The University of Toronto (U of T) is currently at the center of substantial student concerns and advocacy efforts surrounding both its Policy on Sexual Violence and the physical conditions of its Faculty of Music. On January 15, U of T announced the initiation of its review of this policy, which will continue throughout 2025. This review is seen as part of the institution's commitment to ensuring safety and support for its students, particularly those who have been affected by sexual violence.
The university's existing policy was first established following the Ontario government’s introduction of Bill 132, the Sexual Violence and Harassment Action Plan Act, which mandated all postsecondary institutions to have similar policies and review them every three years. U of T had previously completed its review from 2021 to 2022, collecting feedback from students, staff, and faculty to create recommendations focused on improving services available through its Sexual Violence Prevention & Support Centre. The recommendations included measures on data collection, education programs on healthy boundaries, and addressing power imbalances within faculty-student relationships.
Despite these efforts, advocacy group Prevention, Empowerment, Advocacy, Response, for Survivors Project (PEARS) expressed concern over the vagueness of the recommendations. They particularly criticized a proposal for formal support structures for those accused of sexual violence, arguing it detracted from the support for survivors. Micah Kalisch, PEARS’ co-founder, reflected on the skepticism surrounding the process: "I have very low expectations for [the university’s] review," she stated, arguing the initiative feels more like procedural compliance than genuine change.
Calming student fears and encouraging participation, U of T appointed Gillian Hnatiw, a lawyer specializing in sexual violence cases, as the external expert for the upcoming review. Professor Faye Mishna has been named as the lead, with the university promising community consultations scheduled from January to March 2025 to allow input from students and faculty. Yet skepticism remains, especially about the absence of truly independent oversight. Taylor Stetka, PEARS’ Policy Project Lead, noted, "Gillian Hnatiw’s appointment is a step in the right direction, but does not fix the issue of the review being internally led and organized."
Meanwhile, students at U of T's Faculty of Music have been vocal about the subpar conditions of their facilities, located at 90 Wellesley Street West. Constructed as dormitories back in 1955, the building has faced several complaints over the years—from insufficient practice rooms to general disrepair. Many students describe the conditions as "poor," "terrible," and "rundown." Eric Yang, president of the Faculty of Music Undergraduate Association (FMUA), underscored the need for classroom and study spaces rather than just performance facilities, remarking on the lack of investment from the university.
Fabian Nunez Ramos, FMUA's jazz director, lamented how the old dormitory structure makes it difficult for students to find proper spaces to work, often likening it to "surviving" rather than thriving. Rao relayed concerns about the inadequate amenities, such as practice rooms without basic furniture, lack of heating or air conditioning, and issues with pests. He reported, "The practice rooms are all old dormitories, and not all of them have desks or chairs for jazz students to utilize for music theory work."
The conditions have not gone unnoticed by other students. Jay-Daniel Baghbanan, the FMUA's vice president of student life, voiced disillusionment with U of T’s response to their complaints, emphasizing, "It feels like we don’t get a response. Anytime we knock on their door to ask for help, they kind of shoo us away and say ‘we’re already doing what we can.’" This sentiment echoes across the department, with many students feeling overlooked compared to their peers across other faculties where the facilities are considerably modern and well-maintained.
The question now arises—what concrete actions will U of T take to address the concerns of its students? U of T’s administration, represented by spokespersons, has assured students of its commitment to providing suitable spaces and addressing their matters as appropriate. Yet, for many, this falls short. Drawing attention to the existing conditions and the progress of policy initiatives are not merely procedural formalities; they are about ensuring safety, respect, and proper amenities for all. Each step the university takes will be closely observed by its community, especially as consultations continue to seek genuine improvement.