Community input invited during two upcoming forums on the Provostial White Paper

Senators, faculty, staff, students and alumni of York University are invited to attend one of two sessions of an academic planning forum to provide further collegial input to the development of the Provostial White Paper, “Canada’s Engaged University: Strategic Directions for York University 2010-2020.”  The working draft of the white paper can be downloaded from the Provostial White Paper Web site. 

The forums will be held on these two dates:

  • Thursday, March 4, from 9am to 1pm, in the Founders Assembly Hall, 152 Founders College. (Coffee will be available at 8:30am.)
  • Tuesday, March 9, from 9am to 1pm, in the Underground restaurant, Student Centre. (Coffee will be available at 8:30am.) 

Following introductory presentations on the student survey undertaken by the Strategic Counsel and on the white paper framework, participants will have an opportunity to engage in small group discussions, facilitated by members of Senate’s Academic Policy, Planning & Research Committee (APPRC), which will contribute to the preparation of the final version of the white paper that will shape York’s future directions.

Space is limited, and attendance is reserved for those who have submitted an electronic RSVP. Those who are interested in attending should send their responses, indicating which day(s) they will attend, by no later than Friday, Feb. 26, to whitepaper@yorku.ca.

Additional announcements about the forum will be forthcoming. Questions about the forums may be directed either to Marla Chodak of the Office of the Vice-President Academic & Provost or to Robert Everett of the University Secretariat.

Last summer, President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri initiated a long-term planning process, led by the provost in partnership with Senate’s APPRC, that will lead to the development of a Provostial White Paper on the future of York University. It is intended to provide a vision and direction for York that will guide the University’s academic and resource planning, and setting of strategic objectives for the next 10 to 15 years.

The first phase in this planning process was the development of a series of green papers to frame the issues and ideas in areas of strategic importance to the University. The working draft of the white paper is the result of extensive community-wide consultations – including two academic planning forums in November – around those green papers. 

Wide consultations about the draft white paper are now being undertaken. Participants’ input will be of crucial importance to inform the preparation of a final version of the white paper.

For more information, visit the Provostial White Paper Web site.