Report: Executive Committee - March 21, 2023

REPORT NUMBER 540 OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 2023

To the Governing Council,
University of Toronto.

Your Committee reports that it held a meeting in the Council Chamber, Simcoe Hall on Tuesday, February 7, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. with the following members present:

Janet Ecker (Chair), Anna Kennedy (Vice-Chair), Meric S. Gertler (President), David Bowden, Paul Huyer, Sarosh Jamal, Ernest W.N. Lam, Kikelomo Lawal, Jan K. Mahrt-Smith, Joanne McNamara, Lara Zink

Regrets: Shashi Kant, Dveeta Lal, Mark Lautens, Arman Rasekh

Non-Voting Member:
Sheree Drummond, Secretary of the Governing Council

Secretariat:
Anwar Kazimi, Joanne Chou

In Attendance:
Cheryl Regehr Vice-President and Provost and Member of the Governing Council
Scott Mabury, Vice-President, Operations and Real Estate Partnerships
Vikram Chadalawada, Chair, University Affairs Board and Member of the Governing Council
Sandra Hanington, Chair, Business Board and Member of the Governing Council
Douglas McDougall, Chair, Academic Board and Member of the Governing Council
Grace Westcott, Chair, UTSC Campus Council
Heather Boon, Acting Vice-President, People Strategy, Equity & Culture
Nadina Jamison, Chief Strategy Officer, Office of the President
Susan Mazza, Special Projects Officer, Office of the President

Pursuant to section 28 (e) and 38 of By-Law Number 2, consideration of items 14-17 took place in camera.

The meeting was held in Closed Session.
 

1. Chair’s Remarks
   
   The Chair welcomed members, Board and Council Chairs, and Vice-Presidents to the meeting and made brief introductory remarks.   
    
2. Report of the President
   
   The Chair invited the President to offer his report.

   Federal Updates
   
   The President began his report by noting that the federal budget would be released on March 28^th. The university has continued to advocate for increased investments in research funding, enhanced graduate support, and expedited visa processing for international students. In recent meetings with government officials, it was made clear that the government’s priority is to meet the challenge of growing Canada’s ‘clean economy’ and to support health care funding, while focusing on deficit reduction and inflation. 
   
   The President highlighted that the Report of the Advisory Panel on the Research Support System was recently submitted to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) and Health Canada. The Panel was launched in October 2022 to provide independent, expert advice on the structure and governance of the federal system supporting research and talent. The President noted that the need for greater coordination between the granting councils was a theme identified in the Report of the Fundamental Science Review in 2017. The Panel’s report made significant recommendations to improve support and investments for Canada’s research ecosystem, noting that Canada’s federal support for research was falling behind peer countries such as the USA, UK and Germany. The Report called for increasing funding levels for the Research Councils by 10 percent per year for five years, which was in line with U15’s recommendations. The Report also stated the importance of increasing funding for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to internationally competitive levels. A central recommendation was to create a new Canadian Knowledge and Science Foundation (CKSF) to support and encourage international, inter-disciplinary and mission-driven research in Canada. The CKSF would be designed to mobilize the research community quickly around cross-cutting or high-risk research projects.  It would also work with the Tri-Agencies to lessen the administrative burden placed on researchers and improve the granting agencies’ effectiveness, including by giving universities the ability to select their own Canada Research Chairs. The Report recommended an implementation timeline, beginning in 2023. The President concluded that the University would be reviewing the Report in full detail in the near future.
   
   The President reported that U of T had been awarded $2 million through the Canadian Biomedical Research Fund (CBRF) by the federal government for the establishment of the Canadian Hub for Health Intelligence and Innovation in Infectious Diseases (HI3). He noted that this was the first stage of funding, intended to designate major research hubs across the country. Led and anchored by the University of Toronto, HI3 is a collaborative, multi-disciplinary and multi-sector alliance of more than 80 partners and is one of five such hubs designated nationally. The HI3 hub would strengthen Canada’s ability to respond quickly, effectively, and equitably to future pandemics. He noted that the second stage of the CBRF funding process was launched in March 2023, and that U of T was well positioned to receive additional funding in this phase as well.
   
   The President stated that U of T had applied to the Canadian First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) to support its Acceleration Consortium. He explained that the Acceleration Consortium was an Institutional Strategic Initiative, and a global partnership of academia, industry, and government that will use artificial intelligence and robotics to accelerate the discovery of new materials and molecules needed for a sustainable future. The President highlighted that the proposal was for $200 million in funding, and that the decision would be announced soon.
   
   Provincial Updates
   
   The President remarked that the provincial Budget would be released on March 23^rd and noted that the government had extended the freeze on post-secondary tuition rates for domestic Ontario students for another year. The Province did allow institutions to increase the tuition fees for domestic out-of-province students by up to 5%. 
   
   The President also highlighted that the provincial government had announced the establishment of the Blue-Ribbon Panel, which would provide advice and recommendations to the government on the financial sustainability in the Post-Secondary Education Sector in Ontario, as well as advise on long-term tuition fee policies. The Panel would be chaired by Alan Harrison, the former Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic) at Queen's University, and special advisor to the Province regarding Laurentian University's return to financial sustainability.  Citing the government announcement, the President stated several principles that would guide the Panel’s work, including:

• Enhancing student experience and access
• Rewarding excellence and financial sustainability
• Improving labour market alignment
• Promoting economic growth and prosperity; and
• Keeping education affordable for lower and middle-income families.
  
  The President noted that the last bullet signaled a significant departure from the government’s previous approach, which had been a 10% tuition cut across the board. Over the coming months, the Panel would conduct research and consultations with key stakeholders, including U of T, and the University would ensure its priorities were well represented in these discussions.
  
  Municipal Updates
  
  The President commented that the City of Toronto would be holding a mayoral by-election soon and noted that Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie is currently serving as the de facto interim Mayor. He highlighted that Dr. McKelvie was a triple U of T graduate and former member of the UTSC Campus Council. The President concluded that he did not anticipate any disruption to U of T’s relationship with the City of Toronto, which remained strong at both the Council and staff levels.
  
  Tokyo
  
  The President then turned to reflect on his recent institutional trip to Tokyo, Japan. The President hosted an alumni reception, and remarked on the vibrant energy, engagement, and youthfulness of the attendees. He also met with the Canadian Ambassador to Japan, His Excellency Ian McKay.
  
  The President noted that the official purpose of the trip was to attend meetings of the U7+ Alliance, an international coalition of university leaders, aimed at advancing the role of universities in addressing the world’s most pressing challenges. He explained that U of T was a founding member of the Alliance and that he was privileged to serve as Chair of the U7+ Presidential Steering Committee. The inaugural meeting of the U7+ Alliance  was previously hosted by Sciences Po in Paris, France in 2019, with the support of French President Emmanuel Macron. The meeting in Tokyo was the first substantial in-person meeting since the pandemic and was hosted by Keio University. The theme of the meeting was Peace and Security, the same topic identified by Japan for the upcoming Group of Seven (G7) Summit, which would be hosted by Japan in Hiroshima in May 2023. At the U7+ Alliance meeting, leaders from more than 40 universities in 16 countries signed the Tokyo Statement on Peace and Security calling on G7 leaders to prioritize and advance peace and security, work collaboratively with universities, and support the role academia can play in fostering a more peaceful and secure world.  
  
  President Gertler highlighted that he was honored to present the U7+ Tokyo Statement on Peace and Security: Universities as Engines of Innovation for Peace and Security to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on behalf of the Alliance. He indicated that the U7+ members had also been working independently within each of the G7 countries to promote the objectives in the Statement in advance of the G7 Summit in May.
  
  In response to a member’s question about domestic out-of-province tuition fees and their impact on interprovincial student enrolment, the President noted that other provinces had been levying out-of-province differential fees for some time. He noted that, to date, this fee had not discouraged out-of-province applications, and that the university would continue to collect data to determine potential impacts over the long-term. The Provost added that there was a significant number of internationally based students with Canadian citizenship, and that other provinces had limited the ability of Ontario students to enter certain programs, such as Medicine. It was anticipated that domestic out-of-province demand could rise. 
  
  A member inquired as to when the provincial government’s Blue Ribbon Panel’s report would be released, and the President noted that the final report is expected in the summer of 2023.
  
  Lastly, a member inquired about the student composition figures for undergraduate and graduate out-of-province and international students in the Provostial budget report. The Provost responded that they were exploring different methodologies to report on out-of-province students, and that for international students, both undergraduate and graduate student enrollment were detailed in the report.
   

3. Item for Endorsement and Forwarding to the Governing Council

1. Tuition Fees and Budget
   
   The Committee received an overview from Professor Doug McDougall, Chair of the Academic Board, and from Ms Sandra Hanington, Chair of the Business Board on the discussion of this item at the meeting of their respective bodies. Both Boards had supported the recommendation to approve the Budget and Long-Range Budget Guidelines.
   1. Annual Report on Student Financial Support, 2021-22: Vice-Provost, Strategic Enrolment Management
      
      The Annual Report on Student Financial Support was provided to members for information.
      
       
   2. Tuition Fee Schedule for Publicly Funded Programs, 2023-24
      
      On a motion duly moved, seconded, and carried
      
      YOUR COMMITTEE APPROVED
      
      THAT the following recommendation be endorsed and forwarded to the Governing Council:
      
      THAT
      1. the 2023-24 tuition fees as described in Schedule 1 of the Tuition Fee Schedule for Publicly-Funded Programs 2023-24, be approved;
      2. the 2023-24 tuition fees as described in Schedule 2 of the Tuition Fee Schedule for Publicly-Funded Programs 2023-24, be approved;
         AND
      3. subject to the provisions in the Provincial Government’s Tuition Fee Framework, either Schedule 1 or Schedule 2 of the Tuition Fee Schedule for Publicly-Funded Programs 2023-24 be implemented.
         
         In response to members’ questions, the Provost added:
   • The tuition fees schedule did include out of province students living in Canada and students living elsewhere in the world that were Canadian Citizens.
   • Tuition was increased for out-of-province domestic students.
     
      
   3. Tuition Fee Schedule for Publicly Funded Programs, 2023-24
      
       

      On a motion duly moved, seconded, and carried,
      
      YOUR COMMITTEE APPROVED
      
      THAT the following recommendation be endorsed and forwarded to the Governing Council:
      
      THAT the Tuition Fee Schedule for Self-Funded Programs for 2023-24 be approved.  
      
      There was no discussion from members.
      
       

   4. Budget Report 2023-24 and Long Range Budget Guidelines 2023-24 to 2027-28
      
      On a motion duly moved, seconded, and carried,
      
      YOUR COMMITTEE APPROVED
      
      THAT the following recommendations be endorsed and forwarded to the Governing Council:
      
      THAT the Budget Report 2023-24 be approved, and 
      
      THAT the Long-Range Budget Guidelines 2023-24 to 2027-28 be approved in principle.
       

      In response to a member’s question, Professor Scott Mabury, Vice-President, Operations and Real Estate Partnerships & Vice-Provost, Academic Operations added:

   • As a best practice, the operating reserves were between 5-10% of the budget.
   • Clarity around the financial activity of the University, the different types of fund groups, and the management of the financial activity reported in each fund groups 

4. Items for Confirmation
   1. Capital Project (Level 2): OISE Roof Community Garden & Indigenous Education Network (IEN) Social, Cultural Practice Space - Project Scope and Sources of Funding
      
      Professor Scott Mabury introduced the OISE Roof Community Garden & Indigenous Education Network (IEN) project, noting that it was a community gathering place intended to offer an outdoor amenity space to faculty, staff and students. He provided an overview of the benefits of the project, which included the creation of a healthier study and work environment, sustainable design approach, and creating meaningful spaces for various Indigenous practices.
      
      The Committee received an overview from Professor Doug McDougall, Chair of the Academic Board on the discussion of this item, reporting on issues such as accessibility, maintenance and protection methods for migrating birds.
      
      In response to a member’s question about current occupancy, Professor Mabury noted that students were occupying the space, that the project was a designated attraction, and the planned operational occupancy was scheduled for July 2024.
      
      On a motion duly moved, seconded, and carried
      
      YOUR COMMITTEE CONFIRMED
      
      THAT the project scope of the OISE Roof Community Garden & Indigenous Education Network (IEN) Social, Cultural Practice Space as identified in the  Report of the Project Planning Committee for University of Toronto OISE Roof Community Garden & Indigenous Education Network (IEN) Social, Cultural Practice Space, dated December 13, 2022, be approved in principle; and,
      
      THAT the project totaling 108 net assignable square metres (nasm) and 1,150 square metres (sm) of outdoor terrace space, be approved in principle, to be funded by the OISE Future Major Capital Project Reserves.

CONSENT AGENDA
 

On motion duly moved, seconded, and carried

YOUR COMMITTEE RESOLVED

THAT the consent agenda be adopted and that Items 5 (a) to (f) be confirmed and Item 6 and 7 be approved.
 

5. Items for Confirmation
   1. Compulsory Non-Academic Incidental Fees - Student Society Fees: UTM Student Society Proposals for Fee Increases for 2022-23
      
      On a motion duly moved, seconded, and carried,
      
      YOUR COMMITTEE CONFIRMED
      
      THAT, beginning in the Summer 2022 session, the University of Toronto Mississauga Student Union (UTMSU; legally, the Erindale College Student Union) fee be modified as follows: (a) an increase of $9.16 per Summer session (full-time and part-time) in the Mississauga Transit U-Pass portion of the fee;  
      
      THAT, beginning in the Fall 2022 session, the UTMSU fee be modified as follows: (a) an increase of $1.85 per session ($0.06 part-time) in the society portion of the fee, (b) an increase of up to $10.21 per Fall and Winter sessions (full-time only) in the Health Plan portion of the fee, (c) an increase of up to $8.53 per Fall and Winter sessions (full-time only) in the Dental Plan portion of the fee, (d) an increase of $6.89 per Fall and Winter sessions (full-time and part-time) in the Mississauga Transit U-Pass portion of the fee, (e) an increase of $0.06 per session (full-time and part-time) in the Academic Societies portion of the fee, (f) an increase of $0.41 per session (full-time only) in the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS) portion of the fee, (g) an increase of $0.06 per session (full-time only) in the Downtown Legal Services portion of the fee, (h) an increase of $0.03 per session (full-time and part-time) in the Food Bank portion of the fee, (i) an increase of $0.03 per session (full-time and part-time) in the On-Campus First Aid Emergency Response portion of the fee, and (j) an increase of $0.10 per Fall and Winter sessions ($0.06 part-time) and $0.04 per Summer session (full-time only) in the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) Levy portion of the fee; and 
      
      THAT, beginning in the Fall 2022 session, the UTMSU fee charged to Mississauga Academy of Medicine (MAM) students in the Fall and Winter sessions be increased as follows: (a) an increase of $4.11 per Fall and Winter sessions in the Mississauga Transit Summer U-Pass portion of the fee. 
      
      If approved, the total Fall/Winter UTMSU fee will be up to $425.58 per session ($157.94 part-time), charged to all UTM undergraduate students. The total Fall/Winter UTMSU fee for MAM students will be up to $519.45 per session. 
      
      If approved, the total Fall/Winter UTMSU fee will be up to $425.58 per session ($157.94 part-time), charged to all UTM undergraduate students. The total Fall/Winter UTMSU fee for MAM students will be up to $519.45 per session. 
      
       
   2. Operating Plans and Fees: UTM Student Affairs and Services for 2022-23
      
      On a motion duly moved, seconded, and carried,
      
      YOUR COMMITTEE CONFIRMED
      
      THAT the 2022-23 operating plans and budgets for the UTM Health & Counselling Centre; the UTM Department of Recreation, Athletics & Wellness; and the UTM Student Services under the Student Services Fee, recommended by the Dean of Student Affairs, Mark Overton, and described in the attached proposals, be approved; and 
      
      THAT the sessional Health Services Fee for a UTM-registered or UTM-affiliated full-time student be unchanged at $60.15 per session ($12.03 for a part-time student), and 
      
      THAT the sessional Athletics & Recreation Fee for a UTM-registered or UTM-affiliated full-time student be unchanged at $205.88 per session ($41.18 for a part-time student), and 
      
      THAT the sessional Student Services Fee for a UTM-registered or UTM-affiliated full-time student be increased to $214.67 per session ($42.93 for a part-time student), which represents a year-over-year increase of $4.31 per session ($0.86 for a part-time student) or 2%. 
      
       
   3. Operating Plans: UTM Service Ancillaries
      
      On a motion duly moved, seconded, and carried,
      
      YOUR COMMITTEE CONFIRMED
      
      THAT, the proposed 2022-23 Operating Plans and Budgets for the UTM Service Ancillaries, as summarized in Schedule 1, the service ancillary capital budgets as summarized in Schedule 5, and the rates and fees in Schedule 6, as recommended by Susan Senese, Interim Chief Administrative Officer, in the proposal dated December 3, 2021, be approved, effective May 1, 2022. 
      
       
   4. Compulsory Non-Academic Incidental Fees - Student Society Fees: UTSC Student Society Proposals for Fee Increases
      
       

      On motion duly moved, seconded, and carried
      
      YOUR COMMITTEE CONFIRMED
      
      THAT, beginning in the Summer 2022 session, the Scarborough Campus Students’ Union (SCSU) fee be modified as follows: (a) an increase of $7.37 per session ($1.48 part-time) in the UTSC Sports & Recreation Complex Levy portion of the fee;
      
      THAT, beginning in the Fall 2022 session, the SCSU fee be modified as follows: (a) an increase of $1.45 per session ($0.09 part-time) in the society portion of the fee, (b) an increase of $2.17 per session ($0.65 part-time) in the Student Centre portion of the fee, (c) an increase of $0.40 per session (full-time only) in the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS) portion of the fee, and (d) continuation of the WUSC Program portion of the fee through the 2022-23 academic period; and subject to confirmation of approval of the following fee change proposals by the SCSU Board of Directors,
      
      THAT, beginning in the Fall 2022 session, the SCSU fee be modified as follows: (a) an increase of up to $8.56 per Fall and Winter sessions (full-time only) in the Health Plan portion of the fee, (b) an increase of up to $11.44 per Fall and Winter sessions (full-time only) in the Dental Plan portion of the fee.
      
      If approved, the total Fall/Winter SCSU fee will be up to $499.93 per session ($53.62 part-time), charged to all UTSC undergraduate students. 
      
       

   5. Operating Plans and Fees: UTSC Office of Student Experience and Wellbeing
      
       

      On motion duly moved, seconded, and carried,
      
      YOUR COMMITTEE CONFIRMED
      
      THAT, the 2022-23 operating plans and budgets for the UTSC Student Experience and Wellbeing (including the Health & Wellness Centre, Athletics & Recreation, Career Services, Academic Support, Student Buildings and Other Student Services), as presented in the documentation from Mr. Desmond Pouyat, Dean of Student Experience and Wellbeing, be approved; and
      
      THAT, the sessional Health & Wellness Service Fee for a UTSC-registered or UTSC- affiliated full-time student be increased to $79.35 per full-time student per session ($15.87 per part-time student per session); which represents a year over year increase of 2.12% ($1.65 for full-time student; $0.33 for part-time student);
      
      THAT, the sessional Athletics and Recreation Fee for a UTSC-registered or UTSC- affiliated full-time student be decreased to $144.51 per full-time student per session ($28.90 per part-time student per session); which represents a year over year decrease of 1.89% ($2.78 for full-time student; $0.56 for part-time student);
      
      THAT, the sessional Career Services Fee for a UTSC-registered or UTSC- affiliated full-time student be increased to $90.64 per full-time student per session ($18.13 per part-time student per session); which represents a year over year increase of 1.71% ($1.52 for full-time student; $0.31 for part-time student);
      
      THAT, the sessional Academic Support Fee for a UTSC-registered or UTSC- affiliated full-time student be decreased to $53.45 per full-time student per session ($10.69 per part-time student per session); which represents a year over year decrease of 0.21% ($0.11 for full-time student; $0.02 for part-time student);
      
      THAT, the sessional Student Buildings Fee for a UTSC-registered or UTSC- affiliated full-time student be decreased to $32.42 per full-time student per session ($6.48 per part-time student per session); which represents a year over year decrease of 6.35% ($2.20 for full-time student; $0.44 for part-time student);
      
      THAT, the sessional Other Student Services Fee for a UTSC-registered or UTSC- affiliated full-time student be increased to $20.35 per full-time student per session ($4.07 per part-time student per session); which represents a year over year increase of 0.64% ($0.13 for full-time student; $0.03 for part-time student).
      
       

   6. Operating Plans: UTSC Service Ancillaries
       

      On motion duly moved, seconded, and carried,
      
      YOUR COMMITTEE CONFIRMED
      
      THAT the 2022-23 operating plans and budgets for the UTSC Service Ancillaries, as summarized in Schedule 1; the Service Ancillary capital budgets as summarized in Schedule 5; and the rates and fees in Schedule 6, as presented in the Service Ancillary Report on Operating Plans dated January 4, 2022, be approved effective May 1, 2022.
       

6. Revised By-Law Number 1 for the University of Toronto Press Corporation 
   
   Revised By-Law Number 1 for the University of Toronto Press Corporation was approved.
    
7. Report of the Previous Meeting of the Executive Committee
   
   Report Number 528 from the meeting of February 7, 2022 was approved.
    
8. Business Arising from the Report of the Previous Meeting
   
   There was no business arising from the minutes of the previous meetings.
    
9. Minutes of the Governing Council Meeting – February 15, 2023
   
   Members received the Minutes of the February 15, 2023 Governing Council meeting for information.
    
10. Business Arising from the Minutes of the Governing Council Meeting
    
    There was no business arising from the minutes of the Governing Council meeting.

11. Reports for Information:
    
    Members received the following Reports for information:

1. Report Number 58 of the University of Toronto Mississauga Campus Council (March 7, 2023)
2. Report Number 57 of the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus Council (March 8, 2023)
3. Report Number 233 of the University Affairs Board (March 1, 2023)
4. Report Number 244 of the Academic Board (March 9, 2023)
5. Report Number 270 of the Business Board (March 15, 2023)

END OF CONSENT AGENDA

12. Date of Next Meeting
    
    The Chair advised members that the next meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, May 9, 2023 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
     
13. Other Business
    1. Governing Council Meeting – March 30, 2023
       
       The Committee reviewed the agenda for the meeting of the Governing Council on March 30, 2023.  
       
       In response to a member’s question about UTSC ancillary report’s parking fees and total operating costs of the parking structure, Professor Mabury explained that parking requirements for the UTSC campus were mandated by by-laws and that the goal was to rebuild reserves, post-COVID. He noted that UTSC had successfully managed to increase the number of returning parkers with a decreasing number of parking spaces following the COVID-years. He outlined the ancillary management plans and cost recovery, and explained the budget model, maintenance and capital reserves.
       
       The Committee Moved In Camera.

IN CAMERA SESSION
 

14. Report of an Ad Hoc Committee for a Capital Project
    
    Members received a Report of an Ad Hoc Committee for Capital Projects for information.
     
15. Item for Confirmation

1. Capital Project (Level 2): Report of the Project Planning Committee for the OISE Roof Community Garden & Indigenous Education Network (IEN) Social, Cultural Practice Space –Total Project Cost and Sources of Funding+  
    

   On motion duly moved, seconded, and carried
   
   YOUR COMMITTEE APPROVED
   
   THAT the following recommendation be endorsed and forwarded to the Governing Council:
   
   THAT the total project cost of the Scarborough Academy of Medicine and Integrated Health (SAMIH) as described in the Report of the Project Planning Committee for the Scarborough Academy of Medicine and Integrated Health (SAMIH) at the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC) dated November 17, 2022 be approved in principle.