In solidarity with the Programs in the School of Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies, Women’s, Gender and Social Justice Association (WGSJ) calls on York University to revert their decision to suspend 1st year undergraduate major declarations. The importance of gender, sexuality, and women’s studies in this socio-political moment should not be underestimated. It is in such courses that students develop key analytical skills to understand and challenge ongoing operations of power.
We encourage WGSJ members and allies to write letters of concern to York University President, Rhonda Lenton (rlpvc@yorku.ca) and to the Dean of the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies, JJ McMurtry (deanlaps@yorku.ca).
Corinne L. Mason and Claire Carter, Co-Chairs on behalf of WGSJ
The statement below is a statement made by the School of Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies at York University:
School of Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies’
Statement on York University’s Suspension of New Admissions of 1st Year Majors to Undergraduate Programs
The School of Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies at York University is Canada’s first and one of the largest programs in the field. Recently, news has spread that the 1st year admission of declared majors to our undergraduate programs has been “suspended.” The School would like to emphasize that our programs and courses have not been cancelled or discontinued. Existing majors and undergraduate students enrolled in our courses will continue in our programs toward degree and course completion over the coming years. The suspension applies solely to would-be 1styear students who are considering entering our programs as majors. Students in 2nd, 3rd and 4th year may still take our courses and, we believe, may still declare a major in our programs. Students in all years may also continue to take a minor or pursue certificates in our programs.
The York administration has explained it is taking this action in order “to help address program sustainability concerns and to create the necessary time and space for faculty members to consider how to enhance and relaunch a more viable degree offering.” At York, programs are deemed financially viable in the context of a university budget model (SHARP) that defines viability solely on the basis of majors, as opposed to double majors, minors, certificates or courses that complement students’ breadth of knowledge in support of other York degrees they are pursuing.
Programs in the School of Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies offer a strong and vibrant curriculum with a range of courses that enjoy consistently high enrollments. At a time when transphobic, anti-Black, anti-Indigenous, Islamophobic, racist, homophobic, and misogynistic violence and hate are on the rise, the School and its programs are more vital than ever. Now is the time to increase, not decrease, support to its programs. Indeed, the School’s curriculum is integral to York’s Mission and Core Values, York University’s Academic Plan, and to the Faculty of Liberal and Professional Studies Academic Plan. The School welcomes the opportunity to work with the University Administration to continue to strengthen and enhance its commitment to intersectional and decolonial feminist pedagogy and programs.
If you have concerns about this suspension and/or want to offer your support to the School, please write to the University President, Rhonda Lenton (rlpvc@yorku.ca) and to the Dean of the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies, JJ McMurtry (deanlaps@yorku.ca).
Students may contact the Chair (Frances Latchford) at gswchair@yorku.ca or the Undergraduate Program Director (Amar Wahab) at gswsupd@yorku.ca if they would like to discuss their concerns.