TORONTO, November 19, 2001 -- Officials from York University and Seneca College were joined today by Ontario Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities Dianne Cunningham at a ceremony marking the official launch of construction on the Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) Building at York University.
The $84-million building, scheduled to be completed by Fall 2003, will provide Seneca and York students with technologically relevant joint programs in mathematics; science and technology in education; design; information technology; applied science; business; health studies, and communications and multimedia.
"The government is proud to be a partner in this exciting project that will benefit thousands of Ontario students in the years to come," said Dianne Cunningham, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities. "SuperBuild is ensuring that every willing and qualified student has access to the high-quality, innovative educational facilities and programs they'll need to succeed in the years ahead."
The building was awarded $46.99 million from the province’s SuperBuild fund, the largest single grant awarded from the fund created to help colleges and universities prepare for the "double cohort" of high school graduates arriving at post-secondary campuses in 2003. The remaining cost will be shared by York, Seneca, and private sector supporters.
"The TEL Building is one of the centrepieces in York’s $318-million building program, the largest capital program undertaken by the university since its earliest days," said Lorna R. Marsden, president and vice-chancellor of York. "Today marks an important milestone in our partnership with Seneca College, as both institutions benefit from one another’s strengths."
"The creation of the TEL Building, along with the revitalization and development at our Newnham Campus, will allow Seneca College to make even greater strides in providing career-related education that prepares students to succeed in the global economy," said Rick Miner, president of Seneca College. "We look forward to this new opportunity in our continuing partnership with York University and building on our track record of providing premier advanced applied education."
The TEL Building will house 31 classrooms, 42 computer labs, three library/resource centres and a virtual reality centre. It will feature a variety of "smart building" advancements, such as wireless technology and flexible workspaces that will adapt to changing needs and programs. It will be capable of housing 4,000 students – 2,000 from Seneca and 2,000 from York.
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For more information, please contact:
| Cim Nunn | Laura Mandell |
| Director, Media Relations | Marketing and Communications |
| York University | Seneca College |
| 416-736-2100, ext. 22087 | 416-491-5050, ext. 2352 |
| cimnunn@yorku.ca | Laura.Mandell@senecac.on.ca |
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