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Hart House is a student centre at the University of Toronto. It is named after Hart Massey and the money to build the centre came from the Massey family with the idea being advocated by Vincent Massey, then a student at U of T. Work began on the structure in 1911, but it was not completed until the end of the First World War. Its most prominent feature is the Soldiers' Tower that honours U of T students and faculty who served in the war. The Neo-Gothic structure was designed by Henry Sproatt, who was also responsible for the Massey-funded Burwash Hall.
The building contains a wide variety of facilities. The basement holds athletic facilities including a pool and a range. The Hart House Theatre is at the sub-basement level beneath an interior quadrangle. An art gallery, reading and sitting rooms and offices are located on at the ground level. Upstairs is located a library, music rooms, student meeting and study space in addition to a fully functioning restaurant.
The main feature is the large Great Hall, where university events are held.
Gender use
The Massey donation stipulated that the building was to be used only by men. Vincent Massey felt that a co-ed facility would ruin the sense of collegiality he hoped to create. Beginning in the 1950s this cause much controversy, and women demanded admission. Massey stood by his original conditions, however. After his death the Stewards and administrators of Hart House had Massey's deed of gift altered to allow women to become members. Since 1972, women have been able to fully participate in the House's activities.
Governance
Hart House is a unique organization in many ways, not in the least because of its student-centred governance structure. The House is run almost completely by student committees comprised of a majority of undergraduates, as well as graduate students, senior members, and staff. Two levels of committees operate in the House: standing committees and club committees. Standing committees have broad mandates for the general operation of the House.
The House Committee, for instance, is responsible for the daily governance and administration of the House; the Literary and Library Committee oversees the House's library, literary events, speaking series, and other related activities; and so on. The club committees are responsible for the operation of the various clubs, organizations, and groups the House facilitates. These include, but are not limited to, an archery club, a scuba club, a Diplomacy group, and a host of musical ensembles. Overall responsibility for House governance and operations rest with the Board of Stewards, a student-majority committee comprised of the secretaries of the standing committees and various other interested parties from the University and the community.
At first glance this governance structure can seem cumbersome. Such a setup is important, however, because all of the House's operating funds come from a yearly student levy. The University of Toronto provides no financial assistance to the House and therefore adequate and involved student representation is considered essential to maintain the vibrant and welcoming atmosphere the House is known for.
The Warden of Hart House is Margaret Hancock.
Lecture series
The Hart House Lecture is an annual public lecture series in historic Hart House at the University of Toronto. Delivered by a lecturer chosen by a committee of students, staff and alumni, the Hart House Lecture generally takes place in late March in the Great Hall of Hart House.
The Lecture Series was launched in 2001, with the vision of establishing an annual public lecture in Hart House. Organized by students, the Hart House Lecture Series aspires to ignite public conversation and debate. The Lecture takes issues identified by youth to a national audience. For Hart House, a historic gathering place at the University and a home for debate, discussion and dissent, the lecture is a fitting medium through which the House can nurture civic leadership and participation.
Past lecturers
Past lecturers have included Michael Geist (2006), David Bornstein (2005), Jennifer Welsh, (2004), Alan Lightman (2002) and Pico Iyer (2001). Copies of some of the past lectures are available here.External links
"Hart House"