Policy on the Recognition of Campus Groups
Voluntary organizations formed by members of the University
community are a traditional part of campus life, and contribute in a
significant way to its intellectual, political, social and cultural diversity
and richness.
In its relations with these organizations, the University is
guided by a commitment to the right of University members to communicate and to
discuss and explore all ideas, to organize groups for any lawful purpose, to
move about the University and to use its facilities in any reasonable way, to
distribute on campus, in a responsible way, published material provided that it
is not unlawful, to hold meetings, to debate and to engage in peaceful
demonstrations, and to freedom from discrimination on the basis of sex, race or
religion.
Recognition as a "campus group" is a privilege
based upon observance of certain procedures and acceptance of certain
responsibilities. It follows that this privilege can be withdrawn if these
procedures are neglected or responsibilities abrogated by the organization or
group.
Under the terms of this policy the University will not
attempt to censor, control or interfere with any group on the basis of its
philosophy, beliefs, interests or opinions expressed unless and until these
lead to activities which are illegal or which infringe the rights and freedoms
already mentioned. By the same token, recognition as a "campus group"
by the University implies neither endorsement of a particular group's beliefs
or philosophy, nor the assumption of legal liability for the group's
activities. It assumes only that the University has a responsibility to inform
itself of organizations which use its facilities and name and to deny or
withdraw recognition if the requirements of this policy are not observed.
1. (a) The
University should maintain a policy and mechanism for the recognition of campus
organizations. All such organizations wishing to use "University of Toronto" in their names and all groups wishing to claim internal status
under the "Policy for the Allocation of Rooms - Extracurricular
Bookings" must be recognized.
(b) Responsibility for the maintenance of the policy and
mechanism, where campus-wide organizations or organizations drawing members
from more than one division or constituency of the University are concerned,
should be vested in the University Affairs Board of the Governing Council.
(c) The responsibility for recognition of organizations
drawing members from only one division should rest with the council of that
division.
2. Eligibility for recognition should be assessed annually
against the following "technical" constitutional areas rather than
ideological ones:
(a) The objectives and activities of groups seeking
recognition should be seen as attempting to contribute to the educational,
recreational, social or cultural values of the University. These values are
intended to be interpreted in the broadest sense. However, the essential
"value" of the University must remain that of preservation of freedom
of enquiry and association.
(b) Recognized campus groups may not engage in activities
which are essentially commercial in nature. This is not intended to preclude
the collection of membership fees to cover the expenses of the organization, or
of charges for specific activities, programs or events, or to prohibit groups
from engaging in legitimate fundraising. However, a recognized campus group
cannot
(i) Have as a major activity a function that makes it an
on-campus part of a commercial organization;
(ii) provide services and goods at a profit when that
profit is used for purposes other than those of the organization;
(iii) pay salaries to some or all of its officers.
(c) Membership in groups should be open to all members of
the University community without restriction on the grounds of national origin,
race, religion, colour, or sex. While discriminatory membership practices are
not allowed, it is recognized that certain groups could well be homogeneous in
nature without being discriminatory. Status as non-voting members may be
extended to interested persons from outside the University.
(d) The University's interest in the constitution is based
on its concern that organizations and individuals using its name and its
facilities are genuine campus organizations, and that they pursue activities in
accordance with the law, and in addition that such things as organizational
structure, membership, procedures, rules of conduct, etc. are spelled out so
that all members who join a club and take part in its activities may do so with
full knowledge of their rights and responsibilities within the group.
(e) Where a group applying for recognition has direct
connections with another body outside the University of Toronto, the nature of
this connection and the name of the body must be disclosed fully and
substantially in the application for recognition.
3. (a) The
University will not attempt to monitor or review the activities of a group in
the normal course of events. It will however investigate complaints or charges
that an organization has acted in a manner that is inconsistent with its
constitution or with the requirements of this policy. If these complaints or
charges prove to be valid, recognition may be withdrawn. Application for a
renewal of recognition may be made at any time after the following September
30.
(b) Responsibility for the implementation of this policy is
delegated to the administration. In the case of denial or withdrawal of
recognition, a statement of the reasons will be provided. All administrative
decisions to grant, deny, or withdraw recognition will be reported regularly to
the University Affairs Board for information.
(c) Groups wishing to appeal a decision may do so through
the Office of the Assistant Vice-President, Student Affairs. In the event of an
appeal, a hearing shall be held by an administrative officer designated by the
Assistant Vice-President, Student Affairs not involved in the original
decision.
4. Groups seeking recognition should supply the following:
(a) An application in the form prescribed.
(b) The names of two officers and a "contact
person" (who could be one of the officers) responsible for all room
bookings and rentals of University equipment and services, a mailing address
and a telephone number. This information will be considered to be public
information.
(c) The total number of members, the size of the governing
body (i.e., number of executive officers), and the proportion of members on and
off campus at the time of registration.
(d) A copy of the constitution and/or by-laws of the group.
Groups meeting the requirements of
this policy will be granted recognition for the academic year in which
application is made. (For this purpose the academic year is considered to run
from October 1 to September 30.) Normally recognition will be renewed
automatically in successive academic years upon request by the new executive.
If constitutional changes have been proposed the amended constitution should be
submitted and will be considered in the course of the renewal process.
5. Applicants for recognition or recognized groups
handling extensive funds may be required to submit audited statements annually
to the Office of the Assistant Vice-President, Student Affairs.
At the discretion of the Assistant
Vice-President, Student Affairs groups supplying goods or services for which a
charge is made may be required to indicate in all advertising, contractual and
other material that the University neither endorses the group's activities nor
assumes legal liability in connection with the goods and services provided.
6. Recognized Campus Groups must report to the Assistant
Vice-President, Student Affairs the name of the bank, trust company or credit
union, the branch, account numbers and signing officers for all bank accounts
opened in their name.
January 26, 1987
Section 11 amended by Governing Council on February 13,
1990.
Section 11(b, c) revised and sections 11(d-f) added by
Governing Council, May 23, 1993.