After nearly a decade in the role, York University President Rhonda Lenton resigned in June.
As the university begins its search for new leadership, the York University Faculty Association (YUFA) is urging a “total change in management direction,” with a renewed commitment to transparency, collegial governance and equity.
At the heart of the union’s criticism is the bypassing of the Senate and faculty in major academic decisions, thereby undermining collegial governance, a foundational principle of Canadian universities.
One of the most contentious decisions was the suspension of enrolments in 19 academic programs at York’s Glendon and Keele campuses earlier this year, implemented without consulting YUFA.
Lenton’s presidency was also marked by prolonged and “unnecessary” labour disputes, most notably the 2018 CUPE 3903 strike — the longest in Canadian post-secondary history.
