TORONTO, June 8, 2001 -- Beginning Monday, June 11, York University’s spring convocation ceremonies will be available over the Internet giving family and friends who cannot attend a "virtual" front row seat.

Not only will they be able to watch their loved ones graduate, but they will also be able to hear York’s honorary degree recipients -- including award-winning author Alistair Macleod and CityTV’s Moses Znaimer -- address convocation.

The ceremonies will be streamed live at two rates – 56k and 150k – and can be viewed using Real Player software. Up to 50 users will be able to watch the Webcast simultaneously. All convocation ceremonies will be archived and available to the public.

Approximately 6,500 graduate and undergraduate students will graduate during the spring convocation ceremonies, which run June 9 -19, joining York's more than 158,000-strong alumni.

The live Webcast and archives can be accessed by visiting: www.yorku.ca.

*Please Note: The Webcast for the Glendon College ceremony -- to be held Saturday, June 9 -- will not be available through live streaming, but will be available for viewing on Monday, June 11 instead.

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For more information, please contact:

Ken Turriff
Media Relations
York University
416-736-2100, ext. 22086
kturriff@yorku.ca
YU/072/01