Honghu Wang (1L)
The March 7 meeting of Faculty Council wrapped up in record time: a mere twenty-three minutes, of which about five were spent counting to see if quorum was met. The brevity of the meeting prompted concerns by Dean Iacobucci that the next meeting, on March 27, would be especially lengthy, as various committees are expected to present their findings. Sessional dates that were provisionally approved at the last Faculty Council meeting were also formally approved at this session.
What is Quorum?
Dean Iacobucci clarified that Faculty Council’s quorum requirements are dictated by Robert’s Rules, which hold that a majority of members constituted quorum. As Faculty Council consisted of forty-four faculty members and fifteen student members this year, quorum is thirty voting members. [UV incorrectly reported that quorum was thirty-seven members in our previous February issue.]
SLS and GLSA Updates
SLS President Katie Longo and GLSA President Haim Abraham provided brief updates on the comings and goings organized by their respective students’ associations at the law school. These included social events and outreach efforts, particularly the SLS’s current effort to more broadly disseminate the benefits that JD students are entitled to as members of the University of Toronto Students’ Union (JD students pay mandatory fees to the UTSU as part of their tuition package).
Contributions to Student Financial Aid
Faculty Council approved $2.155MM in contributions to financial aid, including more than a million dollar endowment from the Honourable Henry Newton Rowell “Hal” Jackman. All of the contributions, each being $25,000 or greater, will be matched one-to-one by the University of Toronto’s “Boundless” campaign, thereby doubling their impact.
The contributions establish new awards that will be bestowed with a preference for students who, for example, are first in their family to attend law school; are involved with LGBTQ initiatives; demonstrate commitment to the Women in Law club or equivalent; demonstrate interest in corporate law; or have volunteered with the International Human Rights Program. The Dr. Scott Guan China Law Award will also cover expenses for a four-week internship in China with Dr. Guan.
