Student Life
At university, you can explore your interests, inside and outside of the classroom.
You will have opportunities to attend social events or join a student club. You might also like to play extracurricular sports or, if you live on campus, become involved in your residence community.
Learn more about Student Life at OCAD U.
Orientation Week
O-DAYS! Orientation
Each year in September, OCAD U welcomes over 1,000 first-year undergraduate students to the community with fall orientation events.
The programming gives you details about key resources on campus and helps you prepare academically. It is also designed to be fun, inviting and helpful in building a sense of community.
Learn more about OCAD U’s fall orientation events.
Clubs and Societies
General Clubs
At OCAD U, an important part of campus life is getting involved with new organizations and interacting with other students who share similar interests.
Student groups create an atmosphere of diversity, excitement and support.
Learn more about OCAD U’s student groups.
The Indigenous Student Association (ISA)
The ISA is a self-governing collective of Indigenous students at OCAD U who organize to nurture community and support each other.
The ISA runs community events and activities, and is the main student group dedicated to bettering Indigenous students’ experiences at OCAD U. The ISA is autonomous from the Indigenous Visual Culture Program, the Indigenous Student Centre and the Student Union. The ISA’s goals may change year to year, but it remains grounded in its dedication to community and safer spaces for Indigenous students to learn, create and thrive.
Email the ISA or find the ISA on Facebook and Instagram.
Student Union
At OCAD U, you are represented by the OCAD U Student Union.
Your student union plays an important role at university. The union advocates on behalf of students on campus and in the community. Members may also organize your Orientation Week and student clubs.
Athletics
Intramural Sport
OCAD U offers recreational sports and leagues that you can participate in, regardless of your skill level. Recreational sports include volleyball, basketball and dodgeball. They are a great way to meet other people and stay active, whether you are continuing to play a sport or starting a new one.
Student Services
Student Accessibility Services (SAS)
The university recognizes that the provision of academic accommodations for students with disabilities is a collaborative process with shared responsibility among all stakeholders.
SAS has subject matter expertise in disability, accessibility and academic accommodations, and oversees and coordinates the student academic accommodation process.
Academic accommodations for students with disabilities are governed by the Ontario Human Rights Code (Code), Ontarians with Disabilities Act (ODA, 2001) and Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA, 2005).
Child Care
View a list of resources for child care options near the OCAD U campus.
Security
Safety & Security Services are committed to your safety and upholding the values of equity, respect, fairness and impartiality.
The department works in partnership with all members of the OCAD U community to create an environment that is safe and perceived as safe. Programs and services include emergency response, emergency red phones across campus, a blue pole in Butterfield Park and a Walk Safe Program.
