STUDENT UNION
What is the Student Union?
Student Union Mandate
How to Get Involved
Services for Students
Contact Student Union
What is the Student Union?
The OCAD Student Union (OCADSU) Executive is comprised of the Director of Academic and University Affairs, Director of Operations and Finance, Director of Campaigns and Advocacy, and Director of Outreach and Events. OCADSU, as the recognized representative of the student body, serves as liaison to OCAD U administration and faculty, other universities and colleges, all levels of government and the Canadian Federation of Students. OCADSU is responsible for ensuring the proper representation and advocacy of the OCAD U student body at large.
The Student Union (SU) is a not-for-profit corporation funded by student fees. The Executive manages the business of the corporation on behalf of the student members, working hard to ensure that OCADSU provides as much service to students as possible.
All students registered for a minimum of a half-credit course are members of the SU. Each student member has free access to SU services, has the right to get involved in SU governance, and is eligible to be elected to the SU Executive or Board of Directors. Students are welcome to participate in SU-run projects and the decision-making process at large. Throughout the year, the SU holds numerous meetings and strongly encourages all students to attend.
Student Union Mandate
The central purpose of the Student Union (SU) is to enrich the lives of the students at OCAD U. We do our best to create responsible, democratic, cooperative student representation at the university — promoting the interests of both students and the university as a whole — in the context of a healthy community. We represent our membership on a local, provincial and national level, and encourage our members to be aware of their responsibilities in each of these arenas. We also represent our membership within the Canadian Federation of Students.
We work to make our governance responsible and transparent. This means that policies, minutes and budgets are openly published and that SU staff are accountable for their actions. We are a medium of communication between students, faculty, administration, staff, and the governing bodies of OCAD U. We work with all these people to further the goals of our members and for the betterment of the university as a whole. We help our members resolve issues that arise as part of being an OCAD U student.
We promote artistic, educational, social, professional, recreational and charitable activities for the advancement of our members. This sometimes takes the form of funding special events and organizations (as budget permits and according to an openly published granting policy). We can also help organize special facilities or equipment for members. During these activities we work to ensure the responsible use and distribution of resources entrusted to us.
We work to overcome discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender orientation, national or ethnic origin, mental or physical disability, age, income level, and medical diagnosis. We continue to support organizations that work for the empowerment of groups who have been discriminated against. We work towards achieving a system of high-quality, post-secondary education accessible to all and recognizing student representation and student rights.
How to Get Involved
SU Executive
The OCAD University Student Union (OCADSU) Executive is comprised of the Director of Academic and University Affairs, Director of Operations and Finance, Director of Campaigns and Advocacy, and Director of Outreach and Events.
The Executive members are responsible for the association's day-to-day operations. They meet weekly to ensure the direction from the membership and the Board of Directors is being executed. These four individuals act as Officers of the Corporation. Elections to the Student Union are held in March, and bi-elections (for first-year reps and unfilled seats) are held in early October each year.
Student Union Board of Directors
All members of the Board of Directors have a responsibility to be aware of the OCADSU Bylaws, Policies and Procedures, including the Board of Directors Bylaws. The Board is responsible to carry out the OCADSU Bylaws, Policies and Procedures, and Mandate.
Board positions: Faculty of Art Representative, Faculty of Design Representative, Studio Representative (from the Faculty of Art), Studio Representative (from the Faculty of Design), Sustainability & Ethics Representative , Diversity & Equity Representative, Graduate Studies Representative and First-Year Representative.
Annual and Semi-Annual General Meetings
Annual and Semi-Annual General Meetings are crucial for making the Student Union’s most important decisions. During these meetings, budgets are presented, Executive, XPACE, and Board reports are given, and bylaws and policies are reviewed and approved. This is the time when students directly advise the Executive, setting the priorities and parameters for the next year’s work. All students are welcome.
Work and Volunteer Opportunities
There are a number of work and volunteer opportunities at the Student Union throughout the year. Employment at the Student Union is a great way to get involved in OCAD U life, meet new people, and get experience working in a high-paced environment. Hiring announcements will be posted at the OCAD U Job Board in the beginning of the school year.
Services for Students
Academic and Political Advocacy
The Student Union serves as an advocate of student interest at all levels of OCAD U Governance, as well as administration and faculty. The Student Union serves to protect students' interests to the best of its ability. Please come forward with any academic or administrative concerns, and we will do our best to help you.
Campus Cupboard
A student-run, not-for-profit bulk food store that provides minimally packaged, minimally processed, affordable, wholesome and organic food to OCAD U students, faculty and staff.
Bulk buying promotes the use of the three R's:
- Reduce
- Reuse
- Recycle
Products include: rice, pasta, herbs and spices (all organic and kosher), legumes, sauces and spreads, cereal, flour and sugar, snacks, beverages (coffee, tea, milk substitutes), household items, pads and tampons.
Hours of operation: Tuesday and Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
During the summer you can drop by anytime; if the office is open and staffed, someone will be happy to serve you.
OCADSU Food Bank - 'Starving Artist Pantry'
The student union runs a food bank open to all students. If you are short on food, need an immediate meal, or can’t afford groceries, please drop by the SU. There is a limit of three to five items per student, per visit. Please ask a member of the SU to assist you. This is a discrete service, meaning no questions asked.
Food Share
The Good Food Box runs like a large buying club with centralized buying and coordination. Twice a month, OCAD U students, faculty and staff can place orders for boxes with the volunteer coordinator at the Student Centre and receive a box brimming with fresh, tasty produce.
Customers pay between $12 and $32 for their box, depending on the version that they choose. Each box contains the same mixture of food, though the contents change with each delivery, depending on what is in season and reasonable at the time. FoodShare truck drivers deliver the boxes to the OCADSU office and you simply come and pick up your order.
To find out when the next orders are being taken, email Tre Whan, OCADSU Office Manager or telephone 416-977-6000, Ext 341.
Grants
OCADSU Grants are set up to help facilitate and fund student projects and exhibitions for the further betterment of student life at OCAD U. Eligibility is based on social and professional criteria and there are several granting periods throughout the year. Grant application announcements will be posted around the school and are also sent to student email accounts. Application packages will be available in the Student Union office.
ISIC Cards
The International Student Identity Card (ISIC) is the only internationally recognized proof of full-time student status, and is a student travel discount card in more than 70 countries worldwide, including Canada. If travelling abroad, the ISIC provides access to discounts on accommodation, admission to historical sites and museums and entertainment attractions.
The ISIC provides access to discounts on domestic air travel purchased through Travel CUTS, a 35% discount on VIA Rail travel, and discounts on major bus lines across Canada. In addition, the ISIC provides access to discounted cellular phones and phone plans through studentphonestore.com, and discounts available at studentsaver.ca.
ISIC cards are provided in cooperation with Canadian Federation of Students (CFS). As members of the OCAD University Student Union, students are also members of CFS.
ISIC Cards are ONLY issued at OCAD U during Orientation. During the rest of the year, students must go to Travel Cuts to obtain a card. The closest location is 187 College Street.
Lawyer Services
Services to OCAD Student Union members include free access to its lawyer, Mbuso G Nkosi. If you are an OCAD U student, you are eligible to meet with Mbuso to discuss any personal legal issue, ranging from family law matters, landlord and tenant disputes, to criminal charges, employment or debt problems, as well as accident claims, immigration applications and other dealings related to the government, corporate, commercial or intellectual property issues.
Mbuso will offer you as much advice and assistance as he can with respect to each situation, and again the best part is that there is no charge for using Mbuso's services.
To make an appointment contact the OCADSU Office Manager Tre Whan or call 416-977-6000, Ext. 341. Lawyer Office Hours Friday 1:00 to 4:30 p.m.
Ombuds
The Office of the Ombuds is a safe place to talk over problems or conflicts you are having at OCAD U. If you feel you have been treated unfairly and are not sure what to do, or if you need information or advice about an OCAD U policy or procedure, the Ombuds can listen to your concerns and assist you in finding resolutions. All meetings held in the Office are dealt with in the strictest confidence unless the student involved gives permission for her or his name to be released. The Ombuds is an impartial advocate for fairness and works as an independent arm of the University. The current Ombuds is Jody Nyasha Warner.
To book an appointment with the Ombuds you can:
Email: ombuds@ocadsu.org
Drop-in: Fridays, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Student Union office (Student Centre, 51 McCaul Street, Level 1)
Potluck
The Student Union runs a bi-weekly vegan and gluten-free meal. This is a great opportunity to connect with other students over a delicious and healthy meal. If you are interested in getting involved, we are always looking for new cooks. If you would like to learn more about cooking healthy, cheap and easy-to-prepare meals, this is a great way to learn.
Meals are served in Room 187 (Level 1, 100 McCaul Street) which is transformed into a Cafe for the event. To get involved, contact: outreachandevents@ocadsu.org
Publications
The OCAD U Student Newspaper is launching soon. Have something you want to see in print? Looking for a free monthly forum? We are still seeking contributors and always open to suggestions. Advertise an upcoming show, or write an opinion about current events locally or globally. Show some of your recent illustrations, paintings, designs. Become a staff member. Be exposed.
Contact the Publications Editor .
Student Group Support
OCADSU provides financial, moral, and administrative support to recognized student-run groups at OCAD U. To apply for funding, a recognized student group should submit a budget and the funding application by the second week of October. If approved by the Granting Committee, the funds will be distributed in early November.
XPACE
XPACE Cultural Centre is a non-profit organization dedicated to emerging art and design. Our goal is to bridge students with their established counterparts through experimental programming that cultivates public dialogue. This allows for a dynamic art space that questions and re-evaluates the cultural and artistic expectations of visual language. XPACE is a membership-driven organization supported by the OCAD University Student Union.
Contact Student Union
OCADSU
Student Centre, 51 McCaul Street, Level 1
416-977-6000, Ext. 341
http://www.ocadsu.org/
Send an email or drop into the office.
Last Modified:1/24/2012 12:57:32 PM
