As a world-leading research university, a core component of the University of Toronto’s mission is to prepare students for a lifetime of success and fulfillment, whether for further study in graduate and professional programs or for direct entry into the workforce. As we continue to affirm the enduring value of a broad liberal arts education, we also ask ourselves how we can help our undergraduate students engage with the full benefit of their educational experience at U of T.

The University’s Three Priorities discussion paper outlines our commitment to rethink and reinvent undergraduate education in a research-intensive context, including such elements as research-based, experience-based, and internationalized learning, among many others. This objective is restated and developed in a number of our strategic documents, including the Strategic Mandate Agreement. The University of Toronto offers a wide variety of academic programs at the undergraduate level, in addition to a wealth of other curricular and co-curricular options for students to pursue their interests and passions.

Articulating a shared vision for undergraduate education and student experience at the University provides a framework for academic planning and the development of services and co-curricular programs for undergraduate students. This shared vision of student educational experience builds on the University’s strength and international reputation in academic and research excellence. It recognizes the value of differentiation in terms of student educational experience within our various Faculties, Colleges, Campuses, and Departments, but also emphasizes the common threads connecting their educational experience across academic and administrative units, and the incredible benefits of collaboration at a vast institution like ours.

As a result, I am announcing the creation of an Expert Panel on Undergraduate Student Educational Experience. This Panel is tasked with consulting with the University community to enunciate and enliven our shared vision for the undergraduate educational experience at the University of Toronto. The Expert Panel will include:

Professor Greg Evans, Department of Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering (Chair)
Professor Aarthi Ashok, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough
Ashley Beckles, Undergraduate Student, University of Toronto Mississauga
Professor Randy Boyagoda, Principal, University of St. Michael’s College
Adam Kuhn, Director, Student and Campus Community Development, Division of Student Life
Clayon Levy, Undergraduate Student, St. George Campus
Professor Rhonda McEwen, Institute for Communication, Culture, Information, and Technology, University of Toronto Mississauga
Cheryl Shook, Registrar, Woodsworth College
Andrew Vyravipillai, Undergraduate Student, University of Toronto Scarborough

Professor Sandy Welsh, Vice-Provost, Students, and Professor Susan McCahan, Vice-Provost, Innovations in Undergraduate Education, will serve as assessors to the Expert Panel.

The Expert Panel will begin its work in the fall and will engage in consultation on the themes and questions outlined in its Terms of Reference. Opportunities for consultation and engagement will be announced as they become available. Any questions about the Expert Panel and its work can be sent to provost@utoronto.ca.