UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO SCARBOROUGH CAMPUS COUNCIL
REPORT NUMBER 41 OF THE CAMPUS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
January 11, 2021
To the Campus Council,
University of Toronto Scarborough,
Your Committee reports that it met on Monday, January 11, 2021 at 3:10 p.m., in a virtual meeting, with the following members present:
Present:
Tayyab Rashid (Chair), Tarun Dewan (Vice-Chair), Wisdom Tettey (Vice-President and Principal USTC), Andrew Arifuzzaman (Chief Administrative Officer), Desmond Pouyat (Dean, Student Experience & Wellbeing), Hamde Abubeker, Philip August, Janet Blakely, Monisha Chawla, Kyle Danielson, Jacqueline Deane, Liben Gebremikael, Paul Kingston, Daniel Lysak, Alice Maurice, Sylvia Mittler, Naureen Nizam, Andrew Tam
Non-voting Assessors:
Jamie Donaldson, Jeff Miller, Helen Morissette, Nadia Rosemond
Secretariat:
Emma Thacker (Secretary), Tracey Gameiro
Guests:
Karen McCrindle (Director, Centre for Teaching and Learning), Tom McIlhone (Assistant Director, Campus Police), Gary Pitcher (Director, Campus Safety & Security), Tanya Poppleton (Director, Campus Safety)
Regrets:
William Gough (Vice-Principal Academic & Dean), Rakiya Abdullahi, Obidimma Ezezika, Mark Fitzpatrick, Ken Howard, Alexander Irving, Sheila John, Sonja Nikkila, Jacqueline Sahagian, Deena Yanofsk
- Chair’s Remarks
The Chair, Dr. Tayyab Rashid, welcomed members and guests to the virtual meeting.
- Overview of the Council on Student Services (CSS) Budget Process
The Chair invited Mr. Desmond Pouyat, Dean, Student Experience & Wellbeing, to present. The Report provided an overview of the Compulsory Non-Academic Incidental Fees process framework, and included the following key points:- The Council on Student Service (CSS) was described in the Policy on Compulsory Non-Academic Incidental Fees known as the ‘Protocol’. It was the responsible body of students involved in decisions to increase student fees;
- Fifteen student members from various student groups form the student membership;
- The process included a series of meetings and working groups to ensure consultation;
- The Administrative Assessor is permitted by the ‘Protocol’ to invoke a formula (the UTI and CPI Index Fee), should the fees vote fail;
- Student Society Fees are first vetted through the Vice-Provost Student’s Office prior to submission to the Campus Affairs Committee, to ensure that the proposed increases are appropriate and adhere to the rules governing fee increases for the various societies.
A member asked why the student service fee motions were approved together and not separated. Mr. Pouyat explained that the motions represented an operating plan, and part of an integrated set of services.
- Presentation - Gary Pitcher, Director, Campus Safety and Security
The Chair invited Gary Pitcher, Director, Campus Safety, Issue & Emergency Management, and Tom McIlhone, Manager, Campus Police, to present an overview of the Campus Community Police services, which included highlights from the 2019 Annual Report. It was reported that the UTSC approach to policing was community-based, providing a number of services to the UTSC community including involvement with a number of special events (e.g. Pancake Breakfast, Walksafer, Positive Space Committee, and Alcohol Awareness). Mr. McIlhone shared the 2019 incident statistical overview, and provided an overview of how the Campus Police responded and supported the campus during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr. Arifuzzaman noted for members that the portfolio included in a new member, Tanya Poppleton (Director, Campus Safety), who joined UTSC on January 4, 2021, and that in the coming year the services would be reimagined, with an evolved look and feel. Members thanked Mr. Pitcher for his years of leadership, dedicated service, and commitment to the University.
A member inquired about any challenges that came about due to the pandemic. Mr. Pitcher responded by agreeing that service was different in 2020, and noted that student were reaching out and requiring support regardless of if they were on campus or attending classes online. In addition, navigating and implementing the ever changing health and safety requirements were a noted change to service (e.g. contract tracing). He thanked and acknowledged the work of Jeff Miller (Director, Facilities Management) and his team for supporting the increased demands with cleaning and maintaining facilities.
A member asked about theft on campus, and inquired if there was any analysis completed with respect to the time-frame of thefts. Mr. McIlhone responded that yes, the time, day, and location of thefts was tracked and this had led to increased campus safety staff during those times and locations. This had reduced thefts. Mr. Pitcher added that the focus was to reduce opportunity for theft, and increase awareness and education.
- UTSC Capital Projects Update
The Chair invited Mr. Andrew Arifuzzaman, UTSC Chief Administrative Officer, to present a broad overview of the current and upcoming UTSC capital projects. Mr. Arifuzzaman shared information about the approved Student Residence and Indigenous House. The proposed Instructional Centre (IC-2) and Parking Structure were also discussed. He also reported on plans regarding the Scarborough Academy of Medicine & Integrated Health, and the Environmental & Related Technologies Hub (EaRTH) project. Other projects were also described, including the indoor turf Field House, and several other campus renovations.
A member asked about design changes and risk contingencies in place due to the pandemic. Mr. Arifuzzaman responded that construction was considered an essential service and the work would continue with safety protocols on-site. Other risks such as supply chain considerations were also part of the project planning.
A member asked about community access to the new buildings and other community benefits. Mr. Arifuzzaman responded that community was a consideration, and he provided the example of the Parking Structure, which was designed with a plan to offer a farmer’s market in the summer months.
- Capital Project: Report of the Project Planning Committee for the New Classroom, Academic and Administrative Building (Instructional Centre-2 or IC-2) at the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC)
The Chair invited Mr. Andrew Arifuzzaman, UTSC Chief Administrative Officer, to present the capital project, UTSC Instructional Centre 2. Mr. Arifuzzaman reported the following highlights:- The structure was a proposed new facility, positioned on the north campus;
- The facility would incorporate an instructional centre, four units within the Office of Student Wellbeing & Experience, and academic space for the Department of Computer & Mathematical Sciences;
- The proposed building would address space shortages, and provide gathering and study space for students;
- The building was designed to have five upper levels, and one below, with space totaling 9,915 nasm (net assignable square metres), and a gross floor area of 19,646 gsm (gross square metres);
- The building would provide 24 new classrooms which would range from 24 seats to 500 seats, seven collaborative classrooms, otherwise known as active-learning classrooms are proposed.
- Anticipated start of construction was targeted for early 2021 with building occupancy in August 2023.
Professor Karen McCrindle, Associate Dean, Teaching and Learning & Director, Centre for Teaching & Learning explained some of the extensive consultation with faculty in designing the pedagogical aspects of the building. She noted that the design provided greater flexibility in teaching options, incorporated learning technology, and would support innovative teaching and learning practices. For example, some classrooms will include furniture that can be reconfigured to adapt to student and faculty needs.
A member asked about community use of the space. Mr. Arifuzzaman responded that the space could be made available to groups in several different ways. He provided examples – such as a classroom could be rented, or space could be used for a collaborative initiative that involved community members, students, and faculty members, such as a film festival.
A member asked about naming opportunities. Mr. Arifuzzaman responded that there was opportunity for this, and that University policies and protocols were in place to govern the process. He also reminded members of the work of the UTSC Indigenous Naming Committee. Principal Tettey added that any potential namings would align with UTSC core values.
On motion duly made, seconded, and carried,
YOUR COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED,
THAT the Report of the Project Planning Committee for the New Classroom, Academic, and Administrative Building (Instructional Centre 2 or IC-2) at the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC), dated November 17, 2020, be approved in principle; and,
THAT the project totaling 9,915 net assignable square metres (nasm) and 19,646 gross square metres (gsm), be approved in principle, to be funded by Future Major Capital Project Reserves, Borrowing, and UTSC Major Capital Construction.
- Report of the Presidential Assessors
The Chair advised there were no Assessor updates.
- Report of the Previous Meeting: Report Number 40 – October 26, 2020
The report of the previous meeting was approved.
- Business Arising from the Report of the Previous Meeting
There was no business arising from the report of the previous meeting.
- Date of Next Meeting - Thursday, February 11, 2021 at 3:10 p.m.
The Chair advised members that the Committee would meet again on February 11, 2021 at 3:10 p.m.
- Other Business
Members had no other business.
The Committee moved IN CAMERA.
- Capital Project: Report of the Project Planning Committee for the University of Toronto Scarborough IC2 - Total Project Cost and Sources of Funding
The Chair invited Mr. Andrew Arifuzzaman, UTSC Chief Administrative Officer to present the item. Mr. Arifuzzaman presented the total project cost and sources of funding.
On motion duly made, seconded, and carried,
YOUR COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED,
THAT the project scope of the University of Toronto Scarborough New Classroom, Academic, and Administrative Building (IC-2), as identified in the Report of the Project Planning Committee for the University of Toronto Scarborough IC2, dated November 17, 2020, be approved in principle.
The Committee returned to Open Session.
The meeting adjourned at 5:09 p.m.
January 25, 2021