The provision of facilities, including space used on a temporary basis, is central to the extra-curricular and co-curricular student experience at the University of Toronto. The University operates under a philosophy that student activity space (broadly defined) is available in many areas around the campus. There are a number of medium to large areas (e.g., UTM and UTSC student centres, Hart House, the Sussex Club House), many small spaces (e.g., lounges), and hundreds of tiny ones. Additional space will be made available through the development of a Student Commons on the St. George Campus. In addition, a considerable amount of classroom space is used by campus organizations on a temporary basis when it is not used for instructional purposes. Access to University space is important in that extra-curricular engagement contributes to the student experience and the overall educational mission of the University.
In the fall of 2010, the Governing Council approved a new Policy on the Temporary Use of Space at the University of Toronto. This Policy applies to all temporary use of bookable University space on all three campuses. Administrative responsibility for this Policy rests with the Office of the Vice-President & Provost. Procedures for the application of the Policy will be set by the Office of the Vice-President & Provost and reported for information to the Governing Council or its designated Board or Committee.
The GC Policy can be found here: http://www.governingcouncil.utoronto.ca/policies/tempspace.htm
The Provostial administrative procedures that accompany the Policy can be found here:
www.provost.utoronto.ca/Assets/Provost+Digital+Assets/Provost/policy/Temporary+Use+of+Space.pdf
An Advisory Committee on the Temporary Use of Space has been established by the Vice-President & Provost in order to provide a forum for students and others to raise issues concerning the temporary use of space and to advise on the on-going development of procedures under the Policy.
Specifically, the terms of reference for the committee include the following:
1. To review and make recommendations with respect to Procedures established under the Policy on the Temporary Use of Space at the University of Toronto.
2. To provide a forum for discussion of issues related to the temporary use of space and to advise the administration on these matters.
3. To assess the current use and allocation of student activity space.
Keep watching this blog for more information on developments with the Temporary Use of Space Committee throughout the year.