“York University is committed to creating and sustaining a culture of student success, and to putting students at the centre of everything we do.” That’s the key message in the University’s Strategic Mandate Submission delivered to Glen Murray, Ontario’s Minister of Training, Colleges & Universities, Sept. 30.
The University's Strategic Mandate Submission to the Province of Ontario outlines York's commitment to providing students with the scholarship, skills and abilities they will need to succeed in a knowledge-based economy
York’s submission builds on previous extensive consultations with students, faculty and staff that led to the development of the University Academic Plan. The plan, which received unanimous endorsement by the Senate of York University in 2011, identifies three key priorities for the University over the remainder of the decade. The first and overarching priority is the institution’s unwavering commitment to academic quality, aimed at providing students with the scholarship, skills and abilities they will need to succeed in a knowledge-based economy. York University is committed to providing an open-minded, globally-connected and forward-thinking educational experience that prepares students to contribute to and thrive in the world.
"York's submission recognizes that we are a comprehensive, research-intensive university, located in the heart of Ontario's fastest growing region," said York President and Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri. "I am pleased that our aspirations are aligned with those of the Provincial government, allowing York to take a leadership role in promoting constructive change in Ontario's postsecondary sector."
In its submission, York proposes to continue to increase the comprehensiveness of its programs, most notably through the expansion of engineering programs now underway through the planning for the new Lassonde School of Engineering, which will open its doors to students in September 2013. York University and Seneca College are also proposing to partner to create a new University of York-Seneca that would also be a satellite campus co-located on either the University’s Keele campus or an existing Seneca campus. It is envisioned that the York-Seneca partnership would expand student choice and mobility by combining, under one roof and in a single program, the benefits of a university degree and a college diploma.
“This document is about vision and aspiration, sketching out for government as well as the public how we propose to grow and develop for the benefit of our students and the community as a whole,” said York’s Vice-President Academic and Provost Patrick Monahan. “We are excited by the opportunity to present in a single document our hopes and dreams for the future at York University and we hope to partner with government as well as our university and college partners in making these dreams a reality.”
All of Ontario’s universities made similar submissions to government that are based on a discussion paper released by Murray in June 2012. The submissions will now be reviewed by an independent panel and will form the basis for Strategic Mandate Agreements that will be negotiated between the government and each university and college in Ontario.
For more information, click here to download a PDF of a PowerPoint presentation delivered to the Senate of York University on Sept. 27. Click here to download a PDF of the University's submission to the Province of Ontario.