Joint Member Submissions

UAB Cycle 2, Senior Assessor Rpeort

• Compared to this time last year, has there been an overall increase or decrease in reportable incidents on the St. George campus?

• Compared to this time last year, has there been an increase or decrease specifically of reported hate incidents on the St. George campus? Have there been notable increases in any other indicators (e.g., harassment, threats, mischief/damage)?

• With the understanding that that reported incidents are a lagging indicator, what proactive measures is the OVPS taking currently to deter future incidents while promoting the responsible exercise of academic freedom, recognizing that "academic freedom is an individual right, the protected exercise of which depends upon every level of the University refraining from taking such positions or making public statements on such issues that will be taken to be made on behalf of their members" (Report of the University of Toronto Antisemitism Working Group, p. 5)?

Public Forum Questions

UAB Cycle 4, Item 3C: Operating Plans: Service Ancillaries - St. George Campus

My questions on ITEM 3C are as follows: 

• How are the net revenues from ancillary services used?

UAB Cycle 4, Item 6B: Operating Plans and Fees: Student Life, St. George Campus

After engaging with students and student leaders, I am interested in learning more about Student Life's strategies for coordinating and improving the quality of services across its portfolio. 

My questions on this ITEM 6B are as follows:

• Is there any concern regarding the duplication of services with other entities on campus? If so, what steps is Student Life taking to streamline services across the University?

• How does Student Life collect and utilize performance metrics to enhance the quality (e.g., efficiency, equity, effectiveness, timeliness) of health and wellness services?

UAB Cycle 4, Item 6C: Operating Plans and Fees: Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education: Co-Curricular Programs, Services and Facilities 

My questions on ITEM 6C are as follows:

• What are the principal barriers to student involvement in physical activity programming and how is KPE working to overcome them?

• How are services being evaluated to ensure they are meeting the needs of students?

UAB Cycle 4, Item 6D: Operating Plans and Fees: Hart House

Hart House continues to serve as a hub for the enhancement of student experiences, facilitating the exploration of new ideas, development of new skills, and fostering a new generation of civically engaged youth. I would like to ensure that Hart House remains in a strong financial position in light of possible fiscal challenges arising from its aging infrastructure. I welcome the opportunity to connect with the Hart House Warden (or designate) on these matters if preferred.

My questions on ITEM 6D are as follows:

• What is the outlook for deferred maintenance at Hart House over the next 5 years?

• How does Hart House equip students with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to address global challenges and lead positive change?

UAB Cycle 3, Item 3: Annual Report: Sexual Violence Prevention & Support

Several recommendations and findings were outlined in the 2022 Review of the Policy on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment related to processes, education, and reporting. 

• Q1: Following Recommendation 11 of the 2022 Review, is there a maximum/target timeframe defined for process steps to be completed and are these communicated in current educational materials?

• Q2: During the 2022 consultative phase, some participants noted potential barriers to accessing educational materials related to the SVPSC. More specifically, the report summarized this feedback by stating that the Student's Guide was "not well-known or understood and that those who [were] aware of it [found] it overwhelming [...]." Following Recommendation 3 of the 2022 Review, are simplified process charts, student guides, and/or information sheets available to help students learn about the University's policies and procedures? If updated materials are still undergoing revision or development, when might students expect these resources to be available, and what efforts could be made to enhance their visibility and awareness among students?

• Q3: Table 6 of the attached report describes that 7,464 participants were engaged in tri-campus orientation programming. What types of orientation programming were available during the reporting period and have any new priorities (or goals) been identified to strengthen orientation programming in coming years? 

Private Forum Discussions

UAB Cycle 3, Item 2: Report of the Senior Assessor (Privately Addressed), Campus Work-Study Program, Division of Student Life

The University of Toronto's work-study program (WS) has provided exceptional opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to gain practical work experience. The program creates on-campus employment opportunities for students and helps them develop essential skills that undoubtedly increase their employability post-graduation (while also supporting the attainment of several SMA3 objectives in the process). Recently, concerns have been brought up in the campus media regarding practices by several employers who have elected to participate in the WS program, including allegations of pressuring students to under- log their hours and other concerns related to working conditions (Kelly, 2024*). Ensuring that policies and processes are in place to ensure the fair use of the program by employers is paramount to the program's continued success. My questions are as follows:

• Q1: What opportunities do students have to provide feedback on their experiences in the work-study program? 

• Q2: What considerations are taken to balance the availability of work-study positions with the quality of such learning opportunities? 

Jurisdiction: Work Study program affairs appear to be reported jointly to the Business Board (Annual Report on Student Financial Support) and the University Affairs Board (through presentations by the Division of Student Life). 

UAB Cycle 3 (Privately Addressed)

On December 9, 2023, The University of Toronto Campus Safety Office released a community alert related to a series of sexual assaults perpetrated by an individual external to the UofT community. The aforementioned incidents occurred near the UTSG campus. These types of incidents that occur within the broader metropolitan area highlight the important work that the campus safety office is tasked with on a daily basis and underscores the integral role that safety programs can have in proactively responding to and/or deterring safety incidents on campus. 

One specific component of the University's safety strategy relates to the provision and maintenance of outdoor emergency phones at designated locations on University grounds. There is concern on behalf of the member that at least two of these emergency phones appear to be out of order. 

• What percentage of outdoor emergency phones are currently classified as being "out of order"?

• How often are outdoor emergency phones inspected?

• What responses are instituted once an emergency phone is designated as being "out of order"? 

Below are independent inquiries that resulted in a prolonged discussion or meeting with university administration. 

• TOPIC:  FAMILY HOUSING

  • Details: Family Housing Services 

  • Origin: Student

  • Status: Met with Family Housing Office, Fall 2023

• TOPIC: STUDENT SERVICES

  • Details: Central and On-Location Mental Health 

  • Origin: Board Affairs

  • Status: Met with Executive Director, Student Life, Fall 2023

• TOPIC: UNIVERSITY RESILIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION

  • Details: NA

  • Origin: Board Affairs

  • Status: Met with Vice Provost, Innovations in Undergraduate Education, Winter 2024

• TOPIC: DINING HALLS

  • Details: Dining Halls Policies, Practices, and Food Security

  • Origin: Board Affairs

  • Status: Met with Vice President, Ancillaries, Winter 2024