Actions taken this month by U of T in response to the violence in Ukraine
On March 1, U of T President Meric Gertler released a statement strongly condemning the February 24 Russian invasion of Ukraine. Gertler lamented the extreme violence and human suffering this war has caused and expressed U of T’s commitment to members of the University community affected by these events. Harkening back to 2019, Gertler spoke fondly of his meeting with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky when the University of Toronto hosted a portion of the Ukraine Reform Conference. Gertler concluded his statement with a touching comment on the responsibility of universities, in the face of dark world events, to be a source of understanding, dialogue, and advancement of the human condition.
Since this statement, U of T became a signatory of the recent U7+ Alliance of World University’s condemnation of the war on Ukraine. The University also announced an increase to its investment in the Scholars-at-Risk fund. Towards that objective, the University stated that it will match all donations made to the fund, up to $1 million, to support qualified students displaced from Ukraine who are coming to U of T.
The University announced that it is offering tuition and mental health support to students affected by the invasion of Ukraine. Current students whose financial situations have been affected by the war can apply for assistance from their registrar for tuition deferrals, or apply to the Emergency Grants Program. Campus chaplains are currently holding weekly drop-in grief support circles, and Health and Wellness are holding monthly support group meetings.
