REPORT NUMBER 66 OF THE
UTSC CAMPUS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2026
To the UTSC Campus Council,
University of Toronto,
Your Committee reports that it held a meeting in the UTSC Council Chamber, Arts & Administration Building, UTSC Campus on January 27, 2026 with the following members present:
PRESENT: Brian Harrington (Chair), Dorinda So (Vice-Chair), Karin Ruhlandt (Vice-Principal, Academic and Dean), Alison Mountz (Acting Principal, UTSC), Andrew Arifuzzaman (Chief Administrative Officer), Tim Tang (Dean, Student Experience and Wellbeing)*, Iaroslav Abramov, Syed Ahmed, Aarthi Ashok, Sandra Daga*, Kyle Danielson*, Jason Glover*, Inaaya Imran*, Elaine Khoo, Annie Kostadinova, Tanzina Mohsin, Shennel Simpson
*remote attendance
REGRETS: Sukaina Abbas, Folakunmi Awofisayo, Tiffany Castell, Jirociny Consalas, Maria de Chavez, Mark Fitzpatrick, Sylvia Mittler, Stephanie Perpick, Pravina Robert Prince, Hoorik Yeghiazarian
NON-VOTING ASSESSORS: Ramona Gonsalves
SECRETARIAT: Tracey Gameiro (Acting Secretary), Amanda Grant (Governance Coordinator)
IN ATTENDANCE: Greg Hum (Director, Housing & Residence Life), Frances Wdowczyk (Director, Business Development & Special Advisor to the CAO Operations and Special Projects)
OPEN SESSION
- Chair’s Remarks
The Chair welcomed members and guests to the Cycle 3 meeting.
He updated the Committee on the elections, which had opened for nominations on January 13th. The Campus Affairs Committee had nine vacancies, including three faculty seats, five undergraduate student seats and one graduate student seats.
The Chair advised the Committee that that only one application had been received, and that eight seats therefore remained vacant. He noted that a new Call for Nominations would be issued in the coming weeks and encouraged members to share these opportunities within their networks.
The Chair yielded the floor to Acting Principal, Professor Alison Mountz, who provided remarks on the continued grief and mourning being felt across the UTSC community following the death of a student, Shivank Avasthi, in a tragic act of violence on campus on December 23, 2025. She advised that the University had been proceeding thoughtfully and deliberately to honour the student, respect the family, and support student wellbeing, with guidance from the Office of the Vice-Provost, Students. Professor Mountz expressed appreciation for UTSC staff who responded with professionalism and compassion, reminded members of the support services available to students through the Office of Student Experience and Wellbeing, and emphasized the collective responsibility of the UTSC community in working to restore a sense of community, safety, and compassion. - Annual Report: Compulsory Non-Academic Incidental Fees
Nadia Rosemond, Executive Director of the Office of the Vice-Provost, Students provided an annual report to the Committee on compulsory non-academic incidental fees for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 academic years. 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.
A member requested clarification from Ms Rosemond regarding fees paid by part-time undergraduate students to the Scarborough Campus Students’ Union (SCSU). Ms Rosemond confirmed that part-time students did contribute to SCSU fees, though at a significantly lower rate than full-time students. - Compulsory Non-Academic Incidental Fees: SCSU UTSC Sports & Recreation Complex Levy
Tim Tang, Dean of Student Experience and Wellbeing, introduced the motion to recommend that the UTSC Sports and Recreation Complex Levy be raised by 4%. As background information, Dean Tang reminded members that the UTSC Sports and Recreation Complex Levy was established in 2010 following a student referendum to support the construction of a new sports complex. As part of that referendum, students voted to support an annual fee increase of 4% between 2014 and 2039 to fund the project’s costs.
Members had no questions.
On a motion duly moved, seconded, and carried
YOUR COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED,
THAT, beginning in the Summer 2026 session, the Scarborough Campus Students’ Union fee be increased by $8.62 per session ($1.73 for part-time students) in the UTSC Sports & Recreation Complex Levy portion of the fee. - Operating Plans and Fees: UTSC Office of Student Experience and Wellbeing
-
Advice from the Council on Student Services
-
Operating Plans and Fees: Office of Student Experience and Wellbeing
The Chair invited Dean Tang to present items a) and b). Dean Tang began by noting that compulsory non-academic fees were guided by a number of policies and protocols at the University. Dean Tang stated that the Office of Student Experience and Wellbeing provided multi-year planning and oversight, with themes for 2025-26 aligned with UTSC strategic and tri-campus goals. Dean Tang noted that the Council on Student Services (CSS) was heavily engaged in the planning process and that the themes and budgets were prepared with its input. The CSS identified five themes for 2025-26 including: 1) data-informed decision making through data analysis and evidence-based practices, 2) inclusive excellence being the cornerstone of the UTSC community and its student services, 3) prioritizing Healthy Campus and Culture of Care as core values, 4) enhancing experiential and international education supports, and 5) facilitating academic and career success by supporting student living and learning on and off campus.
Dean Tang summarized the proposed increase that had been provided to Committee members and shared that the budget vote at CSS was passed unanimously. He noted that the Office of Student Experience and Wellbeing would continue to advance access to wellbeing and address wait times, with the budget increases directed toward growth in identified areas of need at UTSC. Dean Tang concluded that the budget increases would position the Office to better meet student needs and would ensure continuity of services.
A member asked how the proposed fee increase would be allocated. Dean Tang responded that, through the collaborative planning process with CSS, the fee increase would support health promotion programming and navigational services, reflecting student interest in greater awareness of available supports. Investments would also be made in academic advising and learning specialists support, as well as in recreational athletic programming, including funding for student employment opportunities within those programs.
On a motion duly moved, seconded, and carried
YOUR COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED,[1]
THAT the 2026-27 operating plans and budgets for the UTSC Student Experience and Wellbeing (including the Health & Wellness Centre, Athletics & Recreation, Student Services), as presented in the documentation from Mr. Tim Tang, Dean of Student Experience and Wellbeing, be approved; and
THAT the sessional Health & Wellness Service Fee for a UTSC-registered or UTSC-affiliated full-time student be increased to $105.40 per full-time student per session ($21.08 per part-time student per session); which represents a year over year increase of 11.30% ($10.70 for full-time student; $1.68 for part-time student); and
THAT the sessional Athletics and Recreation Fee for a UTSC-registered or UTSC-affiliated full-time student be increased to $143.17 per full-time student per session ($28.63 per part-time student per session); which represents an increase of 0.79% ($1.12 for full-time student; $0.22 for part-time student); and
THAT the sessional Student Services Fee for a UTSC-registered or UTSC-affiliated full-time student be increased to $226.74 per full-time student per session ($45.34 per part-time student per session); which represents a year over year increase of 4.12% ($8.98 for full-time student; $1.78 for part-time student).
-
- Operating Plans: UTSC Service Ancillaries
Mr. Andrew Arifuzzaman, Chief Administrative and Strategy Officer
Mr. Arifuzzaman provided the Committee with an overview of the four UTSC Service Ancillaries: housing, conference and event services, food services, and parking. He outlined that the ancillary budgets were self-funding and provided services to all internal users, as well as external users. He noted that overall ancillary operations were functioning well and showing positive net income.
Housing and Residence Life:
Greg Hum, Director, Housing & Residence Life
Mr. Hum provided the Committee with several operational highlights related to housing and residence life. He noted that a number of initiatives had been implemented over the past year, including responding to increased student requests for bidet installations in student housing. Mr. Hum also highlighted the launch of a renovation and modernization initiative for student townhouses, with a pilot project scheduled to be implemented in the summer. Mr. Hum also provided information on a residence fee increase, noting the introduction of a new fee category for the townhouses. He advised that these rate increases were consistent with residences fees across the tri-campus and competitive with the broader Ontario housing market. Mr. Hum further noted that UTSC continued to offer a wide range of residence fee options to students to accommodate diverse student budgets.
A member asked whether residence rates were competitive with alternative accommodation and inquired about summer occupancy levels. Mr. Hum responded that the Fall and Winter residence rates at UTSC were comparable to those at other post-secondary institutions. He shared that, during the summer term, the majority of residence occupancy was in Harmony Commons, where discount rates were offered to incentivize occupancy, with a target occupancy rate of 50%.
Retail and Conference Services:
Frances Wdowczyk, Director, Business Development & Special Advisor to the CAO Operations and Special Projects
Ms Wdowczyk informed the Committee that UTSC’s Retail and Conference Services Department’s mission was to deliver professional, high-quality and value-added customer service and experiences, guided by principles of sustainability and inclusivity. She noted that generating year-round revenue from campus spaces had been a challenge, but that the department had been working closely with stakeholders to maximize the use of UTSC spaces, with these efforts beginning to show moderate results. Ms Wdowczyk also advised that the department had been implementing targeted social media campaigns to promote available retail and conference services.
Food Services:
Frances Wdowczyk, Director, Business Development & Special Advisor to the CAO Operations and Special Projects
Ms Wdowczyk informed the Committee that her office aimed to enrich culinary excellence at UTSC and had experienced a successful year. She noted that food services continued to expand across campus, and that work was underway to attract commuter students to the marketplace through the introduction of specially designed food plans.
In response to a member’s question regarding meal plan participation and student feedback, Ms Wdowczyk shared that approximately 1,200 students were enrolled in the compulsory meal plan at Harmony Commons and approximately 120 students were enrolled in the voluntary commuter meal plan. She stated that Food Services utilized multiple data collection processes throughout the year to gather student feedback and assess satisfaction, and that the department continued to use social media to promote food options available on campus.
Parking:
Mr. Andrew Arifuzzaman, Chief Administrative and Strategy Officer
Mr. Arifuzzaman shared the operating results of Parking Services with the Committee and noted that feedback had previously been received regarding insufficient parking on campus. He advised that while the parking structure had historically generated consistent revenue, this had changed following the opening of the new parking structure. Mr. Arifuzzaman explained that the change was attributable to recent accounting policy changes and updates, which now recognized depreciation at the beginning of an infrastructure asset’s life cycle. He assured the Committee that this was an accounting impact rather than a financial concern.
On motion duly moved, seconded, and carried
YOUR COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED,
THAT the 2026-27 operating plans and budgets for the UTSC Service Ancillaries, as summarized in Schedule 1; the Service Ancillary capital budgets as summarized in Schedule 5; and the rates and fees in Schedule 6, as presented in the Service Ancillary Report on Operating Plans dated January 15, 2026, be approved effective May 1, 2026. - Introductions & Reports of the Presidential Assessors
Professor Karin Ruhlandt, Vice-Principal Academic & Dean
Dean Ruhlandt reported to the Committee on the status of early applications to UTSC. She shared that there was an overall increase in applications, noting a slight decline in domestic applications and a significant increase in international applications. She also noted an increase in “first choice applications” (where applicants were actively choosing UTSC as their preferred destination), but indicated that further growth in international first-choice application would be desirable.
Dean Ruhlandt shared application data with the Committee across various admission categories. She reported that applications in the arts admission categories had increased significantly, representing a positive shift following declines in recent years. She noted that applications to computer science programs had decreased, largely due to changes related to the use of artificial intelligence in the field. Dean Ruhlandt further advised that interest and demand for life science programs remained high, while applications in the management admission categories were largely stable
A member asked what the administration was doing to convert the offers of admission into acceptances by students. Dean Ruhlandt shared that her team had travelled internationally to host acceptance events aimed at increasing student engagement and enthusiasm. She noted collaboration with international recruiters from the St. George Campus who conducted global outreach through information sessions in the Fall and engagement with admitted students in the Spring. Dean Ruhlandt further advised that the current yield rate among first choice applicants was 45%, which she described as exceptionally strong,
Another member asked whether the threshold for international students was established by the University or the Government of Canada. Dean Ruhlandt responded that an internal administrative policy mandated that no more than 30% of a first-year cohort be international students. She further noted that a federal cap on international student visas, which had recently been reduced, also applied. Dean Ruhlandt advised that meeting international student targets had been challenging due to the current geopolitical landscape and federal policies constraints.
Andrew Arifuzzaman, Chief Administrative and Strategy Officer
While he had no formal report, Mr. Arifuzzaman took the opportunity to acknowledge and thank the administration for its efforts during the winter break in responding to the incident on December 23, in which a student was killed. He also recognized the efforts of the grounds crew for their tireless work in clearing the campus following recent storms. -
Report of the Previous Meeting – Report Number 65 (October 15, 2025)
The Committee voted to approve the report of the previous meeting. - 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 – Wednesday, March 11, 2026
The Chair confirmed that the next meeting would take place on March 11, 2026. -
Other Business
Members had no items of other business.
The meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
January 28, 2026
[1] On Feb 20, 2026, the Committee voted by electronic ballot to supersede the motion with respect to agenda item 4(b) "Operating Plans and Fees: UTSC Office of Student Experience and Wellbeing" with the following:
Be It Recommended,
THAT the 2026-27 operating plans and budgets for the UTSC Student Experience and Wellbeing (including the Health & Wellness Centre, Athletics & Recreation, Student Services), as presented in the documentation from Mr. Tim Tang, Dean of Student Experience and Wellbeing, be approved; and
THAT the sessional Health & Wellness Service Fee for a UTSC-registered or UTSC-affiliated full-time student be increased to $105.40 per full-time student per session ($21.08 per part-time student per session); which represents a year over year increase of 11.30% ($10.70 for full-time student; $2.14 for part-time student); and
THAT the sessional Athletics and Recreation Fee for a UTSC-registered or UTSC-affiliated full-time student be increased to $143.17 per full-time student per session ($28.63 per part-time student per session); which represents an increase of 0.79% ($1.12 for full-time student; $0.22 for part-time student); and
THAT the sessional Student Services Fee for a UTSC-registered or UTSC-affiliated full-time student be increased to $226.74 per full-time student per session ($45.34 per part-time student per session); which represents a year over year increase of 4.13% ($8.99 for full-time student; $1.79 for part-time student)