UTSC Truth, Reconciliation and Indigenous Initiatives Advisory Committee

Preamble

As the University of Toronto Scarborough continues on the path of inspiring inclusive excellence, we are always mindful of the fact that our success has been made possible by the exceptional opportunity given to us by our host Indigenous communities to operate on their lands. We are grateful for that generosity and cherish our continuing partnerships with them. We remain resolute in our commitment to addressing the calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We also strive to realize the recommendations from Answering the Call – Wecheehetowin: Report of the Steering Committee for the University of Toronto’s Response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, and UTSC’s Strategic Plan, Inspiring Inclusive Excellence: A Strategic Vision for the University of Toronto Scarborough (2020-2025), with the guidance and support of local Indigenous communities.

Composition and Membership:

The committee shall be composed of 9 members appointed by the Vice-President and Principal to represent faculty, staff, students, and the external community, 6 ex-officio members, as well as the UTSC Elders’ Circle. In appointing members to the committee, the Principal will take into account the need to ensure a balanced representation of key constituencies and communities. The membership shall be as follows:

Appointed Members

• 2 Self-identified Indigenous students

• 1 Self-identified non-Canadian Indigenous student

• 1 Self-identified Indigenous faculty member

• 1 Faculty member with expertise relevant to the committee mandate

• 1 Self-identified Indigenous staff member

• 1 Member of Chairs and Academic Directors (CAD)

• 1 Member from an organization representing Indigenous youth

Tenure of Appointed Members: Student members shall serve one-year renewable terms while other members shall serve two-year renewable terms.

Ex-Officio Members

• Vice-President and Principal, UTSC

• Vice-Principal Academic and Dean, UTSC

• Dean of Student Experience & Wellbeing, UTSC

• Assistant Director, Indigenous Initiatives, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Office, UTSC

• Senior Director, Tri-Campus Office of Indigenous Initiatives, UofT

• Special Advisor to the Vice-President and Principal on Indigenous Initiatives

• Members of the UTSC Elders’ Circle

Co-Chairs

The committee shall have two co-chairs, one of whom will be the Assistant Director, Indigenous Initiatives in an ex-officio capacity. The other co-chair will normally be a faculty member, who is not on the Executive Team. The second co-chair shall be appointed by the Vice-President and Principal for a two-year renewable term, following appropriate consultations.

Quorum and Voting:

• At least 50% of current members, including co-chairs, must be present to constitute a quorum

• All members are voting members

• Decisions would normally be by consensus, otherwise they will be determined by a simple majority of members present

Meeting Frequency:

The committee will normally meet twice in each of the Fall and Winter terms and on an ad hoc basis as required.