University College, popularly referred to as UC, is a constituent college of the University of Toronto, located on its St. George campus in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It was created in 1853 specifically as an institution of higher learning free of religious affiliation. It was the founding member of the university's modern collegiate system, and its non-denominationalism contrasted with contemporary colleges at the time, such as Trinity College and St. Michael's College, both of which later became part of the University of Toronto. It is one of the seven colleges in the university's Faculty of Arts and Science.

University College is one of two places in the University of Toronto that has been designated a National Historic Site of Canada, along with Annesley Hall of Victoria College. It is home to the oldest student government in Canada, the Literary and Athletic Society.

History

thumb|left|University College, c. 1860

Shortly after taking power in the first responsible government of the Province of Canada, Reformist politicians led by Robert Baldwin wrested control of King's College from the Church of England in 1849 and renamed it the University of Toronto. Baldwin envisioned that denominational colleges would soon decide to affiliate themselves under the secular University of Toronto "with some vague status, perhaps as divinity halls". His hopes were dashed when the Presbyterian Queen's College in Kingston opted to stay independent. Baldwin resigned as premier in 1851, leaving his successor, Francis Hincks, to find another way to persuade the denominational colleges. Hincks decided that the university should adopt the collegiate university governance model, used for centuries at Oxbridge and more recently at the University of London. 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. Wycliffe College and Knox College both offered space for classes to accommodate displaced students. 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. 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 National Historic Site, in recognition of its historical role in creating the collegiate system at the University of Toronto, and as one of the earliest examples of the collegiate model at universities in the Commonwealth.

Grounds and architecture

thumb|Croft Chapter House

thumb|left|The south entrance

The main building of University College, built between 1856 and 1859, is a centrepiece of the St. George campus designed by architects Frederick William Cumberland and William George Storm. The selection of architectural styles was the result of "a tangle of disagreements and concessions, political as well as artistic", including the college's emphasis on freedom from denominational control. Cumberland met the requirements asked of him after taking part on a research and experience based trip to Europe in February 1856: "This course of action was consistent with Victorian architectural practice when new public buildings were being planned, which was to carefully study applicable building forms and adapt them, to the requirements of the job at hand. The design committee led by Cumberland initially designed a Gothic structure, but Governor General Edmund Walker Head disliked the style and suggested Italian instead, later changing his preference to Byzantine.

thumb|left|Detail of an ornate arch over the south entrance

thumb|left|The East Wing was swiftly restored after suffering extensive fire damage in 1890.

The design committee would eventually include Norman, Romanesque Revival, and "faint traces of Byzantium and the Italian palazzo" styles in the design. Cumberland chose Norman Romanesque as the main influence because he thought it was the most appreciate for the topography in Canada. University College has the characteristic arched and rounded windows as well as huge, cavernous facades. The quadrangle and cloisters are enclosed within elaborately carved walls faced with stone, "felicitously sited amid landscaped grounds". Until the Laidlaw Wing was completed in the 1960s, University College was a U-shaped structure that was open on the north end. Before the fire of 1890, the building was laid out such that the east wing provided access to the convocation hall, the museum and the library, and contained an entrance to the quadrangle. Residences and dining halls, classrooms, and public reading rooms were on the west range of the structure. The chemistry laboratory was relocated at the southwest range, in the present Croft Chapter House, because it was more logical than in the first study which was in the north. Today, the west wing is no longer used as living quarters, which are now provided by the college's three dedicated residential halls, while the convocation functions have long since been moved to Convocation Hall.

Revitalization

The historic University College building underwent a major revitalization beginning in January 2018. The revitalization project included: improving the accessibility of the building, relocating the University College Library to its original location in the East Hall, transforming the West Hall into a new event space called the Clark Reading Room, creating a conference centre in Croft Chapter House, and introducing a café called the Owlery located on the third floor outside of the Library.

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. The college houses a number of visiting fellows who take residence and office at the college.

thumb|upright=1.2|The former Laidlaw Wing that used to house the college library until UC's Revitalization project in 2018. The Wing remains the home of Art Museum at the University of Toronto.

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. 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.

Student life and traditions

Legend of Diabolos and Reznikoff

thumb|upright|A damaged door that appears in the Diabolos and Reznikoff folktale

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 is said to have 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 fair trade coffee, tea, vegan and vegetarian products to University College students. It is located in University College's Junior Common Room and is open during the academic school year on Monday to Thursday 8:30am – 6pm and Friday 8:30am – 4pm.

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. Hutton House is named after Maurice Hutton, a University College, University of Toronto classics professor. He also acted as Principal of University College, University of Toronto from 1901 to 1928. During 1906 and 1907 he was acting President of the university.

Principals

In March 2019, Professor Markus Stock was appointed to be the 17th Principal of University College. His term will begin 1 January 2020 and will conclude on 30 June 2024.

Notable alumni

<gallery class="center">

File:William Lyon Mackenzie King 1942.jpg|William Lyon Mackenzie King

File:Arthur Meighen ca. 1914-1919 (retouched).jpg|Arthur Meighen

File:C. H. Best ca. 1924.jpg|Charles Best

File:Edward Blake.jpg|Edward Blake

File:Vincent Massey 1927.jpg|Vincent Massey

File:James Hillier.jpg|James Hillier

File:MJ-James-Reaney.jpg|James Reaney

File:Bob Rae.jpg|Bob Rae

File:Bill Davis Toronto 1984.jpg|Bill Davis

File:Toulouse Game Show 2011 - William B Davis - P1280944-CROP.jpg|William B. Davis

File:David Cronenberg 2012-03-08.jpg|David Cronenberg

File:Lorne Michaels David Shankbone 2010.jpg|Lorne Michaels

File:Ben david.jpg|David Ben

</gallery>

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Arts and media

  • David Ben, class of 1985, magician.
  • David Cronenberg, class of 1967, director.
  • William B. Davis, class of 1959, actor, The X-Files.
  • Bonnie Fuller, class of 1977, editorial chief of American Media (Star, Shape, Men's Fitness, Natural Health).
  • Dr. Arthur Hiller, class of 1947, filmmaker, Academy Award Winner, 2002.
  • Charmion King, class of 1947, actor.
  • Ted Kotcheff, class of 1952, executive producer, Law and Order SVU.
  • Selena Li, class of 2010, TVB actress
  • Tim Long, class of 1992, comedy writer, The Simpsons, Late Night with David Letterman.
  • Lorne Michaels, class of 1966, producer, Saturday Night Live.
  • Charles Pachter, class of 1964, artist.
  • Paul Shaffer, class of 1971, musician, Saturday Night Live, Late Show with David Letterman.
  • Johnny Wayne, class of 1940 & Frank Shuster, class of 1939, comedians.
  • Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, actor, Kim's Convenience.
  • Patrick Watson class of 1951, First independent CBC Chairman, writer, television host interviewer producer and director "[This Hour Has Seven Days].

Business

  • Edmund Clark, class of 1969, president & CEO, TD Bank Financial Group.
  • William Francis, class of 1950, founder, Auto Trader.
  • Dr. Warren Goldring, class of 1949, former chair, AGF Management Ltd.
  • Paul Jones, class of 1972, former publisher, Maclean’s.
  • Sergio Marchionne, class of 1978, CEO, Fiat.
  • Earl Orser, class of 1950, former president & CEO of London Life.
  • David A. Rosenberg, class of 1983, economist.

Education

  • May Bell, Ella Gardiner, Margaret Langley, Margaret Brown, Catherine Brown, class of 1885, first women to graduate from the University of Toronto.
  • Dr. Anne Golden, class of 1962, former director of the United Way, CEO Conference Board of Canada.
  • Dr. Amir Hussain, class of 1987, Editor of the Journal of the American Academy of Religion.
  • Dr. Walter Kohn, class of 1945, physicist, Nobel laureate.
  • Prof. Michael Marrus, class of 1963, former dean, School of Graduate Studies, University of Toronto.
  • Dr. Lorna Marsden, class of 1968, former president and vice-chancellor, York University.
  • Dr. Rose Wolfe, chancellor emerita, University of Toronto.

Law

  • The Hon. Rosalie Abella, class of 1967, judge, Supreme Court of Canada.
  • Charles Dubin, class of 1941, commissioner, Dubin Inquiry.
  • Susan Eng, class of 1972, lawyer and former chair of the Metropolitan Toronto Police Services Board.
  • Brian Greenspan, class of 1968, criminal lawyer.
  • Edward Greenspan, class of 1965, criminal lawyer.
  • The Hon. Nicholas Kasirer, judge, Supreme Court of Canada.
  • The Hon. Horace Krever, class of 1951, commissioner, Inquiry on the Blood System in Canada.
  • The Hon. Bora Laskin, class of 1933, former Chief Justice of Canada.
  • The Hon. Sidney Linden, class of 1961, commissioner, Ipperwash Crisis Inquiry.
  • Sir Francis Vallat, Legal Adviser to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

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Literature and journalism

  • Barbara Black, class of 1963, columnist.
  • Matt Cohen, class of 1963, novelist.
  • Joy Fielding, class of 1966, author, Missing Pieces.
  • Barbara Frum, class of 1959, journalist.
  • Camilla Gibb, class of 1991, author, Mouthing the Words, The Petty Details of So-an-so’s Life.
  • Jennifer Lanthier, class of 1985, children's author, journalist.
  • Stephen Leacock (class of 1891), humorist.
  • Avi Lewis, class of 1988, politician and former broadcaster.
  • Stephen Lewis, class of 1959, diplomat, author.
  • Heather Mallick, class of 1981, columnist, The Toronto Star.
  • Rona Maynard, class of 1972, former editor, Chatelaine.
  • John McCrae, class of 1894, soldier and author, “In Flanders Fields”.
  • Farley Mowat, class of 1949, author, Never Cry Wolf.
  • Michael Ondaatje, class of 1965, author, The English Patient, In the Skin of a Lion.
  • Marilyn Powell, class of 1960, broadcaster.
  • Kate Taylor, class of 1983, columnist, The Globe and Mail.

Government

  • The Hon. Edward Blake class of 1854, former Premier of Ontario.
  • Sarmite Bulte, class of 1974, former M.P., Parkdale-High Park.
  • The Hon. Tony Clement, class of 1983, M.P., Parry Sound-Muskoka, Minister of Industry.
  • The Hon. Bill Davis, class of 1951, former Premier of Ontario.
  • The Hon. Bob Kaplan, class of 1958, former Solicitor General of Canada.
  • Arthur Meighen, class of 1896, former Prime Minister of Canada.
  • William Lyon Mackenzie King, class of 1895, former Prime Minister of Canada.
  • Charles Vincent Massey, class of 1910, first Canadian-born Governor General.
  • The Hon. Bob Rae, class of 1969, former Premier of Ontario.
  • Saul Rae, class of 1936, diplomat.

Science and medicine

  • Dr. Charles Best, class of 1921, co-developer of insulin.
  • Wilfred Bigelow, class of 1935, surgeon and pacemaker pioneer.
  • Dr. James Hillier, class of 1937, physicist and electron microscope pioneer.
  • Sir John Cunningham McLennan, class of 1892, first person to earn a PhD in physics from the University of Toronto.

Athletics

  • Abigail Hoffman, class of 1968, Olympian, track and field.
  • Kay Worthington, class of 1983, Olympic gold medalist, rowing

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References

thumb|University College at night

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.
  • University College
  • University College Literary and Athletic Society