President of the University of Toronto

President of the University of Toronto
Post	President
Body	University of Toronto
Incumbent	Meric Gertler
Incumbentsince	2013
Style	Professor; Dr.
Appointer	Governing Council
Formation	1850
First	John Strachan

President of the University of Toronto

The President of the University of Toronto is the chief executive officer of University of Toronto and the public face of the institution, reporting to the Governing Council and working alongside the Chancellor, the Provost, and the Vice-President (academic) cadre. The office links the university to Ontario government ministries, national bodies such as the Canada Foundation for Innovation, provincial agencies including the Ministry of Colleges and Universities (Ontario), and international partners like Association of American Universities affiliates and the Russell Group.

History

The office was established during the reorganization that followed the founding era involving John Strachan, King's College, and the 19th-century political context of Upper Canada. Early presidents engaged with figures such as Sir John A. Macdonald, George Brown, Oliver Mowat, and institutions like Trinity College, Toronto and St. Michael's College, Toronto. Through the 20th century the presidency overlapped with debates involving Wilfrid Laurier-era reformers, the expansion linked to the Canadian Pacific Railway-era city growth, the postwar era shaped by veterans programs and the CAUT movement, and late-century themes connected to Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, and Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council. Recent decades saw presidents navigating relationships with City of Toronto, the Ontario Human Rights Commission, and global networks such as the Association of Commonwealth Universities.

Role and Responsibilities

The president directs academic strategy in concert with the Governing Council, oversees budgeting that must align with principles from the Ontario Ministry of Finance and funding bodies like the Canada Research Chairs Program, liaises with donors including foundations such as the Trillium Foundation and corporations like RBC, and represents the university to partners including World Economic Forum participants and UNESCO programs. Responsibilities include appointing senior administrators in collaboration with the Trinity College, Toronto and Victoria University, Toronto federated colleges, championing research partnerships with entities such as the MaRS Discovery District, negotiating collective agreements with unions like the Canadian Union of Public Employees and Faculty Association groups, and stewarding campus initiatives linked to grants from the Canada Foundation for Innovation and awards such as the Order of Canada for distinguished scholars.

Selection and Appointment

Presidents are appointed by the Governing Council following a search process often involving external firms and committees that include representatives from alumni, faculty senates such as the University of Toronto Faculty Association, student governments like the University of Toronto Students' Union, and trustees with ties to institutions such as Bank of Montreal or foundations like the Gideon F. White Foundation. Candidates have included prominent academics affiliated with Harvard University, University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, McGill University, Stanford University, University of British Columbia, and international leaders from networks such as the Association of American Universities. Appointment can require negotiation with provincial actors including the Premier of Ontario and scrutiny from media outlets like the Globe and Mail and Toronto Star.

List of Presidents

Notable officeholders have included founding figures such as John Strachan, reformers and scholars connected to George Williams-era developments, mid-century leaders who engaged with postwar growth and figures associated with faculty unionism, and contemporary presidents such as David Naylor and Meric Gertler. The roll of presidents intersects with alumni and faculty from Trinity College, Toronto, Victoria University, Toronto, St. Michael's College, Toronto, and departments linked to the Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto and the Rotman School of Management. Many presidents held honours like the Order of Ontario or Order of Canada and had connections to organizations such as the Royal Society of Canada and the Canadian Medical Association.

Notable Initiatives and Achievements

Presidents have overseen major initiatives such as expansion of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, capital projects associated with the MaRS Discovery District and the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, fundraising campaigns in partnership with the University of Toronto Scarborough and UTM campuses, and research milestones tied to collaborations with Toronto General Hospital, SickKids Hospital, and the Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute. Achievements include fostering faculty recruited from Princeton University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Yale University, and leading multi-institution consortia with McMaster University and Ontario Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences. Presidents have secured grants from the Canada Foundation for Innovation, established professorships funded by donors such as Joseph Rotman, and advanced technology transfer with partners like BlackBerry and Google affiliates.

Residence and Office

The president's official residence and administrative office are located near the central St. George campus and in proximity to landmarks including Queen's Park, Toronto, Hospital for Sick Children, and the Royal Ontario Museum. The office manages protocol for visits by dignitaries including Prime Minister of Canada delegations, ambassadors from United States, United Kingdom, and representatives from entities such as European Union missions, and oversees spaces used for events with partners like the Toronto International Film Festival and the Royal Conservatory of Music.

Controversies and Criticisms

Presidents have faced criticism over decisions involving labour disputes with unions like Canadian Union of Public Employees locals, campus protests connected to movements such as Occupy Toronto and debates about speakers linked to Freedom of expression controversies covered by outlets like the Toronto Star and Globe and Mail. Other controversies involved governance disputes with bodies like the Governing Council, negotiations with the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities (Ontario), and public scrutiny regarding endowment management tied to investment firms such as RBC Global Asset Management and donor relations with major benefactors like Joseph Rotman.

Category:University of Toronto