“York University is precisely the type of progressive and engaged post-secondary educational institution needed in a 21st-century global knowledge economy,” says president Rhonda Lenton. “Its distinct identity and vision is to offer a diverse student population access to a high-quality, research-intensive university committed to the social, economic, cultural and other well-being of society.” Glendon, York’s bilingual liberal arts campus, offers small classes and is closer to downtown.
York University in Toronto has one of the most diverse student populations in the world. Its more than 55,000 students represent nearly every ethnicity, culture, nationality, religion, identity and ability. But as one of the largest universities in North America with a high proportion of commuters, it can be hard for students to find others like themselves. So back in 2013, the student body voted to make a change.
Their idea was to build a second student center devoted solely to student space, novelty transcript. This idea was put to the test in 2013 in a special referendum. Close to 10,000 student votes were cast—the highest voter turnout in the history of Canadian post-secondary institutions—with approximately 90 percent voting in favor.
The process of designing the new building was completely driven by students, with more than 11,000 participating in the process. Their input led to a four-story, modern building that houses space for study, studios, club offices, meetings and multi-faith prayer. With a Muslim student population estimated at more than 1,500, the prayer space is especially notable. The fourth floor is entirely devoted to prayer, including two ablution rooms for the Islamic cleansing ritual called “Wudu.”
