The Executive Committee is formed of seven (7) Commissioners who manage the day-to-day activities of the UOSU and oversee its operations. The positions are:

• President: responsible for leading the organization and all tasks that come with it, such as general human resources, team navigation, and supporting Commissioners in fulfilling their mandates as needed. As the Chair of the Executive Committee, the President is key to holding the Executive Committee accountable and ensuring the committee completes its projects, respects deadlines and ensures the smooth operations of the Union. The President reports to the Executive Committee and concurrently serves as the Chair of the President’s Round Table, as well as the Governance Committee.
• Operations Commissioner: responsible for directing and overseeing the internal operations of the organization, which includes hiring of personnel, the preparation of the budget for the organization’s services, and financial management. They maintain a working relationship with the UOSU’s Director of Business, and should the organization have any business dealings, they would also oversee them. The Operations Commissioner is Chair of the Finance Committee and Services Committee, and sits on the Clubs Committee.
• Advocacy Commissioner: responsible for overseeing the advocacy work of the organization, including lobbying and public education campaigns. They are also tasked with maintaining relations with the University of Ottawa, and work closely with the Student Rights Centre (SRC) and relevant personnel on maintaining, where appropriate, relations with governments and external organizations. The Advocacy Commissioner is Chair of the Advocacy Committee, and sits on the Communications and Engagement Committee. 
• Equity Commissioner: responsible for directing and overseeing the equity-building work of the UOSU, advocating on behalf of marginalized communities, combatting discrimination at the University of Ottawa, and building relations with equity-building organizations active at the University. The Equity Commissioner is Chair of the Equity Committee, and sits on the Services Committee. They work closely with the Pride Centre, RISE, the Feminist Resource Centre, and Peer Help Centre. 
• Francophone Affairs Commissioner: responsible for directing programs aimed at francophone students, ensuring linguistic accessibility for francophone students across UOSU, advocating on behalf of francophones, promoting La Francophonie on campus, and dealing with any bilingualism-related student complaints. The Francophone Affairs Commissioner is Chair of the Francophone Affairs Committee, and sits on the Clubs Committee and Services Committee. They work closely the Bilingualism Centre and the International House to further their advocacy and mandate goals.
• Student Life Commissioner: responsible for student clubs and their representation in UOSU, planning of social events (such as 101 Week), fostering the relationship between the UOSU and Recognized Student Governments (Federated Bodies), and ensuring a diversity of events and social activities on the uOttawa campus. The Student Life Commissioner is Chair of the Clubs Committee, and is a non-voting member of the Services Committee. They work closely with the Clubs Administration Service (CAS), the Sustainability Centre, and Foot Patrol.
• Communications Commissioner: responsible for creating the communications strategy report and working with the communications department, President, Advocacy Commissioner to improve the UOSU’s communications and overall outreach. The Communications Commissioner is Chair of the Communications and Engagement Committee, and will concurrently sit on the Elections Committee until an election period.

The BoD is a body of elected students who represent their respective faculties in the internal affairs of the UOSU. They are tasked with voting on motions, amending certain parts of the Constitution, holding monthly Board meetings, and overseeing the financials of the Union. This is an incredibly important job that doesn’t require as much time as the Commissioner positions, and it is a great opportunity to get involved in the student movement!

In order to run for the position of Commissioner, candidates must fill out the Bilingualism Self-Identification Form. There are different levels of bilingualism requirements for each position, which can be found in the Constitution under Schedule A: Bilingualism Standards. Candidates may be asked to pass a bilingualism test (English and French) as administered by the University of Ottawa’s Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute (OLBI) at the discretion of the Elections Committee. 

As it is a full-time, salaried position within the Union, elected Executive Committee members cannot register for more than six (6) course units, or two (2) courses, per semester in the year of their mandate, meaning that Commissioners must be part-time students; international students may take exceptionally more than two (2) courses per semester in the year of their mandate. This is to ensure that their first priority is the job that they were elected and will be paid to do.

The UOSU’s elections are overseen by the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) and the Elections Committee. They are responsible for handling complaints by candidates and applying any sanctions if required. Students may appeal sanctions handed down by the Chief Electoral Officer to the Elections Committee, and may further appeal to the Appeals Committee. Please consult the Constitution and the Electoral Code, or email elections@seuo-uosu.com for more information.

ll vacant positions on the Executive Committee and Board of Directors (BoD) will be filled by interim positions until the Winter General Election in accordance with the Canada Not-For-Profit Act; the BoD will have the power to appoint interim Executive Committee members and interim Directors to fill these vacancies.

Yes. Vacancies do not hinder the Board’s ability to pass binding motions, and any vacant Executive positions can be filled by an interim member until the Fall By-Elections take place.

The Board of Governors is the most senior corporate body that is responsible for all other aspects of the governance of the University not assigned to the Senate. This includes oversight of the management and control of the University and its property, revenues, expenditures, business, and related affairs.

Specifically, the Board approves the annual budget of the University and monitors is implementation; it establishes and collects fees and charges for tuition and other services that may be offered by the University or that may be approved by the Board on behalf of any organization or group of the University

In addition, the Board appoints the President, the Vice-Presidents and the Secretary General. It also determines the compensation and benefits of principal officers and of both the academic and administrative staff.

Please consult the Board’s website for further information.

The Senate is the highest authority on academic matters and is responsible for the sound management of academic issues on campus. The Senate has the power, subject to the approval of the Board insofar as the expenditure of funds is concerned, to create, maintain, and discontinue faculties, departments, schools and to establish chairs. It enacts by-laws and regulations for the conduct of its affairs.

In general, the Senate controls, regulates, and determines the educational and research policies of the University; determines courses of study and standards for admission to, and continued membership in, the University; and determines the qualifications for degrees and diplomas.

Please consult the Senate’s website for further information.