The University of Toronto Student Union and U of T’s Faculty of Physical Education and Health have successfully reached an agreement where the faculty will provide exclusive time slots of free space for UTSU student clubs and significant discounts on equipment rentals.
“As it becomes more difficult and expensive for students to use space on campus, it is increasingly important for the Students’ Union and university faculties to work together to ensure student access to space is protected,” says Corey Scott, UTSU VP Campus Life.
The agreement includes a 30 per cent discount on equipment and facility rentals at the Varsity Athletic Centre; exclusive time slots in the Varsity Dome on Thursdays from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., and on Fridays from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and reserved courts in the Athletic Centre field house every weekend from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
“A lot of clubs will use the space depending on the kind of programming they wish to do,” Scott said. “There has been a huge response with the cultural clubs on campus … Organizing an event with ten to fifteen clubs on campus can be a very hard thing to do. Culturally and socially based clubs will use this space a lot more rather than going to community centers an hour or so away from campus.”
To book some facilities on campus, clubs have to pay for extra costs including caretaking services, catering, parking, and security. Scott suggested that these extra costs all deter students from booking space. “Such exorbitant rates force students to go off campus rather than stay on campus.”
Scott is particularly excited about the new exclusive space in the Varsity Dome as an alternative to Con Hall field. “Having a space that is not always weather dependent will help a lot of clubs.”
Negotiations on this agreement began a year ago between UTSU and FPEH’s assistant dean of co-curricular physical activity and sport, Anita Comella.
“Anita, who is new to the position, wanted to do these new initiatives and think creatively. It was this eagerness and fresh blood that was kind enough to sit down with us in a respectful manner,” Scott said.
“The initiative has shown that UTSU is not trying to work against the university administration. [It] proves that we’re working with the university, that we are working with these great people and great offices, and that we want to continue to work with Hart House, Office of Student Life, and Varsity and Athletic Centres.”
The development comes after recent changes to the policy of temporary use of space at the University of Toronto, which after changes in October include provisions to charge security costs at events and limit a club’s ability to attach “University of Toronto” to its name.
