Report: Executive Committee - June 14, 2022

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Council Chamber, Simcoe Hall, 27 King's College Circle, 2nd floor

REPORT  NUMBER  532 OF THE  EXECUTIVE  COMMITTEE

Tuesday, June 14, 2022

To the Governing Council,
University of Toronto.

Your Committee reports that it met on Tuesday, June 14, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. with the following members present:

Present:
Brian Lawson (Chair), Janet Ecker (Vice-Chair), Meric S. Gertler (President), Sandra Hanington, Paul Huyer, Sarosh Jamal, Ernest W.N. Lam, Mark Lautens  
 
Regrets:
Vina Goghari, Amin Kamaleddin, Anna Kennedy, Kikelomo Lawal, Vishar Yaghoubian, Lara Zink , Samra Zafar 

Non-Voting Member:  
Sheree Drummond, Secretary of the Governing Council  
 
Secretariat:  
Anwar Kazimi, Kristi Gourlay 
 
In Attendance:  
Cheryl Regehr, Vice-President and Provost and Member of the Governing Council  
Vikram Chadalawada, Chair, University Affairs Board and Member of the Governing Council   
Salvatore Spadafora, Chair, Academic Board and Member of the Governing Council   
Grace Westcott, Chair, UTSC Campus Council and Member of the Governing Council
Scott Mabury, Vice-President, Operations and Real Estate Partnerships   
Bryn MacPherson, Assistant Vice-President, Office of the President and Chief of Protocol  
Nadina Jamison, Chief Strategy Officer, Office of the President   
Susan Mazza, Special Projects Officer, Office of the President    
Kristin Taylor, University Counsel and Chief Legal Officer 

Guest:  
Carmelle Salomon-Labbé (Item 17a)

Pursuant to section 28 (e) and 38 of By-Law Number 2, consideration of items 15-19 took place in camera.

 

The meeting was held in closed Session.

  1. Chair’s Remarks 

    The Chairs welcomed attendees to the meeting.
     
  2. Report of the President

    Convocation

    The President began his remarks by noting how wonderful it was to be resuming in-person Convocation ceremonies this year. He also noted that the addition of the Eagle Feather to the ceremonies had been meaningful for, and well received by, members of the University community.

    Federal Updates

    President Gertler reported that he had recently been to Ottawa for meetings with senior officials in a range of portfolios relevant to the higher education sector. During these discussions, he had emphasized the need for renewed investments in fundamental research, as well as recognizing the University’s role in supporting economic growth and innovation. He noted the reception had been positive.  He also emphasized the role that the University could play in addressing specific ministry priorities, including the transition to a low-carbon economy and supporting Canada’s pandemic response.

    Provincial Updates

    The President commented on the re-election of the Ford Government on June 2nd, noting that the incumbent MPPs for the University’s campuses had been re-elected as well. He noted that, in his post-election comments, the Premier had cited the importance of working with universities and students in ensuring continued economic growth in the province.  President Gertler noted that the University would continue to work with the Council of Ontario Universities to advance the higher education sector’s advocacy priorities for the coming year.

    Recognition and Renaming Committee

    The President reported that a new Advisory Committee on recognition and commemoration was being established.  Universities across Canada and around the world had been facing complex and often controversial issues related to their historic legacies.  The Committee would develop a set of high-level principles to guide decision-makers regarding any potential de/re-namings, or recommendations to rescind honorary degrees. He noted that University Professor and past Provost, Cheryl Misak, of the department of Philosophy would chair the Committee, with its recommendations expected in early 2023.

    In response to a member’s question about fall enrollment, the Provost advised that numbers were positive and the University was preparing for the largest return to campus in its history, including 16,000 new students and more than 5,500 returning students who had not yet experienced a full in-person year on campus. The President added that re-establishing an in-person presence was a great moment for the University and would strengthen efforts to create community, a process that had been more challenging in a virtual format.
     

  3. Items for Confirmation by the Executive Committee
    1. UTM Strategic Framework
       

      The Chair provided introductory comments and reported on behalf of Ms Samra Zafar, Chair of the UTM Campus Council, that at the meeting of that body on May 24th, the Framework had been well received and there had been no questions.
      Members had no questions about this item.

      On a motion duly moved, seconded, and carried

      YOUR COMMITTEE CONFIRMED

      THAT, the University of Toronto Mississauga Strategic Framework, dated March 17, 2022, submitted by the Vice-President and Principal, be approved in principle.
       

    2. Capital Project: Report of the Project Planning Committee for the University of Toronto Centre for Drama, Theatre & Performance Studies (CDTPS), University College Laidlaw Wing – Project Scope and Sources of Funding
       

      Professor Scott Mabury, Vice-President, Operations and Real Estate Partnerships provided a brief overview of the project highlighting the following points:

      •    The CDTPS would be relocating from the third floor of the Koffler Student Services Centre, (which would accommodate the new Health & Wellness Centre), to the Laidlaw wing at University College.

      •    The Laidlaw Wing was currently vacant because the University College library had recently been moved to where it was once located in the original UC building during renovations of UC.

      •    The project would include three new studio spaces.

      •    Demolition had already been completed and construction was scheduled to start over the summer to be ready for the fall of 2024. 

      •    The CDTPS would be housed in temporary space during the construction phase.

      In response to a member’s question about the location of the library, Professor Mabury confirmed that the library would be located on the east side of the original building, and the west side would be used for additional study space.

      On a motion duly moved, seconded, and carried

      YOUR COMMITTEE CONFIRMED

      THAT the project scope of the Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies in the University College Laidlaw Wing, as identified in the Report of the Project Planning Committee for University of Toronto Centre for Drama, Theatre & Performance Studies in University College Laidlaw Wing, dated March 24, 2022, be approved in principle; and, 
       
      THAT the project totaling 1,089.5 nasm is proposed, with 1,475 gsm renovated space be approved in principle, to be funded by the Faculty of Arts & Sciences Operating Fund, Future Major Capital Projects Reserve, and Institutional Reserves. 
       

  4. Review of the Policy on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment 
    At the invitation of the Chair, the Provost provided a brief overview of the review of the Policy on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment. Professor Regehr noted that the Policy provided for a review to be undertaken every three years and that the University had been engaged in an extensive consultation process of all community members across all three campuses. A report with recommendations for changes to the Policy was nearing completion. She commended Professor Linda Johnston, (Dean, Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing), and Dr. Allison Burgess, (Director, Sexual & Gender Diversity Office), for their tremendous work as the Review’s Co-Chairs. Professor Regehr noted that there were two persistent and challenging issues that had been identified during the consultations: how to address faculty/student relationships and which office should receive reports and conduct investigations which would be addressed in the review report. 

    The Chairs of the UTM Campus Council, UTSC Campus Council, Academic Board and University Affairs Board provided a summary of the discussion of the item at their meetings.

    In response to a member’s request for clarity on the outcome of consultations with students on the content of student-focussed educational programs, the Provost advised that educational initiatives were already an establish part of student orientation. In response to feedback from student leaders, the University was paying careful attention to how information was provided to students to avoid alienating listeners and had engaged their assistance. She noted that the University had sought assistance from community partners to facilitate discussions about relationships and issues of consent. 

CONSENT AGENDA


On a motion duly moved, seconded, and carried 
 
YOUR COMMITTEE APPROVED 

THAT the consent agenda be adopted and that Items 5 (a) and (b) be confirmed, Items 6 (a) to (d) be endorsed and forwarded to the Governing Council, and Items 7 (a) and (b) be approved.  
 

  1. Items for Confirmation

    1. Proposal to Establish an Extra-Departmental Unit C (EDU:C): Centre for Nonlinear Analysis and Modeling (CNAM), UTM

      On a motion duly moved, seconded, and carried

      YOUR COMMITTEE CONFIRMED

      THAT the proposal to establish the Extra-Departmental Unit C (EDU:C): Centre for Nonlinear Analysis and Modeling (CNAM), UTM, as detailed in the proposal dated May 2, 2022, be approved, effective July 1, 2022.
       

    2. Constitutional Amendments: Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering

      On a motion duly moved, seconded, and carried

      YOUR COMMITTEE CONFIRMED

      THAT the proposed amended Constitution of Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering, which was recommended for approval by Faculty Council on April 27, 2022 be approved, effective July 1, 2022.

  2. Items for Endorsement and Forwarding to the Governing Council

    1. Proposal to Establish an Extra-Departmental Unit B (EDU: B) - Proposal to Establish the Centre for Caribbean Studies as an EDU: B, Faculty of Arts & Science

      On a motion duly moved, seconded, and carried

      YOUR COMMITTEE APPROVED
       
      THAT the following recommendation be endorsed and forwarded to the Governing Council: 

      THAT the proposal to establish the Centre for Caribbean Studies as an EDU:B, effective July 1, 2022, as described in the proposal dated March 31, 2022, be approved effective July 1, 2022.
       

    2. Proposal to Establish an Extra-Departmental Unit A (EDU:A) - Proposal to Establish the Centre for Indigenous Studies (EDU:B) as an EDU:A, Faculty of Arts & Science

      On a motion duly moved, seconded, and carried

      YOUR COMMITTEE APPROVED
       
      THAT the following recommendation be endorsed and forwarded to the Governing Council: 

      THAT the proposal to establish the Centre for Indigenous Studies, an EDU: B, as an EDU:A, as described in the proposal dated March 31, 2022, be approved effective July 1, 2022.
       

    3. Memorandum of Agreement between the University of Toronto and the Toronto School of Theology and its Member Institutions, 2022

      On a motion duly moved, seconded, and carried

      YOUR COMMITTEE APPROVED
       
      THAT the following recommendation be endorsed and forwarded to the Governing Council: 
       
      THAT the proposed Memorandum of Agreement between the University of Toronto and the Toronto School of Theology and its Member Institutions, 2022, be approved effective July 1, 2022.
       

    4. Summer Executive Authority 

      On a motion duly moved, seconded, and carried

      YOUR COMMITTEE APPROVED

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

      1.    THAT until the next regular meeting of the Governing Council or its appropriate committee or board, authority be granted to the President for:

      i.    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, 

      ii.    appointments to categories 21, 32, and 53 of the Policy on Appointments and Remuneration approved by the Governing Council of the University of Toronto, dated May 30, 20074; 

      iii.    approval of such additional curriculum changes as may arise for the summer and September 2022; and

      2.    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.

  3. Reports of the Executive Committee
    1. Report Number 530 of the Executive Committee (May 10, 2022)
    2. Report Number 531 of the Executive Committee (special meeting May 19, 2022)
       
  4. Business Arising from the Reports of the Previous Meetings  
     
  5. Minutes of the Governing Council Meeting – May 19,2022
     
  6. Business Arising from the Minutes of the Governing Council Meeting 
     
  7. Reports for Information 
    1. Report Number 265 of the Business Board (special meeting) (May 16, 2022)
    2. Report Number 54 of the University of Toronto Mississauga Campus Council (May 24, 2022)
    3. Report Number 53 of the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus Council (May 25, 2022)
    4. Report Number 240 of the Academic Board (May 26, 2022)
    5. Report Number 229 of the University Affairs Board (June 1, 2022)
    6. Report Number 93 of the Elections Committee (June 2, 2022) 

END OF CONSENT AGENDA

  1. Date of Next Meeting

    The Chair advised members that the next meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, June 28, 2022 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
     
  2. Other Business

    There were no items of other business.
     
  3. Meeting of the Governing Council – May 19, 2022


    The Chair reminded members that the next meeting of the Governing Council was to be held on June 28, 2022.

    The Committee Moved In Camera.

in camera session

  1. Report of an Ad Hoc Committee for a Capital Project

    The Chair provided a summary of the highlights of a Report of an Ad Hoc Committee for Capital Projects.
     
  2. Items for Confirmation

    1. Capital Project: Report of the Project Planning Committee for the University of Toronto Centre for Drama, Theatre & Performance Studies (CDTPS), University College Laidlaw Wing – Total Project Cost and Sources of Funding

      On motion duly moved, seconded, and carried 

      YOUR COMMITTEE  CONFIRMED 

      THAT the recommendation by Professor Scott Mabury, Vice-President, Operations and Real Estate Partnerships regarding the Total Project Cost and Sources of Funding for the University of Toronto Centre for Drama, Theatre & Performance Studies (CDTPS), University College Laidlaw Wing, as outlined in the memorandum dated June 7, 2022, be approved in principle. 
       

  3. Items for Approval by the Executive Committee

    1. Code of Behaviour on Academic Matters: Recommendation for Expulsion

      On a motion duly moved, seconded, and carried 

      YOUR COMMITTEE RESOLVED

      THAT the President’s recommendations for expulsion, as outlined in the memorandum and supporting documentation from the Secretary of the Governing Council, dated June 7, 2022, be approved.
       

    2. External Appointments: Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre Inc. Board of Directors

      On a motion duly moved, seconded, and carried

      YOUR COMMITTEE RESOLVED

      THAT Professor Gretchen Kerr be appointed as a member and director of the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre (TPASC) Board of Directors, effective immediately, for a two year term, or until her successor is appointed.
       

    3. External Appointments: Members and Directors, University of Toronto Asset Management Corporation (UTAM)

      On a motion duly moved, seconded, and carried

      YOUR COMMITTEE RESOLVED

      (a)     THAT the following individuals be approved and nominated as members and directors of the University of Toronto Asset Management Corporation for one-year terms until the 2023 annual meeting of the Corporation or until their successors are appointed; 
       
      Professor Meric Gertler (ex officio) 
      Mr. Chuck O’Reilly (ex officio) 
      Mr. Richard B. Nunn 
      Mr. Trevor Rodgers (ex officio) 
      Mr. Alan White (UTFA)  
       
      (b)     THAT Mr. Richard B. Nunn be approved and nominated as a member and director of the University of Toronto Asset Management Corporation, and as Chair of its Board, for a one-year term until the 2023 annual meeting of the Corporation or until his successor is appointed.
       

  4. Committee Members with the President

    Members of the Executive Committee, with the Board and Campus Council Chairs, met with the President. 
     

  5. Committee Members Alone
     

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

    The Committee returned to closed session 
     

The meeting adjourned at 6:36 p.m.

June 18, 2022