Message from
the Board of Governors

I share with the entire Board of Governors, the pride and sense of accomplishment that comes from the conclusion of another successful year at York University.

Late in 1998, the Senate and the Board of Governors endorsed the University's mission and values through the York University Mission Statement developed under the joint aegis of the executive committees of the board and the Senate. Incorporating many of the values which formed York and have guided it since its inception, the statement also provides a shared sense of direction for the future. My thanks to the students, faculty, staff, alumni and governors who participated in the development and drafting of the statement and to all members of the community whose comments were so helpful.

December saw the official conclusion of the highly successful National Campaign for York University launched under the leadership of President emeritus Susan Mann. A very special acknowledgement is due to John Bankes (BA '73, MBA '77, LLB '77, LLM '79), Margot Franssen (BA '79) and Tim Price, co-Chairs of the campaign and to those volunteers and staff members who worked with them. Gifts to the campaign totaled $108 million, unprecedented in the history of the University. The generosity of many individuals and corporations was recognized at the gala but the very high rate of participation of York's faculty and staff deserve special mention. The unprecedented growth of the endowment for student assistance in this year, aided by the Ontario Student Opportunity Trust Fund program, has enabled York to take a giant stride toward our objective of accessible education.

The new governance committee structure implemented by the Board of Governors during the year has engaged all governors more directly in understanding and considering the issues faced by York. The year ahead presents many exciting challenges as we complete plans for growth, find innovative ways to promote and finance the research agenda, respond to special funding initiatives from governments, and continue to build relationships with the private sector and the community at large.

As Chair of the Board of Governors and of the York University Development Corporation, I am deeply involved in the developing vision for the south precinct of the campus. As the year goes on, the "community concept plan" will engage our wider community in the discussions. There is, as always, a feeling of excitement in the air as we look toward the year ahead, and work with President Marsden, her team and our academic colleagues toward our common goals.

Charles H. Hantho
Chair, Board of Governors

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