As a leading international teaching and research university and a driving force for positive change, York University is recognized as a leader in creating a sustainable and inclusive world. As one of Canada’s most diverse universities, York University is committed to ensuring it continues to provide a welcoming space for every member of its community.
Given the scale and breadth of the University and its 370,000 alumni living and working around the world, York U makes a conscious effort to build community reflective of its purpose and values. One important way it reinforces this connection is through acknowledging commemorative or celebratory dates.
The University uses the following nine principles to guide decision-making around acknowledging dates
Principles
York University is a secular institution and a member of a global community
York values include social justice, diversity, sustainability and inclusion
We draw our celebratory and commemorative dates from a variety of sources
We use widely recognized sources to identify celebratory and commemorative dates
Recognition of celebrator and commemorative dates is an opportunity to further education and awareness
York strives for jurisdictional symmetry
York strives for sectoral symmetry
We focus on broad racial and social identity
We are fiscally responsible
Key recognized dates
The University formally recognizes the following dates. The University may also recognize other celebratory or commemorative dates that align with institutional values, priorities and the guiding principles.