University of Toronto Mississauga facts for kids
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Former names
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Erindale College (1965-1998) |
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| Motto | Tantum nobis creditum |
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Motto in English
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So much has been entrusted to us |
| Type | Satellite campus of the University of Toronto |
| Established | 1967 |
| Principal | Alexandra Gillespie |
| Dean | Amrita Daniere |
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Academic staff
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1200 full-time (2019) |
| Students | Error in {{val}}: parameter 1 is not a valid number. |
| Undergraduates | Error in {{val}}: parameter 1 is not a valid number. |
| Postgraduates | Error in {{val}}: parameter 1 is not a valid number. |
| Location |
,
,
43°32′54″N 79°39′48″W / 43.54833°N 79.66333°W |
| Campus | Suburban, 89.4 hectares (221 acres) |
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The University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) is also known as U of T Mississauga. It is a branch campus of the University of Toronto. You can find it in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. The campus opened in 1967. Back then, it was called Erindale College. It sits by the Credit River, about 33 kilometers west of Downtown Toronto. UTM is the second-largest of the three University of Toronto campuses.
Contents
History of UTM: A Growing Campus
The land where the campus is now used to be the estate of Reginald Watkins. The University of Toronto bought it in 1963. Erindale College was started in 1965. Construction on the main building began in 1966. This building was meant to be temporary. However, it stayed until 2016 as part of the North Building. In 1998, Erindale College changed its name to University of Toronto Mississauga.
In 2007, UTM celebrated its 40th birthday! This special year ended with the opening of the Hazel McCallion Academic Learning Centre. It opened on June 2, 2007.
Exploring the UTM Campus
The UTM campus has many buildings spread across a large, treed area. The neighborhoods around it are quite nice. The biggest building was first built using a style called brutalist architecture. This style uses a lot of concrete. Other buildings have been added over the years. As more students joined, more buildings were built.
In September 2014, UTM opened Deerfield Hall. This was the first part of rebuilding the North Building. It has four floors with space for theater practice, computer labs, and classrooms. There are also offices and places to study. A bigger food area is also there. The second part of the North Building, a six-story building, was planned to open in summer 2018.
A new CCT building opened in September 2004. It has a black and glass outside. The inside uses concrete and gray paint. The new library is named after Mississauga's mayor, Hazel McCallion. It opened on October 8, 2006. The new Recreation, Athletics and Wellness Centre opened just before that. The library has four floors. It offers spaces for group study and quiet individual study.
The Mississauga Academy of Medicine opened in August 2011. It started with 54 students. This academy is a team effort between UTM, the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine, and three hospitals. The new facility is inside the Terrence Donnelly Health Sciences Complex. It has new classrooms, labs, and study areas. Students have a lounge and outdoor terrace to relax. They can also share lessons using advanced technology.
In 2013, a large stone monument was built at the campus entrance. This cost $1 million. There were also repairs to sidewalks and lighting. Some students were not happy about the cost. They felt it was too much money. They also felt students were not involved enough in the decision. The university said a student was on the committee that approved it.
Learning at U of T Mississauga
U of T Mississauga offers many different programs. There are 155 programs in 95 areas of study. Some of the most popular programs include:
- Anthropology
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Commerce
- CCIT (Communications, Culture Information and Technology)
- Computer Science
- Criminology & Socio-Legal Studies
- Earth Science
- English
- Environmental Studies
- History
- Management
- Philosophy
- Psychology
- Sociology
UTM also has special programs with Sheridan College. These are in CCIT, Art and Art History, or Theatre and Drama. Students can earn a university degree from U of T and a college diploma from Sheridan. For example, the CCIT Major and Digital Enterprise Management Specialist programs let students earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. They also get a Certificate in Digital Communications from Sheridan College.
Other programs at U of T Mississauga include:
- Professional Writing and Communication
- Economics
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Geography
UTM has one of the few palaeomagnetism labs in Canada. This lab studied rocks from the Apollo missions in the 1970s. Dr. Henry Halls, a professor, ran this lab. One of UTM's well-known leaders was Dr. J. Tuzo Wilson. He was a geologist who helped explain plate tectonics. A research area in the William G. Davis building is named after him.
Student Life at UTM
The campus has its own radio station, CFRE-FM. It broadcasts 24 hours a day at 91.9FM from the Student Centre. It plays Canadian and independent music. Students and community members can apply to host a show. No experience is needed. There is also a student newspaper called The Medium.
The Toronto Argonauts football team used to practice on campus until 2014.
Students who help a lot with student life get special awards. These include the Gordon Cressy Student Leadership Award and the UTM Principal's Student Involvement Award.
UTM has many places for students to study and hang out. Students can spend time at:
- The Student Centre
- The Library's Starbucks cafe
- Davis Building's Meeting Place
- Oscar Peterson Residence's Colman Commons Dining Hall
- CCT's Circuit Cafe
- Instructional Centre's dining and lounge area
The UTM Student Centre offers many events for students. These include movie nights every Monday. There are also guest speakers and other events. The Student Centre also houses student groups. These include the student newspaper, radio station, and the UTM Student Union.
The Blind Duck Pub is a popular eating spot in The Student Centre. Students and staff can meet there. The menu has chicken wings, halal meats, and vegetarian dishes. The pub also hosts student events. These include First Pub, Last Pub, and Halloween Pub. Artists like Shawn Desman and Mia Martina have performed there. Students can also find jobs at the Blind Duck Pub. It is owned and run by the UTM Student Union.
Sports and Athletics
The Recreation Athletic and Wellness Centre (RAWC) is connected to the Davis Building. It expanded its sports programs in 2006–07. The RAWC provides sports equipment for students. You just need a student card or membership. You can play basketball, soccer, volleyball, and table tennis. You can also play racquet sports. The Centre also offers classes in dance, martial arts, yoga, and swimming.
There are two gyms and three squash courts. There is also a pool with a whirlpool. A fitness and training center is also available. UTM has varsity sports teams. These include outdoor soccer, indoor soccer, basketball, and ice hockey. There are also teams for field hockey, volleyball, flag football, ultimate frisbee, and rugby.
There are also Tri-Campus Intramural Leagues. Students from all three campuses can try out for these teams. These include men's ice hockey, men's outdoor soccer, and women's basketball.
UTM Eagles Varsity Sports
UTM joined the Ontario College Athletics Association (OCAA) in April 2014. This made them the 30th member. The Eagles' first varsity sports included badminton, cross country, and men's and women's indoor soccer. The UTM Varsity Eagles program planned to add more sports. These included men's and women's outdoor soccer, volleyball, and basketball.
Student Homes (Residence)
The University of Toronto Mississauga has homes for over 1600 students. These are called residences. Undergraduate residences include:
- Oscar Peterson Hall (OPH)
- McLuhan Court
- Putnam Place
- Leacock Lane
- Roy Ivor Hall
- Erindale Hall
- MaGrath Valley
- Schreiberwood
First-year students live in OPH, McLuhan Court, Roy Ivor Hall, Erindale Hall, MaGrath Valley, and Schreiberwood. Older students live in Putnam Place and Leacock Lane. OPH is a traditional style residence. It has single rooms and shared bathrooms. Townhouse-style residences have four single rooms. They also have one bathroom, a living room, and a kitchen.
Roy Ivor Hall and Erindale Hall are apartment suites for first-year students. Each suite has four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room, and a kitchen. Erindale Hall has double bedrooms. Roy Ivor Hall has single bedrooms. The Colman Commons in OPH is the main dining hall for students living in residence. Putnam Place and Leacock Lane are townhouse-style residences. Each residence has laundry machines and common lounges.
Theatre Programs
The Erindale Studio Theatre is a special kind of theatre. It's called a black box theatre. It can hold up to 85 people. The building used to be a bus garage and a science lab. It was changed into a theatre in 1993. It has modern lighting and sound systems. It also has a shop for building sets and making costumes.
Theatre Erindale is a production company at UTM. It's for students in the Theatre and Drama Studies program with Sheridan College. The company puts on 5 plays each season in the Erindale Studio Theatre. These plays include old classics and new pieces. They also create a new play each year with the third-year class. Many of their shows have been on the Ontario Arts Review Top 10 List since 2005. Students from Sheridan College's Technical Production program help with these shows. They work on stage management, lighting, and sound.
The Multimedia Studio Theatre (MiST) is a modern, flexible theatre space. It is used for drama lectures and performances. Touring companies and student groups also use it. It hosts the Beck Festival and the UTM Drama Club's yearly show. The Blackwood Gallery on campus has used MiST for events and art exhibits. The theatre is inside the CCT building.
Blackwood Art Gallery
Mississauga's first public art gallery opened on campus in 1969. It was called the Erindale College Art Gallery. In 1992, it was renamed The Blackwood Gallery. This was to honor Canadian artist David Blackwood. He was an artist-in-residence at UTM from 1967 to 1971. The gallery collects and shows over 450 artworks from UTM's collection. It also shows student work from the Art & Art History Program.
UTM Students' Union
The University of Toronto Mississauga Students' Union (UTMSU) helps represent the interests of undergraduate students at UTM. They do this through various clubs and events. There are many clubs for different religions and cultures. Students can meet others who share their values. Some examples are:
- Arab Students for Peace and World Change
- Christian Unity Association
- Erindale College of African Student Association
- Chinese Students and Scholars Association (UTMCSSA)
These are just a few of the 86 clubs UTM offers. The UTMSU also has clubs for student hobbies. These include Music Club, Drama Club, Anime Club, Cricket Club, and Cycling Club.
Almost every academic department at UTM has a student society. These groups are led by students. They focus on a specific program offered at the campus. Students can work with others in the same program. They can discuss and work on academic goals together.
Before the school year starts, the UTM student union organizes Frosh Week. This event welcomes new first-year students to the university. About 1,200 students attend Frosh Week each year. It offers many events and activities. These help new students get used to university life. They also help them meet other new students. Frosh Week events happen both on and off campus. In 2011, Shawn Desman performed for students at The Blind Duck. Other activities included trips to Medieval Times, Canada's Wonderland, and the St. George U of T campus.
Student Body Demographics
| Undergraduate | Graduate | |
|---|---|---|
| Male | 44.6% | 38.5% |
| Female | 55.4% | 61.5% |
| Canadian student | 76.1% | 73.8% |
| International student | 23.9% | 26.2% |
Famous People Who Attended UTM
Many notable people have studied at UTM. Here are a few:
- Roberta Bondar: a doctor and astronaut, the first Canadian woman in space
- Dionne Brand: a poet, writer, and community helper
- Claire Carver-Dias: an Olympic synchronized swimmer and writer
- Bruce Dowbiggin: a journalist
- Vikas Kohli: a musician and music producer
- Richie Mehta: a film director and writer
- John Roberts: a journalist
- Wali Shah: a singer-songwriter and speaker
- Zaib Shaikh: an actor, writer, and director
- Sven Spengemann: a politician, currently a Member of Parliament
- Kevin Weatherbee: a politician
- Belinda Karahalios: a Member of Provincial Parliament
