Last Wednesday, University College alumni gathered at their alma mater to debate whether U of T should move to Buffalo.
The humorous debate, hosted by the University College Alumni Association and the UC Literary and Athletic Society (commonly known as the Lit) was held in UC’s Junior Common Room to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the society.
Distinguished UC alumni, including Ontario Minister of Health Tony Clement and the Hon. Sarmite Bulte, debated the topic, “is it advisable that U of T moves to Buffalo?”
“We wanted to choose a subject that could be funny and irreverent but still touch on key issues,” said Lit VP Mark Graham, who also participated in the debate.
Clement, a member of the class of 1983, described his fondest memories of UC as “Mostly about the extra-curricular activities. The most intense memories take place outside the classroom.” During his years at UC, Clement debated in the Hart House Debating Society and various student government positions. Returning to U of T for the anniversary debate, Clement noted that “the core buildings of UC remain the same and of course, the rhythm of this place is immortal.”
Wearing a tie decorated with the stars and stripes of the American flag, Clement joked that if U of T moved to Buffalo, “We could get good real estate at fire sale prices,” and added, “finally, York University could realize its dreams of intellectual superiority-at least until Ryerson beats them out.”
The Hon. Robert Kaplan, of the class of 1958, joined Clement on the affirmative side.
“I was unaware until today that this debate was humorous,” he told the audience. “I did some actual research about the advantages of relocating to Buffalo.” He cited the $200 million that would be saved through the sale of U of T’s real estate and the purchase of similar land in Buffalo.
“The city is only 216 metres away from the Canadian border, through a great deal of that is water, and is this era of information technology, 216 metres can be overcome.”
The defence of U of T’s current location was led by Bulte, the current parliamentary secretary for the department of Canadian Heritage and a member of UC’s class of 1971.
“The government will not allow the export of objects that are of cultural significance to Canada” because of its export laws, she said, “including the University of Toronto.”
Graham, wearing a UC t-shirt, also defended the Canadian location of U of T.
“It would be expensive to rent a U-Haul to move the university buildings,” he said. “The border would be clogged, impeding trans-continental business.” Graham also took the opportunity to promote the revival of debating at UC, declaring that the college debate club had been officially refounded as “The UC Oratorical Preservation Society.”
The Moderator for the evening, the Hon. William G. Davis, former Ontario premier and a member of the class of 1953, declared the debate a tie, even after a show of hands from the audience appeared to favor the resolution.
Graham praised the post-debate cocktail reception in the Crofts Chapter House, “We are going to call the debate a success. Some of the most recent graduates of UC were sitting alongside the oldest living graduates of the college. The involvement of younger alumni in Alumni Association events is something we want to encourage.”
All the debate’s participants were thanked by University College principal, Paul Perron, who provided opening and closing remarks for the debate.
“It was a pleasure to watch these intelligent, able people argue positions they don’t believe at all.”