“TYP is under attack”
by Shahzali Samah
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Transitional Year Program building at U of T (photo credit: Abdi Ahmed)
The Transitional Year Program (TYP) at the University of Toronto (U of T) St.George Campus is a historically significant program in education. TYP has the distinction of being the first full time access and equity program in the University of Toronto. For the past 43 years, TYP has worked to make U of T more accessible and equitable for Africans, First Nations, working class, LGBTQ, sole support parents and other marginalized, under-represented communities. The major accomplishment of TYP is that it proved that when educational and financial barriers are removed, students from marginalized backgrounds can succeed at University. TYP represents social justice in the education system and instills hope for marginalized groups.
In spite of TYP proving its worth in the face of many struggles and challenges since its inception, TYP is under attack by the U of T’s Central Administration. Although no one spoke in favor of eliminating TYP, the actions of the Central Administration will ultimately destroy TYP’s capacity and stability.
In essence, TYP will be starved out of existence.
Reducing the number of staff and faculty, restricting funding, and taking away TYP’s autonomy are not the actions of an administration that is dedicated to the work that TYP does and communities that it serves. TYP will be unable to continue to provide its mandate and support its students under the proposed changes. Reducing staff, faculty and funding, limits the ability of the program to meet the needs of its students.
Taking away our space by amalgamating TYP into Woodsworth College, U of T further marginalizes TYP. Under the proposal, the TYP Director will report to the Principal of Woodsworth, who reports to the Dean of Arts and Science, who reports to the Provost. This new reporting relationship places TYP where it will be subject to greater interference and struggle for scarce resources. Moreover, as per the proposal, Woodsworth Council will be the authority on all decisions relating to curricula and the needs of the program, eroding the democratic, self governing nature of TYP. This reduces TYP’s ability to assist students who have experienced challenges and barriers to education.
The funding restriction translates into TYP unable to replace retirees, cutting their faculty in half. TYP has been told there will be no continuing appointments and no sessional appointment and our current budget cannot support any more hiring. This effectively means that our entire part time teaching faculty (which includes two limited term appointments and three sessional appointments) will be axed. These are teachers who teach Aboriginal Studies, World Literature, Sociology, and Equity Studies. In real terms the TYP program in its current form will no longer exists. The staff and faculty is the heart and soul of TYP and their contribution past and present is immeasurable.
How does this indicate the University’s commitment to access and equity, inclusiveness? If the University is striving for commitment to access and equity in university, U of T needs to initiate an all-inclusive access and equity strategy. This is done, in part, by solidifying access as a financial priority.
We understand the University is an evolving entity that must adapt to changing circumstances. However, the central administration should work alongside TYP as a partner to ensure U of T continues to foster and promote access and equity in education. Access and equity is interconnected; one is not recognized without the other. They are principles embedded in social justice and respect for all peoples in a democratic society, for education is a human right. U of T should reconsider the destructive actions it is currently undertaking. As long as the challenges of oppression have not been met, access and equity programs such as TYP should not only go on but also expanded to serve marginalized communities.