Student Engagement has embarked on several initiatives to actively break down barriers for those affected by systemic exclusion and discrimination. At the forefront of this endeavor is the Coordinator, Black Student Engagement, a role established in August 2023.
The impetus for this role stemmed from the insightful “Black – Identifying Student Support Review,” a report designed to identify issues and barriers faced by Black students in terms of campus engagement. The findings illuminated key areas requiring attention: mentorship opportunities, access to programming space, and fostering connections among peers.
One of the significant outcomes of the coordinator’s inaugural year is the Black Student Engagement Fund, a $25,000 resource aimed at supporting Black-identifying students, clubs and course unions across the St George campus. This fund has already catalyzed 15 impactful initiatives, including the Black Students Association’s 2023 Anti-Racist Pedagogies Roundtable and the Black Doctors of Tomorrow’s annual conference.
“As the co-president of the U of T Sudanese Students Union, this fund was essential in helping get our initiatives off the ground, especially as we had just created the club. We were able to host our Ramadan Iftar, as well as two events we hosted to help raise awareness about the current civil war occurring in Sudan.”
– Muzn Osman, BSEF Committee Member for 2022-2023 and Sudanese Student Union Co-President
Recognizing and celebrating student leadership is crucial, and the inaugural Leadership Recognition event was a milestone achievement. Held at Hart House on May 13, 2023, the event brought together 40 Black student leaders and future leaders, acknowledging their contributions to the St. George campus. The vision is to transform this recognition into a gala event in the coming years.
The Mentorship Program is another pillar of the Black Student Engagement strategy, connecting Black undergrad and grad students with U of T alumni mentors. This initiative seeks to cultivate a robust Black U of T network, focusing on academic, career and personal guidance. Currently in its pilot phase, the program has garnered interest from 15 alumni eager to contribute.
In 2023-24, the coordinator will be launching the digital Black Hub and is planning the second Black Student Orientation, incorporating events that emphasize inclusion, self-care and learning.