On January 20, U of T announced to community members in an email that it’s launching a review of its Statement on Prohibited Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment. 

The Varsity spoke with students about their reactions to the review and their hopes for the outcome. 

The current statement

Established in 1994, the university’s statement applies to all students, faculty, librarians, and staff. Its purpose is to outline the university’s responsibilities in addressing discrimination and harassment under the Ontario Human Rights Code, while upholding academic freedom and freedom of expression. 

It also defines the responsibilities of individuals, administrators, supervisors, and student leaders to “foster a learning and working environment free of prohibited discrimination and harassment.” 

Section 16 of the statement states, “While student leaders and organizations are not given specific institutional powers with respect to the implementation of University policies, they are encouraged to adopt policies and practices which will enhance the capacity of the University to provide [such an environment].” 

The review

The memo sent out to the U of T community announcing the launch of the review stated that it aims “[t]o ensure that experiences of discrimination and harassment are addressed efficiently, consistently, and compassionately for members of our community across the tri-campus.” 

The co-chairs of the consultation phase of the review are Brenda Cossman, professor of law and associate dean research for the Faculty of Law, and Caroline Rabbat, former director of High Risk, Faculty Support & Mental Health for the Faculty of Arts & Science. 

“The Co-Chairs will consult with faculty members, librarians, staff members, and students from across the three campuses to make recommendations on updating and clarifying the Statement’s language and content,” the memo read. “The Co-Chairs will consider the pathways for complaints and ensure the Statement meets the University’s legislated responsibilities.”

The 1994 statement mentioned that complaints should be “directed to the administrative officer or supervisor responsible for the department or division in which the incident is alleged to have occurred” and seek assistance from offices such as the Sexual Violence Prevention & Support Centre and Anti-Racism and Cultural Diversity Office. The university’s Vice-Provost, Students’ page also has a flowchart explaining the complaints process for students. 

The university did not respond to The Varsity’s questions about which specific groups would be consulted for the review’s launch.

However, starting in January 2026, U of T will be required to provide an annual public report on complaints of discrimination, harassment, and hate-related incidents reported to law enforcement. This is mandated by an amendment to the Ministry of Colleges, Training and Universities Act made through Bill 166, the Strengthening Accountability and Student Supports Act.

After the consultation period, the co-chairs will make recommendations to the administration, which will inform revisions to the statement. 

Student groups respond

The Scarborough Campus Students’ Union (SCSU) discussed the review of the statement during its January executive meeting. 

SCSU President Hunain Sindhu told The Varsity in an email that the discussion focused on concerns that the current statement could be used “as an excuse to avoid implementing a clear definition of anti-Palestinian harassment and discrimination.”

Currently, the university does not have a definition of anti-Palestinian discrimination. In November 2024, U of T launched a Muslim, Arab, and Palestinian Discrimination Working Group to review the university’s programs and practices, and make recommendations to support the university’s response to anti-Muslim, anti-Arab, and anti-Palestinian discrimination. 

He hopes the review process will result in an “explicit recognition of anti-Palestinian harassment and discrimination within university policies.” 

Sindhu also noted that, “​​the [statement] does not offer clear guidelines on how student unions and student-led organizations should navigate such situations.”

He added that the statement should include “more concrete mechanisms for addressing complaints” as it currently “reiterates commitments to freedom of speech and academic freedom without acknowledging how these principles can be used to shield discriminatory behavior.”

Promoting anti-discrimination, harassment policies

Under section 16 of the statement, subsection B states that “college and residence student organizations are encouraged to promote an awareness of anti-discrimination and harassment policies and to review their activities in light of University policy.”

New College Residence Council’s Director of Communications Chloe Legel told The Varsity in an email that the Council receives training from the Office of Residence and Student Life (ORSL), and any complaints of discrimination and harassment should be reported directly to, and would be handled by, the ORSL.