COLLEGE OF ELECTORS
Minutes of the College of Electors virtual meeting held on Monday, October 4, 2021 at 5:00 p.m.
Present:
Candice Jay, (UTAA) (Chair), Jennifer Dolman (University College) (Vice-Chair), Jehane Adam (New College), Judy Beamish (Medicine), Leslie A. Boehm (DLSPH), Dr. George Buldo (Medicine), Arun Channan (Engineering), Doris Chee (FALD), Vidia Dhanraj (New College), Ernesto Diaz Lozano Patiño (Engineering), Demetra Dimokopoulos (UTM), Imre Gams (UTM), Chris Girard (University College), Shauna Gundy (Trinity College), Evie Jesin (Dentistry), Nakia Lee-Foon (Victoria College), Eve Leung (Information), John Paul (JP) Lotesto (UTM), Dr. Sofya Malik (OISE), Douglas Moggach (St. Michael’s College), Judy Newman (Social Work), Nick Pantaleo (St. Michael’s College), David Plant (Trinity College), Dr. Joy Richards (Nursing), Dr. Sheila Ritcey (PT/OT), Larissa Rodo (Engineering), Dr. Cindy Sinclair (OISE),), Matthew Stodolak (OISE), Mark Surchin (Law), Stephen Tardif (St. Michael’s College), Harlan E. Tufford (Woodsworth College), Dr. Gina Valle (OISE), Tom Woods (Engineering), Theresa Wright (Innis College)
Regrets:
Daniel J. Correia (KPE), Althea Fernandes (UTSC), Cynthia Elson (Victoria College), Julia Prato (UTSC), Erin Rud-Thompson (Woodsworth College), Sitharsana Srithas (UTSC), Lisa Taillefer (Victoria College), Robin Whiffen (Music)
Secretariat:
Patrick McNeill, Secretary, College of Electors
Guest:
Barbara Dick, Assistant Vice-President, Alumni Relations
- Chair’s Remarks and Orientation
The Chair welcomed members and guests, including the former COE Chair, Mr. Corwin Cambray, to the first College of Electors meeting (held as a virtual meeting) for 2021-2022 and invited introductions for the new Executive Committee.
Recognition of Former Chair, Corwin L. Cambray
The Chair expressed appreciation to Corwin L. Cambray for his outstanding service during his tenure as Chair of the College (2018-2021).
Ms Jay thanked Mr. Cambray on behalf of the College. Mr. McNeill presented him with a chair with a plaque which read:
“Presented to Corwin L. Cambray in recognition of exemplary service and
leadership as Chair of the College of Electors 2018-2021.”
Mr. Cambray stated that the time on the College had been tremendously rewarding and that it was his honor to serve. He thanked members for their support; members applauded Mr. Cambray by show of virtual hands.
Orientation
A three-part orientation was provided for members. Patrick McNeill, Assistant Secretary of the Governing Council, spoke about governance at the University and the role of the College within University governance; Barbara Dick, Assistant Vice-President, Alumni Relations, provided an overview of alumni relations at the University, including alumni engagement activities; the Chair and Vice-Chair outlined the specific functions of the College and the milestones for the coming year.
The Chair emphasized that each member of the College played an important role in governance throughout the year. The College represented all University alumni, not just constituent alumni, and it was responsible for considering the needs of the entire University. The Chair also stated that members were responsible for contributing to an increased awareness within the University community of the College, the Governing Council, and the work of alumni members of the Governing Council. Members were encouraged to provide regular updates about the work of the College to their constituent alumni associations. Ms Jay stated that members would receive an information package from the Secretary regarding the Divisional University Association (DUA) contacts and other details regarding the promotion of the pending call for nomination.
The Chair noted that at the next meeting, the Chair of the Governing Council, the President of the University of Toronto, and the President of the University of Toronto Alumni Association would address the College regarding the attributes being sought for the three (3) Alumni Governor seats that the College would elect in 2022.
On behalf of the College, the Chair thanked Mr. McNeill and Ms Dick for their presentations.
- Call for Nominations for the 2020-2021 Nominating Committee for Alumni Governors
The Chair explained that one of the College’s standing committees was the Nominating Committee for Alumni Governors (NC-AG), which comprised of the five members of the Executive Committee and three members elected annually by and from among the College. The functions of the NC-AG included the assessment of potential alumni governors relative to existing or projected needs within governance, in consultation with the College; interviewing the candidates; and providing the College with a list and report of recommended candidates for election under the provisions of the College’s Constitution.
The Chair stated that nominations from interested members would be accepted until Wednesday, October 13, 2021. She invited members to nominate themselves or another member for one of the three seats on the Committee. The Executive Committee would review the nominations and prepare a recommended slate for the College, to be considered at the November 2nd meeting.
Several former members of the NC-AG recounted their positive experience of having served on the Committee.
- Minutes of the Previous Meeting – May 17, 2021
On a motion duly moved, seconded and carried
The minutes of the meeting of May 17, 2021were approved.
- Business Arising from the Minutes of the Previous Meeting
There was no business arising from the minutes of the previous meeting.
- College of Electors – Schedule of Meetings 2021-2022
Members received the 2021-2022 meeting schedule for information.
- Date of Next Meeting
The Chair reminded members that the next meeting would be held on Tuesday, November 2, 2021, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
- Other Business
Governing Council Calendar of Business
Members were encouraged to attend at least one meeting of the Governing Council and its Boards and Committees, including Campus Councils. The Chair noted that the entire calendar of business was posted on the GC website and was updated every Friday. Members could sign up to receive an electronic notice of meeting and related agenda materials for any meeting of the Governing Council or one of its bodies using the online request form or could contact the Secretary. The next Governing Council meeting would be held on Thursday, October 28, 2021 at 4:30 p.m. – the meeting would be live webcast.
The meeting adjourned at 6:23 p.m.
October 10, 2021