The committee will assist in ‘one of the most significant changes in [the] university’s history,’ said president Mohamed Lachemi
An official advisory committee has been tasked with finding a new name for Ryerson University, according to a statement president Mohamed Lachemi released on Sunday.
The committee’s formation follows the university Board of Governors’ decision last month to accept all 22 recommendations in the Standing Strong (Mash Koh Wee Kah Pooh Win) Task Force’s final report.
The task force was created following calls to rename the institution, as the university’s namesake, Egerton Ryerson, played a large part in the implementation of the residential school system, which was designed to forcibly eradicate Indigenous cultures.
The committee’s work will result in a list of possible new names which are expected to be looked over by university leadership before ultimately going to the Board of Governors for final approval by the end of the 2021-22 academic year.
“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,” Lachemi said in his statement.
The advisory committee will be chaired by the provost and vice-president, academic, Jennifer S. Simpson. The vice-chair will be Tanya De Mello, assistant dean for student programming, development and equity at the Lincoln Alexander School of Law.
Jennifer Grass, assistant vice-president, university relations, will act as the executive lead. The committee membership also includes representatives from students, faculty, staff, the university senate, the Board of Governors, and alumni.
A full list of committee members can be accessed through Lachemi’s official announcement.
Further information on the committee’s process and opportunities for participation will be made available in the coming weeks on the Next Chapter website, according to Lachemi’s statement.
