Three Federated Universities Sign Operating Agreement with U of T

^{From left to right: Nicholas Terpstra, provost and vice-chancellor of Trinity College; Rhonda N. McEwen, president and vice-chancellor of Victoria University; Trevor Young, vice president and provost at the University of Toronto; and David Sylvester, president and vice-chancellor of the University of St. Michael's College. (Photo by Will Dang)}

The University of Toronto and its three independent federated universities—the University of St. Michael’s College, the University of Trinity College and Victoria University—held a signing ceremony Tuesday, Nov. 26, for a new four-year operating agreement outlining mutual commitments and responsibilities. 
 
The agreement governs the use of shared spaces, classrooms, offices and student facilities for each federated university. The agreement also spells out how student fees paid to U of T flow back to the three federated universities. All undergraduate students in the federated universities are also U of T students and receive degrees from U of T on behalf of the federation.  
 
Dr. Trevor Young, vice president and provost at the University of Toronto, praised the hard work of many people at all four institutions for negotiating the new agreement which runs from 2024-2028.  
 
“The federated universities are a key part of the University of Toronto,” he said. “We wouldn’t be what we are without them, and you wouldn’t be what you are without us. We are much richer for our federated universities and colleges.” 
 
Reflecting those remarks, the mood of the more than 40 guests attending the reception was celebratory and collegial. 
 
Victoria University President Dr. Rhonda McEwen, who hosted the reception, said the U of T’s longstanding relationship with the federated universities is rooted in a shared commitment to elevate and enhance the educational experience on the St. George Campus.  
 
“Together, we are dedicated to creating a rich, collaborative and supportive learning experience for all our students,” she said. 
 
Dr. Young noted that each federated university contributes something unique, such as: 

• The Northrop Frye Centre at Victoria, named for one of its most illustrious graduates, which facilitates and encourages academic discussion, undergraduate research and the international exchange of humanist scholarship. 
• the Pontifical Institute for Medieval Studies at St. Michael’s, the oldest humanities research institute in Canada. 
• A leader in women’s education, Trinity College admitted its first female students in 1884; and in 1888, created St. Hilda's College as the women’s college of Trinity College, one of the first colleges for women in Canada. 

Dr. Young said the new operating agreement was an important step in renewing the important relationship with the federated universities. 
 
“We are infinitely better together,” he said.