YUFA
Community Projects
The Transition Year Program (TYP)
28 Nov 11 (posted date) - Launched September 2010, year one of a three year pilot. The objective of this initiative is to provide students who do not qualify for standard university admission with a full-time, partially-funded academic program. The program incorporates a critical pedagogical approach and combines pre-university seminars in literacy and research skills with university level courses. Students who complete the program will receive university credit that can be applied toward a degree at any university in Canada. (See Senate proposal.) They are also eligible for an internal transfer to any degree at York for which they meet the prerequisites.
TYP Year I. The first year of TYP exceeded all expectations. The program attracted students from historically marginalized groups across the GTA. Initial enrolment was almost 50% higher than expected (N=28), attrition was significantly lower than predicted (based on the experiences of similar programs), and by all counts students were engaged and benefited from the program.
A celebration / graduation ceremony was held on 27 April 2011 in the Founders College Assembly Hall. Students, staff, faculty members, and librarians celebrated with community partners, family, and friends throughout the evening. Opening remarks were delivered by the Honourable R. Roy McMurtry QC (Chancellor of York University), Rhonda Lenton (Vice Provost and Associate Vice President Academic), Rob Tiffin (Vice President Students) as well as Norma Sue Fisher-Stitt (former Associate Vice President Academic Learning Initiatives), Martin Singer (Dean, Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies), and Arthur Hilliker (President, York University Faculty Association).
The celebration included an introduction of TYP@York's first class of students, student performances delivered by Ryan Edwards, Akeesha Hill, Sharon Mitchell, and Swynda Nichols, and insights into the TYP@York student experience offered by students Frank Boahen, Deanna Cameron, and Melanie Montour. TYP Director Brenda Spotton Visano and Coordinator Lauren Hall offered their insights as well, followed by acknowledgements and thanks to the many staff, faculty members and librarians, and community partners who made TYP@York's first year a true success.
A number of the TYP alumni are now enrolled as undergraduate degree students at York University and elsewhere. (See Senate TYP Update.)
TYP Year II
The Transition Year Program welcomed its second class of 36 students September 2012. Students successfully completed a 5-day orientation throughout June and August in preparation for the Fall / Winter 2011-2012 transition year.