OCAD University
PA-3: Inclusive and Participatory Governance

Faculty Senate: https://www.ocadu.ca/about/governance/senate
The Senate is responsible for the establishment and regulation of academic policy, standards and procedures at OCAD University. In particular, the Senate and its many committees are in charge of all matters pertaining to OCAD U‚ academic resources, academic programming, academic strategic planning, student affairs and any other such matters relating to academic issues. Membership of Senate consists predominantly of senior faculty, but also includes undergraduate and graduate student representation, as well as a representation of the academic administration.

Sustainability Committee: https://www.ocadu.ca/services/odesi/sustainability/sustainability-committee
The Sustainability Committee is a sub-committee to the Employment and Education Equity Committee (EEEC) and has a broad mandate (academic and operations/administration) and the autonomy needed to support, promote and advance sustainability initiatives at OCAD University. Membership includes staff, faculty, and students.

Board of Governors: https://www.ocadu.ca/about/governance/board-of-governors
The Ontario College of Art & Design University Act, 2002, (amended 2010) states that “the Board of Governors is responsible for governing and managing the affairs of the university and has the necessary powers to do so. The Board consists of members from the external community, including 6 individuals appointed by the Ontario government, 2 elected by the OCAD U Alumni, and 10 by the Board itself. There are also 8 internal Board members drawn from the OCAD U community, elected by staff, management and student representatives as well as faculty members cross-appointed by the Senate. The President and the Chancellor are ex-officio voting internal members.


Senate, Sustainability Committee, and the Board of Governors all include student representatives.

Unions: OCADFA (Academic staff) and OPSEU (Non-academic staff)
https://www.ocadu.ca/services/human-resources/labour-relations

Student Union: https://www.ocadsu.org/
The OCAD Student Union is an independent, democratically run student organization with approximately 5000 members, incorporated as a not‐for‐profit corporation. The OCAD Student Union operates a variety of programs and services on campus and virtually at OCAD University including access to: free legal services, student advocate, campus food bank, community drop­‐in lunch, student grants, social events, and workshops.The OCAD Student Union represents the best interests of all OCAD U Students to OCAD U administration and all levels of government. The OCAD Student Union represents the OCAD University student population within the Canadian Federation of Students, and within the Toronto art and design community, the OCAD Student Union is represented by its subsidiary, Xpace Cultural Centre. Xpace Cultural Centre is a membership driven artist‐run centre dedicated to providing emerging and student artists with the opportunity to showcase their work in a professional setting.The OCAD Student Union is committed to ensuring that the OCAD University campus and broader OCAD U community are inclusive spaces where all members are treated with respect and dignity.

OCAD University's Indigenous Education Council (IEC) (formerly Aboriginal Education Council) was established in 2008 with a mandate to make recommendations and share strategies that will provide direction and guidance in the ongoing development, maintenance and implementation of Indigenous-related initiatives and programming. The IEC is made up of volunteer members that represent the interests and concerns of the internal and broader Indigenous community. The Council identifies, facilitates and strengthens collaboration and partnership with Indigenous communities, public sector bodies and other relevant stakeholders.

The IEC is recognized as the principal advisory body that has an effective role in decision-making with respect to issues related to Indigenous post-secondary education at OCAD University. The Indigenous Education Council promotes, guides and oversees the implementation of Principal 1 and Priority 1 of the Academic Plan and the Recommendations from the Provost's Taskforce on Indigenous Learning.