York began discussions on incorporating computers into its operations in 1964. Until then, the school had been focused on establishing itself as a viable postsecondary institution, forming new departments and expanding its infrastructure.

In March 1965, the Senate's Executive Committee reported that:

"After a careful university-wide analysis, it has become quite obvious that the forthcoming growth of York makes a suitable computer installation most desirable. The equipment will not only enable York to provide a service to all branches of the University community (academic, research, and administrative), but will also, in its own right, permit the conducting of research into the rapidly developing field of computer science."

Shortly thereafter, the Senate, recognizing broader academic and administrative potential of computing, established the York University Computation Centre—the university's central computing facility—and the Department of Computer Science within the Faculty of Arts and Science. The first computer--the IBM 1401--arrived before long.

In the 1960s and 70s, the impact of computing technologies on the academic environment was profound. Knowledge of what was possible was spreading fast through academic communities, that no longer viewed computers exclusively as sophisticated numerical processors and extensions of calculators for solving mathematical and scientific problems. Non-numeric applications of computing to research, teaching, and other areas became as prevalent as number crunching. York University's initial forays into academic computing are both fascinating and emblematic of this shift and its impact. The university's computing heritage reflects the challenges and efforts involved in introducing computing to Canadian educational institutions as well as the enthusiasm and creativity that emerged from the use of computers across academic disciplines. The Computing at York: the Beginning exhibition provides a glimpse into this heritage.

The new "Computing at York: the Beginning" exhibition covers the first 15 years of computing activities at York. It attempts to capture the spirit, curiosity, energy, and excitement that defined the early days of academic computing. It highlights the use of computer resources by York's artists, educators, librarians, researchers, and students, as they explored new frontiers in computer-supported research, education, and art.

The exhibition showcases a selection of objects from the York University Computer Museum and the Clara Thomas Archives and Special Collections. Various funds and archives within these organizations preserve captivating photographs that document computer use at the university. A curated selection of these images, along with vintage computer hardware once installed at York, offer insight into the early days of computing at the university, and a glimpse into York's evolving computing landscape.

The exhibition opens on March 12, 2026, with a special panel on the history of academic computing in Canada to be held at 4pm in Scott Library Media & Makers Space, Room 206.