Government to invest in a new York University School of Medicine

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The following announcement was issued to the York U community on March 26, 2024. The Government of Ontario has announced that it will be investing in a new York University School of Medicine, giving the University the green light to proceed with its development.

This is a major achievement for all of the York community including its many partners and supporters, and an important milestone for the trajectory that York U has been advancing as an international, comprehensive and research-intensive University committed to a high quality student learning experience and to strengthening the health and well-being of society and the planet.


Dear colleagues,

It is my privilege to be able to share the exciting news that in today’s provincial budget the Government of Ontario announced $9M in start up funding for a new York University School of Medicine. For all of us this reflects a remarkable milestone and opportunity to amplify our positive impact by creating better health equity in the province.

Together with Senate, the Board of Governors, our Faculties and partners we can now move forward on the creation of a first of its kind School of Medicine. We are delighted that the province sees value in our compelling proposal.

The community will be our campus. Founded on a patient-centred, community-based approach, we envision a School that will prepare the next generation of primary care physicians—trained to leverage the most recent digital health technologies and to work collaboratively within inter-professional health care teams at diverse learning sites.

We have been working steadily towards this vision, expanding health and health-related programs in multiple faculties over the last 15 years including the Faculty of Health, establishing an impressive foundation of teaching and research that will inform our plans for the School of Medicine. To enhance access and the diversity of students in health fields, we also intend to offer a two-year bridging pathway for students who may not have considered a career in medicine or health.

We would like to thank the City of Vaughan, a key partner in this initiative. The City has agreed to transfer land to the University to build the School of Medicine within the Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct. This is a unique innovation uniting health care providers, teachers and learners with researchers, innovators, and business leaders, together at one site.

This announcement is one of many steps along the path to bring this vision to reality which will involve important processes including with Senate, the Board of Governors, our Faculties and partners. Time and again we have demonstrated our ability to come together and make incredible things happen. I look forward to working with the University community and our supporters as we deliver something exceptional and community-centred that addresses the health care challenges facing our province and makes a real difference in the lives of the people we serve.

Thank you to the Government of Ontario for their confidence in us, and thanks to our many partners who continue to contribute in a multitude of ways. We are ready and eager to meet the challenges ahead and to contribute to a healthier future for all. Please look for updates on next steps as we learn more details about this new funding.

Rhonda L. Lenton
President & Vice Chancellor

For more information about this historic moment, visit News@York.


Le gouvernement investit dans une nouvelle école de médecine à l’Université York

Le message a été diffusé officiellement à la communauté de l’Université York le 26 mars, 2024. Le gouvernement de l’Ontario a annoncé qu’il investira dans la nouvelle École de médecine de l’Université York, donnant ainsi le feu vert pour son développement.

C’est une réalisation majeure pour l’ensemble de la communauté de York, y compris ses nombreux partenaires et alliés. C’est aussi une étape importante dans la trajectoire que l’université a suivie en tant qu’université internationale, polyvalente et à forte intensité de recherche, qui s’engage à offrir aux étudiants une expérience d’apprentissage de grande qualité et à renforcer la santé et le bien-être de la société et de la planète.


Chers collègues, chères collègues,

J’ai le plaisir et le privilège de vous faire part de l’excellente nouvelle, annoncée par gouvernement de l’Ontario dans le cadre du budget provincial d’aujourd’hui, d’un financement de 9 M$ pour une nouvelle École de médecine à l’Université York .Cette décision constitue un jalon important et une occasion d’amplifier notre incidence positive en améliorant l’équité en matière de santé dans la province.

En collaboration avec le Sénat, le Conseil d’administration, nos facultés et nos partenaires, nous pouvons maintenant aller de l’avant dans la création d’une École de médecine unique en son genre. Nous nous réjouissons que la province reconnaisse la valeur de notre proposition engageante.

La communauté sera notre campus. En nous fondant sur une approche communautaire axée sur les patients, nous prévoyons une école qui préparera la prochaine génération de médecins de première ligne. Ces derniers seront formés pour utiliser les technologies de santé numériques les plus récentes et pour travailler en collaboration au sein d’équipes de soins de santé interprofessionnelles sur divers sites d’apprentissage.

Au cours des 15 dernières années, nous avons travaillé sans relâche à la réalisation de cette vision en peaufinant les programmes de santé et liés à la santé dans plusieurs facultés (dont la Faculté de la santé) et en établissant une base impressionnante d’enseignement et de recherche qui inspirera nos plans de l’École de médecine. Afin d’améliorer l’accès et la diversité étudiante dans les domaines de la santé, nous avons également l’intention d’offrir un programme de transition de deux ans aux étudiants et étudiantes qui n’auraient peut-être pas envisagé une carrière en médecine ou en santé.

Nous tenons à remercier la Ville de Vaughan, partenaire clé de cette initiative, qui a accepté de transférer des terrains à l’Université pour construire l’École de médecine dans l’espace de soins de santé de Vaughan. Ce regroupement innovateur et unique en son genre réunit sur un même site des prestataires de soins de santé, des professeurs et des apprenants, ainsi que des chercheurs, des innovateurs et des chefs d’entreprise.

Cette annonce est l’une des nombreuses étapes sur la voie de la concrétisation de cette vision, qui impliquera la mise en place de processus majeurs, notamment avec le Sénat, le Conseil d’administration, nos facultés et nos partenaires. À maintes reprises, nous avons démontré notre capacité à réaliser ensemble des choses incroyables. J’ai hâte de travailler avec la communauté universitaire et nos donateurs pour mettre en place un projet exceptionnel et axé sur la communauté qui répondra aux défis auxquels notre province est confrontée en matière de soins de santé et qui fera changer les choses dans la vie des personnes que nous servons.

Nous remercions le gouvernement de l’Ontario pour la confiance qu’il nous accorde, ainsi que nos nombreux partenaires qui continuent à nous appuyer de multiples façons. Nous sommes enthousiastes à l’idée de relever les défis qui nous attendent et de contribuer à un avenir plus sain pour tout le monde. Nous vous tiendrons au courant des prochaines étapes au fur et à mesure que nous aurons plus de détails sur ce nouveau financement.

Rhonda L. Lenton
Présidente et vice-chancelière

Pour plus d’informations, visitez News@York.

Call for nominations: Robert Everett Exceptional Leadership in Student Governance Award 2024

Three York University students collaborating on project

Do you know a York student actively engaged in governance life, whose efforts and contributions are making a difference at the University? The Robert Everett Exceptional Leadership in Student Governance Award recognizes and celebrates these students and their impact on governance at York University. Established in 2018, this award is named in honour of Robert Everett, a distinguished senior assistant secretary of the University, who made extraordinary contributions supporting University governance for three decades.

All members of the University community are encouraged to submit nominations for this award; self-nominations are not permitted. Nominees must be full-time undergraduate or graduate students with an active registration in a University program who have:

  • actively and constructively participated in University governance at the Senate, Board of Governors and/or Faculty Council levels;
  • embodied a strong spirit of collegiality, inclusiveness and commitment in their approach to governance;
  • exhibited leadership in performing the duties of their role; and
  • made meaningful contributions to governance as a student.

Students may receive only one Robert Everett Exceptional Leadership in Student Governance Award in their academic career at York (i.e. undergraduate award winners may not be nominated again in subsequent years as an undergraduate or during graduate studies).

Recipients of the award will have a notation included on their transcript and receive both a framed certificate and recognition on a plaque. They will also be honoured at the 2024 Student Awards reception hosted by the Division of Students.

Nomination packages must include:

  • A completed nomination form.
  • A one- to two-page nomination letter that speaks to:
    • the nominee’s willingness to assume leadership in governance activities;
    • the amount of effort expended, particularly that beyond normal expectations of the role;
    • the quality of effort made (intensity, extensiveness, complexity);
    • the impact made, attributable to the nominee’s efforts;
    • the collegial and inclusive approach taken in collaborations; and
    • the commitment taken to foster student perspectives to help shape University decisions.
  • Up to three additional reference letters (no more than two pages each), at least one of which must be from a current York University student.

The nomination package deadline is Friday, April 5. Submissions must be completed online.

Questions related to the Robert Everett Exceptional Leadership in Student Governance Award may be forwarded to the University Secretariat through Pascal Robichaud pascalr@yorku.ca.

Cast your vote: Board of Governors undergraduate student nominee

best of yu, diverse group of students at bench

Following the recent call for undergraduate student nominations to the Board of Governors, two undergraduate student nominees will be running for the position. The candidates and their personal statements be found on the Secretariat website.

All registered students at York University are eligible to vote for their candidate of choice.

Voting opens: Monday, March 25 at 9 a.m.
Voting closes: Friday, March 29 at 5 p.m.

To cast your ballot, visit yuvote.yorku.ca.

Passings: Roy McMurtry

A field of flowers at sunset

Roy McMurtry, who served as York University’s 12th chancellor, and was a former Ontario chief justice and attorney general, has passed away at the age of 91.

McMurtry was appointed as York’s 12th chancellor in May of 2008, following his retirement from an extensive, successful law career.

Roy McMurtry
Roy McMurtry
Photo credit: Court of Appeal for Ontario

After graduating from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1958, McMurtry worked as a trial lawyer for 17 years. He then went on to be elected to the Ontario legislature and later was appointed attorney general in 1975. In 1979 he founded the Osgoode Society to promote and recognize the writing of Canadian legal history. He left office in 1985 to become Canada’s high commissioner to the United Kingdom. In 1996, he was appointed chief justice of Ontario after serving as the chief of the Superior Court of Justice until his retirement in 2007.

Throughout McMurtry’s career, he was a champion of human rights, pushing against discrimination, and fighting for those who were under-represented in society. He has been credited for playing a key role in implementing bilingualism in courts of justice, in the patriation of Canada’s Constitution, in ending apartheid in South Africa and in legalizing same-sex marriage in Ontario.

Among the many awards McMurtry won during his career were Osgoode Hall Law School’s Alumni Award of Excellence, the President of the Bar Association’s Award of Merit and an honorary degree form York University.

In 2008, the same year he was inducted into the Order of Ontario, McMurtry was named York’s 12th chancellor.

As chancellor, McMurtry served as the honorary head of York, conferring degrees, acting as an ambassador for the University and working to advance its interests. As a member of the President’s Task Force on Community Engagement, he also played a key role in the creation of a draft Statement and Principles on Community Engagement as well as the task force’s final report and recommendations, issued in February 2010.

At the time of McMurtry’s unanimous appointment to a second term as York’s chancellor, then York president and vice-chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri noted: “He is well-respected and extremely passionate about the entire York community, particularly our students. From the outset, his goal has been to encourage and promote the education of students and help them to become meaningfully engaged with their communities. Through his unwavering commitment, he has certainly accomplished that.”

By the end of his time at York, McMurtry had addressed over 100 convocations and conferred over 70,000 degrees upon graduating students.

When he stepped down, the University honoured his years of service with a special tribute: the Roy McMurtry Green in front of Osgoode Hall’s Ignat Kaneff Building, which also recognizes him with a plaque.

Roy McMurtry Green
Roy McMurtry Green

“York University has become a part of my DNA, so I am very grateful to receive this honour,” McMurtry said at the dedication ceremony. “It was a privilege to be a part of York’s journey and to bear witness to its unique diversity and strong determination to connect with the broader community. Serving as university chancellor was an unforgettable experience that I will always treasure. We should all be proud of what York has accomplished and will continue to accomplish.”

At the unveiling of the plaque and green, Shoukri shared words that resonate even now, following McMurtry’s passing. “The Roy McMurtry Green solidifies the chancellor’s legacy as a lifelong advocate for social justice and community engagement – a spirit that he brought with him to York,” Shoukri said. “His reputation as a champion of York University will endure as an inspiration for generations of students.”

Call for undergraduate student nominations to the Board of Governors

best of yu, diverse group of students at bench

The Student Senator Caucus (SSC) oversees nominations for student members for the Board of Governors and makes a recommendation to them based upon the election results. The election of student governors rotates annually between undergraduate and graduate/professional students.

The Board of Governors appoints its members. The Student Senator Caucus is responsible for nominating those members, and in practice has done so through an election. This year, the SSC has appointed Ryan Whiston as chief returning officer and Rose Wang as deputy returning officer. Following the election results, SSC will confirm the results and recommend to the board that the candidate with the highest vote total be appointed to the board.

This year, SSC is accepting nominations for undergraduate student nominees. Nominations will be accepted starting Monday, Feb. 26 at 9 a.m. The deadline for nominations is Friday, March 8 at 9 a.m. No late or incomplete forms will be accepted.

For further information, including nomination forms, election rules, regulations and important dates, please visit the Secretariat’s website or contact Elaine MacRae at emacrae@yorku.ca

Synopsis of most recent meeting of Senate

Vari hall

The synopsis of the 703rd meeting of the Senate of York University, held on Feb. 15, is now available.

A PDF copy of the synopsis is available to view.

Call for nominations: 2024 Honorific Professorships

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The Senate Committee on Awards is now accepting nominations for University Professorships and Distinguished Research Professorships.

University Professorships are conferred upon long-serving, tenured faculty members who have demonstrated a commitment to participation in University life and/or contribution to the University as a community, as well as appropriate levels of scholarship and teaching success. 

The Distinguished Research Professorship is awarded to a member of the faculty who has made outstanding contributions to the University through research. The Distinguished Research Professor will have demonstrated scholarly achievement by sustained publication or other recognized and accepted demonstrations of sustained authoritative contributions to scholarship.

Nominations may be made by all tenured faculty members, who shall provide a complete nomination file, including the nominee’s CV and a detailed letter of nomination explaining how the candidate’s achievements conform to the general criteria, along with three letters of support from those in a position to comment on the nominee’s achievements and contributions.

Additional details about the criteria and nomination procedures are set out in the Senate Policy on Honorific Professorships.  Nominations for Honorific Professorships should be submitted by Friday, March 1 at 4:30 p.m. Nominations may be submitted via the Distinguished Research Professor Mach Form or the University Professor Mach Form available on the Awards web page, or by sending the PDF Form to Michelle Roseman at rosemanm@yorku.ca.

Synopsis of most recent meeting of Senate

Vari hall

The synopsis of the 702nd meeting of the Senate of York University, held on Jan. 25, is now available.

A PDF copy of the synopsis is available to view.