2018. throughout the programs and the depart- It is with a contradictory combination of a As a colleague, fellow and mentor, Profes- ment that he has been a member of, as it certain degree of dejection but also de- sor Rogers has been an extraordinary is to his wider and many contributions to light to learn that our colleague, fellow member of Founders community and the University. and friend, Fahim Quadir is leaving York to though we wish him all the best in his re- undertake new challenges and another All our thanks and best wishes, Fahim. tirement, it goes without saying that his full-time presence at the College will be rewarding chapter in his life and success- Retirement Conference in Honour of sorely missed. ful career. Fahim leaves York and his cur- Distinguished Research Professor rent position as Interim Dean of FGS to Nicholas Rogers become the Dean of Graduate Studies and We Need You! Vice-Provost at Queen’s. Professor Stephen Brooke & Marco Sestito The College maintains on its website a After nearly forty years of outstanding page dedicated to all of the Presidents service to York University, Distinguished who have led Founders College Student Research Professor, Nicholas Rogers, re- Council throughout the years (http:// tired in December 2017. founders.laps.yorku.ca/community/ Professor Rogers made immense contribu- past-student-council-presidents/). tions to the undergraduate programme in History and has influenced the education Unfortunately, the list is incomplete. of several graduate students in a number An appeal, therefore, to all Founders of York university programmes. alumni to help us complete the list by Professor Fahim Quadir emailing the name and years of service We will not speak at length about Fahim’ s of past Council Presidents to found- extensive accomplishments as a scholar, [email protected]. administrator and institution builder. Eve- ryone who has worked with Fahim for any extent of time has experienced first hand his many gifts in these areas. His record of achievements is all the more significant because, in our own experience in the two programs he was so crucial in getting off Professor Nicholas Rogers the ground, these critical qualities are wonderfully intertwined in ways that real- ly become much more than the sum of Professor Rogers also contributed signifi- their parts. cantly as a citizen of the university, serving as a Vice President, Research, and as Chair What we would like to stress in this note of the History Department. He is a leading to Fahim is the deep respect and gratitude historian of eighteenth-century Britain, we feel for his professional commitment the author of numerous articles and sever- to our programs, the department and the al important books, the most recent of Faculty he now directs. Fahim: You have which, Mayhem (2012) won the most im- made a difference in the lives of many portant prize in British studies in North students, faculty and staff, and for that we America, the Jon Ben Snow Prize awarded are all profoundly grateful. We are going by the North American Conference on to miss you, more than words can say. Our British Studies. loss is Queen’s gain; we are certain you will contribute to their community as To celebrate Professor Rogers’ significant much as you have at York. contribution to the university, a confer- ence, Crowds, Crime and Popular Politics It goes without saying, but we will say it in Britain and Its Empire: A Conference in nonetheless, especially in these difficult Honour of Nicholas Rogers, featuring

4 THE PHOENIX – FOUNDERS COLLEGE Winter 2017/2018 Connective Issues Sonnet 2 Phoenix Rubix Cube Michael Karpati Mastoureh Alvandkouhy Breanne Howarth If love my friend as a romance I do, I am the Phoenix, You walked in and out of my life like a I know not from whence these emotions Don’t touch, Stay out sunbeam oh how do I miss you. came. I am majestic, colourful, powerful, If love her as a friend, no more, I do, My feathers are rooted deep in my body, but I guess it was a gradual shift Fraternity and friendship are the game. You name them culture, tribe, less phone calls She does love me, not as a friend, as more, religion, less sharing But I know not how to that warmth return. Don’t touch, Stay out less photos being sent through the wire If wont she is to love, forevermore, I am not a mythical bird, less words How to share her emotions I shall learn. I am reality, I am justice, less meetups If people romance do in their lives need, I am the collective consciousness less time of all women, Shall time prove me no diff’rent in my love? less of anything Afghans, Iraqis, Africans, Latinos, If in my love I am of the same creed, now it's just a "read" message Don’t touch, Stay out Is she the one to prove it like a dove? and i should've seen it coming I never die, I am ancient, The answer I do seek is simple still, but I didn't because i touched your face I don’t need a father, and That love my needs will certainly fulfill. Don’t touch, Stay out what seemed like important moments we

I am burning NOW, I am con- shared. Sonnet 12 sumed by my flames, Michael Karpati My bones are turning to ashes; I I eat your prose Do I have kin, so far beyond what I am giving birth to my child, and wonder what you're doing, This great beauty is not for your I hope you're happy Do know about? Is there another who pleasure, I hope the world has given you a winning Does wonder if more kin for them is nigh? Don’t touch, Stay out hand in scrabble Will kin to me come any time, if true? I must warn you, this is a RE- so you can spell the words: Will I have friends, beyond those I have BIRTH "love" made My child is not fragile, "connection" So far in life? Can one make friends again, It carries all of my pains, rapes, "her" and that you can meet the muse that When to adulthood one has entered? tortures, It carries all of my wisdom, resili- loves you back Frayed ence, hope, with the same fire you carry around Relationships may dictate it, it’s plain. Don’t touch, Stay out every single moment. Does anybody truly know me well? My child will start again; with I'm glad we met Am I alone in this world till the end? great vision, an everlasting inspiration, you turned me inside out Will I know anybody’s inner knell, My child flies high, far ahead to in such a small amount of time the front, Or will I be forever mine own friend? it's magical. We must meet luck wherever it we find, Don’t touch, Stay out And mortals meet wherever they be kind. This scream is not crying, cherish it for the rest of my life, This is our chant, evoking you, for sure. LISTEN but I had hoped to be old and fumbling with teacups on the patio of a coffee shop with you while we talked about our youth and then go home to our lovers.

I miss your face over gelato and your eyes because they were kind and so were you.

5 THE PHOENIX – FOUNDERS COLLEGE Winter 2017/2018 Connective Issues

Adopting a Complex Diction On the Opening of the York Last Connection Connection University Subway Dragos Nica Pika Blue Susette Schacherl We took off These brumous days are made up for by Are those days gone, then, in a sieve: stelliferous nights, Of waiting in our thousands for the buses? Two sick dogs meeting And a mistpouffer can be heard through- 41 Keele looming out of the mist at the park once a week, out this elysian oceanic sight. like the rescue ship arriving. Saved! barking our lives over bad connections The agathokakological eccedentesiast was On all our lips the question: until the sun woke us. a Byronic hero in disguise, Is it an express? And the Nyctophile sidekick, tended to Shiny new rails reach all the way down- It rose quickly soliloquize. town. out of you that day; you gave me no time The advent ceraunophile found the bron- Trains will run on them – for declarations or tide quite audible, slowly perhaps, but run. sunglasses. And the orphic town that existed on the The bright umbilicus makes us one You simply opened your mouth outskirts of the country, was anything but with the city. A continent no longer and the rays that came out of you plausible. cut off. seared my skin bright red. The pluviophile adored the petrichor that Felicity The first few days it itched ascended after a long week’s wait, Azeem Naveed real bad, Meliorism is eunoia, that may very well Let's dive into the ocean but over the coming weeks alter innumerable fates. and keep on swimming I simply peeled away, The adults in town are selcouth, but ironi- against the tide brushing off flake after flake cally inclined, to find our shores until nothing was left but skin. The children are ludic, and raconteurs of it's possible an adept kind. nothing impossible Just another memory The Mizpah led to recounts of minutiae, against the mythic odds Azeem Naveed A newly assimilated redamancy, elated we will live like the mythic gods You're just another memory now the frayed. and learn how to align I could think of you all the time now the heart and the mind of all those days we had spent then Somnambulists roam the streets due to an and learn all this in time filled with nothing but love and dreams enigmatic syzygy, before the sparks are to decline Animals are aquiver due to a wavering but now it's just a dream perigee. that wakes me up from my sleep and reminds me of you A longing for eleutheromania, leads to a of all those days of love and dreams pursuit of halcyon for hiraeth, nothing but sheer pitty

In a town where everyone is a nefelibata, carried away with my thoughts there are forever indefinite shibboleths. leading to the path of desolation

oh is this what dreams are for cause now I cant sleep you're just another memory attached to me like the dirt on the corner of my thumb which when washed away finds it way back there every day

“Smooth Operator” - Matt Panzini, 2018 - Photograph taken in the ACE Lounge overlooking and York Lanes

6 THE PHOENIX – FOUNDERS COLLEGE Winter 2017/2018 The Ties That Bind Why you should you be interested in archives. In fact the Archives of Ontario The Importance of Community Family Research? are housed on the York campus. http:// Sabrina Fortino Roger Robineau www.archives.gov.on.ca/en/index.aspx Founders College Peer Mentor Founders Alumnus 3. Heightens your sense of “self”. The university experi- In keeping with the Knowledge of family tends to help us be ence is all about con- theme for this comfortable in our skin and more confi- nections: Connection to month’s Phoenix I dent in our choices. For instance, you may people, connection to will speak to a spe- find that a long line of ancestors shared education and connec- cial kind of connec- the same profession (i.e. teachers). This tion to community. tion. Not about alone may not prompt you to become a Founders has been a connections to your future in terms of teacher but may provide a clue as to some catalyst to the many potential careers, or even current connec- characteristics that may have been passed connections I have built during my time tions to family, friends and/or fellow down from your ancestors. here, with both faculty members and fel- members of Founders College. My focus low peers that I will carry with me after 4. Increases your awareness of family will be on connections to your roots, also graduation. connections to historical events or known as family research or genealogy. socio-economic conditions. Founders consists of an incredibly inclu- Specifically, connections to your ancestors sive and student supporting community. My first ancestor to Canada arrived and how their lives, traditions and sacrific- As a Peer Mentor and Student Academic around 1700. He was born in Paris within es may have contributed to who you are Assistant, I have been able to be a direct ½ mile of the Louvre. What economic or today. part of the way Founders works to con- social conditions prompt a 17–year-old to Merriam Webster defines genealogy as an nect to their students from various pro- leave Paris and come to Canada? Did he account of the descent of a person, family, grams to people, services and events to come of his own free will? or group from an ancestor or from older support the success of all students associ- forms. It is also defined as the study of 5. Connects you with a whole new set of ated with our college. It is also through family ancestral lines or family research. people doing similar research, some events Founders holds throughout the of whom may turn out to be cousins. academic year that we are able to create a The implication from this definition is that space for students with common interests genealogy is about collecting names. Early There are over 11,000 Facebook genealo- or concerns to gather with faculty mem- in my genealogical research I ran across a gy groups around the world talking about bers and fellow students to make connec- bumper sticker that said: “He/she who genealogy and over 100 YouTube chan- tions. This opportunity for networking and dies with the most ancestors wins!” nels? community building is what makes Found- If you have roots in Ontario check out the However, genealogy or family research is ers a hot spot for making meaningful con- Ontario Genealogical Society Facebook more than “just” about collecting names, nections with others within an over- Group at https://www.facebook.com/ and can provide tangible benefits. whelmingly large institution. groups/ontgensoc/?ref=group_header Family Research: It is through my personal involvement I hope this gives you a bit of background 1. Provides meaningful connections to with Founders that I have made my most on Family Research and I hope to return your ancestors. It makes a name and valuable connections that have provided and speak of other facets of this addiction series of dates on a page into a living, me with a lot of advice, inspiration, friend- hobby in future editions of the Phoenix. breathing, person; ships and resources that have helped me to be successful in my studies. If there is My uncle was shot down and killed in a After a long career in Finance and Pen- bombing run over Germany during WWII. one thing that is most important in univer- sion Fund Investment Management Rog- Until I started family research that was all sity, it is making connections! And there is I knew. I now know about his mission, the er retired in 2015 and devoted himself to no better place to do that than at Found- fate of his crewmates and even have a a new hobby: Genealogy or Family Re- ers! picture of his crashed plane! search. Roger is a mature student at York 2. Sharpens your research skills. There is University just starting his studies in His- more to genealogy than just clicking tory and hoping to deepen his under- on a green leaf on Ancestry.com. standing of the lives of his ancestors. Sources of information may be online, Roger is also on the Board of the Ontario however that is the tip of the iceberg. Genealogical Society. Relatives will be a valuable source of infor- mation. Talk to them? Some treasures can be found in libraries, local museums and 7 THE PHOENIX – FOUNDERS COLLEGE Winter 2017/2018 The Ties That Bind Oh, The Places You’ll Go! As they say, the rest is history. I soon vol- How to Adjust to University Life Yvonne Blackwood unteered some of my time with the organ- Muhammad Khan In the 1960s Barbra Streisand made the ization, then more and more time. Eventu- International Development Studies song “People” very popular. A line in the ally, I became its the president. I have not I still remember lyrics states, “People who need people are stopped volunteering since then. Un- the day when the the luckiest people in the world.” I’d like wittingly, I had cast my bread upon the 199B bus stopped waters, and in return, I have been blessed to reword that line to say, people who at York Commons help people are the most blessed people abundantly. and I entered the in the world. It would take several articles to articulate York Lanes area Have you ever done a good deed for the many blessings I have received since and started won- someone and seen the look of gratitude in my first attempt at “giving,” so I’ll summa- dering if this rize: I have met scores of wonderful peo- that person’s eyes? Or the smile on that place is really a university or is it a small face? Remember how you felt warm and ple from all races, cultures, and back- shopping mall. As I entered Vari Hall I real- mushy inside? One can hardly describe grounds who have enriched my life ten- ized that this is a big university and mak- the feeling; you have to experience it. fold! There was one woman from the East ing friends or getting to know people Sometimes you think nothing of a good Indian community who used to shower would not be an easy task. I had a class at deed that you do―it seems like such a me with gifts despite my protests that the Lassonde School and after asking a simple thing really. But the impact that it gifts were not necessary. couple of people, I finally managed to find has on the recipient gets your adrenaline One day, I said to her, “Nina, what do you the place. When I entered the class I start- flowing, and you want to do more, and want from me?” In my mind, she had to ed wondering how I would be able to ad- more . . . want something, or why else was she be- just to university life. I decided to sit at the ing so kind? Her reply was profound. front of the class, but unfortunately, I did- Volunteering some of your time to help n’t get to know a single person. By next others is not just a good thing to do, it is “Yvonne,” she said simply, “The more I give you, the more I receive.” She was a class I decided to make an effort and inter- downright exciting and rewarding. Take it act with my classmates. Despite making from me. I have grown immensely as a Muslim and very persistent. I never ques- tioned her again. some conversation, I knew I wanted fur- human being since I began to share a little ther connection and more interaction. I If Doctor Seuss cannot be regarded as a (sometimes a lot) of my time helping oth- eventually came across Enactus at York ers. It’s not just the spirituality that I feel prophet, we can at least say he was in- and soon enough, joined the team. I felt sightful when he wrote, “Oh, the places within, it’s the dozens of other ways I’ve happy that I was finally getting to know you’ll go . . . !” And oh, the places I’ve been rewarded. people. During the Fall semester I got fur- been, and the people I’ve known! A new I recall attending Sunday School during my ther exposure to York and I started joining youth, and hearing the minister quote this dimension was added to my life. It made social clubs to further my opportunities me happier and more fulfilled. verse from the Bible, “Cast thy bread upon and engage in university life. My advice to the waters: for thou shalt find it after But you must always remember one thing: students going into first semester is get many days.” I used to relate the verse the people whom you help are not neces- involved within the community and make strictly to my offering. I figured that if I sarily the ones who will help you along friends, in doing so, you will truly have a gave freely, I’d get it back some other life’s journey, but it doesn’t matter. Volun- better university life. teer some of your time. As Doctor Seuss time, and more to boot. Looking back now, I realize that bread was a metaphor; continued, it referred to other things such as our time “...Today is your day! and talents. Your mountain is waiting. I first volunteered my time in 1982. It was So. . . . get on your way!” after being totally submerged in my family and my job, a time when the universe re- Whatever you do, do it willingly, lovingly volved around our family―so we thought! and with enthusiasm. You never know Yet, I’d been feeling unfulfilled and empty when that bread will come floating right and thought there must be more to life back at you, sweeter, fresher and tenfold! than what we had. Through sheer coinci- dence, or maybe it was divine interven- tion, a persistent gentleman, then Execu- tive Director of a service organization, invited me to, “come and see what we’re doing with the Black youths.”

8 THE PHOENIX – FOUNDERS COLLEGE Winter 2017/2018 The Ties That Bind

Phoenix Description by Joshua Cea

The theme of “connections” was at first hard to grasp in one single image, as I thought about how to represent York University and its students. What I decided to do then was to draw the phoenix enclosed by a circle, a sym- bol of wholeness and a representation of the self. The circle is then made up of a collection of triangular shapes to demonstrate each person that made an long-lasting impact to me here at York University. White was added to encom- pass the goodness and purity of life across spectrum. Drawing was done using Prismacolor pencils.

“Phoenix” - Joshua Cea, 2018

Connections Abdeali Saherwala Founders College Peer Mentor Connections is an idea which we have cherished, used, abused and taught to our children. But what exactly does connections mean? In Biology or Biomedical Sciences, connections mean chemical, physical, muscular or neural connections between different parts of the body to help convey a message or to move some part of the body. In spirituality or religion, connections are the foundation between yourself and a deity or deities. Through this connection you pray for good things, pray away bad things and if you have sinned, you ask your lord for forgiveness. In family or society, connections are derived from whether you know someone to whether someone is genetically related to you or not. You can have a connection with the Prime Minister of Canada if you are his son/daughter, his closest advisor or even his best friend. You can even have connections with a land, country or a geographical area based on the emotional, familial, social, economical or spiritual connection you have with that place. Muslims have a connection with Mecca and Medina because that is where the Kaaba is and that is where Islam was born. The meanings of connections are complex and vary based on the types of connections one is describing.

9 THE PHOENIX – FOUNDERS COLLEGE Winter 2017/2018 TheThe TiesTies ThatThat BindBind Languages  Calabrese: nesciri sounds like the combination of the English Daniela Loria-Caschera letters LY, as in the word million8. Did you There are other discrepancies. Additional- Founders College Peer Mentor expect so much nuance?9 ly, my town’s dialect, due to its proximity Growing up in a mul- to Sicily and numerous Greek settlements, The point of this short essay is to discuss ticultural city, you sometimes pronounces words with a certain sentiments that are different in are exposed to a lot Greek accent. Greek and Italian are also every language, but you know instinctively of different words in similar, though the difference in alphabet when you hear them: expressions of beau- different languages. may sometimes dissuade a reader from ty. I learned how to spell beautiful proper- If you are from an believing so. For instance, in Italian we say ly when I was young because Jim Carrey, immigrant family, cucina3, for kitchen, and in Greek one in his popular movie Bruce Almighty 10 your vocabulary mul- would say, κουζίνα, which is pronounced (2003). Sometimes I still do . I have tiplies. I grew up exposed to Italian, kouzína. Sabato, or Saturday, is Σάββατο, heard this word in a few languages, and French, and English directly, and Greek pronounced like sávvato. A quick search beautiful and its offshoots, such as pretty, and Spanish more marginally. Not to men- will relate the similarities in pronuncia- or lovely, are interesting to me. I believe tion hearing words in Farsi, Chinese, and tion, despite the alphabet4. that the colloquial terms used for these Japanese throughout my time living in the words indicate a lot about a people and A note on Italian pronunciation: In Italian city. My experience of language has col- how they use language. chs are pronounced as you would pro- oured my own view of the world, imbuing nounce a k. You will not find original Ital- When I was 13, I went to my cousins’ ele- it with a sense of the interconnectedness ian words with the English letters J, K, W, mentary school in Italy where they were of our society through the framework of X, or Y. As a result, letter combinations, or learning French and spoke briefly to their language. other letters, will make these sounds. GI teacher about French. She assured me My mom likes to tell people that when I makes a J sound (as in giusto), IE forms a Y that in Canada we learn Quebec French, was growing up, because my area of To- sound (as in ieri), and you will seldom find an accented and slang-y version of France ronto was populated by Italians and be- the W or X sounds in Italian words. Typical French. I brushed this off, knowing that of cause all Canadians in Canadian schools English sound combinations are also found course, even the language of the Republic need to learn French to a certain point, I in Italian, but using different letters. The was not immune to dialectization. Upon was not only taught English and French, combination of SCI in Italian makes an SH learning French from a woman native to but also Italian, my mother tongue. Learn- sound, as in the word lasciare5. A C paired France in university, the same sentiment ing Italian in school was difficult because with an I makes a CH sound, as in the was expressed to me. In Quebec, for ex- of the disparities between my family’s word cucina or preciso. In English, some- ample, the term for traffic lights uses the dialect and educational Italian; I grew up times Cs make a sound like an S sound, word lumière as its base while in France hearing an arguably indecipherable ver- like the word perceive, but in Italian the C they use the word feu, or fire. sion of Italian as spoken by my mountain- sounds are more complicated. A C at the In French, people most commonly, in my based family. As I learn italiano proprio or beginning of a word makes a K sound 1 experience, say belle, whether you are in italiano giusto . (colore, or conto), and if you want to cre- Jonquière or Marseilles. Cette fille est ate an S sound, you would use the letter S, I cannot help but throw in words my belle, or Cette une belle journée are two as in the word sensibile. CH, in turn, grandmother used to say and pronounce phrases that come to mind. The masculine makes a K sound in the middle of the things in certain ways. When I went to is beau, like, Cet homme est beau, or may- word, like my second last name, Caschera, Italy and visited family, I told them that I be you’ve heard of Le Musée des Beaux- or the words anche and finché. In Italian, was learning Italian and Calabrese, our Arts, a museum in Montréal. If you were you also pronounce every letter you see dialect – sto imparando italiano e calabre- to Google, perhaps, “how to say pretty in (that isn’t part of a combination); for ex- se. Everyone understood. My cousin gave French”, you would encounter a particu- ample, the word noioso is pronounced me a book that had translations of Italian larly informative Wiki-How article that lists 2 “noy-oh-so”, and qualsiasi is pronounced words into dialect . For example: other words like jolie, splendide, or mi- “kwal-si-ah-si”. Es at the end of a word are gnonne, pretty, gorgeous, and cute, re- • “Here” pronounced like you’re saying the letter A, spectively. These are words an English • Italian: qui so sensibile is said as “sen-see-bee-lay”. speaker would encounter, and offer nary a  Calabrese: accà There are three popular letter combina- credulous look. In France, you are more tions that are pronounced fully: SF, GLI, • “Watermelon” likely to be described candidly and by your and GN which are fully pronounced but • Italian: anguria physical appearance, which allows for a quickly – so you’d quickly combine regular  Calabrese: zipangolo 6 study of which descriptors can be seen as S and F sounds to pronounce sfondo , and compliments—an undertaking for another • “Go Out” the same is done for the G and N sounds 7 essay. • Italian: uscire in gnocchi . The GLI combination sort of 10 THE PHOENIX – FOUNDERS COLLEGE Winter 2017/2018 TheThe TiesTies ThatThat BindBind Italian uses similar descriptors to French me to believe it is somewhat unique to Yet, as our only spoken form of communi- due to its classification, along with French, southern Italy. Bella, I recall, brutta13, cation, we have no choice but to learn Spanish, Romanian, Catalan, and Portu- sometimes as a joke, but not pulito or pu- other languages. With this short essay I guese, as a Romance language. I believe lita. Why? The most concrete inference I hope to illuminate the inconsistencies that the Latin-based languages can be can make is that due to the levels of pov- found within language and encourage placed on a similarity spectrum that looks erty in the South, the ability to be clean everyone to learn a tongue besides their sort of like this: was a compliment. In certain cultures, own. Inevitably, I believe, you’ll find you learn just as much about yourself.

1 “Proper” or “Right Italian” French Italian Catalan Spanish Portuguese 2 I’ve sourced these from a book Language similarity spectrum called E’ Tempi ‘I ‘na vota cu’ by Saverio Italiano from my hometown in Italy, given to me by my wonder- ful cousin Sauro. cleanliness was associated with wealth. 3 “Kitchen”. Pronounced “ku- The gist being that Italian is like French, This is often cited anecdotally by people cheena”. Catalan, Spanish, and Portuguese; Span- like your friend who knows a lot of trivia, 4 I should mention that beautiful in ish, and Portuguese are like each other but does have historical precedent. Cer- and Italian; and French is different from Greek is very different from the Ital- tainly, the ability to bathe often was not both Spanish and Portuguese, but like ian, being, in the feminine form, disseminated amongst the lower rungs of Italian; Catalan is like Spanish, but also like όμορφη, or ómorfi. society and that could be what is being Italian and French—Romanian is, well, so 5 reflected here. I am not sure if it is as sim- “to Leave” hard to place that I couldn’t even confi- 6 ple as that, because things like this are “Background” dently put it on my spectrum; as a combi- 8 rarely simple. A type of pasta. nation of both Latin and Eastern pronunci- 9 UneJamKuqEZi at Duolingo per- ation, its place is better suited to an east- A culture’s emphasis on being clean may fectly describes how to pronounce ern language spectrum. Romanian is the also relate back to its experiences of epi- this letter combination. closest to Latin grammatically, but be- demics, or perhaps its monarchical roots. For more information on pronuncia- cause Italian is more generally similar it In Italy during the bouts of the Black tion and learning Italian, I use Duo- makes sense that it would be in the mid- Death in the 1350s, people who could 11 lingo and ThoughtCo together. This dle of a spectrum such as this. bathed often and ran to the countryside is only a brief examination of Italian to escape the plague. The same happened Italian’s most widely used indicator of pronunciation, which should at least in Ancient Rome, and certainly across oth- beauty is bella or bello. One could also say help you get through this piece. er cultures. Monarchs in antiquity were 10 carina/o, avvenente, or, a word I heard Thank you, Jim Carrey, you Ca- often able to clean themselves more often quite often visiting family and growing up: nadian comedic icon. Your perfor- than their subjects due to their wealth. pulito. This word is what inspired me to mance in Eternal Sunshine of the Additionally, cleanliness may be read as write this piece; it sort of bothered me Spotless Mind moved me so much I being put together, a compliment that haven’t watched it in about 10 upon hearing it. Pulito, simply, means goes below skin-level. years. clean, and the French, pulire, means the 11 same thing. English, colloquially, is incredible to be- This is certainly up for debate, and I would love to hear other opin- hold due to the absurdity in the use of Sometimes people would refer to children ions about this proposed spectrum certain words. When did people start us- and say, suo figlio è pulito, or che pulita of the Romance languages. ing cool as a compliment, when its rela- sua ragazza. Directly translated, it seems 12 From IMDb: The constant men- tive, frigid, or cold, is obviously not some- odd. I remember thinking back to Paul tion of Paul McCartney's grandfa- thing one would want to be called? Its McCartney in A Hard Day’s Night, refer- ther being "very clean" are refer- opposite, hot, is regarded as a comment ring to his grandfather as “a clean old ences to actor Wilfrid Brambell on a person’s attractiveness sexually, man”, but don’t necessarily remember it playing a “rag-and-bone man” in whereas warm is synonymous with kind as a compliment, especially since his Steptoe and Son (1962), featuring and open, and scathing and its ilk, scorch- grandfather was such a troublemaker 12. the catch-phrase, "You dirty old ing and blistering as used to describe ex- man." "Steptoe and Son" was re- There’s something to be said about using treme heat? made in the US as Sanford and this word as a compliment. My father’s Son (1972). It can be said, then, that language is nec- family is from Rome, and this was not a 13 essarily inconsistent and, at best, irration- “Ugly”. word that was used growing up, leading al. 11 THE PHOENIX – FOUNDERS COLLEGE Winter 2017/2018 TheThe TiesTies ThatThat Bind Connections meet your perfect person. That’s why it’s Laura Bilotta so important to get out there, take your When Laura is not matching up No two intimate time and don’t settle. Strike up conversa- singles through her events or relationships look tions with whomever you can, you’ll im- matchmaking services, she is giv- the same, each one prove your conversation skills and make ing them advice through her talk is special and com- friends. Go on dates and figure out what show on Talk AM 640 and her pre- you like and don’t like, even if it’s not a plex and even if vious television show on Rogers. Her advice has been featured on they end, they al- love connection the experience is worth it. Global News, Elite Daily and Bustle ways teach us Most importantly focus on being your best as well as many other media out- something critical self; your relationships won’t be success- ful and fulfilling unless you are happy and lets. about ourselves. This is why dating shouldn’t be seen as a means to an end; healthy. It’s easy when something is Laura recently released her first it’s an experience that will shape you and wrong in our lives to want a relationship book, Single in the City: From to fix it but that will only lead to disap- will help you realize what you ultimately Hookups & Heartbreaks, to Love & want and need in a relationship. Some of pointment on both sides. Do the things Lifemates: Tales & Tips to Attract the lessons you learn may be trivial; like you love and take care of yourself that Your Perfect Match. Her book is available in-store at Chapters, Indi- don’t take a date out for fast food, but way you can be the other half you were meant to be. go and on Amazon. It has received others can be things that completely rave reviews, including that from change your worldview. It may take a high "For over 15 years, Laura Bilotta has Sex and Relationship Expert, Jessi- school heartbreak to learn that just be- been helping singles find love through ca O'Reilly, who writes, "If you're cause you love someone doesn’t mean the thousands of events she has host- truly ready to push your comfort that you’re meant to be together forever, ed and with the thousands of match- zone, be honest with yourself and or sleeping with some for the first time making consultations she has offered invite love into your life, turn to only to be ghosted to learn that not every- through her company, Single In The Laura Bilotta and Single in the one is as they seem. These lessons are City. With this, Laura has garnered the City." hard, but they’re necessary, without title as one of Canada's top Dating and learning them you’re destined to never Relationship Experts.

“Observational Drawing of the Second Floor Hallway in CFA” - Matt Panzini, 2017

12 THE PHOENIX – FOUNDERS COLLEGE Winter 2017/2018 TheThe Ties Ties ThatThat Bind Founders Over the past 3 years, I have learned that I encourage all students to participate in Khadeja Elsibai getting involved and staying engaged in extra-curricular activities which Founders Founders College Peer Mentor student life helps students feel at home at College, and other organisations at York, When I think about York and stay updated on changes in the such as student governments, clubs and Founders College, university, supports personal and profes- unions, have to offer. For instance, two things come to sional growth, and challenges students to through attending a paint night held by a my mind: the step out of their comfort zone and be- student club in the Founders Assembly starting point and come confident. I have also learned that Hall, I was able to relax and free myself involvement. I start- some students do not participate in extra- from the stress of academics by painting. ed school at York curricular activities, despite their benefits In approximately one hour and a half, I University feeling nervous, excited and a and the continued efforts of student lead- was able to produce the painting (below) bit lost. A few weeks into the school year, ers, faculty, and staff to engage students which I call “connections”. It represents I was hired by the Founders College Mas- in social and academic initiatives. For any- the diversity, yet similarities of the colours ter’s Office (now Office of the College one who would like to participate in which I used, and by extension, the diver- Head) as an Information Assistant (work/ events or access resources, a simple step sity and similarities between members of study position). This opportunity was a is to start with reading emails from Found- the Founders community, which enriches gateway to meeting students and College ers College and other divisions on campus. community members’ experiences and fellows and becoming more involved in Indeed, most students do not read the creating lasting memories. I once again the College. I started to feel a sense of emails that they receive from academic encourage everyone to enrich their York belonging which encouraged me to give units at York! Furthermore, it is helpful to experience by attending Founders Col- back to the student life at Founders. Since be attentive to posters displayed across lege’s academic workshops and social second year, I have been a peer mentor the university as one may come across an events and seeking support from student and worked for the Office of the College opportunity to get involved and connect leaders and on-campus services. We can Head as the Peer Mentorship Program with the Founders and York communi- only control our decisions, and a simple Coordinator (work/study position). ties. decision such as getting involved at Founders College, can have endless re-

wards.

“Connections”

- Khadeja Elsibai, 2018

13 THE PHOENIX – FOUNDERS COLLEGE Winter 2017/2018 TheThe Ties Ties ThatThat Bind Connections change within you, ease the burden of the Sometimes you birth bonds with people, Mahdis Habibinia weight of the world, and/or thrust you and it’s so clear that the two of you, on Founders College Peer Mentor from one platform to another. some level, belong together. They become Sometimes you There is the karmic connection that al- your lover, friend, family, or something meet someone and most always embodies an “evening of entirely different. You meet these people it’s as clear as day scales.” These people give you experienc- and become entangled in these relations, that the two of you, es that may be a catalyst to progress or a under the strangest or most normal of on some level, are catapult to fulfillment. Whether tempo- circumstances but their impact on your soul mates. No, I’m rary or long term, karmic connections life is far from normal. Sometimes it’s so not talking about have a clear purpose visible in hindsight. clear that the two of you belong together but for only a short period of time. And so romantic love. I’m Then there is the “sunk cost” connection talking about those people that make you sometimes they leave, or you leave, or life derived from the sunk cost fallacy. The puts you on two separate paths that never feel alive. The two of you just work. misconception of the fallacy is that you Whether you understand one another or intersect again. Your job is done. Their job make decisions based on the value of peo- is done. you’re in love or you’re partners in crime, ple, investments or experiences. But in the stars in your night sky just doubled in reality, your decisions have nothing do to I don’t know if that makes me believe in number. You meet these people under the with value but, instead, the amount of fate, but it definitely makes me believe in strangest circumstances. They are your time or emotional investment you have survival—the transitory friend that helped soul mates and they help you survive. I accrued. A sunk cost connection isn’t any you survive high school, the soulful lover don’t know if that makes me believe in different; the more you invest in some- that helped you from a spiraling abyss, the fate, but it definitely makes me believe in one, the harder it becomes to abandon karmic comrade that helped you survive something. them and our comfort zone. So some- your mental warfare. There are those people you meet who times, just sometimes, you settle. Connections are endurance. They are sur- practically become your family. They are Finally, there is the soulful connection. vival at its rawest and most colourful. the ones who embody comfort and radi- This bond goes deeper than skin, conver- ate familiarity. Sometimes they become sation, likes and dislikes. They are marked your rock, your shoulder, an ear, or a go- by the “us against the world” mentality, We (Still) Need You! to. There are those people you meet who the “two peas in a pod” metaphor, or the become your lover, your significant other. “puzzle piece fit” simile. These people fit These are people you cry oceans for; you in your life and you in theirs. go to the moon and back for. Sometimes What is it about all of these connections you feel this pull, like gravity, and sudden- that make them so powerful? Maybe it’s ly you find yourself encapsulated in their stare. There are those people you meet the oxytocin that floods our brains. Maybe it’s our primitive nature; after all, human who become your comrade, your “riding beings are social creatures. We crave so- companion”. These are the people you cial connection and interdependence be- confide your darkest of secrets to; they sit with you in the darkness until you can see cause we are most comfortable when we’re connected, sharing strong emo- the light. They are your first call when you tions. Maybe it’s the fact that we are high- want to share exciting news and some- ly susceptible to our feelings. Maybe it’s times, just sometimes, your last voice of the need for survival. Or maybe it’s the reason when the going gets tough. fear of loss—a common social pain. We are always seeking contributions for Every now and then you meet someone The things that cause us pain are things The Phoenix and are always happy to and they embody all three types of peo- that are evolutionary recognized as ple, sometimes only two. Sometimes only provide a platform to showcase the one. But regardless of which, I believe threats to our survival. The existence of work of our students, Fellows, staff and social pain is a sign that evolution has there are four types of connections you alumni. treated social connection as a necessity, can have with these people, four types of not a luxury. social fortitude. If you would like to contribute to the But you see, sometimes, just sometimes, next edition of The Phoenix in Fall 2018, There is the transitory family, friend or lover. They are the bridge that connects these connections aren’t always meant to please send your articles, artwork, po- pass the test of time. Just the test of sur- an important, or seemingly trivial, transi- etry and photos to [email protected]. vival. tion in your life. They can encourage a

14 THE PHOENIX – FOUNDERS COLLEGE Winter 2017/2018 TheThe Ties Ties ThatThat Bind Connections; Transit Desmond Poon Urban Studies At last, on 17 December 2017, the long anticipat- ed subway extension into York University has opened. Hurrah! Or is it really a big hurrah? Alt- hough the six new sta- tions that have opened are large, modern, airy, spacious, and has a direct connection to the university, what comes next for transit in Toronto? There is now a direct connection between down- town and York University, but where is the connection that connects the east part of Toronto to the west? At the time of this article being written (March 2018), the Eglinton Crosstown line is under construc- tion and scheduled to open in 2021. With (Photo by Desmond Poon) 25 stations along its route, and a project- ed decrease of 60% in current commuting on the University Line. This way, it will town will become easier and less stressful times, it is a great step forward in transit mirror the University Line, allowing for by bypassing the Yonge Line. in Toronto. Connecting the neighbour- riders to hop on the subway before reach- hoods of Mount Dennis in the west and To conclude this ramble about possible ing Yonge Street, alleviating pressure off Longview in the east and everything in future transit improvements in Toronto, I the interchange at Bloor-Yonge Station. between, getting across up-town will be a will end this article with a question. What breeze compared with current transit At the same time, it is also a good idea to will transit in Toronto and the Greater methods. extend the Sheppard Line westward to- Toronto Hamilton Area look like in 25 wards , formerly years time? Historically speaking, Toronto However, even with the Eglinton Cross- Downsview Station. The current alignment has been the economic and industrial cen- town line, the existing Yonge Line that of the Sheppard Line feeds into the al- tre of Canada for many decades. Yonge runs alongside Yonge Street is still over ready busy Yonge Line in the western end, Street has been and still is one of the most capacity and overcrowded, especially the and stops at Fairview Mall in the east. important thoroughfares in Ontario, and portion between Bloor-Yonge Station and With no other way for riders to cross there are plans to extend the Yonge Line Union Station. Scarborough residents Yonge Street without transferring onto a towards Richmond Hill. Without constant wishing to go downtown must use either bus, it is rather difficult for riders to get spending on infrastructure and transit the Yonge Line to reach their downtown across the top of Toronto efficiently and improvements in Toronto, people cannot destination, or, take the bus to take the reliably. However, even if the government move around the city efficiently. The city Scarborough RT, and then transfer over to decides not to extend the Sheppard Line is like your body; without the proper exer- the Bloor-Danforth Line only to transfer at both ways, it is still a good option to build cise, nutrition and sleep, it will not run the overcrowded Bloor-Yonge Station. an LRT through Sheppard Avenue, similar efficiently and function at its most optimal With ridership continually growing, there to the Eglinton LRT. The area around state. Write to your local MP’s and MPP’s will be more and more strain on the Yonge Sheppard Avenue currently does not have and urge them to bring up and discuss Line if there are no actions taken to allevi- the density needed for a subway, unlike transit improvements and funding in your ate the growing demand of riders in Scar- Yonge Street, or even Bloor Street. There area so that there can be more efficient borough. A feasible solution, in my opin- are plans for an LRT to be built from the connections between you and your desti- ion, is to have a subway line run under- current to Meadowvale nations in the near future. neath Don Mills Road starting at Don Mills Road, just east of Morningside Avenue. Station, have an interchange at Pape Sta- This way, riders can travel across the top tion, continue south underneath Carlaw of Scarborough much faster and more Avenue, turn west to follow Queen Street efficiently, and with the idea of a Don East towards downtown. Its last station Mills subway being built, getting down- would end at the current

15 THE PHOENIX – FOUNDERS COLLEGE Winter 2017/2018 ConnectingThe Ties Communities That Bind The following contributions high- We speak often here at Founders about light the connections that exist be- the Founders Community—a community tween the College, our affiliated of faculty, students, staff and alumni that programs, alumni and students to support and empower one another—to the community both within and witness firsthand this community at work during Meet Your Major was a testament beyond the university. to the strength of our community and the connections it fosters through gener- Meet Your Major ations of students, alumni, faculty and Marco Sestito staff. College Administrative Coordinator

The College hosted it’s inaugural Meet Your Major Alumni Panel on February 27, The Lusophone World – Global and 2018. The event provided current under- Local Connections, Youth Summer graduate students an opportunity to Program led by the Program of meet, ask questions and learn from Portuguese & Luso-Brazilian Stud- Founders College alumni. Representing ies: a Huge Success! our alumni were: Momita Ahmed, Digital Professor Maria João Dodman Marketing Programs and Projects Manag- Luso-Brazilian Studies er, Microsoft Canada, Brandon Atkinson, Portuguese-speaking professionals who Assistant Manager, Overnight Programs, This youth Summer led some of the activities. The program Camp Oochigeas, Joanne Huy, Project Co- program was orga- was free and it included free breakfast ordinator, Learning for a Sustainable Fu- nized last July and it and lunch, made possible due to the gen- ture, Joseph Sestito, Principal, St. John the was designed for stu- erosity of our sponsors and community Baptist Elementary School and Sophia dents ages 14 to 18 partners, especially LA&PS and Manuel da Sestito, Environmental Manager, EllisDon (or Grades 9 to 12) of Costa, community philanthropist and Corporation. any cultural or linguis- tic background. For a great support of our program. For a full week, students met from 8:30 to 3:30 and report: https://pchp-phlc.ca/2017/07/18/ learned about the Lusophone world report-card-youth-summer-program-2017 through activities that mixed learning with -a-success/ recreation, experiential education, com- Sponsors and Community Partners: munity engagement and much more. Stu- dents learned for instance about the Por- Manuel da Costa, President of Vi- tuguese immigrant experience through ana Roofing, Gallery of the Portu- archival research and a walk through To- guese Pioneers, Portuguese Cana- ronto’s original Portuguese neighbor- dian Walk of Fame, and other or- hoods. They also engaged in Capoeira, ganizations; Narda Razack, Associ- Brazil’s martial art, Mozambican dance, ate Dean of Global and Community Students attending the panel were attract- theatre and painting workshops to name a Engagement, Faculty of Liberal Arts ed by the prospect of learning first hand and Professional Studies, York Uni- few of the activities. Overall, we wanted about the transition from post-secondary versity; Marcie Ponte, Executive to ensure that students left not only with studies and into the workforce from pro- Director of the Working Women a greater understanding of the Lusophone fessionals who in many cases were only a Community Centre; and the Ca- world, but also with new skills, an appreci- few years removed from having to make mões Institute. ation of academic work and university life, that same transition. Our alumni were while making new friends from a variety gracious in the advice and knowledge that of cultural backgrounds. The sessions they imparted to our students, but what were held at Founders College, but the was perhaps most gratifying about the very last day, students travelled to Little event was to see the genuine care on the Portugal for the program’s closing cere- part of our alumni as they listened to our monies at the Gallery of the Portuguese students questions, understood their ap- Pioneers. All sessions were delivered by prehensions and offered timely and sage experienced educators, facilitators, volun- advice on how to overcome those appre- teers and students from York University. hensions in order to succeed. Students also interacted with a variety of

16 THE PHOENIX – FOUNDERS COLLEGE Winter 2017/2018 ConnectingThe Ties Communities That Bind FCI Celebrates its 11th Anniversary sional relationships with Founders College offering the students of York University Federazione Canadese Italiana Council. with a safe and welcoming space that em- The Federazione Canadese Italiana (FCI), FCI’s 11th annual Masquerade Ball cele- braces the Italian culture at York Universi- York University’s one and only Italian Club brating the Carnevale di Venezia was the- ty. “The FCI office in Founders College is a celebrates 11 years as a York University club’s most successful event, with more great space to learn about the club and Cultural club. Throughout the years, FCI than 250 York University Students and meet all the amazing members.” said FCI has played an active role within the Uni- faculty members in Italian Studies. Vice-President Stephanie Aprile, a fourth- versity. Organizing food drives and Students and faculty members in Italian year student in the Faculty of Liberal Arts sporting events during York University’s Studies. The evening featured students & Professional Studies. Through its grow- Multicultural week, winning club of the dressed in traditional Carnevale costumes ing numbers, FCI continues to build con- year twice and organizing many academic and masks. “Our annual ballo is one of nections within the University through and cultural events on and off campus. In many activities that our club hosts to tabling days in Vari Hall and taking on a addition to successful events and involve- showcase Italian culture on campus and in more active role as a club. Federazione ment within the University, FCI continues the greater community,” said FCI Presi- Canadese Italiana is proud of their involve- to be active members within the college’s dent Alessia Celebre, a fourth-year stu- ment within the University and the repu- that house them, participating in Orienta- dent in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Pro- tation they uphold as a good standing tion week, volunteering at University book fessional Studies. York University Club. sales and most recently playing an active FCI continues to be a student run club role within Founders College, where they focusing on student involvement and par- are currently housed participating in ticipation within University and Communi- Founder’s Salsa Night and building profes- ty events. As a club, FCI is committed to

17