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Via Virtual Room
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
THE GOVERNING COUNCIL
JUNE 24, 2021
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE GOVERNING COUNCIL held on June 24, 2021 at 4:30 p.m. via virtual meeting.
Pursuant to section 28 (e) and 38 of By-Law Number 2,
consideration of items 12-17 took place in camera.
Present:
Claire Kennedy (Chair), Brian D. Lawson (Vice-Chair), Rose Patten (Chancellor), Meric S. Gertler, (President), Cheryl Regehr, (Vice-President and Provost), Olivia Batt, Harvey T. Botting, David N. Bowden, Adanna Chigbo, P.C. Choo, Janet Cloud, Ann Curran, Teodora Dechev, Stark Draper, Janet L. Ecker, Susan Froom, K. Sonu Gaind, Avrum I. Gotlieb, Sandra Hanington, Maureen Harquail, Sarosh Jamal, Joan Johnston Amin Kamaleddin, Shashi Kant, Anna Kennedy, Paul Kingston, Sameer Lal, Ernest W.N. Lam, Mark Lautens, Kikelomo Lawal, Ron Levi, Jiazhen (Diana) Li, Jan K. Mahrt-Smith, Stephane Martin Demers, Rajiv Mathur, Douglas E. McDougall, Joanne Jean McNamara, Andrew Padmos, Danielle Skipp, Salvatore M. Spadafora; Andrew Szende, Nicholas Terpstra, Ryan Teschner, Wisdom J. Tettey, Marium Vahed, Grace Westcott, Bruce Winter, Lara Zink
Sheree Drummond (Secretary of the Governing Council)
Regrets:
Vishar Yaghoubian, Samra Zafar
In Attendance:
David Estok (Vice-President, Communications), Kelly Hannah-Moffat (Vice-President, Human Resources & Equity), Scott Mabury (Vice-President, University Operations & Real Estate Partnerships), David Palmer (Vice-President, Advancement), Nadina Jamison (Assistant Vice-President, Strategic Initiatives, Office of the President), Bryn MacPherson (Assistant Vice-President, Office of the President and Chief of Protocol), Nora Gillespie (Senior Legal Counsel), Steve Moate (Senior Legal Counsel, Office of the President), Tony Gray (Director, Strategic Research, Office of the President)
Guests:
Sheila Brown, Chief Financial Officer (Items 3(c) and 3(d))
Tad Brown, Counsel, Business Affairs and Advancement (Item 15)
Helen Choy, Manager, Trust Accounting & Treasury (Items 3(c) and 3(d))
Ellen Hodnett, Ombudsperson (Item 11)
Secretariat:
Anwar Kazimi, Kristi Gourlay, Cindy Ferencz-Hammond, Tracey Gameiro, Emma Thacker, Samantha Frost, Kata Skoko
- Chair’s Remarks
The Chair welcomed members and guests to the final meeting of the 2020-21 governance year. She invited the President to make a special address to governors.
President Gertler began his address with reference to the tragic discovery in May of the remains of 215 Indigenous children at the former Indian Residential School in Kamloops, B.C., and the equally horrific recent discovery of a possible 751 unmarked graves near the Cowessess First Nation in Saskatchewan. On behalf of the University, President Gertler expressed his profound sorrow for the Indigenous communities across Turtle Island whose children’s remains were among those discovered, to all survivors of the Indian Residential School system, and to Indigenous members of the U of T community. President Gertler confirmed that the University remained committed to the ongoing process of reconciliation and that it would continue to implement the calls to action contained in the Report of the Steering Committee for the U of T Response to the Truth & Reconciliation Commission of Canada, acknowledging that there remained much to be done.
The Chair thanked President Gertler for his remarks and expressed on behalf of the Governing Council the horror and revulsion with which this news was received. She indicated that it was important to take the time to reflect on what this meant in thought but also in action for the University and the nation.
- Report of the President
President Gertler began his report by expressing the University’s profound sorrow and outrage at the tragic events of June 6 in London, Ontario, when four members of a Muslim family had been killed, and one seriously injured, as a result of deliberate action motivated by hatred and racism. He reaffirmed that the University condemns Islamophobia and racism in all its forms and would continue to do its utmost to combat racism and acts of hate.
The President went on to provide a brief update on the latest developments in the controversy at the Faculty of Law over the discontinued search for a new director of the International Human Rights Program (IHRP) and the resulting Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) censure. He reported that the Dean, Professor Jutta Brunnée, had reopened the search upon the conclusion of two collegial processes: a consultation and listening tour with all members of the Faculty, chaired by Dean Brunnée; and a review of the IHRP by Professor Emerita Rebecca Cook, Interim Director and founder of the program, that had produced recommendations for strengthening the programing of the IHRP. The new search committee would be chaired by Dean Brunnée and the position reposted to comply with Canadian immigration requirements, including consideration of the candidacy of Canadians should any emerge. He expressed optimism that the University was moving to a resolution of this matter.
President Gertler also reported that the University was making progress on its commitments to undertake a comprehensive review of policies and guidelines related to advancement. The University was working with advancement professionals across its three campuses to ensure that their practices were fully informed by the findings of the Report of the Honourable Thomas Cromwell after his independent review of the IHRP matter. The President also reported the creation of an Advisory Group, co-chaired by the Provost and the Vice-President of Human Resources & Equity, to consider possible protections required for Professional Staff associated with experiential education programs.
In response to members’ questions related to the CAUT censure the President confirmed that the University was fully aligned with CAUT’s policy statement on academic freedom for faculty members who held roles as academic administrators. He noted that the IHRP director position was not an academic position but a professional managerial (PM) position, and that PM positions at Canadian institutions did not normally come with protections for academic freedom. He referred to the University’s creation of an Advisory Committee to explore whether PM positions which might be expected to espouse positions on contentious issues, such as the one at IHRP, might require some form of protection. With respect to policies related to advancement, President Gertler again confirmed that the University was working diligently to ensure that all advancement staff had a clear understanding of existing policies and their implications for the way they conducted business.
Federal Matters
The President then commented on the ongoing work of the federal government to implement the more than 250 initiatives articulated in the April 19th budget. He noted in particular that the government’s proposed investments related to biomedical sciences, for which the University had advocated strongly, were moving forward. The President went on to comment on the recent announcements of the federal government regarding border management, noting the exemption from quarantine rules for fully vaccinated Canadians, permanent residents, and international students who would still be required to take a COVID-19 test on arrival and isolate until their tests came back negative. He noted that the University was continuing to work with its government partners in the context of the University’s successful Quarantine Program.
Provincial Matters
President Gertler made reference to Premier Ford’s recent cabinet shuffle, noting that the most significant change for Ontario universities had been the appointment of Simcoe North MPP Jill Dunlop as Minister of Colleges and Universities, replacing MPP Ross Romano who had become Minister of Government and Consumer Services. The President reported that he had already spoken with Minister Dunlop. He offered his thanks to Minister Romano for his services to date and indicated that the University was looking forward to working with both Ministers in their new roles.
Convocation
The President concluded his remarks with reference to the Spring Convocation ceremony that was held on June 23rd. He reported that 15,500 students from 105 countries had graduated in absentia in what was the University’s second virtual Spring Convocation. The President also noted that 13 honorary graduates had been celebrated with a video degree conferral and a story in the UofT News. He expressed gratitude for the leadership and work of the Office of Convocation which would be undertaking the massive task of couriering the degree parchments to every graduate over the following weeks.
A member echoed the words of the President about the hard work of the Office of Convocation, thanking it for its tremendous efforts.
Covid-19 Update
At the invitation of the President, the Provost provided an update on the University’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. She highlighted the following:
Students
- Students living in residence in the fall would be required to have at least one dose of a vaccine recognized by either Health Canada or the World Health Organization and were expected to have been vaccinated before moving in. Students unable to be vaccinated prior to moving in would be provided with a two-week grace period and assisted by the University to get vaccinated. Those who could not be vaccinated on medical or other grounds recognized by the Ontario Human Rights Code could request an exemption from the requirement. She was pleased to report that the initial response from students and parents to this requirement had been extremely positive. She also noted that this requirement would place the University in a better position to meet provincial health regulations which might bear on the University’s ability to meet its first-year residence guarantee.
- As a result of ongoing pandemic conditions worldwide, the suspension of international programs (Study Abroad Program) had been extended until December 2021. The decision had been made in part because many partner institutions were unable to accept exchange students for the fall 2021 term.
- The University was monitoring Canadian border restrictions and federal quarantine rules, advising students as the situation evolved. It was optimistic that with the federal government’s recent changes to quarantine requirements for international students, the number of students who would need the University’s quarantine programs would decrease.
- The University’s Emergency Bursary program had provided more than $10 million in emergency bursaries to more than 7,000 students affected by the pandemic.
- Outdoor athletic and recreation programming had resumed with Stage 1 restrictions in place to keep groups small and support physical distancing.
Research
- The easing of pandemic restrictions had allowed some faculties to prepare to phase in increased capacity in their research facilities while continuing to follow all Public Health directives.
A member asked for clarification about who was responsible for increasing the capacity in research labs. The Provost responded that the Office of the Vice Provost Research and Innovation was providing overall guidance to units which were responsible for applying this guidance to their individual situations.
Academic Continuity - The University was actively planning for the fall, with many contingencies in mind, and was optimistic that more face-to-face activities would be possible.
- After months of tireless advocacy, the provincial government had agreed to lift restrictions on dentistry programs, avoiding delays in the graduation of dentistry students.
Business Continuity - The University was continuing to prepare for a safe return to its campuses in the fall and was now sharing information about the safety measures in place with the community through social media and other channels. It would continue to update plans and keep the community informed.
- The University’s vaccine clinics continued to provide a valuable service to communities across the city.
- The University of Toronto Mississauga clinic had administered more than 250,000 vaccinations.
- The St. George team had administered more than 20,000 doses of vaccine on campus and nearly 16,000 doses in off-campus pop-up clinics.
- It continued to offer services and vaccines to the Indigenous community in partnership with the Waakebiness-Bryce Institute for Indigenous Health and Na-Me-Res. On June 19th, the team had run a successful Vaccine Pow Wow at Varsity stadium.
- The University of Toronto Scarborough team had transformed their testing site into a vaccination clinic. In six days, it had provided more than 5,000 vaccinations and was ready to ramp up significantly as soon as the vaccine supply was increased.
A member requested an update from the President on the work of the University’s Anti-Semitism Working Group. The President reported that since the interim report in March 2021, the Group had developed a survey which asked members of the University community about their experiences of anti-Semitism on campus. It was now in the process of analyzing the responses and drafting recommendations. He noted that the work of this Group was situated within the University’s broader anti-racism strategies, and that existing University policies and practices were being reviewed with the goals of realizing the University’s commitment to inclusive excellence and informing the University’s efforts to eliminate from its campuses racism, hatred, and discrimination in all its forms.
In response to a member’s question about the University’s practices with respect to research agreements, the President confirmed that the University reviewed all research partnerships on an as-required basis. He noted that in response to the increased scrutiny on partnerships with Chinese institutions and companies, the University had recently completed an in-depth review of all agreements with its partners, flagging any that might be perceived as having potential risk. He reported also that following a review, the University had recently updated its existing documentation related to all international partnerships and was in the process of implementing a more rigorous reporting system with the goal of identifying and mitigating potential risk. He reported that the University was actively engaged in the conversation between representatives of the post-secondary sector and federal agencies in developing a process of reviewing research agreements and developing principles and practices by which they should be monitored over time.
- Items for Approval
- Proposal to Establish an Extra-Departmental Unit A: Faculty of Arts & Science, School of the Environment
The Provost introduced the proposal, noting that the conversion of the School of the Environment from an EDU:B to a EDU:A would allow the School, which was the central component of environmental education across the three campuses, to strengthen its faculty complement and create a stronger platform for research and education.
Professor Nick Terpstra, Chair of the Academic Board, reported that at the meeting of the Board, the Provost had commented on the long history of the School, its interdisciplinary nature, and scholars’ deep engagement with this area. He reported that members had no questions and the proposal had been recommended for approval by the Governing Council.
There were no questions or comments from governors.
On motion duly made, seconded, and carried
IT WAS RESOLVED
THAT the proposal to establish the School of the Environment, an (EDU: B), as an Extra-Departmental Unit Type A, as described in the proposal dated April 12, 2021, be approved effective July 1, 2021.
- Proposal to Establish the Centre for Critical Development Studies (EDU:B) to the Department of Global Development Studies, University of Toronto Scarborough
The Provost introduced the proposal noting the history of Centre, which had expanded over time, including the development of new programs that were some of the highest subscribed programs at UTSC. She indicated that it was the appropriate time to change the status of the Centre to a department so that it could hire full time faculty and continue to build on its strengths in this area.
Professor Paul Kingston, Chair of the UTSC Campus Council, noted that at the meeting of the Campus Council Professor William Gough, UTSC Vice Principal Academic & Dean, had presented the proposal including a brief overview of the EDU and departmental structure at the University, and some history of academic unit growth at UTSC. Professor Gough also had provided an overview of the proposed administrative structure, faculty complement, and curricular offerings of the unit. Members had no questions, and the proposal had been recommended for approval by the Campus Council.
Professor Terpstra reported that at the Academic Board meeting, in response to a member’s question, the Provost had explained the differences between EDUs at the University, and the importance of the Centre’s designation as a Department in allowing it to appoint faculty members and manage its own budget. Professor Wisdom Tettey, Vice-President and Principal of UTSC Principal, and Professor Gough had reported that cross-appointments of staff would not impact students’ access to courses, nor undermine UTSC’s commitment to offer courses across programs.
There were no questions from governors.
On motion duly made, seconded, and carried
IT WAS RESOLVED
THAT, the proposal to convert the Centre for Critical Development Studies (EDU:B) to the Department of Global Development Studies, as described in the proposal dated April 13, 2021, be approved effective as of July 1, 2021.
- Audited Financial Statements for the Fiscal Year ended April 30, 2021
At the invitation of the Chair, Ms Anna Kennedy, Chair of the Business Board, reported that Ms. Shelia Brown, Chief Financial Officer (CFO), had provided an overview and presentation of the highlights of the year’s financial results to the Board at its meeting. She noted that Ms Janet Ecker, Chair of the Audit Committee, had reported that the Committee had been provided with a more detailed version of the CFO’s presentation and that the auditors had performed additional procedures to satisfy themselves of the authenticity of the documentation provided given that this year’s audit was performed remotely. Ms Ecker had also reported that the Audit Committee had been satisfied that the financial statements fairly represented the financial position of the University and its results for 2020-21 and had had no concern that would call into question the integrity of the financial statements.
There were no questions or comments from governors on the Audited Financial Statements.
On motion duly made, seconded, and carried
IT WAS RESOLVED
THAT the University of Toronto audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2021, be approved.
- External Auditors: Appointment for 2021-2022
Ms Anna Kennedy provided an overview of the Business Board’s discussion of the item. She noted that the annual review of the performance of Ernst & Young LLP by the Audit Committee and the administration had been very favourable. It had been reported to the Board that the auditors had continued to perform well, had been proactive in bringing issues and new developments forward, and had also met the University’s very tight deadlines and heavy workload requirements for the various audits. Ms Kennedy reported that the Audit Committee and Business Board had supported that Ernst & Young LLP be retained for the upcoming fiscal year (2021-22).
There were no questions or comments from governors on the appointment of the external auditors for 2021-22.
On motion duly made, seconded, and carried
IT WAS RESOLVED
THAT Ernst & Young LLP be re-appointed as external auditors of the University of Toronto for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2022.
The Chair offered her commendations to everyone involved with preparing the annual financial statements. She also expressed on behalf of the Governing Council her congratulations to Ms Brown who would be retiring at the end of July and her gratitude for Ms Brown’s contributions to University governance and her extraordinary service to the University. The Chair noted that Ms Brown had been CFO since 2005 and that on Ms Brown’s watch, the University had enjoyed consistently strong assessments from external credit rating agencies which had expressed their confidence in the financial stability of the University. She also had played a leading role in helping to implement the seamless transition to the newly created University Pension Plan.
- Proposal to Establish an Extra-Departmental Unit A: Faculty of Arts & Science, School of the Environment
CONSENT AGENDA
The Chair noted that no requests had been made to remove any items from the Consent Agenda.
On a motion duly made, seconded, and carried
IT WAS RESOLVED
THAT the consent agenda be adopted and items 4 (a) through (d), 5 and 6 approved.
- Items for Approval
- Revisions to the Terms of Reference of the Committee on Academic Policy and Programs.
On a motion duly made, seconded, and carried
IT WAS RESOLVED
THAT the proposed revisions to the Terms of Reference of the Committee on Academic Policy and Programs, dated May 5, 2021, be approved, effective immediately.
- Revisions to the Terms of Reference of the Planning & Budget Committee
On a motion duly made, seconded, and carried
IT WAS RESOLVED
THAT the proposed revisions to the Terms of Reference of the Planning & Budget Committee, dated May 6, 2021, be approved, effective immediately.
- Revisions to the UTM Campus Council and its Committees Terms of Reference
On a motion duly made, seconded, and carried
IT WAS RESOLVED
THAT the proposed revisions to the UTM Campus Council and its Committees Terms of Reference, dated May 19, 2021, be approved, effective immediately.
- Revisions to the UTSC Campus Council and its Committees Terms of Reference
On a motion duly made, seconded, and carried
IT WAS RESOLVED
THAT the proposed revisions to the UTSC Campus Council and its Committees Terms of Reference, dated May 20, 2021, be approved, effective immediately.
- Revisions to the Terms of Reference of the Committee on Academic Policy and Programs.
- Summer Executive Authority
On motion duly made, seconded, and carried
IT WAS RESOLVED- THAT until the next regular meeting of the Governing Council or its appropriate committee or board, authority be granted to the President for:
- decisions on other matters the urgency of which does not permit their deferral until the next regular meeting of the Governing Council or its appropriate standing committee or board,
- appointments to categories 2,1 3,2 and 5 3 of the Policy on Appointments and Remuneration approved by the Governing Council of the University of Toronto, dated May 30, 20074;
- approval of such additional curriculum changes as may arise for the summer and September 2021;
- THAT all actions taken under this authority be approved by the Chair of the Governing Council prior to implementation and reported to the appropriate committee or board for information.
- THAT until the next regular meeting of the Governing Council or its appropriate committee or board, authority be granted to the President for:
1 Category 2 includes the positions of Vice-President, Secretary of the Governing Council, and University Ombudsperson, which are subject to the approval of the Governing Council.
2 Category 3 includes the positions of Deputy Provost, Associate and Vice-Provosts, Chief Financial Officer, Senior Legal Counsel and Deputy Secretary of the Governing Council, which are subject to the approval of the Executive Committee, and are reported for information to the Governing Council.
3 Category 5 includes the head of Internal Audit (approved by the Business Board) and the Warden of Hart House (approved by the University Affairs Board); such appointments are reported for information to the Governing Council.
4 Approval of Academic Administrative Appointments until the next regular meeting of the Agenda Committee of the Academic Board shall be approved by electronic ballot and shall require the response of at least five members of the Agenda Committee.
- Minutes of the Previous Meeting of the Governing Council – May 14, 2021
The minutes of the previous meeting of the Governing Council were approved.
- Business Arising from the Report of the Previous Meeting
There was no business arising from the Report of the Previous Meeting.
- Reports for Information
Members received the following reports for information:- Report Number 44 of the Pension Committee (March 24, 2021)
- Report Number 48 of the University of Toronto Mississauga Campus Council (May 19, 2021)
- Report Number 48 of the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus Council (May 20 2021)
- Report Number 224 of the University Affairs Board (May 25, 2021)
- Report Number 234 of the Academic Board (May 27, 2021)
- Report Number 90 of the Elections Committee (June 2, 2021)
- Report Number 523 of the Executive Committee (June 14, 2021)
- Report Number 259 of the Business Board (June 17, 2021)
- Date of Next Meeting – Thursday, September 9, 2021 at 8:45 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.
The Chair confirmed that the next meeting would be held on Thursday, September 9, 2021 from 8:45-9:15 a.m.
- Question Period
There were no questions from members.
- Other Business
The Chair recognized the exemplary service of the Ombudsperson, Professor Emeritus Ellen Hodnett, who was retiring after six years in the role. She noted that Professor Emeritus Hodnett had brought not only a wealth of experience and wisdom to the role, but also a professional and steady hand in helping so many people from the University Community over the years. The Chair also noted that over her tenure as Ombudsperson, Professor Emeritus Hodnett had overseen the successful expansion of the Office to a tri-campus model, with an Ombuds Officer on each of the three campuses, and had worked hard to increase awareness of the Office, including introducing a social media component into the Office’s communication strategy. She observed that her legacy would have a lasting impact on the fabric of the institution.
Professor Emeritus Hodnett addressed the Council, expressing her gratitude to the University for the opportunity to have held four interesting and challenging roles since she had joined the University community in 1975: faculty member, department chair, governor, and Ombudsperson. She also expressed her gratitude to the team of the Office of the Ombudsperson, the administrative staff on all three campuses who worked so hard to meet the needs of the University community, and the staff at the Office of the Governing Council.
The Chair, on behalf of the Vice-Chair and herself, went on to express appreciation and gratitude to governors and members of governance bodies from all University constituencies on all three campuses for their commitment to the University of Toronto, for their contributions to governance, and their hard work over the course of this governance year.
She also thanked the President and all members of the University administration for their exemplary service to governance and their work on behalf of the University in general, and the Secretariat team for their invaluable work as governance professionals.
The Chair concluded by individually recognizing those governors who were completing their terms on the Governing Council. The following citations were read into the record.
Ms Olivia Batt
Ms Olivia Batt is completing a second one-year term as a part-time undergraduate student governor. During this second term she has served on the Executive Committee, the University Affairs Board, and the Elections Committee – thank you for your thoughtful contributions to these bodies. Congratulations on receiving your certificate in Human Resource Management, which complements your extensive legal training! We wish you the very best with your career in equity consulting, workplace investigation and mediation.
Adanna Chigbo
Ms Adanna Chigbo is completing a one-year term as a graduate student governor. From the start, Adanna has been a very engaged governor, proactively reaching out on a variety of critical matters with constructive and thoughtful recommendations. She has served on the Planning and Budget Committee and on the Academic Board. She also served as one of the esquires for the Spring 2021 virtual Convocation ceremony which was broadcast yesterday.
Adanna, thank you for your service; your contributions have been tremendously valuable. We are confident that you will continue to make a meaningful impact within the U of T community and more broadly. Best wishes with your ongoing studies.
P.C. Choo
Mr. P.C. Choo has served as an administrative staff governor for a total of fifteen years – he initially served the maximum consecutive nine years from 2004 to 2013, and in 2015 he returned and is now completing his second three-year term. Perhaps not surprisingly, over the course of his time as a governor, P.C. has served on almost every governance body! Most recently P.C. has served in leadership roles as the Vice-Chair of the University Affairs Board and as Chair of the Elections Committee. He was also a member of the Executive Committee and served on the Committee to Review the Office of the University Ombudsperson. P.C. has been unrelenting in ensuring that the ‘staff voice’ is heard and that staff contributions to the success of this University are recognized. P.C., your lengthy governance service is incontrovertible evidence of your dedication and commitment to the University of Toronto. We are deeply grateful to you for your service and for your many contributions. Congratulations as well on the recent graduation of your son, Andrew, making you now the proud father of three U of T alumni! We wish you all the best!
Stephane Martin Demers
Mr. Stephane Martin Demers is completing a one-year term as a full-time undergraduate student governor. Stephane served on the Academic Appeals Committee, the Academic Board, and on the University Affairs Board. He has been a very engaged member with a keen attention to issues of particular interest to students, including student mental health, equity issues, and budget and tuition matters. We are grateful for your constructive role in fostering dialogue and for your thoughtful questions and comments at governance meetings. Congratulations on receiving your bachelor’s degree in music! I understand that you will be performing at the June 26 virtual Black Graduation. We wish you all the best in your future endeavours.
Avrum Gotlieb
Avrum Gotlieb has served as a teaching staff governor from the Faculty of Medicine since 2012. Over the course of his time as a governor, Avrum has served on all three Boards – Academic Board, Business Board, and the University Affairs Board, as well as on the Executive Committee. He has also served on the Academic Appeals Committee. His contributions to governance pre-date his service as a governor as he served as Chair of the Planning and Budget Committee for eleven years in his capacity as a teaching staff member of the Academic Board and then again once he became a member of the Governing Council. A frequent contributor, Avrum could always be relied upon to bring a faculty member perspective to deliberations on a wide range of matters before governance. Avrum, we are very grateful for your service and wish you continued success in your academic pursuits.
Paul Kingston
Professor Paul Kingston has served as a teaching staff governor from UTSC since 2015. Over his tenure as a governor he has provided leadership at UTSC serving twice as Chair, first from 2016 to 2019 and again this past year – and when he was not serving as Chair, he was Vice-Chair! In his leadership roles of the UTSC Campus Council, he served on the UTSC Agenda and Nominating Committees. As well, in his capacity as Chair of the UTSC Campus Council, he attended meetings of the Executive Committee. In addition, he served on the UTSC Campus Affairs Committee, the Academic Board, the Committee on Academic Policy and Programs, and on the Academic Appeals Committee. As I noted at the final UTSC Campus Council meeting in May, in his role as Chair, Paul has had a significant impact on governance at the Scarborough campus, and by extension on the life of the campus itself. Thank you, Paul, for your dedicated service to governance, and for your governance leadership at UTSC. We wish you continued success in your academic pursuits.
Diana Li
Ms Diana Li is completing a one-year term as a full-time undergraduate student governor. During her term, she has served on the Executive Committee and the Academic Board bringing an international student’s perspective to deliberations. She also served as one of the esquires for the Spring 2021 virtual Convocation ceremony which was broadcast yesterday. Diana, we thank you for your service as a governor and wish you well in your continued studies.
Andrew Szende
Mr. Andrew Szende is completing his final three-year term as an alumni governor. Andrew has served on a wide range of governance bodies – the Audit Committee, the Pension Committee, the Business Board, the Elections Committee, the Senior Appointments and Compensation Committee – and, for the last seven years, as Chair of the University Affairs Board. As Chair of UAB he also attended Executive Committee meetings. On all of these bodies, he has been a regular and thoughtful contributor. His support for students has been a defining characteristic of his service, manifesting in a range of ways including in his approach as Chair of UAB, in his mentorship of student governors, and as an ardent champion for students in general. Andrew, we are so grateful for your outstanding service and dedication to the University, and we wish you the very best.
Nicholas Terpstra
Professor Nicholas Terpstra has served since 2014 as a teaching staff governor from the Faculty of Arts and Science. Nick has played a critical role, first as Vice-Chair of the Academic Board and subsequently as Chair. In his capacity as Chair of Academic Board he served as a member of the Committee for Honorary Degrees and the Ceremonials Committee, and also attended Executive Committee meetings. Nick has also served as a member of the Committee on Academic Policy and Programs and the University Affairs Board. In addition, Nick has been an engaged member of the Working Group on Governance Oversight of Capital Projects. Over the course of his service as a governor, and in particular in his leadership role on the Academic Board, he has demonstrated a deep understanding of the importance of academic self-governance and the need to act as judicious stewards. Nick, we are grateful to you for all that you have contributed as a governor and for your dedication to the University. We wish you continued success in your academic pursuits.
Marium Vahed
Ms Marium Vahed is completing a one-year term as a full-time undergraduate student governor. During her term, she has served on the Planning and Budget Committee and on the University Affairs Board. She also served as one of the esquires for the Fall 2020 virtual Convocation ceremony which was broadcast in November. In addition, she recently served on the President’s Advisory Committee on the Appointment of a Vice-President, Human Resources and Equity. She was an engaged and thoughtful contributor on all of these bodies, frequently bringing to the fore points that reflected a deep awareness of the needs and interests of fellow undergraduate students. Marium, congratulations on receiving your Honours B.A! We wish you the very best with your future endeavours.
Bruce Winter
Mr. Bruce Winter has served as an alumni governor since 2015 and has decided to retire after serving two three-year terms. He has served as Vice-Chair of the Business Board for two years and Vice-Chair of the Planning and Budget Committee for one year. He has also served on the Pension Committee, the Academic Board, the Executive Committee, and on the Senior Appointments and Compensation Committee. In addition, he has been an engaged member of the Working Group on Governance Oversight of Capital Projects. Bruce, we are grateful for your wise counsel and guidance, particularly around financial matters and governance oversight. As well, the expertise you have brought to all of these tables, and your willingness to serve as a mentor to new governors, have been deeply appreciated. Thank you, Bruce, for your commitment to governance and your dedication to the University of Toronto. We wish you all the best.
The Chair then called upon President Gertler to make some closing remarks. The President, on behalf of the University, offered his sincere gratitude to the retiring governors for their dedicated service to the University. He noted that they were remarkable volunteers who supported the University by sharing their wisdom, energy, and advice.
The President went on to recognize and express his gratitude for the exceptional service of Mr. Steve Moate who would be retiring as senior legal counsel for the Office of the President on June 30th. President Gertler noted that since joining the University in 2002, Mr. Moate had used his superb analytical capacity, exceptional judgement, calm demeanor, and encyclopedic knowledge of University policy and relevant jurisprudence to provide sage and insightful advice to the President, the Vice-Presidents, Deans, and many other senior leaders across the three campuses. The President also noted that Mr. Moate’s influence extended throughout Ontario and Canada and that the University of Toronto and the PSE sector more generally would miss his counsel and leadership.
The President concluded his remarks by acknowledging that this was the Chair’s final meeting as Chair and governor and expressed his gratitude for her exemplary contributions to the University. He noted that as Chair for the past four years, Ms Kennedy had served the Governing Council and University with singular distinction. The combination of her calm professionalism, deep expertise, and astute judgement, together with her personal warmth, humour, and empathy were characteristics that had been instrumental to the University’s collective success throughout her time on the Governing Council. He lauded Ms. Kennedy’s commitment to participatory governance, fairness, and transparency and observed that she had ensured that every governor and many guests had had the chance to share their views, which was particularly notable and important during the virtual meetings of the past year. The President informed members that, in recognition of her exceptional and longstanding service, the University was establishing the Claire M.C. Kennedy Scholarship which would recognize students who had distinguished themselves by their participation in student, faculty, or institutional governance or in other student activities that had enhanced the life of the University. On behalf of the University, President Gertler again thanked the Chair for her outstanding service to the University of Toronto.
Mr. Brian Lawson, Vice-Chair and incoming Chair, echoed the President’s words and added his gratitude and appreciation for Claire Kennedy’s exemplary service. He reflected on a concept that former Chancellor Michael Wilson had championed, that of a triathlete, not in the athletic sense but in terms of contribution to society and the importance of getting involved with the private, public and on-for-profit sectors. He noted that Claire Kennedy was a triathlete in her own right – in the private sector as a successful lawyer with one of Canada’s major law firms, in the public sector as a director of the Bank of Canada, and in the not-for-profit sector in her involvement with True Patriot Love. This in addition to her leadership and tremendous commitment to the University. As a token of the Secretariat’s appreciation of her service, Mr. Lawson presented Ms. Kennedy with an engraved clock.
The Chancellor, Dr. Rose Patten, added her comments about Ms Kennedy’s outstanding service as Chair. She noted that during her tenure on the Governing Council, and most remarkably in her time as Chair, Ms Kennedy had served professionally and capably, effectively navigating the University through many important files. Dr. Patten expressed her gratitude for the Chair’s support and graciousness in welcoming her as Chancellor and offered her thanks for Ms Kennedy’s service on behalf of the entire University
A retiring Governor added his personal thanks to the Chair noting that she had always allowed the maximum leeway for debate while maintaining a firm hand on the proceedings and upholding the decorum and dignity of the Governing Council. He also expressed his thanks to fellow governors, as well as the President and the Provost for their leadership of the University. He concluded his remarks by thanking the Secretariat for their support of the governance process.
A member commented on the University’s significant progress on issues of equity and diversity since his time as a student, noting that this diversity had helped enhance the academic excellence of the University. He expressed that the Chair’s leadership, knowledge, good humour, and dedication to the University had been exceptional and that he felt fortunate to serve with her and the other extraordinary members of the Governing Council.
The Chair expressed her gratitude for the generous words and that she had found her experience as a governor and chair to be extraordinary and enriching. She said that from governors, the administration, the Secretariat, and student government representatives who had addressed the Governing Council, she had learned to be a better listener, a better learner, and a better leader – lifelong gifts that she would cherish. She offered her gratitude to President Gertler for being a strong, effective, and open leader, and to Ms Sheree Drummond, Secretary of the Governing Council, for her tremendous support. She observed that while the University and the rest of society still had more work to do in addressing equity, diversity, and inclusion, it was important to reflect on the University as it was today, one of the nation’s very best accelerators of equitable, diverse, and inclusive societal prosperity. She noted that the University of Toronto was tied in the latest Times Higher Education ratings with a private American ivy league institution in spite of its responsibility for educating well over three times the number of students for a small fraction of the tuition cost of the peer institution. She said this is why preserving and enhancing the quality of scholarship and pedagogy at the University of Toronto while maintaining its access guarantee was so vitally important. She recognized that those present were committed to that goal and expressed her confidence in the governors and their successors to steer this remarkable institution.
The Governing Council moved in camera.
- Council on Student Services (COSS) - Chair Appointment, 2021-22
The University Affairs Board’s approval of the nomination of Ms Alexa Ballis-Papamihalis as the next Chair of COSS was reported to members for information.
- Appointments: Membership of the Committee for Honorary Degrees, 2021-22
On motion duly made, seconded, and carried
IT WAS RESOLVED
THAT the following proposed membership of the 2021-2022 Committee for Honorary Degrees be approved:
Administrative Staff
Ms Shannon Simpson (Director, Indigenous Initiatives, Office of the Vice-President & Provost)
Lay Members
Dr. Wendy Cecil (Former Chair of the Governing Council)*
Ms N. Jane Pepino (Former Member of the Governing Council)*
Mr. Gary Goldberg (Former Member of the Governing Council)
Students
Mr. Amin Kamaleddin (Institute of Biomedical Engineering)
Mr. Andi Darell Alhakim (University of Toronto Mississauga)
Teaching Staff
Professor Alexie Tcheuyap (Department of French, Faculty of Arts & Science)
Professor Shana Kelley (Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy)
Professor Arthur Ripstein (Faculty of Law and Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Arts & Science)*
Professor Janice Gross Stein (Department of Political Science, Faculty of Arts & Science)*
*member of 2019-2020 Committee.
- Appointment: Assistant Secretary to the Discipline Appeals Board
On motion duly made, seconded, and carried
IT WAS RESOLVED
THAT Nadia Bruno be appointed Assistant Secretary of the Discipline Appeals Board effective June 24, 2021
- Banting Research Foundation - Revisions to Letters Patent and Bylaws
On motion duly made, seconded, and carried
IT WAS RESOLVED
THAT the Governing Council of the University of Toronto consents to the request from the Banting Research Foundation to update its Letters Patent and By-Laws to amend the board structure in accordance with the Proposal to the University of Toronto for Changes to the Board Membership of The Banting Research Foundation and its Objects/Purposes dated May 18, 2021, and, in particular, to amend the number of Directors to be nominated by the Governing Council of the University of Toronto to Two (2).
- Appointments: Non-Governing Council Members of the Pension Committee
On motion duly made, seconded, and carried
IT WAS RESOLVED
THAT the membership of following individuals be renewed, along with the corresponding terms:
Professor Louis Florence (term from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022)
Professor Cynthia Messenger (term from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022)
Professor Jun Nogami (term from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022)
Professor Maureen Stapleton (term from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022)
Professor Terezia Zoric (term from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022)
- Senior Appointment
On motion duly made, seconded, and carried
IT WAS RESOLVED
THAT the position of Vice-President, Human Resources and Equity be eliminated, effective June 30, 2021.
THAT the position of Vice-President, People Strategy, Equity and Culture be created, effective July 1, 2021.
THAT Professor Kelly Hannah-Moffat be appointed as Vice-President, People Strategy, Equity and Culture, for a five-year term, effective July 1, 2021 to December 31, 2026 [five-year term over five and a half years to include a six-month administrative leave].
The Governing Council returned to open session.
The meeting adjourned at 6:28 p.m.
July 29, 2021