Table of Contents
- Event: Demystifying Senate and the Board of Governors
- Unanimous Approval of Bargaining Mandate
- Governance Section on Website
- Spring/Summer 2026 OLBI Courses
- Solidarity with Students Opposing OSAP Changes
1) Event: Demystifying Senate and the Board of Governors
May 12, 2026, 11:30am-1:00pm, APUO Office (1 Nicholas Street, suite 1204)
The APUO is hosting a “Demystifying Senate and the Board of Governors” information session for APUO members. If you are considering running for either the Senate and/or the Board of Governors or interested in learning more about the decisional instances of the University, then please consider attending.
Senate and the Board of Governors need strong faculty and academic librarian representation to effectively exercise their mandate. Senate and its committees can play a key role in protecting educational quality and defending against administrative overreach. The Board of Governors makes decisions on university finances that affect students’ learning conditions and our working conditions. APUO members, with our collective academic expertise and pedagogical experience, have much to contribute to academic policy and financial decision making.
The session will be held on May 12 from 11:30am to 1:00pm in the APUO offices, located in suite 1204 on the 12th floor at 1 Nicholas Street. Lunch will be served. Please RSVP at this link before 12pm (noon) on May 5.
2) Unanimous Approval of APUO Bargaining Mandate
During an Extraordinary General Assembly on March 26, members voted unanimously to approve and adopt a Bargaining Mandate for the upcoming round of collective bargaining. The 2026 Bargaining Mandate was developed based on the priorities members identified in the 2025 Collective Bargaining Survey and during consultations in January and February 2026.
Below is the 2026 Bargaining Mandate, as approved by the APUO membership:
- Ensure transparency, participation, and accountability in university decision-making.
- Introduce measures to exert more control over teaching scheduling and secure course releases for graduate supervision.
- Address gaps and barriers in the Collective Agreement as they relate to Indigenization and decolonization of the University.
- Expand measures to help retain equity-deserving members.
- Improve terms and conditions of work for Academic Librarians.
- Address promotion and workload issues of Language Teachers, Replacement Professors and Continuing Special Appointment Professors.
- Guarantee a space for a childcare centre at the University of Ottawa.
- Introduce measures to reduce delays in the grievance process.
- Establish safeguards in the Collective Agreement to ensure that the adoption and use of artificial intelligence respects members’ rights, academic freedom, and working conditions.
- Maintain fair compensation levels, for regular and retired members, that preserve our
relative position in total compensation compared to other Ontario universities.
3) Collegial Governance in the Collective Agreement
Collegial governance is essential to a strong university. Members are asking clear questions about university priorities, accountability, and how resources are allocated across the institution. A healthy system of collegial governance ensures that these questions are addressed openly and responsibly.
The 2024-2026 Collective Agreement includes several articles that protect collegial decision-making. These articles are now compiled in a Governance page on the APUO website for members’ access. This page will be updated whenever a new collective agreement is ratified.
4) Spring/Summer 2026 OLBI Courses
The Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute (OLBI) is offering free English and French courses for staff and faculty at the University of Ottawa during the Spring/Summer terms. APUO members can register for both course offerings.
a) Bilingualism at your fingertips! | Free French and English courses
Registration is now open for French and English courses at the Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute (OLBI) in the spring–summer term!
Improve your second language skills with language courses for professors and support staff.
They’re held online over lunchtime so you can keep your evenings free and make the most of summer. Often, family members are eligible to attend as well.
Take a language placement test and then register for a course!
b) Feel confident teaching in your second language! | Infoprofs
The Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute (OLBI) offers language support services for professors (APUO and APTPUO), including intensive workshops and language courses. Everything is accessible online for free.
APUO members can also benefit from reviews of teaching materials, preparation for language tests and personalized tutoring.
Fill out the OLBI Service Request Form today!
5) uOttawa Students Oppose OSAP Changes
In February, the Ontario government announced cuts and changes to the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) that shift funding away from grants and toward loans. This means students will receive less non-repayable aid and take on more debt. Students argue the changes are harmful because they make post-secondary education less affordable and increase financial pressure, especially for lower-income students.
On March 24, students across Ontario rallied on their campuses and at Queen’s Park to oppose the changes to OSAP. On our campus, the University of Ottawa Students’ Union (UOSU) organized a rally, which members of the APUO Executive Committee and staff attended. The APUO remains in solidarity with Ontario students as they fight for affordable and accessible public post-secondary education.