Victoria University (Toronto, Ont.). Bursar's Office fonds

Scope and Content

Series consists of correspondence, leases and other legal agreements, court documents, surveys, deeds, mortgage records, sketches, financial and other records, 1871-2009, relating to the administering of properties owned by Victoria and not used for academic purposes, and for maintaining Victoria's interest in property developments which affected the University. The records relate to insurance, including liability, and the planning and development, management and leasing, acquisition and sales of property, taxes, property disputes and litigation.

The architectural plans and drawings have been separated into Series 23.

The Bursar's responsibilities with regard to property were initially the insurance of buildings and their contents. However, as the need for regular income became more urgent and evident, and as the University expanded and required more buildings, the Bursar's work likewise increased. The Bursar became responsible for the legal negotiations and accounting over purchases, sales and leases; and the supervision and funding of alterations and renovations and the construction of new buildings. Along with this the Bursar dealt with property tax as the University was only exempt from this in respect to its property used for academic purposes.