Report Number 74 Of The Utsc Campus Council
Monday, May 25, 2026
To the Governing Council,
University of Toronto,
Your Campus Council reports that it held a meeting in the UTSC Council Chamber, Arts & Administration Building on May 25, 2026 with the following members present:
PRESENT: Grace Westcott (Chair), Aarthi Ashok (Vice-Chair), Alison Mountz (Acting for the Vice-President & Principal), Syed Ahmed, Daniel Bowyer, Jason Glover, Brian Harrington, Paul Huyer, Mariana Jardim, Imran Khan, Elaine Khoo, Gillian Mason, Faith Opoku Agyemang, Silma Roddau, Rachel Sturge*, Dorinda So, Hoorik Yeghiazarian
*Remote attendance
REGRETS: Linda Johnston (Vice-President & Principal), Sharleen Ahmed, Irmi Huftless, Mandy Liao, Sonja Nikkila, Anisa Persaud, Shennel Simpson,
NON-VOTING ASSESSORS: Tim Tang (Dean of Student Experience & Wellbeing), Andrew Arifuzzaman (Chief Administrative Officer)
SECRETARIAT: Miranda Edwards (Secretary), Amanda Grant (Governance Coordinator)
IN ATTENDANCE: Ms Lisa Fenton-Lemon (Executive Director, Development & Alumni Relations)
OPEN SESSION
- Chair’s Remarks
The Chair welcomed members and guests to the cycle 5 meeting of the Campus Council. She noted it was the Council’s last meeting of the year and also her last as Chair. She thanked assessors and their staff, presenters, Vice-Chair Professor Aarthi Ashok, Council Secretary Miranda Edwards, and Governance Coordinator Amanda Grant, for their hard work throughout the past year.
The Chair also noted that Professor Ashok would be assuming the role of Chair for the 2026-27 governance year and wished her the best of luck in this role, telling Council members that they would be in good hands under Professor Ashok’s leadership.
The Chair reflected on her past six years as Chair and Vice-Chair of the Council, noting her enjoyment and appreciation of the experience. The Council Secretary delivered remarks and a gift of appreciation on behalf of Council members. A round of applause was given for the Chair. - Report of the Vice-President and Principal
Professor Alison Mountz, Vice-President Research & Innovation delivered remarks on behalf of the Vice-President and Principal. She began by thanking the Chair for her six years of service and leadership and stated how much the Council would miss her presence next year.
Professor Mountz noted that it was the start of convocation season and congratulated UTSC’s new graduates. She also noted that, earlier that day, Council members took part in the official opening of Indigenous House, a truly meaningful moment in campus life and the start of a new chapter. She thanked all those whose vision and dedication brought the space to life after many years of hard work.
Members had no questions. - Annual Report: Development & Alumni Relations Office
Ms Lisa Fenton-Lemon, Executive Director of Development & Alumni Relations delivered this report for information. She told members that her office’s two principal goals continued to be:- the generation of philanthropic revenue for the advancement of campus priorities and
- to engage UTSC’s more than 70,000 alumni in a lifelong relationship with campus.
As part of the University-wide $4 billion “Defy Gravity” campaign, UTSC had a goal to raise $75 million by 2029 and has raised $82 million so far, positioning the campus far ahead of schedule and beyond target.
The Office’s priorities included people-centred storytelling, prioritizing representation, engaging stakeholders, showcasing campus impact, capturing the ethos of the UTSC community, spotlighting sustained giving, and celebrating donors. Ms Fenton Lemon noted her Office strove to encourage modest donations, emphasizing to donors the cumulative impact of many alumni giving small donations as low as $25. One such example was a recent success story where over 3,800 donors contributed to establish a $3 million Chair in Tamil studies. Ms Fenton Lemon further noted the annual UTSC Alumni Awards, an event which celebrates outstanding graduates and donors, highlighting their individual stories and impacts for the campus and the broader community.
Members had no questions.
- Closure of the Centre for Planetary Sciences as an Extra-Departmental Unit C (EDU:C) at the University of Toronto Scarborough
Professor Thy Phu, Acting Vice-Dean, Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies, UTSC presented a proposal to permanently close the Centre for Planetary Sciences (CPS). The CPS was established in 2013 as a cross-departmental, tri-campus research hub in planetary sciences. Initially, it brought together 18 faculty members with the goal of fostering collaborative research and enhanced visibility of the discipline.
The proposed closure was based on the following key considerations:- The absence of identifiable administrative, academic, or outreach activities since 2019;
- A lack of active governance or administrative oversight;
- The existence of other units in the University that had the same mission as the Centre; and
- The Centre no longer met the University’s Guidelines for Extra-Departmental Units, which require active programming, clear governance structures, and demonstrable outcomes.
The closure was expected to have minimal impact on stakeholders. There was currently no active teaching, learning or research activities taking place and no staff or administrative roles would require reassignment.
A member inquired if this closure was indicative of a broader trend in the field of astronomy. Professor Phu responded that she was not an expert in the field but noted there were strong astronomy programs elsewhere in the University. This closure was a result of the University ensuring that programs were active for sustained periods of time and might also be indicative that faculty energy and focus had diverted to other outlets.
On motion duly moved, seconded, and carried
IT WAS RESOLVED,
Subject to confirmation by the Executive Committee,
THAT the Centre for Planetary Sciences, an Extra-Departmental Unit C (EDU:C) at the University of Toronto Scarborough, as described in the attached proposal, be closed effective June 30, 2026.
- Capital Project (Level 3): Report of the Project Planning Committee for the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC) Field House – Project Scope and Sources of Funding
Mr. Andrew Arifuzzaman, Chief Administrative Officer, presented the Report of the Project Planning Committee for the UTSC Field House project. He informed members that Field House would be an indoor sport facility for field sports such as cricket and soccer, as well providing recreation rooms, administrative offices, student society spaces, locker rooms, and rentable spaces for student groups and private groups.
Field House would be funded by the existing UTSC Athletic Centre Facility Levy. This levy was established in 2010 following approval via a student referendum. The referendum approved the levy to cover the operational and maintenance costs of the Toronto PanAm Sports Centre (TPASC). Within the referendum question, there was a provision that would allow any excess funding to be used to support other campus sport infrastructure.
Since the time of the referendum in 2010, the UTSC student body grew by about 50% (from 10,000 to 15,000 students. In addition to increased demand for sporting facilities, there was currently no grass field in TPASC, meaning that students either could not play field sports in winter or had to use non-regulation equipment in order to play on TPASC’s hard floors. TPASC was also a shared facility with the City of Toronto and availability had been an issue. Field House would be exclusive to UTSC, with spaces rented out to private groups only as capacity would allow.
Mr. Arifuzzaman described the design-build approach being used in the planning process and highlighted some of the notable design innovations. He also told members that the energy consumption of the building, and associated costs, were expected to be low, as the building’s internal temperature would be kept cool to be comfortable for individuals taking part in athletics. Completion was expected for May 2029 but with hopes that this might be expedited.
A member noted the prime location of the proposed building as it would be near the new Parking Commons.
In response to a member’s question, Mr. Arifuzzaman confirmed that students from all three campuses would have access to the facility.
In response to a member’s question, Mr. Arifuzzaman confirmed that no student tuition would be used towards this project and it would be entirely funded by the levy. Tim Tang, Dean of Student Experience & Wellbeing noted that, as the student population continued to grow, the revenue base of the levy would increase and be used towards the facility’s future operating costs.
In response to a question about the building’s environmental footprint and low energy consumption, Mr. Arifuzzaman confirmed his office was in discussions with the City of Toronto regarding temperature regulations and projected that City approval to keep the temperature in the building low would reduce the building’s carbon footprint by approximately 40%.
In response to a member’s question, Mr. Arifuzzaman confirmed that the outdoor sports fields adjacent to the proposed facility would also remain available for programming after construction.
On motion duly moved, seconded, and carriedIT WAS RECOMMENDED,
THAT the project scope of the UTSC Field House, as identified in the Report of the Project Planning Committee for UTSC Field House, dated April 10, 2026, totaling 7,194 gross square metres (6,332 net assignable square metres), be approved in principle to be funded through the UTSC Athletic Centre Facility Levy. - Compulsory Non-Academic Incidental Fees – UTSC Student Society Fees, Proposal for Increases
Tim Tang, Dean of Student Experience & Wellbeing, presented a proposal to increase the student society fee for the WUSC Student Refugee Program. The fee was used to support refugees to attend UTSC as students. The program was delivered through the International Student Centre and funds were used to cover tuition, living expenses, and other transition needs.
The proposed fee increase was approved via student referendum held in March 2026 and the process was reviewed and confirmed by the Office of the Vice-Provost, Students in compliance with University policies. There was no financial implication for the University as the program would be funded through the student society fee.
Members had no questions.
On motion duly moved, seconded, and carried
IT WAS RESOLVED,
Subject to confirmation by the Executive Committee,
THAT, beginning in the Fall 2026 session, the Scarborough Campus Students’ Union fee be modified as follows: The continuation of, and an increase of $1.75 per session ($0.50 for part-time students) in the WUSC Student Refugee Program portion of the fee. - Reports of the Presidential Assessors
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Tim Tang, Dean, Student Experience & Wellbeing
Dean Tang reported that his office was meeting with the newly elected leadership of SCSU and that a close collaborative relationship was a high priority. He also reported to members that the annual UTSC Letter Awards would take place on June 21st , an event honouring significant contributions by students to campus life. This year, his office received over 350 nominations and would bestow 21 awards.
In response to a member’s question, Dean Tang confirmed that the number of nominations was increasing and was the highest it had been for many years.
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Andrew Arifuzzaman, Chief Administrative Officer
Mr. Arifuzzaman reported that his office was now down to managing only two active capital projects under construction on campus. The work on the Parking Commons continued on schedule. SAMIH was currently undergoing finishing work with an estimated completion in the first week of July 2026. Mr. Arifuzzaman said he expected all campus roads to be re-opened by September.
The Campus Farm continued to be an active site for learning and research. Next year, the campus planned to install electrical power on the farm and also had other future site enhancements in planning phases.
Regarding transit, his office was continuing to work with the City on implementing a public transit connection between campus and the Toronto Zoo. His office was also working with the City on working to re-establish the 905 Kingston Road express bus from Kennedy Station to campus, a service which the City had recently cancelled without consulting the University.
In conclusion, Mr. Arifuzzaman told members that he had been asked to extend the thanks of the Highland Creek Community Association to the Council for its work in enhancing local community life and its work in community engagement.
A member asked about the visible cracks near the stairwell in SAMIH. Mr. Arifuzzaman noted that the building was in the settling phase but he was working with the contractors, EllisDon, to monitor and address it.
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CONSENT AGENDA
On motion duly moved, seconded, and carried
IT WAS APPROVED
THAT the consent agenda be adopted and that Item 8 be approved.
- UTSC Capital Projects Report dated March 31, 2026
The Council received the report for information. - Report of the Previous Meeting: Report Number 73 – April 14, 2026
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. -
Reports for Information
The following reports were received for information:-
Report Number 74 of the UTSC Agenda Committee (May 12, 2026)
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Report Number 84 of the UTSC Academic Affairs Committee (April 29, 2026)
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Report Number 68 of the UTSC Campus Affairs Committee (April 28, 2026)
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END OF CONSENT AGENDA
- Date of Next Meeting – Wednesday, October 7, 2026, 4:10-6:10 p.m.
The Chair confirmed that the next meeting would take place on Wednesday, October 7, 2026. - Question Period
Members had no questions. -
Other Business
There was no other business.
IN CAMERA SESSION
- Capital Project: Report of the Project Planning Committee for the UTSC Field House – Total Project Cost and Sources of Funding
On motion duly moved, seconded, and carried
IT WAS RECOMMENDED,
THAT the recommendation of the UTSC Chief Administrative Officer, as outlined in the memorandum dated April 10, 2026, regarding the Total Project Cost and Sources of Funding for the University of Toronto Scarborough Field House, be approved in principle. - Appointments: UTSC Campus Council Standing Committees, 2026-27
On motion duly moved, seconded, and carried
IT WAS RESOLVED,
THAT the 2026-27 UTSC Campus Council Standing Committees assignments recommended by the UTSC Nominating Committee, be approved, effective July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.
The meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
June 8, 2026