York University is proposing to eliminate Glendon as one of its faculties and replace it with a French-language college on the Keele campus. This would mean that Glendon ceases to exist at its current campus at Bayview and Lawrence.
York has also commissioned a third-party Glendon Land Use Study from Urban Strategies, Inc., that is investigating real estate development possibilities on campus, including the construction of residential housing.
The Glendon campus is a beloved green space for the surrounding community and city residents through its connections to ravine trails and parks. If you live close to Glendon, you likely make use of this green space, and perhaps are also a member of the Glendon Athletic Centre. If Glendon is closed, it is not clear if Glendon’s green spaces and athletic facilities would be preserved or, indeed, continue to be available for public use.
Selected details of the completed Phase 1 of the Land Use Study were presented by Interim President Philipps at Glendon Faculty Council’s February 11, 2026, meeting. Mention was made of the construction and leasing of residential housing, the maintenance of unspecified, “academic activities,” and a plan for community consultations in Phase 2.
Despite repeated requests made over the past eight months, the full text of York’s Glendon Land Use Study has not been released to Glendon or York community members. A summary of the study was released in May 2026, but did not feature any reference to residential housing or community consultations. To date, there has been no announcement of consultations.
At the October 23, 2026, Glendon Faculty Council meeting, Interim Provost Bay-Cheng reaffirmed York’s interest in repurposing the Glendon campus, but did not provide any further concrete details. Importantly, she did not rule out future residential development.
At the very least, these redevelopment plans throw into question York University’s stated commitment to environmental sustainability as one of its core values.
As a concerned neighbour or community member, we ask that you
- write to York University administrators and the Board of Governors to request the withdrawal of the plans to close Glendon and redevelop its campus, and
- sign the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) “Save Glendon/Sauvon Glendon” petition
Glendon is a community, not just a piece of real estate!