TORONTO — Ryerson University is changing its name to Toronto Metropolitan University after its board of governors approved the move today.
The downtown Toronto university, which was named after an architect of Canada’s residential school system, had faced growing calls to change its name.
School president Mohamed Lachemi says he brought the new name to the university’s board and they approved it.
In a letter to the school community, he says the new name reflects that the school is located in the heart of Canada’s largest and most diverse city, which makes it a gathering place for people from all over the world.
He says he is grateful to the members of a committee that was tasked with suggesting a new name for their dedication to proposing one that will unify the school community.
“I want to assure everyone that our new name is not about erasing our history,” he says.
“Our values have long defined who we are and they will always guide where we are going. Our values are the basis upon which we have built our uniquely vibrant, diverse and intentionally inclusive culture.”
Last August, the school’s board of governors approved a motion to accept all 22 recommendations from a special task force, including one to rename the institution.
The task force was formed in November 2020 to examine and address the legacy of Egerton Ryerson, who helped design both the public and residential school systems in Canada.
It recommended renaming the institution in a process that “engages with community members and university stakeholders.”