Located on a picturesque estate in mid-town Toronto, York’s Glendon Campus offers students a top-quality bilingual education with an international flair. Glendon students attend small, supportive classes and benefit from using their language skills in and out of the classroom!
Glendon students are part of a tight-knit community. With a student population of about 2,700, I often find myself stopping to chat with two or three friends on my way between classes. The small community is what made me choose to study at Glendon, and now that I am going into my fifth year, it is still what I like most about the campus.
To this day, Glendon preserves its natural beauty and is a secluded retreat in the middle of the buzzing city. Now that it’s finally summer, it is the perfect time to take a trip down to Glendon. Whether you’re looking to visit from Keele or interested in studying at Glendon in the fall, these are five spots you should make sure to see on campus.
Success Tip: Getting there is quick, easy and (most importantly) free if you take the Glendon-Keele shuttle leaving from Vari Hall!
The Centre of Excellence
In 2008, the Government of Ontario recognized Glendon as a Centre of Excellence in French-language & Bilingual Postsecondary Education in Southern Ontario. The campus received a donation which led to the construction of this beautiful glass facility. The Centre of Excellence holds state-of-the art language labs, open study spaces, an amphitheatre, classrooms and offices for many of Glendon’s student services.
It also holds one of the most important services on campus: Glendon’s only Tim Horton’s!
The Glendon Manor
Did you know? Glendon is York University’s founding campus! The former estate, Glendon Manor, was built by Toronto businessman Edward Wood and his family as their summer home in 1924.
The Woods were passionate about education and donated their property so that it could be used as a postsecondary institution. The Woods’ vision remains a reality, and today, unlike anywhere else in Canada, Glendon students receive a unique bilingual education where 100% of graduates achieve a solid intermediate level of bilingualism.
Currently, the interior of the Manor is used as office space for administrative staff. It holds classrooms and a ballroom, which hosts events such as conferences and award ceremonies.
Lunik Co-Op
Lunik Co-op is located in the basement of the Manor and is commonly referred to simply as Lunik. It is owned and operated by students, for students! This cozy café provides students with a welcoming study and lounge space — it’s my go-to spot when I meet with friends on campus.
Lunik also offer snacks and beverages on a pay-what-you-can basis with a wide range of vegan and vegetarian options. On top of their great food options, they also host many on-campus events such as open-mic concerts.
Glendon Athletic Club
The Glendon Athletic Club (GAC) is the on-campus athletic facility available to all York community members. A yearly membership at the GAC is only $20 for students! With a membership, students gain access to a pool, a boxing studio, a weight room, squash and tennis courts, an indoor golf range and a wide variety of group classes like Zumba and Yoga. The GAC’s newly-renovated facilities and equipment make it a great space for students to work out individually and in group classes.
Leslie Frost Library
The Leslie Frost Library is the main library on the Glendon campus. They offer students a wide variety of resources in English and French and a growing selection in Spanish. Students have the option of studying in individual cubicles on the second floor or on the sleek first floor. Personally, my favourite study spot at Frost is the fireside reading room on the first floor.
Did you know? Glendon has its own Instagram account where they share photos of the stunning campus. Find them @GlendonCampus.
Hopefully you’ve enjoyed the #YUBlog’s short preview of Glendon. To visit Glendon from Keele, check out the shuttle’s summer schedule. If you’re getting there via TTC, Glendon is only a short bus ride away from Lawrence and Bayview stations.
Stay tuned for the next post in this series where we will be interviewing a student ambassador at Glendon about what makes the campus a unique, educational experience.
Know of any spots at Glendon that we missed? Let us know in the comments or tweet us at @YorkUStudents! Note: This is an updated version of part one from our previous Introduction to Glendon series.
