University of Toronto President Meric Gertler is welcoming new and returning students, faculty, staff and librarians to the start of an academic year unlike any other.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has meant some teaching and learning will take place in-person, and much will happen online – with many students attending U of T at a distance this semester.
“The situation is challenging – but we view this challenge as an opportunity,” President Gertler says in a video welcoming the U of T community to the new academic year. “An opportunity to apply our vision and creativity in new ways; to achieve the highest standards of excellence when the problems before us are harder than ever to solve. To learn, to grow and to lead positive, far-reaching change.”
In the video, the president urges members of the community to reach out if they need help and to take advantage of everything U of T has to offer, inside and outside the classroom.
“As we respond to an unprecedented public-health emergency, as we confront systemic injustices in our society, and as we develop new ideas, new discoveries and new inventions in every field of human endeavour, U of T’s mission has never been more relevant,” President Gertler says. “So, I thank you all for joining us in that mission. And I wish you good health and great success in the extraordinary year to come.”
Visit U-Together to learn more about the fall semester at U of T
This article was originally published by UofT News on September 3, 2020; reprinted with permission.