Toronto Summer Institute – FAQ

TORONTO SUMMER INSTITUTE July 11-16, 20

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Where is the Toronto Summer Institute 2020 being held?

At the Ryerson Campus International Living and Learning Centre (ILLC), 240 Jarvis Street, Toronto, ON M5B 2L1
and
The Ramada Plaza Toronto, 300 Jarvis Street, Toronto ON M5B 2C5

We gather at the Ramada Plaza Toronto, for Saturday evening check-in and registration, beginning at 6:00pm.  Light refreshments will be served.

We open the Toronto Summer Institute 2020 at 7:00 pm Saturday evening, July 11, 2020 in the second floor Ballrooms of the Ramada Plaza.  The Ramada is about 10 minutes walk from the Ryerson Campus International Living and Learning Centre (ILLC).

  • 6:00 pm Institute Registration opens at the Ramada Plaza
  • 7:00 pm Welcome and Opening Ceremony, Ballrooms, second floor, Ramada Plaza Toronto

All Saturday evening events are at the Ramada Plaza

2. What is the pricing for the Toronto Summer Institute 2020?

Early Bird Registration – February 1st – May 31, 2020

Individual –    $850.00

Team 3 or more –  $725.00 per person

Alumni – $725.00 

Registration from June 1st – July 10th

Individual –    $925.00

Team 3 or more –  $800.00 per person

Alumni – $725.00

3. What is the schedule for the TSI? 

FORMAT of the WEEK (a work in progress)

SATURDAY EVENING, JULY 11 at the Ramada Plaza Toronto

6:00 pm   Registration & Welcome Reception (light refreshments)
7:00 pm   Summer Institute Opening

                   Indigenous Welcome Ceremony
        World Cafe community connection conversations

Sunday, JULY 12 – Coffee at 8:30 am   Program (for all) begins at 9:00 am

A Full day at the Ramada Plaza Toronto
building our community;  growing our connections,
exploring weekday morning modules; 
developing our schedule together.  
includes Breaks and  Lunch

exploring weekday morning modules; 

Monday – Wednesday JULY 13 – 15

7:30 – 8:15    am     Mindfulness at the ILLC International Room
8:30 – 8:50   am     Community Updates/Connections (All gather Ramada Plaza) 
9:00 – 12:00 pm     Morning Modules  (in various breakout rooms/spaces)
Lunch break (on your own)
1:15 – 4:00  pm    The Learning Marketplace sessions 
4:15 – 5:30  pm     Weekday Plenary Sessions  (All gather at the Ramada Plaza Toronto)

Wednesday evening, July 15   
There will be a celebratory event, still to be invented, on Wednesday evening

Thursday JULY 16 (All gather Ramada Plaza)

9:00  am      Community Reflections and Closing 
1:00  pm      Finale (complete by 1:30)

Monday – Wednesday Morning Modules:  There will be learning modules offered each morning (listing/titles are a work in progress).  You will be introduced to the modules on Sunday afternoon.  We request that you choose one and focus your learning. 

Learning Marketplace: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons, the Learning Marketplace – Open Space Agenda begins. Our agenda will be co-created Sunday afternoon in the Learning Marketplace.   This session fits your skills and interests into a master format for the week. Bring topics and questions you are passionate about. The Marketplace invites your contributions to flourish and you to invent your own learning agenda!

Evening Sessions: daily/spontaneous – film, conversation, music, reflection, chances to connect.  

Meals & Such:  Unless otherwise specified, meals are by your own arrangement. You are encouraged to explore the incredible diversity of Toronto.  There will be a Welcome Reception Saturday evening, July 11 (light refreshments); on Sunday, July 12, a continental breakfast and boxed lunch.  

FOR INFORMATION:  Most of the information you need is already here. This Institute is an adventure in learning. There will be no course outlines, but rather daily agendas. This is learning on the edge. Join us and together we will build a better tomorrow.

4. How do I get to Toronto, downtown Ryerson Campus and the ILLC and Ramada Plaza?

TO REACH THE COURSE VENUE and NEARBY HOTELS:

Driving and Parking: We leave you to map your routes via Google and such.   

Transportation into Toronto

Driving… The Address for the ILLC hotel destination is 240 Jarvis Street, Toronto ON M5B 2L1.  Please map your routes via Google or Apps such as WAZE.  Due to constant summer construction, checking your route on a ‘live feed’ is recommended.  

Two Toronto Airports: Billy Bishop (YTZ) and Pearson (YYZ)

Billy Bishop Airport – the downtown, city airport – 

Porter airlines flies in to this harbour front airport in the center of the city of Toronto.   Check: https://www.flyporter.com and compare rates and flight schedules to those in and out of Pearson International. Often the flights are very competitively priced. There is Free shuttle bus outside the Billy Bishop Terminal, to downtown Union station.  From Union Station take a taxi to ILLC – (240 Jarvis Street). Taxis are available outside of Union Station to reach your accommodation.

Toronto Pearson International Airport:   

Options for travel into the city from Pearson Airport:

This is a new express train service (25 minutes) from Pearson Airport to the Union Station.  ($12.35 one way).  Very comfy – likely the best new way into the city. For more information about how to find the train from the airport to the city, check out: https://www.upexpress.com/  Tickets can also be purchased ahead on line or at a kiosk/machine on the train platform.

From Union Station take a taxi to ILLC – (240 Jarvis Street). Taxis are available outside of Union Station to reach your accommodation.

  • Taxis: Taxis to hotels in downtown Toronto cost between Cdn $45 – $65.00, plus tip, and take about 35 – 45 minutes.

Taxis and limousines are available outside of every terminal at designated stands. The cost is comparable between the taxis and limousines.   Estimate for this trip: @$65 CAD for the ride and takes about 45 minutesLimousines: Limousines are comfortable sedans, typically black, that operate similarly to taxis, but offer a higher standard of service and newer vehicles. Limousines are available outside of every terminal.

  • Uber or Lyft– You can now use Uber or Lyft from Billy Bishop or Pearson International Airport.  For information for use from Pearson follow this link: https://www.uber.com/en-CA/airports/yyz/ You should be able to use your Uber or Lyft accounts for this purpose
  • TTC (bus and subway via Pearson airport):  Ground transportation at the airport curb by bus to the Kipling TTC station  (look for signs or ask information about the bus to connect with the TTC subway at the Kipling Station). Cost of $3.25 Cdn and you need to have the correct cash or a token to board the bus.  Connecting transit is available then to downtown Toronto and Ryerson University.  TTC Fares, Passes, Ticket Information: https://www.ttc.ca/Fares_and_passes/Prices/index.jsp

5. Where do your Registration fees go?

The Summer Institute has no sponsor.  It is self-sustaining.  We RENT space from Ryerson University and the Ramada Plaza Toronto.  In the ILLC meeting spaces and at the Ramada Plaza we are REQUIRED to use their catering.  That translates into approximately $475 for every person who crosses the threshold (they count).  By the time we pay travel costs for the hosts, and organizing costs, we target a break-even operation.   The TSI hosts donate their services.  It is a remarkable event that requires amazing commitment from so many – including you.  We just want you to know that no one is getting rich at the Summer Institute – except in their hearts and minds.  

We also provide subsidies to a variety of participants to ensure that our institute community is diverse and welcoming to all.  

Contributions to the subsidy fund are most welcome.  Please contact events@inclusion.com for more information!

6. Is your Accommodation included in the Registration/Tuition Cost.

Accommodation costs are on your own and are not part of the Registration cost.  Your registration/ tuition covers the expenses of hosting the Institute, the cost of meeting space and catering.  The Summer Institute runs on a break-even basis.  

The ILLC has very reasonable rates for downtown Toronto, and is the location of the modules, the hospitality suite, and is within easy walking distance to the Ramada Plaza Toronto.  Your registration/ tuition covers the expenses of hosting the Institute, the cost of meeting space and catering. 

7. Where do I stay on or near the Ryerson Campus?

Reservations must be made by Guests directly on line with the Promo Code provided for accommodation at Ryerson University’s ILLC (International Living and Learning Centre).  If a Guest would like to stay for dates outside of the TSI group booking dates (July 10-17) please make the reservation online for the TSI group dates (July 10-17) and then contact Ryerson Group Accommodations at reservations@ryerson.ca to have their dates extended.

Booking Link: https://www.ryerson.ca/summer-stay/
Residence:  International Living/Learning Centre (ILC)
Promo code:  TSI2020

Dates:  July 10-17, 2020
Cutoff date:  May 10, 2020

8. Are there any hospitality places to gather inthe evenings for people attending the TSI?

The Hospitality Suite opens beginning Saturday afternoon July 16, in an ILLC Floor Lounge. The Hospitality lounge is a  BYO  snacks  kind  of gathering space. It is self-hosted and self-organizing for gathering and networking, and food and conversation!  We will POST the location of the lounge once we know (which floor it will be on).  We’ll get you started with some snacks, goodies and supplies and then you’ll organize the rest!  

Please confirm the location of the TSI hospitality floor lounge  in ILLC on your arrival with the ILC front desk staff.

9. What should I bring with me?

An open heart and an open mind! Curiosity more than certainty…

A willingness to stretch into meeting new people and engaging in conversations that matter!

An extra bit of space in your luggage for books and maybe some sand in your shoes!

Many people like to bring their personal journals or sketchbooks to doodle and draw as they listen and engage at the Institute.

Please bring a re-fillable water bottle or to-go coffee/tea mug to fill

Be thinking about something you might like to offer in the weekday afternoon Learning Marketplace (open space) Or about  a  Question you are carrying and something you’d like to learn more about

If you play a musical instrument, please bring it! There’s a very impromptu ‘house band’ that emerges!

inclusionpress@inclusion.com