REPORT NUMBER 245 OF THE UNIVERSITY AFFAIRS BOARD
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2025
To the Governing Council,
University of Toronto,
Your Board reports that it held a meeting on Wednesday, February 26, 2025 with the following members present:
PRESENT: Geeta Yadav (Chair), K. Sonu Gaind (Vice-Chair), Sandy Welsh (Vice-Provost, Students), David Newman (Executive Director, Student Experience), Luca Calabretta*, Spencer Craddock, Ramy Elitzur*, Ankita Goyat, Sarosh Jamal, Audrey Karlinsky, Gretchen Kerr, Jihan Khatib*, David Kim, Rachel Leggett*, Cameron Miranda-Radbord, Somtochukwu Nnakenyi, William Verreault*, Payam Zahedi
REGRETS: Amanda Bartley, Fatima Formuli, Robert Gerlai, Brian Harrington, Avi Hyman, Daneille Skipp, Arjun Yanglem
NON-VOTING ASSESSORS:
Tim Tang, Dean, Student Experience & Wellbeing, UTSC
Anne Macdonald, Assistant Vice President, Spaces & Experiences
SECRETARIAT: Joanne Chou, Tim Harlick
IN ATTENDANCE:
Ashley Stirling, Vice Dean, Programs, Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education
Josh Haas, Coordinator, Student Policy Initiatives, Office of the Vice-Provost, Students
Chad Nuttall, Assistant Dean, Students and International Initiatives, Student Affairs and Services
Dan Bowyer, Community Member
*Attended remotely
OPEN SESSION
- Chair’s Remarks
The Chair welcomed members and guests to the meeting. - Report of the Senior Assessor
At the invitation of the Chair, Professor Sandy Welsh, Vice-Provost, Students, offered the following update:
Consultation on Multi-Year Accessibility Plan
U of T announced the launch for consultations on the Multi-Year Accessibility Plan under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (“AODA”), where institutions were required to establish, develop and maintain Multi-Year Accessibility Plans that were updated every five years. To inform this work, the AODA office was seeking input from students, faculty, staff and librarians with disabilities, and the wider University community on the development of the next Multi-Year Accessibility Plan. This plan would serve as a five-year roadmap with the University advancing accessible and inclusive environments. A survey was disseminated and open to all members of the U of T community to obtain feedback; a series of consultation sessions managed by the AODA office would take place in the month of March. More details could be found on the The Division of People Strategy, Equity & Culture website. -
Operating Plans: Service Ancillaries
The Chair introduced the item, explaining that the UTM and UTSC plans were provided to the Board for information in order to give context to members during the consideration of the St. George Service Ancillaries’ Operating Plans, as well as to provide members with relevant information in relation to the Board’s responsibility and interest in University-wide campus issues.
Professor Welsh explained that a number of bodies or groups reviewed the operating plans. These groups included undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, and staff. At the University of Toronto Mississauga, these bodies included the Student Housing Advisory Committee, the Food Service Advisory Committee, the Resident Student Dining Committee, and the Transportation & Parking Advisory Committee. The UTSC operating plans were developed via a similar consultative process. The Student Housing Advisory Committee, Food User Committee, and the Parking Advisory Review Committee provided advice and input.-
University of Toronto Mississauga
The Service Ancillaries Operating Plan from the University of Toronto Mississauga was received for information.
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University of Toronto Scarborough
The Service Ancillaries Operating Plan from the University of Toronto Scarborough was received for information.
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St. George Campus
Professor Welsh noted that consultation on each of the ancillary’s plans occurred first at the local level, at which students were involved. Draft plans had been reviewed by the Financial Services Department, whose report had been considered by the Service Ancillaries Review Group (“SARG”), and included several members from this Board. Professor Welsh thanked those who served on SARG.
A member that served on SARG commended on the thorough discussion and work of SARG, noting that while fees were always concerning to students, the increases were justified and necessary to ensure the quality of student services.
In response to a member’s question regarding a rate increase for New College, Anne Macdonald, Assistant Vice President, Spaces & Experiences offered a general comment that when residences and the other ancillaries set their rates, both operating costs and capital costs were considered. The older buildings in the campus residence portfolio have more extensive capital needs and occasionally need to undertake larger rate increases in order to have the necessary funds to facilitate these projects. Professor Welsh also noted that she would follow-up with the member with a specific response regarding New College.
In response to a member’s question about parking services on St. George Campus and why the net income for this department was so small compared to UTM and UTSC, Anne Macdonald, Assistant Vice President, Spaces & Experiences responded that St. George had fewer parking spaces than UTM and UTSC, as it was very well served by public transit compared to the other campuses. In addition, the number of parking spaces on St. George had decreased over time, in order to accommodate construction of campus buildings and other spaces such as the Landmark Garage. She added that the Transportation team worked hard to maintain and pay for the operating and capital costs for the garages on campus, which was a challenge during the pandemic, but is now returning to a balanced state.
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On motion duly made, seconded and carried,
IT WAS RESOLVED,
THAT the proposed 2025-26 operating plans and budgets for St. George service ancillaries, as summarized in Schedule I; the St. George service ancillary capital budgets, as summarized in Schedule V, St. George service ancillary rates and fees in Schedule VI, and the St. George business ancillary rates and fees in Schedule VII, be approved, effective May 1, 2025.
- Operating Plans and Fees - Student Affairs and Services, University of Toronto Mississauga
The Chair introduced the item, explaining that the Board had a specific role with respect to the consideration of Operating Plans and Fees for the St. George and University-wide student services and service ancillaries. For UTM and UTSC, consideration and discussion of those proposals occurred within their respective Campus Affairs Committee and Campus Council meetings, and they were provided for information.-
Advice from the Quality Service to Students Committee (QSS)
The advice from QSS was received for information.
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Plans and Fees
The Student Services Plans from the University of Toronto Mississauga was received for information.
In response to a member’s question regarding the opposing votes by students concerning the Athletics & Recreation fee, Mr. Chad Nuttall, Assistant Dean, Students and International Initiatives, Student Affairs and Services from UTM responded that there was no discussion on the item; assuming that student groups did not want to support all fee groups, keeping the increase to a minimum.
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- Operating Plans and Fees - Student Experience and Wellness, University of Toronto Scarborough
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Advice from the Council on Student Services (CSS)
The advice from CSS was received for information.
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Plans and Fees
The Student Services Plans from the University of Toronto Scarborough was received for information.
Mr. Tim Tang, Dean, Student Experience & Wellbeing, added that UTSC was a highly engaged campus with students, and that the approval of fees was a thorough and collaborative process. There were several CSS meetings throughout the year that engaged over 70 students and staff, along with three finance advisory committees and 14 departmental advisory committees. The process culminated in a budget vote on January 2, which was unanimously approved. He concluded by noting the high level of consultation and engagement with students, which yielded a level of support and endorsement of the budget.
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- Operating Plans and Fees - St. George Campus and University Wide Services
The Chair invited Professor Welsh to introduce the item and speak to item 6a.-
Advice from the Council on Student Services (COSS)
Professor Welsh advised that the Protocol on Non-Tuition Fees provided that the Operating Plans and Fees for University-wide and St. George Campus services was first considered by COSS, whose advice would be conveyed to the University Affairs Board.
Professor Welsh explained that the protocol included a calculation in terms of the student service fees that included the Consumer Price Index (“CPI”), and the University of Toronto Index (“UTI”). The CPI was a set rate used by the University as part of its long term planning, and was provided by the Bank of Canada. The UTI, on the other hand, was a rate that was uniquely calculated for each fee that considered staffing costs, non-salary expenditures, space and occupancy revenue. These calculations were provided as part of the operation operating plans for each portfolio.
Proposals for Student Life Programs and Services, the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education: Co-Curricular Programs, Services, and Facilities, and Hart House were considered by COSS.
Professor Welsh highlighted that for the Student Life Health & Counselling fee and the Student Services fee, Hart House and KPE St. George and University-wide fees, the majority of student members of COSS endorsed the plans. Therefore, the respective services were proposing permanent fee increases.
Professor Welsh thanked the Chair of COSS Elizabeth Shechtman for her work in this role.
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Operating Plans and Fees: Student Life, St. George Campus
Mr. David Newman, Executive Director, Student Experience, offered a presentation on student life, programs, and services. He highlighted the various student advisory committees, and emphasized that students were their primary stakeholders. He listed several areas within the Division of Student Life portfolio, including Student Experience, Academic, Health and Wellness, Leadership and Mentorship, and International, and noted that it was the second year of the Student Life Advisory Council. Highlights of the presentation included the following:
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- Engagement Examples: 10,992 students attended learning events through CLSS; Student Life hired 414 students last year, earning a total of $1.5M; 287,497 logins to the Off-campus Housing Finder and 2,306 students used the Roommate Finder service; Expansion of NAVI – 14,506 conversations with Navi and 51,728 interactions; 25 matches in pilot Black Alumni Mentorship Program; 477 unique visitors from 41 countries in virtual Housing Fair.
- Overall Budget Highlights:
- Presenting a balanced budget;
- Overall budget increase 4.6% aligns with change to the budget and the protocol calculation;
- Maintained total revenue source from student fees at 56% despite increased costs and economic pressures; and
- Used a moderated CPI figure of 2.0% despite core inflation persisting closer to 3%
- Budget Context:
- Appointed Compensation;
- Non-Appointed Compensation and Non-Salary Expenses;
- Revenue;
- Space and Occupancy; and
- Revenue sources included: Student Fees, University Support, Grant Funded, and Self-Funded.
In response to a member’s question regarding revenue and external renters fees, Mr. David Newman responded that it was a small part of their revenue. He noted that they prioritized all of their spaces for students except the Multi-Faith Center, where students weren’t using the space. He added that there was a slight fee increase over time, mostly positioned on an ad hoc basis, as space was quite limited and mostly all of the other spaces were primarily Student Services spaces and/or workshop spaces, which did not generate much revenue. Professor Welsh added that with any opportunities around renting space, there were added costs concerning the management of those spaces, and ensuring that they were appropriate for external events.
A member inquired if the motion could be separated so that each clause could be voted on, in which the Chair indicated it was not possible as we could not change the substance of any of the proposals from the administration.
In response to a member’s question regarding U of T's use of third party positions for physicians, Professor Welsh explained that physicians were hired similarly as clinics did, as they were considered independent contractors, and their fees were covered by either OHIP or the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP). This was aligned with the practices of clinics where the services of family doctors and psychiatrists were covered by OHIP and UHIP. This system reduced the costs that students had to pay to access high quality medical services and attracted good physicians.
In response to a member’s question regarding revenue and external renters fees, Mr. David Newman responded that it was a small part of their revenue. He noted that they prioritized all of their spaces for students except the Multi-Faith Center, where students weren’t using the space. He added that there was a slight fee increase over time, mostly positioned on an ad hoc basis, as space was quite limited and mostly all of the other spaces were primarily Student Services spaces and/or workshop spaces, which did not generate much revenue. Professor Welsh added that with any opportunities around renting space, there were added costs concerning the management of those spaces, and ensuring that they were appropriate for external events.
A member inquired if the motion could be separated so that each clause could be voted on, in which the Chair indicated it was not possible as we could not change the substance of any of the proposals from the administration.
On motion duly made, seconded and carried
IT WAS RESOLVED,
THAT the 2025-26 operating plans and budget for the Division of Student Life, as presented in the documentation from David Newman, Executive Director, Student Experience, be approved;
THAT the Health & Counselling sessional fee for a full-time student on the St. George campus be increased $96.16 ($19.23 for a part-time student) to $100.64 ($20.13 for a part-time student), which represents a year-over-year increase of $4.48 ($0.90 for a part-time student) or 4.7%; and
THAT the Student Services sessional fee for a full-time student on the St. George campus be increased from $114.97 ($22.99 for a part-time student) to $120.21 ($24.04 for a part-time student), which represents a year-over-year increase of $5.24 ($1.05 for a part-time student) or 4.6%.
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Operating Plans and Fees: Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education (KPE): Co-Curricular Programs, Services and Facilities
Professor Welsh introduced the item by stating that the plans had been considered and approved by the Council on Athletics and Recreation, which included a considerable number of students.
Professor Ashley Stirling, Vice-Dean, Programs, offered a presentation which highlighted the many KPE offerings and programs, and reported the following considerations for the KPE 2025-26 budget:
- KPE was an integrated faculty; while the academic and athletic units were integrated in many positive ways, the budgets were completely separate.
- Sport & Rec programs were university-wide programs and engaged students on all three campuses. The four priorities included the following:
- Elevate Health and Well-Being;
- Ignite Transformative Inclusivity;
- Foster Innovation, Discovery and Achievement; and
- Activate Partnerships and Collaborations
- Sport & Rec was the largest employer of students at U of T, providing opportunities to students from all faculties and colleges.
- Leadership Development through opportunities in student governance.
- Experiential learning opportunities for students.
- Commitment to both student health and environmental health.
- KPE was the largest university Sport & Rec program in Canada, and engaged close to 40,000 students participated in Sport & Rec programs and services over 760,000 times each year.
- There were 3 main expenses: Compensation (64%), Occupancy Costs (12%) and Operational Costs (24%)
- Two types of incomes: Student Ancillary Fees (75%) & Non-Ancillary Fees (25%)
- There were two types of self-generated income – operational income and payouts from interest on endowments raised through donations.
- As part of their Tri-Campus Agreement, they would transfer $513,225 of the UTM, UTSC and Aerospace student fees collected by Sport and Rec back to them to support the programs, facilities and services on those campuses.
- Interest payouts from endowments raised through donations support students and student programming.
- Proposed 2025-26 student ancillary fee increase was 3.13%.
In response to a member’s question regarding the differential between St. George campus full time students versus UTM/UTSC and if it was mainly in terms of the accessibility to the spaces and opportunities, Professor Ashley Stirling, Vice-Dean, Programs responded that all of the athletic facilities on the tri-campuses were available to all students. The fee was higher for St. George students as it was recognized that they used the services to a greater extent. There were facilities and recreation programs at both UTM & UTSC campuses, thus funds were transferred back to those campuses to enhance additional programming. She noted that there was transportation across the tri-campuses and that many of the programs were also tri-campus in nature which attributed to the fee for UTM and UTS students, as well as the varsity women's programs. Professor Welsh added that there was a separate Sports & Rec fee that UTM & UTSC students paid for.
In response to a member’s question regarding the total undergraduate student fees per semester term at St. George campus, Professor Welsh responded that the Annual Report: Compulsory Non-Academic Incidental Fees 2024-25 that was presented to the UAB in cycle 3, illustrated the types of all compulsory non-academic incidental fees. She added that fees varied by registration, and that the report identified fees whose proceeds funded a University service, University-wide student society, or funded a student society or service of the division.
A member commended on the great work done at KPE and for the inclusion of the NASM (Net Assignable Square Metres) definition in the presentation. Professor Welsh added that NASM was the usable floor space, or the sum of all areas on all floors of the building.
In response to a member’s question regarding the budget and if any kind of stress test was applied to see how the budget would adjust if there were shocks to the economy, Professor Ashley Stirling, Vice-Dean, Programs responded that the bulk of the budget was directed to compensation, and those numbers were recently negotiated thus were predictable in the budget’s operating expenses. She noted that they worked hard to maintain a zero sum budget, anticipating future costs to achieve operational efficiencies through streamlined processes. They faculty invested heavily in program evaluation with plans to do more in this area; the focus was ensuring the priority of programs that had the greatest impact on quality outcomes for students. Budgeting was a shared responsibility across all program areas of the faculty.
In response to a member’s question if the faculty implemented a satisfaction survey to track progress and impact, Professor Ashley Stirling, Vice-Dean, Programs responded that yes, student feedback opportunity was constructed into the sport and recreation opportunities, and this was built into every program. Therefore, every activity had a student feedback opportunity at the end of the activity, offering both formative and summative feedback. The faculty monitored this data closely, in addition to tracking things as participation, numbers, access, etc. and this data was analyzed on an annual basis.
On motion duly made, seconded and carried
IT WAS RESOLVED,
THAT the 2025-26 operating plans and budget for Sport & Rec at the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, as presented in the documentation from Professor Ashley Stirling, Vice Dean, Programs, Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education, be approved;
THAT the sessional fee for a full-time student on the St. George campus be increased from $222.88 ($44.58 for a part-time student) to $229.86 ($45.97 for a part-time student), which represents a year-over-year increase of $6.98 ($1.39 for a part-time student) or 3.13%; and
THAT the sessional fee for a full-time student at UTM or UTSC be increased from $25.85 ($5.17 for a part-time student) to $26.66 ($5.33 for a part-time student), which represents a year-over-year increase of $0.81 ($0.16 for a part-time student) or 3.13%.
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Operating Plans and Fees: Hart House
Professor Welsh introduced the item by noting that the plans had been considered and approved by the Hart House Board of Stewards, which included a considerable number of students.
Mr. David Kim, Warden of Hart House, offered a presentation which outlined Hart Houses 2025-26 Budget and programming highlights. The Plan included the following five commitments:- Foster a Climate of Inclusivity and Belonging in Our Spaces and Programs;
- Encourage Students to Explore Who They are and Who They Aspire to be Through the Arts, Dialogue and Wellness;
- Offer Students Rich Experiential Learning Opportunities;
- Deepen Student Engagement with Local and Global Communities and Issues; and
- Steward Resources and Relationships Carefully and Creatively to Meet the Challenges of Today and the Opportunities of Tomorrow.
Presentation highlights included:
- 1,499,712 visitors to Hart House;
- 293,704 visitors to Hart House Fitness Centre;
- 42 Events & outreach activities with UTM & UTSC;
- 337 registered programs offered;
- Focus on Stewardship, Accessibility & Sustainability (29.6% Carbon Footprint reduction since 2018-19); and
- Focus on Continued Success in Revenue-Generating Operational Areas (Hospitality, Weddings, Student Focused Services and Culinary Operations)
Mr. Kim also provided an overview of the Hart House budget and fee increases with the following highlights:
- Revenue Growth and Operating Surplus: Strong revenue performance in current fiscal Period.
- Total Revenue budgeted to increase by 7%, cost increases mainly in payroll areas.
- Operating Surplus budgeted at $2.9M for 2025-26.
- Operating Revenue budgeted at $27.9 million, a +7.0% increase from current year.
- A positively sloped and upward trend in business activity (YoY).
- Operating Expenses & Commitments was at $25 million.
- Proposed increase to student fees: 9.24%, the maximum under the Protocol to provide more funds towards Infrastructure Renewal.
- Hart House continued to prioritize students.
- The 2025/26 operating budget addresses challenges in cost inflation (salaries and capital projects). This was done through reasonable assumptions and increasing revenue targets.
- Careful management of Reserves to support critical Infrastructure Renewal and various programs.
In response to a member’s question regarding the sources of income and revenue, income sharing between institutions, and if total memberships included faculty joint membership plan (“JMP”), Mr. David Kim, Warden of Hart House explained that he would have look into the matter if the joint membership plan was included. Professor Sandy Welsh added that faculty and staff were able to join the joint membership plan, and that the membership fee was not a student fee. The JMP included the Faculty Club, KPE Sports & Rec and Hart House. Due to the increase in hybrid working models and non- U of T affiliated members using the facilities had indicated a slower rate of return.
In response to a member’s question regarding the percentage of the total tuition that was allocated towards student services and fees, Professor Sandy Welsh responded that the Student Service Fees and the Student Society Fees were an additional fee to the tuition. She explained that the University was in its fifth year of the provincial tuition freeze, and the rate for domestic students was at the same level; consequently the $2,000 in student service fees was on top of the tuition fees. She noted that U of T adhered to the Ministry guidelines around the tuition framework and the ancillary fee guidelines, and there were certain expenses covered by tuition that was geared towards academic programming (i.e. accessibility services) and a Provincial Ministry directive on ancillary fee guidelines where co-curricular / extracurricular activities was charged through the student services.
In response to a member’s question regarding the consideration of opening the Arbor Room on weekends, Mr. David Kim, Warden of Hart House responded that they were exploring the option to thoughtfully scale-up.
In response to a member’s question regarding reasoning behind Hart House’s revenue decline pre-covid, and what drove the revenues back up, Professor Welsh noted that 2019 - 2020 included some months in COVID (as of March 2020). During the lockdown period, this attributed to the decline in revenue as services were closed and there was a reduction of fees. Mr. David Kim, Warden of Hart House added that around that time, the Arbor Room was under construction and that there was a change of ownership. Professor Welsh acknowledged that the significant renovations for the Arbor Room contributed to the decline in revenue at the time, but would need to review the various sources of revenue to get a better understanding. The member also commended the terrific Gallery Grill restaurant located in Hart House.
On motion duly made, seconded and carried
IT WAS RESOLVED,
THAT the 2025-26 operating plans and budget for Hart House, as presented in the documentation from David Kim, Warden, be approved;
THAT the sessional fee for a full-time student on the St. George campus be increased from $129.39 ($25.88 for a part-time student) to $141.35 ($28.27 for a part-time student), which represents a year-over-year increase of $11.96 ($2.39 for a part time student) or 9.24%; and
THAT the sessional fee for a full-time student at UTM or UTSC be increased from $3.97 ($0.80 for a part-time student) to $4.34 ($0.87 for a part-time student), which represents a year-over-year increase of $0.37 ($0.07 for a part time student) or 9.24%.
CONSENT AGENDA
On motion duly moved, seconded, and carried
YOUR BOARD APPROVED
THAT the consent agenda be adopted and that Item 7, the Report of the Previous Meeting, be approved.
- Report of the Previous Meeting
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.
- Date of Next Meeting: May 1, 2025, at 4:30 p.m.
The Chair confirmed that the next meeting would be held on May 1, 2025, in the Council Chamber. - Other Business
There were no items of other business.
The meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m.
March 10, 2025