Health & Well-being Report 2019-2020 The 7th annual Health and Well-being Report for and by the Daniels Faculty graduate student body
Graduate Architecture, Landscape, & Design Student Union Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, & Design University of Toronto
About this Report
This report presents the results of the Graduate Architecture, Landscape and Design Student Union (GALDSU)’s seventh Health and Well-being survey reflecting on student experience at the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design at the University of Toronto. This survey was developed in 2013 in collaboration with Alex Daros, a doctoral candidate at the University of Toronto's of the Department of Psychology as part of GALDSU’s Mental Health Initiative. The survey was modified in 2016 and 2019 with an aim to collect more specific data to better understand the responses provided by students. Changes were made to the demographics section for a more thorough representation of the respondents. Most importantly, questions were added to follow up on answers provided by students in an attempt to highlight students’ understanding of their health and well-being. In 2020, an additional section on Equity and Diversity was added to gauge inclusivity and fairness in student experience. The survey was distributed electronically on March 6th, 2020 and closed on March 20th, 2020. It must be noted that this year’s survey was heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. As of March 16th, all in-person classes were canceled and as of March 18th, 2020, all shops, printing and fabrication facilities closed. On March 20th, 2020, access to 1 Spadina became restricted with access only permitted for essential members or faculty and staff. With this said, this year’s survey represents student life before the transition to online classes and reviews, and unlike previous years may not accurately depict student experiences due to an unprecedented situation that greatly affected student experience. Due to the timing of the survey release, which coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, we received a relatively low number of responses. As a consequence of this pandemic, this year GALDSU sent out two surveys: our standard Health and Well-being survey, which assesses student experiences regarding health and well-being before the pandemic, and a new COVID-19 Impact survey. The results of the first survey have been
conducted and are presented as this report in a similar format as previous years. The latter survey is to collect data on the impact COVID-19 had on student life at the Daniels Faculty. The results of these two surveys are published concurrently in separate reports. The data was processed by the GALDSU executives. We hope this report continues to serve as an avenue for discussion on how health and well-being can be improved within our unique academic environment, while providing an action plan for the academic year 2020-2021 with the new executive team. Based on the original 2013-2014 survey created by: Joël León (M.Arch 3) Roxanna Lilova (M.Arch 3) Jocelyn Squires (M.Arch 2) Alex Daros (Department of Psychology)
Letter from the Executive
The Health and Well-being Survey was initiated in 2013 by the Graduate Architecture, Landscape and Design Student Union (GALDSU). The survey was the first ever attempt at understanding the needs of the student population with regards to mental health and well-being through student responses. After a thorough analysis of student responses, the survey was compiled and published as the 2013-2014 Mental Health Report. This was followed by similar survey-based reports in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2018. These Mental Health and Student Experience Reports have highlighted many challenges faced by students at the Daniels Faculty, such as issues of pedagogy and provision of facilities. In addition, the reports have highlighted critical issues pertaining to the culture of our discipline and profession. The 2013-2014 report received significant coverage on social media as well as on architecture and design news websites. The impact of these reports has been felt both within the Daniels Faculty and outside in the larger community. Following the first Mental Health Report, GALDSU responded by renovating the student lounge at our previous home, 230 College Street. It was this modest change that demonstrated the impact of space on student well-being: the creation of a multipurpose space allowed students a place of retreat from their workstations and a healthier environment to partake in conversation, eat, relax, and study. In Spring 2015, the lounge was also selected by the Student Life Office at the University of Toronto as winner of the Ulife Best New Initiative or Idea Award. Externally, significant interest has been shown by other architecture schools. In the past, members of GALDSU have been invited to present the results of the surveys to the design community at large at the Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) and the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects (OALA). We hope that by engaging professional bodies, a greater discourse can lead to significant understanding and change within the design fields.
The findings from these reports have been essential for informing GALDSU’s programming. In the 2019-2020 academic year, GALDSU maintained the legacy of past events and programs for the student body. These included: continuing to outfit the student lounge, a therapy animal visit, free weekly yoga sessions, mid-day de-stressor events in studio, planning the second ever year-end gala featuring student performances, and organizing catered studio dinners towards final critiques. Unfortunately, many of the initiatives taking place in the winter semester were either canceled or postponed indefinitely due to COVID-19. It is our hope that future GALDSU Executive Councils will continue to nurture community and well-being at the Daniels Faculty through novel approaches during these unprecedented times. Equity and diversity have been carefully maintained for the third year in a row as an area of focus. The Equity and Diversity Officer has been working with the Faculty in actualizing an equitable and inclusive learning environment by developing and maintaining initiatives for advocacy and support, and by advocating for diverse professional voices. The survey and report have been an important tool in measuring the effectiveness of GALDSU and Faculty-led decisions regarding student experience. As we enter the uncharted territories of remote learning during a global pandemic, we hope more than ever that our findings will continue to impact the decision-making process pertaining to student experience for the benefit of student well-being both here at the Daniels Faculty, and within the design community at large. On behalf of the 2019-2020 GALDSU Executive Council. Adam Krajewski, President Valerie Marshall, Vice-President Roman Romanov, Treasurer Ji Hee Kim, Health and Sustainability Officer Noor Alkhalili, Equity and Diversity Officer Jana Nitschke, Social Chair
Contents
07
PARTICIPATION & DEMOGRAPHICS
FINAL REVIEW EXPERIENCE
39
MENTAL HEALTH
13
DAILY LIFE
eating habits sleeping habits workload physical activity social activity 19 FACILITIES
academic spaces student-run spaces
25
ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE
scheduling resources quality of work competitiveness pin-ups & reviews experience program evaluation
4
33
participation demographics
end of term snapshot
mental health at U of T support
47 DIVERSITY AND EQUITY inclusivity inclusivity and representation equity fair treatment access to resources comments 54 FEEDBACK survey comments 56 RECOMMENDATIONS 57 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 58 RESOURCES
5
6
Participation and Demographics INTRODUCTION AND METHODOLOGY This section summarizes the demographic information of the respondents of the 2019-2020 Health and Wellbeing Survey. Emails were sent out to all graduate students on the list provided by Student Services of the Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design. This list is separated by program. The following is a summary of the results of Participation and Demographics section of the 20192020 Health and Well-being Survey. We strongly encourage you to look through the report and draw your own conclusions.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS This year we received 21 responses, a decrease from last year’s number of responses (97). The survey was sent out to 400+ students and had a response rate of approximately 5%. The majority of responses received were from the Master of Architecture program (57.1%), and compared to previous years, we saw an increase in participation from the Master of Landscape Architecture program (42.9%). We did not receive any responses from Master of Visual Studies or Master of Urban Design students this year, which is a 2.1% decrease in participation from MUD and no change in participation from MVS. It is worth noting that participation was heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic which resulted in all in-person classes being canceled on March 16th. The survey closed on March 20th. At the time of this survey, all students at the Daniels Faculty were located at 1 Spadina Crescent with the exception of the Visual Studies students who were located at the North Borden Building. In addition, this year, the Faculty of Forestry joined the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design, effective July 1, 2019. This survey regrettably did not extend its demographic to Faculty of Forestry, we do however hope to see more inclusion of the new faculty in the new year. It is important to note that this year's survey was sent out in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic which resulted in all in-person classes being canceled. Aside from this, more reminder emails and a shorter format may have helped increase the participation of the survey as the average time spent on the survey was 18 minutes.
7
d Wellness 2020
Participation & Demographics PARTICIPATION
Q1 What is you program?
Responses | student distribution by program
Answered: 21
Skipped: 0
MLA 43%
M.ARCH 57%
MArch
S
MLA
MUD
MVS RESPONSES 57.14% 42.86%
8
0.00%
Participation & Demographics
020
Health and Wellness 2020
DEMOGRAPHICS
Q2 What is your gender What is your gender? Answered: 21
SurveyMonkey
SurveyM
What your registration Q4 isWhat is yourstatus? registration?
Skipped: 0
Answered: 21
Decline to answer
Skipped: 0
5%
International 19%
Male 19%
Female 76%
Domestic 81%
Health and Wellness 2020 Female
SurveyMonkey
Gender queer/ Gender non-conforming
answer
Trans
Domestic
Other
International
ANSWER CHOICES
RESPONSES
Q5 What is your age?
What is your current age?Domestic
80.95%
RESPONSES Answered: 21 Skipped: 0
International TOTAL 18-24 18-24
19.05%
4
33.3% 76.19%
16
0.00%
ming 25-34 25-34
35-44 35-44
45-54 45-54
0%
55+ 55+
0%
0% 0%
ANSWER CHOICES
0 61.9%
0.00% 4.8%
10% 10%
19.05%
0
0.00%
0
4.76%
1 21
20% 20%
30% 30%
40% 40%
50% 50%
60% 60%
70% 70%
80% 80%
90% 100% 100% 90%
Percentage of Respondents
RESPONSES
18-24
33.33%
7
25-34
61.90%
13
4.76%
1
9
Participation & Demographics DEMOGRAPHICS
What is your ethnicity?
Health and Wellness 2020
Arab Arab Black Black
SurveyMonkey
4.8% 0%
Caribbean Caribbean
4.8%
Caucasian Caucasian
38.1%
Chinese Chinese First Nations, First Nations, Inuit, MĂŠtis Inuit, Metis
33.3% 0%
European European Japanese Japanese
4.8% 0%
Korean Korean
4.8%
Latin American Latin American
4.8%
Middle Eastern Middle Eastern
0%
Mixed Race Mixed Race
0%
South Asian South Asian (ie. East...
4.8%
Southeast Southeast Asian Asian (ie....
4.8%
Taiwanese Taiwanese
0%
West Asian West Asia (e.g., Irani...
0%
to Decline toDecline answer answer Other (please Other specify)
4.8% 0% 0% 0%
10% 10%
20% 20%
30% 30%
40% 40%
50% 50%
60% 60%
Percentage of Respondents
7 / 70
10
70% 70%
80% 80%
90% 90% 100% 100%
Participation & Demographics Health and Wellness 2020
SurveyMonkey
DEMOGRAPHICS
Health and Wellness 2020
Q7 With whom do you currently live? (Check all that apply) With whom do you currently live?
Parents Parents
Answered: 21
Q8 How long is your commute to Answered: 21
14.3%
Roommates Roommates
more than 60 > 60 mins minutes
33.3%
Relatives Relatives
4.8%
Marriedpartner partner Married
4.8%
45-5minutes 9mins 45-59
(not Partner Partner (not married) married) Yourchildren children Your
How long is your commute to campus (one way)?
Skipped: 0
Skipped: 0
19.1%
0%
31-45 mins 31-45 minutes
14.3%
21-30 mins 21-30 minutes
14.3%
28.6%
0%
Nobody Nobody
11-20 mins 11-20 minutes
14.3%
Other (please Other specify)
less than 10 Less than 10 mins minutes
4.8%
0% 0%
10% 10%
20% 20%
30% 30%
40% 40%
50% 50%
60%
70%
42.86%
9.5%
0% 10%100%20% 20% 0% 90% 10% 80%
Percentage of Respondents
30% 30%
40% 40%
50% 50%
60%
70%
Percentage of Respondents
NSWER CHOICES
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
arents
14.29% more than 60 minutes
3
19.05%
oommates
45-59 minutes
33.33%
7
0.00%
elatives
31-45 minutes
4.76%
1
14.29%
arried partner
21-30 minutes
4.76%
1
14.29%
artner (not married)
11-20 minutes
28.57%
6
42.86%
0.00% less than 10 minutes
0
9.52%
TOTAL
14.29%
3
4.76%
1
ur children
obody
her (please specify)
RESPO
tal Respondents: 21 OTHER (PLEASE SPECIFY)
DATE
independent room, dorm at uoft
3/6/2020 4:35 PM
11
12
Daily Life INTRODUCTION AND METHODOLOGY The following section summarizes data collected on aspects of student daily life at Daniels, divided into the following categories: eating habits, sleeping habits, physical activity, workload, and physical and social activities. The following is a summary of the results of Daily Life section of the 2019-2020 Health and Well-being Survey. We strongly encourage you to look through the report and draw your own conclusions.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS Many of respondents reported that they skip meals (66.6%) and do not get sufficient sleep every night (65%). Furthermore, 52.4% of respondents reported staying awake for more than 24 hours during this academic year. This is problematic as sleep is essential for performance in focused, attention, organization, and controlled execution of cognitive operations with sleep deprivation studies showing negative consequences on many cognitive tests.1 Physical activity is not a common habit among respondents, with 85.7% answering that they engage in physical activity for 0-2 hours per week, which is below Mayo Clinic's recommended hours of physical activity per week.2 80.95% of respondents reported that they felt pressured to maintain unhealthy daily habits to keep up with the workload. These responses are similar to those seen in the past reports. This is especially concerning as sleep is essential to productive work habits as well as to the health and well-being of students; this pattern of unhealthy habits has changed little since last year's report. It is evident students need support from faculty, GALDSU and their peers to emphasize the importance of healthy habits and work toward establishing a work-life balance.
1 Angela Gomez Fonseca, and Lisa Genzel, "Sleep and Academic Performance," Behavioral Sciences, Vol 33 (Summer 2020): 65-71, https://doi.org/10.1016/ j.cobeha.2019.12.008. 2 " How much should the average adult exercise every day?" Mayo Clinic, last modified April 27, 2019, https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/ expert-answers/exercise/faq-20057916.
13
d Wellness 2020
Daily Life EATING HABITS
Do you skip meals?
Q9 Do you often skip meals? Answered: 21
No
33.3%
Yes 66.7%
Yes
S
Skipped: 0
No RESPONSES 66.67% 33.33%
14
Daily Life Health and Wellness 2020
ness 2020
SurveyM SurveyMonkey
SLEEPING HABITS
Q13 Have you stayed awake for more than 24 hours during this a year? Q10 DoDo you sufficient sleep for more than 24 hours during you get get sufficient sleep every night? most nights? Have you stayed awake this academic year?
*Sufficient is considered a number of hours that you Answered: 20 deem to be adequate for you Skipped: 1
Yes
Answered: 21
Yes 35%
Yes 52.4%
No 65%
No 47.6%
Yes
No ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
No RESPONSES
Health and Wellness 2020
35.00%
Yes
Health and Wellness 2020
Skipped: 0
SurveyMonkey
52.38%
7
SurveyMonkey
If yes, how many nights have you had less How frequently per weekNodo you have a sufficient 47.62% 65.00% 13 this semester Q12 How many nights this semester have you had less than 3 hours than 3 hours of sleep? night of sleep on average during the school year? sleep? Q11 How frequently per week do you have a sufficient night of sleep on TOTAL 20 average during the school year? Answered: 21 Skipped: 0 Answered: 21
Skipped: 0
00 7 nights 7 nights
9.5%
33.3%
1-2 1-2
14.3%
3-5 3-5 4-64-6nights nights
23.8%
33.3% 6-10 6-10
1-31-3nights nights
4.8%
11-15 11-15
52.4%
14.3%
16-20 16-20
0 nights 0 nights
NSWER CHOICES
4.8% 0% 0%
10% 10%
0%
20+ 20+ 20% 20%
30% 30%
40% 40%
50% 50%
60% 60%
70% 70%
80% 80%
RESPONSES Percentage of Respondents
90% 100% 90% 100%
9.5% 0% 0%
ANSWER CHOICES
nights
9.52%
0
6 nights
33.33%
3 nights
52.38%
nights
4.76%
10% 10%
20% 20%
30% 30%
40% 40%
50% 50%
60% 60%
70% 70%
80% 80%
90% 90%100% 100%
RESPONSES Percentage of Respondents 2
33.33%
1-2
7
14.29%
3-5
11
23.81%
6-10
1
4.76%
15
Wellness 2020
Daily Life
you feel pressure to maintain unhealthy daily hab with your workload? WORKLOAD
Do you feel pressured to maintain unhealthy daily habits to keep up with your workload?
Answered: 21
No
Skipped: 0
19.0%
Yes 81.0%
Yes
No
Unsure RESPONSES 80.95% 19.05%
16
0.00%
Daily Life PHYSICAL ACTIVITY Health and Wellness 2020
SurveyMonkey
In an average week, how often do you engage in physical activity?
Q15 In an average week, how often do you engage in physical activity? Answered: 21
Skipped: 0
0-20-2 hours hours
85.7%
2-42-4 hours hours
9.5%
4-64-6 hours hours
4.8%
6-86-8 hours hours
0%
8+ 8+ hours hours
0% 0% 0%
10% 10%
20% 20%
ANSWER CHOICES
30% 30%
40% 40%
50% 50%
60% 60%
70% 70%
80% 80%
90% 90%100% 100%
RESPONSES Percentage of Respondents
0-2 hours
SOCIAL ACTIVITY 2-4 hours
85.71%
18
9.52%
2
4-6 hours
4.76%
6-8 hours
0.00%
Health and Wellness 2020
SurveyMonkey
0.00% How often do you go out per week for entertainment? 8+ hours Q27 How often you go out per week for entertainment?(e.g. dinner, (ie. dinner, movies, get-togethers, social do events) TOTAL movies, get togethers, social stuff) Answered: 21
times 0-2five+ hours
0 0 21
Skipped: 0
0%
three to five 2-4 hours times
9.5%
4-6 hours twice
9.5%
6-8 hours once
66.7%
8+ hours Never
14.3% 0% 0%
ANSWER CHOICES
1
10% 10%
20% 20%
30% 30%
40% 40%
50% 17 / 70 50%
60% 60%
70% 70%
80% 80%
90% 90%100% 100%
RESPONSES Percentage of Respondents
five+ times
0.00%
0
three to five times
9.52%
2
twice
9.52%
2
once
66.67%
14
Never
14.29%
TOTAL
3 21
17
18
Facilities INTRODUCTION AND METHODOLOGY This section examines student perceptions regarding physical infrastructure and what aspects need to improve in order to support an effective studio culture. To this end, we have asked students to assess their experience with academic as well as student-run spaces available to them. The lounge was completed by the start of the academic year in 2019.
QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS Previous year's responses included significant concerns related to challenges regarding the quality of the studio space. This year, as participation was low, the feedback did not include any comments regarding the space. We recommend there be a more thorough investigation into qualitative feedback of the space from students in the new academic year.
The following is a summary of the results of the Facilities section of the 2019-2020 Health and Wellbeing Survey. We strongly encourage you to look through the report and draw your own conclusions. SUMMARY OF RESULTS It is evident that students spend a significant amount of time at the Daniels building, with 57.1% of respondents reporting spending more than 60 hours a week. This is higher than how much time would be spent at a regular full-time workplace. Because of this, we want to ensure that the quality of the studio space is satisfactory to students' standards. The area that is lacking the most is a space for students to work collaboratively in groups and we recommend this issue to be addressed in the new academic year of 20202021. Cafe059 was also successful with 85.7% of respondents either agreeing or strongly agreeing to Cafe059 being an important space at Daniels. In addition, the introduction of Lounge 058 was also successful with 87.8% of respondents reporting to utilize the space for various activities ranging from sleeping to meetings to games.
19
Facilities ACADEMIC SPACES
Health and Wellness 2020
SurveyMonkey
Q17 How many hours a week would say that you spend at the Daniels How many hours a week would you say you spend at the architecture building? building? Answered: 21
More More thanthan 80 80
14.3%
71-8071-80 hours hours
9.5%
hours 61-7061-70 hours
33.3%
hours 51-6051-60 hours
9.5%
hours 41-5041-50 hours
14.3%
hours 31-4031-40 hours hours 21-3021-30 hours
9.5% 0%
hours 11-2011-20 hours or less 10 or10less
Health and Wellness 2020
0% 0%
Skipped: 0
9.5% 0% 10% 10%
20% 20%
ANSWER CHOICES
30% 30%
40% 40%
50% 50%
60% 60%
70% 70%
80% 80%
90% 100% 90% 100%
SurveyMonkey
RESPONSES Percentage of Respondents 14.29%
3
9.52%
2
33.33%
7
51-60 hours
9.52%
2
41-50 hours
14.29%
3
9.52%
2
0.00%
0
More than 80
I prefer to work at home instead of studio. Q19 I prefer 71-80 hours 61-70 hours
to work at home instead of studio. Answered: 21
Strongly disagree 31-40 hours
14.3%
21-30 hours
Disagree 14.3% 11-20 hours
Skipped: 0
9.52% Strongly
agree
28.5%
0.00%
10 or less
2 0
TOTAL
21
Neither agree nor disagree
19.1%
Strongly agree
19 / 70
Agree
Agree 19.1%
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly disagree
20
ANSWER CHOICES
RESPONSES
Strongly agree
28.57%
6
Agree
19.05%
4
Facilities Health and Wellness 2020
SurveyMonkey
ACADEMIC SPACES
Q16 Adequate space is provided for me in the building to...(may select more than one)
Adequate space is provided for me in the building to? (You may select more than one)
Answered: 21
Design and Design and develop personal work
Skipped: 0
42.9%
develop...
up, Pin up, review, and present myPin work
52.4%
review, and...
Work collaborativ...
Work collaboratively in groups
19.1%
Study in a quiet...
Study in a quiet environment
23.8%
Have small group or one...
Have small group or one on one conversation
42.9%
Relax and destress
Relax and de-stress
23.8%
Other (please specify)
Other (please specify)
9.5% 0% 0%
10%
ANSWER CHOICES
20%
30%
40% 40%
50% 50%
60% 60%
Percentage of Respondents
70% 70%
80% 80%
90% 100% 90% 100%
RESPONSES
Design and develop personal work
42.86%
9
Pin up, review, and present my work
52.38%
11
Work collaboratively in groups
19.05%
4
Study in a quiet environment
23.81%
5
Have small group or one on one conversation
42.86%
9
Relax and destress
23.81%
5
Other (please specify)
9.52%
2
Total Respondents: 21 #
OTHER (PLEASE SPECIFY)
DATE
1
none
3/6/2020 4:35 PM
2
None
3/6/2020 12:04 PM
21
Facilities STUDENT-RUN SPACES
Health and Wellness 2020
SurveyMonkey
Q18 I believe I believe Cafe059 is an important space atCafe059 Daniels. is an important space at Daniels. Answered: 21
Skipped: 0
71.4%
14.3%
14.3%
Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree/ disagree
0%
10%
20%
Strongly agree
30%
40%
Agree
50%
60%
70%
80%
Neither agree nor disagree
90% 100%
Disagree
Strongly disagree ANSWER CHOICES
RESPONSES
Strongly agree
71.43%
Agree
14.29%
Health and Wellness 2020
15 3
SurveyMonkey
14.29%
Neither agree nor disagree
3
0 In the course of this past semester, in what ways have you used the Lounge? Disagree Q20 In the past , in what ways 0.00% have you used the Lounge? 0 0.00%
Strongly disagree
Answered: 18
TOTAL
Ping Ping pongpong PoolPool
Skipped: 3
21
5.6% 11.1%
Studying Studying
TGIFTGIF
22.2% 11.1%
Eating Eating Meetings Meetings
27.8% 11.11%
Sleep Sleep
27.8%
Hanging out withHanging othersout with others
33.3%
Personal Personal workwork
16.7% 20 / 70 27.8%
Lounging Lounging Do not Do not useuse 0% 0%
22.2% 10% 10%
20% 20%
30% 30%
40% 40%
50% 50%
60% 60%
70% 70%
Percentage of Respondents
22
80% 80%
90% 90%100% 100%
23
24
Academic Experiences “I would like the faculty to really care and not just pretend to care. When help was wanted, all the doors where closed to talk to someone. No one had time to talk, while on the first day of class they said the contrary.� - Student Response
INTRODUCTION AND METHODOLOGY This section is composed of a series of questions concerning the student experience at Daniels. The questions range from general feelings about the program to understanding the experience of the pin-up and review. The questions in this segment cover scheduling, resources, competitiveness, pin-ups, experience and program evaluation. The following is a summary of the results of Academic Experiences section of the 2019-2020 Health and Wellbeing Survey. We strongly encourage you to look through the report and draw your own conclusions. SUMMARY OF RESULTS 80% of the respondents have considered quitting the program which was an increase from the previous year. The most common reasons for considering quitting were the demands of the program (57.9%) and financial reasons (57.9%), with one student specifying health reasons and lack of resources for mental health as the reason for considering to quit the program.
With nearly 81% of respondents identifying 5 and up on the competitive scale of the faculty, and many identifying Amount of schoolwork (76.2%) as well as Faculty expectations (61.8%), Deadlines (61.9%), and Finances (61.9%) as their worst stressors, we can speculate that the reason why students do not take time off outside of holidays and reading break may be due to the workload which is heightened by faculty expectations and consequently by deadlines. However, 66.6% of respondents reported 5 and up on the positivity scale when measuring the experience of giving a pin-up and review. Not only that, 57.2% reported to either agree or strongly agree that they have the appropriate resources available to successfully address school work, while 47.7% of respondents reported to be generally satisfied with the quality of their school work. In conclusion, despite the fact that students responded negatively to certain aspects of academic experiences, especially in regards to the workload and the demands of the program, students also identified their peers, schoolwork and the faculty as something they enjoyed about the program. With this type of seemingly contrasting data, it seems that while students' performance and satisfaction of their work is not affected by the workload, their health and well-being can be improved by implementing a better work schedule and establishing a work-life balance. This can be accommodated and communicated by faculty, and advocated for by GALDSU through various workshops, newsletters and other initiatives.
57.1% of respondents identified they had difficulty in scheduling their time. Correspondingly, 90.8% of respondents reported not taking time off school in the last school year outside of holidays and reading break.
25
Academic Experiences Health and Wellness 2020
ealth and Wellness 2020
SurveyMonkey
SCHEDULING
Q26 Have you ever taken time off school in the last sch Q22 Doityou find it difficult to scheduleHave your holidays andin reading break? you time? ever taken time off school the last school Do you find difficult to schedule your time? Answered: 21
Skipped: 0
year outside of holidays and reading break? Answered: 21
Unsure 14.3%
Skipped: 0
Yes 19.1%
No 28.6% No 80.9%
Yes 57.1%
Yes
R CHOICES
No
RESOURCES
Unsure
Yes
No
QUALITY OF WORK
RESPONSES ANSWER CHOICES Yes
Health and Wellness 2020
RESPONSES
57.14%
12
SurveyMonkey
19.05%
and Wellness 2020generally satisfied with the quality6 of my school SurveyMonkey I am I have the appropriate resources availableNo to me toHealth 28.57% 80.95% work. successfully address my school work.
14.29% 3 TOTAL Q23 I have the appropriate resources available to me to successfully Q25 I am generally satisfied with the quality of my school work. complete my school work. 21
Answered: 21
4.8%
52.4%
14.3%
Agree Strongly agree 0% 10%
Answered: 21
Skipped: 0
23.8%
4.8%
Neither agree/ disagree Disagree 20%
Strongly agree
30%
Agree
40%
50%
60%
70%
Neither agree nor disagree
80%
Strongly disagree
90% 100%
14.3%
Neither agree/ disagree 20%
Strongly agree
gly agree
4.76%
Strongly agree
e
52.38%
Agree
er agree nor disagree
14.29%
26
28.6%
30%
Agree
40%
50%
60%
9.5%
Disagree
70%
Neither agree nor disagree
80%
Strongly disagree
90% 100%
Disagree
Strongly disagree ANSWER CHOICES
AL
Strongly agree 0% 10%
Disagree
RESPONSES
gree
42.9%
Agree
Strongly disagree
WER CHOICES
gly disagree
4.8%
Skipped: 0
RESPONSES 1
4.76%
1
11
42.86%
9
Neither agree nor disagree 3
28.57%
6 3 2
23.81%
Disagree
5
14.29%
4.76%
Strongly disagree
1
9.52%
TOTAL
21
21
Academic Experiences COMPETITIVENESS
PIN UP
Health and Wellness 2020
SurveyMonkey
How would you rate the overall competitiveness in the Overall, how would you rate the experience of giving Health and Wellness 2020 faculty? Use the following scale: 1 = Not competitive at All, a pin-up and review? Use the following scale: 1 = Very to 10How = Extremely Negative; 10 = Very Positive Q24 wouldCompetitive you rate the overall competitiveness in thefaculty? Use
the following scale: 1 = Not competitive at All, to 10 = Extremely Q28 Overall, how would you rate the experience of givin Competitive review? Use the following scale: 1 = VeryNegative; 10 = Answered: 21
Not competitive at all (1)
Answered: 21
Very Negative (1)
0%
1
2
9.5%
3
9.5%
23.8%
5
4.8%
6
10% 10%
4
14.3%
5
14.3% 0%
Very Positive (10) 20% 20%
23.8% 14.3% 9.5%
9
4.8% 0% 0%
14.3%
8
9.5%
10
3
7
23.8%
8
9
0%
6
14.3%
7
30% 30%
40% 40%
50% 50%
Percentage of Respondents
60%
70%
80%
90% 100%
Skipped: 0
4.8%
1
2
0%
4
Extremely competitive (10)
Skipped: 0
4.8%
10
0% 0%
10% 10%
20% 20%
30% 30%
40% 40%
50% 50%
60%
70%
Percentage of Respondents
27 / 70 32 / 70
27
80%
90
Wellness 2020
Academic Experiences
EXPERIENCE
Q29 Have you ever considered quitting your prog Have you ever considered quitting your program?
Answered: 21
No
Skipped: 0
19.1%%
Yes 80.9%
Yes
No RESPONSES 80.95% 19.05%
28
Academic Experiences Health and Wellness 2020
SurveyMonkey
EXPERIENCE
Q30 If you have considered leaving, what is the reason? Check all that apply
If you have considered leaving, what is the reason? Choose all that apply. Answered: 19
Lack of Lack of interest
Skipped: 2
42.1%
Interest
of the Demands ofDemands the program
57.9%
Program
Personal Personal Reasons
36.8%
Reasons
Financial Financial Reasons
57.9%
Reasons
OtherOther (please specify) (Please specify)
15.8% 0%
0%
10%
20%
10%
20%
•
30%
30%
40%
40%
Health and Wellness 2020
50%
50%
60%
60%
70%
70%
80%
80%
Percentage of Respondents RESPONSES
ANSWER CHOICES
42.11%
Lack of Interest
"Health reasons, lack of resources for mental health, appointments with faculty take too long to book, no 90% 100% flexibility to do course at your own 90% 100% time, no opportunities to balance SurveyMonkey work, homework, personal time; high expectations to produce as if we are not human" • "Anxiety" 8
Q33 you have ever considered leaving, often have you had these If you haveIfever considered leaving, how often have you had how these thoughts? 57.89% Demands of the Program thoughts? Personal Reasons
Answered: 20
Skipped: 1
Financial Reasons Other (please specify) Once or twice Once or twice Total Respondents: 19 #
36.84%
7
57.89%
11
15.79%
3
35%
OTHER (PLEASE SPECIFY) A few times A few times Haven't considered leaving.
1
11
DATE
45%
3/6/2020 5:07 PM
2
health reasons, lack of resources for mental health, appointments with faculty take too long to book, no flexibility to do course at your own time, no opportunities to balance work, homework, personalOften time; high expectations 10%to produce as if we are not human Often
3/6/2020 4:35 PM
3
anxiety
3/6/2020 11:11 AM
All All the the time time
10%
0% 0%
ANSWER CHOICES
10% 10%
20% 20%
30% 30%
40% 40%
50% 50%
60% 60%
70% 70%
80% 80%
90% 100% 100% 90%
Percentage of Respondents RESPONSES
Once or twice
35.00%
7
A few times
45.00%
9
10.00%
2
Often
35 / 70
29
Academic Experiences PROGRAM EVALUATION
Health and Wellness 2020
SurveyMonkey
What do you find stressful or dislike about the program you are in? Check all that apply.
Q34 What do you find stressful or dislike about the program you are in? Check all that apply Answered: 21
Skipped: 0
Faculty Faculty expectations
13
expectations
Faculty Faculty
7
Deadlines Deadlines
13
Amount of Amount of schoolwork
16
schoolwork
Group work Group work
7
Finances Finances
13
Facilities and Facilities and resources
9
resources
Other (please Other (please specify)
2
specify) 0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Number of Responses
ANSWER CHOICES
70%
80%
90% 100%
RESPONSES 61.90%
13
33.33%
7
61.90%
13
Amount of schoolwork
76.19%
16
Group work
33.33%
7
Finances
61.90%
13
Facilities and resources
42.86%
9
Other (please specify)
9.52%
2
Faculty expectations
•
Faculty •
Deadlines
"It's hard to take time off school. There's a lot of admin work involved as well." "The studio space itself"
Total Respondents: 21
30
#
OTHER (PLEASE SPECIFY)
DATE
1
its hard to take time off school. theres a lot of admin work involved as well.
3/6/2020 4:35 PM
2
The studio space itself
3/5/2020 3:37 PM
Academic Experiences PROGRAM EVALUATION
Health and Wellness 2020
SurveyMonkey
What do you enjoy or like about the program you are in? Check all that apply.
Q35 What do you enjoy or like about the program you are in? Check all that apply. Answered: 20
Skipped: 1
Schoolwork Schoolwork
9
Studio Studio environment
8
environment
Peers Peers
15
Facilities and Facilities and resources
7
resources
Student Student run spacesrun
6
spaces
Student Student services
4
services
Faculty Faculty
9
Other (please Other (please specify)
3
specify) 0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Number of Responses
ANSWER CHOICES
70%
80%
90% 100%
RESPONSES 45.00%
9
40.00%
8
75.00%
15
Facilities and resources
35.00%
7
Student run spaces
30.00%
6
Student services
20.00%
4
Faculty
45.00%
9
Other (please specify)
15.00%
3
Schoolwork
•
Studio environment
• •
Peers
"M.Arch 3 having Option Studio to branch out into other streams" "Cafe059" "Electives"
Total Respondents: 20 #
OTHER (PLEASE SPECIFY)
DATE
1
MArch 3 having Option Studio to branch out into other streams
3/9/2020 1:31 PM
2
cafe059
3/6/2020 4:35 PM
31
32
Final Review Experience INTRODUCTION This section provides an overview of student well-being during the final review period. These questions have been taken from the original survey of 2013-2014 prepared in collaboration with the Department of Psychology and hence remain unchanged. Questions cover a range of aspects of student well-being including but not limited to, sleep, depression, anxiety, memory, and consumption of alcohol and drugs, during the final review period. The following is a summary of the results of the Final Review Experience section of the 2019-2020 Health and Well-being Survey. We strongly encourage you to look through the report and draw your own conclusions. SUMMARY OF RESULTS 42.9% of respondents reported feeling nervous, anxious, frightened, worried or on edge nearly every day during the final review period. 71.5% of respondents reported feeling like their health is not taken seriously enough from several days to nearly every day of the week during the final review period.
severe symptoms such as physically harming oneself during a final review period. Some of the questions could be seen as extreme, however, they are crucial to this section as it helps us get a better idea of students' mental state during the final review period, which is a difficult time for many, and we hope to be able to reach those in need as a result of this feedback. With this said, due to the nature of this section, the survey should have included a disclaimer and a list of resources for support. It is true that while students who need support the most are the ones hardest to reach. It is our hope that the Faculty and the new executive team will regard this section of the survey with great care and work together to come up with new ways to reach those in need.
There were indications of various issues regarding students' well-being, with 52.5% of respondents feeling down, depressed or hopeless for several days to nearly every day of final review period. Nearly 85.7% of respondents reported to feeling like they are unsure what they want out of life at least once to every day of the two-week review period. Questions specifying anxiety, stress, and indications of poor physical well-being due to mental health (unexplained aches and pains) had more responses from a wider student body, rather than a select few. Questions regarding more extreme cases of mental health issues were focused by a select few, exhibiting
33
Final Review Experience END OF TERM SNAPSHOT
Select the option that best describes how much (or how often) the following apply during the last two weeks of the school term. Never
34
Less than a day or two
Several Days
More than half of the days
Nearly every day
I sleep less than usual, but still have a lot of energy
I start lots more projects than usual
I engage in riskier behavior
I feel nervous, anxious, frightened, worried or on edge
I have thoughts of physically hurting or harming myself
I feel my health is not being taken seriously enough
I feel unexplained aches and pains
I avoid situations that make me anxious
I feel panic, anxiety or fear
Final Review Experience
I feel irritated, angry or grouchy
I experience unpleasant thoughts, urges or imagery that enters my mind
I feel driven to repeat certain mental acts or behaviors over and over again
I smoke or otherwise consume tobacco products (ie. cigarettes or pipe, snuff, chewing tobacco, etc.)
I drink at least 4 alcoholic beverages in one day
I feel close to others and my relationships with them
I experience confusion over my identity
I feel that I am unsure what I want out of life
I am detached or distant from myself, my body, my physical surroundings and / or memories
I experience gastrointestinal issues such as an upset stomach, nausea, diarrhea, etc.
I have felt that others could hear my thoughts or I could hear the thoughts of others
I have had problems sleeping
35
Final Review Experience END OF TERM SNAPSHOT
Cont'd
Never
Less than a day or two
More than half of the days
Nearly every day
I have problems with my memory
I feel down, depressed or hopeless
I have problems with my memory when trying to learn new information or problems with my memory regarding locations
I lose my balance unexpectedly
I have heard things other people couldn't hear, such as voices when no one was around
I take little interest or pleasure in doing things
I have used medicines without a doctor's permission or in greater amounts than prescribed or recommended (ie. painkillers, stimulants, sedatives, tranquilizers) or drugs like marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy, hallucinogens, heroin, inhalants or methamphetamine 36
Several Days
Final Review Experience ENDHealth OF TERM SNAPSHOT and Wellness 2020
SurveyMonkey
Do you Do drinkyou moredrink alcohol more during the school term than what normal for you? Q37 alcohol during theisschool termthan
for you?
Answered: 21
YesYes
Skipped: 0
9.5%
NoNo
0% 0%
ANSWER CHOICES
what is normal
90.5%
10% 10%
20% 20%
30% 30%
40% 40%
50% 50%
60% 60%
Percentage of Respondents
70% 70%
80% 80%
90% 100% 90% 100%
RESPONSES
Yes
9.52%
2
No
90.48%
19
TOTAL
21
37
50 / 70
38
Mental Health “Daniels workload is not sustainable for the mental health of many of its students. Some can thrive under this pressure and unrealistically high output expectations, but many cannot. It's really the root of the problem” - Student Response INTRODUCTION This section is composed of a series of questions concerning the respondents’ mental health. It also aims to understand student awareness of and analysis of the support services and resources available to them. The following is a summary of the results of Mental Health section of the 2019-2020 Health and Wellbeing Survey. We strongly encourage you to look through the report and draw your own conclusions.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS 71.4% of the responses indicate students do not feel like they have enough support for mental health from the University, the Faculty or GALDSU, with 57.1% of respondents specifying that GALDSU does not do enough to address the mental health of the students, and 85.7% specifying Faculty does not do enough. In addition, while the University has many resources and services available to students, only 7 of 16 services listed were ever used by the respondents, with Health and Wellness Centre being the most used (47.6%). Lastly, this section is more focused on student awareness of resources available and the success rate of existing initiatives. Comparing this year to last year's report, the response to questions regarding mental health support are consistently negative. With this said, in addition to gauging the effectiveness of current initiatives, this section could be revised for more feedback from students especially from the 14.3% of the respondents who reported to have been diagnosed with a mental illness and how they are navigating through this program. This can positively inform the GALDSU team to create better initiatives.
39
Mental Health
Health and Wellness 2020
Survey
MENTAL HEALTH AT U OF T
Q38 Have you ever been diagnosed with a mental illness?
Have you ever been diagnosed with a mental illness?
Answered: 21
Skipped: 0
Unsure 9.5%
Yes 14.3%
No 76.2%
Health and Wellness 2020
Survey
Health and Wellness 2020
Q39
SurveyMonkey
Q40 Do you feel you have enough supports for mental health he
Yes was this No Unsure to answer If you answered “yes” to the previous question, Do you feel youDecline have enough support for mental health Was this diagnosis done while completing your graduate degree? school (by the University, the Faculty or GALDSU)? diagnosis done while completing your graduate degree? here at the school (by the University, the Faculty or
ANSWER CHOICES
Answered: 20
Skipped: 1
GALDSU)? Answered: 21RESPONSES Skipped: 0
14.29%
Yes Yes 15.0%
No
Decline to answer
76.19%
15.0%
Unsure
9.52%
Decline to answer
0.00%
Yes 28.6%
Unsure 10.0%
TOTAL No 60.0%
WER CHOICES 40
No 71.4%
Yes
No
Unsure
Decline to answer
Yes
No
ANSWER CHOICES
RESPONSES
RESPONSES
Yes
15.00%
28.57%3
60.00%
12 71.43%
Mental Health Health and Wellness 2020
SurveyMonkey
MENTAL HEALTH AT U OF T
Q41 Which of the following services available to U of T students have you Which of the following services available to Uused? of T students have all you that personally used? (Check all that apply). personally (Check apply) Answered: 21
Skipped: 0
Health and Wellness Centre
Health and Wellness Centre
47.6%
UTGSU UTGSU
14.3%
Grief Support Grief Support
0%
Assault Counselling
0%
Sexual & Gender...
0%
Assault Counseling Sexual & Gender Diversity Office
Accessibility Services
Accessibility Services
9.5%
Family Care OďŹƒce
0%
Sexual Harassment...
0%
Family Care Office
Sexual Harassment Office
Embedded
Embedded Social Worker Social Worker
0%
Embedded
Embedded Career Counselor Career...
0%
International
International TransitionTransition... Advisor
0%
Student
Student Services Services
23.8%
Therapist Therapist
33.3%
None None
33.3%
Decline to
Decline to answer answer
4.8%
Other (please
Other (please specify) specify)
0% 0% 0%
10% 10%
20% 20%
30% 30%
40% 40%
50% 50%
60% 60%
70% 70%
80% 80%
90% 100% 100% 90%
Percentage of Respondents
54 / 70
41
d Wellness 2020
Mental Health
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
o you feel the faculty does enough to address m Do you feel the faculty does enough to address mental health?
Answered: 21
Skipped: 0
Yes 14.3% No
85.7%
Yes
S
No RESPONSES 14.29% 85.71%
42
d Wellness 2020
Mental Health
you feel GALDSU does enough to address men students?
S
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
Do you feel GALDSU does enough to address mental health of the students?
Answered: 21
Skipped: 0
Yes 42.9% No
57.1%
Yes
No RESPONSES 42.86% 57.14% 43
Health and Wellness 2020
SurveyM
Mental Health
Q44 Do youSUPPORT think the Wellness Month was a good way to prom MENTAL HEALTH wellness and health among students? Do you think the Wellness Month was a good way to promote wellness and health among students? Answered: 21 Skipped: 0
Yes 47.6%
No 52.4%
Health and Wellness 2020
SurveyM
Q45 Did you participate in any of the Wellness Month Activitie Yes Answered: 21 No Skipped: 0 Did you participate in any of the Wellness Month Activities? ANSWER CHOICES
RESPONSES
Yes
47.62% Yes 14.3%
No
52.38%
TOTAL
No 85.7%
44
Yes
No
45
46
Diversity and Equity “I come from another language background. And have noticed that some professors just ignore what I say when I can explain myself without giving me a chance to explore and explain my project in other words. One day I was explaining my project and my professor just placed his hand in-front of my face to shut me down" - Student Response
INTRODUCTION AND METHODOLOGY As a new addition to the Health and Well-being report, a series of questions were added on the topic of diversity and equity within the Daniels Faculty. This included questions that investigated the treatment of students by staff and faculty, access to resources for those experiencing inequality and inclusivity in representation.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS 50% of the responses indicate that students feel uncomfortable or unwelcome at Daniels because of their grades and/or performance, whereas 37.5% feel like it is due to their language background or level of income. 52.4% of the responses were not sure of the diversity within the posters and pictures in school, 28.6% not sure of the displays of student work. 38.1% agreed on the lack of diversity in school publications. Many of the responses (85.7%) felt that the staff members at Daniels treat some students better than others, mainly due to grades or performance (89.5%), language background (42.1%), and ethnocultural or racial background (36.8%). Comments in that question included the “superstar students,” closer relationships such as friendships with staff members, while others felt that there is “no preferential treatment.” 52.4% of the responses showed that students do not know who to talk to or reach out to in case of an issue related to diversity and equity and Daniels.
This section aims to understand the students’ possible experience with inequality and allows for a quantifiable approach towards tracking the number of possible incidents related to diversity and equity. The following is a summary of the results of the Diversity and Equity section of the 2019-2020 Health and Well-being Survey. We strongly encourage you to look through the report and draw your own conclusions.
47
Diversity and Equity INCLUSIVITY Health and Wellness 2020
SurveyMonkey
Do you everQ46 feel unwelcome or uncomfortable at Daniels because any of the following? Do you ever feel unwelcome or uncomfortable at Daniels because (Check all items that apply). any of the following ( Please check all items that apply): Answered: 16
Gender Gender
18.8%
Ethnocultural
Ethnocultural or racial background or Racial... Aboriginal
Aboriginal background Background
Skipped: 5
25% 0%
Language
Language background Background
37.5%
Appearance Appearance
25%
Grades or
Grades or performance Performance Religion or
Religion or faith Faith
50% 6.25%
Level income Level ofofincome
Disability Disability Sexual
Sexual orientation Orientation
37.5% 6.25% 6.25%
Other (please
Other (please specify) specify) 0% 0%
12.5% 10% 10%
20%
30%
40%
50% 50%
60% 60%
Percentage of Respondents
48
60 / 70
70% 70%
80% 80%
90% 90% 100% 100%
Diversity and Equity
and Wellness 2020
SurveyMonkey
and Wellness 2020
SurveyMonkey
and Wellness 2020
SurveyMonkey
INCLUSIVITY AND REPRESENTATION
47andAtWellness Daniels, in: 2020 do you feel that diverse communities appear SurveyMonkey At Daniels, do you feel that diverse communities appear in: 47andAtWellness Daniels, that21diverse in: 2020 do you feel SurveyMonkey Answered: Skipped: 0 communities appear 47andAtWellness Daniels, that diverse communities appear in: 2020 do you feel SurveyMonkey Answered: 21 Skipped: 0 47Pictures At Daniels, do you feel that diverse communities appear in: Answered: 21 Skipped: 0 or in... 47posters At Daniels, do you feel that diverse communities appear in: Answered: 21 Skipped: 0 Pictures or 47posters At Daniels, do you feel that diverse communities appear in: in... Answered: 21 Skipped: 0 Pictures or 9.5%
23.8%
9.5%
4.8%
52.4%
Pictures or posters in school
Displays of 38.1% 14.3% 4.8% 28.6% posters in... 14.3% student work Answered: 21 Skipped: 0 Pictures or Displays of posters in... student work Pictures or Displays of Materials postersused in... Displays of student work student work Pictures or in class Displays of postersused in... 14.3% Materials 28.6% 19% 9.5% 28.6% student work in class Displays of Materials used Discussions student work in class Displays of and... Materials used student work Materials used in class Discussions in class Materialsand... used Discussions 14.3% 28.6% 23.8% 14.3% 19% inSchool class and... Materials used publications Discussions inSchool class and... publications Discussions School Discussions and presentations about topics studied in class Special events and... publications Discussions and... School 38.1% 9.5% 4.8% 42.9% and... 4.8% Special events publications and... School Special events0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% publications and... School Special events0% School publications 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% publications and... Special events0% 28.6% 10% 4.8% 14.3% 52.4% 80% 20% 30% 40%Disagree 50% 60% 90%sure 100% Strongly Agree Agree Strongly70% Disagree Not and... Special events0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree Not sure and... Strongly Agree STRONGLY AGREE DISAGREE STRONGLY NOT TOTAL 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Special events and celebrations
Strongly Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree AGREE Agree DISAGREE STRONGLY AGREE DISAGREE STRONGLY 10% 20% 30% 23.81% 50% 9.52% 60% 70% 4.76% 80% ters in school 0% Strongly Agree Agree 40%Disagree Strongly Disagree AGREE9.52% DISAGREE STRONGLY 2 AGREE5 DISAGREE2 STRONGLY 1 Agree 23.81%Disagree 9.52% Strongly Disagree 4.76% ters in school Strongly Agree AGREE9.52% DISAGREE STRONGLY AGREE DISAGREE STRONGLY 14.29%2 38.10%5 14.29%2 4.76%1 dent work Agree 23.81%Disagree 9.52% Strongly Disagree 4.76% ters in school Strongly Agree AGREE9.52% DISAGREE STRONGLY 32 AGREE85 DISAGREE32 STRONGLY 11 14.29% 38.10% 14.29% 4.76% dent work AGREE9.52% 23.81% 9.52% DISAGREE 4.76% ters in school
Not sure SURE NOT TOTAL 90% 100% 52.38% Not sure SURE NOT 11 TOTAL 21 Not sure 52.38% SURE NOT 28.57% 11 TOTAL 21 Not sure 52.38% SURE 21 NOT 116 TOTAL 21 28.57% SURE 52.38%
Strongly agree Agree Disagree Strongly disagree Not sure
WEIGHTED AVERAGE WEIGHTED AVERAGE WEIGHTED 3.67 AVERAGE WEIGHTED 3.67 AVERAGE 2.95 WEIGHTED 3.67 AVERAGE
49
d Wellness 2020
Diversity and Equity
EQUITY
Q48 Do you feel that the staff members at Danie Do you feel that the staff members at Daniels treat:
Answered: 21
Some students better than others 85.7%
All student equitably
Skipped: 0
All students equitably 14.3%
Some students better than others
S
RESPONS
y
14.29%
er than others
85.71%
50
Diversity and Equity FAIR TREATMENT Health and Wellness 2020
SurveyMonkey
If you feel that some students are treated better than others, do you think it is because any of the following: (Check all items that apply).
Q49 If you feel that some students are treated better than others, do you think it is because any of the following (Please check all items that apply): Answered: 19
Gender Gender
Skipped: 2
15.8%
Ethnocultural
Ethnocultural or racial background or Racial...
36.8%
Aboriginal
Aboriginal background Background
5.3%
Language
Language background Background
42.1%
Appearance Appearance
31.6%
Grades or
Grades or performance Performance
89.5%
Religion or
Religion or faith Faith
5.3%
Level income Level ofofincome
10.5%
Disability Disability
5.3%
Sexual
Sexual orientation Orientation
10.5%
Other (please
Other (please specify) specify)
15.8% 0% 0%
10% 10%
20% 20%
30% 30%
40% 40%
50% 50%
60% 60%
70% 70%
80% 80%
90% 100% 100% 90%
Percentage of Respondents
• • •
"The 'superstar' students" "I don't feel some students are given preferential treatment" "They are friends/colleagues with them perhaps?"
51
65 / 70
d Wellness 2020
Diversity and Equity
you know who to talk to or reach out to if you wi rough an issue related to diversity and equity at ACCESS TO RESOURCES
Do you know who to talk to or reach out to if you witnessed or went through an issue related to diversity and equity at Daniels?
Answered: 21
Skipped: 0
Yes 47.6% No 52.4%
Yes
ES
No RESPONSES 47.62% 52.38%
52
Diversity and Equity COMMENTS
Comments about equity and diversity at Daniels, paraphrased or quoted:
One of the respondents felt that because they come from another language background, some of the professors mistreat them. According to that, student an incident happened where a professor “just placed his hand infront of [their] face to shut [them] down” as they were trying to explain their project. One student is happy with the diversity of the Daniels community. One student expressed that the actions of the Equity and Diversity officer need to be done faster.
One student commented that Daniels lacks diversity within the faculty and student bodies. They then continued to express that the faculty should be more respectful of the difference in individuals at the school. One student recommends that there would be stronger “advocacy for student by student.” Along with a greater integration of general student bodies with student groups such as GALDSU. The importance of transparency and increased communication between GALDSU and faculty for wellness, grading, program requirements, metal health, faculty hiring and dean search.
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d Wellness 2020
Feedback
o you think this survey is useful for addressing t concerns of the student body? SURVEY
Do you think this survey is useful for addressing the needs and concerns of the student body?
Answered: 21
Skipped: 0
No 9.5%
Yes 90.5%
Yes
ES
No RESPONSES 90.48% 9.52%
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Feedback COMMENTS
Additional comments or suggestions, paraphrased or quoted:
GALDSU & SURVEY One of the respondents commented on GALDSU not being approachable. Some of the comments included dissatisfaction that despite having filled out these surveys, there does not seem to be visible changes and were unsure of what happens after the survey. One respondent was happy with the addition of diversity and equity questions. There was a recommendation to add a 'Not Applicable' option to some questions and that there should be a category to include what year each student is in to properly gauge students' well-being, seeing as some years are tougher than others.
MENTAL HEALTH Respondents expressed the need for sleep, and that they would like the faculty to "really care and not just pretend to care." "Staff also need to be educated about mental health and take it as acceptable for leaves of absence. This should be communicated from the top down at Daniels." One of the respondents expressed that having access to therapy through the insurance coverage provided by the University as well as CUPE 3902 was very helpful in managing their mental health. "Daniels workload is not sustainable for the mental health of many of its students. Some can thrive under this pressure and unrealistically high output expectations, but many cannot. It's really the root of the problem."
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Recommendations FROM THE EXECUTIVE
This year’s survey offers another snapshot into the opinions and experiences of the graduate students at the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design. We offer the following suggestions as a list of areas for improvement for the new academic year. 1. Platform for Mental Health Resources We identify students’ lack of knowledge and use of existing resources as one of the main concerns that require immediate action. We recommend a new platform to communicate the resources available, supplemented with consistent and frequent messaging of health and wellbeing carried out through different modes by GALDSU. 2. Faculty's Responsibility While we saw successful initiatives such as the inaugural exhibition, New Circadia, which was a great source for when students needed a space to relax or unwind, there is a student demand for a systemic change in Faculty's approach when dealing with the health and well-being of the student body. We ask the Daniels Faculty to respond with an action plan and address issues from this report, specifically in terms of cultivating transparency and embodying the message of well-being within the Faculty. There are different methods of carrying this through, such as bringing in resources for faculty members to ensure they are equipped with the right tools for creating an empathetic learning environment. Another is bringing in resources for students, much like the Learning Strategist, to help students navigate through the demands of a Masters program and establish healthy habits and schedules.
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3. Improvement in Activities and Events We recommend GALDSU to contribute further to enriching student experience. We saw that while many students expressed frustration with the difficulty of the program and its effect on their well-being, they also identified their peers, faculty and schoolwork to be what they enjoyed the most about the program. With this said, we speculate that students' mental health and well-being can be enhanced through various extracurricular programs initiated by the executive team. We recommend both academic and non-academic opportunities such as networking events, social events with other schools and departments at the University of Toronto, team sports, and physical activity. In addition, more attention to up-keeping and improving the studio space is helpful. 4. Effectiveness of Survey We recommend GALDSU to reach out to other architecture schools in Canada with this survey in order to compare student health and well-being across different faculties of architecture. Additionally, GALDSU should compare the data collected from this survey over the past 7 years in order to track trends and assess when improvements have been made to increase effectiveness. Lastly, the format of this survey can and should be reconsidered. Some respondents expressed frustration in ineffectiveness of this annual survey, while others were not aware of the report as the final product. This survey could also be shortened to increase participation, and be distributed more frequently with time-appropriate topics.
Acknowledgment
PARTICIPATION We would like to express our sincere thanks and appreciation to all of the graduate students at the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design at the University of Toronto for being part of this important dialogue and for sharing their experiences. Your participation, both in this survey and student life is invaluable. In addition, we would like to thank the following people for their dedication and time in the compilation and review of data as well as the preparation of this report: Ji Hee Kim (M.Arch II)
DATA PROCESSING BY Ji Hee Kim M.Arch II BASED ON ORIGINAL SURVEY BY Joel Leon, M.Arch 2015 Roxanna Lilova, M.Arch 2015 Jocelyn Squires, M.Arch 2016 Alex Daros, PhD Candidate, Department of Psychology, University of Toronto WRITTEN & EDITED BY Ji Hee Kim M.Arch II (Modified text from 2017-2018 report) COPY EDITORS Valerie Marshall M.Arch III SURVEY AND REPORT PREPARED BY Ji Hee Kim M.Arch II
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Resources We want to also take this opportunity to remind you of some of the supports and services here at Daniels and on campus if you are feeling distressed.
Free 24/7 support is available outside the university. Students, staff and faculty can speak to a trained crisis worker at any hour of the day:
The Graduate Architecture, Landscape and Design Student Union (GALDSU) is always here to provide support, advocate for your needs, and facilitate in navigating through any problem you may be facing. We can be reached by email:
• Good 2 Talk Student Helpline, 1-866-925-5454. Professional counseling, information and referrals for mental health, addictions and well-being. • Gerstein Crisis Centre, 416-929-5200 • Distress Centres of Greater Toronto, 416-408-HELP (4357) • Assaulted Women’s Helpline, 416-863-0511 • Central Intake, Emergency Shelters, 416-338-4766 • Canada Suicide Prevention Service, 1-833-456-4566 • The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health at 250 College Street • Anishnawbe Health Toronto Mental Health Crisis Line, 416-360-0486 • My SSP for U of T Students, 1-844-451-9700. Immediate counseling support is available in 35 languages and ongoing support in 146 languages.
galdsu@daniels.utoronto.ca In addition, the Registrar & Student Services office (DA100) are also always here to assist you, whether you require advice or support for an academic or personal matter: 416-946-3897 / registrar@daniels.utoronto.ca Additional services available on the St. George campus, located at the Koffler Student Services Centre: • Health and Wellness Centre (416-978-8030 extension 5). To see the Daniels Wellness Counselor, identify yourself as a Daniels’ student • Academic Success Centre • Centre for International Experience • Family Care Office • Multi-Faith Centre • Accessibility Services which is located at 455 Spadina Ave, 4th floor, Suite 400
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Graduate Architecture, Landscape, & Design Student Union Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, & Design University of Toronto
Additional Resources PAST REPORTS Health & Well-being Report 2018-2019 Health & Well-being Report 2016-2017 Health & Well-being Report 2015-2016 Health & Well-being Report 2014-2015 Mental Health Report 2013-2014
AVAILABLE ONLINE AT www.galdsu.ca
CONTACT US
twitter@galdsu.ca www.facebook.com/galdsu galdsu@daniels.utoronto.ca
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