Report Number 234 Of The Committee Of Academic Policy & Programs
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
To the Academic Board,
University of Toronto,
Your Committee reports that it held a meeting on Tuesday, May 12 at 3:10 p.m. in the Council Chamber, Simcoe Hall with the following members present:
PRESENT: Walid Houry (Chair), Nicholas Rule (Vice-Provost, Academic Programs), Joshua Barker (Vice-Provost, Graduate Research & Education and Dean, School of Graduate Studies), Sheila Batacharya, Susan Bondy, Carol Chin, Shai Cohen, Giovanni Grasselli, Sandeep Gill*, Ania Harlick, Rita Kandel, Robert Kyle, Karen Reid, Rosa Saverino, Kimberly Seaman, Kevin Temple*
REGRETS: Robert Austin, Shakhriyor Bakhtiyorov, Jordan Bear, Pier Bryden, Dinesh Christendat, Robert Cooper, Eden Lavallee, Marcus Law, Anuradha Prakki, Sera Tulk
NON-VOTING ASSESSORS: Sinisa Markovic (Interim University Registrar)
SECRETARIAT: Lauren Turner (Secretary), Amanda Grant
IN ATTENDANCE: Adam Stinchcombe (Governor), Heather Boon (Vice-Provost, Faculty & Academic Life), Margarida Duarte (Vice-Dean, Undergraduate, UTM), Patricia Houston (Vice-Dean, Medical Education), Jessica Fields (Vice-Dean Faculty Affairs, Equity, & Success, UTSC), Katie Larson (Vice-Dean Teaching, Learning and Undergraduate Programs, UTSC), Dallas Boyer (Associate Registrar and Director of Student Services), Jennifer Francisco (Office of the Vice-Provost, Academic Programs), Emma del Junco (Office of the Vice-Provost, Academic Programs), Tamara Jones (Faculty of Arts & Science), Renu Kanga Fonseca (Registrar & Assistant Dean, Enrolment Management, UTM), Annette Knott (Office of the Vice-Provost, Academic Programs), Leslie Nickell (Physician Assistant Program Masters Lead, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Temerty Faculty of Medicine), Lachmi Singh (Office of the Vice-Provost, Academic Programs), Alexandra Varela (Office of the Vice-Provost, Academic Programs).
*attended remotely
OPEN SESSION
- Chair’s Remarks
The Chair welcomed members and guests to the meeting. - Reports of the Administrative Assessors
Professor Nick Rule, Vice-Provost, Academic Programs and Senior Assessor, provided an update on the cybersecurity incident involving Instructure, the parent company of Quercus. He noted that in response to the incident, which has impacted over 9,000 institutions, the University had suspended access to Quercus as a precaution. Professor Rule reported that the University was not aware of any other assets or systems being compromised by the incident and was working daily with Deans, Vice-Deans and Registrars to provide support.
Professor Rule acknowledged that the incident could be a genuine source of anxiety and encouraged staff, faculty and students to reach out to the supports available through the University. He stated that the administration would continue to provide updates when available.
In response to a member’s question about the plan for summer student training that requires Quercus, Professor Rule stated that the University’s first priority is to ensure eligibility for students graduating in June, but other concerns surrounding the usage of Quercus were known and would be addressed. - New Graduate Program Proposal: Master of Physician Assistant Studies, Temerty Faculty of Medicine
The Committee considered a proposal for a new Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) to be offered by the Institute of Medical Science, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, for recommendation.
The Chair welcomed Professor Patricia Houston, Vice-Dean Medical Education, Temerty Faculty of Medicine and Professor Leslie Nickell, Physician Assistant Program Masters Lead, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Temerty Faculty of Medicine to the meeting for this item.
Professor Rule introduced the proposal noting that Physician Assistants (PAs) play a critical role in Canada’s healthcare system and address key challenges. Professor Rule reported the program will be delivered in a hybrid format, combining online and in person courses with extensive clinical placements across Ontario. The MPAS represents a transition from Temerty’s existing Bachelor of Science Physician Assistant (BScPA) program to a professional master’s degree. The program will be physically located at UTSC as part of the Scarborough Academy of Medicine and Integrated Health (SAMIH).
Professor Rule invited Vice-Dean Houston to provide further information about the program. Vice-Dean Houston reported that the program would be offered by the Institute of Medical Science (IMS), Temerty Faculty of Medicine. The Institute of Medical Science is already a graduate unit for health science research and for a professional master’s program in biomedical communications. She reported that the program will be supported by IMS, the School of Graduate Studies and the Temerty Faculty of Medicine.
In response to a question from a member, Vice-Dean Houston reported that the clinical placements will primarily be in a hospital setting with two required rotations in Northern Ontario. She stated that the decision to move to UTSC was favourable because of the outreach available in the Scarborough community with hospital and community health networks.
Another member asked what will happen if the students’ research extended beyond the two years of the program. Vice-Dean Houston responded that there will be individual and group milestones that all students must reach over the course of the program. She acknowledged that in some cases students may not complete their research in this time and will not be penalized; however, they would be expected to reach the research milestones set out at the beginning of the program.
In response to a question, Professor Leslie Nickell reported that the intention is to eventually offer an advanced standing option in the program, available to graduates of the BScPA.
On a motion duly made, seconded and carried
YOUR COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED
THAT the proposed Master of Physician Assistant Studies, as described in the proposal from the Temerty Faculty of Medicine dated March 23, 2026 be approved effective September 1, 2027. - Amendments to the Policy on Academic Continuity
The Committee reviewed the recommendation to amend the policy on academic continuity. Professor Rule noted for the Committee that there was a minor editorial error with duplicate text which will be removed from the official version of the revised Policy.
Professor Rule reported that the University Administration and the University of Toronto Faculty Association (UFTA) had been in a mediation process since 2018 to discuss revisions to the Policy on Academic Continuity. He stated that the Policy provides a framework to guide the University in maintaining academic continuity when threatened by extraordinary circumstances, such as pandemics and labour disputes. The amendments do not alter the Policy’s intent or scope but enhance clarity regarding its application, including more precise definitions, decision-making criteria and communication expectations.
A member raised a question about resources available to instructors regarding this policy. Professor Rule responded that the Office of the Vice-Provost provides annual training to academic leaders and encourages them to share this with their divisions and that the Centre for Teaching Support and Innovation also conducts a number of workshops. He noted that the Office of the Vice-Provost will continue to review opportunities for sharing these resources more broadly.
In response to another question, Professor Rule clarified that the Provost and the Academic Board of the Governing Council have the authority to declare an academic disruption. Professor Rule also stated that these decisions would be made in strong consultation with academic leaders.
A member raised a question about the provision giving instructors the authority to make changes and raised concerns about how this would apply to professional such as engineering. Professor Rule responded that the policy is written this way because the instructor knows the content best but clarified that the instructor would not be acting without support from leadership and would not anticipate any changes to the content but rather the method of delivery.
On a motion duly made, seconded and carried
YOUR COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED
THAT the amendments to Policy on Academic Continuity, be approved, effective June 1, 2026. - Ontario Co-operative Education Tax Credit, Approved List of Programs, 2026-27
The Committee received and reviewed the proposed Ontario Co-operative Education Tax Credit: Approved List of Programs, 2026-27.
Professor Rule reported to the Committee that annual report identified programs that meet the tax credit criteria, noting that it is not an exhaustive list of all student placements. He highlighted 24 new programs have been added to the 2026-27 eligibility list. At the undergraduate level, this included 13 programs from the Faculty of Arts & Science and 9 from the University of Toronto Mississauga. The additions also included 2 programs at the graduate level, also from the Faculty of Arts & Science. He reported that the undergraduate additions reflect recent major modifications in both Arts & Science and at UTM that expand the breadth of work-integrated learning opportunities.
Members had no questions.
On a motion duly made, seconded and carried
IT WAS RESOLVED,
THAT the 2026-2027 List of University of Toronto Programs Eligible for the Ontario Co-operative Education Tax Credit, dated May 12, 2026, be approved. - Revised Divisional Teaching Guidelines for UTSC: Guidelines for the Assessment of Effectiveness of Teaching
The Committee reviewed the Guidelines for the Assessment of Effectiveness of Teaching being brought forward by the University of Toronto Scarborough for approval. Professor Nick Rule introduced Professor Heather Boon, Vice-Provost, Faculty & Academic Life, to report on the revisions.
Professor Boon reported that the Guidelines are essential to the evaluation of teaching as part of interim and tenure reviews, probationary and continuing status reviews, and promotions for all eligible faculty members. She reported that all faculty members undergoing academic reviews will be reviewed against the criteria set out in the Guidelines. Professor Boon then introduced Professor Jessica Fields, Vice-Dean, Faculty Affairs, Equity, and Success, UTSC, who led the revisions to the Guidelines.
Professor Fields reported to the Committee that the revisions were highly collaborative, involving townhall meetings on campus, consultation with the Chairs’ Council, and were also presented at the President’s Teaching Academy. She reported that the revision articulated how teaching effectiveness will be documented and assessed, noting explicit guidelines surrounding hybrid teaching and experiential learning. The revised guidelines also provide a strengthened commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, and an intention to incorporate diverse pedagogical perspectives.
In response to a member’s question, Professor Fields reported the anticipated review period for the Guidelines is eight years based on the previous revisions and noted that they would align with other University processes and reviews.
A member also asked if there would be faculty resources on how to create a successful teaching dossier. Professor Fields responded that the document would come with a set of resources that includes workshops and information on creating a successful dossier. Professor Boon added that the Centre for Teaching Support & Innovation also has resources and will be launching an interactive web interface for faculty.
In response to another question, Professor Boon informed the committee that the use of student evaluations will be used as one piece of information and in context with the other aspects outlined in the Guidelines. She stated that the student evaluations are an important tool for students to have a voice and did not want to eliminate this avenue for feedback, but that it will be taken into account with other areas in the Guidelines.
On a motion duly made, seconded and carried
IT WAS RESOLVED,
THAT the “Guidelines for the Assessment of Effectiveness of Teaching”, as described in the proposal from the University of Toronto dated March 2026, be approved effective immediately. - Academic Regulation Changes
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Changes to Undergraduate Academic Regulation: Return from Absence, UTM
The Committee reviewed the changes to the Undergraduate Academic Regulation: Return from Absence, brought forward from the University of Toronto Mississauga for approval.
Professor Rule reported that these changes align with similar changes previously approved for the Faculty of Arts & Science. The amendments improve clarity, transparency, and consistency in re-registration and re-application processes for students at the University of Toronto Mississauga.
Consultation occurred with the Faculty of Arts & Science, the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design, and the University of Toronto Scarborough.
On a motion duly made, seconded and carried
IT WAS RESOLVED,
THAT the proposed changes to University of Toronto Mississauga academic regulation, as described in the proposal dated April 9, 2026, be approved effective September 1, 2026.
- Changes to Undergraduate Academic Regulations, UTSC: Return from Absence
The Committee reviewed the changes to the Undergraduate Academic Regulation: Return from Absence brought forward from the University of Toronto Scarborough for approval.
Professor Rule introduced the changes, noting the intention for alignment across campuses. He reported to the Committee that the changes standardized the process for re-registration and re-application following an absence of at least 12 months. The changes establish clear pathways based on students’ academic standing and external study activity.
Consultation occurred with the Faculty of Arts & Science, the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design, and the University of Toronto Mississauga.
On a motion duly made, seconded and carried
IT WAS RESOLVED
THAT the proposed changes to University of Toronto Scarborough academic regulation, as described in the proposal dated April 9, 2026, be approved effective September 1, 2026.
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CONSENT AGENDA
On a motion duly moved, seconded, and carried
YOUR COMMITTEE APPROVED
THAT the consent agenda be adopted and that Item 11, the Report of the Previous Meeting, be approved.
- Annual Report: Certificates (For-Credit and Not-For-Credit), 2025-26
- Annual Report: Graduate Collaborative Specialization Reviews, 2025-26
- Annual Report: Major Modifications, 2025-26
- Report of the Previous Meeting: Report Number 233 – March 31, 2026
- Business Arising from the Report of the Previous Meeting
There was no business arising from the report of the previous meeting.
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Other Business
The Chair thanked members for their careful consideration of the many items that were brought to the Committee throughout the year. He thanked the Assessors (Nick Rule, Joshua Barker, Leah Cowen and Sinisa Markovic) and the Vice-Chair (Pier Bryden) for their dedication and hard work.
A commemorative chair was presented to Professor Walid Houry by the Secretariat with thanks for his dedication, exemplary service, and leadership as Vice-Chair 2024-2025 and Chair 2025-26.
The meeting adjourned at 4:31 p.m.
May 14, 2026