Founders residence to close, York unsure of building’s future

Jacqueline Perlin
Recruitment Manager
After confirming that Founders College residence is set to be shut down for the upcoming 2011-2012 school year in April, York’s administration is still unclear about what purpose the building will serve in the future.
The main reason for the closure has to do with the loss in revenue associated with Founders residence, said Keith Marnoch, York’s associate director of media relations.

The residence occupancy rates in general at York have declined 14 percent in the last three years, he noted, and explained that it’s been quite obvious Founders residence wouldn’t continue growing.
According to university documentsobtained by the Excalibur, of all York residences, the 45-year-old Founders building has one of the lowest number of student residents.
“People are shocked, plain and simple,” said Robert Cerjanec, president of the Founders College Council, adding that while the residence has experienced a general decline in applications, the lower cost of living in the Village neighbourhood south of campus has had the greatest impact on reducing the number of overall residence applications.
Tasnim Islam, a first-year engineering student who lives in Founders residence, called the closure “very upsetting.”
“This is a great college and I don’t think there’s another residence like Founders. People here are so friendly. It’s like a family here,” said Islam.
Cerjanec said the closure of the resi- dence is going to impact the Founders student community extensively.
“Frosh week is a big concern because it’s first-year [students] and a high proportion of students that live in Founders are first-years,” said Cerjanec, adding that with the closure of the residence, Founders College will become the only commuter college on campus.
Marnoch explained that the closure of the residence was specifically an economic issue.
“We’re looking at losing over a million dollars with regards to revenue in housing in 2010-2011 school year,” Marnoch said, calling the loss “significant.”
Marnoch, however, didn’t specify what the residence space will be used for in the future, and whether the residence building will remain open for use, adding that those decisions will be made soon.
In response to the impact on the Found- ers student community, Marnoch stated he had no comment.
Nevertheless, Cerjanec said the closure seems like a quick decision, considering that a current report being conducted to evaluate York University residences has not yet been completed.
“I think it’s a rushed judgement,” said Cerjanec.
Cerjanec, however, seemed confident the Founders community would sustain itself.
“We will survive because we have a very vibrant and strong population,” said Cerjanec, adding that he plans on possibly petitioning the university or holding open forums in order to leave the residence open.