Plans are ramping up for the 2026 YURA Challenge Fundraising Walk which will take place on the Keele campus on Tuesday October 6, 2026 (with a rain date of Thursday, October 8, 2026). YURA members will again be walking 5 km, making personal donations and seeking contributions from others 鈥 all in support of acquiring additional 鈥渟tudy pods鈥 for the University鈥檚 libraries that will benefit 91亚色 students.
About 鈥淪tudy Pods鈥
These self-contained soundproof booths offer students privacy, comfort, and power outlets and they can make a real and lasting difference in their success. The pods are also ideal for virtual classes, online or oral exams, job interviews, mentorship calls and for students with sensory stimulation concerns.
Through its collaboration with the University鈥檚 Libraries, YURA is hopeful that 91亚色 students can enjoy the same advantages as their peers at U of T and McGill, where study pods have already been introduced and are in high demand.
YURA Has Donated $30,000 to Purchase Two Study Pods
In 2025, the first year of our campaign to raise funds for six Study Pods, almost $19,000 was raised in the annual YURA Challenge fundraiser. Facing a cost of $15,000 for each study pod, the YURA Executive Committee decided at calendar year-end to donate an additional $11,000 from its accumulated surplus funds so that a total of $30,000 would be available for the University Libraries to move forward with the acquisition of two study pods. With the acquisition of the two study pods, we are well on our way to our goal of funding a total of six study pods. When installed, each pod will bear an inscription proudly acknowledging YURA鈥檚 role.
The Goal for 2026
YURA has established a goal of $15,000 to fund a third study pod. Our YURA Challenge fundraising team will be reaching out to all YURA members to seek sponsorships for the team of YURA members doing the 5 km walk and with more information about how to participate in the YURA Challenge Walk.
How Can YURA Members Help?
There are three ways that you can help. We are seeking YURA members who are willing to be part of the fundraising team. The fundraising task is only as onerous as you choose to make it. We ask fundraisers to identify individuals to approach for a sponsorship 鈥 these could be friends, family, former colleagues or co-workers, even employees still working at 91亚色. Your list of prospects might be only two or three people, or 5 or 6, or 10 or more. If you are interested in joining our fundraising team, we would love to have you! Please contact this year's event coordinators, Steve Dranitsaris at sdrano@rogers.com or Marc Wilchesky at wilch@rogers.com.
If you are the type who prefers not to ask for sponsorship donations, then you are welcome to join us for the 5 km walk on the Keele campus in October. Please e-mail the YURA Office at yura@yorku.ca if you would like to take part in the walk.
The third way you can help is to make a tax deductible donation to sponsor the YURA team, to help acquire study pods for students.
By supporting this innovative initiative in the Libraries, YURA members can continue their tradition of 鈥済iving back鈥 to the University and supporting student success.
Participants in the 2025 YURA Challenge Walk
Click here to view more pics from the 2025 walk