Recap of the final town hall for students to provide feedback about the mandated leave of absence policy
On October 5, 2021, the University of Toronto held its final town hall consultation on the University Mandated Leave of Absence Policy (UMLAP). As discussed in the September issue of Ultra Vires, UMLAP allows the University to place a student on an involuntary leave of absence when a student experiencing a mental health crisis “poses a risk of harm to self or others” or where a student is “unable to engage in the essential activities required to pursue an education.” The policy is enacted as a last resort after other accommodations have been attempted or refused.
UMLAP has been met by widespread criticism from students and faculty of the three University campuses for being discriminatory towards those with mental illness, coercive, and punitive. As specified in the Policy, UMLAP is under review this year and the University has been hosting virtual town halls and accepting feedback online.
The review is being conducted by Professor Donald Ainslie and Assistant Dean of Student Success and Career Support Varsha Patel. On October 5, 30 people registered for the final town hall and provided their feedback. One student emphasized the “opacity” of the University’s approach to mental health services and the need to “trudge through […] bureaucracy” in order to receive proper accommodations. Moreover, the student said it is shameful that the University waits for students to experience dire mental health crises before providing extensive support. In response, Professor Ainslie emphasized that UMLAP has been used on average 4.5 times a year and that it is only the last resort or option “Z.” However, at another point in the town hall, Professor Ainslie admitted that the University needs to work on improving options “A to Z” in order to better support students.
Later in the town hall, Professor Ainslie also pointed out the University is not funded as a healthcare institution and so it is a balance between what mental health services are provided by public health and what are provided by educational institutions. This comment was in response to a question about the University’s role in the personal and medical lives of its students and whether the University intends to develop comprehensive mental health care infrastructure.
Members from the Scarborough Campus Students’ Union (SCSU) asked whether information from previous meetings related to the UMLAP review would be published. Professor Ainslie responded that the material would be “summarized,” and claimed that, during certain meetings, minutes were not taken with the intent for all information to be made public.
The SCSU likewise emphasized that students are dissatisfied with the number of UMLAP consultations taking place and some wish for the review to be extended. Related to this, the SCSU asked whether the University will provide resources to student unions so they can better consult with their students about UMLAP. In response, Professor Ainslie stated that they have held many consultations with students and notified students through all of the standard communication channels, including by informing student unions of town hall dates. He also expressed that the University providing resources to student unions to conduct their own consultations would be against the “self-funded nature” of student unions. In the end, Professor Ainslie indicated uncertainty about what more consultations would “give” the review team.
Throughout the town hall, speakers emphasized the need for greater transparency regarding the University’s mental health resources and the need for these resources to be vastly improved. Professor Ainslie fielded each of these comments with a response recognizing the need for improvement, but did not commit to tangible improvements.
Editor’s Note: Harry Myles is a member of the University of Toronto Law Union (UTLU) Steering Committee.
