Report: UTM Campus Affairs Committee - March 25, 2020

John Flynn (Assistant Director, Planning, Financial and Budget Services), Lorretta Neebar (Registrar & Director of Enrolment Management), Shashi Kant (Director, Master of Science in Sustainability Management), Heather Miller (Vice-Dean, Teaching & Learning), Leigh Revers (Director, Master of Biotechnology Program), Ali Taha (Editor in Chief, The Medium), Soo Min Toh (Director, Institute for Management and Innovation)

Secretariat:
Cindy Ferencz Hammond (Assistant Secretary of the Governing Council), Alexandra Waters (Governance Coordinator)

1. Chair’s Remarks
   The Chair welcomed members to the virtual meeting.
    
2. Overview of the UTM Campus Operating Budget: 2020-21
   The Chair invited Ms Christine Capewell, Executive Director, Financial & Budget Services, to present. Ms Capewell noted that the budget had been developed on the assumption of no change in enrolment numbers. She noted that the 2020-21 budget would be a balanced budget of $340 million. Key budget priorities included students, diversity, and research excellence. During the presentation, the following points were made:

• UTM’s 14% contribution to the University Fund (UF) totalled $56 million; UTM received an allocation of $26 million from the UF;
• There would be no changes to international and domestic intake targets for 2020-21;
• The International Scholarship Award would be introduced as a means to diversity international student recruitment, and would be funded through the set aside of 1.5% of revenue from international tuition;
• Faculty complement growth for 2020-21 reflected 34.0 FTE searches that are being conducted in 2019-20;
• UTM would continue to invest in new buildings, renovations, maintenance, and student mental health initiatives; and
• Factors that impacted revenue growth included the Provincial Government’s domestic tuition freeze, international tuition increases, and the funding structure of SMA3.
  
  Ms Capewell stated that the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak could not be calculated at this time, but noted that the campus was in a good financial position and there was flexibility within the budget to adjust to the ever-changing economic climate.
  
  In response to a question about the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship, Professor Daniere stated that this program was separate from the new International Scholarship program, though both were for international students. The Lester B. Pearson scholarship was highly competitive and was funded by an endowment.
  
  In response to a question about the unpredictability of the impact of COVID-19 on the budget, Ms Capewell stated that the University continued to work with government officials to forecast what was to come and would adjust plans accordingly. Professor Ian Orchard, Acting Vice-President & Principal, stated that a central university group worked closely with epidemiologists, and lobbying efforts continued to seek support through new programs announced by the Government. Ms Capewell indicated that UTM had robust capital plans and contingencies, such that capital plans could be delayed and contingencies used to mitigate the effects from the COVID-19 pandemic.
   

3. Establishment of an Extra-Departmental Unit A (EDU:A): Institute for Management & Innovation (IMI)
   The Chair invited Professor Amrita Daniere, Vice-Principal, Academic & Dean, to present. Professor Daniere stated that there was a distinct need for change in the organizational structure of IMI to support its programs, creative mission, and its growth trajectory, as it has to the potential to become a global leader in innovation related to human processes. The transition to an EDU:A would allow faculty to hold their primary appointments in IMI, which is an administrative factor required to support the advancement of the Unit. The change will have no major financial implications.
   
   The Chair informed members that one speaking request was received, and invited Professor Kant, Director, Master of Science in Sustainability Management, to make his remarks. Professor Kant spoke in support of the proposal. He remarked on the complexity of IMI, and noted that its current standing as an EDU:B would not allow for the degree of success and innovation that would be afforded by the opportunities of an EDU:A. 
   
   On motion duly moved, seconded and carried,
   
   YOUR COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED,
   
   THAT the proposal to establish the Institute for Management & Innovation (IMI) (Extra-Departmental Unit B (EDU:B)), at the University of Toronto Mississauga, as an EDU: A, as described in the Proposal for the Establishment of an EDU:A, Institute for Management & Innovation (IMI), University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM), dated March 24, 2020, be approved, effective July 1, 2020.
    
4. Compulsory Non-Academic Incidental Fees – Student Society Fees: UTM Student Society Proposals for Fee Increases
   The Chair invited Mr. Mark Overton, Dean of Student Affairs, to present the item. Mr. Overton stated that the last increase sought by The Medium was in 2003. He stated that the University did not have concerns regarding the requested increase, and noted that while there was low voter turnout for the referendum, there was no minimum turnout requirement that must be met.
   
   On motion duly moved, seconded and carried,
   
   YOUR COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED, 
   
   THAT beginning in the Fall 2020 session, the fee for The Medium be increased as follows: (a) an increase of $2.00 per Fall and Winter sessions (full-time and part-time) in the society fee.
   
   If approved, the total Fall/Winter fee for The Medium will be $5.63 per session ($3.21 part-time), charged to all UTM undergraduate students.
    

5. Reports of the Presidential Assessors 
   The Chair invited Professor Amrita Daniere, Vice-Principal, Academic and Dean, to discuss academic continuity amidst the COVID-19 outbreak. Professor Daniere reported that classes would proceed online for the remainder of the academic term and no in-person exams would be conducted. She expressed her gratitude to faculty who had worked incredibly hard to redesign their courses to meet current requirements on very short notice. She noted that the majority of the feedback from students had been very positive. She reported that 80% of summer classes would move forward and would be taught online and there may be further availability of courses in the latter part of the summer.
   
   The Chair then invited Mr. Mark Overton, Dean of Student Affairs, to discuss continuity in student and campus life amidst the COVID-19 outbreak. Mr. Overton reported that approximately 600 students remained on campus, who primarily faced travel restrictions or other complications that prevented their returns home. Oscar Peterson Hall’s food service continued operations on a reduced schedule and provided take-out to those that remained on campus, and delivery-to-door options for residents in self-isolation. Mental and physical health programming and support continued through a virtual platform so that physical distancing standards for healthcare providers could be maintained. In terms of international education support, the majority of students that had travelled abroad for academic programming had returned home, and support continued for those that had not yet returned. Student Housing and Resident Life, the Centre for Student Engagement, the Career Centre, the Recreation, Athletics & Wellness Centre and Accessibility Services continued to offer a variety of services and activities through virtual platforms.
   
   In response to a question about mental health services continuity after the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Overton stated that continuity plans were under discussion regarding how in-person services would be increased and re-introduced. He noted that service model evolution would be considered based on students’ preferences in balancing technological versus in-person means of service delivery.
   
   A member inquired about support for students abroad who were unable to complete their courses if the institutions at which they studied were unable to adapt to online offerings. Mr. Overton stated that consideration was on an individual basis as situations were unique. Professor Orchard stated that the University had a tri-campus membership management team that continued to address this matter.
   
   Professor Orchard commended the tremendous efforts of students, faculty and staff in their actions to quickly adapt to the evolving situation.

CONSENT AGENDA

On motion duly moved, seconded, and carried

YOUR COMMITTEE APPROVED

THAT the consent agenda be adopted and that Item 7 - Report of the Previous Meeting, be approved.

6. Report on Capital Projects – as at January 31, 2020
7. Report of the Previous Meeting: Report 39 – February 10, 2020
   Report number 39, dated February 10, 2020 was approved.
8. Business Arising from the Report of the Previous Meeting
9. Date of Next Meeting – April 28, 2020 at 4:10 p.m.
10. Other Business
    In response to a member’s request for clarification regarding self-isolation post-travel, Professor Orchard stated that according to the Federal Government, individuals were directed to self-isolate for 14 days upon return.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:33 p.m.                                                                          

March 31, 2020