Yukon University

The institution originates from the Whitehorse Vocational and Technical Training Centre (renamed the Yukon Vocational and Technical Training Centre in 1965).[6] The institution changed its name to Yukon College in 1983, although it was not formally designated as a college until 1988, with the passage of the College Act, 1988.[6] The institution opened its new campus, 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) from its original location in the same year. In 1989, the College Act was amended, providing the college with an independent Board of Governors.[6]

During the late 1980s and 1990s, the institution began to offer several degree programs in partnership with the University of Alberta, and the University of Regina.[7] During this period, the institution also opened several satellite campuses in a number of First Nations communities.[7] The Northern Research Centre (later renamed the Yukon Research Centre in 2009) was established in 1990 for the purposes of researching mine reclamation, cold climate construction, and climate change.[6][7]

Efforts to reorganize the institution into a university began with the Government of Yukon in 2011, with its reorganization into a university listed in the college's 2013 and 2016 strategic plans.[8][9] In 2016, the college was admitted as a member of the BC Association of Institutes and Universities, an institution that represents eight post-secondary institutions in British Columbia, as well as Yukon College.[9] In 2018, the college created its first degree program specialized for the territory, a Bachelor of Arts in indigenous governance.[7]

In November 2019, the Yukon University Act was passed, resulting in the college's reorganization into a post-secondary university; with the legislation going into effect on 20 February 2020.[9][10] The following legislation established a bicameral governance structure for the institution, establishing a new board of governors, and replaced the college's academic council with the university senate.[7] As a result of its reorganization, the institution's logo and colours were changed as well.[9] Plans were in place to commemorate its reorganization into a university in May 2020;[11] although several events were cancelled as a result of safety measures taken during the COVID-19 pandemic.[9]

Panorama from the Yukon University Roof

The university's main campus, also referred to as Ayamdigut, is located 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) north of downtown Whitehorse, situated on a plateau that slopes 20–25 metres (66–82 ft) to the east, south, and west.[12] The campus property is 97 hectares (240 acres), although most areas outside the central core of the property remains undeveloped. In particular, the areas adjacent to McIntyre Creek zoned for environmental protection by the municipal government.[12]

The property itself is bounded to the west by McIntyre Creek, to the northeast by Mountain View Drive, to the southeast by University Drive and the Whitehorse Correctional Centre, and the residential neighbourhood of Takhini to the south.[12] The property is surrounded by several other residential neighbourhoods, including the Northlands Trailer Park, and Whistle Bend; although the core of the campus remains geographically isolated from these neighbourhoods.[12] The main campus may be accessed through University Drive, which diverges westward from the main road, and climbs steadily towards the campus.[12]

The governance of the university is conducted through the board of governors, and the university senate; both of which were established in the Yukon University Act. The board of governors is responsible for governing and managing the university and convenes once a month.[7][13] The board of governors includes members from the university administration, faculty, staff, student body.[13] The board also includes 10 members appointed by the Commissioner in Executive Council, three of whom must come from a Yukon First Nations community; and three that reside outside of Whitehorse. Board members are appointed to three-year terms, which may be renewed.[13] The university's board of governors originated as Yukon College's board of governor, and its membership was expanded to include 17 members after the institution became a university.[14]

Prior to its reorganization into a university, the institution's academic policies were maintained by the college's Academic Council.[7] However, in 2020, the university senate was created to assume the role of the Academic Council; maintaining academic policies including standards for admission and qualifications for degrees, diplomas, and certificates issued by the university.[7][15] Members of the university senate includes members from the school's faculty, student body, and administration. The Yukon University Act stipulates that 60 percent of the senate's membership must be made up of faculty members.[16] The university attempts to maintain a senate composition where 30 percent of its membership originates from various indigenous communities across the territory, and Canada; although this is not required under the Yukon University Act.[16]

The university is headed by the president and vice-chancellor, who acts as the university's chief executive officer; although the chancellor serves as the ceremonial head of the institution. DeGagné was the institution's eighth president since its establishment; although only its second since its reorganization into a university.[17] The institution was formally reorganized in February 2020, a few months before DeGagné assumed the position of university president. Karen Barnes served as the institution's first president after it was reorganized into a university. She stepped down from the position on 30 June 2020 and was succeeded by Gagné. DeGagné later resigned 3 months into the job to become the head of the Indspire Charity, and was replaced by Maggie Matear, who will serve as interim president and vice-chancellor.[18][19] On October 6th, Jamena James Allen was announced the new chancellor of the university, succeeding former Yukon Premier Piers McDonald.[20]

Yukon University is a publicly-funded institution that operates as a "hybrid" university; serving as a research hub and offering degree programs, while also providing vocational training and trades programs typically found in Canadian colleges.[9] The university is a member of Colleges and Institutes Canada;[21] and is in the process of applying for membership with Universities Canada.[8]

Yukon University offers certificates, diplomas and degrees through six academic areas - the School of Academic and Skill Development, School of Science, School of Trades, Technology and Mining, School of Health, Education and Human Services, School of Liberal Arts, and the School of Business and Leadership.

Academic programs at the university allow Yukoners to stay in the north while pursuing post-secondary studies. It also accommodates contract training demands by local industry and government in a range of specialties. Programming is delivered from campus to campus, across Yukon, through locally delivered courses and on-line learning technology. The President's Committee on First Nation Initiatives, with representatives from all fourteen Yukon First Nations, influences programming and services delivered at the university.

With respect to research and development, the university is home to the Yukon Research Centre.

• Higher education in Yukon
• List of universities in Canada

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Yukon University.

• Official website