NEWSWIRE

'Visionary' Mamdouh Shoukri
is chosen as York's next president

The Chair of the Board of Governors of York University, Marshall M. Cohen, announced the appointment of Mamdouh Shoukri as York's seventh president and vice-chancellor on Feb. 6. Shoukri's selection was confirmed – and enthusiastically welcomed – during an evening meeting of the Board of Governors at the Schulich School of Business. "We are absolutely delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Shoukri, who is a proven leader, academic and researcher," said Cohen. "Dr. Shoukri joins York from McMaster University where he has shown himself to be a skilled administrator, diplomat and visionary. We are delighted that he has accepted our offer to lead this dynamic institution".

Did you vote for Hutch over the weekend?
Allan Hutchinson, professor and associate dean at York's Osgoode Hall Law School, took on the competition on Saturday, Feb. 10 as a finalist in TV Ontario's 2007 Best Lecturer Competition. The voting has now closed but you can still view his lecture online on the TVO Web site and learn more about the competition. Results will be announced Feb. 17.

A simpler York Web site is just a click away
Starting Feb. 12, an improved internal home page for York students, faculty and staff is just a click away. This marks the Beta test or "soft" launch of the new internal York home page. Following the soft launch, the new internal home page will officially go live on Feb. 26.

Where's the romance?
With Valentine's Day approaching, it appears that young love may not be all that it's cracked up to be. York Professor Jennifer Connolly takes a sobering look at the dark side of some teenage romances.

Playoff action begins in hockey and volleyball
The playoffs begin this week for a trio of York Lions teams as the men’s hockey and both the women’s and men’s volleyball squads begin their quest for post-season hardware. For the third-straight year, the men’s hockey team will have to go through Lakehead en route to the Ontario University Athletic title.

Nigerian chief encourages community involvement
At age 13, Chief Emmanuel Mbulu, now a York graduate and successful businessman, was forced to grow up quickly when his father was killed just prior to the Nigerian civil war. After earning his degrees as an international student, Mbulu is giving back to the York community by establishing an award through a $12,500 gift to the York University Foundation.

CN agreement should protect GO train users
Canadian National Railways is currently experiencing a nationwide strike of train conductors, who also work on GO trains. An agreement between CN and the union representing the conductors allows GO trains to continue operating during the labour disruption. If circumstances should change, there are a number of options for members of the York community who rely on GO trains to get to and from the Keele campus.

Scholars pose challenging questions at Convocation
Reverence gets short shrift in this day and age when the predominant concern is for human rights, said John Fraser, master of Massey College, after receiving a York honorary doctorate on Friday, Feb. 2 at York’s Winter Convocation. James March posed the question of university's relevance in a speech after receiving an honorary doctorate. March was honoured for his achievements and contributions as scholar and educator.

York professors launch book on science, gender and visual culture
A book launch took place Feb. 7 in Bethune College to celebrate the publication of Figuring It Out: Science, Gender, and Visual Culture. The publication, edited by York Professors Ann Shteir and Bernard Lightman, was published Dec. 2006 by Dartmouth College Press/University Press of New England.

Professor’s latest book looks at poverty and Canadian policy
Dennis Raphael, professor in York’s School of Health Policy & Management takes another look at poverty and Canadian policy in his new book Poverty and Policy in Canada: Implications for Health and Quality of Life, published by Canadian Scholars’ Press.

York librarian honoured for article on Victorian Gothic literature
York's humanities & religious studies librarian Scott McLaren was presented with the Lionel Basney Award for his recent article "Saving the Monsters? Images of Redemption in the Gothic Tales of George MacDonald". The award was presented at the Conference on Christianity and Literature's annual awards luncheon held in Philadelphia, PA.

Canada’s mission in Afghanistan is a tragic mistake, says Laxer
Canada’s mission in Afghanistan has been a "tragic mistake" that will continue to claim lives while offering few foreseeable benefits towards the stabilization of the region, says a study issued Feb. 6 by York University political scientist James Laxer. The 135-page document, titled "Mission of Folly", is especially critical of what Laxer sees as the stifling of public debate surrounding the war.

New program teaches artists to teach
York University, The Stratford Festival of Canada and the Ontario Arts Council launched a certificate course in arts education on Feb. 11. The Richard Rooney and Laura Dinner Artist Training Program is a five-day course for artists who teach elementary and secondary students through the Stratford Festival of Canada’s Teaching Shakespeare School and other outreach programs.

YUFA membership ratifies three-year contract
Members of the York University Faculty Association, representing full-time faculty and professional librarians, have voted 87 per cent in support of ratifying the tentative agreement reached between the parties for a new three-year collective agreement extending to April 30, 2009.