Governance of the University of Toronto is collaborative and engages students, staff, faculty members, divisions, colleges, residences and draws members from all three constituent campuses—Scarborough, Mississauga and St. George.
There are many opportunities for students to participate in university governance in formal and informal ways. In the broader university, there are close to 2,000 elected or appointed positions for students on more than 350 councils, boards and committees. Students also participate in university decision making through a vast range of informal consultation and feedback mechanisms.
Governing Council is the senior body that oversees the academic, business and student affairs of the University of Toronto, including:
- Providing guidance on the University’s long term strategic direction;
- Advising on and approving financial policies, and approving the annual operating budget and audited financial statements;
- Oversight of human resources policies;
- Reviewing and approving institutional master plans and major capital projects, and monitoring project implementation;
- Academic quality; and
- Student experience.
Law students have a strong tradition of making significant contributions to Governing Council and its committees.
Governance at the Faculty of Law
Student participation is very important to decision-making at the Faculty of Law. Law students contribute to a broad range of issues that impacts almost every aspect of the law school, including curriculum, courses, clinics, admissions, financial aid, diversity and accessibility. Similar to the structure of the University’s governance, law students contribute to decision making at the faculty through formal and informal mechanisms.
The Faculty of Law’s formal governance takes place through its Faculty Council and Committees, and the Dean’s Advisory Committees. In addition to all faculty members and some staff, elected student members of the Student’s Law Society and the Graduate Student Law Society vote on issues that come before the Committees and Faculty Council. Law student representatives comprise one-third of voting members of Faculty Council.
Every year, upper year students participate on the following committees:
- Standing Curriculum Committee
- Financial Aid Committee
- Graduate Education Committee
- Library and Technology Committee
- Student Affairs Committee
- Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility Committee
- Short-term Curriculum Committee
- Appeal Committee
- Graduate Appeal Committee
- Clinical and Experiential Education Committee
- Mooting and Advocacy Committee
- Admissions Committee
- Mental Health and Wellness Committee
- Truth and Reconciliation Committee