REPORT NUMBER 241 OF THE UNIVERSITY AFFAIRS BOARD
WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2024
To the Governing Council,
University of Toronto,
Your Board reports that it held a virtual meeting on Wednesday, May 29, 2024 with the following members present:
PRESENT: Geeta Yadav (Vice-Chair), Sandy Welsh (Vice-Provost, Students), David Newman (Executive Director, Student Experience), Faraz Alidina, Glen Bandiera, Odelia Bempah, Natasha Hanif, Helia Karami, Gretchen Kerr, David Kim, Somtochukwu Nnakenyi, Konrad Samsel
REGRETS: Vikram Chadalawada (Chair), Soban Atique, Amanda Bartley, K. Sonu Gaind, Dveeta Lal, Nelson Lee, Wei-Tung Ling, Ron Levi, Firdaus Sadid, Lauren Vollmer
NON-VOTING ASSESSORS:
Kelly Hannah- Moffat (Vice-President, People Strategy, Equity & Culture), Ron Saporta (Chief Operating Officer, Property Services & Sustainability), Anne Macdonald (Assistant Vice-President, Space and Experiences), Neel Joshi (Dean of Student Experience and Wellbeing), Robyn Parr (Executive Director, Office of the Vice-Provost, Students)
SECRETARIAT: Joanne Chou, Tracey Gameiro
IN ATTENDANCE:
Kelly Crawford, Assistant Director, Indigenous Initiatives
Jodie Glean-Mitchell, Executive Director, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
Allison Burgess, Director, Sexual & Gender Diversity Office
Nadine McHorgh, Director, Marketing and Communications
Cheryl Gibbs, Manager, Student Policy Initiatives
Josh Haas, Coordinator, Student Policy Initiatives
Tanya Poppleton, Senior Director, Campus Safety Operations
Chris Ibell, Assistant Director, Campus Safety
Mike Munroe, Director, Campus Safety Service
Peter Shipley, Assistant Director, Operations
Ryan Dow, Assistant Director, Community Liaison & Support Team
Deborah Fritz , Director, Campus Safety
Shahid Zafar, Assistant Director, Campus Safety
Qixin (Cindy) Guan, Co-Vice-Chair of the Knox Residence Council Committee
OPEN SESSION
- Chair’s Remarks
The Vice-Chair welcomed members and guests to the Board’s final meeting of the governance year. She noted that the Chair had an unavoidable conflict and was unable to attend. She remarked that the order of the agenda would be adjusted to accommodate a presenter, shifting agenda item 9, the campus safety reports as agenda item 5. On behalf of the Chair of the Governing Council, the Vice-Chair thanked Mr. Vikram Chadalawada for his service to the Board as its Chair from 2021-2024. She remarked that Mr. Chadalawada had been an excellent Chair, managing meetings in an efficient and respectful manner, encouraging members to ask questions and share their views at meetings, and skilled facilitation of meetings.
Professor Sandy Welsh expressed sincere appreciation for Mr. Chadalawada’s leadership on the Board over the years, and acknowledged his focus for the student community and engagement, encouragement on productive dialogue on important issues, and his nuanced sense of the very important work the Board members accomplished every year. She commended his commitment and thanked Mr. Chadalawada for his wisdom, service, dedication, and good humour, and wished him well. - Report of the Senior Assessor
At the invitation of the Vice-Chair, Professor Sandy Welsh began her report by acknowledging member questions that had been submitted in advance regarding the encampment on the St. Geroge campus. She noted that the discussions with protesters were ongoing and was hopeful for a negotiated resolution to the occupation. Professor Welsh then invited Mr. Ron Saporta, Chief Operating Officer, to provide feedback on the role of campus safety related to the encampment. He explained that the role of campus safety officers was to control on-site crowds, de-escalate conflict, support safety and sanitation enhancements, and address vandalism and other safety related issues. Their training emphasized de-escalation and included an understanding of human rights, systemic racism, and the rights and cultures of Indigenous Peoples. He addressed how they managed unauthorized activities and when they would engage the Toronto Police Service. He acknowledged the University’s concerns about the occupation of King’s College Circle and the recent injunction that was filed with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice seeking an Order that would require the protesters to vacate King’s College Circle. He concluded by reiterating the University’s desire to seek a negotiated resolution to return King’s College Circle to the whole community.
Professor Welsh then addressed a member’s question regarding concerns of the administration related to the ongoing negotiations with the occupiers and safety concerns, with limited success in mitigating these concerns with the occupiers. She emphasized that the administration had articulated concerns regarding antisemitic rhetoric and imagery that were associated with the encampment. In response to a member’s question, Professor Welsh added that the University had not applied any disciplinary action toward students relating to the encampment and currently no student code cases were in process. She underscored the University’s commitment that in all cases of alleged misconduct, all students were treated with the full measure of due process and fairness that the Code and other University policies afforded them. In response to a member’s question regarding the collaboration with protestors on the membership of an ad hoc committee to review contentious investments, Professor Welsh responded that the University was discussing the process required under the Policy with the student representatives and shared examples of how they were assisting students in the process. She added that it was important to hear the diversity of opinions in the University related to the University’s investments.
Understanding Experiences of International Students
Professor Welsh then moved on to share that the Centre for International Experience and the Innovation Hub produced a video project to be released this Fall. She encouraged members to view the trailer on YouTube https://youtu.be/kMO5U99K6EM. She explained that it was a documentary called “The First 48 Hours”, that chronicled the journey of 8 international students, starting from their respective countries of origin to their initial days in Toronto as they prepared to study at each U of T campus as either a graduate or undergraduate student. She highlighted the film’s diverse and visceral portrayals related to the lived experience of learners that left their home and embraced a new university, culture, and a country.
Professor Welsh concluded her remarks by extending sincere thanks to the Chair, Mr. Vikram Chadalawada, and Vice-Chair, Ms Geeta Yadav, and the Secretariat for their expert leadership and guidance over the past year. She thanked all UAB members for their thoughtful comments and questions at each of the meetings, noting that their commitment to ensuring the responsible governance of the University was appreciated.
A member commended on the hard work of the administration, on their thoughtful, concerted and patient approach towards the encampment, efforts towards a pathway of a peaceful negotiation, and inquired about the timing of negotiations in relation to convocation. Professor Welsh responded that messaging had gone out to all graduands that convocation would be proceeding as planned, with safety of the community, family and friends as a key priority. - Student Societies: Requests for Fee Increases
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University of Toronto Scarborough
There were no questions or comments regarding the request for fee increases from the University of Toronto, Scarborough. The request for fee increases from student societies from the University of Toronto, Scarborough were received for information.
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St. George and University-Wide
Professor Welsh reported that changes in student fees were subject to the terms outlined in the Policy for Compulsory Non-academic Incidental Fees, the Handbook for Student Societies and society's constitutions or bylaws. Changes to existing fees and the establishment of new fees were brought forward to the Board for consideration and approval. She noted that this fee request had been brought forward by the Knox Residence Council (KRC) and that no complaints had been received by the administration with respect to the continuation of this fee.
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On motion duly made, seconded, and carried,
IT WAS RESOLVED
THAT, beginning in the Fall 2024 session, the Knox Residence Council society fee be established at $10.00 per fall and winter session and charged to all residents of Knox Residence.
Members had no questions.
- Capital Project: Report of the Project Planning Committee for the Hart House Infrastructure Renewal Stage 1 – Total Project Scope and Sources of Funding
The Vice-Chair invited Mr. David Kim, Warden of Hart House (“HH”) to provide an overview of the project.
Mr. Kim, Warden of Hart House, highlighted the following aspects of the project:
- The Hart House Infrastructure Renewal Project vision was centered around sustainability, resilience and inclusivity.
- The renewal addressed the needs of a 100+ year old building, which was a significant heritage asset at the University of Toronto.
- The main objective was to ensure the future success of the building through infrastructure renewal, and to improve Hart House’s commitment to accessibility and contributions promoting a sustainable environment.
- The project proposes significant and transformational changes that would accommodate existing and expanded programming and was required to support continued operational functions.
- Designated by the City of Toronto as a heritage building, HH was the largest student centre of all three campuses and one of the University’s premier co-curricular learning centres.
- Studies had found that HH could no longer be operated successfully without significant capital investment in its aging and failing infrastructure.
- Due to overwhelming costs, a staged approach was planned with the most critical project priorities addressed first – safety, heritage asset preservation, and components of accessibility and sustainability.
- To minimize disruption, the project would be phased over approximately 6 stages over a minimum of 10 years, subject to available funding.
- Rehabilitation of the landscape would take place along the north elevation of the building, and a new accessible walkway.
- The approach planned was to build new mechanical and electrical rooms and a new duct bank as a shell to set up for the next phase of installing a new mechanical and electrical system.
On motion duly made, seconded, and carried,
YOUR BOARD RECOMMENDED,
THAT the University Affairs Board concur with the prospective recommendation of the Academic Board,
THAT the Stage 1 project scope of the Hart House Infrastructure Renewal as identified in the “Report of the Project Planning Committee for University of Toronto Hart House Infrastructure Renewal”, dated April 5, 2024 be approved in principle; and,
THAT the project totaling approximately new 577 gross square metres (gsm), and 1,854 gross square metres (gsm) renovated space, be approved in principle, to be funded by Hart House Capital Reserves, Hart House Reserves, Hart House Future Ancillary Funds, Fundraising Received, Provostial Funds, and Financing.
In response to the Vice-Chair’s questions regarding the landscape, Mr. Kim highlighted the various rehabilitation initiatives that would be taking place.
- Annual Reports Campus Safety
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University of Toronto Mississauga
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University of Toronto Scarborough
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University of Toronto, St. George
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The Vice-Chair noted that these three reports were received for information and welcomed Ms Deborah Fritz and Mr. Shahid Zafar from UTM Campus Safety, Ms Tanya Poppleton and Mr. Chris Ibell, from UTSC Campus Safety, and Mr. Mike Munroe, Mr. Ryan Dow, and Mr. Peter Shipley from the St. George Campus, who were available to respond to questions.
Professor Welsh reported that the Campus Safety Services on all three campuses were committed to supporting safe, secure and equitable campus communities through interaction with the community; foot, vehicle and bicycle patrols; and the provision of services related to crime prevention, awareness and personal safety. She advised that overall occurrences were up across all three campuses, back to pre-pandemic levels as the University community returned to more typical levels of in-campus activity.
Professor Welsh provided an update on the progress made to-date regarding the implementation of the recommendations of the report on the Role of Campus Safety in Responding to Student Mental Health Crises. In Fall 2022, a joint response from Professor Welsh and Professor Kelly Hannah-Moffat, Vice-President, People Strategy, Equity & Culture released an Administrative Response to the Final Report that was submitted in December 2021 of the Review Committee to examine the role of Campus Safety in responding to students experiencing mental health crises. The Response identified five key areas to focus the University’s efforts to address the recommendations, and emphasized the need for developing solutions that were suited to the diverse student population and was rooted in compassion, collaboration, and expertise in trauma-informed practices.
Professor Welsh highlighted the five key areas:
- Achieve tri-campus consistency to define standard processes;
- Continue to improve mandatory training for Campus Safety staff;
- Enhance recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and retention strategies for Campus Safety staff;
- Re-examine synergies between Campus Safety, student wellness services, and student groups in responding to students in mental health crises; and
- Strengthen communications between Campus Safety roles, and the U of T community.
Professor Welsh explained that going forward, progress and updates would be shared in future Campus Safety Annual Reports and through the People Strategy, Equity & Culture website.
In response to member questions that were shared in advance, Mr. Ron Saporta added the following:
- In terms of access control systems, Campus Safety utilized an enterprise level security system called Honeywell EBI, a system that was monitored 24/7 by Campus Safety with a UPS/Generator backup and failover for continuous operation. The system had integrated components such as smoke and CO2 detectors, and emergency intercoms.
- The Campus Safety Communications Centre had the ability to unlock/lock doors and activate lockdown of buildings in real time.
- Plans were in place to implement crisis response best practices described in literature, particularly for mental health interventions and referrals.
- Each Campus Safety department was overseen by a Director with the responsibility of ensuring their members adhered to Federal, Provincial and Municipal laws, and followed the Memorandums of Understanding (MOU's) between the Governing Council and the Toronto Police and Peel Regional Police Services Boards, along with all University Policies and Procedures.
- Each Campus Safety department worked closely with their respective Human Resources and Labour Relations offices, along with Workplace Investigations (WPI) when a complaint against a member was brought forward.
- Under the Community Safety Policing Act (CSPA), Special Constables were required by legislation to annually participate in Use of Force training, which included Conflict Prevention and De-Escalation.
- This model was relevant on how a Special Constable planned, assessed, and acted when dealing with an individual taking into consideration an individual’s mental and emotional state.
- If force was used by a Special Constable, the agreement with local police required that this was to be reported to their respective Police sponsoring agency.
- Campus Safety’s training was designed to meet the needs of the University, including issues of racism and human rights. In-training included de-escalation, human rights, systemic racism, and the rights and cultures of Indigenous Peoples.
- Campus Safety was on the front lines of protecting U of T community members’ rights to protest and free expression, often supporting such protests to take place while ensuring the safety of the entire community.
Professor Tarun Dewan, UTSC Campus Affairs Committee Chair, added that the discussion following the presentation included options to connect students to mental health resources and that overall, the report was well received by everyone.
Members had no questions.
- Annual Report: Office of Indigenous Initiatives
The Vice-Chair invited Ms Kelly Crawford, Assistant Director, Indigenous Initiatives to offer a presentation. The Indigenous Initiatives 2023 Annual Progress Report outlined the University’s progress in addressing the six themes identified in Answering the Call, Wecheehetowin: Final Report of the Steering Committee for the University of Toronto Response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.
Highlights from the presentation included:
- An update on the University’s progress achieved under the six themes that included the Indigenous Tuition Initiative; continued growth in Indigenous staff and faculty numbers; the opening of Ziibiing; Indigenous Place-Making at U of T Scarborough; the 30th anniversary of First Nations House; the inaugural U of T Mississauga Powwow; and hosting of the Native American and Indigenous Studies Association (NAISA) Conference in the spring.
- Facilitation of ongoing conversations regarding the priorities outlined in Answering the Call: Wecheehetowin Final Report of the Steering Committee for the University of Toronto Response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, and continued support, development, and implementation of strategies that advanced Indigenous presence, development of partnerships and collaboration, and institutional change that reflected the Calls to Action.
- Creation of Indigenous spaces across all three campuses that served a symbolic role, and the creation of welcoming environments for Indigenous staff, librarians, students, and faculty members.
- Increased presence of Indigenous culture on all three campuses, forming stronger ties for community and relationship building. New Indigenous spaces were also planned and established this year across the three campuses.
- The recruitment and hiring of Indigenous faculty and staff which were fundamental to the ongoing Indigenizing of the institution and enhanced curricular developments University-wide.
- Continued integration of the Indigenous curriculum, epistemologies, and pedagogies across all three campuses. The University maintained the perspective that Indigenous thought and philosophies were equal to other disciplines as sources of knowledge and promoted foundational changes to curricula that reflected Indigenous knowledge systems and protocols.
- Emphasis on the importance of investing in education to establish ethical research practices while promoting respectful relationships with Indigenous Peoples.
- Continued work towards Indigenous recruitment and the creation of an environment where current and future Indigenous students thrived.
- Commitment to its role in advancing reconciliation across the three campuses that were relevant to and collaborative with Indigenous members of the U of T community and the host nations.
- Advancing Indigenous issues with transparency, accountability, and proficiency.
- Common challenges brought forward by Faculties and departments as well as Indigenous staff, students, and faculty.
- Next steps that included a guideline that would remove barriers to holding Indigenous ceremonies on all three campuses; expanded roles and direction for the Indigenous Research Network; the opening of Indigenous House at U of T Scarborough; and a new committee to support and enhance Indigenous recruitment.
Members had no questions.
The Vice-Chair thanked Ms Crawford for her presentation.
- Annual Report: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
The Vice-Chair invited Ms Jodie Glean-Mitchelle, Executive Director, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, to offer a presentation. The Report reflected the collective efforts of the University community to embed equity and inclusion and belonging across the institution.
Highlights from the presentation included:
- Various initiatives and highlights from the three overarching goals:
- Advancing Inclusive Leadership & Equitable Systems Change;
- Fostering Community Experience of Belonging; and
- Sustaining an Institutional Culture of Inclusion
- The Anti-Asian Racism Working Group (AARWG) was launched in 2022 as part of the University’s commitment to addressing discrimination and growing anti-Asian racism in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The group delivered its Final Report in 2023, providing 40 recommendations to address anti-Asian racism on our three campuses and better support Asian-identifying students, faculty members, librarians, and staff.
- Continued progress regarding the Institutional Equity Commitments and the recommendations from the equity, diversity, and inclusion working groups.
- Highlights from four key themes were included in the Report: Increasing Access and attracting talent, Enhancing Current Experiences, Forging Future Pathways, and On the Horizon.
- Faculties, divisions, and campuses ensured that people from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences could imagine themselves studying at U of T and building a career at the University.
- The tri-campus community created programs and initiatives to support an experience of belonging for current students, staff, faculty, and librarians.
- 2023 Employment Equity Survey Updates which included additional variables such as Religious or Spiritual Affiliations, Indigenous Identity, Ethnocultural Identity, Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation and Revised terminology in the Persons with Disabilities section to “non-evident” and “evident” disabilities.
- 2024 and beyond included:
- Faith and Anti-Racism Framework;
- Institutional Multi-Year Accessibility Plan;
- Efforts to address transphobia and homophobia; and
- Enhanced e-module offerings for EDI education
Member had no questions.
The Vice-Chair thanked Jodie for her presentation.
- Annual Report: Code of Conduct for Trademark Licensees
At the invitation of the Vice-Chair, Ms Anne Macdonald, Assistant Vice-President, Space and Experiences and Ms Nadine McHorgh, Director, Marketing and Communications offered their report.
Ms Macdonald provided an overview of the Annual Report: Code of Conduct for Trademark Licensees which highlighted key initiatives throughout the year. She noted that the trademark licensing office was reaching a quarter century of operation. Over time, there had been considerable change in the scope, sophistication and scale of the program, and the office had worked collaboratively with monitoring organizations and institutions across North America to impact the apparel supply chain in a positive way. As a self-funded department, it managed all its staffing and administrative costs through royalty fees, and provided advice and support to students, staff and faculty across all three campuses. Ms Macdonald added that due to recent revenue growth, the department had made an investment in the merchandise space at the U of T bookstore and was able to again support the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education’s Equity Ideas Fund. A particularly exciting program evolution over the last several years has been the development of merchandise collaborations, which are popular both on and off campus and bring increased visibility to the University of Toronto brand.
Ms McHorgh highlighted the successful BIPOC student start-up apparel initiative, a collaboration between a student owned independent clothing brand and U of T. This was an opportune way to promote the university's commitment to EDI initiatives, and to innovation and entrepreneurship. She noted that they hoped to continue this program in a more formalized fashion in the future. MOTUS had successfully launched at the beginning of March with sales both online and in the bookstore, with reorders on the way. She noted the strong collaboration, student pride and support from the student community, including promotion through central channels and participation in Entrepreneurship Week as a featured collaboration.
Member had no questions.
The Vice-Chair thanked Anne and Nadine for their report. - Annual Report: Recognized Student Groups
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University of Toronto Mississauga
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University of Toronto Scarborough
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University of Toronto, St. George
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The Vice-Chair noted for members that the three reports were received for information. Professor Welsh advised that the campus groups listed in the three reports had sought recognition based on the Policy on the Recognition of Student Groups.
She reported that across the three campuses, there were 1,005 recognized Student Groups; 596 were on the St. George Campus, 140 at UTM and 269 at UTSC. There had been an overall year over year increase of 17% in the number of recognized student groups from 2022-23 to 2023-24. However, the total number of student members engaged in campus groups had experienced an 12% year over year increase. Professor Welsh added that at the time of publication of the report, an additional 132 applications were under review: 18 at UTM, 20 at UTSC, and 94 on the St. George campus. Upon the approval of these applications, the total number of groups would be 1,137, which represented a 21% increase over last year’s projected total (which was 939). Professor Welsh noted that the size and diversity of the student community across the three campuses provided an extraordinary number of opportunities for students to participate in a vast array of activities undertaken by student organizations, and were an integral part of the student experience.
Professor Welsh concluded by thanking the Student Life and Student Engagement teams for their work and support of student groups and organizations.
Mr. David Newman, Executive Director, Student Experience then addressed member questions that were shared in advance regarding feedback opportunities for registered student groups for Student Life’s Clubs & Leadership Development Office services, and quality metrics to track student experiences and feedback. He noted that:
- Student Engagement conducted a summative and formative assessment on the Clubs Essential Training Program along with discussion periods where students were encouraged to share about their own successes and the struggles of being a club.
- Encouragement of students to stop by the clubs help desk, book an appointment, send emails or calling. Student groups were also encouraged to share their feedback at any time with the professional staff or student colleagues.
- A larger-scale student leader feedback survey was sent out this past semester and hosted focus groups to provide students a comprehensive way to share their feedback about the programs and services.
- From a Student Leaders Experience survey, Mr. Newman also shared examples of feedback that were received.
Mr. Newman concluded that the feedback provided through these mechanisms allowed the Clubs and Leadership Development Team to review and enhance their programs to ensure that clubs had the tools, training, and resources needed to be successful.
Dr. Robert Gerlai, UTM Campus Affairs Committee Chair, added that UTM had a vibrant student life that was reflected in the number and range of student groups.
Members had no questions.
The Vice-Chair thanked Sandy and David for their report.
CONSENT AGENDA
On motion duly moved, seconded, and carried
YOUR BOARD APPROVED
THAT the consent agenda be adopted and that Item 11, the Report of the Previous Meeting, be approved.
- Constitutional Amendments: Council of Athletics & Recreation - Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education
On motion duly moved, seconded, and carried
YOUR BOARD APPROVED
THAT the proposed amended Constitution of the Council of Athletics and Recreation (CAR), which was recommended for approval by CAR on February 25, 2024, and the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education’s Faculty Council on April 5, 2024, 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: October 9, 2024, at 4:30 p.m.
The Vice-Chair confirmed that the next meeting would be held on October 9, 2024 in the Council Chamber.
- Other Business
There were no items of other business.
The Board moved IN CAMERA.
IN CAMERA SESSION
- Capital Project: Report of the Project Planning Committee for the Hart House Infrastructure Renewal Stage 1 – Total Project Cost and Sources of Funding
Mr. David Kim presented the total project cost and sources of funding.
On motion duly made, seconded and carried,
YOUR BOARD RECOMMENDED,
THAT the University Affairs Board concur with the prospective recommendation of the Academic Board,
THAT the recommendation of the Vice-President, Operations and Real Estate Partnerships, as outlined in the memorandum dated May 23, 2024, regarding the Total Project Cost and Sources of Funding for the Hart House Infrastructure Renewal - Stage 1 Project, be approved in principle. - Annual Report: Striking Committee, University Affairs Board
On motion duly made, seconded and carried,
IT WAS RESOLVED
THAT the following recommendations from the Report of the University Affairs Board Striking Committee were approved:
THAT the following be appointed to the University Affairs Board for a one-year term from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025.
- Dr. Avi Hyman
- Mr. Payam Zahedi
- Ms Jihan Khatib
- Ms Fatima Formuli
- Ms Rachel Leggett
- Mr. Spencer Craddock
- Mr. Arjun Singh Yanglem
- Ms Somtochukwu Nnakenyi
THAT the following be appointed to the Discipline Appeals Board for a one-year term from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025.
- Professor Mark Lautens
- Mr. Sarosh Jamal
- Mr. Dylan Archer Dingwell
- Ms Susan Froom
- Ms Annabelle Dravid
- Ms Syeda Hasan
THAT Mr. Ben Drory be re-appointed as Chair of the Complaints and Resolution Council for Student Societies for a two-year term, from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2026.
THAT Mr. Orlando Da Silva and Mr. Jonathan Jacobs be appointed as two Alternate Chairs for a two-year term, from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2026.
The meeting adjourned at 6:08 p.m.
June 10, 2024