The Yukon University Act has been proclaimed into force by the Commissioner in Executive Council, replacing the Yukon College Act. The new act enables Yukon College to transition to Yukon University, the first university in Canada north of 60.
The official launch for Yukon University will be on May 8, 2020 with a convocation ceremony for its first graduates, and a community celebration on May 9, 2020.
Three regulations have been established under the Yukon University Act that mirror those that existed under the Yukon College Act.
David Morrison has been appointed to serve as the chair of the new Yukon University Board of Governors. Tom Ullyett, who served as interim chair of the Board of Governors of Yukon College, has also been appointed as the inaugural member of the Yukon University Board of Governors.
Yukon University is Canada's first university in the North, for the North and by the North. It is designed to meet the education needs of Yukoners. This is an exciting time for our territory as we work together to create new post-secondary education, social and economic opportunities for Yukon.
Minister of Education Tracy-Anne McPhee
We appreciate the ongoing support for our transition to Yukon University from the Minister and Government of Yukon. We look forward to introducing YukonU to the world on May 8 and continuing our most vital work - building northern potential by supporting Yukoners as they achieve their education and research goals.
Dr. Karen Barnes, President and Vice Chancellor, Yukon University
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Yukon University will be a hybrid institution that offers trades programming, academic upgrading, certificates, diplomas, degrees and applied research.
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The Yukon University Act was passed during the 2019 Fall Sitting of the Yukon Legislative Assembly. Regulations for board remuneration, Community Campus Committees and degree programs also came into force with the Yukon University Act.
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Yukon University currently offers two made-in-Yukon degree programs, a Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous Governance and a Bachelor of Business Administration. Yukon University also offers a Bachelor of Science in Northern Environmental and Conservation Science in partnership with the University of Alberta, a Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Social Work in partnership with the University of Regina.
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The Board of Governors for Yukon College has become the Yukon University Board of Governors with an increase in members from 12 to 17.
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David Morrison previously served as the President and Chief executive officer of Yukon Energy for 12 years where he was responsible for increasing Yukon Energy's energy assets and leading the corporation's clean energy efforts. Most recently, Mr. Morrison served as the Chief of Staff for Premier Sandy Silver.
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To complete the Yukon University Board of Governors membership, three additional board members will be appointed once elections take place; a representative elected from the Senate, a representative elected by non-teaching staff and a member elected by the rest of the board.
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The Academic Council for Yukon College has become the new Senate for Yukon University, establishing the university's shared governance mode
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Yukon University is holding faculty Senate elections in February 2020.
