Learn more about the Council of Ontario Universities (COU), our commitments, common acronyms and the COU Secretariat.
Council of Ontario Universities
180 Dundas Street West Suite 1800
Toronto, Ontario
M5G 1Z8
Tel: 416-979-2165
Learn more about the Council of Ontario Universities (COU), our commitments, common acronyms and the COU Secretariat.
The sacred land on which the Council of Ontario Universities (COU) operates has been a site of human activity for more than 10,000 years. This land is the territory of the Huron-Wendat and Petun First Nations, the Seneca, and most recently, the Mississaugas of the Credit River. The territory was the subject of the Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, an agreement between the Iroquois Confederacy and the Ojibwe and allied nations to peaceably share and care for the resources around the Great Lakes.
Today, the meeting place of Toronto is still the home to many indigenous people from across Turtle Island and we are grateful to have the opportunity to work in the community, on this territory.
This statement was developed by the Elders Circle (Council of Aboriginal Initiatives). It was last revised November 6, 2014.
This body was formed on December 3, 1962, with the original name of the “Committee of Presidents of Provincially Assisted Universities and Colleges of Ontario.” A formal constitution was first adopted on December 9, 1966, under the name “Committee of Presidents of Universities of Ontario/Comité des Présidents d’Universités de l’Ontario.” The constitution was amended on January 18, 1968; April 26, 1968; March 13, 1970; April 16, 1971 (when the name of the body was changed to its present one, effective May 1, 1971); October 7, 1988; October 12, 1990; February 8, 1991; May 21, 1991; January 29, 1993; July 1, 1993; July 1, 1996; May 28, 1999; April 26, 2002; November 1, 2008; November 1, 2010; October 14, 2011; and April 20, 2012. Current institutional membership is shown in Appendix A.
The name of this body shall be: “Council of Ontario Universities/Conseil des Universités de l’Ontario.”
The objects of the Council are to promote cooperation among the provincially assisted universities of Ontario, and between them and the Government of the Province, and, generally, to work for the improvement of higher education for the people of Ontario.
Notwithstanding the above criteria, OCAD University is granted full membership in COU in view of the institution’s long-standing status as an associate member of COU and as a direct recipient of university operating grants from the province of Ontario, and in view of the June 7, 2010 amendments to its Act to add the word “university” to its name, establish a Senate, and establish the position of Chancellor.
Also notwithstanding the above criteria, the Royal Military College of Canada, which was an associate member of COU at the time of the adoption of these membership criteria in 2002, shall be entitled to remain as an associate member, unless required to withdraw from COU as provided for in Section 3(3).
Institutions eligible for membership as set out in Article 3(1) above shall be admitted if recommended by the Executive Committee and approved by two-thirds of the members present and voting at a meeting of Council.
Those eligible for membership on the Council are
COU provides a variety of services to members. With the consent of COU, such services can be made available on a cost-recovery basis to non-members.
1 For this purpose, size shall be determined by the government operating grants received by the institution.
This constitution may be amended by a two-thirds majority of members of the Council present and voting at a meeting in the notice of which the proposed amendment is specified and at which at least two-thirds of the members are present.
The Council may be dissolved by a two-thirds majority of members of the Council present and voting at a meeting in the notice of which the motion for dissolution is specified and at which at least two-thirds of the members are present.
April 20, 2012
Institutional Membership of the Council of Ontario Universities/Conseil des Universités de l’Ontario at November 1, 2010
Members
Associate Member
In fulfilling our mission, the Council of Ontario Universities (COU) strives to provide its services in a way that respects the dignity and independence of people with disabilities. As such, COU will provide an alternative communications format upon request.
To obtain information in an alternative format, contact:
Marina Piao
Chief Administrative Officer
Council of Ontario Universities
180 Dundas St. W., Suite 1800
Toronto, ON M5G 1Z8
416-979-2165 x221
The Ontario university community is deeply aware of the challenges that face the world arising from climate change and the degradation of natural environments. Our universities accept this special responsibility on three scores: to assist in finding solutions to the challenges of environmental sustainability; to share knowledge about sustainability and climate change; and to incorporate, wherever possible, principles of sustainability into our own operations.
Ontario universities, ranging in size from small and rural institutions to large and urban ones, began work on the creation of sustainable campuses many years ago, and we continue to demonstrate leadership in advancing a greener world. In particular, Ontario universities will work together to do the following:
We further accept our responsibility to do the following:
Download a pdf version the Pledge from the Executive Heads, “Ontario Universities: Committed to a Greener World.”
A | |
ACAATO | Association of Colleges of Applied Arts & Technology of Ontario |
ACSLC | Application Centres’ Senior Liaison Committee |
ACU | Association of Commonwealth Universities |
ADM | Assistant Deputy Minister |
AHSC | Academic Health Sciences Centres |
AODA | Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act |
APIMG | Assessment Program for International Medical Graduates |
ATOP | Access to Opportunities Program |
AUCC | Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada |
C | |
CAAT | College of Applied Arts and Technology |
CASA | Canadian Alliance of Student Associations |
CAUBO | Canadian Association of University Business Officers |
CAURA | Canadian Association of University Research Administrators |
CAUT | Canadian Association of University Teachers |
CCOU | Council of Chairs of Ontario Universities |
CEHSO | Council of Environmental Health and Safety Officers |
CESPA | Committee on Enrolment Statistics, Projections and Analysis |
CFI | Canada Foundation for Innovation |
CFS | Canadian Federation of Students |
CFS-O | Canadian Federation of Students – Ontario |
CHERD | Centre for Higher Education Research and Development |
CHST | Canada Health and Social Transfer |
CICA | Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants |
CIFAR | Canadian Institute for Advanced Research |
CIHR | Canadian Institutes of Health Research |
CIRPA | Canadian Institutional Research and Planning Association |
CO | Colleges Ontario |
CODE | Council of Ontario Deans of Engineering |
COFM | Council of Ontario Faculties of Medicine |
COFO-UO | Council of Finance Officers – Universities of Ontario |
COGO | Council of Ontario Graduate Officers |
COU | Council of Ontario Universities |
COUPN | Council of Ontario University Programs in Nursing |
COUS | Council of Ontario University Secretaries |
CRTC | Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission |
CSAO-UO | Council of Senior Administrative Officers – Universities of Ontario |
CSHRO | Council of Senior Human Resource Officers |
CSPS | Canada School of Public Service |
CUDO | Common University Data Ontario |
CUPA | Council on University Planning and Analysis |
D | |
DM | Deputy Minister |
E | |
EPF | Established Programs Financing |
EQAO | Education Quality and Accountability Office |
ESL | English as a Second Language |
F | |
FCP | Federal Contractors Program |
FRP | Facilities Renewal Program |
FT | Full-Time |
FTE | Full-Time Equivalent |
G | |
GAAP | Generally Accepted Accounting Principles |
GIC | Gender Issues Committee |
H | |
HEQCO | Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario |
HRSDC | Human Resources and Skills Development Canada |
I | |
IC | Industry Canada |
ICRP | Income Contingent Repayment Plan |
IIO | Innovation Institute of Ontario |
INAC | Indian and Northern Affairs Canada |
IUTS | Inter-University Transit System |
L | |
LGIC | Lieutenant-Governor-in-Council |
M | |
MAESD | Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development |
MCI | Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration |
MCSS | Ministry of Community and Social Services |
MCYS | Ministry of Children and Youth Services |
MEI | Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure |
MMO | Materials and Manufacturing Ontario |
MOE | Ministry of the Environment |
MOF | Ministry of Finance |
MOHLTC | Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care |
MOPSIE | Model of Post-Secondary Institutional Enrolment |
MRI | Ministry of Research and Innovation |
N | |
NASM | Net Assignable Square Metres |
NAUBCS | National Association of University Board Chairs and Secretaries |
NGO | Non-Governmental Organization |
NOC | Northern Ontario Committee |
NRC | National Research Council of Canada |
NSERC | Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada |
NSSE | National Survey of Student Engagement |
O | |
OAC | Ontario Academic Credit |
OACUSA | Ontario Association of College & University Security Administrators |
OADE | Ontario Association of Deans of Education |
OAPPA | Ontario Association of Physical Plant Administrators |
OCAS | Ontario College Application Service |
OCAV | Ontario Council of Academic Vice-Presidents |
OCE | Ontario Centres of Excellence |
OCGS | Ontario Council on Graduate Studies |
OCOTH | Ontario Council of Teaching Hospitals |
OCSA | Ontario Committee on Student Affairs |
OCUA | Ontario Council on University Affairs |
OCUFA | Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations |
OCUL | Ontario Council of University Libraries |
OCULL | Ontario Council for University Lifelong Learning |
OCUPRS | Ontario Council of University Programs in Rehabilitation Sciences |
OCUR | Ontario Council on University Research |
OFA | Office of Francophone Affairs |
OFINA | Ontario Financing Authority |
OGS | Ontario Graduate Scholarships |
OGSST | Ontario Graduate Scholarships in Science & Technology |
OHS | Office of Health Sciences |
OICAH | Ontario Interdisciplinary Council for Aging and Health |
OIMGP | Ontario International Medical Graduate Program |
OISE-UT | Ontario Institute for Studies in Education – University of Toronto |
OIT | Ontario Innovation Trust |
OMAFRA | Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs |
ONCAT | Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer |
OOLC | Ontario Online Learning Consortium |
OPAS | Office for Partnerships for Advanced Skills |
OPHRDC | Ontario Physician Human Resource Data Centre |
ORDCF | Ontario Research and Development Challenge Fund |
OSAP | Ontario Student Assistance Program |
OSSD | Ontario Secondary School Diploma |
OUAC | Ontario Universities’ Application Centre |
OUCA | Ontario Universities’ Council on Admissions |
OUCAC | Ontario Universities Capital Aid Corporation |
OUCCIO | Ontario University Council of Chief Information Officers |
OUPAC | Ontario Universities’ Public Affairs Council |
OUPPMA | Ontario University Professional Purchasing Management Association |
OURA | Ontario University Registrars’ Association |
OUSA | Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance |
P | |
PAIRO | Professional Association of Interns and Residents of Ontario |
PGE | Post-Graduate Education |
PGM | Post-Graduate Management |
PREA | Premier’s Research Excellence Awards |
PSAA | Public Sector Accountability Act |
PT | Part-Time |
Q | |
QAF | Quality Assurance Framework |
S | |
SAG | Student Access Guarantee |
SMC | Senior Management Committee |
SSHRC | Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada |
T | |
TFUA | Task Force on University Accountability |
U | |
U/C | University/College Preparation Course |
UCASS | University and College Academic Staff System |
UE | Undergraduate Education |
W | |
WGUC | Working Group on University Capacity |
WGUR | Working Group on University Research |
WGUPP | Working Group on University Pension Plans |
COU is committed to high standards of ethical behaviour. The Safe Disclosure Policy sets out the principles and responsibilities for prevention, detection and good faith disclosure of wrongdoing, as well as the investigation process that will result from such a disclosure. The policy provides a mechanism to disclose concerns in good faith, without fear of reprisal, and reflects COU’s commitment to accountability and ethical conduct.
To learn more about COU’s Safe Disclosure Policy and reporting mechanism, please contact the HR Manager.