Policies and Bylaws
This PDF contains all of the current by-laws, policies, and procedures of the University Students’ Council.
Updated: February 2025.
Please note: we’re working to update our governance policies, we appreciate your patience!
Supplemental documents and reports are included in the categories listed below, with a brief description of the category’s contents.
Internal Sources
Multi-Year Accessibility Plan (.pdf)
- This 2022-27 accessibility plan outlines the policies and actions that the University Students’ Council will maintain and continue in order to improve opportunities for people with disabilities.
USC Accessibility Policy (.pdf)
- Approved by Board of Directors, Decemember 2024
Ancillary Fees (.pdf)
- A standing policy of the USC advocating for student controls on ancillary fees and the nature and affordability of such fees.
- Original Ancillary Fees “Purple Paper”, published in 2012.
Performance Based Funding (.pdf)
- PBF is a system whereby a portion of an institution’s funding allocation is contingent on meeting specific performance metrics.
Open Educational Resources (.pdf)
- A standing policy of the USC advocating for the creation and implementation of an open educational resource pilot project.
- Approved by Council in March 2016. For review in 2022/23.
Student Employment (.pdf)
- For the USC, student employment should be a top priority because of the benefits it adds to the lives of students.
- Approved by Council in February 2018. For review in 2020/21.
Teaching Stream Tenured Faculty (.pdf)
- A standing policy of the USC advocating for the implementation of teaching-focused faculty within the University and a greater emphasis of teaching as a responsibility of faculty.
- Approved by Council in March 2016. For review in 2022/23.
Documents
2024-25
- Budget Document 2024-25
- Audited Financial Statement
2023-24
2022-23
2021-22
2020-21
2019-20
2018-19
2017-18
2016-17
2015-16
2014-15
2013-14
Procedures relating to the USC Elections.
Nomination Forms- Faculty President Nomination Form (.pdf)
- Constituency Representative/Councillor Nomination form (.pdf)
- Note: Senator and Board of Governors Nomination Forms are available through the Western Secretariat
- A review of the USC’s membership in the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations from the Council year 2012/13.
Visit our Grants and Recognition page.
Policies and procedures relating to the creation and amendment of the USC’s Long-Term Strategic Plan and previous iterations of the Strategic Plan.
Long Term Plan – “Dear Students” 2017
- Outlining our Vision, values and areas of focus.
- A reference document for the Corporation to provide strategic direction for all facets of the Corporation.
- A guide to the execution of the previous strategic plan, A Vision to Lead. Specifies areas of action that should be undertaken to meet the expectations of the strategic plan and identifies the individuals responsible for carrying them out.
A Vision to Lead (2009)
- A previous strategic plan of the USC. Superseded by the 2012 Strategic Plan.
Built To Lead/ Executive Summary (2006)
- A previous strategic plan of the USC. Superseded by A Vision to Lead. See attached Executive Summary for an introduction to the plan.
From Gauntlet to Stairway (2002)
- A previous strategic plan of the USC. Superseded by Built to Lead.
The Orientation program behaviour management system functions under a complaints-driven model. Any person may file a complaint against, or raise an issue involving, an orientation leader, Soph, or Soph team, where it is perceived that the individual(s) or group(s) acted in a manner not in compliance with the Orientation Leader Contract, constituency-specific contract(s), Western University’s Code of Student Conduct and Affiliated University College Codes of Student Conduct, and/or the spirit and goals of the Orientation program.
Complaints can be submitted in three ways:
- Through an online form found here: https://westernusc.forms-db.com/view.php?id=179959,
- To report a complaint in person, complainants can request an appointment by emailing studentconduct@uwo.ca.
- Complaints may also be submitted through email to studentconduct@uwo.ca. The complainant’s name, contact number and brief description of the concern must be included in the email.
For more information about how to submit a complaint, the investigation process, what possible infractions warrant a complaint, and/or how to submit an appeal, please read our Soph Behaviour Policy Management Policy.
Policies and procedures relating to the Peer Support Network, Peer Support Centre, and other student services operated by the USC. Example: Peer Support Network Usage Policy.