Report: Executive Committee - December 05, 2023 | The Office of the Governing Council, Secretariat

Tue, Dec 5 2023 at 5:00 pm - 6:15 pm

Chairs' Boardroom, Simcoe Hall

REPORT NUMBER 546 OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2023

To the Governing Council,
University of Toronto,

Your Executive Committee reports that it held a meeting in the Chairs’ Boardroom, second floor on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, with the following members present:

PRESENT: Anna Kennedy (Chair), Sandra Hanington (Vice-Chair), Meric Gertler (President), Soban Atique, Seyedreza Fattahi Massoum, Joanne McNamara, K. Sonu Gaind, Sarosh Jamal, Mark Lautens, Kikelomo Lawal*, Ernest Lam, Grace Westcott, Mary-Agnes Wilson

REGRETS: Paul Huyer

SECRETARIAT: Sheree Drummond (Secretary of the Governing Council); Joanne Chou (Committee Secretary)

IN ATTENDANCE: Ann Curran (Chair, UTM Campus Council); Douglas McDougall (Chair, Academic Board); Rajiv Mathur (Chair, Business Board); Cheryl Regehr (Vice-President and Provost); Scott Mabury (Vice-President, Operations and Real Estate Partnerships & Vice-Provost, Academic Operations); Nadina Jamison (Chief Strategy Officer, Office of the President); Bryn MacPherson (Assistant Vice-President, Office of the President); Anthony Gray (Director, Strategic Research, Office of the President); Susan Mazza (Special Projects Officer, Office of the President)

(*attended remotely)

Pursuant to section 38 of By-Law Number 2,
consideration of items 12 to 16 took place in camera.

OPEN SESSION

Chair’s Remarks

The Chair welcomed members, Board and Council Chairs and Vice-Presidents to the meeting. She advised members of the upcoming 2024 elections. The Chair  expressed appreciation and gratitude to Mr. Anwar Kazimi, for his exemplary service to governance over the past 14 years, and in particular, for his service as Chief Returning Officer. She also thanked him for the exceptional support that he provided most recently as Secretary to the Committee. She wished him well in his new role as Secretary to the Board of Regents at Victoria University.
The Chair welcomed Joanne Chou as the new Secretary to the Committee.
The Chair then indicated to members that there were two additional senior appointments for consideration by the Committee. She asked for a motion to add these as items 13 (d.) and 13 (e.).

On motion duly moved, seconded, and carried

YOUR COMMITTEE APPROVED

THAT two senior appointments be added to the meeting agenda as items 13 (d.) and 13 (e.).
Report of the President

The Chair invited the President to offer his report.

Provincial Matters

The President began his remarks by noting that the Report of the Blue-Ribbon Panel on Financial Sustainability of Ontario’s Postsecondary Education System had been released by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities on November 15, and that the Panel had done an admirable job of highlighting the seriousness of the fiscal situation facing Ontario universities.

The President stated that the Panel had made the following recommendations:

Increase the per-student grant to institutions by 10% next year, with subsequent increases at the rate of inflation or 2% (whichever is greater) for the next three years;
Allow institutions to increase domestic tuition fees by 5% next year, and then increase by inflation or 2% (whichever is greater) for the next three years, along with a recommended tuition fee increase of 8% for professional programs;
Increase government investments in the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP), and amend the eligibility requirements to help offset tuition increases;
Ensure universities also increase the amount of funding set aside for student financial aid.

The President also noted that the report agreed that administrative savings of up to 10% could be achieved by pursuing operational efficiencies, and that overall, the measures recommended by the report would make substantive gains towards strengthening the fiscal stability of Ontario’s universities.

The President reminded governors that the provincial grant per student had not increased since 2008, which meant it had been declining in real value for a decade and a half. As a result, the level of per-student support provided by the Ontario government was currently amongst the lowest in the country. The report mentioned that Ontario’s level of support was $11,471 per student, just 57% of the national average of $20,772 outside of Ontario. In addition, he noted that the Ford government had also cut domestic tuition fees by 10% in 2019 and that they had remained frozen for the following four years.

The President remarked that even if the government implemented all of the Panel’s recommendations, funding levels would only return to where they had been roughly two years ago, and about 12% below where they were in real terms when the current government took office. He stated that the Panel had made it clear that Ontario universities were very cost-effective, with the lowest salary and benefits costs per full-time equivalent (FTE) student in Canada, and while universities have been making strides towards improved cost-effectiveness, the fiscal sustainability of the post-secondary sector could not be achieved by finding greater efficiencies alone.

The President then referenced pages 54-55 of the report under the heading “View from the Chair” in which the Chair, Alan Harrison, made a compelling case for the University of Toronto’s pre-eminence in Ontario, contending that this distinction carried with it higher costs and levels of investment. Mr. Harrison suggested that U of T should be able to set its own tuition fees, accompanied by its ongoing and unwavering commitment to student aid. The President highlighted Minister Dunlop’s willingness to receive a briefing note from the University outlining U of T’s approach should the government take the Chair’s advice. He indicated that such a note is currently being prepared , while awaiting the government’s full response to the report, and that these issues would remain at the top of their advocacy agenda into 2024.

To conclude the Provincial update, the President noted that the Liberal Party of Ontario had elected a new leader, Bonnie Crombie, who had been a strong supporter of UTM while in her role as Mayor of Mississauga. He wished her well in her new role.

Federal Matters

Shifting to Federal matters, the President noted that the government had released its Fall Economic Statement (FES) on November 21. The Statement did not address the recommendations of the Report of the Advisory Panel on the Federal Research Support System related to new investments in research and graduate student support, and instead focused primarily on affordability, infrastructure, and housing. With regard to housing, in addition to the $15 billion in financing support announced towards apartment construction (the “Apartment Construction Loan Program”), the Federal government had announced an additional investment of $1 billion for affordable housing, including student housing (through the “Affordable Housing Fund”). The President emphasized the role universities can play to help address the housing crisis, and highlighted the numerous student residences that had been built, were being planned, or were under construction across all three campuses. He stressed that additional support was needed from local municipalities, particularly in the areas of accelerating regulatory approvals and improving access to capital grants. He underscored that advocacy regarding research funding and student support would be the focus for the sector in the coming months.

QS Sustainability ranking

The President concluded his remarks by reporting that the University of Toronto had been ranked first in the world in the 2024 QS Sustainability Rankings, up from second last year. He explained that the ranking reviewed more than 1,400 institutions across 95 countries on their performance in environmental, social, and governance metrics. He noted that this was a wonderful tribute to the innovation and commitment of the many U of T faculty, students, staff, and alumni who had been dedicated to meeting the world’s most pressing challenge of the 21st century.

Members had no questions.

Item for Endorsement and Forwarding to the Governing Council
1. Agreement between the University of Toronto and the University of Toronto Faculty Association regarding proposed revisions to the Policy for Librarians, 1991
  
  The Chair indicated that the Agreement was between the University and the Faculty Association regarding proposed revisions to the Policy for Librarians. She noted that there was no discussion of this item at the Academic board.
  
  Mr. Rajiv Mathur, Chair of the Business Board, then commented on the discussion of the item at that body.
- Recommended the proposed Memorandum of Settlement and subsequent revisions to the Policies for Librarians be forwarded to the Executive Committee, without objection.
- Briefly discussed the professional and academic services of Librarians at the University which included - teaching; embedded curriculum workshops; and research consultations on several topics such as copyright, research data management and conducting research in an open access environment, amongst many others.
- The Board was keen to hear more about the Ontario Council of University Libraries (“OCUL”) Scholars Portal and its funding arrangements and cost recovery model by the University of Toronto, as the service provider.
  
  At the invitation of the Chair, the Provost commented on the collegial process that had taken places over the last few years to reach an agreement, noting the modernization of the agreements that had taken place.
  
  On motion duly moved, seconded, and carried
  
  YOUR COMMITTEE APPROVED
  
  THAT the following recommendation be endorsed and forwarded to the Governing Council
  
  THAT the Memorandum of Settlement Between the University of Toronto Faculty Association and the University Administration, dated October 27, 2023, regarding the Policies for Librarians be approved, effective immediately.
  
  Members had no questions.

CONSENT AGENDA

The Chair noted that of the items listed on the Consent Agenda, one item, Item 4, Report of the Previous Meeting of the Executive Committee was for approval. All other items were for information only.

No questions or requests to place these consent agenda items on the regular agenda were received by the Secretary.

On motion duly moved, seconded, and carried

YOUR COMMITTEE APPROVED

THAT the consent agenda be adopted and that Item 4 the Report of the Previous Meeting, be approved.

Report of the Previous Meeting of the Executive Committee

Report Number 545 from the meeting of October 17, 2023 was approved.
Business Arising from the Report of the Previous Meeting

There was no business arising from the report of the previous meeting.
Minutes of the Governing Council

Members received the Minutes of the October 26, 2023 Governing Council meeting for information.
Business Arising from the Minutes of the Governing Council Meeting

There was no business arising from the minutes.
Report for Information

Members received the following reports for information:

END OF CONSENT AGENDA

Governing Council and Executive Committee Meeting Dates, 2024-25

The Committee approved the Governing Council and Executive Committee meeting dates for 2024-2025. The Secretary of the Governing Council noted that as the first day of classes will be on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, the decision had been made not to have a September Governing Council meeting. In previous years the first day of classes was later in the week. As the primary purpose of the brief September meeting had been to bring an end to Summer Executive Authority, the Summer Executive Authority motion would now include an end date.
Date of next meeting – Tuesday, February 13, 2024

The Chair advised members that the next meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, February 13, 2024 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Chairs’ Boardroom.
Other Business
1. Governing Council Meeting
  
  The Committee finalized the agenda for the Governing Council meeting to be held on Monday, December 18, 2023, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber. The Chair noted that to-date two speaking requests had been received. One request was from the President of CUPE 3029 Unit 5, regarding the contribution of postdocs and the ongoing negotiations between Unit 5 and the University. The other request was from an individual regarding housing concerns and associated staff and contractors.
  
  The Chair advised members that it was not typically the practice to grant speaking requests on matters that were not on the meeting agenda, though she noted that an exception had been made for the October meeting to permit the President of CUPE 3261 and three CUPE members to address the Governing Council. She indicated that on the basis that the items were not on the agenda, it was her recommendation that the requests be declined but that the requesters be invited to make a written submission that would be distributed to governors. Members indicated their agreement with the Chair’s recommendation.
  
  The Committee Moved In Camera.

IN CAMERA SESSION

Report of an Ad Hoc Committee for Capital Projects

Members received a Report of an Ad Hoc Committee for Capital Projects for information.
Items for Approval
1. Judicial Boards – Appointment of teaching and student members
  
  On motion duly moved, seconded, and carried
  
  YOUR COMMITTEE RESOLVED
  
  THAT the Secretariat’s recommendations to appoint the teaching staff and students of the Judicial Board, as outlined in the memorandum and supporting documentation from the Secretary of the Governing Council, dated December 5, 2023 be confirmed.
2. Member Representative for Academic Pharmacy (“Discovery Pharmacy Inc”) at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy
  
  On motion duly moved, seconded, and carried
  
  YOUR COMMITTEE RESOLVED
  
  THAT the Member Representative for the Discovery Pharmacy Inc. as of January 1, 2024 be Professor Trevor Young, incoming Vice-President and Provost.
3. Appointment of Chief Returning Officer
  
  On motion duly moved, seconded, and carried
  
  YOUR COMMITTEE RESOLVED
  
  THAT Timothy Harlick be appointed as Chief Returning Officer, effective immediately.
4. Senior Appointment
  
  On motion duly moved, seconded, and carried
  
  YOUR COMMITTEE RESOLVED
  
  THAT, subject to the approval of her appointment as Dean, Temerty Faculty of Medicine by the Agenda Committee, Professor Lisa Robinson be appointed as Vice-Provost, Relations with Health Care Institutions, for the period of July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2029 (concurrent with her term as Dean, Temerty Faculty of Medicine).
5. Senior Appointment
  
  On motion duly moved, seconded and carried
  
  YOUR COMMITTEE RESOLVED
  
  THAT Professor Patricia Houston be extended as Interim Vice-Provost, Relations with Health Care Institutions, for the period of January 1, 2024 to June 30, 2024.
Items for Endorsement and Forwarding
1. Report Number 67 of the Committee for Honorary Degrees
  
  On motion duly moved, seconded, and carried
  
  YOUR COMMITTEE APPROVED
  
  THAT the following motion be endorsed and forwarded to the Governing Council: 
  
  THAT the recommendations contained in Report Number 67 of the Committee for Honorary Degrees be approved;
  
  THAT the Chancellor and the President be empowered to determine the degree to be conferred on each candidate and the date of the conferral; and
  
  THAT, pursuant to sections 38 and 40 of By-Law Number 2, the Governing Council consider this item in camera.
2. Senior Appointments
  
  On motion duly moved, seconded, and carried
  
  YOUR COMMITTEE APPROVED
  
  THAT the recommendation in the memorandum from the President dated December 5, 2023, be endorsed and forwarded to the Governing Council.
  
  On motion duly moved, seconded, and carried
  
  YOUR COMMITTEE APPROVED
  
  THAT the recommendation in the memorandum from the President dated December 5, 2023, be endorsed and forwarded to the Governing Council.
Committee Members with the President

Members of the Executive Committee, with Board and Campus Council Chairs, met with the President.
Committee Members alone

Members of the Executive Committee, with Board and Campus Council Chairs, met privately.

The Committee returned to closed session.

The meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m.

December 14, 2023