TORONTO, May 7, 1998 -- York University President Dr. Lorna R. Marsden said today that the recent provincial budget met many of the priorities set out by York University.

"Our pleas to the minister have been both persistent and consistent, and we are pleased he has heard and responded to at least two of them," she said. "We have sought -- and secured -- fairer funding distribution among Ontario universities; we have sought -- and secured -- investment in research and support for our researchers. And we will continue to lobby for additional financial aid for the many worthy students at York who need it," she said.

This week's budget set aside an additional $29 million in annual grants to recognize the contribution of Ontario universities, like York University, that have increased students' access to post-secondary education. Marsden said she looks forward to the minister's announcement outlining distribution details.

The provincial government also introduced a $75 million graduate scholarship program and allocated $75 million in research excellence awards so that recent PhDs can gain research experience while assisting cutting-edge scholars in Ontario universities.

The provincial government's acknowledgement and support of the needs of learning disabled students is also good news for York University, said Marsden. York University is one of four universities selected by the Learning Opportunities Task Force to implement a pilot project that addresses the challenges faced by learning disabled students, opening up the contributions they can make.

Marsden said York University will put all these public investments to good use.

"These measures present opportunities -- for graduate students eager to learn from and help senior research scholars, for learning disabled students, and for administrators working hard to maintain and enrich academic excellence for students, the community and the country," she said.

For more information, please contact:

Sine MacKinnon
Senior Advisor, Media Relations
York University
(416) 736-2100, ext. 22087
YU/042/98