‘Not about erasing our history’: Ryerson University changes its name

One of Canada’s largest universities has a new identity.

Located in downtown Toronto, the former Ryerson University will no longer be named after Egerton Ryerson, a key influence in the design of Canada’s residential school system.

The school will now be called Toronto Metropolitan University, a name approved by the Board of Governors today.

Today marks the first page of a new chapter in our university’s history. The Board of Governors has unanimously approved our new name – Toronto Metropolitan University. #torontomet https://t.co/woQO1EgugA pic.twitter.com/JVWDaGVmpw

— Toronto Metropolitan University (@RyersonU) April 26, 2022

The university’s president and vice-chancellor, Mohamed Lachemi said the new name embodies many things about the school, community, students, faculty, staff and alumni.

“Located in the heart of our country’s biggest and most diverse city - we represent all that it is to be metropolitan,” he said.

“We are a gathering place for people from all over the world, from all walks of life, with broad and diverse perspectives, lived experiences and aspirations.”

Lachemi extended his gratitude towards the University Renaming Advisory Committee for their hard work in finding a new identity, as well as the community members who have “long-advocated for change.”

He also said the new name is a cause for celebration and assured the public that it is “not about erasing our history.”

“As a university, 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,” he noted.

“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.”

A new identity has long been in the works for the university and the calls for change started to ramp up as the discovery of unmarked graves with the remains of Indigenous children were discovered across Canada.

In June 2021, a group of 17 Indigenous professors at the university co-signed a letter that was submitted to the school, which requested a name change and the removal of a statue of Egerton Ryerson.

That statue was toppled by protestors less than a week later and the university announced that it would not be replaced.

For more information on Toronto Metropolitan University’s new identity, click this link.

_{Thumbnail photo courtesy of Toronto Metropolitan University.}