Report: University Affairs Board - April 23, 2025

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Council Chamber, Simcoe Hall

REPORT NUMBER 251 OF THE UNIVERSITY AFFAIRS BOARD

Thursday, APRIL 23, 2026

To the Governing Council,
University of Toronto,

Your Board reports that it held a meeting in the Council Chamber, Simcoe Hall on April 23, 2026 with the following members present:

PRESENT: Professor Ron Levi (Vice-Chair), Professor Sandy Welsh (Vice-Provost, Students), David Newman (Executive Director, Student Experience), Sharleen Ahmed, Kate Baggott, Vikram Chadalawada, Fatima Faruq, Susan Froom, Dzhafar Kabidenov, Audrey Karlinksy, Gretchen Kerr*, David Kim, Alice Wright

REGRETS: Geeta Yadav (Chair), Kelly Hannah-Moffatt (Vice-President, People, Strategy, Equity, and Culture), Amanda Bartley, Robert Gerlai, David Gren, Brian Harrington, Syeda Hasan, Dulce Martinez, Dina Reiss, Efe Sahinoglu, Lynn Shen

NON-VOTING ASSESSORS: Tim Fricker (Dean, Student Experience and Wellbeing, UTM), Tim Tang (Dean, Student Experience and Wellbeing, UTSC), Nadia Rosemond (Executive Director, Office of the Vice-Provost, Students)

SECRETARIAT: Miranda Edwards (Secretary), Amanda Grant (Governance Coordinator)

GUESTS: Professor Cheryl Regehr, Parmida Cheraghi, Josh Hass, Nicole Jacquette, Jamie Kearns, Kenneth Lloyd Hilton, Ben Poynton, Elizabeth Shechtman, Nicholas Silver, Kenneth Sulman, Medha Surajpal, Felicity Tran, Elizabeth Zhang

OPEN SESSION

  1. Chair’s Remarks

    The Chair, Professor Ron Levi, welcomed members and guests to the Board’s cycle 4 meeting and informed members that he was acting as Chair on behalf of Geeta Yadav.
  2. Report of the Senior Assessor

    Professor Sandy Welsh, Vice-Provost, Students informed the Board that she had no report to make but wished students and faculty well as exam season was underway. Members had no questions.
  3. Report on the Review of the Code of Student Conduct: Summary of Consultation and Feedback

    Professor Cheryl Regehr, lead of the Code of Student Conduct consultation process, presented this item for information.

    Professor Regehr informed the Council that the consultation process began on November 17, 2025 and closed on February 20, 2026. Her team ran an extensive awareness campaign about the consultation in order to engage as many members of the University community as possible. Participants were invited to submit feedback via an online form or attend in-person or online consultation sessions. Feedback was received from over 350 participants.

    Professor Regehr provided a summary of the feedback received as follows:
  • The Code lacked relevance to current University life;
  • The Code was not useful in addressing the majority of behavioural concerns (offences out of date, thresholds too high, scopes too narrow, and sanctions too punitive);
  • Gaps in Code provisions meant that community members experienced or witnessed concerning behaviour that did not meet the thresholds set out in the Code, leaving students and staff feeling unprotected;
  • The Code did not address online behaviour;
  • The decentralized structure of reporting, case management, and investigations was problematic;
  • Intersections between the Code and mental health concerns were difficult to address;
  • The Code’s structure and language were overly legalistic and unclear;
  • There was lack of clarity in how the Code intersected with other policies and codes of behaviour.

In addition to studying feedback, Professor Regehr reported that her team consulted with the Office of the University Counsel and received a report on the legal landscape at 22 other universities as well as summaries of past Code decisions and various related legal issues, such as online harassment.

Professor Regehr’s team performed a qualitative analysis of all feedback received and submitted the final consultation report to Professor Sandy Welsh, Vice-Provost, Students. Professor Welsh’s office would now oversee next steps, including revisions to the Code. The report provided four recommendations:

  1. Split the Code into two documents: the Code and the Procedures;
  2. Update Scope:
    1. Include new offences (such as online harassment and weapons on campus)
    2. Create tiers of offences from minor to serious cases
    3. Add provisions for educative and restorative outcomes
    4. Clarify the definition of “Member of the University Community”;
  3. Create a new central “Student Conduct Office” overseen by the Vice-Provost, Students that assesses complaints, triages response, provides guidance, tracks numbers and types of cases;
  4. Address mental health concerns in a manner where people are held accountable for their actions and create a mental health diversion process to use as appropriate.

Discussion

In response to a member’s question about potential overlap between the Code and the University’s Statement on Prohibited Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment, Professor Regehr confirmed that the Code intersected with many policies and Codes across the University. She noted that, as part of her recommendation to create a Student Conduct Office, the proposed Office would be responsible for reviewing cases to determine which Codes and policies would be most appropriately applicable.

A member also asked about intersectionality between the Code and the Supportive Leaves Policy. Professor Welsh explained that a small number of cases came forward to her office under the Code, which were then assessed as being severe enough to warrant being administered under the Supportive Leaves Policy. University administrators were mindful of using the appropriate policy mechanism for each case on an individual basis.

A member asked if, in the course of the consultation process, Professor Regehr’s team had received a copy of the report on antisemitism that had been prepared independently by some University governors. Professor Regehr stated that she had not received the report. She noted that the consultation period and her mandate had now ended and that she had submitted her final report to the Vice-Provost, Students.

A member commended the recommended moves towards tiered offences and the inclusion of online activity under the Code’s prohibited behaviour. The member noted that these were essential modernization efforts and changes in the right direction.

Members congratulated Professor Regehr on her work. They acknowledged the challenges of the Code’s review and recognized the commendable efforts that had been put into the consultation process.

  1. Annual Report: Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)

    Professor Welsh introduced this item and informed members that the University produced this Annual Report as part of its AODA compliance responsibilities. She thanked everyone in the University community who had worked to improve accessibility on campus, including members of the Multi-Year Plan Consultation Committee, and all those who contributed feedback during the development of the Multi-Year Accessibility Plan. She commended the creativity of staff in enhancing accessibility services and emphasized that accessibility was more than a legal obligation; but rather, a key tenet of the University’s academic mission which aimed to support the success of all students and equal participation in all University activities.

    Mr. Ben Poynton, AODA Officer in the Office of the Vice-Provost, Students, presented the Report for information.

    This year, the report was produced as an accessible, web-based report. It was hoped this would promote increased engagement. Mr. Poynton shared highlights of AODA work completed over the past year, including:
    • Faculty of Information instructors received a guidebook on using Quercus with neurodiversity, particularly autism, in mind;
    • The Centre for Teaching Support & Innovation launched a Teaching with Universal Design for Learning micro-website to serve as a centralized hub for including and accessible teaching practices across the University;
    • UTM created an enhanced referral process between Accessibility Services and the Career Centre.

In addition, several events and training sessions were offered by various divisions across the tri-campus for students, staff, and faculty. Mr. Poynton reported that his office received a record number of consultation requests in 2025, confirming a strong and ongoing need for information and training. 

Creating accessible physical spaces and structures remained an ongoing high priority. Notable progress this year included the Jackman Faculty of Law’s installation of several accessibility upgrades and the Vice-Provost, Strategic Enrolment Management and University Registrar’s updates to the 2012 classroom standards and design criteria using the Pedagogy-Space-Technology (PST) Framework. Mr. Poynton emphasized the importance of broad collaboration and consultation on such initiatives.

In conclusion, Mr. Poynton reported that the 2025-2030 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan was underway and would serve as a useful roadmap for the University in advancing accessibility and inclusivity. A key element of the Plan was to create an institutional Accessibility Advisory Committee that would oversee the implementation framework, ensuring timely delivery of projects. Members of the Committee would include persons with lived experience of disability.

Discussion

In response to a member’s question, Mr. Poynton explained that requests for ergonomic furniture could be submitted to Accessibility Services offices. Requests usually took about 2-4 weeks to fulfill from the request submission date. The member responded that 2-4 weeks seemed to be an excessive wait period. Mr. Poynton and Professor Welsh noted that considerable outreach and awareness campaigns took place every year, encouraging students to submit their accessibility requests before term start dates, to ensure that all accessibility services were put in place before classes begin.

In response to a member’ question about the reduction in ergonomic workspaces at Robarts Library’s Information Commons, Mr. Poynton informed the Board that recent and ongoing renovations had resulted in the addition of new ergonomic workspaces throughout the library on other floors.

In response to a member’s question, Mr. Poynton explained that the federated universities were independent for the purposes of AODA reporting, and so were not included in this Annual Report; however, he noted there was close collaboration among those institutions regarding services and best practices.

  1. Student Societies: Report on Financial Statements and Internal Auditors’ Opinions 

    Professor Welsh presented the Report for information. She noted this Report was an important accountability mechanism provided under the Policy for Compulsory Non-Academic Incidental Fees. Each year, these fees were collected by the University on behalf of student societies and then distributed to the societies to be used for their expenditures. The student societies were required to submit financial statements audited by a licensed accountant. Alternately, societies with fees under $30,000, and other revenue under $7,500 were eligible for an exemption from this requirement. Fees were withheld from societies that failed to submit financial statements until such time as the statements were received in good order. Professor Welsh noted that her office worked closely with societies to address any issues or inadequacies. The review of audited financial statements was conducted annually by the Office of the Vice-Provost, Students, with expert advice from the University’s Internal Audit Office.

    Since last year’s report, Professor Welsh’s office received all 2023-24 outstanding financial statements and exemption requests with the exception of the Association of Part-Time Undergraduate Students (APUS), Graduate House Council, Kinesiology and Physical Education Undergraduate Association, Master of Information Student Council, New College Residents Council, New College Residence Council, Nursing Undergraduates Society, Scarborough Campus Residence Council, UTM Athletic Council, and Woodsworth College Students Association. Professor Welsh stated that her office and the Internal Audit Office would continue to work with those student societies to resolve this issue. Professor Welsh noted that her Office provided training opportunities and assistance to student society leaders on financial management.

    Discussion

    In response to a member’s question, Professor Welsh confirmed that the University was currently withholding funds from APUS for the years for which financial statements had been outstanding. Regarding any risk to APUS’ ability to fund essential student services, such as health and dental insurance coverage, student societies could submit a request for interim funding and her office would then provide appropriate support.
  2. Compulsory Non-Academic Incidental Fees: Student Societies - Proposals for Fee Increases

    1. University of Toronto Mississauga

      Tim Fricker, Dean of Student Experience and Wellbeing, UTM presented this item for information which was approved through UTM governance processes. Dean Fricker noted that the primary rationale for the fee increases was to respond to inflationary increases to MiWay U-Pass fees.
       

    2. University of Toronto Scarborough

      Tim Tang, Dean of Student Experience and Wellbeing, UTSC presented this item for information which was approved through UTSC governance processes.
       
    3. St. George Campus

      Professor Welsh began by thanking student society leaders from across the tri-campus for providing excellent services and support to their members. She provided an overview of policy requirements, and the consultative and governance processes under which requests for student society fee increases were received. Professor Welsh noted that, this year, five St. George or University-wide student societies held referenda to charge new fees or to change the parameters of existing fees. She also noted that all fee increase proposals had been reviewed by her office for compliance before being presented to the Board for approval. She further noted that there were six fee decreases, which were included in the materials for the Board’s information; but for which approval was not required.

      On motion duly moved, seconded, and carried

      IT WAS RESOLVED,

      THAT, beginning in the Fall 2026 session, the Association of Part-time Undergraduate Students fee be modified as follows:  
      1. an increase of $0.12 per session in the Canadian Federation of Students portion of the fee. 

THAT, beginning in the Fall 2026 session, the Engineering Society fee be modified as follows:  

  1. an increase of $0.66 per fall and winter session in the society portion of the fee ($0.62 for part-time students); 
  2. the continuation of the Blue Sky Solar Racing Team portion of the fee through 2027-28 (full-time & part-time); 
  3. the continuation of, and a decrease of $0.12 per fall and winter session in, the Canadian Federation of Engineering Students portion of the fee through 2027-28 (full-time & part-time); 
  4. the continuation of the Human-Powered Vehicle Design Team portion of the fee through 2027-28 (full-time & part-time); 
  5. the continuation of, and an increase of $0.40 per fall and winter session in, the Robotics Association portion of the fee through 2027-28 (full-time & part-time); 
  6. the continuation of the Skule Endowment Fund portion of the fee through 2027-28 (full-time & part-time); 
  7. the continuation of the Skule Nite portion of the fee through 2027-28 (full-time & part-time); 
  8. the establishment of $0.60 per fall and winter session in the Spark Design Club portion of the fee through 2027-28 (full-time & part-time); and 
  9. the continuation of, and an increase of $0.50 per fall and winter session in, the Women in Science & Engineering portion of the fee through 2027-28 for full-time students. 

THAT, beginning in the Fall 2026 session, the Graduate Business Council’s fee be increased by $1.03 per fall and winter session for full-time students and $0.32 per fall and winter session for part-time students. 

THAT, beginning in the Fall 2026 session, the Innis College Student Society fee be modified as follows:  

  1. an increase of $0.61 per fall and winter session in the society portion of the fee; 
  2. an increase of $1.47 per fall and winter session in the Innis College Orientation portion of the fee; 
  3. the establishment of $3.00 per fall and winter session in the Innis Herald portion of the fee (full-time & part-time); and 
  4. an increase of $0.18 per fall and winter session in the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) Student Refugee Program portion of the fee. 

THAT, beginning in the Fall 2026 session, the Innis Residence Council’s fee be increased by $4.43 per fall and winter session. 

THAT, beginning in the Fall 2026 session, the Undergraduate Pharmacy Society fee be modified as follows:  

  1. an increase of $0.71 per fall and winter session in the society portion of the fee for Doctor of Pharmacy students in the three-year program; and 
  2. an increase of $0.53 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 2026 session, the University College Literary & Athletic Society fee be modified as follows:  

  1. an increase of $0.24 per session in the society portion of the fee ($0.08 for part-time students). 

THAT, beginning in the Fall 2026 session, the University of Toronto Graduate Students’ Union fee be modified as follows:  

  1. an increase of $0.79 per fall and winter session in the society portion of the fee ($0.39 per fall session and $0.40 per winter session for part-time students);  
  2. an increase of $0.03 per fall session and $0.04 per winter session in the Bikechain portion of the fee ($0.02 per fall session and $0.01 per winter session for part-time students);  
  3. an increase of $0.21 per fall and winter session in the Canadian Federation of Students portion of the fee ($0.11 per fall session and $0.10 per winter session for part-time students); 
  4. an increase of $0.07 per fall and winter session in the Centre for Social Justice - OPIRG portion of the fee ($0.04 per fall and $0.03 per winter session for part-time students); 
  5. the establishment of $4.00 per fall and winter session in the Food Equity & Education Drive portion of the fee ($2.00 for part-time students); and 
  6. an increase of $0.15 per fall session and $0.16 per winter session in the Regenesis portion of the fee ($0.08 per fall session and $0.07 per winter session for part-time students); and 
  7. an increase of $0.02 per fall and winter session in the Sexual Education Centre portion of the fee ($0.01 for part-time students); and 
  8. an increase of $0.50 per fall and winter session in the Students for Barrier-Free Access portion of the fee ($0.25 for part-time students). 

THAT, beginning in the Fall 2026 session, the University of Toronto Students’ Union (UTSU) fee be modified as follows:  

  1. an increase of $0.50 per session in the society portion of the fee; 
  2. an increase of $0.05 per session in the Bikechain portion of the fee; 
  3. an increase of $0.23 per session in the Canadian Federation of Students portion of the fee; 
  4. an increase of $0.04 per session in the Community Housing & Employment Support Services portion of the fee; 
  5. an increase of $0.08 per session in the Downtown Legal Services portion of the fee; 
  6. the establishment of $2.50 per session in the Faculty of Music Undergraduate Association portion of the fee; 
  7. an increase of $0.06 per session in the Regenesis portion of the fee; 
  8. an increase of $0.02 per session in the Sexual Education Centre portion of the fee; 
  9. an increase of $1.25 per session in the Student Aid Program portion of the fee; 
  10. an increase of $0.04 per session in the Student Refugee Program portion of the fee; and 
  11. an increase of $1.50 per session in the Students for Barrier-free Access portion of the fee. 

THAT, beginning in the Winter 2027 session, the UTSU fee be modified as follows:  

  1. an increase of $0.53 per session in the Student Commons Capital Levy portion of the fee; and 
  2. an increase of $1.05 per session in the Student Commons Operating Levy portion of the fee. 

THAT, beginning in the Fall 2026 session, The Varsity’s fee be increased by $0.02 per session for graduate students and $0.07 per session for undergraduate students.

  1. Compulsory Non-Academic Incidental Fees: SCSU UTSC Sports & Recreation Complex Levy - Proposal for Fee Increases 

    Dean Tang presented this item for information which was approved through UTSC governance processes. He noted that the fee increase was compliant with the framework of the levy, approved by student referendum in 2010, to be used for operations and capital upkeep of the UTSC Sports & Recreation Complex.

    Members had no questions.

  2. Compulsory Non-Academic Incidental Fees: UTM Association of Graduate Students (UTMAGS) - Proposal for Fee Increases

    Dean Fricker presented this item for information which was approved through UTM governance processes. He noted that the rationale for the fee increase was to respond to inflationary increases on the MiWay U-PASS fees.

    Members had no questions.

CONSENT AGENDA


On motion duly moved, seconded, and carried

IT WAS RESOLVED,

THAT the consent agenda be adopted and that Item 9, the Report of the Previous Meeting, be approved.

  1. Report of the Previous Meeting: Report Number 250 – March 5, 2026

    The report of the previous meeting was approved.
  2. Business Arising from the Report of the Previous Meeting

    There was no business arising from the report of the previous meeting.
  3. Date of Next Meeting – Wednesday, May 27, 2026, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.

    The Chair confirmed that the Board would next meet on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
  1. Other Business

    There was no other business.

The meeting adjourned at 5:40 p.m.

April 24, 2026