| Native Name: | Syndicat étudiant de l'Université d'Ottawa |
| Native Name Lang: | fr-ca |
| Predecessor: | Student Federation of the University of Ottawa |
| Type: | Nonprofit organization |
| Purpose: | Student association |
| Headquarters: | 7–85 University Private, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5 |
| Location: | University of Ottawa |
| Membership: | 38,000 |
| Membership Year: | 2024 |
| Leader Title: | President |
| Leader Name: | Delphine Robitaille |
| Leader Title2: | Executive Director |
| Leader Name2: | Meredith Kerr |
| Leader Title3: | Chair of the Board |
| Leader Name3: | Maya Sinclair |
The University of Ottawa Students' Union (UOSU) (French: Syndicat étudiant de l'Université d'Ottawa; SÉUO) is the student organization representing undergraduate students of the University of Ottawa. It is the successor organization of the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (SFUO) (French: Fédération étudiante de l'Université d'Ottawa; FÉUO) following its dissolution in 2019.[1]
| Student Federation of the University of Ottawa | |
| Established: | 1969 |
| Abolished: | 2018 (de jure) 2019 (de facto) |
| Institution: | University of Ottawa |
| Location: | Ottawa, Ontario |
| Members: | 36,000 (2018) |
| President: | Rizki Rachiq |
| Affiliated: | CFS |
See main article: History of the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa. The SFUO represented University of Ottawa undergraduate students from 1969 to 2018. It was a not-for-profit organization, incorporated under the Ontario Corporations' Act. On August 9, 2018, La Rotonde, the university's French-language newspaper, reported that the Ottawa Police Service was investigating members of the SFUO and its executive for fraud. Subsequently, on August 10, the university announced it was withholding their funding until an audit into the allegations could be completed. Due to fraud and embezzlement allegations, the University of Ottawa announced that it would terminate its agreement with SFUO.[2] [3]
On September 25, 2018, the University of Ottawa provided the Federation with a 90-day notice of termination of their contract, citing insufficient progress and further allegations of workplace misconduct, internal conflict, and improper governance.[4] The announcement noted that, as of December 24th, 2018, the Federation would no longer be recognized as the official representative of students, and invited students who wished to establish successor organizations to come forward.
The SFUO offices closed on April 10, 2019. An equitable court receiver was appointed to officially dissolve the federation.[5]
Notable past presidents of the organization included Marcel Prud'homme (1958–59), André Ouellet (1959–60), Allan Rock (1969–70), Hugh Segal (1970–71), Denis Paradis (1974–75), Mauril Bélanger (1977–79), Anne McGrath (1979–80), Bernard Drainville (1984–85), Gilles Marchildon (1987–88), Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin (1990–91) and Guy Caron (1992–94).
To determine whether or not the SFUO could remain in place, the university organized a referendum on which organization should represent undergraduate students. The newly-organized University of Ottawa Students' Union ran on decreasing politicization, increasing student power, and decreasing centralization within the Union. Meanwhile, the SFUO believed that it was best positioned to maintain the services and resources that students had access to.[6] UOSU won the referendum overwhelmingly.[7]
The University then signed a new agreement with UOSU, outlining additional oversight and financial transparency measures, and recognizing it as the sole voice of undergraduate students at the University.[8]
In 2020, the position of President was established, with Babacar Faye as its inaugural office holder.[9] [10]
The University of Ottawa Students' Union is a not-for-profit organization, incorporated in Canadian corporate law under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act. The organization itself is governed by its Constitution, which establishes its political apparatus and component organs.[11]
The General Assembly is the highest governing body within UOSU and is composed of all of the members of the Union. The General Assembly meets twice annually, once in the fall and winter semesters, respectively. Except as limited by the Constitution, the GA may pass resolutions that bind the Board and Executive Committee. The GA has authority over amending UOSU's Constitution.[12]
The Board of Directors governs and provides oversight to UOSU. It comprises 30 members that serve 1-year terms: a President, 6 Commissioners, 22 Directors elected from their faculties, and 1 Indigenous Director, elected through the Indigenous Students' Association. Each faculty has between 1 and 5 Directors.[13]
There is a public Board meeting session held every month; much of its responsibilities are delegated to various committees, which are either enshrined in the organization's constitution or formed as ad hoc committees, each focusing on a specific field or area of concern.
The Executive Committee (EXEC) manages the day-to-day operations of UOSU, with specific jurisdiction over human resources and signing contracts. The EC comprises 7 undergraduate students: the President, and six Commissioners. Each Commissioner is responsible for a specific aspect of the organization. They include the Equity, Francophone Affairs, Student Life, Advocacy, Operations, and Communications Commissioners.[14]
| 2024-2025 Executive Committee | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Faculty | Position | |
| Delphine Robitaille (from November 12, 2023) | Social Sciences | President | |
| Sanjida Flora (from May 6, 2024) | Law | Advocacy Commissioner | |
| Daphnée Veilleux-Michaud (from May 1, 2024) | Arts | Francophone Affairs Commissioner | |
| Greg Coleman (from May 6th 2024) | Social Sciences | Operations Commissioner | |
| vacant (from May 1, 2024) | Student Life Commissioner | ||
| vacant (from May 1, 2024) | Communications Commissioner | ||
| (interim; from January 1, 2024) | Engineering | Equity Commissioner | |
| 2023–2024 Executive Committee | ||
|---|---|---|
| Name | Faculty | Position |
| vacant (until November 12, 2023) | – | President |
| (from November 12, 2023) | Social Sciences | |
| (until March 8, 2024) | Science | Advocacy Commissioner |
| vacant (until May 28, 2023) | – | Francophone Affairs Commissioner |
| Amine El-Idrissi (interim; until November 12, 2023) | Social Sciences | |
| Tristan Maldonado-Rodriguez (until March 8, 2024) | N/A | |
| (until August 25, 2023) | Arts | Operations Commissioner |
| (interim; from January 1, 2024) | Telfer School of Management | |
| vacant (until May 28, 2023) | – | Student Life Commissioner |
| (interim; elected on November 12, 2023) | Social Sciences | |
| vacant (until November 12, 2023) | – | Clubs & Services Commissioner |
| (from November 12, 2023) | Engineering | Communications Commissioner |
| (until November 12, 2023) | Telfer School of Management | Equity Commissioner |
| (interim; from January 1, 2024) | Engineering | |
See also: List of University of Ottawa Students' Union elections. General elections are held during the Winter term, either in February or March, to elect the Board of Directors and Executive Committee. By-elections are held in October to fill vacant director and executive positions.
General elections were held on February 18, 2024. Turnout was 6.74%. President Delphine Robitaille was re-elected unopposed. The Interim Equity Commissioner, Imani Bunzigiye, was elected to a full term, and Interim Francophone Affairs Commissioner was defeated by Daphnée Veilleux-Michaud. 3 Executive positions were left vacant: Student Life, Communications, and Advocacy Commissioner.[15]
On May 6, 2024, the UOSU Board of Directors hired Greg Coleman as Operations Commissioner and Sanjida Flora as Advocacy Commissioner.[16]
General elections were held from March 5–9, 2023.[17] Turnout was 3.8%. Only 1 Executive Position was contested, with Joyce Williams being elected Equity Commissioner with 51.7% of the vote. The Operations and Advocacy Commissioners were elected unopposed. Faculty Directors were elected.[18]
By-elections were held from October 9–14, 2023.[19] Turnout was 7.7%. The positions of President, Student Life Commissioner, Francophone Affairs Commissioner and Communications Commissioner were filled. Additionally, 5 Director seats and 3 Senate seats were filled.[20]
Students voted in 10 referenda during the by-elections. 9 of them passed, including an 11% reduction in Union fees, resulting in a $500,000 cut to its budget.
The organization recognizes over 360 different clubs and associations related to all aspects of student life, from powerlifting to chess to politics.[21]
Recognized Student Governments (RSGs) are autonomous, but affiliated organizations representing students from different undergraduate programs. UOSU recognizes 25 RSGs and funds them on a per-student basis.
The SFUO, and subsequently the UOSU after it succeeded them, operates businesses and offers services that students and/or members of the public can access.
| Services | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Type | Description | |
| Bike Co-op | Service | Cyclist resources and services | |
| Centre for Students with Disabilities | Service | Disability rights advocacy | |
| Clubs Administration Service | Service | Club regulation and management | |
| Feminist Resource Centre | Service | Feminist advocacy and support | |
| UOSU Food Bank | Service | Food bank | |
| International House | Service | International students' rights advocacy | |
| PIVIK | Business | Convenience store | |
| Pride Centre | Service | LGBT+ advocacy | |
| Racialized and Indigenous Students Experience Centre | Service | Multiracial and Indigenous advocacy and activism | |
| Student Rights Centre | Service | Student-initiated appeals to the university administration | |
| Sustainable Development Centre | Service | Environmental sustainability awareness | |
| Name | Type | Description | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bilingualism Centre | Service | Second-language learning assistance and linguistic rights advocacy | Eliminated in 2024-2025 budget[22] [23] | |
| Multi-Faith Centre | Service | Religious pluralist advocacy | Eliminated in 2024-2025 budget | |
| Foot Patrol | Service | Volunteer-based safe walk service | Eliminated in 2024-2025 budget | |
| Peer Help Centre | Service | Academic, personal, and social support | Eliminated in 2024-2025 budget | |
| Zoom Productions | Service | Photography and Videography service for students | Eliminated in April 28, 2024 Board of Directors meeting. |
In 2019, uOttawa Students for Life (UOSFL), a club that advocated against abortion rights on campus, received provisional club status, giving them funding from UOSU and the right to book spaces on campus, sparking controversy.[24] [25] A special General Assembly meeting was called when a petition demanding the Union remove club status from UOSFL and adopt a pro-choice stance was signed by 500 students and presented to the Union. The meeting failed to reach quorum.[26] In January 2020, the Board of Directors stripped UOSFL of club status.[27]
During the October 2023 by-elections, UOSU members voted to eliminate a tuition levy that funded CHUO-FM, a local campus radio station. The levy was set at $4.99 per student, which accounted for between $360,000–$380,000 of annual funding, or around 80% of its total funding. The radio station criticized the decision, saying their survival was at risk, and the referendum was legally questionable.[28] [29] [30]
At the General Assembly meeting following the referendum, the referendum was not ratified after the Board received legal advice to reject it. According to President-elect Delphine Robitaille, it would have been a "legal liability." There is no similar precedent for not ratifying referendum results.[31] During the 2024 general elections, the referendum was approved again.
Following the Fall 2023 Elections, UOSU members approved a referendum forcing a 11.37 percent cut to UOSU student fees in the 2024-2025 school year.[32] In part due to these cuts, UOSU's Budget 2024-2025 included the defunding and dissolution of four services: the Bilingualism Centre, the Peer Help Centre, Foot Patrol, and the Multifaith Centre. On June 24, 2024, the Francophone Affairs Commissioner, Daphnée Veilleux-Michaud, held an emergency meeting open to the public regarding the proposed closure of the Bilingualism Centre. A number of students, including club and student association executives attended the meeting. Operations Commissioner Greg Coleman, who had written the budget with UOSU President Delphine Robitaille, was the only Board member to at the meeting other than Veilleux-Michaud. Reporters from the French-language student newspaper, La Rotonde, and a member from the student radio CHUO-FM were also present.
After the emergency meeting, Francophone students who felt that the budget cuts unfairly targeted them joined the Francophone Affairs Commissioner in writing an open letter, which was published in La Rotonde, criticizing the proposal. In particular, they felt the UOSU was putting Bike Co-op before them and suggested that this service should perhaps be defunded instead.[33] Coincidentally, in The Fulcrum's article on the passage of the budget, an Anglophone Board of Directors member representing the Faculty of Social Sciences, James Adair, and the Operations Commissioner are pictured to the right of the President with Bike Co-op branded water bottles.
After the passage of the budget, La Rotonde published an article criticizing the outcome, calling into question the May 1 salary increase of UOSU executives to $23 per hour, and again suggesting that the Bike Co-op should have been cut instead.[34] Less than a week later on July 6, La Rotonde published another open letter to the UOSU President, insisting that the budget included cuts to the Feminist Resource Centre that constituted "anti-femenist intellectual harassment."[35] However, no cuts aimed at this service were included in the 2024-2025 budget.
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