Report: University Affairs Board - March 05, 2025

REPORT NUMBER 250 OF THE UNIVERSITY AFFAIRS BOARD

Thursday, March 5, 2026

To the Governing Council,
University of Toronto,

Your Board reports that it held a meeting in the Council Chamber, Simcoe Hall on March 5, 2026 with the following members present:

PRESENT: Ron Levi (Vice-Chair), Sandy Welsh (Vice-Provost, Students), David Newman (Executive Director, Student Experience), Sharleen Ahmed, Kate Baggott, Amanda Bartley, Vikram Chadalawada, Fatima Faruq, Susan Froom, Robert Gerlai, Audrey Karlinksy, David Kim, Dulce Martinez, Dina Reiss, Rishi Shah, Lynn Shen, Alice Wright

REGRETS: Geeta Yadav (Chair), David Gren, Brian Harrington, Syeda Hasan, Dzhafar Kabidenov, Gretchen Kerr, Efe Sahinoglu

NON-VOTING ASSESSORS: Kelly Hannah-Moffatt (Vice-President, People, Strategy, Equity, and Culture), Tim Fricker (Dean, Student Experience and Wellbeing, UTM), Nadia Rosemond (Executive Director, Office of the Vice-Provost, Students), Tim Tang (Dean, Student Experience and Wellbeing, UTSC)

SECRETARIAT: Miranda Edwards (Secretary), Amanda Grant (Governance Coordinator)

OPEN SESSION

1. Chair’s Remarks
   
   The Chair, Professor Ron Levi, welcomed members and guests to the Board’s cycle 3 meeting and informed members that he was acting as Chair on behalf of Geeta Yadav.
2. Report of the Senior Assessor
   
   Professor Sandy Welsh, Vice-Provost, Students reported that, in February, the Ontario government announced changes to the funding model for Ontario college and universities. The University welcomed the announcement of additional funding over the next four years. She noted she had sent out a message to students regarding the changes to OSAP funding and that the President remained committed to ensuring that a University of Toronto education would remain accessible to all and that financial resources would be available to those students who needed them. The University would continue to invest in its robust financial-aid programs.
   
   The Vice-Provost reported that the University had recently undertaken two major surveys: the National Survey on Student Engagement (used by all Ontario universities and Canadian peer universities to measure the quality of undergraduate education and identify priorities for change) and the Graduate Student Experience and Research Survey. The Vice-Provost further reported on two currently ongoing policy reviews. The review of the Code of Student Conduct, led by Professor Cheryl Regehr, completed the consultation phase at the end of February. Feedback received would be presented by Professor Regehr to the Board in Spring 2026. In February, consultations began for the review of the Supportive Leaves Policy. An anonymous consultation form was open online and accepting responses until March 20^th.
   
   The first Food Security Strategy Jam took place at Hart House in the Fall and was attended by students, staff, and faculty from all three campuses. The event was designed in partnership and co-creating with student union and integrated the perspectives, lived experiences, and practical insights which highlighted the urgency of student food insecurity. The event concluded with a call for a more coordinated, institutional response to address this issue. The Vice-Provost stated that her office had produced a summary document of discussions that took place, which captured key themes. Her office is assembling a Student Food Security Advisory Group, and continue the conversation with partners and share data across all three campuses.
   
   Members had no questions.
3. Annual Report: Student Mental Health, 2025-26
   
   Professor Welsh introduced the report for information, noting that this was an inaugural annual report and fulfilled the University’s annual reporting requirements under Bill 166, Mental Health Directive. The report represented data from 2024-25 from across the tri-campus and demonstrated the University’s progress on key recommendations from the 2019 Presidential and Provostial Task Force Report on Student Mental Health. Professor Welsh affirmed that student mental health and wellness was a top priority for the University administration.
   
   Christina Bartha, Senior Executive Director of Student Mental Health Systems, Policy and Strategy presented this report. She told members that mental health in the student population was an ever-evolving challenge. The overall goal was to be more responsive and effective to student needs. She acknowledge that, outside of her office, many campus groups and divisions were making significant contributions to student mental health care.
   
   She noted five key priorities for the University:
   1. Education and resource navigation
   2. Health promotion and crisis prevention
   3. Peer support
   4. Single session/one on one counselling
   5. Complex mental health – hospital partnerships.

Ms Bartha noted the importance of students being able to see a mental health professional in a timely fashion.

A new initiative this year was the online mental health portal which had over 55,000 visits during 2024-25. In addition, she noted that about 11,000 messages submitted through NAVI (about 30% of all NAVI messages) were related to mental health queries. Queries primarily concerned the question of which University office or individual students could visit to ask for help. Health and wellness centres across campus offered new low barrier, drop-in support programs and customized programs for minority groups. In 2024-25, there were about 28,000 contacts between students and health teams. About 50% of student appointments booked with health centres were related to mental health – a significant increase from a decade prior. Ms Bartha was pleased to report that about 95% of students who requested appointments were seen within the five-day target period. She noted that the University conducted follow-up surveys to also measure the efficacy of treatments and interventions.

The University continued to build its partnerships with CAMH (St. George campus) and Scarborough Health Network (UTSC). The day prior, the University had launched a new partnership between UTM and Trillium Health Network. All three campuses have recently opened or plan to open a dedicated mental health and wellness centre.

Members commended the University’s prioritization of student mental health; particularly, the timely responses to appointment requests. A member suggested that the University continue to look into ways that it could leverage its own faculty and research resources in the care of its students. Members discussed the crucial development phase of young undergraduate students. Ms Bartha noted that students often needed encouragement to seek help on multiple occasions before they did so.

In response to members’ discussion, Professor Welsh confirmed she would take advice to ensure front-line student services staff as well as faculty, were fully trained to be knowledgeable of University resources to refer students appropriately.  She further noted that there are designate staff on each campus who are responsible to step in when a student is in distress.  

4. Operating Plans: Service Ancillaries
   1. University of Toronto Mississauga
   2. University of Toronto Scarborough
   3. St. George Campus

Professor Welsh reported that the operating plans had been reviewed by a number of bodies which included students, faculty, and staff and provided an overview of the governance process.

Members had no questions.

ON MOTION DULY MOVED, SECONDED, AND CARRIED

IT WAS RESOLVED,

THAT the proposed 2026-27 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, 2026.

5. Annual Report: Compulsory Non-Academic Incidental Fees, 2025-26
   
   Nadia Rosemond, Executive Director of the Office of the Vice-Provost, Students provided an annual report on compulsory non-academic incidental fees for the 2025-26 academic year. The presentation included an overview of the University policies applicable to student fees as well as details on totals for divisional fees, cross-divisional fees, and campus services fees application to undergraduate and graduate students.
   
   Members discussed the implications of the recent government funding increases and changes to OSAP in relation to this report. Professor Welsh re-affirmed that education affordability was a top priority for the University.
   
   In response to a member’s question as whether Professor Welsh’s office received complaints or letters of concern regarding mandatory student union fees to unions which might undertake activities that students do not agree with, Professor Welsh responded that such concerns had been received from time to time and that her office’s practice was to provide advice and refer students to the appropriate complaint procedure in accordance with the Policy on Open, Accessible and Democratic Autonomous Student Organizations.
   
   Several years ago her office began a practice of referring students to the appropriate complaints resolution procedure. She also noted that the Provost had the authority to withhold funding to student groups if they were in non-compliance with University policies.
   
   In response to a member’s questions, Professor Welsh confirmed that there was transparency around student fees, which were available to students at the time of enrolment, were properly accounted for in the Student Accounts website, and were available on University websites
   
   A member encouraged the Administration to continue its practice of providing training to student union leaders on democratic principles, University policies, and responsible budget management.  
6. Plans and Fees: Student Affairs and Services, University of Toronto Mississauga
   1. Advice from the Quality Service to Students Committee (QSS) 
   2. Plans and Fees 
      
      The Service Ancillaries Operating Plan from the University of Toronto Mississauga was presented by Tim Fricker, Dean of Student Experience and Wellbeing, UTM, and was received for information. 
      
      Members had no questions.
7. Operating Plans and Fees: Student Experience and Wellness, University of Toronto Scarborough
   1. Advice from the Council on Student Services (CSS) 
   2. Plans and Fees 
      
      The Service Ancillaries Operating Plan from the University of Toronto Scarborough was presented by Tim Tang, Dean of Student Experience and Wellbeing, UTSC, and was received for information. 
      
      Members had no questions.
8. St. George Campus and University Wide Services
   1. Advice from the Council on Student Services (COSS) 
      
      Professor Welsh reported that the Protocol on Non-Tuition Fees provided that the operating plans and fees for University-wide and St. George campus services  first be considered by COSS. The Protocol included a calculation that included two major components in determining fee changes: the Consumer Price Index or CPI and the University of Toronto Index. Professor Welsh thanked Friedemann Krannich, chair of COSS and member of the University of Toronto Graduate Student Union, for his thoughtful commitment to the work of COSS.
      
      For the proposals in agenda items c & d, the majority of student members of COSS endorsed the plans. Therefore, the respective services would be proposing permanent fee increases. Members of COSS also considered the proposal to introduce a Hart House Capital Fee to support the Hart House Building Renewal Project. She reminded members that David Kim, Warden of Hart House presented on the project to the Board in the Fall. The fee proposal was not endorsed by the majority of the student members and therefore was not brought forward to the Board for consideration; however, students expressed support for the goals of the project.
       
   2. Operating Plans and Fees: Student Life, St. George Campus 
      
      Professor Welsh reported that consultation on each of the ancillary’s plans began with students at the local level.
      
      David Newman, Executive Director of Student Experience, reported that the Office of Student Life’s overall mission was to enrich the university experience by fostering learning, growth, connection and community. It followed a strategic plan first established five years prior and was co-created by students, faculty and staff and established a series of values which have guided the Office’s work. The Office is also guided by the Student Life Advisory Council, established four years prior. The Council, co-chaired by two students, had become a high-value component of the student life governance process.
      
      The Office had five main goals:

      1. Practical Learning through academic partnership.

      2. Amplifying International Graduates’ Career journey (through initiatives such as “The First 48 Hours” short film)

      3. NAVI: increasing engagement with expanded reach to UTSC and UTM students ensuring content relevant to those campuses, increased promotion to international students) 

      4. Responsive career supports. (Track Your Path, Queer & Trans @ Work, Flexible Futures) 

      5. Streamlining essential services (TCard pick-up event, immigration reminder portal, CIE study permit tracker, TCard service pick-up) 

Mr. Newman described key initiatives to the Board which included events to promote inclusion and belonging, anti-racism, peer to peer engagement, mentorship, and wellness. He noted that the Work Study program had recently been moved from the Office of the Registrar to the Office of Student Life, which impacted the budget. He then provided an overview of the budget approval process and budget breakdown as detailed in the materials provided to members. He noted to members that 93% of the Office’s expenses were allocated to staff compensation costs. There had been very little change to revenue sources, with about 50% of revenue coming from student fees and the remainder from University Support and grant funding.

Members had no questions.  

ON MOTION DULY MOVED, SECONDED, AND CARRIED

IT WAS RESOLVED,

THAT the 2026-27 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 from $100.64 to $106.57 ($20.13 to $21.31 for a part-time student), which represents a year-over-year increase of $5.93 or 5.89% ($1.18 or 5.86% for a part-time student); and

THAT the Student Services sessional fee for a full-time student on the St. George campus be increased from $120.21 to $127.15 ($24.04 to $25.43 for a part-time student), which represents a year-over-year increase of $6.94 or 5.77% ($1.39 or 5.78% for a part-time student).

3. Operating Plans and Fees: Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education: Co-Curricular Programs, Services and Facilities 
   
   Ashley Stirling, Vice-Dean of Programs, Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, reported that the Faculty’s main goal was to promote an active, healthy campus with the guiding principles of EDI, reconciliation, integrity, leadership and education, research, and governance in close collaboration with students.
   
   Athletics & Recreation Programs served all students from the tri-campus, with more than 700,000 visits to facilities and over 43,000 unique visitors. She noted that it was difficult for the University to keep up with very strong demand. She also highlighted that athletic and recreation facilities were the largest casual employer of students on campus with over 1,500 student employees. She provided an overview of the many athletic programs offered across campus.
   
   She reported to the Board that Sport & Rec had a balanced budget of $42,67 million. 77% of revenues came from student fees and 23% was self-generated income. 63% of expenditures were allocated to compensation.  
   
   Members commended the excellent work being done by Sports & Rec and the positive contributions being made to student health.  
   
   ON MOTION DULY MOVED, SECONDED, AND CARRIED
   
   IT WAS RESOLVED,
   
   THAT the 2026-27 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 $229.86 to $242.98 ($45.97 to $48.60 for a part-time student), which represents a year-over-year increase of $13.12 or 5.71% ($2.63 or 5.72% for a part-time student); and 
   
   THAT the sessional fee for a full-time student at UTM or UTSC be increased from $26.66 to $28.19 ($5.33 to $5.64 for a part-time student), which represents a year-over-year increase of $1.53 or 5.74% ($0.31 or 5.82% for a part-time student).
    
4. Operating Plans and Fees: Hart House
   
   Mr. David Kim, Warden of Hart House, highlighted Hart House activities and events that had taken place over the prior year. He noted that Hart House played a key role as  space for special events, extra-curriculars, athletics, essential services, wellness, and rest. In 2024-25, there were 900,000 visitors to Hart House and 20,000 event participants. Mr. Kim noted the focus on experiential learning with intitatives such as the Hart House Farm and the tri-campus food symposium. He shared several student testimonials about positive and inclusive experiences.
   
   Mr. Kim reported there was revenue stability and reason for cautious optimism in the Hart House budget. There was an operating surplus of $2,73 million, an increase in hospitality revenues from $3.9 million to $6.6 million, and $1.3 million in fitness membership revenues. Catering and events revenue had seen a reduction due to a downward trend in client spending and smaller events. He reported that Hart House had so far implemented about $350,000 in cost savings and efficiencies. Additional cost saving initiatives were currently underway and no new staff positions had been created over the past year. Budget challenges included inflation, double digit increases in energy costs, and adjusted operational requirements. Stewardship and cost control were key priorities for the years to come. The Hart House Building Renewal Project was ongoing and made of the bulk of planned expenditures.
   
   Members commended the work of the Hart House Board of Stewards and its unique contributions to campus life.
   
   ON MOTION DULY MOVED, SECONDED, AND CARRIED
   
   IT WAS RESOLVED,
   
   THAT the 2026-27 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 $141.35 to $148.39 ($28.27 to $29.68 for a part-time student), which represents a year-over-year increase of $7.04 or 4.98% ($1.41 or 4.99% for a part-time student); and
   
   THAT the sessional fee for a full-time student at UTM or UTSC be increased from $4.34 to $4.56 ($0.87 to $0.91 for a part-time student), which represents a year-over-year increase of $0.22 or 5.06% ($0.04 or 4.6% for a part-time student).

CONSENT AGENDA

On motion duly moved, seconded, and carried

IT WAS RESOLVED,

THAT the consent agenda be adopted and that Item 9, the Report of the Previous Meeting, be approved.

9. Report of the Previous Meeting: Report Number 249 – November 25, 2025
   
   The report of the previous meeting was approved.
10. Business Arising from the Report of the Previous Meeting
    
    There was no business arising from the report of the previous meeting.
11. Date of Next Meeting – Thursday, April 23, 2026, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
    
    The Chair confirmed that the Board would next meet on Thursday, April 23, 2026, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.

12. Other Business
    
    There was no other business.

The meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.

March 9, 2026