Although there were no overall ranking tables, York University was rated among the top 10 universities in Canada for its postgraduate programs in the second annual "University Report Card," a special report featured in the Globe and Mail Oct. 15. The survey of students attending 38 universities ranked York ninth for the quality of its postgraduate offerings, as well as 14th for "number of courses to choose from." The lead-off "quality of education" category was dominated by smaller universities (such as top-ranked Trent, followed by Brock and Guelph) but York scored best among Toronto universities. It was placed at 25, ahead of Ryerson at 28 and the University of Toronto Scarborough, Main and Mississauga campuses – at 36, 37 and 38 respectively. The Globe said the report card is the only comprehensive survey of what students think about Canada's universities.
OPP won't investigate Hall’s fundraising
Robert MacDermid, political science professor in York’s Faculty of Arts and expert on campaign-finance law, was cited in a Globe & Mail Oct. 15 story on the Ontario Provincial Police decision to pass on a complaint about Toronto mayoralty candidate Barbara Hall’s pre-election campaign activities to Toronto city council for action. MacDermid said the OPP decision "underlines the absurdity of municipal finance laws. No one seems to want to pursue a complaint and there's no clear line about who is responsible to investigate."
Peace prize
Saeed Rahnema, political science professor in York’s Atkinson Faculty of Liberal and Professional Studies, commented in a Globe & Mail story Oct. 15 on the Iranian government’s cool reaction to female and human rights lawyer Shirin Ebadi receiving a Nobel Peace Prize. "Formally they will congratulate her," said Rahnema, "but of course they are very unhappy with her because now she will be a great figure internationally."
On air
- Peter Stevens, York PhD candidate in history, was interviewed on "Daybreak," CFPR-FM, Prince George, BC, Oct. 10, regarding the historical basis for Canadian Thanksgiving.