Report Number 73 Of The Utsc Campus Council
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
To the Governing Council,
University of Toronto,
Your Campus Council reports that it held a meeting in the UTSC Council Chamber, Arts & Administration Building on April 14, 2026 with the following members present:
PRESENT: Grace Westcott (Chair), Aarthi Ashok (Vice-Chair), Linda Johnston (Vice-President & Principal), Syed Ahmed, Daniel Bowyer, Irmi Huftless*, Brian Harrington, Paul Huyer*, Mariana Jardim*, Elaine Khoo, Gillian Mason, Sonja Nikkila*, Anisa Persaud*, Silma Roddau, Shennel Simpson*, Dorinda So
*Remote attendance
REGRETS: Andrew Arifuzzaman, Karin Ruhlandt, Sharleen Ahmed, Faith Opoku Agyemang, Jason Glover, Brian Harrington, Imran Khan, Mandy Liao, Rachel Sturge, Hoorik Yeghiazarian
NON-VOTING ASSESSORS: Tim Tang
SECRETARIAT: Miranda Edwards (Secretary), Amanda Grant (Governance Coordinator)
IN ATTENDANCE: Professor Sandy Welsh (Vice-Provost, Students), Professor Cheryl Regehr, Sarah Abdillahi (Executive Director, SCSU), Hannah Huang, Erika Loney, MJ Yassin
OPEN SESSION
- Chair’s Remarks
The Chair welcomed members and guests to the Cycle 4 meeting. She congratulated the newly elected undergraduate student members of the 2026-27 Campus Council: Anisa Persaud, Shennel Simpson, and Kiera Rasheed. She noted that Ms Simspon had been re-elected as an undergraduate student member for the fourth consecutive year, meaning that she will have served on Campus Council for almost the full length of her undergraduate degree. - Report of the Vice-President and Principal
Professor Linda Johnston, Vice-President and Principal began her report by offering her thanks and support to all students and faculty as they showed care for one another during exam season.
She reported that the second episode of “In Their Words” had now been released – a video series about UTSC’s Culture of Care. The second episode, “Transforming the Classroom Experience” offered insights into how educational environments helped students to thrive. The video was available across social media channels.
She noted that the Governing Council had met at UTSC campus for its meeting on March 26th. Professor Johnston also reported that she had been able to share with Governors, a high level update on the progress of UTSC’s operational plan. It was a meaningful opportunity for the campus to welcome colleagues from across the tri-campus and host an inspiring visit to the newly opened Indigenous House. She thanked Ms Tanya Senk and Mr. Andrew Arifuzzaman for welcoming Governors and organizing an informative tour. Professor Johnston said she looked forward to welcoming all members of the UTSC community to Indigenous House for its official opening on May 25th.
Professor Johnston was pleased to share some good news about UTSC’s recent grant funding successes, as follows:
- Applications submitted to CIHR had a 33% success rate and $1.9 million awarded;
- Applications submitted to SHRC partnership development funds had a success rate of 50% and $297,000 awarded;
- Applications submitted to SHRC Insight Grants had a 59% success rate and $649,000 awarded;
- Applications submitted to NSERC Research Tools and Instruments Grant Program had a 33% success rate and $287,000 awarded;
- Applications to the NSERC Discovery Grant Program had a 85.7% success rate and $762,000 awarded.
These success rates were above the national average and above the tri-campus average. She offered her congratulations to all successful applicants.
Professor Johnston noted that the academic term was ending with a real sense of reflection and possibility across campus. She offered her personal thanks to the Council and the broader UTSC community for their support.
- UTSC Campus Operating Budget
Professor Johnston provided a summary of the five priorities of the campus operating budget: implementing the new activity-based budget model, addressing the international student shift, building Scarborough Academic of Integrated Health and Medicine (SAMIH) programming, implementing the Culture of Care, and operationalizing new campus facilities (Toronto Zoo Conservation Campus, new parking and retail commons, new bookstore, and implementing new classroom systems technologies).
Regarding enrolment, the number of applications where UTSC was ranked as students’ first choice had remained steady over the past five years with the yield rate steadily increasing. There was a significant decrease in the number of international student applications as a result of changes to federal government student visa policies. This had created a negative effect on revenue targets across the tri-campus and led to a re-calibration of these targets.
The new 5-year plan accounted for the rate of domestic student enrollment holding steady with an expected modest increase in international student enrollment. UTSC’s expansion in the life sciences had attracted significant interest from domestic students and was expected to continue. International students continued to play a significant role in the campus operating budget, accounting for approximately 60% of operating revenue. Professor Johnston highlighted the provincial government’s recent announcement that the tuition freeze would be lifted and increased funding would be allocated to universities. She told members that this would help address some of the University’s financial challenges but would not resolve all fiscal constraints. She noted that the campus budget had been prepared before this announcement was made and did not reflect expected revised projections.
The new Campus Academic Activity-Based Budget Model was identified as a priority in the 2020-25 Strategic Plan, “Inspiring Inclusive Excellence.” The objective was to assure transparency and accountability on all financial and budgetary matters across campus, vest more control and flexibility with department chairs, and incentivize innovation and budget optimization. The Institutional Planning and Research Office provided all academic departments with access to a data dashboard to assist them in making evidence-based budget decisions. The campus was currently in Phase 2 of the implementation plan with the new budget model expected to be fully implemented in the next fiscal year (May 2027).
Professor Johnston concluded by noting that the values of the Culture of Care underpinned all campus activities, supported by evidence that people thrive best when they feel valued by colleagues and nurture joy in their workplaces.
Discussion:
Members discussed the importance and challenges of the University in staying nimble and adaptable in changing times. Professor Johnston noted that the University must be responsive to changing geopolitical realities, evolving government funding models, and the links between academic programs and job markets.
Professor Johnston noted that, in response to recent changes to OSAP funding, President Melanie Woodin and Vice-Provost Sandy Welsh were working closely with the provincial government, and that she would be meeting with the Scarborough Campus Students’ Union (SCSU) to discuss the campus response and impacts.
As a result of the lift in the provincial tuition freeze and increased operating grants, the University estimated that, in 2026-27 it would receive approximately $85 million additional funds in operating grants and approximately $10 million additional funds in tuition fees; in 2027-28, it would receive approximately $68 million additional funds in operating grants and approximately $5 million additional funds in tuition fees. It was expected that by 2028-29, there would be little remaining impact and finances were expected to return to stability. She noted that the University was focused on the long-term sustainability of the institution.
In response to a member’s question about UTSC’s partnership with Centennial College, Professor Johnston confirmed that conversations and collaboration were ongoing. The joint paramedicine program had been largely successful and there were foundational shared education pillars that both institutions could continue to build on; particularly in regards to access pathways. She noted that President Woodin had recently signed an MOU with George Brown College and stated that some educational areas lent themselves to transcending the university-college divide. -
Compulsory Non-Academic Incidental Fees – UTSC Student Society Fees, Proposal for Increases
Tim Tang, Dean of Student Experience & Wellbeing, brought forward proposed increases for UTSC student society fees. He confirmed that all increases complied with University policies and governance processes and had undergone a student-led consultative process. Dean Tang noted that the SCSU Board had confirmed all fees with the exception of the health and dental plan fees.
A member noted a recent article in student newspaper, The Varsity, regarding some UTSC students who had not been able to access their health and dental benefits as a result of differing definitions of full-time and part-time students. Ms Sarah Abdillahi, Executive Director, UTSU, responded that the Union had been made aware of this situation and had since worked to resolve this issue with the insurance provider. The Union was working to identify and resolve any remaining gaps in students’ health and dental coverage. Dean Tang noted that his office was working closely with SCSU on this matter.
On motion duly moved, seconded, and carried
IT WAS RESOLVED- an increase of $0.69 per session in the society portion of the fee ($0.04 for part-time students);
- an increase of $1.03 per session in the Student Centre portion of the fee ($0.31 for part-time students); and
- an increase of $0.23 per session in the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS) portion of the fee (full-time only).
THAT, subject to confirmation of approval of the following fee change proposals by the SCSU Board of Directors, beginning in the Fall 2026 session, the SCSU fee be modified as follows:
- an increase of up to $10.98 per fall and winter session in the Health Plan portion of the fee (full-time only); and
- an increase of up to $13.88 per fall and winter session in the Dental Plan portion of the fee (full-time only).
- Report on the Review of the Code of Student Conduct: Summary of Consuitation and Feedback
Professor Cheryl Regehr, lead of the Code of Student Conduct consultation process, presented this item for information.
Professor Regehr informed the Council that the consultation process began on November 17, 2025 and closed on February 20, 2026. Her team ran an extensive awareness campaign about the consultation in order to engage as many members of the University community as possible. Participants were invited to submit feedback via an online form or attend in-person or online consultation sessions. Feedback was received from over 350 participants.
Professor Regehr provided a summary of the feedback received, as follows:
- The Code lacked relevance to current University life;
- The Code was not useful in addressing the majority of behavioural concerns (offences out of date, thresholds too high, scopes too narrow; and sanctions too punitive);
- Gaps in Code provisions meant that community members experienced or witnessed concerning behaviour that did not meet the thresholds set out in the Code, leaving students and staff feeling unprotected;
- The Code did not address online behaviour;
- The decentralized structure of reporting, case management, and investigations was problematic;
- Intersections between the Code and mental health concerns were difficult to address;
- The Code’s structure and language were overly legalistic and unclear;
- There was lack of clarity in how the Code intersected with other policies and codes of behaviour.
In addition to studying feedback, Professor Regehr reported that her team consulted with the Office of the University Counsel and received a report on the legal landscape at 22 other universities as well as summaries of past Code decisions, and various related legal issues, such as online harassment.
Professor Regehr’s team performed a qualitative analysis of all feedback received and submitted the final consultation report to Professor Sandy Welsh, Vice-Provost, Students. Professor Welsh’s office would now oversee next steps, including revisions to the Code. The report provided four recommendations:
- Split the Code into two documents: the Code and the Procedures;
- Update Scope:
- Include offences (such as online harassment, weapons on campus)
- Create tiers of offences from minor to serious cases
- Add provisions for educative and restorative outcomes
- Clarify the definition of “Member of the University Community”;
- Create a new central “Student Conduct Office” overseen by the Vice-Provost, Students that assesses complaints, triages response, provides guidance, tracks numbers and types of cases;
- Address mental health concerns in a manner where people are held accountable for their actions and create a mental health diversion process to use as appropriate.
Discussion
A member noted that feedback received in the consultation process had indicated limited awareness of the Code’s existence in addition to unclear language and provisions even for those who were aware and had read it. Members discussed if there should be a process whereby students must sign and acknowledge that they have read and understood the Code at the time of admission. Professor Regehr responded that, by splitting the document into a Code and Procedures document, and adding clear language, she expected the Code to become more user-friendly.
Professor Welsh noted that there was already a handbook provided by her office titled the Student’s Companion to the Code of Student Conduct. A member asked if this handbook would continue to exist as a tool in addition to the proposed Code and separate Procedures document. Professors Welsh and Regehr both clarified that the exact format of these documents would be reviewed but that an online, interactive guide was the most preferable and user-friendly format.
In response to a member’s question as to whether there might be a student advisory component built into the structure of the proposed Student Conduct Office, Professor Regehr and Professor Welsh both stated this was a good idea and could be considered.
In response to a member’s question about the size and resources requirements of the proposed Office, Professor Welsh replied that her office was currently studying Professor Regehr’s report and would have to consider such questions.
A member stated their support for creating a revised definition of “Member of the University Community”, noting that the scope of this concept was extensive and should consider student experiential learning opportunities, community engagement initiatives, and research and entrepreneurship partnerships.
In response to a member’s question about proactive education and outreach to pre-empt Code violations before they occurred, Professor Regehr confirmed that this was part of the recommended scope of the proposed Student Conduct Office. She noted that her report recommended that educative and restorative outcomes be considered, but that, should behaviour persist or escalate, more stringent sanctions might be required as the next step. She further noted that one of the benefits of the proposed centralized reporting mechanism, would be that the Student Conduct Office would be aware of repeated offences or the escalation from minor to serious offences and would be able to escalate sanctions accordingly. Under the current system, the central Administration might not be made aware of an individual’s behavioural issues previously dealt with by Deans and Chairs.
- Reports of the Presidential Assessors
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Tim Tang, Dean, Student Experience & Wellbeing
Dean Tang reported on highlights of his office’s year-end activities, including the successful March Break Open House for prospective students and their families. He noted that over 500 individuals attended the residence tours - a 52% increase from the previous year – indicating that demand for student housing was expected to remain strong. He further noted that the townhouses modernization project was expected to begin this summer.
The Academic Advising and Career Centre continued to see very strong demand. The new express advising services for basic requests continued to be a successful pilot program with high levels of student satisfaction reported. The Dean’s office was working to strengthen inclusive advising by establishing a UTSC Advising Community of Practice that included over 40 student-facing staff members.
The Office of Student Life and International Student Centre continued to strengthen their programming amid continued high demand. Over 2,100 immigration advising appointments took place this year – an over 80% increase from the previous year.
Student leadership and engagement also continued its growth trend. There were currently over 300 active student clubs, an increase from 281 the previous year. 132 new clubs had applied for formal recognition, an increase from 50 applicants the previous year.
Dean Tang reported that his office was leading student engagement initiatives that promoted the Culture of Care, mental health, and wellness through many successful events and programs. His office was particularly focused on combatting student loneliness and isolation. The new ConnectYou app-based program paired students who were interested in certain events or clubs but did not wish to attend alone. The program had engaged about 215 students since its launch. Dean Tang expressed his serious concern about student survey responses which indicated a growing trend of loneliness on campus.
In response to a member’s question about restful spaces on campus, Dean Tang stated that they had successfully created some designated “decompression” areas around campus and his office was actively seeking partnerships with other offices and buildings to create more.
Members discussed the challenge of reaching out to the most isolated students. Dean Tang noted that this was an issue his office was grappling with while conducting their outreach and promotion efforts for the ConnectYou program. He confirmed he would continue to report to Council on this issue.
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CONSENT AGENDA
On motion duly moved, seconded, and carried
YOUR COMMITTEE APPROVED
THAT the consent agenda be adopted and that Item 8 be approved.
- Capital Projects Report dated December 31, 2025
The Council received the report for information. - Report of the Previous Meeting: Report Number 7 – February 23, 2026
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. - Reports for Information
The following reports were received for information:- Report Number 73 of the UTSC Agenda Committee (April 6, 2026)
- Report Number 82 of the UTSC Academic Affairs Committee (January 26, 2026)
- Report Number 83 of the UTSC Academic Affairs Committee (March 10, 2026)
- Report Number 66 of the UTSC Campus Affairs Committee (January 27, 2026)
- Report Number 67 of the UTSC Campus Affairs Committee (March 11, 2026)
- Date of Next Meeting – Monday, May 25, 2026, 4:10-6:10 p.m.
The Chair confirmed that the next meeting would take place on Monday, May 25, 2026.
END OF CONSENT AGENDA
- Question Period
Members had no questions. -
Other Business
There was no other business.
IN CAMERA SESSION
- Appointments: UTSC Campus Council Community Members, 2026-27
The Chair reported that the Nominating Committee met on April 6, 2026 to recommend Community Members for the UTSC Campus Council and UTSC Campus Affairs Committee for the Council’s approval.
On motion duly moved, seconded, and carried
IT WAS RESOLVED
THAT Kumaran Nadesan be approved to serve a three-year term on the UTSC Campus Council, effective July 1, 2026, and
THAT Samiha Fariha be approved to serve a three-year term on the UTSC Campus Affairs Community effective July 1, 2026.
The meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
April 30, 2026