Inspired by the Anishinaabe teachings of Mino Bimaaddiziwin, York University is committed to fostering community inclusion and connection. With over 375,000 alumni and numerous partners, York focuses on enhancing mental health, establishing a culture of excellence, and creating a distinct identity. Our mission is to build an equitable, decolonized environment where everyone feels a sense of belonging and can achieve their potential. This shared responsibility ensures we all experience the “Good Life” together.
Enhancing community engagement
At York University, I experienced firsthand how progressive teaching and a diverse campus environment shaped both my personal and professional growth. My experience enabled me to be confident in my capabilities and to always strive to create an enduring positive impact.”
Michael A. Eubanks, Alumni, Donor
As a corporate citizen of the City of Markham for the past 17 years, I have witnessed the city’s leadership in driving innovation and technology, creating an ideal environment for nurturing talent and professionals in Canada’s most diverse community.
I am thrilled to welcome the Markham Campus as our neighbor, bringing vibrancy and life to the community. As a proud donor, I envision my contributions and scholarships opening new frontiers for students to explore and excel, particularly in areas such as Indigenous studies and senior care, enriching their lives from both business and humanitarian perspectives. I am committed to supporting York University in maintaining its position at the forefront of preparing students for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.”
Susan Wong, Alumni, Donor
Living Well Together Highlights
York’s leadership in education and sustainability soars in prestigious rankings
York University has showcased exceptional leadership, ranking among the top 100 globally in education, English language and literature, and philosophy in the QS World University Rankings by Subject. This recognition highlights York’s commitment to academic excellence and innovative research.
Furthermore, York has climbed five spots in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, placing among the top 35 institutions worldwide for advancing the United Nations’ SDGs. York excels in SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). These achievements reflect the collective efforts of York’s faculty, staff, students, and partners who champion sustainability, inclusivity, and equity.
With over 300 additional universities joining the rankings this year, York’s sustained high performance solidifies its position as a leader in higher education and global well-being. These accomplishments reflect York’s unwavering dedication to a more sustainable and inclusive world, aligning with the University Academic Plan 2020-2025.
Inspiring York’s Decolonizing, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (DEDI) Strategy
Over the past year, York University launched its first Decolonizing, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (DEDI) Strategy, positioning itself as a leader among Canadian universities. This groundbreaking strategy acknowledges York’s colonial legacies and societal discrimination, providing a transformative vision for positive change. This significant milestone was achieved through the unwavering dedication of over 50 members of the President’s Advisory Council on EDI over two-and-a-half years.
In November 2023, York introduced phase one of the DEDI Toolkit, a resource inspired by lived experiences, aimed at harnessing community strengths to further DEDI work. Since its launch, 463 community members have engaged with the toolkit, and 107 have completed all modules by 2024. The Centre for Human Rights, Equity, and Inclusion (CHREI) and Organizational Learning and People Excellence (OLPE) also delivered a three-part DEDI in Leadership series to senior leaders.
A bold vision to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040
York University has set an inspiring goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040 or sooner. Over the past year, the University has made remarkable progress towards this objective, including signing an MOU with Noventa Energy Partners Inc. to convert wastewater into thermal energy, aiming to make Glendon the first net-zero campus in Canada.
York also secured over $2 million in federal funding from the Decarbonization Incentive Program to upgrade the Energy Management Information System (EMIS), reducing emissions and enhancing learning experiences.
A large-scale metering project at Keele Campus will install energy meters in each building, enabling real-time monitoring. These efforts are expected to save $238,000 annually, reduce annual CO2 emissions by 2,250 tonnes, and save $19 million in deferred maintenance costs.
Record-breaking fundraising efforts by York U Athletics
York University Athletics & Recreation hosted the 21st annual Lions Cup Golf Tournament, presented by TD Insurance, at King’s Riding Golf Club in King City, Ontario. The event raised a record $165,500 to support bursaries for York Lions varsity student-athletes, with $160,500 from pre-event registration and an additional $5,000 donation on the day.
The tournament saw 104 golfers participate in various challenges. York’s student-athletes were present, engaging with golfers and forming valuable connections with professionals in their fields of study.
The generous contributions from donors and sponsors are instrumental in nurturing a culture of excellence within York University Athletics & Recreation. These funds provide student-athletes with the resources they need to achieve their goals, both in the classroom and in their sports endeavors.
Fostering a culture of service excellence
In 2020, York University launched the Service Excellence Program (SEP) to enhance administrative services and foster continuous improvement for an improved community experience. Over four years, SEP transformed operations, streamlining processes like purchasing, payments, expense reimbursement, and staff hiring, making work faster and more efficient, including a new contact centre for payroll and benefits.
A new Recruitment and Onboarding service consolidated 700 recruitment and onboarding processes into 23 standardized best practices and reduced hiring programs from 30 to 5. The University Services Centre (USC) was a key achievement, providing a single contact point for high-volume tasks and improving processes based on community feedback. York remains dedicated to optimizing resources and enriching its communities. The foundation laid by SEP will guide future improvements, with the USC continuing its leadership in high-volume administrative services. This transition underscores York’s commitment to service excellence and long-term financial sustainability, ensuring a bright future for the university community.
