Happy Holidays from New College
New College would like to send you our warmest wishes for a joyful holiday season and a bright New Year!
Dear NEW community,
It’s hard to believe 2025 is almost here – wasn’t I just introducing myself to the community? As the year winds down, I am reflecting on how fortunate I am to have been welcomed into such a vibrant and engaged community. It has been a privilege to work alongside such a passionate group of people dedicated to making a difference.
Our students inspire us daily with their creativity, resilience and dedication to building a better future. This year, 1200 graduates crossed the Convocation stage, and we were fortunate to award $325,000 in scholarships to about 350 students. Equally remarkable were the accomplishments of our faculty and staff: Assistant Principal and Registrar Kerri Huffman received the 2024 Northrop Frye Award (Staff Category), Anne McGuire—Program Director of Critical Studies in Equity and Solidarity—was awarded the Arts & Science Teaching and Learning Fellowship and Vice Principal Alexandra Guerson, along with her UBC research partner, Dr. Dana Wessell Lightfoot, earned the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Insights Grant to only name a few. Additionally, we expanded student support services, including new wellness initiatives to further strengthen our commitment to student success.
Our alumni continue to leave their mark, exemplifying the core values of New College. Richard Rooney’s (NEW ’77) transformative $5 million gift is propelling research and scholarship in two of our founding programs, African Studies and Caribbean Studies. We welcomed Dr. Afua Cooper (NEW’86) back to U of T as a Professor in Scarborough’s Department of Historical and Cultural Studies. Additionally, we cannot forget our many alumni who mentor our students as part of our longstanding Career Mentorship program. I have been especially honoured to host a number of Dinner@New sessions, where an alum returns to have dinner with a group of students, offering guidance and encouragement to help shape their futures. Seeing the generosity of these alums as they stay well past the end of dinner offering deep and meaningful mentorship encapsulates what is so special about our community. (And I hope revealing that the Dinner@New alums have a hard time pulling themselves away from the connections they are making with our eager and passionate current students piques the interest of alums reading this!) Whether through professional accomplishments, leadership, or mentorship, our alumni remind us of the lasting impact of the New College community.
As we look forward to 2025, I am filled with optimism for what lies ahead. Together, our community—students, faculty, staff, and alumni—is building a future rooted in collaboration, compassion, and excellence.
Thank you for being a valued member of the NEW family. Wishing you a peaceful and joyful holiday season and I look forward to the possibilities that the new year will bring.
Warmest regards,
Professor Robert Gazzale
New College Principal
Please note: The University of Toronto will be closed from 3 p.m. ET on December 23, 2024 to 9:00 a.m. ET on January 6, 2025.
If you’re looking for additional resources during the holiday closure, check our online guide below:
If you’d like to get in touch with the Registrar’s Office about your courses, please connect with them upon reopening on January 6 at 9:30 AM.
Reminder to registered students that general information is available on the New College Registrar’s Office Quercus course.
First day of classes for the Winter term is Monday, January 6, 2025!
For students in residence with urgent queries:
If you experience any issues or urgently need assistance over the holiday closure, please contact the dons-on-duty. You can also email new.orsl@utoronto.ca, and inquiries will receive a response starting on January 6.
If you’re a student who may be experiencing any urgent difficulties and would like to speak with someone over the holidays, please contact the dons-on-duty and/or use the resources listed at the bottom of this message.
For faculty and staff:
If you are a member of our faculty or staff and are experiencing challenges over the holiday period and would like to speak with someone, we encourage you to visit the University’s Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) as they have a number of resources available. This program is available to employees 24 hours per day, 365 days per year through the Lifeworks/Telus Health app or by phone at 1-855-597-2110.
Additional resources:
U of T Telus Health Student Support provides U of T students with immediate and/or ongoing confidential, 24-hour support for any school, health, or general life concern at no cost. To access U of T Telus Health Student Support, call 1-844-451-9700 or visit www.mentalhealth.utoronto.ca/telus-health-student-support
Students also have access to Good 2 Talk (1-866-925-5454), a free confidential helpline available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For more information, please visit www.studentlife.utoronto.ca/feeling-distressed
We look forward to connecting with you in 2025!