President Lachemi announces advisory committee on university renaming

As announced on August 26, the university Board of Governors accepted all 22 recommendations in the Standing Strong (Mash Koh Wee Kah Pooh Win ) Task Force’s final report, including renaming our institution. I am pleased to share that, as a next step, an advisory committee has been assembled to guide the process of identifying a new name for the institution that reflects our university’s strengths, values and aspirations.

The advisory committee, in consultation with our entire community, will help put into action one of the most significant changes in our university’s history. Its work will result in recommendations that will be submitted to the university leadership for consideration and will ultimately go to the Board of Governors for a decision before the end of this academic year. 

Committee membership

The advisory committee will be chaired by the Provost and Vice-President, Academic, Jennifer S. Simpson. Tanya (Toni) De Mello, assistant dean for Student Programming, Development and Equity, Lincoln Alexander School of Law will be vice-chair. Jennifer Grass, assistant vice-president, University Relations, will act as the executive lead. The committee membership includes representatives from our students, faculty, staff, Senate, Board of Governors, and alumni.

Jennifer S. Simpson
Provost and Vice-President, Academic (Chair)

Tanya (Toni) De Mello
Assistant Dean for Student Programming, Development and Equity, Lincoln Alexander School of Law (Vice-Chair)

Miranda Black
MASc student, Applied Environmental Science

Donette Chin-Loy Chang
Alumna and Honorary Doctorate recipient

Catherine Ellis
Professor, Department of History

Camilo Garay
Alumnus and elected member of the Board of Governors, 2021-22

Kiaras Gharabaghi
Dean, Faculty of Community Services, and Senator, 2021-22

Christa Hinds
Manager, Strategic Partnerships, Human Resources

Andy McWilliams
Chair, Department of Chemistry & Biology, and Vice-Chair of Senate, 2021-22

Krishan Mehta
Assistant Vice-President, Engagement, University Advancement

Kiera Meinert
Undergraduate student, Media Production

Michael Mihalicz
Professor and Indigenous Advisor, Ted Rogers School of Management

Marcelle Mullings
Executive Director, Office of the Vice-President, Administration and Operations, and elected member of the Board of Governors, 2021-22

Frances Okoye
PhD student, Civil Engineering

Valerie Pringle
Alumna and Honorary Doctorate recipient

Brian Segal
Former President of Ryerson University (1980-1988) and Honorary Doctorate recipient

Cheryl Thompson
Professor, Creative Industries and Senator, 2021-2022

My sincere thanks to these community members for taking on this important work. Finding a new name for our institution is an important step forward in our commitment toward reconciliation and in upholding the university’s values and commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.  

Stay tuned to learn how you can get involved

The committee will articulate the process for identifying recommendations for a new name for our institution. As was recommended by the Standing Strong Task Force, the process will be open, transparent, guided by our values, and designed to engage community members and university stakeholders.

More information on the committee’s process and opportunities for participation will be made available in the coming weeks on the Next Chapter website. I encourage all of you to get involved in this important work.

Mohamed Lachemi
President and Vice-Chancellor