In November 2023, the Arts & Science Dean’s office recommended the program’s closure after it failed an external review process that took over three-and-a-half years. In January 2024, U of T suspended enrollment in the program. 

In the few years since these events, the Buddhism and Psychology Student Union (BPSU) has been fighting to keep the program alive. I have personally witnessed overwhelming support and appreciation for BPMH from students and faculty alike. I would like to share my perspective on why this program is so valuable and should not be closed.

Both cognitive science and BPMH are fundamentally interdisciplinary programs, and I can say firsthand that what you get from these integrative courses cannot be achieved by simply taking courses in their component disciplines, such as psychology and religion. In a world that is rapidly changing with regard to human and artificial intelligence, a science of the mind that is committed to creating dialogue between diverse perspectives has never been so crucial. 

After changing the focus of my studies multiple times, it was cognitive science and BPMH that made me grateful for choosing U of T. BPMH students represent a wide variety of disciplines, and I am always eager to meet classmates in programs such as computer science, biology, ethics and society, and many others, who all found value in the BPMH minor. 

What makes BPMH unique is its research methodology and focus on mental health and wellness. BPM232: Buddhism and Psychology first introduced me to contemplative science — an interdisciplinary science that studies the intersection of psychology, mental health, and mindfulness practices — a research paradigm that addresses precisely what I felt was missing from the scientific study of the mind. 

I have since learned so much about how we might use real-world data and experiences to better understand the mind, how to evaluate the reliability of qualitative research, and why mindfulness interventions like meditation can be so powerful. 

In my BPMH studies, I have had the honour of being taught by incredibly knowledgeable, kind, and passionate professors. I learned about meditation in the body, how to apply Buddhist teachings to current social issues, and how to study other ways of knowledge practices. 

My peers have expressed a deep appreciation for the program’s commitment to mental health and wellness on both personal and academic levels. I cannot overstate what a difference it makes to have such a caring academic community and to have skilled mindfulness practitioners teaching in the program. 

On an academic level, I can think of very few things that could be more important than studying what it means for humans to flourish, be well, and how we might address barriers to this. It is wonderful to walk into a seminar or lab meeting full of dozens or hundreds of people who also thought these questions were worth their time.

This is what I thought I was paying for when I came to university. My instructors and peers have been putting incredible work into these projects, and I cannot wait to see what we will continue to cook up together.  

These are my personal reflections from engaging with the program and talking to my peers, but the program demonstrates its success in numbers as well. According to the BPSU, 71 per cent of college programs at U of T have 200 students or less –– BPMH has over 300, while most of the programs closed by Arts & Science in the last decade had only a couple of students enrolled. Over 1,100 students registered for BPMH courses in the 2023–2024 academic year, with waitlists filling up for every course offered. 

The program also hosts a contemplative science podcast, a student journal, peer support, research symposiums, and other community programming and events. 

More information about these activities and the program, as well as the complete Program Support Dossier, previous publications, and dozens of support letters from students and alumni, can be found on the BPSU website and the Peers are There to Help (PATH) website. The BPSU website also has a link to a petition supporting the program, which has surpassed 2,500 signatures and is aiming for 3,000. BPSU and PATH are both on Instagram as well: @uoft_bpsu and @pathuoft. 

My classmates and I urge the New College Council to continue offering 10 courses per Fall/Winter term and to reopen program enrollment. This way, current and future students may continue to benefit from this important and evolving program. Those interested in supporting may consider signing the petition and joining the mailing list to find out about future BPMH events. 

Max Lees is a fifth-year undergraduate student studying psychology, cognitive science, and buddhism, psychology, and mental health at the University of Toronto.