University of Toronto Students' Union (UTSU)
Founded in 1901, the University of Toronto Students’ Union (UTSU) represents over 38,000 students from every college and professional faculty at the University of Toronto.
All full-time undergraduate students at the St. George Campus are members of the UTSU. As a student government, we operate independently of the University and strive to be a democratic, member-driven organization.
The UTSU advocates for students’ interests and provides plenty of essential services. Our advocacy work includes lobbying government and university administration, organizing campaigns, and supporting student initiatives.
Our services include grants for students in need, funding for student clubs, a weekly food bank, student parent resources, and the most comprehensive student health & dental plan at UofT. All of our work at the UTSU is guided by a commitment to equity, advocacy, and the supporting of all students.
The 2019-2020 UTSU Executive Team
The 2019-2020 UTSU Executive Team
The UTSU's main office building located at 12 Hart House Circle, across the street from UC.
The 2019-2020 UTSU Executive Team
12 Hart House Circle
Toronto ON, M5S 3J9
Summer Hrs: Mon to Fri
9:30am to 4:30pm
UTSU Programming & Services
Clubs Funding
Our 300+ clubs help create the vibrant atmosphere that the UofT campus provides our students. We recognize clubs from a wide range of student interests, including advocacy, culture, academic support, political action, the arts, hobbies, athletics, and more!
Learn more about what our clubs do, who they are, and the wider community here: utsu.ca/clubs
Equity Collectives
We believe that the University needs to be a more equitable place, and we are working hard to improve issues that entrench some marginalized members. The UTSU has Equity Collective Coordinators who actively work on equity initiatives throughout their terms.
Equity Collective Coordinators organize and support campaigns and events that further the goals of equity, inclusivity, and social justice, serving students' needs.
Orientation
Our annual orientation week welcomes students to campus, and Toronto as a whole. Orientation helps students get to know their class, divisions, and their home at UofT.
UTSU Orientation (UFest) consists of three major events, and many smaller ones. The major events include the UTSU's huge Tri-Campus Parade, Clubs Carnival, and Street Fest.
Financial Aid
The UTSU offers grants and bursaries to students in need. We enable students to buy textbooks, pay exam deferral themes, attend academic experiences, and more.
Learn more at utsu.ca/financial-assistance, and spread the word about these programs to your friends!
Food Bank
We operate a free, year-round Food Bank open to all UofT students in need. We extend this service to graduate and part-time students who are non-members. T-card is required.
Multi-Faith Centre, 569 Spadina Avenue
Fridays between 12:00–3:00pm
We are grateful to the Daily Bread Food Bank and Second Harvest for providing us with food to distribute to students.
Dollars for Daycare
The UTSU supports students in paying for dependent care by offering this needs-based bursary. All full-time and part-time St. George undergrad students are eligible to apply.
World University Service of Canada
Every year, a refugee student is sponsored by the UTSU to study at the University of Toronto. This is a unique program that also provides a pathway to citizenship. WUSC raises awareness about the plight of refugees worldwide, and is actively working towards eliminating barriers for refugees pursuing higher education. Visit www.wusc.ca for more.
Additional UTSU Services
Printing & Additional Services
We offer the cheapest printing and copying on campus! Print in black-and-white at our office for 3¢ a side at our office.
The UTSU also offers discounted tickets to different events and activities, including tickets to Canada's Wonderland, Ripley's Aquarium, and Cineplex.
Our Help Desk is available 24/7 online for Frequently Asked Questions, and live-chat is available during office hours.
Student Commons
We’re building a student centre designed by students, for students! With space for clubs, studying, a food bank and more, this student space will have something for everyone.
The Student Commons will house the UTSU offices and its services, many of our service groups, club offices, and lots of student-focused programming throughout the year! We're looking forward to opening the space and seeing you there!
Health & Dental Coverage
The UTSU offers the most comprehensive extended health insurance plan offered at the University of Toronto. UTSU members enjoy coverage on most extended health and dental expenses, and can submit claims after they've visited the doctor or dentist through the app or by visiting our office.
Visit utsu.ca/health to learn more, or by clicking here.
History
Since the UTSU's founding, our organization has either contributed to or directly led a series of various successful projects at UofT that have improved the livelihoods of students. These have included:
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Granting undergraduate students access to Robarts Library Stacks (1972)
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Granting women access to Hart House alongside other groups like the Muslim Student’s Association (1972)
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Pushing UofT’s Divestment from South African apartheid (1980s)
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The creation of the Women’s Centre (1986)
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Ensuring a Sweatshop-free Campus (2000s)
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Approval of the Student Commons (2000s)
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Advocating for a Plastic Water Bottle-free Campus (2011)
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Pushed Health and Wellness to stay open later multiple days per week (2010s)
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Adding late night counselling services in Robarts Library during exam period (2010s)
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Organizing a referendum for a Fall Reading Week with the Arts and Science Students’ Union (2015)
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Participation in the first wave of Free Menstrual Product pilot programs (2018)
Get Involved with the UTSU!
Come out to our events across campus, our monthly board meetings (open to all student members), or volunteer to join our Blue Crew for co-curricular record certification!
Interested first-year students are invited to join the first ever UTSU First Year Council (FYC) to provide their unique perspective on improving the student experience. More details will be made available soon!
Drop into our office Monday to Friday, 9:30-4:00 during the summer, at 12 Hart House Circle. We look forward to meeting you!
The UTSU is an organization that provides full-time undergraduate students at the UofT St George Campus with various services and methods of advocacy. In order to do this, we need students to get involved with us.
The UTSU currently has 44 seats on its board, and any full-time undergraduate student is encouraged to run. Elections take place in March of each academic year, with vacant positions being filled in Fall By-Elections. Please visit our website to learn more at www.utsu.ca.
Meetings of the UTSU are public, and we encourage all students to attend. This includes meetings of the Board of Directors, and any committee meetings we may have. These meetings determine how the UTSU operates, what services we provide or change, and where we advocate for students.
We're looking forward to the year ahead, and we hope you'll join us during our operations throughout the year.