Report: Governing Council - June 25, 2020

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Via Virtual Meeting Room

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE GOVERNING COUNCIL held on June 25, 2020 at 4:30 p.m. via virtual meeting.

Present:
Claire Kennedy (Chair); N. Jane Pepino (Vice-Chair); Rose Patten, Chancellor; Meric S. Gertler, President; Cheryl Regehr, Vice-President and Provost; Preet Banerjee; Olivia Batt; Harvey T. Botting; David Bowden; Catherine  Bragg; P.C. Choo; Janet L. Ecker; Susan Froom; K. Sonu Gaind; Gary D. Goldberg; Avrum I. Gotlieb; Yining (Elin) Gu; Mallory Estelle Jackman; Joan Johnston; Amin  Kamaleddin; Anna Kennedy; Paul Kingston; Ernest W.N. Lam; Mark Lautens; Sameer Lal; Brian D. Lawson; Jan K. Mahrt-Smith; Rajiv Mathur; Mohan Matthen; Joanne McNamara; Douglas E. McDougall; Andrew Padmos; Mark Rowswell; Daneilla Skipp; Salvatore M. Spadafora;  
Andrew Szende; Wisdom Tettey; Nicholas Terpstra; W. Keith Thomas; Laurent-Philippe Veilleux; Bruce  Winter; Samra  Zafar; Lara Zink

Sheree Drummond, Secretary of the Governing Council

Secretariat:
Alexandra DiBlasio; Tracey Gamiero; Kristi Gourlay; Anwar Kazimi; Patrick McNeill; Samantha Puran; Christina da Rocha Feeley; Kata Skoko; Emma Thacker; David Walders

Absent: 
Apefa Advijon; Sarosh Jamal; J.P. Morgan; Jun Nogami

In Attendance
David Estok, Vice-President, Communications; Kelly Hannah-Moffat, Vice-President, Human Resources and Equity; Vivek Goel, Vice-President, Research and Innovation, and Strategic Initiatives; Scott Mabury, Vice-President, Operations and Real Estate Partnerships; David Palmer, Vice-President, Advancement; Sheila Brown, Chief Financial Officer; Amrita Daniere, Vice-Principal and Dean, UTM; Anthony Gray, Director, Strategic Research, Office of the President; Nadina Jamison, Chief Strategy Officer, Office of the President; Jason MacIntyre, Bursar and Chief Administrative Officer, Trinity College; Bryn MacPherson, Assistant Vice-President, Office of the President & Chief of Protocol; Steve Moate, Senior Legal Counsel; Mayo Moran, Provost and Vice-Chancellor, Trinity College; Pierre Piché Controller and Director of Financial Services; Johnathan Steels, Assistant Provost, Trinity College; Archana Sridhar, Assistant Provost; Sandy Welsh, Vice-Provost, Students


  1. Chair’s Remarks

    The Chair welcomed members and guests to the virtual meeting, the final meeting of the 2019-20 governance year. She announced the appointment of a new Lieutenant-Governing-in-Council member, Mr. Sameer Lal, who had been appointed for a three-year term, effective May 7, 2020. The Chair also congratulated Professor Mark Lautens, a teaching staff governor, who had recently been awarded an Award of Excellence from the University of Guelph Alumni Association. The Chair provided an update on the Committee for Honorary Degrees for 2020-21. The Chair noted that, in light of the fact that the June 2020 in-person Convocation ceremonies were cancelled, the recognition of the 2020 honorary degree recipients had been postponed until June 2021 (assuming that in-person ceremonies would be permitted by that time). As such, nominations for 2021 would not be sought and, therefore, the Committee for Honorary Degrees would not meet in 2021. Finally, the Chair noted that one speaking request had been received, from Mr. Tyler Riches, Vice-President of Public and University Affairs of the University of Toronto Students’ Union, on item 3(d), the Proposed Revisions to Policy on the Recognition of Campus Groups. That request had been granted.
     
  2. Report of the President

    Anti-Black Racism

    The President began his report with reference to his recent letter to the community on the University of Toronto’s condemnation of anti-Black racism and discrimination. President Gertler reaffirmed the University’s commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion and stressed the need to continue to work together to confront and eradicate racism and discrimination of all forms. The President referred to ongoing tri-campus events hosted or coordinated by the Office of the Vice-President, Human Resources and Equity, and the Anti-Racism and Cultural Diversity Office, and observed that these activities were a reminder of the important role the University had to play in convening conversation and debate, promoting understanding, and sharing knowledge. The President extended his thanks to the equity offices and student and faculty groups for their leadership across all three campuses.

    Virtual Convocation

    The President spoke of the University’s celebration of the class of 2020 with the first virtual convocation in its 193-year history. He described joining the Chair, Chancellor Patten, and the Convocation speaker, Nobel Laureate and University Professor John Polanyi, on stage in an otherwise empty Convocation Hall, where the Chancellor then conferred degrees in absentia on more than 15,000 graduating students. The President noted that the ceremony had received more than 115,000 views on Facebook and YouTube. He also recognized the tremendous ongoing effort on the part of the Office of Convocation to courier over 15,000 parchments to graduates across the globe.

    A member congratulated the University on the exciting and dynamic virtual convocation ceremony that was held, and noted that the music and speakers made it a memorable experience. 

    The Chair shared that she had been honoured to participate in the ceremony and commented on the solemnity of the occasion. She echoed the President’s recognition of the Office of Convocation and commended them and other organizers for their successful effort at creating such a special occasion

    COVID-19 Advocacy and Update

    The President gave an update on the University’s response to COVID-19, focusing his remarks in four areas: students, research, academic continuity, and business continuity. 

    Students

    The President reported that the University continued to work diligently on planning for the fall and the gradual safe return to the campuses with as much on-campus activity as is practicable, sensible, and safe. 

    Professor Gertler reported that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) had recently announced that it was adjusting its regulations for international students who would be beginning the fall semester at a Canadian university on-line from abroad. These students would be able to complete up to 50% of their program via distance learning if they were unable to travel to Canada. Moreover – and, the President noted, importantly – the time spent studying via distance learning from outside Canada would not be deducted from the length of a future Post-Graduate Work Permit, so that international students would receive the same work permit entitlement of three years that they would have received had they completed their entire degree in person in Canada. The President confirmed that the University was working directly with IRCC and other federal departments and overseas embassies to facilitate the travel of international students to Canada, but acknowledged that there remained many unknowns. 

    In response to a member’s concern about international students’ ineligibility for benefits and crisis relief, the President confirmed that the University had discussed this with a number of federal ministers and they were well aware of the concern. He reported that the government supported other initiatives for international students, including the recent changes to the process of granting student visas and the post-graduate work program. President Gertler also noted that, to date, 2,300 international students had received emergency bursary grants from the University, totalling $2.7 million.

    Research

    With respect to research, the President reported that toward the end of May, the federal government pledged an additional $450 million to help alleviate the effects of COVID-19 for researchers, plugging a major gap that had been left unaddressed in previous commitments. This investment would provide wage support to universities and hospital research institutes to pay support staff not covered by Tri-Council grants (i.e. those supported by industrially funded research or philanthropic research grants). It would also assist in the ramp-up back to full research operations once current restrictions were eased. 

    The President emphasized that this funding was in addition to the earlier $291.6 million that was intended to extend expiring graduate research scholarships and post-doctoral fellowships, and supplement existing Tri-Council research grants. Research funding challenges had been a major focus of U of T’s direct advocacy with government and the wider advocacy of the U15 and Universities Canada over the past few months. The President also confirmed that in spite of the challenges of the pandemic, the University had kept a significant number of labs open while complying with provincial health and safety regulations, including those performing research related to COVID-19, as well as other labs undertaking time-sensitive research. 

    President Gertler reported that University research was now gradually and carefully ramping up across all three campuses, following provincial health and safety regulations. Labs and library spaces would be adapting to the requirements of physical distancing and continuing to leverage the possibilities of virtual research settings wherever helpful or necessary.

    Academic Continuity

    At the invitation of the President, the Provost provided an update on academic continuity. 

    Professor Regehr reported that her office had been working with incident management structures and had struck a number of working groups to deal with aspects of the COVID response. The University released “UTogether 2020, a Roadmap for the University of Toronto,” as a guide for a safe return to research, course instruction and other campus activities. 

    Professor Regehr confirmed that the fall term would likely be a mixture of smaller, on campus courses, along with larger online courses and lectures. She also referred to the University’s reliance on the expertise and advice of deans and principals, who were most familiar with local needs and academic requirements in their divisions and campuses, as well as the expertise of faculty members who were devising adaptable and flexible courses.

    Professor Regehr went on to report that the University would be launching a Summer Pilot made possible through the Ontario Government that would bring to campus students in certain priority fields whose graduation was compromised due to COVID-19 closures. The Summer Pilot included measures for enhanced screening, cleaning protocols, space considerations and physical distancing protocols and other protective measures, which would provide insight into how the University could move forward in the fall. 

    In response to a member’s questions about enrollment numbers for the fall, the President confirmed that the current numbers were very positive, although there remained much uncertainty about how many students would actually register in September. He confirmed that the University was working diligently to communicate frequently and clearly with current and incoming students. These communications included emphasizing that the University was prioritizing health and safety in its planning for the fall term while also ensuring students would have a great learning experience. In addition, the Provost referred to a UofT News article from the past week which had highlighted the initiatives being taken to keep the community safe and confirmed that the Office of the Vice Provost Students and her team were working with student groups around orientations and other activities in an effort to create a welcoming and engaging environment for students in spite of the pandemic.

    Business Continuity

    The President noted that Toronto and Peel regions, including Mississauga, had officially moved into Stage 2 of the province’s reopening plan. He reported that at the end of May, His Worship Mayor John Tory had announced that the City of Toronto and a number of the city’s other major downtown employers, including universities, would continue to support employees to work from home where possible, until September at the earliest. A gradual approach to ramping up operations over the summer and into the fall would help to minimize pressure on key infrastructure such as public transportation. He also noted that the University was working closely with the newly created Toronto Office of Recovery and Rebuild and that he continued to serve on the Toronto Region Board of Trade Recovery Steering Committee, where work was ongoing with regard to shaping the recovery plan for the Toronto region. 

    Vice President, Research & Innovation and Strategic Initiatives

    President Gertler referred to the earlier announcement that Professor Vivek Goel would be stepping down as Vice-President, Research and Innovation, and Strategic Initiatives and taking on a new role as Special Advisor to the President and Provost, effective July 1. 

    The President noted that Professor Goel’s tremendous expertise had been increasingly sought by multiple agencies and levels of government, as well as the private sector, which was a testament to his unique knowledge, experience, and perspective.

    The President advised that Professor Goel would continue to serve as Co-Chair of the University’s COVID-19 Incident Leadership Team and its pandemic recovery and re-entry advisory group, working closely with President, the Provost, and other senior leaders. 

    Canadian Universities Climate Change Investment Charter

    The President concluded his remarks by announcing that the University of Toronto was a signatory to a new Charter on “Investing to Address Climate Change”. The initiative was spearheaded by U of T and McGill University, with a total of 15 founding signatories from across the country; other Canadian universities were being invited to join subsequently. The Charter articulated four principles that the signatory universities pledged to uphold:
    1. The adoption of a responsible investing framework for institutional investment managers;
    2. Regular measurement of the carbon footprint of institutions’ portfolios;
    3. Regular evaluation of institutions’ progress towards meeting these objectives and sharing their progress publicly;
    4. Ensuring that the performance evaluation of institutions’ investment managers took into account their success in achieving the goals and following the principles outlined in the Charter.

The President noted that the Charter had been announced on June 18, and that already there were requests from other institutions to join.

  1. Items for Approval
    1. Establishment of an Extra-Departmental Unit A (EDU:A): Institute for the Study of University Pedagogy (ISUP) at UTM

      The Provost offered a general overview of the four types of Extra-Departmental Units, noting the differences of each (EDU-A through EDU-D) including highlighting the differences in faculty appointments for each.

      Professor Mohan Matthen, Chair of the UTM Campus Council provided an overview of the discussion at the UTM Campus Council meeting on May 25, 2020. He reported that members  expressed support for the proposal and noted that a number of members had remarked on the progress it represented toward the goal of reimagining undergraduate education.

      There were no questions from members.

      On motion duly made, seconded and carried

      It was Resolved

      THAT the proposal to establish the Institute for the Study of University Pedagogy (ISUP) at the University of Toronto Mississauga, as an EDU: A, as described in the Proposal for the Establishment of an EDU:A, Institute for the Study of University Pedagogy (ISUP), University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM), dated April 16, 2020, be approved, effective July 1, 2020. 

       
    2. Proposal to Convert the Centre for French and Linguistics (EDU:A) to the Department of Language Studies at UTSC

      The Provost introduced the item and Mr. Preet Banerjee, Chair of the UTSC Campus Council, provided an overview of the discussion that occurred at the Council meeting on May 26, 2020. He noted that Professor Maydianne Andrade, Vice-Dean, Faculty Affairs, had explained that the Centre sought formal departmental status as it already effectively functioned as a one. She had also clarified that there would be no staffing, budget, or program changes as a result of the conversion. 

      On motion duly made, seconded and carried

      It was Resolved

      THAT, the Centre for French and Linguistics (EDU:A) be converted to the Department of Language Studies, as described in the proposal recommended by the Vice-Principal Academic and Dean, Professor William Gough, and dated April 17, 2020, be approved to be effective as of July 1, 2020. 

       
    3. Proposal to Convert the Interdisciplinary Centre for Health and Society (EDU:B) to the Department of Health and Society at UTSC

      The Provost introduced the item and Mr. Preet Banerjee provided an overview of the discussion that occurred at the Council meeting on May 26, 2020. He noted that Professor Andrade had indicated that there was a distinct need for change in the organizational structure of the unit to support degree programs and its robust research mission. He said that in response to a member’s question about the unit’s plan for responding to COVID-19 in the upcoming semester, the Director had responded that a course was being developed to highlight COIVD-19 and that it could be adapted to support other related and emerging issues.

      On motion duly made, seconded and carried

      It was Resolved

      THAT, the Interdisciplinary Centre for Health and Society (EDU:B) be converted to the Department of Health and Society, as described in the proposal recommended by the Vice-Principal Academic and Dean, Professor William Gough, and dated April 17, 2020, be approved to be effective as of July 1, 2020. 

       
    4. Proposed Revisions to Policy on the Recognition of Campus Groups

      Before inviting the Provost to introduce the item, the Chair noted that a minor clarifying revision had been made to the version considered by the University Affairs Board (UAB) at its meeting on May 21, 2020. Under section I (one) – Eligibility for Recognition – subsection e.(ii) now read as follows: 
      • Student Groups shall not confer financial benefit to external organizations without fully and completely disclosing to the University the nature and amount of the benefit. The method of disclosure will be outlined by Student Affairs/Student Life offices on each campus.

The Provost introduced the item highlighting the consultation that had taken place with student leaders. The Chair of the UAB, Mr. Andrew Szende, commented briefly on the discussion of the item at the May 21 meeting, noting that the proposed revisions had received the strong support of the UAB.

The Chair invited Mr. Tyler Riches, Vice-President of Public and University Affairs of the University of Toronto Students’ Union to make remarks. Mr. Riches raised the concern that the proposed revisions under Section 2. (a.) would have a potentially adverse effect on levy groups, limiting their access to space on campus and limiting alumni participation as voting board members in these organizations. In reply, the Provost noted that while levy groups were a different category of recognized group, it was possible for a levy group to also become a recognized student group, though it was not necessary that they do so. The University had provided resources to recognized student groups, with the intention that the groups’ leaders would be students who would have signing authority for the group, rather than alumni or other members. The Provost also noted that the University remained committed to working with levy groups regarding their particular needs.

In reply to a member’s question regarding access to University space for events co-sponsored by levy groups and recognized student groups, the Provost noted that University space would be available for such collaborations. 

On motion duly made, seconded and carried

It was Resolved

THAT the proposed revisions to the Policy on the Recognition of Campus Groups, dated May 7, 2020, be approved, effective immediately.

e. Capital Project: Report of the Project Planning Committee for Trinity College in the University of Toronto New Student Residence & Academic Building – The Lawson Centre for Sustainability

Prior to the start of the discussion of this item, Mr. Brian Lawson recused himself and was placed in a virtual waiting room.  

Professor Scott Mabury, Vice-President Operations & Real Estate Partnerships, provided an overview of the project. He reported that Trinity College, a separate entity from the University of Toronto, was governed separately from the University of Toronto and as such was subject to its own approval process. As a separate entity it had full responsibility for all financial matters pertaining to the project. He noted, however, that because the University held the deed to the land on which the project was being constructed, the project was also subject to the University’s Policy on Capital Planning and Capital Projects, which stipulated that capital projects exceeding $20 million must be considered by the appropriate Boards and Committees of the Governing Council.

Professor Mayo Moran, Provost and Vice-Chancellor of Trinity College, provided highlights of the project, noting the significant ways in which Trinity College, and the University more broadly, would benefit from the project.

The Chair noted that the Business Board had approved the execution of this project, subject to the project’s approval by the Governing Council. Mr Andrew Szende, Chair of the University Affairs Board, reported that the Board had been informed about the needs that would be met by the project including support for low-income students.

Professor Nick Terpstra, Chair of the Academic Board, reported that the Board had similarly been informed of the needs that would be met and the benefits of the project, and that the impact of the project on the shared use of the playing field by the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education and athletics at the University had been clarified. 

A member expressed strong support for the project, noting the benefits to the community more generally.

On motion duly made, seconded and carried

It was Resolved

THAT the Report of the Project Planning Committee for Trinity College in the University of Toronto New Student Residence & Academic Building - The Lawson Centre for Sustainability, dated April 16, 2020, be approved in principle; and, 

THAT the project totaling 9,229 net assignable square metres (nasm) and 14,068 gross square metres (gsm), be approved in principle, to be funded by Trinity College by means of a combination of institutional investments, fundraising, and external loans.
The Chair welcomed Brian Lawson back to the meeting.

     f. Report of the 2020 Committee to Review the UTM and UTSC Campus Councils (CRCC 2020) 

The Chair reminded members that further to the recommendation of the full review undertaken by the 2014 CRCC, the CRCC 2020 had been established to conduct a follow-up review of the UTM and UTSC Campus Councils.
At the request of the Chair, the Vice-Chair, Ms. Jane Pepino, who had served as the CRCC Chair, offered an overview of the mandate, the work plan, and the recommendations for the Committee.
Ms. Pepino, noted that the scope of the 2020 review was much narrower than the 2014 review and thus the Report was focused and responsive to those particular elements which had been shown through experience to require some refinement. Three key areas had been identified:

  1. The process for consideration of budget-related matters; 
  2. The process for the appointment of the Campus Council Chairs; and
  3. Facilitating student participation and representation in governance.

    Ms. Pepino advised that, although the committee was only able to meet in person once due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it had created several opportunities for input. Having received few direct submissions, the Committee had taken the additional step of providing key stakeholders with the draft recommendations prior to finalizing the report. Following that outreach, comments were received from an academic administrator and a Chair of on of the Standing Committees. The Committee agreed that while the modest feedback could be in part be related to the COVID-19 situation, it was likely that it was also a reflection of the perception that there was not a problem that needed to be fixed.

    Ms. Pepino reported that the Committee had made three recommendations for the Governing Council, as well as more general recommendations and suggestions directed to the Campus Councils and their Standing Committees. Specifically, the recommendations to the Governing Council called for:
  1. Changes to the governance pathway for the campus operating budgets;
  2. Aligning the appointment processes of the Chairs and Vice-Chairs of the Campus Councils with those of the Board; and
  3. Combining the full-time and undergraduate constituencies, with no change to the total number of student seats, to allow for fungibility across these constituencies.

    Ms. Pepino concluded her remarks by recognizing the members of the Committee and expressing her gratitude for their participation, thoughtful comments, and collegial discussion.

    A member urged the University to actively encourage participation from part-time students on governance bodies at the University.

    On motion duly made, seconded and carried

    It was Resolved

    THAT the Report of the 2020 Committee to Review the UTM and UTSC Campus Councils (CRCC 2020), dated June 5, 2020, be approved in principle. 

            g. Audited Financial Statements for the Fiscal Year ended April 30, 2020 

Mr. Brian Lawson, Chair of the Business Board, provided an overview of the discussion that occurred at the June 17th meeting of the Board at which Ms. Shelia Brown, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), had provided a presentation of the highlights of the year’s financial results.

Mr. Lawson noted that Mr. Chris Thatcher, Chair of the Audit Committee, had reported that the Audit 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. Mr. Thatcher had said that given the size and complexity of the University, the CFO and her team should be commended for their tremendous efforts and exceptional job in the annual preparation of the audited statements, particularly given the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

There were no questions or comments from members 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, 2020 be approved.

    h. External Auditors: Appointment for 2020-2021

Mr. Brian Lawson provided an overview of the Board’s discussion of the item and noted that the annual review of the performance of Ernst & Young LLP by the Audit Committee and the administration had been very favourable.
There were no questions or comments from members on the appointment of the external auditors for 2020-21. 
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, 2021; and

THAT Ernst & Young LLP be re-appointed as external auditors of the University of Toronto pension plans for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021.


CONSENT AGENDA 

The Chair drew members’ attention to item 4 on the consent agenda, the annual motion on Summer Executive Authority, noting that the language of the motion was slightly different than usual as it had included a reference to the COVID-19 Special Committee. She clarified that this new language allowed urgent matters related to the impacts of COVID-19 to be addressed by the COVID-19 Special Committee as opposed to under Summer Executive Authority. 

She noted that no requests were 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 on it approved.

  1. 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:
     
    1. 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,
    2. 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, 2007;4 
    3. approval of such additional curriculum changes as may arise for the summer and September 2020; 

Except to the extent that any matter encompassed within (i) to (iii) above ought reasonably be addressed by the COVID-19 Special Committee5 ; and


[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.

[5] The Governing Council approved the establishment of the COVID-19 Special Committee on April 2, 2020. This Special Committee shall exist up to and including the first regularly scheduled meeting of the Governing Council for the 2020-2021 academic year, and has the power to respond to urgent matters related to COVID-19 which do not permit their deferral until the next regular meeting of the Governing Council or its appropriate standing committee, campus council or board.


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.

  1. Minutes of the Previous Meeting of the Governing Council – May 14, 2020

    The minutes of the previous meeting of the Governing Council were approved.
     
  2. Business Arising from the Report of the Previous Meeting

    There was no business arising from the Report of the Previous Meeting. 
     
  3. Reports for Information

    Members received the following reports for information:
    1. Review of Academic Programs and Units – Part 2
      1. Follow-Up report on Reviews:
        1. Edward S. Rogers St. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering); 
        2. Cinema Studies Institute (Faculty of Arts and Science); 
        3. The David A. Dunlap Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics (formerly the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics), the Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics (CITA) and the Dunlap Institute for Astronomy & Astrophysics (Faculty of Arts and Science)
      2. Semi-Annual Report on the reviews of Academic Units and Programs – October 2019 to March 2020
    2. Report Number 218 of the University Affairs Board (May 21, 2020
    3. Report Number 228 of the Academic Board (May 28, 2020)
    4. Report Number 252 (April 28, 2020) and Report Number 253 (June 18, 2020) of the Business Board
    5. Report Number 42 of the University of Toronto Mississauga Campus Council (May 25, 2020)
    6. Report Number 42 of the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus Council (May 26, 2020
    7. Report Number 40 of the Pension Committee (March 25, 2020)
    8. Report Number 87 of the Elections Committee (May 20, 2020)
    9. Report Number 513 of the Executive Committee (May 5, 2020)
    10. Report Number 514 of the Executive Committee (May 14, 2020)
    11. Report Number 515 of the Executive Committee (June 16, 2020)

End of Consent Agenda

  1. Date of Next Meeting – Wednesday, September 9, 2020 at 8:45 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. 

    The Chair confirmed that the next meeting would be held on Wednesday, September 9, 2020 from 8:45-9:15 a.m. and would most likely be in the form of a virtual meeting.
     
  2. Question Period

    The Chair noted that a member had submitted a question in advance with regard to emergency financial support for international students but that the President had commented on this as part of his Report.  The member confirmed he had no follow-up questions on this matter. 

    There were no further questions from members.
     
  3. Other Business

    The Chair offered her thanks to governors for their commitment to the University of Toronto and for their contributions to governance. On behalf of the Governing Council she also expressed her appreciation and gratitude to all members of governance bodies from all University constituencies on all three campuses for their hard work over the course of this past governance year. She also thanked the Vice-Chair for her unwavering support and all the administrative assessors, including President Gertler and the Provost, for their invaluable contributions. She concluded by individually recognizing those governors who were completing their terms on the Governing Council.

Apefa Adjivon
Ms. Apefa Adjivon 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 University Affairs Board. Apefa, thank you for your service – your reflections on students’ experience and equity issues 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.

Preet Banerjee
Mr. Preet Banerjee has been serving as an LGIC governor since 2015. During his tenure as a governor he has served on the Business Board, the Pension Committee, the Senior Appointments and Compensation Committee, and on the UTSC Campus Council. Preet has served in leadership roles at UTSC, first as Vice-Chair of the UTSC Campus Council for three years, and then as Chair for this past year. In his capacity as Chair of the UTSC Campus Council, he additionally served on the UTSC Agenda and Nominating Committees, and also attended meetings of the Executive Committee. Preet was also a member of the 2020 Committee to Review the UTM & UTSC Campus Councils bringing his perspective as Chair of the UTSC Campus Council but also as a proud UTSC alum. In addition to his contributions to governance, Preet has also offered his expertise through his participation as a member of the Alternative Funding Sources Advisory Group.  Preet, thank you so much for your many contributions. 

Catherine Bragg 
Dr. Catherine Bragg has been serving as an LGIC governor since 2016. Over the course of her tenure she has served on the Academic Board, the Business Board, the University Affairs Board, the Pension Committee, on the UTSC Campus Council and the UTSC Campus Affairs Committee, as well as on the Executive Committee. On all of these bodies, Catherine was a highly engaged member, frequently asking probing questions on a wide range of matters, and bringing to the fore important topics like mental health, sustainability and accessibility. Catherine, we are very grateful for your service and wish you all the best.

Gary Goldberg 
Mr. Gary Goldberg has served as an alumni governor since 2013. As Gary was initially elected for a one-year term to replace an alumni governor who resigned, due to a combination of provisions in the U of T Act he was ineligible for re-election this past year and so is completing his final term after seven years of service. Over his tenure as a governor Gary has served on a wide range of bodies - the Executive Committee, Academic Board, Business Board, University Affairs Board, Planning & Budget Committee, Pension Committee, and the Committee for Honorary Degrees. On all of these bodies he has been a regular and thoughtful contributor. In addition to his extensive service on those governance bodies, Gary has also served on the 2020 President’s Advisory Committee on the Vice-President, Communications, the 2019 President’s Advisory Committee on the Vice-President, Research and Innovation (2019), the 2016 Search Committee for the Secretary of the Governing Council, and on the Alternative Funding Sources Advisory Group. Over the years, Gary has also reached out to me and to my predecessors, as well as to the Secretary, to provide advice and suggestions on a wide range of governance matters. Gary, you have been generous with your wise counsel to me as well as having been dedicated to governance at the University of Toronto. Thank you for your many contributions.

Elin (Yining) Gu  
Ms. Elin Gu is completing a one-year term as a full-time undergraduate student governor. During her term, she has served on the Business Board and the Committee on Academic Policy & Programs. Elin, thank you for your contributions to governance. We wish you the very best with your ongoing studies. 

Mallory Jackman 
Ms. Mallory Jackman is completing a one-year term as a full-time undergraduate student governor. As a governor, Mallory served on the University Affairs Board and the Academic, Board she also previously served as a co-opted member of the Committee on Academic Policy & Programs. Mallory has been a highly engaged member of all of these bodies – articulately speaking with passion on a number of issues of critical importance to students. Thank you for your dedicated service to governance. We wish you the very best with your medical studies. 

Mohan Matthen 
Professor Mohan Matthen has served as a teaching staff governor since 2017. During his tenure as a governor, he has served on the Academic Board, the Committee on Academic Policy & Programs, and the UTM Campus Council. Additionally, Mohan was a member of the 2020 Committee to Review the UTM & UTSC Campus Councils, and also served on the recent President’s Advisory Committee on the Vice-President & Principal, UTM. 
Mohan has served in leadership roles at UTM, first as Vice-Chair of the UTM Campus Council for two years, and then as Chair for this past year. In his capacity as Chair of the UTM Campus Council, he additionally served on the UTM Agenda and Nominating Committees, and also attended meetings of the Executive Committee. 
Mohan, thank you for your many contributions. Your thoughtful interventions on a wide range of matters have been tremendously valuable and have reflected your training as a philosopher. We are also grateful to you for your commitment to enhancing the understanding of our tri-campus structure, as evidenced most recently in your involvement in the CRCC 2020. Thank you for your dedicated service to governance, and for your leadership at UTM. We wish you all the best in the coming years. 

John Paul Morgan 
Mr. John Paul Morgan has been serving as an LGIC member since 2014. Over the course of his time as a governor, JP has served on a range of governance bodies - the Executive Committee, Business Board, Pension Committee, Planning & Budget Committee, Elections Committee, and the UTSC Campus Council. His commitment to sustainability, as well as his passion for ensuring a quality student experience, have been hallmarks of his tenure. JP, thank you for your service to governance at the University of Toronto. We wish you all the best.

Jun Nogami 
I would like to acknowledge former teaching staff governor, Professor Jun Nogami. Professor Nogami had to resign from his seat last month in light of his upcoming term as Vice-President, Salary, Benefits, Pensions and Workload, of the University of Toronto Faculty Association (UTFA). Professor Nogami began his term on July 1, 2019. In his short time on the Governing Council Jun was a meaningful contributor to discussions on a variety of critical matters. His service to the Governing Council, and now his new role with UTFA, speak to his deep commitment to the University. Thank you, Jun, and best wishes. 

Mark Rowswell 
Mr. Mark Rowswell has served as an LGIC member of the Governing Council since 2014. Mark has been an active member, having served on the Executive Committee, the University Affairs Board, and the UTSC Campus Council and Campus Affairs Committee. Mark’s commitment to the student experience – and specifically to the value of international experiences either as an international student or through student exchanges – has been evident over the course of his tenure as a governor. He has also shared his wisdom and advice as a member of the 2014 Advisory Committee for the Vice-President, Communications, and the 2016 Vice-President, International. In addition, Mark – or should I say Dashan? - has played an important role facilitating relationships for the University in China. Mark, we thank you very much for your service to the University of Toronto and we know that you will continue to be an ardent ambassador for U of T. Best wishes. Mark, Xie Xie Nin. Zhu Ni How Yeun!

Keith Thomas 
Mr. Keith Thomas has served as an alumni governor since 2011. During his tenure, Keith served as a member of the Executive Committee, Academic Board, University Affairs Board, Pension Committee, Elections Committee, as well as on the LGIC Nominating Committee and the Senior Appointments and Compensation Committee. From 2017-2019, he served as Chair of the Business Board, where he demonstrated outstanding leadership, bringing his rich experience and insights to bear on a wide range of complex matters. His entrepreneurial background has been an asset a number of ways, including in his contributions as a member of the 2012 President’s Advisory Committee for the Vice-President, Research (2012). Keith, we are grateful for your commitment to governance at the University of Toronto and thank you for your devoted service. We wish you the very best. 

Laurent-Philippe Veilleux 
Mr. Laurent-Philippe Veilleux is completing a one-year term as a graduate student governor. During his term, he has served on the Executive Committee, Business Board, and the Elections Committee. LP, thank you for your thoughtful contributions on a variety of complex topics over the course of your time as a student governor. We are grateful for your dedicated service to governance this year. We wish you the very best in your new position in the Department of Justice Canada. 

Jane Pepino
And finally, Ms. Jane Pepino. Jane has served as a dedicated LGIC governor since 2011. Over the course of her tenure, Jane has shown outstanding leadership, first as Vice-Chair of the Business Board from 2014-15, then as its Chair in 2015-16, and finally in her role as Vice-Chair of the Governing Council since 2016. Prior to being elected Vice-Chair, at which time she became an ex officio member of almost all governance bodies, Jane served on the aforementioned Business Board, Academic Board, and the Pension Committee. She has also served from 2012 -2015 as one of the LGIC members on Executive and then as Vice-Chair from 2016. Jane has also been an invaluable member of the Senior Appointments and Compensation Committee, the LGIC Nominating Committee, and the Committee for Honorary Degrees.
Jane’s tenure as a governor was also marked by service on the Presidential Search Committee that led to the appointment of President Gertler in 2013. Since 2015 she has been serving on the Design Review Committee – where she has vigorously engaged in discussions that had significant impact on the built form on the three campuses. 
Most recently she ably chaired the 2020 Committee to Review the Campus Councils, bringing her extensive knowledge and experience of our tri-campus governance structure to this important review. She has also participated in many milestone events, including most recently the ribbon-cutting ceremony at UTM’s newest building, Maanjiwe nendamowinan.
Notably, Jane’s volunteer commitment to the University predates her time on the Governing Council – she served for 25 years, from 1986 – 2011, as Co-Chair of the University Tribunal. This on its own is worthy of huge thanks.
And U of T is not the only institution to have benefited from Jane’s experience and leadership. Jane’s volunteer contributions have been extensive and reflect her strong social justice values. Jane was the founding Chair of the Province of Ontario Women’s Health Council, the Chair of Women’s College Hospital in Toronto, and has sat on the boards of Sunnybrook & Women’s College Health Sciences Centre and the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation. She has also served on the Canadian Advisory Council on the Status of Women, Toronto’s Metro Action Committee on Violence Against Women and Children, the Toronto Mayor’s Committee on Employment Equity, the Metropolitan Toronto Police Commission, and the Ontario Human Rights Commission. Ms. Pepino’s extensive community engagement also includes involvement with the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario, the Board of Toronto Lands Corporation, and the Victoria University Property Committee. Given all of this it should come as no surprise to you that Jane is a recipient of the Order of Canada.
Jane, on a personal note, I would like to thank you for your sage advice and your support – it has been a privilege to share the mantle of leadership with you. And on behalf of the administration and all governors, I would like to thank you for the gifts of your time and talent, and for your deep commitment and extraordinary service to the University of Toronto. We wish you all the best in the years to come. 

The Chair then presented the Vice-Chair with a commemorative Chair honouring her service. 
The President offered his personal thanks to the Vice-Chair for her service, as well as his thanks to all governors. He noted that the unprecedented crisis has reminded the administration of how fortunate the University was to have such a remarkable collection of volunteers. In his view, the collective wisdom of governors was a tremendous asset to the University. He acknowledged those governors who were retiring and thanked them for their service. Finally, he offered a special thanks to the Chair for her extraordinary leadership. 
A member took the opportunity to acknowledge the extraordinary leadership of women in governance at the University. He noted that the current Chair and Vice-Chair, the immediate past Chair and Vice-Chair, as well as the Chancellor, represented leaders in their professions as well as outstanding stewards of the University in their roles within governance. He offered his sincere thanks for their service.
The Chair thanked the member for their remarks. 

The Governing Council moved in camera.

  1. Capital Project: Report of the Project Planning Committee for the Trinity College in the University of Toronto New Student Residence & Academic Building – The Lawson Centre for Sustainability – Total Project Cost and Sources of Funding

    Mr. Brian Lawson recused himself from the discussion of this item and was placed in a virtual waiting room.  

    On motion duly made, seconded and carried

    It was Resolved

    THAT the recommendations concerning Total Project Cost and Sources of Funding for the Trinity College in the University of Toronto New Student Residence & Academic Building – The Lawson Centre for Sustainability, as outlined in the memorandum from Professor Scott Mabury, Vice-President of University Operations and Real Estate Partnerships dated June 18, 2020, be approved.

    The Chair welcomed Mr. Lawson back to the meeting.
     
  2. Appointments
    1. Non-Governing Council Members of the Pension Committee

      On motion duly made, seconded and carried

      It was Resolved

      THAT the following individuals be appointed to the Pension Committee, along with the corresponding terms: 

      Professor Louis Florence (term from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021)

      Professor Cynthia Messenger (term from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021)

      Professor Jun Nogami (term from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021)

      Professor Terezia Zoric (term from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021)
       
    2. Senior Appointments
      1. Vice-President, Research, Innovation and Strategic Initiatives

        On motion duly made, seconded and carried

        It was Resolved

        THAT Professor Edward (Ted) Sargent be appointed as Vice-President, Research, Innovation, and Strategic Initiatives, effective July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2024.
         
      2. Interim, Vice-President, International

On motion duly made, seconded and carried

It was Resolved

THAT Professor Joseph (Joe) Wong be appointed Interim Vice-President, International for a one-year term, effective July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021, or until a continuing appointment is made, whichever comes first.

The Governing Council returned to open session.

The meeting adjourned at 6:52 p.m.


June 26, 2020