University of Guelph - Student Life

Student Life

Student government on campus is governed officially through the university's Student Organization Policy or "SOP". This document, created initially in 2005 provides the basis for accrediting student groups on campus. The Student Groups listed as Primary Student Organizations under the policy are:

• The Central Student Association (CSA)
• The Graduate Students' Association (GSA)
• The College of Arts Student Union (CA-SU)
• The College of Biological Science Student Council (CBS-SC)
• The College of Management & Economics Student Association (CME-SA)
• The College of Physical & Engineering Science Student Council (CPES-SC)
• The College of Social & Applied Human Sciences Student Alliance (CSAHS-SA)
• The Student Federation of the Ontario Agricultural College (SF-OAC)
• The Central Veterinary Students' Association (CVSA)
• Interhall Council (IHC)

Each of the above PSOs accredit and thus are held accountable for many of the various clubs and student groups on campus. By and large the CSA accredits the most student groups with approximately 70 accredited today. Generally CSA-accredited groups are special interest groups like CHAT (a multi-lingual group), the Jewish Students' Organization (JSO), the Muslim Students' Association and more, catering to those who wish to begin new interest-specific clubs on campus. The College Governments (CA-SU, CBS-SC, CME-SA, CPES-SC, CSAHS-SA, SF-OAC and the CVSA) accredit academically focused groups while IHC accredits 14 groups (includes the temporary residence Brock House for the 2011/2012 year) as hall councils, one for each residence hall on campus.

The University also has a department called Student Life which offers a comprehensive package of programs and services that help students make a successful transition to, through and from university life and study. The curricular and co-curricular initiatives, advising and support activities are set out to serve as vehicles through which students can explore their leadership capacity, make long lasting connections, and optimize opportunities to learn through experiences. As well as develop a sense of civic/community responsibility, and be engaged in the campus and community life of the University.

Across campus, members of the Residence Student Government, known as Interhall Council, contribute to the programming in each hall. This group of 62 elected members works with students within their halls and are also responsible for facilitating a hall council for hall members to attend. During the 2011/2012 year, a council was stricken at the West Residence Family Housing units and the temporary Brock House residence, bringing the total number of councils to 14. Interhall Council also acts as a liaison between students and Student Housing Services, University Administration, and other on-campus organizations.