Jodie Vanderslot | Health Editor
Featured image: Christopher Lai
I remember when I moved into residence my first year. I was bombarded with introductions and overwhelmed by my multiple roommates and dozens of people flooding the halls.
I remember feeling lost and what it felt like to know no one. I remember how I timidly wandered around during orientation week, constantly encouraged to participate, and I remember repeatedly saying my major and shyly chiming in on conversations.
Now, three years later, those roommates are my best friends. I have been one of those overenthusiastic orientation leaders, and I am constantly talking about my major and how attending York has been one of the best decisions I have ever made.
York’s reputation borders on controversial and maligned. York is often portrayed in a negative light by the media, fueled by confirmation biases and powered by many perpetuating misconceptions.
The media is often biased against York, streaming headlines of assaults and crimes, constantly inferring that if it happens around York, it must reflect the university. York is persecuted and ridiculed for their location, however, for a university, York University Heights is ranked 19th out of 140 Toronto neighbourhoods for sexual assaults, a much lower rating than both U of T area (second) and Ryerson (11th). Yet it is “York University” that is often linked with “violence” and “assault.”
Security bulletins are sent out when incidents happen in and around York from things such as suspicious activity to actual incidents. These updates are sent out briefly after the incidents are reported and are intended to keep faculty and students informed and safe.
York is Canada’s third-largest university, with an incredibly diverse population and program selection. York has one of the leading internationally recognized educational institutions for the faculty of business studies, as well as a unique space engineering program.
There are constant improvements being made around York to accommodate and enhance our experiences, yet we still have retorts, declaring that this progress is taking too long and there is too much construction.
The people are part of what makes York so great. They come from all over the city, not to mention the world, with different perspectives that really do open your mind. I met my support system here. Those people I warily talked to during my first few weeks here, the ones I awkwardly met by chance, and the people I continue to meet, are part of the reasons why I care so much about York.
York’s reputation depends entirely on who you ask and the experiences they’ve had. Everyone always says some reiterated version of, “it’s what you make of it,” however, somewhere along the way I feel like we’ve forgotten that.
There is this romanticized idea that someone else’s school is better than yours (the grass is always greener on the other side, to use a cliché). We’ve started blaming everything on our school, discrediting it and putting it down.
But it’s your experiences; it’s the people you meet, how you approach situations and the opportunities you allow yourself to have, York is just the place that it happens. It’s your time—to take responsibility.
Get involved. It’s not just something to say, it’s actual advice because there are more opportunities and resources than you may realize. Utilize your time here and respect the education you are receiving and the institution you are attending.
Your degree is a piece of paper; your education is what you make of it. York was the fresh perspective that I needed and the choice I’m glad I made.
