York University is taking measured steps to address the 2023 auditor general's report and to achieve financial sustainability, while continuing to advance institutional priorities and create opportunities for innovation and program renewal.
Much of this work is being advanced through the York U Forward Action Plan, a critical University-wide strategy consisting of 17 interconnected projects designed to position York U for success in a changing global post-secondary education landscape by: sparking innovation; improving operations; and addressing future learning and knowledge needs.
As a part of Program Sustainability Review (project 4), the University recently introduced a temporary pause in admissions to 18 undergraduate programs with very small numbers of applications for Fall 2025. The temporary pause in admissions is to allow time for faculty members to reimagine curriculum and develop strategies to attract new students and enhance their experience once at York.
"This temporary pause creates needed space for our academic community to strengthen offerings in ways that respond to student needs while maintaining our unwavering commitment to social justice, equity, inclusion and decolonization," said David Peters, interim provost and vice-president academic. "These institutional values remain at the core of York's mission, and we are dedicated to supporting the scholars and scholarship that advance these crucial areas."
The pause will not affect course offerings. Many of the programs, while having relatively few majors, offer courses that enjoy robust enrolment as electives. These courses will remain available and current students enrolled in the identified programs will be fully supported to complete their degrees. Faculty members and program Chairs will have an opportunity to reflect on their course offerings relative to majors in reimagining their curriculum and credential options.
The provost affirms that the temporary pause in undergraduate admissions also does not represent a withdrawal of support for the fields of study, and notes the many supports available - in addition to others to be provided as part of this project - including, for example, Indigenous-centred research, teaching, learning, creative work and communities. Progress toward the goals set out in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's Calls to Action, the Indigenous Framework for York University and the Decolonizing, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (DEDI) include efforts to grow and support the complement of Indigenous faculty members at York, the formation of a first-in-Canada Indigenous Ethics Research Board (IREB) and the intellectual community created by the Centre for Indigenous Knowledges and Languages.
Similarly, York's groundbreaking work in gender and sexuality studies continues. As one of the first Canadian universities to establish a Women's Studies Program, York will maintain its leadership in presenting cutting-edge sex, gender and feminist studies curriculum as well as research through its interdisciplinary Centre for Feminist Studies.
Robust research and teaching will also continue in Jewish studies. Popular electives will continue to be offered and the Israel and Golda Koschitzky Centre for Jewish Studies. Canada's first interdisciplinary research centre in Jewish studies will maintain its vibrant academic and cultural community.
These actions align with recommendations from the 2023 Auditor General's report while responding to provincial and federal policy changes affecting higher education funding. The goal is to ensure long-term program sustainability and create enriched learning experiences that will attract more students to these important fields of study.
"This temporary pause presents York with an opportunity to reimagine what types of programs would appeal to more students as a major while preserving the teaching and learning in these areas over the long term," said Peters. Building on past discussions, deans and the provost will be launching further facilitated discussions next month to develop innovative approaches to curriculum design, delivery and program renewal. "We invite faculty to participate in these important conversations," Peters added.
This story was originally featured in YFile, York University's community newsletter.
