Report: University Affairs Board - May 01, 2025 | The Office of the Governing Council, Secretariat

Thu, May 1 2025 at 4:30 pm - 5:18 pm

Council Chamber, Simcoe Hall

REPORT NUMBER 246 OF THE UNIVERSITY AFFAIRS BOARD

Thursday, May 1, 2025

To the Governing Council,
University of Toronto,

Your Board reports that it held a meeting on Thursday, May 1, 2025 with the following members present:

PRESENT: Geeta Yadav (Chair), K. Sonu Gaind (Vice-Chair)*, Sandy Welsh (Vice-Provost, Students), David Newman (Executive Director, Student Experience), Amanda Bartley*, Luca Calabretta*, Spencer Craddock, Ramy Elitzur, Ankita Goyat*, Sarosh Jamal, Audrey Karlinsky, Jihan Khatib*, David Kim, Rachel Leggett*, Somtochukwu Nnakenyi, Arjun Yanglem, Payam Zahedi*

REGRETS: Fatima Formuli, Robert Gerlai, Brian Harrington,Avi Hyman, Gretchen Kerr, Cameron Miranda-Radbord, Daneille Skipp, William Verreault

NON-VOTING ASSESSORS:
Robyn Parr, Executive Director, Office of the Vice-Provost, Students
Tim Tang, Dean, Student Experience & Wellbeing, UTSC
Mark Overton, Dean of Student Affairs

SECRETARIAT: Joanne Chou

IN ATTENDANCE:
Ben Poynton, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Officer
Cheryl Gibbs, Manager, Student Policy Initiatives
Josh Haas, Coordinator, Student Policy Initiatives, Office of the Vice-Provost, Students
Chad Nuttall, Assistant Dean, Students and International Initiatives, Student Affairs and Services
Emma Wilson, Dental Students' Society
Hadass Moyal, Dental Students' Society
Ken Hilton, Engineering Society
Sean Huang, Engineering Society
Shoshana Lebo, Engineering Society
Jay-Daniel Baghbanan, Faculty of Music Undergraduate Association
Niki Tang, Faculty of Music Undergraduate Association
Eric Yang, Faculty of Music Undergraduate Association
Roanna Kitchen, Faculty of Music Undergraduate Association
Jamie Yi, Innis College Student Society
Emma Danniels, Regenesis (re: UTSU referendum)
Miral Bunha, Undergraduate Pharmacy Society
Friedemann Krannich, University of Toronto Graduate Students' Union
Elizabeth Shechtman, University of Toronto Graduate Students' Union
Eleanor Yuneun Park, The Varsity
Jamie Kearns, Association of Part-time Undergraduate Students

*Attended remotely

OPEN SESSION

Chair’s Remarks

The Chair welcomed members and guests to the meeting.
Report of the Senior Assessor

At the invitation of the Chair, Professor Sandy Welsh began her report by extending her best wishes to all students that were heading into exams. She congratulated the newly appointed President-designate Professor Melanie Woodin, and looked forward to enhancing the student experience in the time to come.

Members had no questions.
Hart House Constitution: Revisions

The Chair welcomed Mr. David Kim, Warden of Hart House, to offer his remarks. Mr. Kim began by stating that for over a decade, a number of issues had been raised about the Community Members Committee (“CMC”) and alignment of their core mandate, governance, and oversight with Hart House and University of Toronto policy and practice.

The Community Members Committee was a standing committee; Hart House had 10 Standing Committees as described in the Hart House Constitution. CMC members were largely self-selecting, which led to the process of revisions. The Hart House Constitution referred to members as U of T student members and community members that paid the requisite membership fee. Most CMC members did not pay the fees, and the activities of the CMC were not aligned with the Hart House Advancement Framework.

Recognizing the complicated issues surrounding the CMC that had gone unresolved for many years, a formal review of the CMC was launched. An external reviewer conducted a robust review that occurred over the summer months with students, members of the CMC, board members and staff, with the review results presented in the fall. A number of recommendations were presented first to the CMC, and then to the Board of Stewards. A motion was then brought forward to the Board of Stewards, and a student-led subcommittee addressed the concerns and issues that arose from the review. The proposed amendments were voted upon and approved by the Hart House Board of Stewards on April 3, 2025.

Members had no questions.

On motion duly made, seconded, and carried,

IT WAS RESOLVED,

THAT the amended Hart House Constitution of the Board of Stewards, which was approved by the Board of Stewards on April 3, 2025 be approved, effective July 1, 2025.
Annual Report: Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) (2024)

The Board received a presentation of the Annual Report: Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), from Professor Sandy Welsh, Vice-Provost, Students, and Mr. Ben Poynton, AODA Office for the University.

Following introductory remarks from Professor Welsh, Mr. Poynton provided a summary of the 2024 report which highlighted activities across three campuses. He noted that the report focused on the University’s commitment to embrace new standards and best practices related to accessibility; embracing new standards and best practices related to accessibility; creating accessible physical spaces and structures; providing accessible services and tools to our community; increasing our community’s understanding of Universal Design; and centring lived experience of disability. The highlights shared from the report displayed a vast breadth of initiatives, disciplines and collaborative partners doing this work.

As part of his presentation, Mr. Poynton highlighted specific successes throughout the year towards these areas of focus. Throughout 2024, the University laid the groundwork for developing the Multi-Year Accessibility Plan, which gave the community a cohesive approach to identifying and eliminating barriers to full participation for members of our community with evident and non-evident disabilities.

Mr. Poynton outlined the following priorities for 2024 and beyond for the AODA Office:

Faculties, divisions, and campuses increasingly weaved accessibility permanently into the fabric of their local culture and strategic goals.
The AODA office engaged in over 130 consultations with the University community to incorporate accessibility into planning documents and policies.
The Office of the Vice-President, Research & Innovation maintained close coordination with the AODA Office for accessibility expertise during site changes, including the integration of third-party tools such as the embedded equipment database for Institutional Core Facilities.
Application of the new Facility Accessibility Design Standard (FADS) to all new construction and significant renovation projects.
Introduction of the Career Pathways Series for Neurodivergent Students, a hybrid learning program tailored to support participants in navigating the transition from academia to the workplace.
UTM Accessibility Services launched an informational video to increase awareness of available supports
Increased the community’s understanding of Universal Design through additional trainings, pedagogy and research; service delivery; planning and operations; and construction.
The University renewed its existing process of developing the Institutional Multi-Year Accessibility Plan required of public institutions under the AODA.
Created opportunities for consultation and collaboration with a diverse range of community members with lived experience of disability.
The University Planning, Design & Construction team collaborated with Facilities & Services to prioritize projects funded by the Accessibility Improvement Fund.
Launched an AODA Commitments Website as a living progress report and practical resource.
Offered institutional resources for the Employees with Disabilities Community Network.

A member congratulated on the terrific work and progress made by the AODA office.

The Chair thanked Professor Welsh and Mr. Poynton for their presentation.

Student Societies: Report on Financial Statements and Auditor's Opinion

Professor Welsh provided an overview of the Report on Financial Statements and Auditor’s Opinion. She noted that in 2022-23, 12 student societies did not submit their financial statements by the date of last year’s UAB report, and 10 societies had audit exemption requests pending.

Since last year’s report, The Office of the Vice-Provost, Students had received outstanding financial statements and exemptions for the 2022-23 fiscal year from all that had not submitted, with the exception of the Association of Part-Time Undergraduate Students, Graduate House Council, Kinesiology and Physical Education Undergraduate Association, Master of Information Student Council, Medical Radiation Society, New College Student Council and the University College Literary and Athletic Society. The Office of the Vice-Provost, Students, would continue its work with these societies to ensure that the requirements of the Policy are met.

Professor Welsh thanked Josh Hass, Coordinator, Student Policy Initiatives for his work in the role.

In response to a member’s question regarding what sanctions or penalties were in place, Professor Welsh explained that the University withheld their fees which could have a significant impact for the elected student leaders and their operations. She noted that some of the student societies could inherit issues, and her office collaborated closely with them to offer support and help resolve their issues. Once the audits were received, the fees would be released.
Student Societies: Requests for Fee Increases

The Chair noted that fee increases for student societies was an annual item of business for the Board. The UTM and UTSC fees had been approved by the respective Campus Councils on the recommendation of the Campus Affairs Committees.
1. University of Toronto Mississauga
  
  There were no questions or comments regarding the request for fee increases from the University of Toronto, Mississauga. The request for fee increases from student societies from the University of Toronto, Mississauga, were received for information.
2. University of Toronto Scarborough
  
  There were no questions or comments regarding the request for fee increases from the University of Toronto, Scarborough. The request for fee increases from student societies from the University of Toronto, Scarborough were received for information.
3. University of Toronto, St. George
  
  Professor Welsh provided an overview of the request for student society fee increases from the University of Toronto, St. George. In general, all requests for Student Society fee increases were supported by constitutional and fair processes within the student societies. This year, seven St. George or University-wide student societies held referenda to establish new fees or change the parameters of existing fees. She reported that no complaints had been received by the administration with respect to the fee increase requests.
  
  Members had no questions.
  
  On motion duly made, seconded, and carried,
  
  IT WAS RESOLVED,
  
  THAT, beginning in the Fall 2025 session, the Association of Part-time Undergraduate Students fee be modified as follows:

an increase of $9.45 per fall and winter session in the Health Plan portion of the fee;
an increase of $7.29 per fall and winter session in the Dental Plan portion of the fee; and
an increase of $0.09 per session in the Canadian Federation of Students portion of the fee.

THAT, beginning in the Fall 2025 session, the Dental Students' Society fee be increased by $5.00 per fall and winter session.

THAT, beginning in the Fall 2025 session, the Engineering Society fee be modified as follows:

an increase of $0.53 per fall and winter session in the society portion of the fee ($0.50 for part-time students);
the continuation of the Aerospace Team portion of the fee through 2026-27 (full-time & part-time);
the continuation of, and an increase of $0.25 per fall and winter session in, the Concrete Canoe Team portion of the fee through 2026-27 (full-time & part-time);
the continuation of, and an increase of $0.45 per fall and winter session in, the Concrete Toboggan Team portion of the fee through 2026-27 (full-time & part-time);
the continuation of the Engineering Student Societies' Council of Ontario portion of the fee through 2026-27 (full-time & part-time);
the continuation of, and an increase of $0.50 per fall and winter session in, the Engineers in Action portion of the fee through 2026-27 (full-time & part-time);
the continuation of the Engineers Without Borders portion of the fee through 2026-27 (full-time & part-time);
the continuation of, and an increase of $0.05 per fall and winter session in, the Formula SAE Racing Team portion of the fee through 2026-27 (full-time & part-time);
the continuation of, and an increase of $0.25 per fall and winter session in, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers portion of the fee through 2026-27 (full-time & part-time);
the continuation of the Robotics for Space Exploration portion of the fee through 2026-27 (full-time & part-time);
the continuation of the Seismic Design Team portion of the fee through 2026-27 (full-time & part-time);
the continuation of, and an increase of $0.75 per fall and winter session in, the Supermileage Team portion of the fee through 2026-27 (full-time & part-time);
the establishment of $0.50 per fall and winter session in the Troistky Bridge Building Team portion of the fee through 2026-27 (full-time & part-time); and
the continuation of, and an increase of $0.25 per fall and winter session in, the UTWind portion of the fee through 2025-26 for full-time students.

THAT, beginning in the Fall 2025 session, the Faculty of Music Undergraduate Association fee be modified as follows:

an increase of $100.00 per fall and winter session in the society portion of the fee; and
the continuation of, and a decrease of $50.00 per fall and winter session in, the Special Projects Fund portion of the fee.

THAT, beginning in the Fall 2025 session, the Innis College Student Society fee be modified as follows:

an increase of $0.48 per fall and winter session in the society portion of the fee;
an increase of $1.50 per fall and winter session in the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) Student Refugee Program portion of the fee; and
an increase of $15.94 per fall and winter session in the Orientation portion of the fee.

THAT, beginning in the Fall 2025 session, the Undergraduate Pharmacy Society fee be modified as follows:

an increase of $15.39 per fall and winter session in the society portion of the fee for Doctor of Pharmacy students in the three-year program; and
an increase of $6.39 per fall and winter session in the society portion of the fee for Doctor of Pharmacy students in the four-year program.

THAT, beginning in the Fall 2025 session, the University College Literary & Athletic Society fee be increased by $0.19 per fall and winter session ($0.07 for part-time students).

THAT, beginning in the Fall 2025 session, the University of Toronto Graduate Students’ Union fee be modified as follows:

an increase of $0.63 per fall and winter session in the society portion of the fee ($0.32 per fall session and $0.31 per winter session for part-time students);
an increase of $17.04 per fall and winter session in the Health Plan portion of the fee (full-time & part-time);
an increase of $1.10 per fall and winter session in the Dental Plan portion of the fee (full-time & part-time);
an increase of $0.03 per fall session and $0.02 per winter session in the Bikechain portion of the fee ($0.01 per fall session and $0.02 per winter session for part-time students);
an increase of $0.18 per fall and winter session in the Canadian Federation of Students portion of the fee ($0.09 for part-time students);
an increase of $0.06 per fall session and $0.05 per winter session in the Centre for Social Justice - OPIRG portion of the fee ($0.03 per fall and winter session for part-time students);
an increase of $0.13 per fall session and $0.12 per winter session in the Regenesis portion of the fee ($0.06 per fall and winter session for part-time students); and
an increase of $0.02 per fall session and $0.01 per winter session in the Sexual Education Centre portion of the fee ($0.01 per fall and winter session for part-time students).

THAT, beginning in the Fall 2025 session, the University of Toronto Students’ Union (UTSU; legally, the Students’ Administrative Council) fee be modified as follows:

an increase of $0.39 per session in the society portion of the fee;
an increase of $12.95 per fall and winter session in the Health Plan portion of the fee;
an increase of $10.82 per fall and winter session in the Dental Plan portion of the fee;
an increase of $0.18 per session in the Canadian Federation of Students portion of the fee;
an increase of $0.04 per session in the Community Housing & Employment Support Services portion of the fee;
an increase of $0.07 per session in the Downtown Legal Services portion of the fee;
an increase of $0.01 per session in the Sexual Education Centre portion of the fee;
an increase of $0.04 per session in the Student Refugee Program portion of the fee;
an increase of $1.77 per session in the Bikechain portion of the fee; and
establishment of $3.00 per session in the Regenesis portion of the fee.

THAT, beginning in the Winter 2026 session, the UTSU fee be modified as follows:

an increase of $0.51 per session in the Student Commons Capital Levy portion of the fee; and
an increase of $0.95 per session in the Student Commons Operating Levy portion of the fee.

THAT, beginning in the Fall 2025 session, The Varsity’s (legally, Varsity Productions) society fee be increased by $0.02 per session for graduate students and $0.06 per session for undergraduate students.

Incorporation of the Faculty of Music Undergraduate Association

At the invitation of the Chair, Professor Sandy Welsh reported that it had been nearly 20 years since the Board last approved the Incorporation of a Student Society, noting the infrequent request. The Faculty of Music Undergraduate Association requested University approval to incorporate under the Province of Ontario's Not-for-Profit Corporations Act, and to have the proposed corporate name of the society include the name of a division of the university, the Faculty of Music. She explained that a key benefit of incorporation to officers and directors of a student society was some measure of protection from personal liability arising from actions of the organization, highlighting that an Incorporated Student Society was enhanced by higher levels of fiduciary responsibility and accountability.

Professor Welsh explained that from the university's perspective, Incorporated student societies were subject to the Policy for Compulsory Non-Academic Incidental Fees, the Policy on Open, Accessible and Democratic Autonomous Student Organizations, and other University policies. The Office of Vice-Provost Students and the Office of University Council reviewed the proposed articles of incorporation and the Faculty of Music Undergraduate Association Bylaws, and had no objections to the approval of the application and bylaws.

In response to a member’s question regarding timing and additional context of the proposed incorporation, Professor Welsh explained that at times, it was related to the growing complexity of activities and involvement of the student society. The Faculty of Music recently opened a cafe which included permanent staffing needs, highlighting the growth and maturity of the student society.

The former President of the Faculty of Music Undergraduate Association added that they launched the cafe at the Edward Johnson building. They hired both part-time and full-time staff members, increasing their responsibilities, contracts, and tax obligations. Additional relationships required proper management outside of their operations, thus the board felt it was necessary to incorporate to enhance the process. They had voted on the process last May, and it was through incorporation where this would help streamline operations and reduce legal liabilities.

On motion duly made, seconded, and carried,

IT WAS RESOLVED,

THAT, subject to fulfillment of the conditions set out below,
1. the proposed articles of incorporation of the Faculty of Music Undergraduate Association be approved;
2. the use of the words “Faculty of Music” in the corporate name of the “Faculty of Music Undergraduate Association” be approved; and
3. the Bylaws of the Faculty of Music Undergraduate Association be approved.

The conditions of the foregoing approvals are that:

the Governing Council reserves the right to approve changes to certain sections of the corporate bylaws (as stipulated in the current Faculty of Music Undergraduate Association Bylaws) and that the corporation will inform the Office of the Vice-Provost, Students of any and all changes to sections of the bylaws not reserved for approval by the Governing Council;
the student society will eliminate the words “Faculty of Music” in the corporate name of the Faculty of Music Undergraduate Association upon the corporation ceasing to be recognized by the University in accordance with applicable policies, noting that retaining the word “Music” is permissible; and
the student society will enter into an agreement with the University in form and substance satisfactory to the Office of the Vice-Provost, Students, regarding the use University space by the corporation.

CONSENT AGENDA

On motion duly moved, seconded, and carried

YOUR BOARD APPROVED,

THAT the consent agenda be adopted and that Item 8, the Report of the Previous Meeting, be approved.

Report of the Previous Meeting

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: May 21, 2025, at 4:30 p.m.

The Chair confirmed that the next meeting would be held on May 21, 2025, in the Council Chamber.
Other Business

There were no items of other business.

The Board moved IN CAMERA.

Appointment: Council on Student Services (COSS)

On motion duly moved, seconded, and carried

IT WAS RESOLVED

THAT Friedemann Krannich be appointed Chair of the Council on Student Services, effective immediately and until April 30, 2026.

The meeting adjourned at 5:18 p.m.

May 4, 2025