TORONTO, March 21, 2001 -- York University president Lorna R. Marsden, PhD today reacted enthusiastically to the release yesterday of Portals and Pathways, a review of postsecondary education in Ontario by the Investing in Students task force that provided 33 recommendations to Dianne Cunningham, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities.

Dr. Marsden noted, "We are delighted to have validation for the strategic direction we have been taking for the past five years in trying to streamline student services and deliver via the Web."

The task force report’s recommendations addressed a number of areas where York University is demonstrating leadership, including Seneca@York, the collaborative design program with Sheridan College, the collaborative arts program with Humber College, and the collaborative nursing program with Durham, Georgian and Seneca colleges. In addition, York earned high marks from students consulted by the task force for its financial assistance planning and guidance.

"York measures up very well in the areas the task force focused on, and the report is consistent with our emphasis on improved service for students," she said, citing the university’s recognition of community college credits where the work matches York program requirements.

York has also employed technology to help make registration easier for students, Marsden added. A majority of York students now can perform numerous functions on the web, including enrolling in their courses, viewing their grade reports, checking their student account statement, and the university has identified technology-enhanced learning as one of its strategic priorities.

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For more information, please contact:

Cim Nunn
Director, Media Relations
York University
(416) 736-2100, ext. 22087
cimnunn@yorku.ca
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