The journey to reach Toronto Metropolitan University

As chair and vice-chair of the University Renaming Advisory Committee, we are pleased to have had the opportunity to contribute to the process of finding a new name for the university. 

Recently, following a significant community engagement process and the committee’s submission of a short list to President Lachemi, the Board of Governors approved our university’s new name. For us, the university’s commitment to changing its name has confirmed our institution’s leadership, in the higher education sector and beyond, in regard to practices that support equity and anti-colonialism. We look forward to the variety of ways in which, in the months and years ahead, our university’s new name will both offer a sense of belonging to our diverse community, as well as reaffirm our institutional values. 

The road to renaming

The work of the University Renaming Advisory Committee has its beginnings in the recommendations of the Standing Strong Task Force. In November 2020, President Lachemi established the task force to conduct a thorough review of Egerton Ryerson’s historical role and to recommend actions to address his legacy. In August 2021, the task force released an extensive report that detailed their conclusions and provided 22 recommendations within the context of the university’s values. The university’s Board of Governors accepted all of the recommendations.

One of those recommendations was to rename the university. The report from the task force notes “the harm caused to community members by the commemoration of Egerton Ryerson” and that renaming “embod[ies] our university’s commitment to being unapologetically bold [and] intentionally diverse and inclusive.” 

Renaming our institution underscores the importance of addressing the complexities of colonialism, and other forms of inequity. Egerton Ryerson “is one of many public figures whose collective influence contributed to and/or sustained inequitable educational systems. (external link) ” Through the process of renaming, our university is mapping out ways forward that move us toward anti-colonialism and equity.

In September 2021, President Lachemi established the University Renaming Advisory Committee to guide the renaming process and provide a short list of names with rationales and strategic considerations for each name. Members of the University Renaming Advisory Committee brought together a diversity of identities, experiences, and understandings, and also represented each of our stakeholder groups. 

The committee engaged in a six-month process which included broad community engagement, as well as extensive research, discussion, and deliberation. A survey, which anyone could complete over a three-week time-span via email, traditional mail, websites and social media, resulted in over 30,000 responses.

Getting to a shortlist

This extensive participation played a central role in the determination of the short list. Two key points of input, shared widely by those completing the survey, were a) the importance of a name that reflects our university’s location and mission and values, and b) wide opposition to a name that commemorates a notable individual. Community feedback through the survey process identified over 2,300 unique name ideas. Drawing on direction provided through the survey, an external naming firm chosen by the university generated an additional 350 names for consideration.

To review these names, a robust list of parameters was integral to the committee’s work. Key criteria included responsiveness to diverse community experience and perspectives, alignment with university values and strategic vision, suitability in the higher education sector, linguistic checks, trademark searches, and digital considerations. 

Committee members focused on identifying a short list that offered a set of options that would serve the university well over time. The process allowed for committee members to test out a name and our response to it over weeks. Further, careful investigations were carried out in relation to linguistic components of different words, as well as the abbreviations and associations that might come with specific choices. Our discussions, even regarding words that at face value appear relatively straightforward, allowed us to explore the complexities of name possibilities.

Further, we sought to provide a list that spoke to aspirations held by the university as a whole and our collective expertise. We repeatedly returned to a defined set of possibilities for the short list, reviewing these names in light of the criteria noted above as well as in the context of our ongoing reflection and deliberation. Committee leadership encouraged members to ask questions and explore strengths and gaps associated with various names, which contributed to a deep sense of each name and its possibilities and complexities.

Next steps, next chapter

This was an extremely meaningful process for each of us, in relation to the privilege of guiding the conversation and to working with committee members throughout the deliberative process. The 15 members of the University Renaming Advisory Committee gave generously of their time to contribute to the community effort to find a name that best represents our values and that provides multiple points of connection and belonging for those in our community.

In addition to support from two external firms, the committee had the benefit of expertise from Communication and Marketing and from General Counsel at the university. We also thank those who completed the survey and participated in the process through sharing your feedback and thoughts. 

We hope that our university’s new name sparks excitement among community members, and a renewed sense of connection with your institution. 

Jennifer S. Simpson
Provost and Vice-President, Academic
Chair of URAC

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