“Critical mass” of administrative staff to be on-campus full-time as of January 2026 — Simcoe Hall

By Celesta Maniatogianni, Associate News Editor

Last Friday, October 3, U of T president Melanie Woodin said in a notice that as of January 2026, or “sooner in some cases,” a certain amount of administrative staff at the university will need to be on campus full-time, “five days per week.”

The United Steelworkers 1998, the union representing U of T administrative employees, stated that the collective agreement’s language on alternative work arrangements “cannot be unilaterally changed by the University.”

Ontario raises minimum wage to $17.60 an hour — Queen’s Park

By Ella MacCormack, News Editor

On October 1, the provincial minimum wage was increased by $0.40 to $17.60 an hour. 

The Employment Standards Act means the minimum wage in Ontario increases every year by the Ontario Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures the price fluctuation of goods and services. The annual average CPI was 2.4 per cent this year. 

Prior to deductions, a student working 24 hours per week during the 24 instructional weeks of the school year will see a $230.40 increase.

UofT Engineers strike back at Western with wooden train — London, Ontario

By Devin Botar, Varsity Contributor 

On Wednesday, a secret society of U of T engineering pranksters left a large wooden train on a roof at Western University. The rivalry between U of T’s Brute Force Committee (BFC) and Western’s Geer Team broke out last April Fool’s Day, when the Geer Team placed a cement-wheeled Volkswagen Beetle outside Sandford Fleming. 

Later that month, the BFC responded with a giant wooden mustang left on a roof at Western and promised further retaliation, which has now come. 

UTSU approves 2024–2025 financial statements and increases food coalition funding — UTSG Student Commons

By Ella MacCormack, News Editor 

On September 21, the University of Toronto Student Union (UTSU) approved the last fiscal year’s financial statements and increased U of T food coalition funding from $10,000 to $13,000, which can now provide free meals twice a week instead of once.

Out of a total $21.8 million in revenue, the UTSU’s main expenses were $16.9 million for the health and dental plan, $2.6 million for salaries and employee benefits, $496,000 for programs and services, and $487,000 for levied student groups. The remaining $984,000 in expenses were allocated to occupancy, governance and administration, meeting and conventions, amortization, and professional fees. 

11.3 per cent of UTSU students opted out of the health and dental plan, $2.2 million was refunded out of the $19.7 million collected. 

The UTSU Annual General Meeting will also take place on October 26. 

UTMSU sets aside up to $40,000 for October events, $35,000 for free breakfast Wednesdays — UTM Student Centre

By Ella MacCormack, News Editor 

At the University of Toronto Mississauga Students’ Union (UTMSU) Board of Directors meeting on September 28, the union approved up to $40,000 for October pub and Halloween events, and $35,000 for free breakfast Wednesdays. The October pub and “Halloweek” events budget is particularly high to pay for an unnamed “big artist” performance at the pub. 

Free Breakfast Wednesdays take place in the Student Centre Presentation Room at 10 am every week — supplies usually last for an hour, and feed around 300 students.

Gowns return to TCM for Saints’ Ball proposal — Trinity College

By Devin Botar, Varsity Contributor

On Wednesday, September 30, the Trinity College Meeting (TCM) met in traditional academic gowns to discuss Saints’ Ball proposals — the first gowned TCM in five years after a students’ push for the return of gowns. 

The TCM announced gowns will be freely available to borrow at Trinity academic dinners and the holiday dinner. According to TCM Chair Anneke Lee, the College plans to offer gowns for purchase by the end of the year. Students also approved a proposal for Trinity’s annual Saints’ Ball. The budget has been reduced to $15,000, as compared to $20,000 last year, and the theme will be Phantom of the Opera.