University College, Toronto
Latin: Universitatis Collegium apud Torontonenses | |
Motto | Parum claris lucem dare (Latin) |
---|---|
Motto in English | To shed light on that which is obscure |
Type | Constituent college of the University of Toronto |
Established | 22 April 1853 |
Principal | Markus Stock |
Undergraduates | 4,538 full-time, 305 part-time (2017)[1] |
Location | , , Canada 43°39′44″N 79°23′45″W / 43.66222°N 79.39583°W |
Campus | Urban |
Website | uc.utoronto.ca |
Official name | University College National Historic Site of Canada |
Designated | 1968 |
University College, popularly referred to as UC, is a
University College is one of two places in the University of Toronto that has been designated a
History
Shortly after taking power in the first
On 22 April 1853, University College was created as the Provincial College, and it retains that designation in the current University of Toronto Act. It was the first constituent college of the University of Toronto, inheriting the teaching functions and resources of the former King's College, while the university itself became an examination body.
University College was severely damaged by a fire that gutted the entire eastern wing and the college library on 14 February 1890.[3] The fire spread rapidly when servants accidentally dropped two kerosene lamps on a wooden staircase at around 7 p.m. while preparing the illumination for an annual college exhibition.[3] In Ottawa, Edward Blake, the university's chancellor and a Member of Parliament, interrupted his speech to inform the House of Commons, "The great institution, the crown and glory, I may be permitted to say, of the educational institutions in our country is at the moment in flames ... and is now, so far as its material fabric goes, a ruin tottering to the ground."[4] Only about 100 books were rescued before the fire consumed more than 33,000 volumes at the college library. Despite the initial fears, University College recovered from the fire with remarkable ease and speed.[5] Wycliffe College and Knox College both offered space for classes to accommodate displaced students.[6] The board of trustees commissioned a swift restoration of the structure with insurance compensations and additional investments. Within two years, the library was replenished with donations from institutions throughout the British Empire.[6]
On 15 February 1895, more than seven hundred University College students attended what was then described as the "largest mass meeting in the history of the University" to discuss the government's dismissal of William Dale, the popular professor of Latin at the college.[7] William Lyon Mackenzie King, a senior undergraduate who would later become Prime Minister of Canada, introduced a successful motion at the meeting to "abstain from attendance at lectures at University College until a proper investigation be granted by the provincial government into the difficulties existing at the university." During the boycott of classes, professor of history George MacKinnon Wrong wrote to Chancellor Blake in England that only one student turned up at one of his lectures. The strike continued until 20 February, when students voted to return to classes after the government agreed to call a commission of inquiry.
In 1968, University College was designated a
Grounds and architecture
The main building of University College was built between 1856 and 1859, designed by architects
The design committee would eventually include Norman, Romanesque Revival, and "faint traces of Byzantium and the Italian palazzo" styles in the design.[14] In particular, the Byzantine, Norman and early English styles were deemed "fitting for educational institutions".[15] Cumberland chose Norman Romanesque as the main influence because he thought it was the most appreciate for the topography in Canada.[16] To achieve a picturesque approach, Cumberland ignored the classical symmetry and deliberately gave an asymmetrical architectural expression. The building was an unconventional combination of varied parts incorporating British design for educational structures in England and Ireland.
Like most Romanesque buildings, University College has extremely thick masonry walls, built of many types of brick and stone layered upon each other.[3] The main materials include wood, stone, brick, slate, iron, mortar, and tile. Only about one third of the exterior is stone, with the rest being a very pale yellow brick produced at a brickyard on Yonge Street.[17] University College has the characteristic arched and rounded windows as well as huge, cavernous facades.[3] A major feature of University College is arches laid out in series and sets. The arches are semicircular, and consist of small columns that provide the structural support to hold up vaults on the side of walkways. There is much ornamentation, especially in the form of stone carvings, liberally applied on the walls, arches, columns and façades of the building. Carved images include nature, animals, mysterious creatures as well as the college shield and motto. The building also features several stained glass windows, including the rose window by Robert McCausland.
Some of the basic original layout plans remain at University College today. The focal point of the structure is at the south façade, where the stone tower at the centre of the composition contains the main entrance of the college.
Revitalization
The historic University College building underwent a major revitalization beginning in January 2018.
Academics
The University College Council is the college's governing body, overseeing administrative, budgetary and academic matters. The principal, in addition to chairing the College Council, serves as the chief executive of the college. Student are represented on the College Council by the leaders of the Literary and Athletic Society and eight additional students.
University College houses several academic programs within the University of Toronto, further varied by major, minor and specialist concentrations, including Canadian studies, cognitive science, drama, health studies, and sexual diversity studies.[20] The college houses a number of visiting fellows who take residence and office at the college.
University College hosts five sets of annual public lecture series. The Alexander Lectures, founded in 1928 and named for English professor W.J. Alexander, focuses on literature over four successive lectures.[21] The Graham Lectures, established in 1930, explores scientific topics from astronomy to zoology in a non-technical manner. The F.E.L. Priestley Memorial Lectures in the History of Ideas are interdisciplinary, encompassing topics in social science and humanities such as literature, economics, history, geography, philosophy, theology, science, political science, as well as applied fields such as business, law, and medicine.[21] The Stubbs Lecture, founded in 1988, focuses on Greek, Latin, or English literature. The Teetzel Lectures concentrates on art and architecture over three successive days.[21]
The Laidlaw Library was the main library of University College from the 1960s until the College's Revitalization project in 2018. The library has since moved back to its original location in the East Hall where the library was housed until the fire of 1890. The modern University College Library specialized in subjects related to the college's in-house academic programs in the humanities and social sciences. It comprises a main collection of over 20,000 volumes, including the Avie Bennett Collection and the Al Purdy Collection.[22]
Student life and traditions
Legend of Diabolos and Reznikoff
The famous ghost story of the University College, started from the carving "Crocodiles and vermin". The sculptor was a Russian, named Ivan Reznikoff. It is said that he was buried in the northeast corner of the quadrangle. Since then, his ghost has been seen at regular intervals. The newel in the east staircase is a wooden Griffin. The griffin is a magical creature that is a mix of a lion and an eagle. Some students believe that touching the Griffin will bring good luck, such as passing their exams with great marks.
Diabolos' is University College's not-for-profit coffee bar that has been overseen by the Lit and student-run since 1966. It provides
Literary and Athletic Society
The University College Literary and Athletic Society, colloquially known as the 'Lit', is the oldest student government in Canada dating back to 1854. Established in 1854 as the Literary and Scientific Society and renamed The University College Literary and Athletic Society in 1921 it merged with the University College Women's Undergraduate Association in 1958 to become representative of all students attending the college.[23]
Every student of University College is a member of the society. The Lit's mandate is to provide services, host events, facilitate student involvement, represent the student body, and foster a sense of community among students in the college. The Lit is also responsible for the student-run Diabolos' coffee bar, and the annual Fireball formal, commemorating the 1890 fire which destroyed the college. They also provide some support for Orientation Week, a week dedicated to help first-year students transition into university.[23]
The Gargoyle, established in 1954, is the student newspaper of University College, named after the gargoyle statue in the college building. It is staffed by an editorial collective of undergraduate students, as well as a group of staff and regular contributors.
Residential halls
The college's three residence buildings hold about 720 students, and are fully co-ed, although Whitney started out as the women's residence and Sir Daniel Wilson's as the men's. The current Sir Daniel Wilson Hall was built in 1954, and the original Whitney Hall was built in 1931. A third residence, Morrison Hall, was added in 2005. Demand for places is high for a number of reasons: most rooms are singles, the community life is accepting and diverse and most main academic buildings are right across the street.[citation needed] Off-campus students can participate in the residence community life by becoming associate members of one of the houses.
There are a total of fifteen residential divisions, known as "houses", in the residences. There are six houses within the
Principals
In March 2019, Professor Markus Stock was appointed to be the 17th Principal of University College.
Notable alumni
Arts and media
Business
Education
Law
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Literature and journalism
Government
Science and medicine
Athletics
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References
- ^ https://www.utoronto.ca/sites/default/files/Facts%20%26%20Figures%202017%20online%20version.pdf p.32
- ^ a b Friedland, p. 24
- ^ a b c d e University College National Historic Site of Canada. Directory of Federal Heritage Designations. Parks Canada. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
- ^ Friedland, p. 149
- ^ Friedland, p. 157
- ^ a b Friedland, p. 152
- ^ Q&A: What made the "blood fairly boil" in U of T student and future prime minister William Lyon Mackenzie King in 1895?
- ^ Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, Minutes, June 1968 and 1970.
- ^ University College, 15 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Formally Recognized: 1968/11/28 ID 9520
- ^ Bissell p. 22
- ^ Bissell p. 132
- ^ Simmins p. 93
- ^ Simmins p. 95
- ^ a b Friedland p. 57
- ^ Bissell p. 23
- ^ a b Simmins, Geoffrey (1997). Fred Cumberland: Building the Victorian Dream. Toronto: University of Toronto Press Incorporated. pp. 92–111.
- ^ Friedland p. 62
- ^ Simmins p. 103
- ^ a b "Revitalization Project | University College U of T". www.uc.utoronto.ca. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
- ^ Sexual Diversity Studies at the University of Toronto
- ^ a b c University College Public Lecture Series , University College Public Lectures Committee
- ^ "Borrowing Books - University College Library, University of Toronto | University College U of T". www.uc.utoronto.ca. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
- ^ a b c University of Toronto – University College Literary & Athletic Society – Welcome Home
- ^ "Learn about the UC residences | University College U of T".
- ^ Residence Handbook, 2009–2010
- ^ a b "Appointment of Professor Markus Stock as the Principal of University College (PDAD&C #60) – Communications for Academic Administrators". Retrieved 21 December 2019.
- ^ "Professor Donald Ainslie, principal of University College | University College U of T". www.uc.utoronto.ca. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
- ^ "Warren Goldring passes away". Retrieved 21 December 2019.
- ^ "Anxiety, confusion at Maclean's". Retrieved 21 December 2019.
- ^ "Feminist Revolution at U of T". University of Toronto Magazine. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
- ^ https://www.uc.utoronto.ca/alumni/alumniofinfluence/right-hon-arthur-meighen [dead link]
Further reading
- Douglas S. Richardson. A Not Unsightly Building: University College and Its History. Mosaic Press for University College, 1990.
- Claude T. Bissell. University College: A Portrait. The University of Toronto Press, 1953.
- Geoffrey Simmins. Fred Cumberland: Building the Victorian Dream. The University of Toronto Press, 1997.
- Martin L. Friedland. The University of Toronto: A History. The University of Toronto Press, 2002.