Welcome to the 2022-23 academic year at the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education!
I hope your summer has been good, with many opportunities for movement, exploration, connection and rest. I always look forward to the sense of possibility that comes with a new academic year but this one is especially exciting as we resume our teaching, research and co-curricular activities in person. I am thrilled to welcome all of the new and returning students into our spaces once more, and look forward to seeing you animate the Faculty with your energy and dynamism. I hope you’re as excited as I am for the innovations, experiences and collaborations that lie ahead!
As we return to in-person activities, municipal, provincial and University public health protocols will continue to inform our operations. Some requirements, such as masking and screening, may be reinstated on short notice should public health conditions or guidance change. I am confident that whatever circumstances arise, we’ll be prepared to meet them by working together and prioritizing the safety and care of everyone in our community.
Over the past few months, our faculty and staff have been hard at work, ensuring that the transition back to in-person teaching, learning and research is a smooth one. Faculty members have fine-tuned their course offerings, using feedback and learnings from the last two years to optimize the way they engage students in learning. Staff have also worked to refresh our spaces and create new areas for social and informal learning, such as the Benson Pool Gallery. We’ve been able to remodel and expand some of our research spaces at the Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport. And, our Sport & Rec team has been enhancing our physical activity programs, creating inclusive and contemporary offerings for the University community. We’re here to support your learning and an exceptional university experience so do reach out if we can help.
It’s an exhilarating time to be at the Faculty. May the vitality and creativity that infuses this moment carry you into a productive and rewarding academic year.
Gretchen Kerr, PhD
Dean, Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education