TORONTO, February 4, 2005 -- York University students are gearing up for the third annual Multicultural Week, the largest weeklong event on campus. Featuring over 20 performances of music and dancing, fashion shows and food from around the globe, this exciting festival runs from February 7 – 10 daily in York Lanes from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Multicultural Week has been internationally recognized, winning the 2003 CASE Silver Medal for Student Involvement Programs, in its debut year. This year’s theme is ‘Celebrate Diversity.’

“York is at the heart of the most multicultural city in the country, and Multicultural Week is a wonderful way to celebrate the diversity that makes this university great,” says York President and Vice-Chancellor Lorna Marsden.

Events kick off with a parade on February 7 at 10:00 a.m. More than 30 student cultural clubs will host booths, displays and food tasting throughout the week. Featured in this year’s entertainment lineup are: prize giveaway, February 7 at 1:45 p.m.; fashion show, February 8 at 1:00 p.m. and the York U Dance Team, February 9 at 11:10 a.m.

York is U, the official student alumni program, hosts Multicultural Week each year. “York University is proud to be recognized as a multicultural community,” says Naguib Gouda, Executive Director, Alumni & Advancement Services, adding, “In addition to multi-ethnic Canadian students, York’s international student population draws from more than 130 countries.”

York University is the leading interdisciplinary research and teaching university in Canada. York offers a modern, academic experience at the undergraduate and graduate level in Toronto, Canada’s most international city.  The third largest university in the country, York is host to a dynamic academic community of 50,000 students and 7,000 faculty and staff, as well as 180,000 alumni worldwide. York’s 10 faculties and 21 research centres conduct ambitious, groundbreaking research that is interdisciplinary, cutting across traditional academic boundaries.  This distinctive and collaborative approach is preparing students for the future and bringing fresh insights and solutions to real-world challenges.

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For more information, the media should contact:
Melissa Hughes, York U. Media Relations, 416-736-2100 x22097 / mehughes@yorku.ca