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COUNCIL CHAMBER, ROOM 3130, W. G. DAVIS BUILDING
Report Number 57 Of The UTM Academic Affairs Committee
MONDAY, MARCH 24, 2025
To the UTM Campus Council,
University of Toronto Mississauga,
Your UTM Academic Affairs Committee reports that it held a meeting in the Council Chamber, Room 3130, W. G. Davis building on March 24, 2025 with the following members present:
PRESENT: Laura Taylor (in the Chair), Rosa Hong (Vice-Chair), William A. Gough (Interim Vice-Principal, Academic & Dean), France Gagnon, (Vice-Principal Research and Innovation), Ajay Rao (Vice-Dean Graduate & Postdoctoral Affairs), Andreas Bendlin, Shauna Brail, Jan Durkiewicz, Margarida Duarte (Vice-Dean, Undergraduate), Areej Al-Dailami, Shakhriyor Bakhtiyorov, Barend Beekhuizen, Steven Bernstein, Randy Besco, Brett Beston, Ilia Binder, Elizabeth Blake, Laura Brown, Craig Chambers, Boris Chrubasik, Michael DeBraga, Pierre Desrochers, Jacob Gallagher-Ross, Tanjim Hossain, Ehab James, Josée Johnston, Arsalan Kahnemuyipour, Renu Kanga Fonseca, Andrew Miles, Asif Mohammed, Katie Ngo, Andreas Park, Andrew Petersen, Brian Price, Christoph Richter, Todd Sanders, Dany Savard, Sarah Sharma, Jumi Shin, Jaimal Thind, Anil Wasif, Jonathan Weisberg, Ron Wener, Ronald Wolthoff
REGRETS: Liza Blake, Laura Brown, Michael DeBraga, Pierre Desrochers, Alexandra Gillespie, Claudiu Gradinaru, Sarah Hillewaert, Ehab James, Josée Johnston, Ayman Kashif, Robert McMillan, Katie Ngo, Michael Nixon, Alanna Olteanu, Mark Overton, Gary Lee Pelletier, Gurpreet Rattan, Adriano Senatore, Meghan Sutherland, Afsaneh Tafazzoli, Ewan Wilton, Otto Yung, Ava Zdrava
NON-VOTING ASSESSORS: Bryan Stewart (Vice-Dean, Academic Programs), Martha Harris (Director of Academic Operations, Office of the VPA&D)
SECRETARIAT: Cindy Ferencz-Hammond
IN ATTENDANCE: Marc Dryer (Vice-Chair, Forensic Science Program)
OPEN SESSION
- Chair’s Remarks
The Chair welcomed members to the cycle five meeting of the Committee. - Establishment of an Extradepartmental Unit B (EDU:B) - Institute of Forensic Sciences (IFS), UTM
The Chair invited Professor Bryan Stewart, Vice-Dean, Academic Programs, to present the item.
Professor Stewart explained that Forensic Sciences, established at UTM in 1995, evolved in response to the need for professionals applying scientific knowledge to legal contexts. It became one of UTM’s most recognized programs, offering multiple study options. Since 2006, it operated as part of the Anthropology Department but functioned autonomously, managing its own curriculum, budget, and administrative support. He noted that the rationale for creating an EDU:B stemmed from the program's growth into a distinct, multidisciplinary field, encompassing forensic biology, psychology, chemistry, and anthropology. Two external reviews had also recommended forming an independent academic unit. As an EDU:B, a multidisciplinary structure supporting emerging research and teaching, IFS would allow Forensic Sciences to offer degree programs, manage research funds, and appoint a director while maintaining ties with the Anthropology Department. Under the proposed structure, faculty would hold joint appointments (49% in the Institute, 51% in Anthropology), and a new director would oversee the Institute. The transition was expected to enhance academic excellence, research, and program growth.
In conclusion, Professor Stewart noted that establishing the IFS at UTM aimed to recognize its achievements, strengthen its academic and research foundation, and support future growth while maintaining a beneficial administrative relationship with Anthropology.
In response to a member’s question about the financial impact of creating an EDU:B, particularly regarding staff allocation, Professor Stewart explained that the proposal was reviewed and approved by the Vice-President & Principal’s Office and the Planning, Budget, and Finance unit, determining that adding one staff position was a justified and manageable commitment. The role would support both the new Institute and the Anthropology Department equally. He added that additional administrative support for Forensic Sciences would have been warranted even without its establishment as an EDU:B.
Another member raised concerns about the budgetary impact, arguing that the unit had minimal research funding, declining enrollment, and lacked clear benefits for students. He questioned whether the proposal was driven by faculty interest or imposed from higher administration. He also expressed concerns about the timing, suggesting it might be better to wait until new faculty hires were settled before creating additional administrative complexity. In response, Professor Marc Dryer, Vice Chair, Forensic Science Program, emphasized that forensic science had long operated as an independent entity within anthropology and that formalizing its status as an EDU:B would streamline operations rather than create confusion. He explained that the change would allow the program to manage hiring and faculty appointments more effectively, strengthen external partnerships, and better serve students. Professor Dryer also highlighted the program’s growth over the years, the strong faculty presence, and the need to clarify its identity to students and external organizations.
The Chair of the Department of Anthropology, Professor Todd Sanders, spoke in support of the proposal, arguing that it would eliminate rather than create confusion. It was pointed out that the program already operated with significant autonomy and that the change would help secure future growth, including potential graduate programs.
On motion duly made, seconded, and carried,
YOUR COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED,
THAT the proposal to establish the Extradepartmental Unit B (EDU:B) – Institute of Forensic Sciences (IFS), at the University of Toronto Mississauga, as described in the Proposal for the Establishment of an EDU:B, Institute of Forensic Sciences, UTM dated February 21, 2025, be approved, effective July 1, 2025. - Minor Modification: New Certificate in Politics, Law and Justice (Category 2), Department of Political Science, UTM
Professor Stewart presented the proposal, emphasizing that the initiative aimed to enhance academic offerings in response to student interest and societal needs. The certificate was classified as a Category 2 program, meaning it was a structured succession of courses that was expected to be of interest to current students in the Specialist, Major and Minor in Political Science, but would eventually have broad appeal as a complementary learning experience for students in other programs. It consisted of two full course credits, including a foundational course on the politics of social justice and a selection of advanced electives focused on law, human rights, and political struggles. These courses were designed to develop students’ analytical skills and prepare them for civic engagement and leadership roles.
Professor Stewart explained that the proposal was based on student feedback and an internal academic review. Surveys showed strong interest in law and social justice courses, with many students planning careers in related fields. The certificate was expected to attract significant enrollment, enriching students’ educational experiences and preparing them for graduate studies and professional careers. Admission would be open to all undergraduate students at UTM to ensure broad accessibility. The department consulted faculty, students, and other stakeholders, including the department of anthropology, to align the program with community needs and strategic goals.
Members had no questions.
On motion duly made, seconded, and carried,
YOUR COMMITTEE RESOLVED,
THAT the proposed New Certificate in Politics, Law and Justice (Category 2), in the Department of Political Science, UTM, as detailed in the proposal dated February 21, 2025, be approved, effective September 1, 2025. - Minor Modification: New Focus in Politics, Policy and Law, Department of Anthropology, UTM*
Professor Stewart presented a proposal from the anthropology department for a new focus in Anthropology of Politics, Policy, and Law. He explained that unlike a certificate, a focus was a small cluster of optional courses within a major or specialist program, requiring 2.0 to 3.5 credits, with a transcript notation upon completion. The focus aimed to provide an anthropological perspective on issues like armed conflict, surveillance, and climate change through ethnographic analysis. It included a gateway course, a capstone seminar, and elective courses in political, policy, and legal anthropology. Driven by student interest, the program was expected to enhance academic profiles and career prospects in law, public policy, and advocacy.
In response to a member’s question, Professor Todd Sanders confirmed that Anthropology 468, a required course, would be offered annually. A question was raised about the impact of the new focus on course availability, overcrowding, and competition for research opportunities, given that no new faculty, funding, or teaching resources were being added. Professor Sanders responded that the focus formalized existing courses, some of which had been offered for up to 20 years and included one new gateway course. Since it covered about 22 courses across the department, a major influx of students was not expected. The only potential issue was the fourth-year course, capped at 25 students, but a second section could be added if needed. Professor Stewart clarified that only students already enrolled in the major or specialist program could pursue the focus, preventing an unexpected surge in demand.
On motion duly made, seconded, and carried,
YOUR COMMITTEE RESOLVED,
THAT the proposed Focus in the Anthropology of Politics, Policy, and Law, in the Department of Anthropology, as detailed in the proposal dated February 21, 2025, be approved, effective September 1, 2025. - Reports of the Presidential Assessors
The Chair invited the Vice-Principal Research and Innovation, Professor France Gagnon, to provide a report. Professor Gagnon reported that the VPRI was focusing on ongoing efforts to expand services for researchers. She also reported that five Canada Research Chair (CRC) positions would be posted in the coming weeks.
CONSENT AGENDA
On motion duly moved, seconded, and carried
YOUR COMMITTEE APPROVED
THAT the consent agenda be adopted and that Items 6 (Minor Modification: Graduate Curriculum Changes), 7 (Minor Modification: Undergraduate Curriculum Changes) and 8 (the Report of the Previous Meeting), be approved.
- Minor Modification: Graduate Curriculum Changes, UTM* (for approval)
On motion duly moved, seconded, and carried
YOUR COMMITTEE APPROVED
THAT the proposed graduate curriculum changes in the Institute for Management and Innovation (IMI), as detailed in the proposal dated February 5, 2025, be approved effective September 1, 2025. - Minor Modification: Undergraduate Curriculum Changes, UTM* (for approval)
On motion duly moved, seconded, and carried
YOUR COMMITTEE APPROVED
THAT the proposed undergraduate curriculum changes at UTM, as detailed in the curriculum report, dated March 24, 2025, be approved, effective September 1, 2025. - Report of the Previous Meeting: Report Number 56 – January 8, 2025
- Business Arising from the Report of the Previous Meeting
- Date of the Next Meeting – Thursday, May 8, 2025, at 3:10 p.m
- Other Business
There was no other business.
The meeting adjourned at 3:57 p.m.
March 31, 2025