The recent decision from UofT Medicine on August 6, 2026 to discontinue recordings of TOPIC lectures and other large-group sessions will have a significant impact on how students learn. While we appreciate the Faculty's goal of encouraging in-person engagement, removing lecture recordings does not necessarily increase participation, it instead removes an important learning resource that many students rely on to review complex material, reinforce understanding, learn at their own pace, and accommodate illness, caregiving responsibilities, or unexpected circumstances. Lecture recordings complement, rather than replace, active classroom participation.

We respectfully ask the University of Toronto, Temerty Faculty of Medicine to reconsider this decision and restore lecture recordings while continuing to encourage attendance through meaningful learning experiences. Students can value in-person teaching and still benefit from recordings as a tool for review and accessibility. Bringing back lecture recordings would support diverse learning needs and help ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed academically without compromising the goals of the curriculum.