York University Meets Overall Enrolment Targets; More students choose York for Science, Fine Arts, Graduate Studies, Life-long learning, Education

TORONTO, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 1998 -- Early enrolment numbers indicate that York University is poised to meet its overall enrolment targets as more students choose York to pursue programs in Science, Fine Arts, Education, Graduate Studies and Atkinson College.

More than 12,000 new students have chosen to study in one of York's 10 faculties. A partial look at York University's enrolment numbers (internal projections) reveals:

14 % increase in applications to York's Atkinson College, which serves part-time and adult students with programs in the liberal arts and professional studies

5 % increase in the number of Graduate students

9 % increase in number of Faculty of Education students

2 % increase in the number of first-year Science students

2 % increase in the number of first-year Fine Arts students

16 % increase in the number of upper-year students who have transferred toYork

12 % increase in number of first-year students admitted toYork from places other than high school

"We are pleased that York University is about to meet its overall enrolment target during these challenging times. We can take particular pride in the growing interest students are showing in York University's science, fine arts and Atkinson College programs, " said York University President Dr. Lorna Marsden, adding that the pick-up in Atkinson's programs points in part to the growing importance of life-long learning.

While Marsden called these increases encouraging, she acknowledged that York must -- and will -- continue to work diligently to attract students to all its programs. Declines in such areas as Arts and Environmental Studies, for instance, speak to a province-wide trend. (This is the fourth consecutive year, though York's first, in which Arts enrolment has declined across the province.)

"We must concentrate on offering students programs that are not only excellent and innovative -- taught by our award-winning full and part-time faculty -- but also programs that meet the demands and interests of current and prospective students," she said.

York University, founded in 1959, is Canada's third largest university. It is nationally and internationally respected for its innovative research and award-winning teaching. With its combination of dedicated and talented faculty, opportunities for bright and ambitious students, dynamic curriculum and modern campus in one of North America's most influential urban centres, York University is setting the modern standard in academic excellence.

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For more information, please contact:

Sine MacKinnon
Senior Advisor for Media Relations
York University
(416) 736-2100, ext. 22087
email: sinem@yorku.ca
YU/058/98