Yukon University hails 'final step' in transformation, with acceptance to Universities Canada

Lesley Brown, president and vice-chancellor of Yukon University, said it feels "absolutely amazing" to be accepted into the ranks of Canada's major universities.

The Whitehorse-based institution found out this week that its application to Universities Canada was accepted, making it the 97th member of the national association.

"It feels like we have now achieved, I would say, what we could consider to be our sort-of final step in confirming our transition to a university in Canada," Brown said.

"Yukon University is on par with every other university in Canada, with respect to our quality assurance measures, with respect to operational structures upholding the unique position that universities hold in society."

Universities Canada describes itself as a member-based organizationthat provides a unified voice for universities toadvocateon higher education issues at the federal level. The organization also offers scholarships on behalf of private companies and works to "foster collaboration" between universities, government and the private sector.

It is not a regulatory body. There is no national accreditation for post-secondary institutions in Canada the responsibility falls to territorial and provincial governments.

Brown describe Universities Canada as an "incredibly influential and important voice," when it comes to issues around climate change, Indigenous education, and reconciliation.

"This is the voice that is called upon to influence federal budget decisions, contribute perspectives on federal budget decisions, federal policy changes and priorities," she said.

"Universities Canada is is considered to be a very influential body in this country and until this point, Yukon University has not been part of this dialogue."

In a statement on Wednesday,Gabriel Miller, president and CEO of Universities Canada said he was "thrilled" to welcome YukonU to his association, calling it a "vital institution that changes lives and strengthens communities."

"It creates opportunity through education and creates essential knowledge through its research on topics from Indigenous governance to sustainable resource development. It contributes to the territory and our country by helping students, families, businesses and governments build a more prosperous and resilient future."

Acceptance wasn't assured

Yukon University's roots date to 1963 when it was founded as theWhitehorse Vocational and Technical Training Centre. Twenty years later, in 1983, it was granted college status and in 2020 the Yukon government enacted legislation to make what was then Yukon College into a university. It has 13 campuses across the territory.

The school submitted its application to join Universities Canada a year ago. Its acceptance wasn't assured, however, in part because it's a bit of an outlier compared to the organization's other members.

The schoolcurrently grants degrees in a fewundergraduate programs, such as nursing and education, and the rest are certificate and diploma programs.

Glen Jones, professor of higher education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto, applaudsthe decision by Universities Canada to accept Yukon University.He says it suggests the organization has"opened up that criteria a bit," of what constitutes a university in Canada.

YukonU is an "unusual institution," he says, and its membership in the national organization may now open doors for other smaller schools, including Indigenous institutions, to also be accepted among the ranks of more traditionalpost-secondary schools.

"[Yukon University]doesn't look like a traditional university, in the sense of having 40 different degree programs and several thousand students. It's small. It has to address particular needs," he said.

"And I think the fact that UniversitiesCanadahas recognized that within its criteria, I think is a change and I think it's a very good one."

Expanding degree programs

According to Brown, membership in Universities Canada will allow the school to expand its offering of degree programs, and do it all on its own.

"We've only been able to offer [degree programs] because we have been joining another university to certify our degrees. As a member of you Universities Canada, we will be able to do that independently," she said.

"So we're very much looking forward to building a Bachelor of Social Work degree, a Bachelor of Nursing degree, as well as a Bachelor of Education degree that reflects the unique needs of the North."

Brown also says that the school has no plans to abandon its diploma and certificate programs, including its skilled-trades programs.

"In our conversations with Universities Canada, one of the things that came out loud and clear was that this is who we are, this is our identity, and this is who we will continue to be," she said.