Student Services at Ontario Tech
Student Services is the university's student support network outside of the classroom. We are made up of several teams that provide students with the services and resources they need to succeed academically, personally and socially.
Ontario Tech University welcomes and celebrates the diversity of its community which serves to enrich all aspects of university life, academically, socially and culturally. Student Services supports this diversity through programming and activities that acknowledge the talents, interests and cultures of our students, as well as by providing specialized support for students living with disabilities, Indigenous students, international students, online students, and mature, transfer and pathways students.
All students are encouraged to make the most of their university experience and plan for success. Student Services provides the following to promote students’ academic, personal and professional development:
- Academic Support (Student Learning Centre)
- Accessibility and Accommodations
- Athletics and Recreation
- Awards and Financial Aid
- Black Youth Visionary Program
- Career Readiness
- Community
- Equity and Inclusion
- Health and Wellness
- Indigenous Services
- Library Services
- Mental Health Wellness
- Office-campus Living
- Ridgeback Student Voice
- Transition Programming
Digital Community
The Digital Community is a student-driven website where you can connect and share stories from anywhere. We currently have seven main categories that posts will fall under: awareness, career, lifestyle, opinion, student experience, study, and wellness. We are constantly changing this space to feed the needs of YOUR interests, so don’t be surprised if some things, like categories, look different the next time you visit.
The Digital Community consists of blog posts, podcasts, interactive quizzes, and other digital content created by our students for our students. For more information on how to become involved in content creation for the Digital Community or to learn more, please visit the Digital Community's homepage.
Contact
In-person appointments are by appointment only and can be booked on the Student Life Portal.
North Oshawa Campus Location
Shawenjigewining Hall
2000 Simcoe Street North
Oshawa, Ontario L1G 0C5
Downtown Oshawa Campus Location
Student Services
61 Charles Street Building, Room 225
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 4X8
Baagwating Indigenous Student Centre
151 Athol Street East
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 1K2
- Athletics and Recreation
- Career Centre
- Indigenous Education and Cultural Services
- Student Accessibility Services
- Student Engagement and Equity
- Student Learning Centre
- Student Mental Health Services
- OTU Humanities Society
Athletics and Recreation
Athletics and recreation is a multifaceted department, focusing on competitive sport for varsity athletes as well as general health, fitness and community for all students.
Ridgeback Athletics delivers a first-class intercollegiate program made up of 16 varsity teams and two sports club teams that contend at institutional, provincial, national and international levels. Our teams create a sense of pride and school spirit on campus.
For information on tryouts, game recaps and opportunities to cheer on the Ridgebacks at upcoming competitions, visit goridgebacks.com.
Athletics and Recreation also
For information on intramural and extramural sports, skating and the Flex fitness centre, go to Athletic's FAQ page.
Career Centre
Securing employment after university is a top priority for our students, and the Career Centre is there to help with that transition. They assist our students and graduates with job search and career exploration, provide employers with a variety of recruitment services and host a number of events to build connections between students and employers.
Through the Career Centre, students can access career counsellors to discuss their anxieties and find clarity in their career paths, and they can work with employment advisors to talk about internships and co-ops, get help with resumeés, cover letters, interview skills and job searches. It is recommended that students visit the Student Life Portal to get the most up-to-date information about upcoming opportunities.
Employers looking to hire students, build their brand on campus and post their employment opportunities should consider registering with the Student Life Portal.
Contact the Career Centre by phone at 905.721.8668 ext. 3824 or by email at careercentre@ontariotechu.ca
Indigenous Education and Cultural Services
Indigenous Education and Cultural Services is located in the Baagwating Indigenous Student Centre at 151 Athol Street East in Downtown Oshawa.
Indigenous Education and Cultural Services offers cultural workshops, ceremonies, events and programming to educate Indigenous and non-Indigenous students, faculty, staff members and the broader community about Indigenous culture. They encourage Indigenous students to embrace their culture through the Indigenous self-identification process, and they lead the university in its journey toward reconciliation.
Contact Indigenous Education and Cultural Services by email at indigenous@ontariotechu.ca
Student Accessibility Services
Student Accessibility Services will support students with disabilities who require accommodations as legally required by the Ontario Human Rights Code. The university is committed to facilitating accommodations for students with disabilities. Supports may include, but are not limited to, alternative testing arrangements, FM hearing systems, note takers, training and access to computers and adaptive software, alternative text formats, interpreters, counselling, and learning strategies instruction. Students can access these services by going to ontariotechu.ca/sasportal.
Contact Student Accessibility Services by phone at 905.721.3266 or by email at studentaccessibility@ontariotechu.ca
Student Engagement and Equity
Student Engagement and Equity endeavours to support students’ positive transition into university and their ongoing success and engagement throughout their academic careers. Student Engagement and Equity provides various learning and leadership programs, events and opportunities—such as Orientation and the Ambassador Program —which help students to feel a sense of community at the university while also allowing them to build their skillsets for personal and professional success.
The Student Engagement and Equity team works hard to make the university a more equitable and inclusive community. Through the discussions they facilitate and the equity campaigns they run, they advocate for a more welcoming campus community that is built on empathy and understanding.
Contact Student Engagement and Equity by email at askme@ontariotechu.ca
Student Learning Centre
The Student Learning Centre supplements classroom experience by providing students with a number of services that help to strengthen academic skills and learning strategies.
Through workshops, fun events, one-on-one sessions, and peer assisted study sessions (PASS) Student Learning Centre specialists support students in core areas such as writing, math, science and English as a second language. For students who want more personalized assistance, one-on-one sessions with both subject specialists and trained peer tutors are available.
Contact the Student Learning Centre by phone at 905.721.8668 ext. 6578 or by email at studentlearning@ontariotechu.ca.
Student Mental Health Services
Student Mental Health Services exists to support students’ mental wellness during their time at the university. They offer professional, short-term counselling and therapy to help students in one-on-one environments; they run support groups, workshops and events to care for students in community-based settings, and they run campaigns that aim to fight the stigma against mental illness.
Student Life acknowledges that university can be a stressful and difficult time, and helps to nurture students’ wellbeing by ensuring they feel supported mentally and emotionally.
Contact Student Mental Health Services by phone at 905.721.3392 or by email at studentlifeline@ontariotechu.ca.
OTU Humanities Society
The Humanities Society at Ontario Tech acts as a governing body that promotes and organizes activities for the members of the Social Sciences and Humanities Faculty including recreational, academic, and social events. The society also acts as a liaison between the students and the Student Association by expressing concerns or support on specific issues.
The OTHS hopes to advocate for the students of downtown Oshawa while creating events and activities to enhance their student experience. We hope to create an environment that fosters student spirit and involvement.
Society Elections
As a registered Society under the Office of Student Life, the OTHS is comprised of members from the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities. Society Elections are held each year to encourage students to become involved with student advocacy.
For more information on Society Elections, including campaign periods and how to vote, please visit the Student Life homepage. For a list of all available positions, please visit the OTHS on their social media accounts below.