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Via Virtual Meeting
REPORT NUMBER 48 OF THE CAMPUS COUNCIL
May 20, 2021
To the Governing Council,
University of Toronto
Your Campus Council reports that it met virtually on Thursday, May 20, 2021 at 4:10 p.m., with the following members present:
Present: Paul Kingston (Chair), Grace Westcott (Vice-Chair), Wisdom Tettey (Vice-President and Principal), William Gough (Vice-Principal, Academic & Dean), Andrew Arifuzzaman (CAO), George Cree, Shadi Dalili, Tarun Dewan, Irmi Hutfless, Claire Kennedy, Brenda Librecz, Jason Glover, Gillian Mason, Sonja Nikkila, Tayyab Rashid, Silma Roddau, Paulina Rousseau, Dorinda So, Xiaoyu Yuan, Lara Zink
In Attendance: Helen Morissette (Director, Financial Services), Katie Larson (Vice-Dean Teaching, Learning & Undergraduate Programs), Hugh Laurence (Acting Associate Dean Undergraduate Programs & Curriculum), Lisa Fenton Lemon (Executive Director, Development and Alumni Relations), Kathryn Millard, John Ramdeen, Celeste Richards (Director of Development)
Secretariat: Emma Thacker (UTSC Campus Council Secretary), Cindy Ferenz Hammond
Regrets: George Fadel, Liben Gebremikael, Elaine Khoo, Daniel Lysak, Silma Roddau, Changmiao Yu
OPEN SESSION
- Chair’s Remarks
The Chair, Professor Paul Kingston, welcomed members and guests to the meeting. Ms Claire Kennedy, Chair of the Governing Council, who was present at the meeting, reminded members that Professor Kingston’s term as Chair was ending on June 30. She thanked Professor Kingston for his dedication and service to the UTSC Campus Council, and presented him with a token of appreciation. Principal Tettey also thanked Professor Kingston for his support and his collegial approach to leadership.
- Report of the Vice-President and Principal
The Chair invited Principal Tettey to provide his Report.- Principal’s Report
Principal Tettey highlighted for members some of UTSC’s significant achievements over 2020-21, which supported the collective commitment to the Strategic Plan, Inspiring Inclusive Excellence. A video montage was shown to members, prepared by the UTSC Marketing and Communications team.
Principal Tettey reported that stemming from the National Dialogues and Action for Inclusive Higher Education and Communities (ND&A), there was momentum in finalizing the Scarborough National Charter. Regarding the commitments to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s (TRC) Calls to Action, he noted the launch of the reconstituted advisory group, ‘Truth, Reconciliation, and Indigenous Initiatives Advisory Committee’ (TRIIAC) which included broader Indigenous representation, including members of the UTSC Elders Circle.
Under Dean Gough’s leadership, the Transitional Year Program, was now active on the UTSC campus. This program was important to UTSC’s Strategic Plan, allowing for students who might not otherwise have access to a university degree program. Principal Tettey also reported on increased recruitment efforts for faculty hires from underrepresented and marginalized groups, noting the addition of several new Black faculty joining the UTSC campus community along with several new Black Postdoctoral Fellows.
Principal Tettey thanked the Office of Student Experience & Wellbeing for their significant progress on supporting the health and wellbeing of members of the internal and surrounding community. He also highlighted the partnership with the Scarborough Heath Network, to provide an indoor space in Highland Hall to serve as a COVID-19 assessment and testing centre, and soon-to-be vaccination clinic. He also noted the CARES (Collective Action and Response for Everyone in Scarborough) initiative to repackage food and distribute it to food banks in the Scarborough and Durham regions. Several memoranda of understanding (MOU) had been signed, for example, with Ontario Shores Hospital, and the Toronto Zoo. He observed that on multiple fronts, UTSC was advancing research partnerships while leveraging collective interests, strengths, and assets.
Principal Tettey reported that the Spring 2021 virtual convocation video would premiere on Wednesday, June 23, 2021(noon). He invited Council members to attend. He also shared that leading up to the convocation ceremony, the Spring honorary degree recipients would be featured.
Administrative Report
Professor William A. Gough, Vice-Principal - Academic & Dean, thanked Professor Kingston for his work in governance and contributions at UTSC. He reported that the summer term would be offered largely remotely with the exception of a few courses that could not be offered online. The fall term would be transitional, and both in-person and remote offerings were planned, which could be expanded or retracted depending on the public health guidelines, and the UTSC campus needs at that time. The Library, Centre for Teaching & Learning, and the Doris McCarthy Gallery were also considering options for student engagement. Student study space, with WIFI, would be available. Next winter (2022), it was anticipated that students would be back on campus, however, safety and guidelines would need to be considered.
Members had no questions.
- Presentation: Campaign Update
The Chair invited Ms Lisa Fenton Lemon, Executive Director, Development and Alumni Relations, to present on the work of the next campaign. Ms Lemon’s presentation provided the following highlights:
- The current placeholder name of campaign was the ‘bi-centennial campaign’;
- There was an extensive consultation process to aid with setting UTSC’s campaign priorities;
- The goal of the UTSC campaign was $75M;
- Five campaign key themes had been identified:
- global culture, connectivities, identities and livelihoods;
- environment, conservation and sustainability and related technologies;
- health, wellbeing, and resilient communities;
- access and pathways; and
- entrepreneurship.
- Next steps included the drafting of an ‘Anthem’ for the campaign with key campaign priorities or ‘marquis’ initiatives highlighted; feedback, and submission for Provostial approval.
A member asked Ms Lemon to comment on any anticipated challenges and asked for more detail about the level of enthusiasm about the campaign. Ms Lemon responded that one challenge was finding consensus about a big marquee plan. She hoped for support from leadership and from the community; time would tell if the pandemic and current economic landscape would affect the campaign.
- Principal’s Report
- Revisions to the UTSC Campus Council and Its Committee Terms of Reference|
The Chair invited Emma Thacker, Assistant Secretary of the Governing Council, to present the item for information. Ms. Thacker explained that the proposed changes to the Terms of Reference resulted from a recent review undertaken by the Office of the Vice-Provost Academic Programs and the Office of the Governing Council. In addition, there had been consultation with the Academic Programs Officers at both the UTM and UTSC campuses. The proposed changes were considered minor, and the Terms of Reference had been revised to align with existing policies and practices.
Members had no questions.
- Proposal to convert the Centre for Critical Development Studies (EDU:B) to the Department of Global Development Studies, UTSC
The Chair invited Professor William A. Gough, Vice-Principal Academic and Dean, to present the item. Professor Gough provided an overview of the Extra-Departmental Unit (EDU) structure at the University and provided some background to the academic unit growth over UTSC’s history. Professor Gough explained that the Centre for Critical Development Studies (EDU:B) had been created in 2012, and was seeking departmental status. The proposed name for the academic unit was the Department of Global Development Studies (DGDS). Professor Gough provided an overview of the proposed administrative structure, faculty complement, and curricular offerings. All undergraduate programs and graduate academic offerings currently housed within Centre for Critical Development Studies would be located in the Department of Global Development Studies. Professor Gough noted for members that Professor Kingston, Director, of the Centre for Critical Development Studies, was present to respond to any questions.
Members had no questions.
On motion duly made, seconded, and carried,
YOUR COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED,
THAT, the Centre for Critical Development Studies (EDU:B) be converted to the Department of Global Development Studies, as described in the proposal recommended by the Vice-Principal Academic and Dean, Professor William A. Gough, and dated April 13, 2021, be approved to be effective as of July 1, 2021.
- Overview of Campus Operating Budget: 2021-22
The Chair invited Mr. Andrew Arifuzzaman, UTSC Chief Administrative Officer, to present the item for information. The presentation outlined areas of budgetary focus for the coming year, including diversification of international and domestic enrolment, reputation and recognition, improved processes for planning and allocation of resources, facilities planning, organizational structures, and implementation of the UTSC Strategic Plan. He also shared several key themes that had emerged due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr. Arifuzzaman highlighted the following spending priorities:
- investment in new faculty positions;
- research (start-ups, new partnerships, clusters of scholarly prominence);
- student supports (mental health, investment in Imani);
- teaching assistant support and scholarships;
- infrastructure (student space and campus infrastructure upgrades, biology teaching lab renovations, library renovations, and technology support);
- community partnerships;
- communications;
- new facilities; and
- Covid-19 response.
A member asked about revenue from international students. Mr. Arifuzzaman responded that he did not anticipate the international student rate to increase more than planned; focus would be much more on diversifying where students were coming from and developing programs and partnerships with schools globally.
- Report of the Previous Meeting: Report Number 47 – April 21, 2021
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
Members received the following reports for information.- Report Number 48 of the UTSC Agenda Committee (May 10, 2021)
- Report Number 50 of the UTSC Academic Affairs Committee (April 27, 2021)
- Report Number 43 of the UTSC Campus Affairs Committee (May 3, 2021)
- Date of the Next Meeting – June 21, 2021 at 4:10 p.m.
The Chair advised members that the Council held a June meeting date in reserve.
- Question Period
Members had no questions.
- Other Business
No other business was raised by members. The Chair thanked the Chairs, Vice-Chairs, and Presidential Assessors of the Academic and Campus Affairs Committees, and the Secretariat for their support over the past year. He also thanked members of Council for their engagement and recognized those whose terms had ended. Principal Tettey also expressed his thanks to members for their service, and he acknowledged the work of those members whose terms were ending.
IN-CAMERA SESSION
- Appointments: 2021-22 UTSC Campus Council Standing Committee Assignments, including the Agenda Committee
On motion duly made, seconded, and carried,
YOUR COUNCIL RESOLVED,
THAT the 2021-22 UTSC Campus Council Standing Committee assignments, as recommended by the UTSC Nominating Committee, be approved, effective July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022.
- Appointment: 2021-22 UTSC Campus Council Community Member
On motion duly made, seconded, and carried,
YOUR COUNCIL RESOLVED,
THAT the appointment of Mr. Edward Henley, be approved to serve a three-year term as a community member on the UTSC Campus Council, effective July 1, 2021.
The Council returned to open session.
The meeting adjourned at 5:40 p.m.
May 27, 2021