Advisory Bodies, Provost’s Statement on the Role of

Issued as PDAD&C #044, 1997-98 on March 20, 1998, revised on April 30, 1998 and revised on September 8, 2021.

The University of Toronto welcomes the participation of members external to the University on advisory boards and committees for its Faculties, colleges, and programs. Advisory bodies create bridges of understanding and assist the University in its relations with public and professional communities.

Advisory bodies are created by the University with the agreement of the relevant academic division or divisions. The advice offered by advisory bodies assists the University officer who holds authority for decisions under University policy.

1. It is essential to the nature of the University that all its teaching and research activities be governed by the principles of academic freedom and integrity, as set out on the University’s Statement of Institutional Purpose, the University’s Statement on Freedom of Speech and the Memorandum of Agreement between the University of Toronto and the University of Toronto Faculty Association.
2. External members of advisory boards and committees are chosen for their knowledge, expertise, and experience, for their ability to provide valued counsel and guidance, and for their commitment to the purposes of the University. The advice of advisory bodies is always welcomed and understood in the spirit of this shared commitment.
3. Appointments to academic positions are made by the President or delegate on the recommendation of a duly constituted committee of members of the University under the Policy and Procedures on Academic Appointments. Procedures for appointments to Named Chairs are also governed by the Provost’s Guidelines for the Selection and Approval of Named Chair Appointments, and by any additional divisional procedures approved under those Guidelines.
   Where appointment to any academic office, position, or function in the University is made after consultation with an advisory body containing external members, such a body must have a majority of University of Toronto members. Appointment procedures must be consistent with University policies, and consultation shall respect the fundamental principles of academic freedom and integrity. In no case shall a donor select or have a veto over any appointment.  The University will not allow any external input, including from donors or alumni, to influence any University hiring decisions, unless this input is part of the established hiring process.  Any staff member or representative of the University who receives an inquiry related to any active University hiring process from sources external to the University’s established hiring processes, including alumni, donors and external organizations, will respond that recruiting processes are confidential, and that no information about the search can be shared.
4. Participation by donors or their representatives in the selection of candidates for student awards shall be governed by the Policy on Student Awards, which vests the final choice of recipients in hands of the awarding body of the University designated by the Governing Council.