Report: Executive Committee - October 15, 2019

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Simcoe Hall, 27 King’s College Circle, Governing Council Chamber 2nd Floor

REPORT NUMBER 507 OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

To the Governing Council,
University of Toronto.

Your Committee reports that it held a meeting on Tuesday, October 15, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, Simcoe Hall, with the following members present:

Claire M.C. Kennedy, Chair , N. Jane Pepino, Vice-Chair, Meric S. Gertler, President, Apefa Adjivon, Catherine Bragg, Avrum I. Gotlieb, Ernest W.N. Lam, Mark Lautens, W. Keith Thomas, Laurent-Philippe Veilleux, Bruce Winter

Regrets:

Janet L. Ecker, Sarosh Jamal, Mark H. Rowswell

Non-Voting Member:

Sheree Drummond, Secretary of the Governing Council

Secretariat:

Anwar Kazimi

In Attendance:

Cheryl Regehr (Vice-President and Provost and Member of the Governing Council), Kenneth Corts (Acting Vice President, Operations and Acting Vice-Provost, Academic Operations), Kelley Hannah-Moffat (Vice-President, Human Resources and Equity), Scott Mabury (Vice-President, Operations and Real Estate Partnerships), Brian D. Lawson (Chair, Business Board and Member of the Governing Council*), Mohan Matthen (Chair, UTM Campus Council and Member of the Governing Council), Nicholas Terpstra (Chair, Academic Board and Member of the Governing Council), Andrew Szende (Chair, University Affairs Board and Member of the Governing Council), Heather Boon (Vice-Provost, Faculty and Academic Life (for item 2)), Nora Gillespie (Senior Legal Counsel, Office of the Vice-President and Provost (for items 2 and 17(b))), Angela Hildyard (Presidential Special Advisor (for item 15)), Ellen Hodnett (University Ombudsperson (for item 4a)), Nadina Jamison (Assistant Vice-President, Strategic Initiatives, Office of the President), Christopher Lang (Director, Appeals, Discipline and Faculty Grievances (for items 2 and 17(b))), Bryn MacPherson (Assistant Vice-President, Office of the President and Chief of Protocol), Susan Mazza (Special Projects Officer, Office of the President), Steve Moate (Senior Legal Counsel, Office of the President (for item 15)), Andrea Russell (Director, Academic Affairs, Office of the Vice-President and Provost (for item 2)), Sandy Welsh (Vice-Provost, Students (for item 2))

*attended via conference call

Pursuant to section 28 (e) and 38 of By-Law Number 2,
consideration of items 15 to 20 took place in camera.

The meeting was held in Closed Session.

  1. Chair’s Remarks and Orientation

The Chair welcomed members, Board and Council Chairs and Vice-Presidents to the first regular meeting of the Executive Committee for 2019-20. The Chair reminded members that the

Committee meets in closed session, meaning that the meeting was not open to the public. She explained that governors who were not members of the Executive may attend for the closed session, but they may not participate in the debate unless invited to do so by the Chair. Finally, she conducted a brief orientation for members, which involved an overview of the Executive Committee’s terms of reference.

  1. Overview of the Academic Discipline Process

The Chair and Mr. Christopher Lang, Director, Appeals, Discipline and Faculty Grievances provided an overview of the Academic Discipline process with a focus on the role of the Executive Committee.

Professors Heather Boon and Sandy Welsh, Co-Chairs of the Provostial Advisory Committee on Academic Integrity, provided an overview on the University’s initiatives on academic integrity.

  1. Report of the President

The Chair invited the President to make his report to the Executive Committee.

Federal Matters

The President noted that the federal election campaign was in full swing. While post-secondary education had not featured prominently in the election platforms, several parties had made commitments to address student access and affordability. The President said that the University would continue to pursue its advocacy efforts regardless of the electoral outcome.

Provincial Matters

The President reported that the Hon, Ross Romano had been appointed Minister, Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) over the summer, along with Laurie LeBlanc, as Deputy Minister, MTCU. He commented that Minister Romano had made a sincere effort to engage proactively with the University and the sector, providing an opportunity for a renewed and enhanced relationship with the provincial government. The President noted that he had spoken and met with the Minister on several occasions, and had discussed how the province could better support and address the mental health needs of students.  

The President provided an update on the Strategic Mandate Agreement 3 (SMA3) negotiations with the MTCU. He noted that the University was engaged in discussions with MTCU officials to refine the government-chosen performance metrics, and finalize an institutional metric that would reflect the University’s economic impact.

Rankings

The President reported on recent university rankings and highlighted the following:

  • 2019 Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities – the University had been ranked in the top 10 in nine subject areas (this was two more than in 2018); the University had been ranked among the top 50 in 35 subject areas across broad range of subjects from humanities and social sciences to sciences, engineering, medicine and beyond.
  • 2020 Times Higher Education World University Rankings – the University had moved up three places since last year to 18th overall (the highest ranking among Canadian universities, 8th among public universities globally, and 3rd among public universities in North America).
     

Time Higher Education World Academic Summit

The President had attended the THE World Academic Summit 2019, in Zurich in September. At the Summit, the President had joined the Mayor of Zurich in a panel discussion on the mutually beneficial relationship between a university and its host city, and how this drives success for both parties. At the Summit, it was also announced that the University of Toronto would host the next THE World Academic Summit from September 1 to 3, 2020. The theme of the summit would be The Power of Place. The President noted that the planning for this major event was well underway as the University looked forward to hosting this event in the coming year.

Mental Health

The President concluded his remarks by expressing his sadness at the recent death of a student. He shared that the University community’s thoughts were with the student’s family, friends and classmates. The President assured members that the University had been working diligently to enhance mental health services and implement other important changes across all of its campuses. The President reported that the Presidential and Provostial Task Force on Student Mental Health, led by Professor Trevor Young, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Vice Provost, Relations with Health Care Institutions, had been busy with consultations and discussions over the past few months. The Task Force was scheduled to present its finding and recommendations in December 2019.

Building on the President’s remarks, the Provost described some of the actions taken by the University to support those most affected and to strengthen student mental health services.

Immediate term:

  • The University had reached out to the family of the student and extended the condolences of the University community. At the family’s request, no further information was shared.
  • Counselling services were made available to students, faculty, and staff affected by the tragedy.

Longer term:

  • Since the report of the 2014 Mental Health Framework report, there had been an increase in resources in support of mental health and accessibility services, and engagement with community partners to provide additional services.
  • In Spring 2019, a task force, made up of students, faculty and staff, had been launched to look at ways to improve services and review physical spaces.
  • Same-day counselling, had been available on all three campuses and this would continue to be extended during the exam period.
  • A 24-hour telephone counselling services was offered in 35 languages.

The Provost acknowledged the efforts of Professor Sandy Welsh, Vice-Provost, Students, and her team in spearheading these initiatives.

In the discussion that followed, the Professor Regehr said that her office had regularly met with student leaders; and that input on student needs related to mental health issues had been received from student advisory groups. Professor Regehr also noted that the administration would continue work with Deans and Chairs to come up with innovative ideas to enhance the undergraduate experience and to create a sense of community at a local level.

  1. Items for Endorsement and Forwarding to the Governing Council
    1. Report of the University Ombudsperson for the Period July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019 and Administrative Response

      The Chair noted that the Report of the University Ombudsperson and the Administrative Response were presented annually to the Governing Council for information.

      At the invitation of the Chair, Professor Emeritus Hodnett highlighted some of the matters raised in the Report.  Professor Emeritus Hodnett stated that in her role as Ombudsperson, her focus was on ensuring fairness.  She added that based on her experience over the past year, in her opinion, the Mandated Leave Policy was both evidence-based and fair – to the students to whom it had been applied as well as to the University community.  Professor Emeritus Hodnett expressed her satisfaction with the ongoing dialogue with administration to address those matters raised in her Report; and on the overall quality and clarity of the Administrative Response. Professor Emeritus Hodnett added that her office would work with office of the Vice-President, Communications, to promote the services of the Office of the Ombudsperson across the University community.

      In closing, the Provost thanked Professor Emeritus Hodnett for her diligence and deep caring in preparing the Report.

      On motion duly moved, seconded and carried

      YOUR COMMITTEE APPROVED

      THAT the Report of the University Ombudsperson for the period July1, 2018 to June 30, 2019 and Administrative Response be endorsed and placed on the agenda of the Governing Council meeting of October 24, 2019.
       
    2. Capital Project: Report of the Project Planning Committee for the Landscape of Landmark Quality (Arising from Report Number 223 of the Academic Board (October 3, 2019); and Report Number 248 of the Business Board (October 7, 2019))

      Professor Mabury presented the highlights of the proposed capital project as outlined in the Report of the Project Planning Committee for the Landscape of Landmark Quality (dated August 23, 2019).

      On motion duly moved, seconded and carried

      YOUR COMMITTEE APPROVED

      THAT the following recommendation be endorsed and forwarded to the Governing Council

      THAT the Report of the Project Planning Committee for the Landscape of Landmark Quality, dated August 23, 2019, be approved in principle; and,

      THAT the project totaling 86,340 square metres (sm), including a below-grade parking structure area totalling  9,075 gross square metres (gsm), and an entrance pavilion totalling 100 gross square metres (gsm) above grade, be approved in principle, to be funded by fundraising, Future Major Capital Project Reserves, and financing.
       
    3. Capital Project: Report of the Project Planning Committee for the Spadina Sussex Residence (Arising from Report Number 223 of the Academic Board (October 3, 2019); Report Number 213 of the University Affairs Board (September 26, 2019) and Report Number 248 of the Business Board (October 7, 2019))

      Professor Mabury presented the highlights of the proposed capital project as outlined in the Report of the Project Planning Committee for the Spadina Sussex Residence (dated August 30, 2019).

      On motion duly moved, seconded and carried

      YOUR COMMITTEE APPROVED

      THAT the following recommendation be endorsed and forwarded to the Governing Council

      THAT the Project Planning Committee Report for the Spadina Sussex Residence, dated August 30, 2019, be approved in principle; and,

      THAT the project totaling 19,328 gross square metres (gsm), be approved in principle, to be funded by University Provostial Funds, Daniel’s Corporation, and long-term financing.
       
    4. Capital Project: Geothermal System at King’s College Circle (Arising from Report Number 223 of the Academic Board (October 3, 2019); and Report Number 248 of the Business Board (October 7, 2019))

      Professor Mabury presented the highlights of the proposed capital project as outlined in the King’s College Circle Geothermal Feasibility Report, dated September 21, 2018.

      On motion duly moved, seconded and carried

      YOUR COMMITTEE APPROVED

      THAT the following recommendation be endorsed and forwarded to the Governing Council

      THAT the King’s College Circle Geothermal Feasibility Report, dated September 21, 2018, be approved in principle, to be funded by financing and Central Utility Funding.

CONSENT AGENDA

On motion duly moved, seconded, and carried

YOUR COMMITTEE APPROVED

THAT the consent agenda be adopted and that the items be approved.

  1. Items for Confirmation
    1. Capital Project: Report of the Project Planning Committee for 700 University, 4th Floor: Fit-out for the Department of Statistical Sciences and the Faculty of Arts and Science Professional Masters Hub (Arising from Report Number 223 of the Academic Board (October 3, 2019))

      On a motion duly moved, seconded and carried

      YOUR COMMITTEE CONFIRMED THE DECISION OF THE ACADEMIC BOARD

      THAT the Report of the Project Planning Committee for 700 University, 4th floor: fit-out for the Department of Statistical Sciences and A&S Professional Masters Hub, dated August 23, 2019, be approved in principle; and,

      THAT the project totaling 5,172 rentable square metres (sm), be approved in principle, to be funded by the Faculty of Arts and Science Building Fund and Future Major Capital Project Reserves.
       
    2. Capital Project: Report of the Project Planning Committee for the Facilities Master Plan at the Koffler Scientific Reserve (Arising from Report Number 223 of the Academic Board (October 3, 2019))

      On a motion duly moved, seconded and carried

      YOUR COMMITTEE CONFIRMED THE DECISION OF THE ACADEMIC BOAR

      THAT the Project Planning Committee Report for Facilities Master Plan at Koffler Scientific Reserve, dated August 30, 2019, be approved in principle; and

      THAT the project totalling 903 net assignable square metres (nasm) (1,445 gross square metres (gsm)), be approved in principle, to be funded by the Faculty of Arts Building Fund and Future Major Capital Project Reserves.
       
    3. Capital Project: Geothermal System at Robert Street Field (Arising from Report Number 223 of the Academic Board (October 3, 2019); and Report Number 248 of the Business Board (October 7, 2019)

      On a motion duly moved, seconded and carried

      YOUR COMMITTEE CONFIRMED THE DECISIONS OF THE ACADEMIC BOARD AND THE BUSINESS BOARD

      THAT the Feasibility Study for Robert Street Field Geothermal System, dated May 17, 2019, be approved in principle, to be funded by financing.
  2. Item for Endorsement and Forwarding to the Governing Council
    1. Academic Board Terms of Reference Revisions (Arising from Report Number 223 of the Academic Board (October 3, 2019))

      YOUR COMMITTEE CONFIRMED THE DECISION OF THE ACADEMIC BOARD

      THAT the following recommendation be endorsed and forwarded to the Governing  Council

      THAT the proposed revised Academic Board Terms of Reference be approved, effective immediately, replacing the Terms of Reference approved on October 26, 2017.
  1. Report of the Previous Meeting of the Executive Committee

Report number 506, from the meeting of June 25, 2019 was approved.

  1. Business Arising from the Report of the Previous Meeting

There was no business arising from the report of the previous meeting.

  1. Minutes of the Governing Council Meetings – September 4, 2019

Members received the Report of September 4, 2019 Governing Council Meeting for information.

  1. Business Arising from the Minutes of the Governing Council Meetings

There was no business arising from the minutes.

  1. Report on Approvals under Summer Executive Authority

The Committee received a report on matters within the Executive Committee’s authority that were approved under the Summer Executive Authority.

  1. Reports for Information

Members received the following reports for information:

  1. Report Number 37 of the Pension Committee (May 22, 2019)
  2. Report Number 213 of the University Affairs Board (September 26, 2019)
  3. Report Number 223 of the Academic Board (October 3, 2019)
  4. Report Number 248 of the Business Board (October 7, 2019)
  5. Report Number 37 of the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus Council (September 25, 2019)
  6. Report Number 37 of the University of Toronto Mississauga Campus Council (October 2, 2019)

END OF CONSENT AGENDA

  1. Date of next meeting: 

The Chair advised members that the next meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, December 4, 2019 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

  1. Other Business
    1. Governing Council Meeting

      The Committee finalized the agenda for the Governing Council to be held on October 24, 2019.

      The Committee Moved In Camera.
  1. Update: University Pension Plan Ontario [“the UPP”]

The Committee received an update from Professors Kelley Hannah-Moffat and Angela Hildyard, on the proposed University Pension Plan Ontario.

  1. In Camera Items for Endorsement and Forwarding to the Governing Council
    1. Capital Project: Report of the Project Planning Committee for the Landscape of Landmark Quality – Total Project Cost and Sources of Funding (Arising from Report Number 223 of the Academic Board (October 3, 2019); and Report Number 248 of the Business Board (October 7, 2019))

      Your Committee approved motion that the recommendation by Professor Scott Mabury, Vice President, Operations and Real Estate Partnerships, in the memorandum dated October 8, 2019, regarding the Landscape of Landmark Quality capital project, be endorsed and forwarded to the Governing Council.
    2. Capital Project: Report of the Project Planning Committee for the Spadina Sussex Residence – Total Project Cost and Sources of Funding (Arising from Report Number 223 of the Academic Board (October 3, 2019); Report Number 213 of the University Affairs Board (September 26, 2019) and Report Number 248 of the Business Board (October 7, 2019))

      Your Committee approved motion that the recommendation by Professor Scott Mabury, Vice President, Operations and Real Estate Partnerships, in the memorandum dated October 8, 2019, regarding the Spadina Sussex Residence capital project, be endorsed and forwarded to the Governing Council.
    3. Capital Project: Geothermal System at King’s College Circle – Total Project Cost and Sources of Funding (Arising from Report Number 223 of the Academic Board (October 3, 2019); and Report Number 248 of the Business Board (October 7, 2019))

      Your Committee approved motion that the recommendation by Professor Scott Mabury, Vice President, Operations and Real Estate Partnerships, in the memorandum dated October 8, 2019, regarding the King’s College Circle Geothermal capital project, be endorsed and forwarded to the Governing Council.
    4. Capital Project: New Student Residence at University of Toronto Scarborough – Further Revised Total Project Funding and Sources of Funding (Arising from Report Number 223 of the Academic Board (October 3, 2019); and Report Number 248 of the Business Board (October 7, 2019))

      Your Committee approved motion that the recommendation by Professor Scott Mabury, Vice President, Operations and Real Estate Partnerships, in the memorandum dated October 8, 2019, regarding the New Student Residence at the University of Toronto Scarborough capital project, be endorsed and forwarded to the Governing Council.
  2. Items for Approval
    1. External Appointments: University of Toronto Press Board of Directors 2019-20

      On a motion duly moved, seconded and carried

      YOUR COMMITTEE RESOLVED

      THAT the following individuals be appointed/re-appointed as members and directors of the University of Toronto Press Board of Directors, effective immediately, for terms to continue until the 2020 Annual General Meeting, or until their successors are appointed:

      Mr. Larry Alford
      Ms. Ann Clavelle
      Professor Robert A. Davidson – new member
      Mr. Jake Gilbert
      Mr. Stephen Knight (Chair)
      Ms Elizabeth Lea
      Professor Scott Mabury
      Ms Anne MacDonald
      Mr. Jim Myzyka
      Ms. Martha Tory
      Professor Emeritus Carolyn Hughes Tuohy – new member
      Ms Lindsay Whillans – new member
      Mr. John Yates
       
    2. Code of Behaviour on Academic Matters:  Recommendations for Expulsion

      On a motion duly moved, seconded and carried

      YOUR COMMITTEE APPROVED

      THAT the President’s recommendation for expulsion, as outlined in the memorandum and supporting documentation from the Secretary of the Governing Council, dated October 8, 2019 be confirmed.
      ​​​​​​​

IN CAMERA CONSENT AGENDA

  1. In Camera Items for Confirmation

    On motion duly moved, seconded, and carried

    YOUR COMMITTEE APPROVED

    THAT the in camera consent agenda be adopted and that the items be approved.
    1. ​​​​​​​Capital Project: Report of the Project Planning Committee for 700 University, 4th Floor: Fit-out for the Department of Statistical Sciences and the Faculty of Arts and Science Professional Masters Hub – Total Project Cost and Sources of Funding  (Arising from Report Number 223 of the Academic Board (October 3, 2019))

      Your Committee confirmed the decision of the Academic Board that the recommendation by Professor Scott Mabury, Vice-President, Operations and Real Estate Partnerships, in the memo dated October 8, 2019, regarding 700 University, 4th Floor: Fit-out for the Department of Statistical Sciences and the Faculty of Arts and Science Professional Masters Hub, be approved.
    2. Capital Project: Report of the Project Planning Committee for the Facilities Master Plan at the Koffler Scientific Reserve – Total Project Cost and Sources of Funding  (Arising from Report Number 223 of the Academic Board (October 3, 2019))

      Your Committee confirmed the decision of the Academic Board that the recommendation by Professor Scott Mabury, Vice-President, Operations and Real Estate Partnerships, in the memo dated October 8, 2019, regarding the Facilities Master Plan at the Koffler Scientific Reserve, be approved.
    3. Capital Project: Geothermal System at Robert Street Field – Total Project Cost and Sources of Funding (Arising from Report Number 223 of the Academic Board (October 3, 2019); and Report Number 248 of the Business Board (October 7, 2019))

      Your Committee confirmed the decision of the Academic Board that the recommendation by Professor Scott Mabury, Vice-President, Operations and Real Estate Partnerships, in the memo dated October 8, 2019, regarding the Geothermal System at Robert Street Field, be approved.

END OF IN CAMERA CONSENT AGENDA

  1. Committee Members with the President

Members of the Executive Committee met with the President.

  1. Committee Members Alone

Members of the Executive Committee, with the Board Chairs, met privately.

The Committee returned to closed session

The meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.

October 21, 2019