Report: UTSC Campus Affairs Committee - February 11, 2020

In attendance:

Sandy Welsh (Vice-Provost, Students), Meredith Strong (Director, Office of the Vice-Provost, Students), Aileen Cabrera, Ian Cole, Greg Hum, Erica Loney, Gary Pitcher, Rena Prashad, Jen Tigno, Frank Villiva, Larry Whatmore, Fran Wdowczyk
 

*Participated by teleconference.
 

1. Chair’s Remarks

The Vice-Chair, Professor Tarun Dewan, welcomed members and guests to the meeting, clarifying that he was stepping in as Chair for this meeting. Professor Tayyab Rashid sent his regrets. The Chair provided an update on the governance elections for the Campus Affairs Committee.

2. Annual Report: Compulsory Non-Academic Incidental Fees (2019-20)

The Chair invited Ms Meredith Strong, Director, Office of the Vice-Provost, Students to present an overview of Compulsory Non-Academic Incidental Fees - Report and Analysis for 2019-20.

Ms Strong stated that fees were categorized into three areas: Campus Service Fees, Cross-Divisional Student Societies, and Divisional Fees. She noted that fees varied by campus and registration status, and provided examples of fees paid by UTSC students in the three categories.

Ms Strong explained that the annual report provided an inventory of all compulsory non-academic fees collected by the University over the past two years. The report included a fee breakdown for student services and student societies as a result of the Student Choice Initiative, which included 523 optional fees in the Fall 2019 session. She reported that there were 45 student societies across the University.
 

3. Compulsory Non-Academic Incidental Fees - Student Society Fees: UTSC Student Society Proposals for Fee Increases

The Chair invited Desmond Pouyat, Dean of Student Affairs to present the item. Mr. Pouyat explained the University’s assumed obligations to students and the oversight role of the Office of the Vice-Provost, Students. He reported that the fee changes requested by the Scarborough Campus Students’ Union (SCSU) are subject to the Policy for Compulsory Non-Academic Incidental Fees and the Policy on Ancillary Fees.

On motion duly moved, seconded, and carried,

YOUR COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED,

THAT beginning in the Summer 2020 session, the SCSU fee be increased as follows: (a) an increase of $6.81 per session ($1.36 part-time) in the UTSC Sports & Recreation Complex Levy portion of the fee; and 

subject to confirmation of approval of the following fee increase proposals by the Scarborough Campus Students’ Union (SCSU) Board of Directors at its February 2020 meeting (date to be confirmed), 

THAT beginning in the Fall 2020 session, the SCSU fee be increased as follows: (a) an increase of up to $0.58 per session in the society portion of the fee (up to $0.03 part-time); (b) an increase of up to $0.86 per session in the Student Centre portion of the fee (up to $0.26 part-time), (c) an increase of up to $0.18 per session (full-time only) in the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS) portion of the fee, (d) an increase of up to $8.23 (full-time only) per session in the Health Plan portion of the fee, and (e) an increase of up to $10.40 (full-time only) per session in the Dental Plan portion of the fee, and (f) continuation of the WUSC Program portion of the fee through the 2020-21 academic period. 

If approved, the total Fall/Winter SCSU fee will be up to $466.33 per session (up to $49.98 part time), charged to all UTSC undergraduate students. 

4. Operating Plans and Fees: Student Affairs and Services

The Chair reminded members that the Operating Plans for campus and student services, as well as co-curricular programs, services and facilities, were recommended by the Campus Affairs Committee to the UTSC Campus Council for approval. Desmond Pouyat, Dean of Student Affairs provided a brief overview to clarify the structure of the motions, as presented. The Chair then invited Nadia Rosemond, Assistant Dean, Student Affairs and Student Life, to present the advice shared from the Council on Student Services (CSS) and present the Student Affairs Operating Plans and Fees.

At the pre-vote meeting, CSS considered an increase in fees for Health & Wellness Service, Athletics and Recreation, Career Services, Academic Support and Student Buildings. CSS considered a decrease in fees for Other Student Service Fees. All resolutions passed except the Academic Support Fee. In consideration of the advice of CSS, and pursuant to the terms of the Protocol on Non-Tuition Fees, the administration presented plans which included a request for a fee increase with permanent and temporary components.

Ms Rosemond provided an overview of the priorities across the Student Affairs portfolio and provided highlights from several priorities. She discussed the robust process to approve the operating plan, which is governed by the Protocol on Non-Tuition Fees. The five increases and one decrease to the six service fees were explained, as well as a summary of the total fees for full-time and part-time students. In closing, Ms Rosemond clarified that the Student Affairs operating plan posed no risk to UTSC’s operating budget or the university budget.

On motion duly moved, seconded, and carried,

YOUR COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED,

THAT, the 2020-21 operating plans and budgets for the UTSC Student Affairs and Services (including the Health & Wellness Centre, Athletics & Recreation, Career Services, Academic Support, Student Buildings and Other Student Services), as presented in the documentation from Mr. Desmond Pouyat, Dean of Student Affairs, be approved; and;  

THAT the sessional Health & Wellness Service Fee for a UTSC-registered or UTSC- affiliated full-time student be increased to $77.04 per full-time student per session ($15.41 per part-time student per session); which represents a year over year increase of 2.01 % ($1.52 for full-time student; $0.30 for part-time student); 

THAT the sessional Athletics and Recreation Fee for a UTSC-registered or UTSC- affiliated full-time student be increased to $147.29 per full-time student per session ( $29.46 per part-time student per session); which represents a year over year increase of 0.93 % ($1.36 for full-time student; $0.27 for part-time student); 

THAT the sessional Career Services Fee for a UTSC-registered or UTSC- affiliated full-time student be increased to  $88.64 per full-time student per session ($17.73 per part-time student per session); which represents a year over year increase of 3.25 % ($2.79 for full-time student; $0.56 for part-time student); 

THAT the sessional Academic Support Fee for a UTSC-registered or UTSC- affiliated full-time student be increased to $42.09 per full-time student per session ($8.42 per part-time student per session); which represents a year over year increase of 5.50 % ($2.19 for full-time student; $0.44 for part-time student); (resulting from a permanent increase of 2.0% and three year temporary increase of 3.5% on the eligible portion); 

THAT the sessional Student Buildings Fee for a UTSC-registered or UTSC- affiliated full-time student be increased to  $33.45  ($6.69 per part-time student per session); which represents a year over year increase of 0.03 % ($0.01 for full-time student; $0.00 for part-time student); 

THAT the sessional Other Student Services Fee for a UTSC-registered or UTSC- affiliated full-time student be decreased to  $19.78 ($3.96 per part-time student per session); which represents a year over year decrease of -4.17 % (($0.86) for full-time student; ($0.17) for part-time student).

5. Operating Plans: Service Ancillaries

The Chair informed members that the Committee considered operating plans for all UTSC service ancillaries on an annual basis. The proposed budget for 2020-21 was presented for approval.

The Chair invited Andrew Arifuzzaman, Chief Administrative Officer, to present. Mr Arifuzzaman reminded members of the University’s four financial objectives – to Operate without subsidy from the University’s operating budget; to provide for all costs of capital renewal including deferred maintenance;​ to create and maintain an operating reserve; and​ to contribute net revenues to the operating budget. He invited representatives from each ancillary unit to present.

Greg Hum, Director, Student Housing & Residence Life presented the budget for Student Housing and Residence Life. He highlighted that residence housing inventory was expanded to accommodate more first year students.  He noted the challenge to maintain and renew the aging facilities without pricing students out of residence.​ Mr. Hum reviewed the proposed 2020-2021 proposed fees, indicating a 5% increase in 2020-21.​

Fran Wdowczyk, Director, Business Development & Special Advisor to the CAO, highlighted the annual ‘Passive House Canada’ conference, hosted at Highland Hall, which included 443 delegates and 33 booths, confirming a new revenue stream for UTSC. She noted the challenge that conference business was significantly impacted by the availability of Highland Hall and its delay in the opening.​

Ms Wdowczyk also highlighted that Food Services had responded to trends for plant-based food offerings and sustainable practices.​ She noted the challenge of building reserves for expansion and ongoing capital renewal of heavily used facilities.​ Several new food and beverage services were also shared, including, the five-dollar value program, expanded hours, breakfast options, Raman vending machine, and working with community partners.

Gary Pitcher, Director, Campus Safety, Issue and Emergency Management highlighted that Parking Services had received approval to hire a design consultant for the new parking structure. He noted the challenge to maintain sufficient parking spaces during the upcoming construction of academic and non-academic buildings. He noted a 10% increase in parking permit fees for 2020-2021.

A member asked for a rational for the 10 percent increase in permit fees. Mr. Pitcher explained that the increase was connected to the new parking structure building. 

On motion duly moved, seconded, and carried,

YOUR COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED,

THAT the 2020-21 operating plans and budgets for the UTSC Service Ancillary,  as summarized in Schedule 1; the Service Ancillary capital budgets as summarized in Schedule 5; and the rates and fees in Schedule 6, as presented in the Service Ancillary Report on Operating Plans dated December 20, 2019, be approved effective May 1, 2020.

6. Reports of the Presidential Assessors

The Chair advised members that the Presidential Assessors’ report was deferred until the next meeting.  

7. Report of the Previous Meeting: Report 35 - Monday, January 13, 2020

Report Number 35 was approved.  

8. Business Arising from the Report of the Previous Meeting

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

9. Date of the Next Meeting - Tuesday, March 26, 2020 at 4:10 p.m.
    
10. Other Business

There was no other business.

The meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m.