Ryerson University will be formally changing its name to Toronto Metropolitan University following a unanimous vote by its board of governors on Tuesday.
The school committed to changing its name last summer following backlash over its namesake, Egerton Ryerson, who helped create Canada’s residential school system.
The name change was actually just one of 22 recommendations made by a task force that was appointed to examine Ryerson’s life and legacy back in 2020.
Other recommendations included not reinstalling the statue of Egerton Ryerson, which was topped by protesters last summer and reconsidering the “Eggy” mascot.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, President and Vice-Chancellor Mohamed Lachemi said that the new name was chosen following an extensive consultation process, which generated responses from approximately 30,000 people.
He said that as part of that process a total of 2,600 potential names were ultimately considered, with a committee producing a short list for closer consideration in recent months.
“This is a very important moment in our university’s history as we move forward with a name that better reflects our values and can take us into the future,” Lachemi said. “As a university, our values have long defined who we are and they will always guide where we are going. They are the basis upon which we have built our uniquely vibrant, diverse and intentionally inclusive culture. Our new name builds upon these values and, along with our 73 years of excellence and achievement, it is intended to be a name that unifies all of us - a place where all of our community members belong.”
Province will have to amend Ryerson University Act to formalize name change
There have been calls for Ryerson to distance itself from its namesake for years but that pressure ramped up last summer following the discovery of hundreds of unmarked graves at the former site of a Kamloops residential school.
In the release, the school said that the name change marks the start of a “new chapter” that will allow it to move forward with “a name that better reflects its values and aspirations.”
Mayor John Tory also welcomed the name change in a statement.
“As an educational institution of such excellence and international reputation I am especially happy that Toronto is a part of the new name together with a reflection of the unique urban location of the university. This action is a clear indication of the university's commitment to inclusivity, respect, truth and reconciliation and its consistent role in making Toronto a better city,” he said.
By Tuesday afternoon the university’s website and social media channels had already been rebranded with the new name.
The school, however, said that the “transition to the new name will happen in phases,” with changes to on-campus signage likely to take a little longer,
It also said that the Ontario government will have to amend the Ryerson University Act before the new name can be reflected on legal documents issued by the school, including degrees.
“The Ryerson name will still appear across campus for a period of time,” a post on the school’s website notes. “We will work diligently to make changes while aiming to balance our financial resources, human resources and responsibility to the environment.”
Toronto Metropolitan University says that anyone with an exiting degree bearing the Ryerson name can request a new one once the name change legally takes effect but will have to pay standard printing and shipping fees.
