University College, Toronto facts for kids
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| Latin: Universitatis Collegium apud Torontonenses | |
| Motto | Parum claris lucem dare (Latin) |
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Motto in English
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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) |
| Location |
,
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Canada
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| Campus | Urban |
| Website | uc.utoronto.ca |
| Official name: University College National Historic Site of Canada | |
| Designated: | 1968 |
University College, often called UC, is a special part of the University of Toronto. It was started in 1853 as a place for higher learning that was open to everyone, no matter their religion. UC was the first college in the university's modern system. It was different from other colleges at the time, like Trinity College and St. Michael's College, which were linked to specific religions. These colleges later joined the University of Toronto too.
University College is one of only two places at the University of Toronto that is a National Historic Site of Canada. The other is Annesley Hall at Victoria College. UC is also home to Canada's oldest student government, called the Literary and Athletic Society.
Contents
A Look Back: University College History
After taking power in Canada's first responsible government (where leaders are accountable to the people), politicians like Robert Baldwin took control of King's College in 1849. They renamed it the University of Toronto. Baldwin hoped that colleges linked to religions would join this new, non-religious university. But the Presbyterian Queen's College in Kingston chose to stay independent.
Baldwin's replacement, Francis Hincks, found another way. He decided the university should use a "collegiate" system, like the famous universities of Oxbridge in England. This system has a main university with smaller colleges inside it.
On April 22, 1853, University College was created as the first college of the University of Toronto. It took over the teaching and resources of the old King's College. The university itself became mainly a body that gave out degrees. Frederick William Cumberland designed the college's new building, which was finished in 1859. For many years, UC was the only college in the University of Toronto. So, its principal was also the main leader of the whole university. Later, Wycliffe College, Knox College, and Victoria College also joined.
The Great Fire of 1890
On February 14, 1890, a big fire badly damaged University College. It destroyed the eastern part of the building and the college library. The fire started when workers accidentally dropped two kerosene lamps. This happened while they were getting ready for an event.
In Ottawa, Edward Blake, who was the university's chancellor and a Member of Parliament, told the Canadian government about the fire. He said, "The great institution... is at the moment in flames... and is now... a ruin tottering to the ground." Only about 100 books were saved before the fire burned over 33,000 books in the library.
Even with such a big disaster, University College recovered quickly. Other colleges offered space for classes. The college leaders quickly repaired the building using insurance money and new investments. Within two years, the library was full of books again, thanks to donations from all over the British Empire.
Student Strike of 1895
On February 15, 1895, over 700 University College students held a huge meeting. They were upset because William Dale, a popular Latin professor, had been fired. William Lyon Mackenzie King, who later became Prime Minister of Canada, suggested that students stop going to classes. They wanted the government to investigate what happened.
During the strike, a history professor wrote that only one student showed up to one of his lectures. The strike lasted until February 20. Students voted to return to classes after the government agreed to look into the issue.
In 1968, University College was named a National Historic Site of Canada. This was because of its important role in starting the college system at the University of Toronto. It was also one of the first examples of this college model in universities across the Commonwealth.
Exploring the Buildings and Design
The main building of University College was built between 1856 and 1859. It was designed by architects Frederick William Cumberland and William George Storm. The choice of building styles was complicated. It involved disagreements about politics and art. The college wanted to show it was free from religious control.
Cumberland traveled to Europe in 1856 to study different buildings. He wanted to find the best styles for the college. The design team first planned a Gothic building. But the Governor General, Edmund Walker Head, didn't like it. He suggested Italian style, then later changed his mind to Byzantine.
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In the end, the design included Norman, Romanesque Revival, and hints of Byzantine and Italian styles. Norman Romanesque was chosen as the main style. Cumberland thought it fit the Canadian landscape best. The building was designed to look interesting and not perfectly balanced. It combined different British designs for schools.
Like most Romanesque buildings, University College has very thick walls. They are made of many types of brick and stone. Only about one-third of the outside is stone. The rest is a very light yellow brick. The college has classic arched and rounded windows. It also has huge, deep entrances. A key feature is the many arches, often in rows. These arches are semicircular. They have small columns that support the ceilings of the walkways.
The building has lots of decorations, especially stone carvings. These are on the walls, arches, and columns. The carvings show nature, animals, and mysterious creatures. They also show the college shield and motto. The building also has several stained glass windows, including a beautiful rose window.
Some of the original building plans are still seen today. The most important part of the building is the south side. Here, a stone tower in the middle holds the main entrance. The quadrangle (a courtyard) and cloisters (covered walkways) are surrounded by carved stone walls. They are nicely placed among landscaped gardens.
Until the 1960s, University College was shaped like a "U". The north end was open. Before the 1890 fire, the east wing led to the main hall, museum, and library. It also had an entrance to the quadrangle. Student living areas, dining halls, classrooms, and reading rooms were on the west side. Today, the west wing is no longer used for living. Students now live in the college's three special residence halls. The main hall functions have moved to Convocation Hall.
Modern Upgrades
The old University College building started a big renovation project in January 2018. This project made the building easier to access for everyone. The library moved back to its original spot in the East Hall. The West Hall became a new event space called the Clark Reading Room. A conference center was created in Croft Chapter House. A new café called the Owlery opened on the third floor, near the library.
Learning at University College
The University College Council is the main group that runs the college. It handles things like budgets and school programs. The principal leads this Council and is the college's chief executive. Students also have a say on the Council. Student leaders and eight other students represent them.
University College offers several academic programs within the University of Toronto. These include Canadian studies, cognitive science (how the mind works), drama, health studies, and sexual diversity studies. The college also hosts visiting scholars who come to teach and do research.
University College hosts five yearly public lecture series. The Alexander Lectures focus on literature. The Graham Lectures explore science topics in an easy-to-understand way. The F.E.L. Priestley Memorial Lectures cover many subjects in social science and humanities. The Stubbs Lecture focuses on Greek, Latin, or English literature. The Teetzel Lectures are about art and architecture.
The Laidlaw Library was the main library from the 1960s until 2018. Now, the library has moved back to its first home in the East Hall. This is where it was before the 1890 fire. The modern University College Library specializes in subjects related to the college's programs. It has over 20,000 books, including special collections.
Student Life and Fun Traditions
The Legend of Diabolos and Reznikoff
University College has a famous ghost story. It started with a carving called "Crocodiles and vermin." The sculptor was a Russian named Ivan Reznikoff. People say he was buried in the northeast corner of the quadrangle. Since then, his ghost has been seen there often.
On the east staircase, there is a wooden Griffin. A griffin is a magical creature that is part lion and part eagle. Some students believe that touching the Griffin will bring good luck, like getting great grades on exams.
Diabolos' is University College's student-run coffee bar. It has been run by students since 1966. It sells fair trade coffee, tea, and vegan and vegetarian snacks. It is located in the Junior Common Room. It is open during the school year from Monday to Thursday and on Friday.
The Literary and Athletic Society
The University College Literary and Athletic Society, or 'Lit', is Canada's oldest student government. It started in 1854. Every student at University College is a member. The Lit helps students by providing services and hosting events. It also helps students get involved and feel like part of the college community.
The Lit also runs the Diabolos' coffee bar. It organizes the yearly Fireball formal dance, which remembers the 1890 fire. They also help with Orientation Week. This week helps new students get used to university life.
The Gargoyle, started in 1954, is the student newspaper. It is named after the gargoyle statue in the college building. Students write and edit the newspaper.
Where Students Live
The college has three residence buildings. They can house about 720 students. All residences are co-ed (for both boys and girls). Whitney Hall used to be only for women, and Sir Daniel Wilson's for men. The current Sir Daniel Wilson Hall was built in 1954. The original Whitney Hall was built in 1931. A third residence, Morrison Hall, was added in 2005.
Many students want to live here because most rooms are singles. The community is welcoming and diverse. Also, most main school buildings are right across the street. Students who live off-campus can still join the residence community. They can become associate members of one of the houses.
There are fifteen residential groups, called "houses," in the residences. Sir Daniel Wilson Residence has six houses: Jeanneret, Taylor, Wallace, Hutton, Loudon, and McCaul. Whitney Residence has four houses: Cody, Mulock, Falconer, and Ferguson. Morrison Hall has five houses: Landsberg-Lewis, Perron, Wolfe, Bratty, and Langley. Hutton House is named after Maurice Hutton, a University College professor. He was also the Principal of University College from 1901 to 1928.
College Leaders
In March 2019, Professor Markus Stock was chosen to be the 17th Principal of University College. His term started on January 1, 2020, and will end on June 30, 2024. Stock took over from Donald Ainslie, who was Principal since 2011.
Famous People Who Attended UC
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Edward Blake
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James Reaney
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Bob Rae
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