Trevor Farrow, a professor at York University’s Osgoode Hall Law School, weighs in on the case involving Steve Tourloukis, who is asking a judge to rule he has the right to know what his kids are being taught and an opportunity to pull them from class if that clashes with his moral or religious beliefs. If Tourloukis does win, Farrow admits it could set a new precedent at schools in Hamilton and across the province, reported the Hamilton Spectator Oct. 4. Read full story.
Fine arts degrees open doors
Educators advise fine arts students to be aware of the diversity their education brings to other disciplines. And this means opening their eyes to job opportunities that break the mould, reported the Toronto Star Oct. 4. "When we think of the arts, we think only of the artist. But the concept of the creative industries are all those areas that support the artist," says Barbara Sellers-Young, dean of York University's Faculty of Fine Arts. Read full story.
Free trade with China still a decade away, Mulroney says
Critics argue the Harper government – and the domestic proponents of an open-door policy for Chinese investment – are taking a huge leap of faith that Beijing will ever open its markets to Canadian goods, services and capital, reported The Globe and Mail Oct. 3. “We’re giving up an awful lot for the promise of future access to the Chinese market,” said Gus Van Harten, a professor at Osgoode Hall Law School. Read full story.
Westray headlines Jazz Festival
Trombonist and jazz composer Ron Westray of the Wynton Marsalis Jazz Orchestra will headline a hand-picked septet at the Opera House gala Oct. 18, reported The Orillia Packet and Times Oct. 4. The Oscar Peterson Chair in Jazz Performance at York teaches in the jazz program and co-directs the York University Jazz Orchestra with Al Henderson. Read full story.
Wringing Merit Aid Out of Business Schools
Here's something they don't teach you in business school: Your financial aid package may be negotiable. Schools dole out merit aid to hook desirable students who can help raise an institution's profile and ranking, reported The Wall Street Journal Oct. 3. After crunching the numbers, Mark Berkley enrolled in York University's Schulich School of Business in Toronto this fall with about C$40,000 in merit-based aid. He took that offer over a $60,000 two-year scholarship from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management, in part because of the relative cost. Read full story.
Canadian universities drop in Times World Rankings
The Times Higher Education World University Rankings are out. Most of our schools are down, reported Macleans OnCampus Oct. 3. Only two of 19 Canadian universities on the Top 400 list improved their positions — the University of Ottawa and the University of Montreal. York University (ninth in Maclean’s Comprehensive) placed between 301 and 350. Read full story.
First Look: Pretty Sweet, Toronto’s new mobile cupcakery
She’s not the only university student in Toronto with a part time job, but Savera Hashmi is probably the only one who owns and operates a food truck, reported PostCity.com Oct. 3. Hashmi, who is in the final year of her Business & Society degree at York University, launched the Pretty Sweet cupcake truck in August. She’s currently taking the semester off to focus on her business. Read full story.