This complaint concerns the University of Toronto’s handling of the Buddhism, Psychology and Mental Health (BPMH) Program, a process marked by procedural irregularities, misinformation, lack of consultation, and apparent disregard for established governance and quality assurance requirements.
In 2019, the BPMH Interim Director initiated the program’s Self-Study as part of the University of Toronto Quality Assurance Process (UTQAP) review. Due to pandemic-related disruptions, an abbreviated virtual site visit was conducted in June 2021, and the external review report was ultimately received by the University’s Committee on Academic Policy and Programs in April 2023. Despite extraordinary delays and other complications, the external review was overwhelmingly positive.
The reviewers concluded that the BPMH Program fulfilled an important educational role within the University and aligned closely with the Faculty of Arts & Science’s academic priorities, particularly in the areas of student well-being, innovation in teaching, experiential learning, and community engagement. They explicitly recognized the program’s unique pedagogical contributions and its strong alignment with the University’s strategic objectives.
The Dean of Arts & Science acknowledged these findings in early 2023 and committed to identifying sustainable, long-term support for the program. However, instead of implementing the recommendations of the external review, the Faculty established a three-person working group in summer 2023 that consisted entirely of individuals with no relevant expertise in the fields represented by BPMH. The working group did not consult program faculty, students, or key stakeholders. One member later admitted to being unaware of major developments within the program after 2019.
The resulting one-page report, released in November 2023, contained multiple factual inaccuracies and recommended closure of the program. This recommendation directly contradicted the conclusions of the official external review and appears to have been reached without meaningful consultation or informed evaluation.
Misrepresentation and Harmful Communication
Following the release of the working group’s recommendation, program faculty and students were initially informed that the recommendation was the result of a poor external review. This assertion was false. The actual external review had strongly endorsed the program.
Communications from New College and Faculty administrators regarding the proposed closure were inconsistent, contradictory, and often misleading. As a result, students, faculty, research collaborators, donors, and community partners experienced significant confusion and distress. Program faculty have been forced to spend years correcting misinformation and responding to concerns generated by administrative messaging rather than focusing on teaching, research, and student support.
Suspension of Enrollment Without Due Process
On January 31, 2024, Arts & Science suspended enrollment in the BPMH minor, preventing new students from joining the program.
This action occurred despite the fact that formal program closure procedures had not been initiated. University policies governing program closure require broad consultation and a transparent governance process. Yet, as of March 2026, no such consultation had taken place, nor had faculty and students been provided with information regarding any consultation process.
The indefinite suspension of enrollment has effectively weakened the program while bypassing the procedural safeguards designed to protect academic units from arbitrary closure. The result has been a de facto closure process conducted without the transparency, consultation, and accountability required by University policy.
Disregard for Faculty, Student, and Governance Input
Between 2023 and 2026, New College Council passed multiple motions supporting the BPMH Program, calling for transparency, consultation, restoration of enrollment, and exploration of solutions that would allow the program to continue.
These motions were repeatedly ignored or left unimplemented by College leadership. Reports commissioned by Council were withheld from Council members. Recommendations requesting consultation and support for the program were not acted upon. Requests to pursue viable structural solutions, including faculty appointment transfers and partnerships with cognate departments, were similarly disregarded.
At the same time, students organized peaceful advocacy efforts, including petitions, public statements, letters, and sit-ins. By March 2026, more than 2,500 individuals had signed a petition supporting the program, and dozens of letters had been submitted by students, alumni, scholars, and community members. Despite this unprecedented level of support, administrative decisions continued to move in the direction of program reduction rather than engagement.
Administrative Actions Undermining Program Viability
The prolonged enrollment suspension has caused significant damage to the BPMH Program.
The program has been prevented from implementing curricular innovations identified in its self-study and endorsed by external reviewers. Proposed new courses have not been approved, and opportunities to clarify and strengthen the program’s academic identity have been blocked.
At the same time, New College introduced alternative courses covering substantially similar subject matter under different course codes, raising concerns that the College was appropriating elements of the BPMH curriculum while simultaneously restricting the program itself.
In early 2026, despite substantial faculty, student, and governance support for the program, New College leadership reduced course offerings by approximately fifty percent and declined to renew the Program Director’s appointment. These decisions further weakened the program while the official closure process remains uninitiated.
Damage to Academic Partnerships, Research, and Fundraising
The uncertainty surrounding the program has had serious consequences beyond the classroom.
Faculty have been unable to pursue collaborative initiatives, develop new community-engaged learning opportunities, or make credible long-term commitments to research partners and funding agencies. International academic and community networks have expressed concern about the University’s treatment of the program.
The enrollment suspension also resulted in the termination of fundraising authorization for BPMH, preventing New College from pursuing philanthropic support for a program that had previously been successful in attracting donor interest and community engagement.
Granting agencies have explicitly cited uncertainty about the University’s commitment to the program as a reason for limiting funding opportunities.
Concerns Raised by the University of Toronto Faculty Association
In 2025, the University of Toronto Faculty Association (UTFA) filed both an Association Grievance and an Individual Grievance relating to the BPMH Program.
UTFA alleged that the administration had effectively initiated program closure through indefinite enrollment suspension while avoiding the formal restructuring and closure procedures required by University policy. The Association characterized this approach as a circumvention of established governance processes and a violation of principles of procedural fairness and collegial decision-making.
Both grievances were referred to arbitration after being dismissed by the administration. As of June 2026, no final decision has been rendered.
Requested Remedies
Given the procedural deficiencies, lack of consultation, misinformation, and ongoing harm caused by the administration’s actions, the following remedies are requested:
- Immediate lifting of the enrollment suspension.
- Suspension of any further actions intended to reduce or dismantle the program until proper governance procedures are followed.
- Full disclosure of all reports, communications, and decision-making processes relating to the recommendation to close the program.
- Meaningful consultation with faculty, students, alumni, and community stakeholders as required by University policy.
- Restoration of program leadership, course offerings, and academic planning authority.
- Reinstatement of fundraising authorization and support for external partnerships.
- An independent review of the actions taken by Arts & Science and New College administration since 2023 to determine whether University policies and principles of procedural fairness were violated.
The evidence suggests that the BPMH Program has not been evaluated or treated in a manner consistent with the University’s own policies, governance structures, or commitments to academic excellence. Instead, a highly successful and externally validated program has been subjected to a prolonged process of administrative attrition that has undermined its viability while avoiding the transparency and accountability required for formal program closure.
– The BPMH Task Force consists of 16 members, including current BPMH students, BPMH alumni, U of T faculty members, and community supporter
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