Victoria University (Toronto, Ont.). Board of Regents

The Board of Regents is the governing body of Victoria University. In 1836, the Royal Charter first established a Board of Trustees to manage the educational institution called Upper Canada Academy, later to become Victoria College. Under the Act of 1841, the Trustees were given power to purchase goods, property, land and buildings, etc. and receive gifts and endowments for promoting the education purposes of the institution. The Trustees along with five elected 'visitors' were called the 'Board' and had power to appoint the principal, professors, tutors and other agents as well as make changes to by-laws and regulations. The Board was required to have meetings and create minutes and annual reports. The first act of the Victoria College Board in 1841 was to appoint Egerton Ryerson as the Principal of Victoria College.

In the Victoria University Act of 1951, the Board of Regents was noted to be responsible for the management of administration of the University and consisted of 43 members to be elected or appointed. In recent years the Board had 37 members including students (6), faculty (8), Victoria College alumni (1), Emmanuel College alumni (2), United Church appointees (13), ex officio (4) and discretionary (3). As of 2024 the Board has 38 members: United Church appointees (6), ex officio (4), Victoria College alumni (8), Emmanuel College alumni (3), Emmanuel College teaching staff (2), Victoria College teaching staff (6), Victoria College students (5), Emmanuel College students (1), discretionary (3).

By 2022 standing committees were appointed on an annual basis. In 2024 there were five standing committees: Executive; Finance, Pension and Audit; Governance and University Affairs; Investment; Property. This is a downsizing from the recent past when the Board had nine committees to assist it with its responsibilities: Executive; Alumni Affairs and Advancement; Audit; Campus Life; Finance, Investment; Nominating Appointments & Governance; Pension; Property.

The Board appoints the Chancellor, the President, the Principals, the other officers of the University, and appoints and promotes the teaching staff of Victoria and Emmanuel Colleges. The Board also manages the endowment funds; receives gifts and grants; operates residential and food services; maintains the buildings; pays the staff and generally manages the affairs of the University at the policy level and is also the legal owner of all property of Victoria University and is in charge of all business aspects of its operation.

In the past, the Bursar has acted as Secretary to the Board of Regents. In 2023 a Secretary role was created, separate from the Bursar.

Board By-Laws (one and two) are updated regularly to meet the needs of the University.

Victoria University's By-Law One, 2022
Board of Regent's website, accessed on October 2024: https://vicu.utoronto.ca/about-victoria/board-of-regents/