Perhaps you’ve heard about the University of Toronto Scarborough but do you know its original building was internationally acclaimed for its architectural design? The University of Toronto Scarborough abbreviated as U of T Scarborough is a satellite campus of the University of Toronto. It sits in Scarborough district. This campus provides a unique blend of academic rigor and community engagement.
Established in 1964 as Scarborough College, it started as a constituent college. It was part of the Faculty of Arts and Science. The college expanded in 1972. It became an autonomic division of the university. Over time it grew into a more independent institution. Among the three University of Toronto campuses it ranks last in enrolment size. The other two campuses are St. George and the University of Toronto Mississauga.
Academically, U of T Scarborough excels in undergraduate studies. These studies span management, arts and sciences. It also hosts postgraduate research programs. Its neuroscience program was the first in Canada. U of T Scarborough is known for cooperative education programs. It is also the sole provider of the Bachelor of Business Administration degree. Through affiliation with Centennial College, it offers joint programs.
The campus has hosted the annual F. B. Watts Memorial Lectures since 1970. These lectures have featured internationally renowned scholars. Its nuclear magnetic resonance laboratory was the first of its kind in Canada. This allowed influential research in environmental sciences. The Dan Lang Field is on campus. It is home to the Toronto Varsity Blues baseball team.
The land where the University of Toronto Scarborough sits has an interesting past. In 1911, Miller Lash purchased 152 hectares along Highland Creek. He built his summer estate there. The estate included a 17-room mansion, a barn and staff houses. After Lash’s death in 1941, E. L. McLean bought the estate in 1944. McLean added a swimming pool and a retaining wall.
In 1963, the University of Toronto purchased about 82 hectares from McLean. This was part of the university’s regional expansion. The groundskeeper continued to live in the Highland Creek valley for 29 years. McLean’s additions to the Miller Lash House became the residence of the campus principal. The University of Toronto established Scarborough College. D. C. Williams became principal of Scarborough College and Erindale College. The first classes were held at Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute and the St. George campus.
The first building of the campus began construction in 1965. There were delays due to a strike among workers. Scarborough College opened in temporary classes at the main campus. It welcomed 191 full-time students. The first building was completed for the following academic year.
The college included a 6,000-square-foot television production studio. This was for a video lecturing system. It used closed-circuit television for teaching. The system received international media attention. Time magazine complimented it in 1967. However, the video lecturing system was abandoned. It was criticized for lacking student-instructor communication. In 1972, the campus was reorganized. It became a separately governed division. It developed its own curriculum. In 1973, it was the first to adopt a course credit system in Ontario.
The campus adopted its present official name in 2006. Before that, it was named University of Toronto Scarborough Campus in 1983. It was also named University of Toronto at Scarborough in 1996. The initials UTSC come from the former name. They continue to distinguish the campus from University of Toronto Schools.
The University of Toronto Scarborough sits on 123 hectares of land. It forms the west side of the Highland Creek neighborhood. The campus is bounded by Morningside Avenue to the west. Unlike the downtown campus, U of T Scarborough is in a suburban area. Residential houses are along its eastern side. Urban forestry is on its southern and western sides. Highland Creek runs through the southern portion. Its valley has pedestrian trails. These trails link the campus to nearby parks and neighborhoods.
The Andrews Building was the first completed building. It was named after its designer, John Andrews. It was built in a brutalist architectural style and completed in 1964. Andrews objected to the term “brutalist”. He felt the architecture considered human needs. The interiors mimic city streets. There are wide hallways and balconies. The building is divided into the Science Wing and the Humanities Wing. The Meeting Place is a large atrium. It is often used for events.
The University of Toronto Scarborough continues to evolve. It embraces innovation and community. It remains a vital part of Toronto’s educational landscape.