Olga Bazilevica, University of Toronto

Dear President Naylor, Provost Misak, and Dean Gertler,

I am writing to you as a concerned student of the Centre for Comparative Literature, one who is just about to begin her PhD at a Centre that might cease to exist before her graduation. I am deeply worried about the future of this institution as well as the impact that the closing of the Centre might have on the state of Comparative Literature in Canada. I am also worried about my own future here in Toronto—my trust in the University of Toronto has been shaken and the future of the program is so uncertain that I am seriously considering applying for other universities in Europe, a decision that is very unpleasant for me.

Like most of the international students at the Centre, I came to Canada from Latvia by way of Germany only because of the program and the chance to study at the Centre for Comparative Literature. I declined a prestigious DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) award in Germany which would have kept me closer to home in order to come to University of Toronto, a university, I might add, of which I had a great impression. Upon visiting the campus a year before applying, I was struck by the college-based structure that reminded me of Cambridge and the feeling of stability and strength was supported by the thick Romanesque walls of University College or Victoria University. The Centre for Comparative Literature is a renowned centre of progressive thought and academic innovations with a great reputation not only in North America, but also in Europe where I hope to return to teach upon graduation. I was strongly advised by my professors in Germany to accept the offer from University of Toronto, as the prestige of the Centre would add value to my degree and the innovation would give me the chance to widen my academic horizons. Indeed, this has been especially valuable as the approach to Comparative Literature in Toronto has proved to be significantly different from what I learned in Europe and, even though I work on European literature, I am actively engaging with North American theorists’ ideas.

The Centre for Comparative Literature at University of Toronto was the perfect mix for me – it is a small and very friendly, but also an incredibly creative and inspiring community that is an integral part of a huge community of one of the largest universities in North America, with contacts all over the world. Indeed, the Centre has its own very distinct and very special identity that is just as important as the reputation of the University for the students. It is a heterogeneous community that shares passion for culture and its constellations be it across time, media or national traditions. The discussions with my colleagues over a coffee are as productive for me as the discussions in classes. I have been deeply impressed by the vivacity and eagerness of the students of the Centre, and their professionalism, be it in giving talks or even organizing conferences. Last year’s colloquium left such a strong impression on me that I even changed the subject of my dissertation – after hearing a whole panel on nostalgia and having a chance to personally meet Svetlana Boym, I discovered that this is what I really want to pursue as a scholar.

Culture has the great potential to build bridges between nations rather than to erect walls, an idea that for me is one of the foundations of comparative literature; literary scholars act as ambassadors of social and political development across the world. I feel lucky to have a chance to explore Canada, a country that, by its singular example, manifests a humane and tolerant diversity. Coming from a young Baltic state that is facing serious challenges in human rights and strong nationalism, I am sure that it is definitely something we can learn from in my home.

It was a great shock for me to find out that the while the stability of the Romanesque walls remains unshaken, the inner structure of whole departments can be refurbished and programs doomed to disestablishment. In fact, it seems like the thick stone is not the guarantor, but rather a screen that covers big decisions so that their announcement becomes a shock for most of people affected. I do understand that the University is going through financial difficulties and agree that some changes have to be made, and yet I feel that the process of decision-making has to be more transparent, most especially for the departments and centres affected, so that these have a chance to “defend themselves” in giving a deeper understanding of their work and the consequences of the decisions made. I am sure that open discussions can be productive and more acceptable ways of dealing with the financial difficulties can be found. I am convinced that this ways will prove the current and future value of comparative literature to the University, and the disestablishment of the Centre will no longer be recommended.



Respectfully yours,


Olga Bazilevica,

Centre for Comparative Literature, PhD student, Toronto