Today’s Mathematics Union dates back to the introduction of the university’s Mathematics
and Physics Course in 1880. In the same year, an undergraduate society was founded by
Professor James Loudon. According to a 1918 article in the American Mathematical Monthly,
it was the “most venerable” such club on the continent. On January 27, 1882, the first
constitution was drawn up and the University College Mathematical and Physical Society was
born. Meetings initially consisted of proposing and solving problems, but the main purpose
soon became mathematical and historical presentations by professors and students, along with
social interaction over refreshments. These traditions have remained at the heart of the society
to this day. The M and P Society, as it was called by generations of members, succeeded in its
ambitions for many decades. Its progress is documented in beautifully handwritten minutes books
and membership records, which are now preserved in the university archives. Early members included
the founder Loudon who went on to become president of the university, and notable mathematicians
and physicists such as Fields, Beatty, Pounder and McLennan.
The name and nature of the society has varied over time. In 1891, the name was changed to the
University of Toronto Mathematical and Physical Society, which stood the test of time for over
70 years, though some later records refer to it as the Mathematics and Physics Society. In the
1960s, student unions emerged and the society became a Mathematics and Physics Course Union.
Since then, the union has changed regulations approximately every decade. Sometime in the 1970s,
a partition resulted in the physical branch becoming what is today the Physics and Astronomy
Students’ Union, and the mathematical branch becoming the Mathematics Course Union. In 1981,
statistics was included to create the Mathematics and Statistics Students’ Union. Around 1993,
this became the Mathematics, Actuarial and Statistics Students’ Union, known as MASSU. On April 8,
2005, a motion to partition the union was passed, and today’s Mathematics Union and Statistical
Sciences Association of Students were created. On January 7, 2015, Mathematics Union unanimously
passed new constitution to modernize its policies and procedures and to ensure future success.
Today, MU serves the dual roles of society and union. We are a course union in the Arts and Science
Students’ Union, in which capacity we represent all students in math courses and programs. Historically,
students and the department have enjoyed amicable relations, so there has been little political conflict.
The only known time of major disagreement was in 1973, when the dismissal of three popular instructors
resulted in serious protests. Ever since, student representatives have held seats on the departmental
Undergraduate Committee, and students have been consulted on matters of recruitment, promotion and curriculum.
Good relations have allowed for an enriching society with frequent events and the presence of prominent academics.
Professors like J. C. Fields, Peter Rosenthal and Edward Barbeau accepted invitations to contribute countless times. H
undreds of students have volunteered their time as executives, such as Françoise Ko, Nicolas Juzda and Patrick
Kaifosh, each of whom were elected president for an astonishing three years. Thousands have participated in our
events throughout the decades. After over a century of activity, we stand stronger than ever and look forward to
carrying on the tradition of MU.