A tentative proposal for the future of bilingual education and community at York University was presented for consideration at a special meeting of Glendon Faculty Council on May 20.
In November 2025, Glendon Faculty Council submitted a response to the Faculties of the Future final report (Sept. 2025), requesting that the Provost’s Office prepare a comprehensive proposal for Glendon.
On May 20, Interim Provost and Vice-President Academic Laina Bay-Cheng presented such a proposal for the Council’s consideration.
“This proposal is meant to open a broader discussion about how to realize York’s bilingual mandate moving forward,” says Bay‑Cheng. “It is an invitation to consider an alternative means of delivering Glendon’s academic mission and to develop what that might look like and what it could achieve.”
The proposal reflects York’s responsibility to regularly consider how best to deliver on its commitment to bilingual education, French-language services and francophone community building. Over the past decade, Glendon’s enrolment has consistently declined, raising concerns about the sustainability of its current structure and its ability to fully advance its academic mission. Beyond Glendon, it also builds on the need to reduce program duplication and to simplify students’ pathways across York as a whole.
The proposal outlines a potential shift to a more comprehensive University-wide approach to bilingual education. It includes transitioning Glendon from a Faculty-based structure into a University-wide college that would serve as York’s hub for bilingual education, French-language services and francophone community life.
Under the proposal, Glendon College’s physical home would be located at the Keele Campus, in the building that currently houses the School of Continuing Studies, with dedicated francophone and multilingual spaces. French-language course offerings, faculty members and services would be integrated across the University, alongside the development of bilingual academic pathways and credentials across Faculties. In many cases, this could involve integrating existing Glendon programs with related programs in other Faculties. Distinct programs would be preserved and integrated with related academic units.
York would maintain its partial designation under Ontario’s French Language Services Act.
The proposal aims to strengthen and expand access to high-quality bilingual education across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). An estimated 70 per cent of York’s francophone undergraduate students already study at Keele, and centring the bilingual mission there would increase visibility and access for francophone and francophile students across the institution.
Collegial governance
The proposal is now entering a period of further consultation, development and assessment, initially led by Glendon Faculty Council in keeping with the University’s collegial governance traditions. It is intended as a high-level outline, rather than a prescriptive plan, to support informed discussion and refinement through feedback from students, faculty, staff, alumni and external partners. This phase will also include working groups to explore academic and operational considerations. If the proposal is developed and strengthened to the point that Glendon colleagues wish to enact it, any decision to do so would proceed through the University’s established collegial governance processes.
Current and prospective students should be assured that there will be no changes to courses in the 2026–27 academic year, including location, and that all students will be able to graduate from the programs in which they are enrolled.
Marco Fiola, principal of Glendon College, affirms his commitment to an open and inclusive process.
“This proposal invites creative but also practical reflection, including looking at models used at other universities,” Fiola says. “It is essential that we approach this work with openness and with meaningful engagement from the Glendon and broader York communities, whose perspectives will be central to assessing its potential and ensuring its success if it proceeds.”
Bay-Cheng emphasizes that York remains firmly committed to bilingual academic programming, French-language student services and the long-term sustainability of its bilingual mandate.
“The University’s objective is to strengthen and expand French-language education, services and visibility across the institution,” she says, “while ensuring that Glendon’s mission continues to thrive for future generations.”
Community members are encouraged to learn more about the proposal and share feedback as the consultation process continues. Updates, background materials and a feedback form are available at on the Glendon Strategic Direction website. Information will be updated throughout the consultation period.