The Chair of Polish History is supported by a permanent research fund, previously raised by the Council, which provides financing for some extra-curricular events and routine administrative expenses. However, Professor Trojanowska’s program does not have similar financing. The Professorship of Polish Literature and Culture is in the University’s regular budget. The Slaby-Ungar endowed fund was the initial endowment to support the Polish Language and Literature program but is not sufficient to cover all the costs. Unfortunately, the University is not able to support the Polish language courses and we are seeking the support of the Polish community. The Polish program is not unique in this respect, as many other ethnic communities also support their programs at the University.
The Polish Studies Reserve fund reached $325,000 at the end of the 2019 fiscal year and the interest from it and the other endowments mentioned below (a small amount under current economic conditions) are used to pay part of the cost of the Polish Language and Literature Program. We are not yet at the point that the program is self-sufficient and we continue to grow the endowments.
See the page Major Donors for other endowments that have been created as a result of our efforts to support Polish Studies.
The proceeds from these funds support the Language and Literature courses. For more information and photos go to News and Events.
We are appealing to all supporters of Polish culture in Canada to provide us with the financial aid needed to ensure the continuation of the current programs of Polish Studies at the University of Toronto and the full utilization of their potential. It is also our hope that in the future, some exceptionally generous donations might make a further expansion of those studies possible.
