As York evolves into a comprehensive, research-intensive university by implementing the priorities of the University Academic Plan (UAP) , it must plan strategically and also remain open to new opportunities. All new initiatives must adhere to one or more of the eight academic priorities set out in the UAP, meet several overarching principles, reflect the needs of society and address York’s aspirations as a progressive university in the 21st century.

Key Strategic Initiatives

Efforts to Intensify and Strategically Expand Research Activity

While York has grown into one of Canada's largest universities, it is not yet one of Canada's top research-intensive universities. Recognizing this dichotomy, the UAP sets the intensification and expansion of research as the paramount objective. This will require strategic initiatives that ensure major short-term leaps forward while creating a sustainable, innovative and enhanced research culture in the long-term. Planned initiatives must ensure research intensification across the entire professoriate; that we maintain our prominence in areas of historical research strength; that we invest strategically and aggressively into niche areas; and that we diversify our research base and build our reputation through external partnerships with a focus on building clusters in York Region. Investments in research infrastructure and services are needed to create highly competitive recruitment packages to attract world-class scholars in strategic areas to drive forward York's research performance.

For more information visit the York Research website.

Expansion of Programming with a Focus on the Life Sciences and Applied Sciences

By any standard, York University is a very large institution. Future growth must be carefully controlled and contribute to York's evolution towards becoming a more comprehensive institution. It must be growth on our terms. The University is currently investigating directions of future growth in the life sciences and applied sciences that could lead to the development of a Medical School and/or a new Faculty of Engineering.

Building the New Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies

Ongoing efforts to create a more comprehensive university. In its current form, the transition from the Faculty of Arts and the Atkinson Faculty of Liberal and Professional Studies to a new Faculty is an opportunity to create a foundation that will underpin most of the activities for the largest segment of York's students. The transition efforts will relate to many, and possibly all, of the priority areas in the UAP.

Student Experience

Research on the retention and graduation of students shows that students who find support for their learning, receive feedback about their learning and are actively involved in learning are more likely to learn and to remain engaged as students and as alumni. The initiatives at York are designed to provide academic, social and personal support to connect students with their university experience - both inside and outside of the classroom. Examples of initiatives being developed include the revitalization of the college system, which will create smaller communities within the larger York experience and integrate students into campus life through co-curricular programming, and the Research At York (RAY) program that provides students and faculty the opportunity to work together on research projects. A Retention Council jointly chaired by the Associate Vice-President Academic Learning Initiatives and the Manager of Student Success and Retention in Student Community and Leadership Development has been established with Associate Deans, College Masters and Academic Advisers to identify new programming and support to assist in the retention of students.

Community Relations

York University is involved in the community through many programs and initiatives. Current examples include the Westview Partnership, which engages students from local schools in both academic and non-academic pursuits and the new York University satellite centre in the neighbouring Jane-Finch community, which will offer a variety of community-university initiatives that enhance student learning and build stronger neighbourhoods. These include tax preparation clinics, free legal services, counseling and mentoring programs. York will continue existing efforts and create new initiatives that will link academic pursuits to the needs o f the local community. We will also work to bring focus and visibility to existing programs and to continue building the valuable relationship with our surrounding community.

Improving Administrative Procedures and Integrated Resource Planning

Major initiatives to ensure achievement of academic objectives and the successful implementation of the UAP through streamlining current procedures, aligning resources to strategic initiatives, building administrative infrastructure to support planning and creating a culture of accountability and active performance management.

 

For more information download the full PDF.