- About Joy
- Priorities
- Conversations
- Statements
- 2022
- Dr. Yabome Gilpin-Jackson named SFU’s first Vice-President, People, Equity and Inclusion
- Chris (Syeta’xtn) Lewis joins SFU in advisory role on Indigenous Initiatives and Reconciliation
- A World of Difference: How universities must evolve in a post-COVID world
- Russian invasion of Ukraine
- SFU: What's Next?
- Celebrating National Indigenous Peoples day
- Please join us for the annual appreciation BBQ
- SFU begins process to become Living Wage Employer
- Staying engaged in an increasingly polarized world
- SFU: What's Next? - Message from the President to Faculty and Staff
- SFU: What's Next? - Message from the President to students
- Search Announcement: Provost and Vice-President Academic
- Statement from the VP, PEI: Addressing Racism and Hate at SFU
- 2021
- Welcome new SFU students
- UPDATED Jan. 6: My response to Dec. 11 event in SFU dining hall
- Celebrating Black History Month
- The University’s Role and Contributions to a Just Recovery Over the Next Decade
- Inspired by meetings with SFU Faculty and Staff
- Looking forward to Summer and Fall
- Opinion: This is why SFU is backing the Burnaby Mountain gondola
- External Review of December 11, 2020 Event
- Facing the future with hope
- President's statement on TransMountain Expansion Project and support for a fire hall on Burnaby mountain
- The road ahead
- Stronger Together: SFU, the pandemic and lessons for a better future
- SFU to observe moment of silence at 2:15 PM today
- Taking action: Reconciliation at SFU
- Join SFU President Joy Johnson for a tour of Burnaby campus
- Message from the President: Residential school findings
- Dr. June Francis appointed Special Advisor to the President on Anti-Racism
- My response to the open letter from SFU faculty and staff
- Resources and ways to support scholars in Afghanistan
- BC Vaccine Card
- Masks required on all SFU campuses, vaccine card required for residence, athletics, dining, events and others
- Vaccine declaration and follow-up screening at SFU
- Return to campus planning updates
- Welcome Back
- Work to review contract vs. in-house cleaning and food services
- National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
- SFU and SFSS united in commitment to climate action
- Inclusion benefits us all
- Moving forward with kindness
- SFU commits to full divestment from fossil fuels
- Safety on SFU's campuses
- Thank you!
- Temporary shift to remote learning January 10 – 23, 2022
- 2020
- Statement on academic freedom
- Welcome back faculty and staff
- Welcome back students
- Statement on scholar strike
- Reflections on my first 30 days
- Taking care of ourselves, taking care of each other
- Equity, diversity and inclusion commitments
- Statement on SFU's Athletics Team Name Change
- Finding connection in times of adversity
- Wishing you a safe and restful holiday break
- Op-ed: SFU helping drive social, economic innovation in time of crisis
- 2022
- President’s Distinguished Community Leadership Award
Taking care of ourselves, taking care of each other
I’ve been meeting with student groups, faculty, and staff over the past two months, and hearing about the challenges associated with remote learning and work. I can relate. It has not been easy. People are working at their kitchen tables while balancing family needs, students are juggling course loads and considering their futures, and we all feel uncertain.
Your health and well-being is my biggest concern. I encourage you to reach out if you are struggling. SFU Health & Counselling offers a variety of support for students, faculty and staff. The Student Learning Commons provides online learning resources and the Centre for Educational Excellence has teaching resources. I encourage you to take breaks and get outside, find a walking partner for socially distanced meetings or study sessions, and if you are on campus, please support our local businesses. It has been a difficult time for us all. Please take care of yourself.
I know this community also wants to stay connected with one another. Part of that is wanting to have more in-person activities and have more time on campus. We are looking at ways to safely have more in-person activities for the spring term. Please stay tuned for more info.
It was an honour to be installed as the tenth SFU president by Her Honour, the Lieutenant Governor of B.C. Janet Austin, along with our 12th SFU Chancellor Tamara Vrooman. Having my wife and mother at my side, and donning the beautifully designed robes of office is a moment I will always remember. I’m so appreciative of those who were able to join in the ceremony – including our Board of Governors Chair Syeta'xtn Chris Lewis who emceed, and I am very proud to be president of SFU.
SFU’s virtual Convocation ceremonies were also a highlight. We have made some wonderful changes to Convocation, including the addition of Indigenous drumming and the newly designed regalia which reflects the territories where the Burnaby Campus resides. I am especially proud of our graduates who completed their studies during an incredibly challenging time in history, and whose achievements give us hope. Thank you to everyone who participated, including all the teams across SFU who collaborated to deliver an extraordinary program.
Over the next several weeks, I will continue to meet with university groups to connect and share my priorities as president and discuss meaningful ways to respond to current challenges. I look forward to connecting with you and hearing your ideas on how we can not only survive, but also thrive in the current climate.
Until then, please stay safe, stay strong and take care of each other.