Report: Executive Committee - June 27, 2024

REPORT NUMBER 551 OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2024

To the Governing Council,
University of Toronto,

Your Executive Committee  reports that it held a meeting in the Chairs’ Boardroom, on Thursday, June 27 2024, with the following members present:

PRESENT: Anna Kennedy (Chair), Sandra Hanington (Vice-Chair), Meric Gertler (President), K. Sonu Gaind, Paul Huyer, Ernest Lam, Mark Lautens, Kikelomo Lawal, Seyedreza Fattahi Massoum, Joanne McNamara, Grace Westcott

REGRETS: Soban Atique, Sarosh Jamal, Mary-Agnes Wilson

SECRETARIAT: Sheree Drummond (Secretary of the Governing Council); Joanne Chou, Committee Secretary 

IN ATTENDANCE: Douglas McDougall (Chair, Academic Board); Ann Curran (Chair, UTM Campus Council); Indi Gopinathan (Vice-Chair, Business Board); Trevor Young, Vice-President and Provost; Scott Mabury, Vice-President, Operations and Real Estate Partnerships & Vice-Provost, Academic Operations; Kristin Taylor, University Counsel & Chief Legal Officer; Bryn MacPherson, Assistant Vice-President, Office of the President & Chief of Protocol; Nadina Jamison, Chief Strategy Officer, Office of the President; Trevor Rodgers, Chief Financial Officer; Leora Jackson, Legal Counsel; Chris Lang, Director, Appeals, Discipline, and Faculty Grievances; Karen Bellinger, Associate Director, Appeals, Discipline, and Faculty Grievances; Carmelle Salomon-Labbé, Associate Director, Appeals, Discipline, and Faculty Grievances
 

Pursuant to section 38 of By-Law Number 2,
consideration of items 9 to 11 took place in camera.

CLOSED SESSION
 

1. Chair’s Remarks
   
   The Chair welcomed members, Board Chairs and Vice-Presidents to the last meeting of the governance year.
2. Report of the President
   
   The Committee moved in camera.
   
   The President provided an update on the encampment at King’s College Circle.
   
   The Committee returned to closed session.  
   
   Members had no questions.
3. Items for Endorsement and Forwarding to the Governing Council
   1. Audited Financial Statements for the Fiscal year ended April 30, 2024
      
      Ms Indi Gopinathan, Vice-Chair of the Business Board, spoke on behalf of the Chair of the Business Board who was unable to attend the meeting. She noted that the audited financial statements were examined in detail by the Audit Committee and by the Business Board at their recent meetings.
      
      On a motion duly moved, seconded, and carried
      
      YOUR COMMITTEE RESOLVED
      
      THAT the following recommendation be endorsed and forwarded to the Governing Council: 
      
      THAT the University of Toronto audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2024, be approved.  
      
      Members had no questions.
       
   2. External Auditors: Appointment for 2024 – 2025
      
      Ms Indi Gopinathan advised members that the University issued a Request for Proposals for external audit services in November 2023. An evaluation working group had been established and included the Chair of the Business Board, and the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Audit Committee. She noted that the Audit Committee and Business Board had supported that Ernst & Young LLP (EY) be retained for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2025. She advised members that EY had been providing the university with auditing services for 10 years, recognizing the longstanding relationship.  She also noted that the proposal EY submitted included a new audit team, including the engagement partner and the senior manager.
      
      On a motion duly moved, seconded, and carried
      
      YOUR COMMITTEE RESOLVED
      
      THAT the following recommendation be endorsed and forwarded to the Governing Council: 
      
      THAT Ernst & Young LLP be appointed as external auditors of the University of Toronto for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2025.
      
      Members had no questions.

CONSENT AGENDA
 

The Chair noted that of the items listed on the Consent Agenda, Item 4, the Report of the Previous Meeting of the Executive Committee was for approval. All other items were for information only.

No questions or requests to place these consent agenda items on the regular were received by the Secretary.

On motion duly moved, seconded, and carried

YOUR COMMITTEE APPROVED

THAT the consent agenda be adopted and that Item 4 be approved.

4. Report of the Previous Meeting of the Executive Committee
   
   Report Number 550 from the meeting of June 18, 2024 was approved.
5. Business Arising from the Report of the Previous Meeting
   
   There was no business arising from the report of the previous meeting.
6. Report Number 279 of the Business Board (June 19, 2024)
   
   Members received Report Number 279 of the Business Board for information.

END OF CONSENT AGENDA

7. Date of next meeting – Monday, October 28, 2024, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
   
   The Chair advised members that the next meeting was scheduled for Monday, October 28, 2024 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Chairs’ Boardroom.   She noted that Ms Gina DeVeaux, the newly appointed Deputy Secretary of the Governing Council, would be the Secretary for this Committee.  She thanked Joanne Chou for her service as Secretary to the Committee this past year.

8. Other Business
   
   Members had no other business.
   
   The Committee Moved In Camera.

IN CAMERA SESSION
 

9. Judicial Board Decision – Degree Suspension
   
   The Committee received for information a decision of the Judicial Board.  
10. Item for Approval

    1. Code of Behaviour on Academic matters: Recommendation for Expulsion
       
       The Committee approved the President’s recommendation for expulsion, as outlined in the memorandum and supporting documentation from the Secretary of the Governing Council, dated June 20, 2024. 

11. Item for Endorsement and Forwarding to the Governing Council

    1. Senior Appointments

       1. On motion duly moved, seconded, and carried   
          
          YOUR COMMITTEE APPROVED   
          
          THAT the following recommendation be endorsed and forwarded to the Governing Council for approval:
          
          THAT Chancellor Rose M. Patten be designated Chancellor Emerita of the University of Toronto, effective July 1, 2024. 
           

       2. On motion duly moved, seconded, and carried   
          
          YOUR COMMITTEE APPROVED   
          
          THAT the following recommendation be endorsed and forwarded to the Governing Council for approval:
          
          THAT Professor Linda Johnston be appointed Vice-President, University of Toronto, concurrent with her appointment as Principal, University of Toronto Scarborough, for five-year term over five and half years to include a six-month administrative leave, effective July 1, 2024 until December 31, 2029.
          
          THAT Professor William Gough be appointed Acting Vice-President, University of Toronto, concurrent with his appointment as Acting Principal, University of Toronto Scarborough, effective July 1, 2024 until September 30, 2024.

The meeting adjourned at 4:05 p.m.