Welcoming the 2024-25 academic year at TMU

A new academic year is upon us again and it is wonderful to see our campus alive with the activity and excitement that September brings. While many of us will quickly get caught up in the hopes and opportunities of a new year, it is important to remember that it continues to be difficult for many of our community members to witness the suffering and violence taking place elsewhere in the world, especially while trying to keep up with the responsibilities and challenges of our everyday lives. 

As always, the university remains committed to building a stronger, more inclusive community that thrives, even in the face of global challenges. As part of this commitment, I believe that we all must be respectful of others beliefs and perspectives, be open to the exchange of ideas, commit to engaging in meaningful dialogue and a more inclusive outlook, and to sharing our beliefs in ways that create meaningful and constructive dialogue, insights and understanding. 

A safe and inclusive campus for all 

Creating a space for meaningful dialogue and the exchange of ideas goes hand in hand with creating a safe physical environment for all community members. The university remains committed to taking a proactive approach to safety and security on campus to respond to the complex needs of our community. 

As we reunite on campus this fall, it is imperative that all community members conduct themselves and express their views in a manner that is in keeping with the university’s values, and in ways that are free from discrimination, racism or hatred. It is the shared responsibility of all community members to foster a safe, welcoming and respectful environment for everyone at TMU. 

Community Building Working Group

To strengthen our community’s understanding and support for one another through these challenging times, Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion Tanya De Mello has convened the Community Building Working Group, which is overseeing the creation and hosting of a suite of initiatives to support community members, ranging from how to deal with grief to how to engage in respectful and constructive dialogue in light of the on-going crises in our world today. The working group is taking a multi-pronged approach to foster an environment that prioritizes individual and community well-being, belonging and respectful dialogue through initiatives such as community events, well-being supports and educational sessions.

Supports for student mental health and well-being 

Complementing this important work is our ongoing commitment to supporting student mental health and well-being. We know that part of supporting student success is ensuring that the appropriate mental health and well-being supports and resources are in place. That is why TMU has committed to the creation of a Student Wellbeing Centre, slated to open in 2026. The new centre that will be built in the heart of campus will bring together all of TMU’s health and wellness departments and initiatives under one roof including the Centre for Student Development and Counselling, Health Promotion Programs, Medical Centre, Academic Accommodation Support, Tri-mentoring, Thriving Innovations and Consent Comes First.  

As a reminder for all of our students, new and returning, students seeking support can access well-being services through the Centre for Student Development and Counselling. Student Care also offers support to students navigating a variety of complex factors while they study, including financial and academic as well as physical and mental health challenges. 

School of Medicine committed to community needs 

Our School of Medicine, opening in 2025 in Brampton, will innovate, disrupt and drive change within the healthcare system for the benefit of our communities. TMU is dedicated to building its School of Medicine, with the communities it will serve, to ensure that it meets their needs. 

One of the School of Medicine's primary goals is increasing health-care capacity for Brampton residents, which will be achieved, in part, through the creation of a team-based integrated health centre (IHC) in the School of Medicine building. The IHC will be a place where people can access care from doctors, nurses and other health-care professionals. The IHC will bring new capacity to the system and enable more patients to access the health care they need while facilitating leading-edge research that can be implemented in communities across the region to improve health-care delivery.

A new academic year and new beginnings 

As we reconnect and greet one another in the coming weeks, please take a moment to consider how you can play a role in understanding and finding common ground with your friends, colleagues and fellow community members, and think about how we can support one another through our individual and collective challenges. By creating space for one another, we can create a healthy campus culture that is welcoming and inclusive for all of TMU’s students, faculty and staff. 

My very best to all of you for the 2024-25 academic year.

Mohamed Lachemi
President & Vice Chancellor
Toronto Metropolitan University