A MASTER PLAN FOR THE FUTURE
According to accepted standards for Ontario universities, Ryerson has only two-thirds of the space
it needs for a University of its size. While the addition of recent new buildings moves us in the right
direction, serving our four key priorities requires a more concerted approach.
“RU The Future – Ryerson’s Master Plan†is intended to deliver that institutional strategy. I am grateful
to the members of the Master Planning Coordinating Group for helping us in the critical initial stages
earlier this year. Together we discussed how an overall campus concept will help us assess and seek
opportunities not just for today, but for the future. When we have a chance to acquire a building or a
piece of land, it will be viewed as part of a long-term strategic plan for building the campus. Our options
will be considered in the context of space shortages, the budget, student engagement priorities, and the
elements needed to attract top faculty and researchers. With a Master Plan, the chances are greater that
opportunity will come to us, as potential partners see themselves fitting into the bigger picture.
I would like to recognize the importance of our relationship with the City of Toronto in moving the
Master Plan forward. Ryerson has the tremendous benefit of working with Mayor David Miller’s office
and with Councillor Kyle Rae, who has been such a strong supporter of Ryerson over the years. The
help of our municipal colleagues in seeking opportunities to improve and enhance our part of the
downtown core is invaluable. As I said in my speech to the Canadian Club in March, we have a particular
responsibility to be a City builder since our campus is integrated to such an extent with its surroundings.
This year we will experience visible progress on our plans. In the summer we issued a formal Request
for Proposal (RFP) inviting submissions from professional design and planning teams. We hope to
choose and announce the successful team by mid-October. This team will work closely with the Ryerson
community and our neighbours to develop a blueprint for a revitalized campus for the next 20 years.
Communication is a first-order priority, and a Master Plan web site has been launched at www.
ryerson.ca/about/masterplan/. Last month, a modular Presentation Centre arrived on campus.
It’s located on Victoria Street across from the Library Building, and over the next 16 months it will be
the hub of activity for everything we’re going to do to develop the Master Plan. It will include two offices
and a large room for seminars, presentations, and meetings related to Master Planning. There will be
regularly scheduled opportunities for the community to visit the Presentation Centre.
The Master Plan will not be a panacea for all our space problems. Nor can we put everything on hold
while waiting for the solutions it will provide. We need to make ongoing decisions that contribute to the
enhancement of our campus environment. For example, we are looking at various options for a gallery
and research centre to house Ryerson’s Black Star Historical Black & White Photography Collection, and
will bring a recommendation to the Board of Governors in the near future. We are considering uses for
the ‘old’ Business Building, and discussing the Metropolis development being built over our Bookstore
and Parking lot. Talks are continuing with Sam the Record Man, and we are liaising with our community
Business Improvement Association on related possibilities.
I am particularly proud to say that this year you will see the beginnings of an exciting landmark and
environmental design program for our campus. This program, which will involve extensive signage
and the Ryerson brandmark on streets and university buildings, responds to students and alumni who
made a special point of saying they would like their pride in Ryerson reflected in a stronger identity for
the University throughout the neighborhood. Features of the program will be rolled out as required
approvals are obtained from the City and other jurisdictions.
