Report: UTM Campus Council - October 06, 2025

To the Governing Council,

University of Toronto,

Your UTM Campus Council reports that it held a meeting in the Council Chamber, Room 3130, W. G. Davis building on October 6, 2025 with the following members present:

PRESENT: Ann Curran (Chair), Andrew Petersen (Vice-Chair),  Alexandra Gillespie (Vice-President & Principal), Heather Anderson, Charleson Cao, Aryaman Chopra, Robert Gerlai (Chair, CAC), Claudiu Gradinaru, Rosa Hong, David Jacobs, Farhan Majumder, Asif Mohammed, Eha Naylor, Haze Schepmyer, Joanna Szurmak, Anil Wasif, Ron Wener, Daniel Wright, Jack Zhang

NON-VOTING ASSESSORS: Deborah Brown (Chief Administrative Officer), William Gough ( Interim Vice-Principal, Academic & Dean), Tim Fricker (Interim Dean of Student Experience and Wellbeing )

REGRETS: Sheliza Ibrahim, John Paul Lotesto, Latonya Ludford, Hana Tariq, Christopher Thompson

SECRETARIAT: Cindy Ferencz-Hammond, Lauren Turner, Samantha Frost

IN ATTENDANCE: Sandy Welsh (Vice-Provost, Students), Angela Treglia (Executive Director, Sexual Violence Strategy, Prevention & Support), Dan Bowyer (College of Electors), Scott Clarke (Manager, Enrolment, Retention & Strategic Initiatives), Jeff Espie (Director, Strategy and Brand Integration), Christine Esteban (Executive Director, Budget Planning and Finance), Megan Evans (Asst. Director, Hospitality Operations, HAS), Adam Fraser (Assistant Dean, Office of the Vice-Principal Academic & Dean), Winnie Hui (Assistant Director, Student Services, Ancillaries and Special Projects, BPF), Renu Kanga Fonseca (Registrar & Assistant Dean, Enrolment Management), Julia Le (Issues and Media Relations Strategist),  Antonia Lo (Budget, Planning & Finance), Leemor Mano Margalit (Director, Procurement, Budget, Planning and Finance), Peter Mumford (Director, Recreation, Athletics and Wellness), Cristina Puha (Assistant Director, International Student Support), Luke Barber (Executive Director, Digital and Physical Infrastructure), Amanda Pautler (Interim Executive Director, Public Affairs)

OPEN SESSION

1. Chair’s Remarks
   
   The Chair welcomed members to the Council’s first meeting, introduced the presidential assessors and noted that their role was to bring items of business forward for the consideration of the Council. The Chair provided a brief member orientation and explained that in general, the UTM Campus Council was concerned with matters affecting the objectives and priorities of the campus, the development of long-term and short-term plans and the effective use of resources in the course of these pursuits. The Chair highlighted the difference between the role of governance and administration and talked about the roles and responsibilities of members.  She referred members to the FAQ for Members document and UTM Council overview presentation, which were made available in the governance portal.
2. Report of the Vice-President & Principal
   
   The Chair welcomed Professor Robyn Stremler, Dean of U of T’s Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, to the Campus Council and invited Professor Gillespie to introduce the presentation.
   
   Professor Gillespie began by noting that Ontario was projected to require 30,000 additional nurses within the next seven years. The University of Toronto, whose nursing program ranked first in Canada and fourth globally in the 2025 QS subject rankings, was well positioned to help address this need. UTM’s distinctive academic programs, its existing health-related initiatives, and its strong partnership with Trillium Health Partners (THP) provided a foundation for program expansion.  She was then pleased to invite Professor Stremler to UTM and to the Committee to provide more information on this initiative coming to UTM.
   
   Dean Stremler outlined plans approved by the Nursing Faculty Senate to expand the bachelor of science in nursing program (BScN) to UTM. Beginning in Fall 2026, 30 new student seats would be added, supported by ongoing provincial funding and a one-time allocation of $500,000 to establish a simulation and clinical education laboratory on the UTM campus. The facility would include high- and low-fidelity mannequins and related equipment to support hands-on learning.
   
   The presentation highlighted the importance of clinical placements within Peel Region, particularly through THP, to reduce commuting burdens for students and strengthen community ties. It was noted that local placements would enhance student experiences, facilitate part-time employment, and help retain graduates in the region. The expansion was also expected to raise awareness of nursing pathways among UTM undergraduates and increase alignment between health-related programming across campuses. Plans included the use of simulcast technology to connect courses across St. George and UTM, and the expansion of practicum opportunities across Peel hospitals, community agencies, and health organizations. 
   
   One member asked about the proportion of classes that would be held on campus versus virtually and Dean Stremler explained that there would be live simulcasting between UTM and the downtown campus, and that the team was still determining whether there were enough spaces to accommodate 230 students downtown and 30 at UTM. She added that students might be asked to attend one in-person class in the fall to help build community, but the rest of the courses were expected to be simulcast. Faculty would rotate between campuses to ensure that students at both sites received equitable access to in-person teaching.  Another member inquired about the source of the teaching faculty, and it was clarified that courses would be taught by Bloomberg Nursing faculty, many of whom lived in different parts of the GTA. Some faculty had already expressed interest in teaching at UTM, and smaller sections could be supported by instructional assistants, who were typically master’s students practicing nurses pursuing graduate education.
   A third member offered to assist in finding placement opportunities and additional funding for students.  Finally, in response to a member’s question, it was confirmed that the same admission criteria would apply to the UTM cohort, including required courses in anatomy, physiology, social sciences, humanities, and life sciences as to the St. George cohort. The presenter also discussed efforts to better profile nursing as a viable academic and career path, including collaboration with UTM and UTSC to help students prepare earlier in their studies.
   
   Following the presentation, Professor Gillespie moved on to provide her standing report.
   
   Report of the Vice-President & Principal
   
   Recent Accomplishments:
   
   The Vice-President and Principal began her report by extending a warm welcome to members of Council and acknowledging recent accomplishments at UTM. These included the opening of Spigel Hall, the groundbreaking of a new pre-engineered research building for drone, autonomous vehicle, and forensic science research, and the successful hosting of the third annual Powwow, which celebrated Indigenous culture and resilience. She emphasized UTM’s ongoing commitment to reconciliation and reciprocal relationships with Indigenous partners.
   
   Budget and Enrolment Update:
   
   Professor Gillespie provided a budget update, noting that more international students had registered than in the previous year, despite an 8% decline in applications.  UTM also projected higher domestic enrollment than the previous year. This reflected strong regional demand for education in Peel, where UTM remained the only large-scale university offering world-class degrees.  She also acknowledged ongoing financial pressures, citing the provincial tuition cut and freeze and insufficient funding through government grants. She expressed gratitude to the provincial government for its partnership in seeking solutions and reaffirmed UTM’s commitment to affordability and accessibility.  In fall 2025, UTM met its enrollment goals overall, but fell short of international targets, prompting a recommendation to revise those targets downward, which would have long-term budget implications. Professor Gillespie noted that UTM had exercised fiscal prudence by canceling most new spending, including the F2 building and was prepared to make further difficult decisions if necessary. 
   
   The Vice-President & Principal concluded by expressing confidence that UTM could continue to fund faculty, research, and student support while identifying efficiencies to reduce administrative costs. She committed to ongoing transparency and open dialogue about financial challenges and encouraged continued community engagement as UTM worked toward sustainable solutions.
   
   UTMSU event titled “Honouring our Martyrs”
   
   The Vice-President & Principal addressed concerns raised about an upcoming UTMSU (University of Toronto Mississauga Student Union) event titled “Honoring Our Martyrs,” scheduled for October 7. Professor Gillespie noted that the event’s timing and wording led many community members to perceive it as glorifying the terrorist attacks that occurred on that date two years earlier.  She acknowledged the pain and fear this caused, particularly within the Jewish community, and noted that many had contacted university leaders to express their concern. The university met with members of the UTMSU executive over the weekend, and the student union clarified that its intention was not to glorify violence but to commemorate suffering in Palestine on both sides of the conflict. UTMSU released a public video affirming this position.
   
   The Vice-President & Principal noted, however, that the original event poster, which used language interpreted by many as celebrating the October 7 attacks, remained online and in print. The university reminded UTMSU of its responsibility under university policy to ensure all members felt safe, included, and represented. She emphasized that, while UTMSU was an autonomous organization, it was still required to operate in an open and democratic manner consistent with institutional policies as well as its own.  Furthermore, the university reaffirmed its commitment to upholding freedom of speech, even when expressions caused distress, as long as they did not cross into hate speech, discrimination, or incitement to violence. Campus safety teams were instructed to monitor the event closely to ensure safety and respond to any violations.
   
   Professor Gillespie concluded by reiterating that the University of Toronto stood firmly against the glorification of violence and emphasized the university’s broader mission to foster understanding, compassion, and education as tools to end cycles of hate. She closed on a note of hope, referencing both the trust placed in the university community and the recent UTM Powwow that celebrated reconciliation and remembrance.
   
   During the question-and-answer period, several members expressed deep concern about the upcoming UTMSU event scheduled for October 7. One member shared a harrowing account from an attendee of the Nova Music Festival on October 7, 2023, describing acts of brutality committed by Hamas terrorists. He emphasized that October 7 was not an arbitrary date but one symbolically tied to those attacks, arguing that holding the event on that day was provocative and deeply insensitive. He stated that the university carried both moral and reputational risks by allowing the event to proceed under its name, even though the UTMSU was autonomous. He declared his intent to recommend that the university stop collecting mandatory fees for the student union, arguing that free speech did not exempt anyone from the consequences of promoting hate or harming minority communities. He also shared that many students and parents had reported antisemitism on campus but were too afraid to file formal complaints, which he felt highlighted the university’s need for accountability and reform.
   
   Another member commended the administration’s balanced handling of an emotionally charged and complex situation. He urged continued efforts toward education, dialogue, and finding shared humanity, suggesting that initiatives promoting understanding of common cultural and historical ground could help in this regard.  A third member raised concerns about campus safety, particularly for Jewish students, and asked for details about security measures for the event and beyond. The Vice-President & Principal responded that, in line with university protocol, additional officers and campus safety personnel would be deployed near the event, with Peel Regional Police monitoring the situation closely. Authorities did not identify any physical safety threats related to the event. She acknowledged, however, that the broader issue of emotional and psychological safety required ongoing dialogue, education, and empathy.
   
   Further discussion focused on whether the university could have asked UTMSU to move the event to another date or include balanced speakers. The Vice-President & Principal explained that, while it had suggested both, UTMSU was an autonomous organization, and under university and provincial free speech policies, the university could only intervene if there were clear safety or legal violations.
   
   Another member suggested organizing a series of talks and educational events highlighting shared cultural and religious histories to promote understanding. Professor Gillespie agreed, emphasizing the importance of integrating such dialogue into classrooms and campus life, reaffirming the university’s commitment to fostering humanity and mutual respect.
   
   Another member concluded by urging that future discussions and initiatives on these sensitive issues should meaningfully involve students, since they were the most affected by the tensions. Professor Gillespie agreed, stressing the importance of continued engagement and efforts to help students find common ground and demonstrate grace toward one another.
3. Presidential Assessors Portfolio Overview and Priorities for 2025-26
   
   Deborah Brown, Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), provided a comprehensive overview of her portfolio, which encompassed budget planning and finance, hospitality and retail operations, facilities management and planning, and informational and instructional technology services. Her presentation was structured around three key areas: strategic plans, capital projects, and continuous improvement.  During her report, the CAO emphasized UTM’s sustainability efforts, highlighting progress on 102 strategic plan targets and a gold rating in the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System (STARS) framework, with goals to achieve platinum status. The Climate Positive Plan was a key focus, outlining strategies to consume, distribute, and produce energy more sustainably to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A notable initiative was Project Shift, whose goal was to modernize campus infrastructure by moving away from fossil fuels as the primary heating source and implementing deep energy retrofits across campus buildings. Speaking next on capital projects, the CAO updated members on extensive renovations to student residences and other spaces, such as the new student space in Spigel Hall.  Regarding major capital projects, she reported that the new student residence was scheduled to open in September 2026; construction was underway on Principal’s Road for the Pre-Engineered Building, slated for completion by July 2026; and that the proposal for the Central Utility Plant 2 would be submitted for governance consideration towards the end of the governance year.  She added that the Indigenous Build project centered on indigenous placemaking and placekeeping was in the proposal evaluation stage.  Speaking next to projects involving continuous improvement, the CAO noted that ancillary services saw significant upgrades, including renovations to the CCT garage and P4 and P8 parking garages over the summer.  Information technology improvements included refreshing 13 classrooms and one lab, alongside ongoing cybersecurity efforts with tri-campus partners. A linear asset management plan was completed to assess and plan for campus infrastructure like roads, sewers, electricity, and sidewalks, addressing deferred maintenance and sustainability.  Regarding financial planning, the CAO noted that a balanced five-year budget would be developed by December, and the campus operating budget would be brought to governance in cycle four. The CAO concluded with visual examples of completed projects, such as Spigel Hall, renovated townhouse kitchens and lounges, the health and counseling center, and schematics for the new residence and pre-engineered building. 
   
   During the question-and-answer period, members inquired about the cancellation of the F2 building project and recent campus renovations. It was explained that the F2 build had been cancelled due to budget constraints, despite completed design plans. To address the resulting space needs, renovations were planned in other buildings, and the new pre-engineered building would accommodate some projects involving drones and robotics. Members also asked about the newly renovated Spigel Hall. It was confirmed that the space was open to students and designed with modular furniture to support flexible use, including meetings and prayer. Booking systems were being integrated into the university’s online service platform to streamline access. A follow-up question about the kitchen facilities revealed that Spigel Hall’s kitchen had been completely modernized over two summer phases, replacing an outdated system. The renovation resulted in a state-of-the-art, energy-efficient kitchen with improved capacity for catering, and meal services.
   
   Tim Fricker, Interim Dean of Student Experience & Wellbeing presented the structure and priorities of the Student Affairs and Services portfolio, which focused on student development, wellness, and success outside academics. He emphasized collaboration with campus partners and highlighted key initiatives for the 2025-26 academic year.
   
   Speaking to key challenges and opportunities on the horizon for 2025-26, Mr. Fricker spoke on the following topics:

• New 400-Bed Residence: Preparations were underway for its fall 2026 opening, a significant undertaking to expand housing capacity.
• Behavioral Support Awareness: Presentations were made available to educate departments on activating the comprehensive student support team for students exhibiting behavioral concerns.
• Career Work Program and Skills Accelerator: A 12-week career planning program (offered in-person and online) and a three-day intensive session during reading week were introduced. The Skills Accelerator connected students with employers to explore practical applications of skills, such as Python programming in industry settings.
• Multi-Purpose Rooms: Spigel Hall was repurposed for events and meetings, replacing its former role as a cafeteria.
• Rec Zone Project: Plans were being developed to expand outdoor recreation fields and courts near the south field, pending governance approval.
• Access Programs: Initiatives like the SEE program for Black-identifying students and a summer program for Indigenous students from Peel Region were expanded to encourage post-secondary education.

Professor William Gough, Interim Vice-Principal Academic and Dean (OVPAD) presented his portfolio and reflected on his first 10 months at UTM, outlined changes in the academic leadership team, discussed priorities for 2025-26, and provided an enrollment update.  He noted that work on the UTM Academic Plan, provisionally titled “Realizing Our Potential,” was underway, with three meanings: becoming aware of existing strengths, achieving aspirational goals, and creating tangible outcomes through inspired ideas. Professor Gough then introduced his academic leadership team, highlighting that Anna Korteweg was appointed as Associate Dean, Faculty, in January, to support with faculty recruitment and reviews, development, and mentoring.

Academic Priorities for 2025-2026 included the following:

• Advance work on academic plan, strategic enrolment plan, and faculty complement plan.
• Complete proposal for Indigenous studies program and/or EDU:B.
• Expand co-op internship program to include more placements and fields of study.
• Complete onboarding to Advocate by Symplicity case-management platform for academic integrity case resolutions.
• Develop more undergrad pathways into health professions including medicine, nursing, and occupational therapy.

Professor Gough reported that new programs on the horizon included a specialist in accounting and finance, UTM’s first locally administered PhD in media communications technology, an MFA in creative theater practice, and certificates for micro-credentialing. The OVPAD was also supporting eight external reviews in 2025-26.

Finally, Professor Gough referred members to the slide deck showing enrolment data as of September 29 and concluded with an overview of enrollment trends. He noted that a five-year analysis of new undergraduate enrollment showed that UTM had exceeded its domestic enrollment targets in the past two academic years. This outcome reflected a deliberate strategy to offset anticipated declines in international student enrollment, resulting in relatively stable overall headcounts despite changes in student composition.  However, the shift toward more domestic students had financial implications, as the combined government grant and domestic tuition were significantly lower than international tuition revenues. The data used in the analysis were based on current figures, with the November 1 official count still pending. Some minor attrition was expected before that date, typically between 10 and 30 students.

A member asked about the regional distribution of the decline in international student enrollment. It was confirmed that the largest decrease had come from China, which historically represented the largest share of UTM’s international students. Smaller declines were also noted in India and other major regions, though slight growth had been observed in countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines due to recent recruitment efforts.

Another member inquired about the experiential learning initiative, specifically the ratio of co-op applications to placements and potential challenges in expanding the program fourfold. The response indicated that most of the 250 current co-op placements involved computer science students, who were relatively easy to place due to high demand. It was noted that for 247 spots UTM had close to 500 applications.  A GPA cutoff limited eligibility to about 30–40% of students. The initiative was described as a 10-year plan designed to gradually build industry partnerships and expand into more departments.   Finally, a question was raised about the financial sustainability of new PhD programs, given the campus’s tight budget. It was explained that while graduate programs were important academically and reputationally, they often required subsidies, especially in their early years. The funding model, based on provincial weighted grant units, did not always fully cover program costs, but the overall financial impact was expected to be modest within UTM’s broader budget.

4. Revisions and Review of the Policy on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment
   
   Professor Sandy Welsh, Vice-Provost, Students provided an update on the progress of ongoing review and revisions to the Policy on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment. She was joined by Angela Treglia, Executive Director for Sexual Violence Support and Prevention. The presentation summarized findings from community consultations, recommendations from an external expert, and proposed policy revisions.
   
   Background and Purpose
   
   The Policy, which came into effect on January 1, 2017, applied to all students, staff, faculty members, and librarians. It outlined the university’s response to incidents of sexual violence and the supports available. Provincial requirements mandated a review every three years. The latest review built upon recommendations from the 2022 review, assessing the impact of earlier policy updates and identifying further improvements.
   
   Consultation Process
   
   From January to March 2025, Professor Emerita Faye Mishna led internal consultations on behalf of the Provost and Vice-President, People Strategy, Equity and Culture.  Over 200 community members (students, staff, faculty, and librarians) participated across the three campuses. An external expert, lawyer Gillian Hnatiw, conducted a parallel review from an administrative law perspective, focusing on procedural fairness and policy clarity. Both the internal and external reviews emphasized the need for improved definitions, clearer processes, better communication, and stronger institutional commitments.
   
   Key Themes from Consultations
   
   The consultations highlighted several areas for improvement:

• Greater clarity and transparency in definitions and policy language.
• Enhanced communication tools, such as online navigation guides.
• The addition of timelines for key processes.
• Expansion of non-adjudicative (facilitated) resolution mechanisms.
• Increased training and educational initiatives.
• Broader scope to include more forms of gender-based and intimate partner violence.

External Expert Recommendations

The external expert’s recommendations aligned closely with community feedback. She supported revisions to clarify definitions and university commitments, introduce timelines for key actions and expand decision-making authority for the Vice-Provost, Students.

The administration reviewed all feedback and prepared proposed changes for community input between September 23 and October 8, 2025, before final approval in Cycle 2.

Proposed Policy Revisions

1. Definitions and Interpretation:  Added six new definitions, including “gender-based violence”, “intimate partner violence”, and “tech-facilitated sexual violence”; updated existing definitions, such as “consent” and “sexual violence”, for greater clarity; and renamed “non-adjudicative resolution” to “facilitated resolution” to better reflect the process.
2. Statement of Commitments and Acknowledgements: Reordered content to reflect university priorities; Added commitments to trauma-informed practices and accommodations; updated language acknowledging impacts on marginalized communities.
3. Application and Scope: Formalized the university’s authority to receive reports from individuals who recently left the institution and expanded scope to include certain types of intimate partner violence.
4. Confidentiality and Privacy: Elevated this section for emphasis and clarified the limits of confidentiality and added requirements for protocols on intimate image and document retention.
5. Principles Respecting Process: Added guidance for situations involving parallel criminal or regulatory processes and introduced timeline guidelines.
6. Education, Support, and Resources: Expanded supports for those experiencing intimate partner violence and for respondents; introduced mandatory training for individuals implementing the policy.
7. Safety, Reprisals, and Interim Measures: Created a new standalone section with expanded details on interim measures, reprisal responses, and safety planning.
8. Reporting, Assessment, and Resolution: Clarified reporting processes, emergency protocols, and complainant options; Introduced assessment as a distinct stage; added timelines, trauma-informed investigation standards, and new review opportunities for complainants and respondents; expanded Vice-Provost Students’ authority to impose sanctions short of suspension or expulsion; broadened the facilitated resolution process, including same-day mediated resolutions; and clarified withdrawal rights, university authority, and procedural  fairness obligations.

Broader Implementation Initiatives

In addition to policy amendments, the university initiated several operational improvements:

• Development of online navigation tools for complainants and respondents (students, staff, faculty, librarians).
• Launch of a student documentation and disclosure platform to securely record and share experiences.
• Internal reviews of processes and communications to improve efficiency and user experience.

Professor Welsh concluded her presentation by emphasizing that the revisions were guided by extensive community and expert input and aimed to ensure transparency, consistency, and trauma-informed practice. She thanked students, staff, faculty, librarians, Ms Gillian Hnatiw, and the review team for their contributions.

A member sought clarification on the university's obligation to investigate a complaint if the complainant wished to withdraw it. Professor Welsh explained that the decision depended on the circumstances: in many cases, the university would not proceed without the complainant's involvement or if they chose not to resolve the issue. However, in a small number of cases involving broader community safety risks or serious incidents, the university had an obligation to move forward with the investigation. In such situations, the university supported the complainant throughout, discussed potential future involvement, and noted that some complaints could not proceed without their participation.

The Chair thanked Professor Welsh and noted that the finalized proposed revisions to the Policy would be presented to members of Council at the next meeting.

5. Calendar of Business, 2025-26
   
   The Chair reminded members that the Council’s Calendar of Business represented the expected items of business for governance consideration for the year and noted that it would be updated regularly on the Council’s website.

CONSENT AGENDA

On motion duly moved, seconded, and carried

YOUR COMMITTEE APPROVED

THAT the consent agenda be adopted and that Item 7, report of the previous meeting, be approved.

6. Reports for Information
   1. Report Number 59 of the Academic Affairs Committee – September 10, 2025
   2. Report Number 72 of the Campus Affairs Committee – September 11, 2025
   3. Report Number 73 of the Agenda Committee – September 25, 2025
7. Report of the Previous Meeting – Report Number 72, May 27, 2025
8. Business Arising from the Report of the Previous Meeting
9. Date of the Next Meeting – Wednesday, November 12, 2025

10. Other Business
    
    There was no other business.