REPORT NUMBER 256 OF THE ACADEMIC BOARD
THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2025
To the Governing Council,
University of Toronto,
Your Board reports that it held a meeting in the Governing Council Chamber, Simcoe Hall on April 24, 2025 with the following members present:
PRESENT: Donald Ainslie (Vice-Chair), Professor Trevor Young (Vice-President and Provost), Scott Mabury (Vice President, Operations & Real Estate Partnerships), Leah Cowen (Vice-President, Research and Innovation), Nicholas Rule (Vice-Provost, Academic Programs), Ramona Alaggia, Tala Alsaid Suliman, Catherine Amara, Glen Bandiera*, Joshua Barker, Sheila Batacharya*, Jordan Bear, Susan Bondy, Laurent Bozec*, Daniel Bowyer*, Pier Bryden, Shai Cohen, Robert Cooper, Ryan Cortez*, Paul Downes*, Markus Dubber, Liam Dravid, Jessica Eylon, Monique Flaccavento, William Gough, Rita Kandel, Audrey Karlinsky, Lisa Kramer, Robert Kyle, Sarosh Jamal, Charles Jia*, Elaine Khoo*, Tys Klumpenhouwer, Marcus Law, Joanne McNamara, Libbie Mills, Eha Naylor, John Oesch, Matt Ratto, Karen Reid, Suresh Sivanandam, Adam Stinchcombe, Kevin Temple, Morgaine van Beers, Suzanne Wood, Stephen Wright, Colleen Zimmerman, David Zingg
REGRETS: Douglas McDougall (Chair), Larry Alford, Robert Austin, Kayra Balikci, Zoraida Beekhoo, Bensiyon Benhabib, Gabriella Brasileiro Santos, Adalsteinn Brown, Jutta Brunnee, Christian Caron, Catherine Chandler-Crichlow, Albert Cheng, Carol Chin, Dinesh Christendat, Susan Christoffersen, Lorne Costello, Tarun Dewan, Lisa Dolovich, Annabelle Dravid, Joseph Flessa, Robert Gazzale, Ankita Goyat, Jason Harlow, Zachary Hawes, Alex Hernandez, Walid Houry, Ehab James, M. Shone Joos, Charlie Keil, Jeannie Kim, Robert Levit, Yee Fun Lo,Amy Mann, Ryan McClelland, Irene Morra, Javed Mostafa, James Orbinski, Jesse Pasternak, Maya Povhe, Anuradha Prakki, Lisa Robinson, Karin Ruhlandt, Rosa Saverino, Rob Simon, Laura Simone, Naomi Steenhof, Markus Stock, Robyn Stremler, Sali Tagliamonte, Lauran Tam, Sergio Tenenbaum, Edwin Thomas, William Verreault, Erica Walker, Charmaine Williams, Christopher Yip
SECRETARIAT: Miranda Edwards (Secretary), Timothy Harlick
IN ATTENDANCE: Susan Antebi, Elizabeth Church, Marc Dryer, Jennifer Francisco, Gillian Hamilton, Emma del Junco, David Lock, Susan Mazza, Lachmi Singh, Luca Somigli, Arcahan Sridhar, Bryan Stewart, Aditya Tanolon
OPEN SESSION
- Chair’s Remarks
The Vice-Chair, Professor Donald Ainslie, welcomed members to the Cycle 5 meeting. He introduced himself and explained that he would be acting as Chair in Douglas McDougall’s absence. - Report of the Vice-President and Provost
The Provost began his report with an overview of the U.S. tariffs issue, noting that the situation was unpredictable but that the University was monitoring the issue closely. The Provost also commented on recent interventions by the U.S. federal government in the American higher education sector, including funding cuts and restrictions on certain types of research. The University received about 5% of its research funding from the U.S. which was potentially at risk. In regards to research restrictions, the Association of American Universities (of which the University was a member) had issued a strong statement in defence of institutional autonomy. The Provost said that the University had advised its researchers to exercise diligence in applying for and utilizing research funds from U.S. federal government sources. Regarding faculty members’ travel to the U.S., the Provost advised members that the University was taking guidance from Global Affairs Canada, and would advise faculty on a case by case basis. Individuals could also register with International SOS prior to departure.
Regarding admissions, the Provost noted that the international student application deadline was May 1st and the Ontario high school student deadline was June 1st. So far, there had been a 5% decrease in international applications. The number of offers being made remained the same and yield rates were 10%, which was higher than usual. Domestic undergraduate applications had increased by 7% and doctoral student intake had increased by 30%. Applications from U.S. students were also increasing. The University had increased its intake of students into STEM programs by 200 more students. This increase was in alignment with the province’s Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security’s priorities, and its commitment to increasing the number of funded spaces in STEM programs.
A member asked if the Ministry’s recent name change signaled a renewed interest in funding research. Professor Leah Cowen, Vice-President Research and Innovation, and Strategic Initiatives responded that the University had taken it as a positive signal that research was a high priority. The Provost noted that the University was well positioned to support this priority with its significant research capacity. - Annual Report: Vice-President, Research and Innovation, and Strategic Initiatives
Professor Cowen reported that, across multiple metrics and rankings, the University was firmly positioned among the best universities globally. In the past year, it continued to rank 1st in Canada and 3rd in North America among public universities. It was also ranked 2nd most prolific university in the world in the life sciences, behind only Harvard University.
The University had become Canada’s leading engine for research-based start-ups, creating over 17,000 jobs and over $12 billion in revenue. Through UofT Entrepreneurship, the University continued to provide strong support in legal, patenting, marketing, investor relations and other services to support entrepreneurship. Professor Cowen also noted that numerous accelerators and innovation hubs operated across all three campuses.
Professor Cowen told the Board that in 2024, the University’s researchers received 165 prestigious Canadian and international honours. 35 faculty members were elected Fellows of Canada’s national academies, 22 faculty were appointed Members or Officers of the Order of Canada, and more faculty were elected to the Royal Society of Canada and the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences than at any other university in Canada in 2024. She also noted that the University community had recently celebrated the awarding of the Nobel Prize in Physics to University Professor Emeritus Geoffrey Hinton for his work in AI. The University and its partner hospitals secured $1.54 billion in research funding ($547.5 million for the University alone), allowing the University’s research initiatives to flourish. In 2023-24, the University was awarded $61.5 million from the tri-agency’s Research Support Fund for indirect research costs. The University has used this funding for indirect expenditures, including to support the recently formed Research Security Team, a new division of VPRI. Professor Cowen also reported that VPRI’s EDI action plan aimed to meet representation targets of Canada Research Chairs four designated groups by 2029. In conclusion, Professor Cowen reported that, in alignment with the Institutional Strategic Research Plan, the University continued to leverage its talent and resources to tackle global challenges. Professor Cowen encouraged members to read the full annual report, available on VPRI’s website.Members discussed the possibility of improving Canadian economic self-sufficiency through research and innovation, potential expansion of EU research partnerships, as well as anticipated growth in research areas which have recently become underfunded in the United States.
- Establishment of Extradepartmental Unit: Institute of Forensic Sciences (UTM)
Ms Lachmi Singh, Director, Academic Programs, Planning, Quality Assurance delivered remarks on behalf of Professor Nick Rule, Vice-Provost, Academic Programs. Ms Singh noted that the proposed Institute of Forensic Sciences would be a multi-departmental academic unit designed to foster research and teaching through the delivery of degree programs and the administering of research funds. The proposal was supported by a 2018 University of Toronto Quality Assurance (UTQAP) review, which recommended the creation of an independent academic unit in forensic sciences.Extensive consultation of the proposal was undertaken within the University of Toronto Mississauga. Outside of UTM, consultation took place with the Faculty of Arts & Science, and with the University of Toronto Scarborough. All supported the proposed new academic unit.
As of July 1, 2025, core teaching faculty would have 49% of their appointments in the new institute, maintaining 51% of their appointment in the Department of Anthropology. The new institute would be overseen by an interim director until such time as a permanent director could be appointed.
Professor William Gough, Interim Vice-Principal (Academic) & Dean, UTM spoke in support of the proposal, noting that it had been in consultation for many yearsand that the new academic unit would be a home for UTM’s signature Forensic Science programs, which represented one of its great strengths in teaching and research.
On motion duly moved, seconded and carried
YOUR BOARD RECOMMENDED,
THAT the proposal to establish the Extradepartmental Unit B (EDU:B) – Institute of Forensic Sciences (IFS), at the University of Toronto Mississauga, as described in the Proposal for the Establishment of an EDU:B, Institute of Forensic Sciences, UTM dated February 21, 2025, be approved, effective July 1, 2025. - Proposal for the Academic Restructuring of the Department of Italian Studies and the Department of Spanish and Portuguese
Professor Rule told the Board that, due to declining enrolments which made it difficult to maintain course offerings and internal governance structures such as tenure and promotion committees, the Departments of Italian Studies and Spanish and Portuguese in the Faculty of Arts and Science have proposed to pool their resources and amalgamate into one department.
Professor Rule told Board members that the proposal was the result of extensive consultation guided by the process established by the Policy and Procedures for Faculty and Librarians on Academic Restructuring which provided a roadmap for how to fully, collegially, and appropriately involve faculty members and librarians in consultation when considering significant changes to academic units. The consultation process began in 2024 and included a series of meetings with students, staff, faculty, and librarians who were invited to provide input. Faculty of Arts and Science decanal leadership and external stakeholders reviewed the proposal and provided written feedback that was incorporated into the final version.
Professor Rule told the Board that the operating budgets of both departments would be combined without reductions. An interim department Chair would be appointed pending a search for a new Chair. The future Budgetary Chair would also serve as the Graduate Chair. There would be no immediate change to the departments’ office locations; however, there were plans for the new amalgamated department to be housed in the new Academic Wood Tower when it opened.
Professor Markus Dubber, Vice-Chair of the Planning & Budget Committee, provided a summary of the discussion that took place at the Committee’s meeting of April 10, 2025.
In response to a member’s question, Professor Luca Somigli stated that there had not been any major faculty dissent and that faculty members’ concerns and questions had been addressed during the consultation period.
In response to a member’s question, Professor Rule and the Provost both confirmed that the new department would undergo the standard cyclical UTQAP process. Professor Rule noted that the Department of Italian Studies had last undergone a review in 2021 and that the Department of Spanish and Portuguese had last undergone a review in 2018.
On motion duly moved, seconded and carried
YOUR BOARD RECOMMENDED,
THAT the academic restructuring described in the Proposal for Academic Restructuring of the Department of Italian Studies and the Department of Spanish and Portuguese (March 10, 2025), be approved, effective July 1, 2025.
CONSENT AGENDA
On motion duly moved, seconded, and carried
YOUR COMMITTEE APPROVED
THAT the consent agenda be adopted and that Item #7, the Report of the Previous Meeting, be approved.
- University Professors Selection Committee
The Board received for information the membership list of the University Professors Selection Committee. - Report of the Previous Meeting: Report Number 255 of the Academic Board (March 6, 2025)
Report Number 255 from the Board’s meeting of March 6, 2025 was approved. - Business Arising from the Report of the Previous Meeting
There was no business arising from the report of the previous meeting. - Reports for Information
The Board received the following reports for information:
- Date of the Next Meeting: May 29, 2025, 3:10 - 5:10 p.m.
The Chair confirmed that the Board would next meet on May 29, 2025 at 3:10 p.m. - Other Business
No items of other business were raised.
The meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m.
May 5, 2025