Victoria University (Toronto, Ont.). Board of Regents Women's Residence Committee

• Women's Residence Committee of the Board of Regents

At the Annual Meeting of the Board of Regents in 1947, an ad-hoc committee was set up to ‘study the question of women’s residences and all phases on women’s work in Victoria University.’ This committee met 4 times and members were President Brown, Dean Bennett, Mrs. W.H. Clarke, Mrs. H.R. Jackman, Mrs. Warren Lloyd (as a representative of the Women’s Council), Miss Jessie Macpherson (Dean of Women), and Mrs. J.S. Bennett (Chairman). The Committee looked at the function of the Women’s Council and the role of the Dean of Women and made several recommendations at the Board of Regents meeting on May 20, 1948. They recommended that the Dean of Women (she was also the Dean of Women’s Residence) continue her duties – hiring dons, counseling of women students, supervision of the infirmary service, food and room, coordination of activities, etc. They also recommended that the Women’s Council be re-organized as a committee to serve the College wherever possible, to coordinate and support the various women’s organizations of Victoria University, and provide opportunities for the mutual exchange of information between these organizations and the Board of Regents. The third recommendation was for a standing Committee on Women’s Residences and Union be appointed by the Board of Regents and that this Committee consist of 3 women members of the Board of Regents, the Dean of Victoria College, the President of Victoria University (Ex officio) and as corresponding members, the Dean of Women and two representatives of the Women’s Council. The functions of the committee would be to give general supervision to the formation and administration of policy in women’s residences and union; to control and direct the financial affairs thereof, and to authorize all expenditures. The committee would also receive from the Dean of Women suitable recommendations for persons to fill the posts of warden, dons, the physician for women, the nurse, the dieticians, and other officers as required; and after due consideration to make all appointments to these offices, and report the same to the Board of Regents. The committee would also report annually to the Board of Regents on all matters affecting the life and work of women students at Victoria University. In 1955 the Women’s Residence Committee and the Burwash Hall and Men’s Residence Committee merged to form the Committee on Residences and Services.

Created by MB; May 3, 2017

Board of Regents Minutes - 1987.125V-3-1