UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
COLLEGE OF ELECTORS
Minutes of the College of Electors virtual meeting held on Tuesday, November 3, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.
Present:
Corwin Cambray, (UTAA) (Chair); Jennifer Dolman (University College) (Vice-Chair); Jehane Adam (New College); Neville Austin (Faculty of Music); Judy Beamish (Medicine); Manny Bettencourt (UTM); Leslie A. Boehm (DLSPH); Arun Channan (Engineering); Daniel J. Correia (KPE); Vidia Dhanraj (New College); Ernesto Diaz Lozano Patiño (FASE); Demetra Dimokopoulos (UTM); Cynthia Elson (Victoria College); Imre Gams (UTM); Chris Girard (University College); Dr. Leonard Grbac (Medicine); Paul Haynes (Victoria College); Doris Kalamut (Pharmacy); Sean Kiefte (Woodsworth); Eve Leung (Information); John Paul (JP) Lotesto (UTM); Dr. Sofya Malik (OISE); Victoria McNally (St. Michael's); Judy Newman (Social Work); David Plant (Trinity College); Julia Prato (UTSC); Dr. Joy Richards (Nursing); Dr. Sheila Ritcey (PT/OT); Larissa Rodo (Engineering); Dr. Cindy Sinclair (OISE); Michael Stargiannis (Engineering); Matthew Stodolak (OISE); Dorinda So (UTSC); Mark Surchin (Law); Sitharsana Srithas (UTSC); Lisa Taillefer (Victoria College); Stephen Tardif (St. Michael’s College); Harlan E. Tufford (Woodsworth College); Dr. Gina Valle (OISE); Emily VanBerkum (St. Michael's);
Regrets:
Lesley Pollard (Dentistry); Theresa Wright (Innis College)
Secretariat:
Sheree Drummond, Secretary of the Governing Council
Anwar Kazimi, Deputy Secretary of the Governing Council
Patrick McNeill, Secretary, College of Electors
Guests:
Claire Kennedy, Chair of the Governing Council
Professor Meric Gertler, President, University of Toronto
Tye Farrow, President, University of Toronto Alumni Association
- Chair’s Remarks
The Chair welcomed members to the meeting. The Chair also welcomed Ms Claire Kennedy, Chair of the Governing Council, President Meric Gertler, and Mr. Tye Farrow, President, University of Toronto Alumni Association, who had joined the virtual meeting, specifically to address the College on the attributes and requirements for alumni governors for 2021; and Ms Sheree Drummond, Secretary of the Governing Council.
The College moved In Camera.
- Attributes and Requirements for Alumni Governors 2021
The Chair noted that two (2) seats would need to be filled as of June 30, 2021. He reported that as part of a preliminary discussion of the attributes and also on the requirements most in need for 2021, the Chair of the Governing Council, the President and UTAA President had met with the COE Executive Committee on Monday, October 22, 2020.
The College received comments from the Chair of the Governing Council, the President and UTAA President.
Following an extensive discussion by Members, it was agreed that the following attributes would be highlighted in the 2021 Call for Nominations for Alumni Governors and there was a particular interest in recruiting alumni who:
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Reflected the diversity of the University alumni and who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas;
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Were engaging and persuasive communicators with consensus-building skills;
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Were highly creative, strategic and critical thinkers, who engage with emerging ideas and technologies to reimagine the University of the future;
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Had demonstrated governance experience in large organizations, particularly in a leadership role;
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Had demonstrated volunteer service commitment; have a strong community presence and networks;
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Had a general knowledge of and experience in one or more areas important to the University (for example: real estate and strategic asset management (e.g. public-private partnerships), human resources and senior leadership succession planning, entrepreneurship, innovation, risk management (including cyber & reputational), and/or financial services (e.g. audit);
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Could act as dedicated advocates for post-secondary education on behalf of the University;
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Could commit time and energy as a volunteer to actively participate and master the complexity of the University; with a genuine interest in championing its evolution as a preeminent teaching and research institution;
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Had international experience and/or exposure; and
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Had an interest in shaping and guiding the changing student experience including promoting student success and wellness.
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Alumni Governor Election Process
Members discussed the Alumni Governor election process and reviewed the draft 2021 Alumni Governor Nomination Form that contained minor revisions from the previous year.
The COE Secretary presented the tool kit for members and reviewed the communications plan, which would be implemented with the assistance of the Division of University Advancement to promote the call for nominations for three alumni members of Governing Council.
College Members were asked to contact their respective university alumni affairs representatives to discuss further dissemination of the Call for Nominations – the Secretary would provide the necessary contact and draft content to Members.
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Election of the 2020-21 Nominating Committee for Alumni Governors
Arun Channan (FASE), Cindy Sinclair (OISE) and Mark Surchin (LAW) were elected to the 2020-2021 Nominating Committee for Alumni Governors (NC-AG) of the College of Electors.
The College returned to open session.
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Minutes of the Previous Meeting – September 21, 2020.
The minutes of the meeting of September 21, 2020 were approved.
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Business Arising from the Minutes of the Previous Meeting
There was no business arising from the minutes of the previous meeting.
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Date of Next Meeting
The Chair reminded members that the next meeting would be held on Thursday, January 21, 2021 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. via virtual zoom meeting.
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Other Business
Members discussed upcoming events that were scheduled by various Alumni Associations. The Secretary would circulate an email with the listed events including an invite to an informal “get-to-know-one-another” virtual social event.
The meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
November 12, 2020