TORONTO - The Presidential Task Force on Student Life, Learning & Community at York University today presented its report to President Mamdouh Shoukri, recommending changes designed to support the University’s commitment to the open exchange of ideas in an environment free of harassment, discrimination or intimidation.

“We are doing everything we can to enhance the student experience at York and to ensure students are able to learn in an environment free from fear and hostility. This report is an important step in moving York forward,” said Shoukri. He has asked senior staff at the university to assess the feasibility of the recommendations as soon as possible, to enable him to respond to the report within 30 days.

The 13-member task force, chaired by York Vice-President Academic & Provost Patrick Monahan, was established in March, following a year in which there were a number of incidents at York including two with open conflict between students and student groups. The task force of six students and seven faculty and administration members consulted broadly with York students, faculty, staff and a variety of organizations, and reviewed the University’s policies and practices.

“We have worked together constructively to create ways to promote genuine and respectful debate on campus,” said Monahan. “We have been able to reach a strong and unanimous consensus on the recommendations, which we believe will encourage a more positive learning environment for students at York.”

Among the recommendations of the task force are that the president create a Standing Committee on Campus Dialogue to promote open discussion and debate on timely issues of global significance; that creation of more and better student study and social space on campus be a University priority; that the existing Student Code of Conduct be expanded to include certain fundamental student rights; and that there be better enforcement of University policies relating to the use of space on campus.

York student satisfaction is confirmed by the results of numerous independent surveys, including the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). These findings are in keeping with their own experiences as York students, faculty and administrators, members of the task force said, but there is always room for improvement.

“I want to thank the members of the task force for the time and energy they have put into producing this report. I also want to thank all the members of the York community who submitted their ideas, suggestions and concerns to the task force,” said Shoukri. “I will review the recommendations contained in this report carefully, and it is my hope that they will help guide us as we seek to enhance the free and open dialogue that is central to the life of any university.”

The full report of the task force is available here.