"Woke-tivism" Sees Ryerson University Change Name

Ryerson University will now be called Toronto Metropolitan University, the school announced.

The downtown Toronto university had faced growing calls from woke-tivists to change its name — after the remains of Indigenous children in unmarked graves on the grounds of former residential schools. Ryerson was involved in the creation of Canada's residential school system.

School president Mohamed Lachemi said the following.

“I want to assure everyone that our new name is not about erasing our history,” he wrote in a letter to the school community.

“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.”

The university’s 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, Lachemi said.

“Toronto Metropolitan University reflects all that we are and our commitment to continue being a destination for the great minds, partnerships and discoveries that we are already known for,” the school president said.

The renaming process started last fall.

“Our new name is a cause for celebration, to celebrate all that makes us who we are and to welcome all the ways we can make a positive impact on the people and communities around us – here in Toronto, across Canada and around the world," he said.