Toronto, October 8, 1996--Education and Training Minister John Snobelen confirmed funding today for the building of a Seneca@York campus that will offer enriched programs to more students eager to translate their theoretical and applied learning to jobs in the new economy.

"Students will be the winners," Snobelen said at a groundbreaking ceremony at York University where he announced the province would commit $37.9 million to the joint venture between York University and the Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology. Construction of the campus, which is expected to open its doors in the fall of 1998 to accommodate more than 3,000 students, will begin immediately. The project, originally announced in 1994, received formal approval today after a year-long review.

"This new campus will not only give students up-to-date facilities, but it will also prepare them for the changing needs of Ontario's work force," said Snobelen. "Although these are times of economic restraint, I am delighted to confirm funding for this most worthwhile project."

Seneca@York will develop joint college/university programs to produce graduates with both theoretical and practical understanding of their disciplines. Some of the Seneca/York ventures being planned include the development of joint programs in Biological Studies and Applied Chemistry, Communication Arts, Computer Studies, Early Childhood Education as well as in advanced technology programs such as digital media.

"I'm delighted to say that one of the real benefits of this joint venture is that students will soon be able to graduate with a combined Bachelors Degree/Diploma in an average of four years, rather than five or six," said Stephen Quinlan, President of Seneca College. "They will have both the theoretical and applied skills they need to enter the workforce job-ready."

The project is a model of college, university and industrial cooperation that provides educational resources and infrastructure to produce knowledge-based workers essential to the new economy.

"Students will benefit from the blending of the analytical and the technical," said York University President Dr. Susan Mann. "Partnerships like Seneca@York are key to offering students a greater range and flexibility in their post-secondary education. This is clearly the way of the future," said Mann, noting that York University is Canada's leader in university-college collaborations.

New joint York-Seneca programs will be developed that blend the analytical and reflective strengths of York with the more applied training strengths of Seneca. Programs in applied science and technology, culture and technology, and training for new professions required in a rapidly changing society are among the cooperative possibilities being considered. They will create unique teaching, learning and research opportunities for faculty and students of both York and Seneca.

"This is a great opportunity for future students at Seneca@York," said recent Seneca graduate Paul Koskinen, who served on the project's planning group. "The new facilities and programs will give students an opportunity to become comfortable with industry standards. It is this kind of partnership and innovation that will help students become successful in the 21st century," he said.

Seneca College and York University will also share in the Facilities Renewal Fund for post-secondary institutions, which has been confirmed at $22.5 million for each of the next three years. This money will be shared among Ontario's 25 colleges and 17 universities to help them make much-needed infrastructure improvements.

For more information, please contact:

Michael Harrison
Minister's Office
(416) 325-4184

Sine MacKinnon
York University
(416) 736-2100, x 22087

Marjorie Wallens
Seneca College
(416) 491-5050, x 2351
YU/046/96