The following is a message to the University community from President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda L. Lenton:
As you know, 91ÑÇÉ« has been working to develop a path forward for our Markham Centre Campus (MCC) following the withdrawal of provincial capital funding for the project last October. We continue to believe that Markham provides an important opportunity to advance the University’s priorities while bringing innovative academic programming to a diverse, growing and economically vibrant region.
On Tuesday, Oct. 8, a new business plan for the Markham Centre Campus was approved by the 91ÑÇÉ« Board of Governors. This approval allows us to continue to advance the process for the MCC with the Government of Ontario and our partners in the city of Markham and 91ÑÇÉ« Region while restarting our collaborative planning around academic programs and governance with colleagues across the University.
This new campus will allow 91ÑÇÉ« to serve the increasing growth needs in 91ÑÇÉ« Region by:
- accommodating the projected dramatic 34-per-cent increase by 2040 in the 18- to 22-year-old population in 91ÑÇÉ« Region, the highest growth rate in the province;
- allowing prospective students in 91ÑÇÉ« Region to study closer to home while supporting the enrolment plans of several Faculties and schools;
- building on 91ÑÇɫ’s already thriving presence in the city of Markham (Innovation 91ÑÇÉ«, YSpace, IBM Innovation Space – Markham Convergence Centre) to solidify 91ÑÇɫ’s position as the provider of higher education in 91ÑÇÉ« Region, benefiting the University as a whole;
- providing additional space and facilities to support new programming and faculty complement renewal, while leveraging the surrounding Markham infrastructure; and
- offering a wide range of degree programming focusing on digital technologies, entrepreneurship, new media and communications in response to the emerging labour market needs of 91ÑÇÉ« Region and Ontario.
Planning for the MCC will be incorporated into our broader institutional priorities and objectives, ensuring that we are able to leverage this strategic opportunity while also investing in our Keele and Glendon campuses to fully realize our mission and vision as a leading comprehensive and research-intensive university committed to access, connectedness, excellence and impact.