Read Professor Antoinette Handley's remarks from the October 16, 2024, Arts & Science Faculty Council meeting, where she congratulated University Professor Emeritus Geoffrey Hinton on winning the Nobel Prize in Physics, lauded the newest A&S faculty members elected to the Royal Society of Canada, and shared information about the Arts & Science external review report and new resources available to the A&S community including a new multi-faith space.
Good morning to everyone in person and online, joining us for this first Faculty Council meeting of the year. I hope you have had an excellent start to the academic year.
For those of you who are new to Council, and for those who are here as guests, I extend a special welcome.
Arts & Science Council is the main governance body for the faculty. Comprised of elected student, faculty and staff representatives, it approves policy and academic changes for the faculty such as regulations governing evaluation and standing, and changes to programs and courses. It’s also a place for us to come together as a community, and I’m grateful you are here.
Chair Goring — thank you for your service again this year in this important leadership role.
I would also like to recognize the new executive committees of the Arts & Science Students' Union (ASSU) and the Association of Part-time Undergraduate Students (APUS). Thank you for your leadership. The Dean’s Office looks forward to working with you this year to address the concerns of students and find solutions together.
I begin my remarks on a celebratory note — we add our heartfelt congratulations to the chorus of commendations for University Professor Emeritus Geoffrey Hinton of the Department of Computer Science on winning the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics.
He shares the prize with John Hopfield of Princeton University for “foundational discoveries and inventions that enable machine learning with artificial neural networks,” in the words of the award-giving body.
Professor Hinton’s pioneering work on artificial neural networks has paved the way for stunning advances in artificial intelligence like facial recognition software, virtual assistants and self-driving cars. He has also sounded the alarm about the risks of AI, urging governments, researchers and companies to develop and use the technology ethically and responsibly. His achievements are truly an inspiration to the entire U of T community, and we are thrilled to see him lauded with this monumental honour.
Speaking of well-deserved honours, I would also like to congratulate the following Arts & Science faculty members who were elected to the Royal Society of Canada:
- Kamari Clarke, Director of the Centre for Criminology & Sociolegal Studies
- Simon Coleman, professor, Department for the Study of Religion
- Willi Goetschel, professor, Department of Germanic Languages & Literatures
- Hae-Young Kee, professor, Department of Physics
- Mark McGowan, professor, Department of History
- Raquel Urtasun, professor, Department of Computer Science
- Stephen Wright, professor, Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology and Vice-Dean, Research & Infrastructure at Arts & Science.
In other good news, we are pleased to share the external review report for the Faculty of Arts & Science. Last year, external reviewers visited the faculty and met with Arts & Science students, faculty members, staff and academic administrators, as well as senior university administrators and cognate deans. The reviewers presented their findings on Arts & Science undergraduate and graduate education, research, planning, organization and resources, and our relationships with other university units. You can read their report, which is quite favourable, with the reviewers noting that Arts & Science is a “tribute to publicly funded higher education.” They outline our strengths, particularly in research and teaching, as well as opportunities for growth.
I am also pleased to share that the new multi-faith room located in Sidney Smith Hall (Room 1091 — behind the Second Cup) opened in September. The space is available to students, staff and faculty members and will be open during the same hours as Sid Smith.
The university is proud to be a community made up of individuals with diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Indeed, it is one of our greatest strengths.
On this note, the university also recognizes that global affairs, including ongoing conflicts, are having a profound impact on our community.
At this challenging time, we acknowledge the importance of spaces of care and comfort where our communities can find support. The Institutional Equity Office, in collaboration with partners across the three campuses, has coordinated programming and resources to support our community. These resources are available to U of T students, staff, faculty, and librarians.
As I bring my remarks to a close, I would like to wish everyone a restful Reading Week at the end of the month. For students who are graduating during fall convocation, congratulations on this amazing achievement. I look forward to cheering you on as you cross the stage at Convocation Hall.
Thank you all.
Antoinette Handley
Acting Dean, Faculty of Arts & Science
Professor, Department of Political Science
University of Toronto
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