Governing Council

Members of the Governing Council make a significant time commitment in their volunteer service to the University. This is a minimum of 200+ hours per year.

• In addition to serving on the Governing Council, there is an expectation that governors will also serve on one or more of its Boards, Campus Councils, or Committees.
• Regular in-person meetings are scheduled from September to June, usually begin at 4:00 or 5:00 p.m., and continue for about two or two and a half hours.

• Governors also frequently attend University and community functions, where they serve as ambassadors of the University; along with being asked to serve on various ad hoc, search, or advisory committees.

Candidates located in the Greater Toronto Area will find it easier to meet these expectations.

As part of this year's application process, there is particular interest in recruiting outstanding alumni who will help “DEFY GRAVITY” in the following ways and reflect the diversity and lived experience of the University’s alumni in their mid-career and beyond who also may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.

• Engaging and persuasive communicators with consensus-building skills and good judgment;
• Creative, strategic and critical thinkers, with emerging ideas and technologies to reimagine the University of the future;
• Can act as dedicated advocates for post-secondary education and its value including internal and external advocacy on behalf of the University;
• Can commit time and energy as a volunteer to actively participate (in person) and master the complexity of the University; with a genuine interest in championing its evolution as a preeminent teaching and research institution;
• Have an interest in shaping and guiding the changing student experience including promoting student success;
• Have demonstrated insight into mental health as a critical factor, in the well-being of university life and the well-being of society;
• Have demonstrated governance experience in large and complex organizations, particularly in a leadership role and also those who have experience in dealing with various levels of government;
• Have demonstrated a robust volunteer service commitment including having already been an active and passionate volunteer on behalf of the University with a good foundation of knowledge of the University and its three campuses; have a strong community presence and networks;
• Have a general knowledge of and experience in one or more areas important to the University (for example: real estate, capital projects, city building, senior leadership succession planning, risk management (including cyber & reputational), financial services (e.g. audit, budget and investments); and
• Have international experience and/or exposure.

All applications are subject to a verification process by the Secretary of the College of Electors. An application will be certified as complete only if all of the following criteria are fulfilled:

• The candidate is an alumnus/a of the University of Toronto as defined by the Act (reference application package for more details)
• Each section of the application form has been completed following the directions contained in the Instruction Guide
• Five (5) letters of reference provided: two (2) of the letters must be provided by U of T alumni
• All sections of the application package are received by the Secretary of the College of Electors by email (anwar.kazimi@utoronto.ca) by Thursday, December 15, 2022, at 5:00 p.m.