Introduction 1955-1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 and beyond - Bibliography
Date: 1955.
Event: A group of North Toronto YMCA Board and staff members meet to explore the possible role of the YMCA in advancing the cause of adult education. They look to examples of YMCA -College affiliations in American and Canadian cities.
Category: Administrative History - Institution.
Source: D. McCormack Smyth, Founding of York University, p.2.
Date: 1957 October 28.
Event: The North Toronto YMCA committee agrees that the establishment of an educational foundation, the Kellock Institute (named for the first president of the North Toronto YMCA,) should be the first step in their goal of starting a second and independent university in Toronto. Members of the group include: Alan A. Clarke, A.R. Jordan and A. R. Hackett.
Category: Administrative History - Institution.
Source: Paul Axelrod, "Businessmen and the Building of Canadian Universities: a Case Study", Canadian Historical Review LXIII, 2 (1982), p.206; D. McCormack Smyth, Founding of York University, p. 3.
Date: 1957 Fall - Winter.
Event: The "Special Committee on the University Project" expands to include individuals in business, manufacturing and adult education: Arthur Margison, Air Marshal Wilfred Curtis, Professor T. Loudon, Edgar T. Deeks, and Dr. Roby Kidd (who joins in January 1958).
Category: Administrative History - Institution.
Source: Paul Axelrod, "Businessmen and the Building of Canadian Universities: a Case Study", Canadian Historical Review LXIII, 2 (1982), p.206; D. McCormack Smyth, Founding of York University, pp. 7-8.
Date: 1957 November 15.
Event: Air Marshal Wilfrid A. Curtis, Chairman of the Special Committee, Arthur Margison and A.R. Jordan meet with Dr. J.W. Dunlop, Ontario Minister of Education, to discuss plans for a new university. Dr. Dunlop agrees to discuss the issue of a charter with the Attorney-General, he also suggests that the new university offer summer courses for students to catch up on missed work at their high school collegiates.
Category: Administrative History - Institution.
Source: Paul Axelrod, "Businessmen and the Building of Canadian Universities : a Case Study", Canadian Historical Review LXIII, 2 (1982), p.206; D. McCormack Smyth, Founding of York University, p. 8.
Date: 1958 February 8.
Event: A special meeting is convened at the Granite Club. The "Special Committee on the New University Project of the Metropolitan YMCA" is joined by Dr. James A. Gibson of Carleton University, Dr. H.F. Hall, Sir George Williams University, Dr. Edward F. Sheffield, Dominion Bureau of Statistics, and Dr. Moffat Woodside of the University of Toronto. The consensus of the meeting is that the new university should emphasize basic academic courses in the liberal arts. There is a commitment to seek support from the Ontario government for a non-sectarian university. They will look for a charter from the Government and attempt to start classes in the fall of 1959.
Category: Administrative History - Institution.
Source: D. McCormack Smyth, Founding of York University, p. 8.
Date: 1958 February 26.
Event: The Special Committee reports to the Board of the YMCA that there is agreement amongst the members that the new university should be independent of the YMCA.
Category: Administrative History - Institution.
Source: D. McCormack Smyth, Founding of York University, p. 9.
Date: 1958 March - August.
Event: The Centre for Adult Education is established in association with the North Toronto YMCA. The University group disassociates itself from the Centre. "York University" is proposed as a name for the institution of higher learning being planned for Toronto region by the Organizing Committee.
Category: Administrative History - Institution.
Source: D. McCormack Smyth, Founding of York University, p. 9.
Date: 1958 August 21.
Event: "The Organizing Committee of York University" is formally established. Their headquarters are located in the offices of the Industrial Foundation on Education. Air Marshal W.A. Curtis is the Chairman, Mr. A.R. Hackett is the Vice-Chairman, P.R. Woodfield is appointed Secretary. The "Statement of the Formation and Objectives of the York University Organizing Committee of York University" is drawn up. Four subcommittees concerned with curriculum development, finance, facilities planning and information are planned. These committees bring additional people into the organization.
Category: Administrative History - Institution.
Source: D. McCormack Smyth, "The Founding of York University, " yorkgazette (1985?), p. 6.
Date: 1958 September 17.
Event: The Organizing Committee advises the President of the Metropolitan YMCA that they are disassociating themselves from the YMCA so as to assure autonomy for the new university. The autumn is spent drafting a charter, seeking a site and seeking a relationship with the University of Toronto.
Category: Administrative History - Institution.
Source: D. McCormack Smyth, Founding of York University, p. 10.
Date: 1958 November.
Event: President C.T. Bissell, of the University of Toronto, writes a letter to Chairman Curtis proposing that the new university be federated with the University of Toronto. Dr. Bissell suggests that either he or University of Toronto Vice-President Dr. Murray Ross join the Committee.
Category: Administrative History - Institution.
Source: D. McCormack Smyth, Founding of York University, p. 12.
Date: 1958 December 18.
Event: Air Marshal Curtis, Mr. Margison, and Mr. Deeks meet with Premier Frost and Dr. W.J. Dunlop, Minister of Education and other senior government officials involved with university affairs. The Premier agrees that Dr. C.F. Cannon, then Chief Director of Education and Chairman of the University Committee of the Ontario Government, would review the draft charter for York and arrange for its presentation as a private bill in the Legislature.
Category: Administrative History - Institution.
Source: Paul Axelrod, "Businessmen and the Building of Canadian Universities: a Case Study", Canadian Historical Review LXIII, 2 (1982), p.207; D. McCormack Smyth, Founding of York University, pp. 15 - 16 .
FOUNDERS
Date: 1958
People: Members of the Organizing Committee of York University
- Air Marshal W.A.Curtis, Chairman
- Mr. A.R. Hackett, Vice Chairman
- Mr. S.H. (Stanley) Deeks
- Dr. Roby Kidd
- Dr. T.R. Loudon
Category: Administrative History - Government
Source: "The Organizing Committee of York University, August 21, 1958 to July 20, 1959" and "Statement of the Committee's Objectives." (document prepared for the 1980 Spring Convocation) York University Archives.
Introduction 1955-1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 and beyond - Bibliography