LHAE Student Handbook

The Graduate Liaison Office (G L O), otherwise known as the G L O Team supports prospective, incoming, and current students. We look after all the academic student services in the Department. If we are not the appropriate contact for your inquiry, we will redirect you accordingly.  

The O I S E Online Service Hub is intended for all current L H A E student inquiries pertaining to services and support regarding our programs, finance, operations, and communications. Kindly submit your requests via this ticketing system.   

L H A E is a graduate department (also referred to as a “graduate unit”) within the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (O I S E), which is the faculty of education at the University of Toronto. 

Including L H A E, O I S E is home to four graduate units: 

• Applied Psychology and Human Development (A P H D) 
• Curriculum, Teaching and Learning (C T L) 
• Leadership, Higher and Adult Education  (L H A E)          
• Social Justice Education (S J E) 

The faculty's Registrar's Office and Student Experience (ROSE) serves all O I S E students, including L H A E students. ROSE is responsible for registrarial services, including admissions, registration, course enrolment, tuition and fees, graduation, and so on. It also offers student services such as counselling, financial advising, accommodations, career services, and professional development. Refer to the ROSE contact page to find the appropriate staff representative for your inquiry.

The School of Graduate Studies (S G S) is responsible for graduate education at the University of Toronto. All graduate departments, including O I S E’s four, are within its purview. The School defines and administers University wide rules and regulations, which are published on an annual basis in the S G S Calendar. Note that because O I S E students have their own registrar’s office, the first point of contact for O I S E students is ROSE, not S G S. 

The University of Toronto is located on the traditional lands of the Huron Wendat, the Seneca, and the Mississaugas of the Credit. Today, it is still the home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island. 

The University provides diverse and extensive areas of study, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels across three campuses: St George (downtown), Scarborough (U T S C), and Mississauga (U T M). Tours are available at all three campuses. 

By virtue of being an L H A E student, you are also a graduate student at the University. As such, you can access many resources and services that are open to all U of T Students, including its many libraries, athletic centers, and student life offices.  

More importantly, as a U of T student, you are now part of a prominent community of scholars that is considered a global leader in research and teaching. Currently, the University has a network of over 640,000 accomplished alumni around the world. We look forward to counting you among them! 

L H A E offers three graduate programs that consider education across the lifespan: Adult Education and Community Development (A E C D), Educational Leadership and Policy (E L P), and Higher Education (H E). These programs are enriched by our internationally recognized faculty and diverse student population. 

Within our three programs, there are several degrees and field options. Below is a breakdown by program: 

• Adult Education and Community Development 
  • Degrees offered: M.Ed., M.A., PhD, PhD flex 
• Educational Leadership and Policy 
  • Degrees offered: M.Ed., M.A., PhD, PhD flex, Ed.D., International Ed.D. 
  • M.Ed. streams: Coursework only, M R P + coursework 
  • M.Ed. cohorts: Online and hybrid cohort, geographical cohorts (e.g., York Region, Hamilton) 
• Higher Education 
  • Degrees offered: M.Ed., M.A., PhD, PhD flex 
  • M.Ed. fields: 
    • General Higher Education 
    • Education in the Professions (Coursework only option or M R P option) 
    • Leadership 
    • Student Development and Student Services 

Often, students will identify most closely with their Program or Field but will keep their Departmental and Faculty association. For example, you may be a… 

• PhD Flex student in the Adult Education and Community Program (A E C D), or 
• M.Ed. student in the Student Development and Student Services (S D S S) field in the Higher Education Program (H E), or 
• Ed.D. Student in Educational Leadership and Policy Program (E L P) 

However, as a student registered in one of L H A E’s three programs, you are also a… 

• L H A E student 
• O I S E student 
• University of Toronto’s School of Graduate Studies (S G S) student 

L H A E participates in ten Collaborative Specializations, two of which are housed in our department*: 

• Aging, Palliative and Supportive Care Across the Life Course
  • Adult Education and Community Development: M.A., M.Ed., PhD 
• Community Development 
  • Adult Education and Community Development: M.A., M.Ed. 
• Comparative, International and Development Education* 
  • Adult Education and Community Development: M.A., M.Ed., PhD 
  • Educational Leadership and Policy: M.A., M.Ed., Ed.D., PhD 
  • Higher Education: M.A., M.Ed., Ed.D., PhD 
• Engineering Education 
  •  Higher Education: M.A., M.Ed., PhD 
• Environmental Studies 
  • Adult Education and Community Development: M.A., M.Ed., PhD 
• Environment and Health 
  • Adult Education and Community Development: M.A., M.Ed., PhD 
• Ethnic, Immigration and Pluralism Studies 
  • Educational Leadership and Policy: M.A., M.Ed., Ed.D., PhD 
• Sexual Diversity Studies 
  • Adult Education and Community Development: M.A., M.Ed., PhD 
  • Educational Leadership and Policy: M.A., M.Ed., Ed.D., PhD o Higher Education: M.A., M.Ed., Ed.D., PhD 
•  Women and Gender Studies 
  • Adult Education and Community Development: M.A., M.Ed., PhD 
  • Educational Leadership and Policy: M.A., M.Ed., Ed.D., PhD 
  • Higher Education: M.A., M.Ed., Ed.D., PhD 
• Workplace Learning and Social Change* 
  • Adult Education and Community Development: M.A., M.Ed., PhD 

If you are an M.A. or Ph.D. student, note that your faculty advisor is not your thesis supervisor. The faculty advisor guides research stream students from the onset up until a student chooses a thesis supervisor. Once a thesis supervisor is identified, the faculty advisor’s role comes to an end. The faculty advisor may, eventually, become your supervisor. However, as you progress in your studies and solidify your research direction, you may decide to work with a different faculty member. When the time comes to form your thesis committee, your thesis supervisor will be your main academic support. A thesis supervisor works with research stream students to provide guidance on a thesis. If you are a doctoral student and do not have a supervisor at the time of your comprehensive exam, your advisor will support you in the process of developing your exam portfolio. Formal descriptions of the supervisor’s role can be found in the S G S Graduate Supervision Guidelines.  

TIP: Advisors and supervisors are not expected to be your sole source of information on academic opportunities. Don’t miss out! Keep abreast of institutional emails and documents. 

Additional Resource: School of Graduate Studies - Find a Supervisor webpage

When admitted before you become a registered student, you will use your JOINid to log onto ACORN. Your JOINid is a temporary log in until you activate your official UTORid. 

Every applicant to the University of Toronto is assigned a JOINid. It was provided to you through an email from S G S (admissions.SGS@utoronto.ca). You must enable your JOINid and create a password if you wish to access ACORN before arriving on campus, and this can be done online. If you have trouble locating the email sent to you with your JOINid, contact admissions.SGS@utoronto.ca. 

If you lose your JOINid password, you can use the enabling site to change your password. Note that updates to passwords can take 24 hours. If you are unable to reset your password using the enabling site, call 416-978-HELP, or email help.desk@utoronto.ca to reset your password.  

ACORN is the online student service system that allows you to manage your course enrolment, registration, personal information, and so on. In the past, the system was called R O S I and many people still refer to it as such. Thus, the terms ACORN and R O S I are mostly interchangeable. Some of the main features of ACORN include: 

• Personal: Print tax forms (T 2202 A), changing your address, phone number, and email, request graduation tickets 
• Academic: Add and Drop courses, view academic history, request transcripts  
  • Note ACORN has information on courses, however the authoritative source of information about O I S E courses is the ROSE Course Schedule 
• Financial: View fees and invoices, pay tuition and fees by credit card, enter bank information for direct deposit, request to register without payment 

Student Responsibility

While academic advisors, faculty, and staff are available to assist and advise, it is ultimately the student's responsibility to keep personal and academic information up to date at all times, and to follow all University, SGS, departmental, and program regulations, requirements and deadlines. ACORN makes it easier for you to check and correct this information. If questions arise about requirements, policies, and procedures, you are responsible for seeking answers to these questions from staff and advisors.

Declaration

The use of ACORN to enrol in courses means that you agree to abide by all of the academic and non-academic rules and regulations of the University, the School of Graduate Studies, and the Graduate Unit in which you are registered. It also means that you agree to assume the obligation to pay academic and incidental fees according to the policies and requirements of the University of Toronto. You normally will use ACORN to add or cancel courses. If, for extraordinary reasons, you are unable to use the system, contact your Graduate Unit as soon as possible.

Students are expected to be responsible when using the system and should not attempt to flood it with requests, or to automate the process of course enrolment. Such activity may clog the system so that other students may be denied access or experience degraded performance. Any student(s) attempting such activity may be denied access to ACORN until after the relevant registration period.

All students are required to obtain a TCard, which is a University of Toronto official photo ID. TCards are used to access the library, student facilities and services. You can also load funds onto it and use it to pay for printing, photocopying, etc. 

To get a TCard, bring your Offer of Admission, photo ID, and confirmation of your legal status in Canada to the TCard office. The TCard website will provide you with information on obtaining your ID, as well as details on the required documentation to bring with you. Students are able to obtain their TCard after paying their fees, which typically occurs in mid-July. 

Like your TCard, your UTORid is a form of identification, used to access technology related services that are supported centrally by the University of Toronto, such as the wireless network, the library and the U of T learning portal, Quercus. 

As part of the UTORid setup process, you will be asked to setup an email address on the UTMail+ system (firstname.lastname@mail.utoronto.ca). Activate your account on the UTORid main site by using the secret activation key received with your TCard. 

Once your UTorid is activated, all official correspondence will go to your University of Toronto email, please make sure to check this email regularly. 

TIP: Comparable to a signature, your UTORid is your unique and individual I D. Keep it private and confidential! 

Under University policy, students are required to maintain a University based email account and regularly check it for messages. The University will send official correspondence to your utoronto email account. It is your responsibility to ensure that your email address, mailing and permanent address, and telephone numbers are up to date at all times. 

Quercus is the online learning platform at U of T. Students whose courses are on Quercus can access course materials, submit assignments, and find their syllabus on this system. Quercus can be accessed at q.utoronto.ca. 

Use your UTORid to log into the system. Note that not all instructors use Quercus. The Quercus for Students blog site is a great resource that's written from a student’s perspective and contains tips and helpful information on navigating the site. 

Some students are eligible to “stop out” (i.e., not required to enrol in course(s) in a particular session, provided they complete their degree within their time limit). To learn more about stop outs and eligibility consult ROSE. Questions related to attendance status can also be directed to your Registration Specialist. 

Students in need of parental leave or personal leave (medical, etc.) may apply for a Leave of Absence (L O A) from their program, ranging in length from one session (e.g. Fall session) to up to three sessions (i.e. 1 full year). The start and end of an L O A typically coincide with the start and end of academic session dates (i.e., September, January or May). 

Any program needing continuous registration (All those engaged in Research Activities) cannot take a stop-out & must apply for an official leave if they want to step away from their studies 

• If you have government student loans (e.g., OSAP), a leave of absence can impact your funding and your repayment status. Contact the University Registrar’s Office at http://uoft.me/client-services to discuss your options.

When on an official leave, a student’s degree completion ‘clock’ stops for the duration of the leave. Students do not work on their degree (take courses, collect data, etc.) and do not pay tuition when on leave. 

If you are an international student, please ensure you meet with an immigration advisor to understand the impact of your potential leave of absence on your status in Canada and post-graduation opportunities, as well as how to manage your leave best. You can reach immigration advisors at isa.cie@utoronto.ca or book an appointment online (remote or in person) via CLNx. For more helpful resources, please consult CIE’s Resource and Information Hub.

Additional Resources:  Stop Out vs Leave of Absence vs Parental Leave

The O I S E Bulletin contains an extensive list of all O I S E courses and their descriptions. Note that because a course is listed in the Bulletin this does not mean that it will be offered in a particular year. Check the O I S E Course Schedule for up to date course information, including dates, locations, restrictions and special instructions. 

TIP: Thesis students are encouraged to plan their courses strategically, guided by their thesis topic in consultation with their faculty advisor. 

Course numbers (also referred to as “Activity Codes” or “Course Codes”) are listed as a string of nine characters (e.g., L H A 1100 H S) in alpha numeric order. Other than the letter prefixes, each O I S E department has its own nomenclature. Below you will find information on ours – i.e., L H A E’s. 

The Letter Prefixes – Offering Department 

The first three letters indicate which O I S E department is offering the course (e.g., L H A, C T L, S J E, etc.). On the O I S E Course Schedule you can filter courses to see only those offered by your home department (i.e. “L H A E”).  

In L H A E, the vast majority of our courses start with the prefix “L H A”. Collaborative specialization courses have their own prefixes (C I D E = “C I E”; Educational Policy = “E D P”; Workplace Learning = “W P L”) as do research methods courses that are joint collaborations with other departments (e.g., J O I 3048 H). 

First Digit – Level of Study 

In L H A E, we use the 1000 and 5000 level to identify master’s level courses and the 3000 and 6000 level courses to identify doctoral level courses. 

• 1000 Regular Master’s Level Course 
• 5000 Special Topics Master’s Level Course 
• 3000 Regular Doctoral level Course 
• 6000 Special Topics Doctoral Level Course 

In both the Adult Education and Community Development (A E C D) and Higher Education (H E) programs, most elective courses are open to both masters and doctoral students. The numerical differentiation is mostly historical. The Educational Leadership and Policy (E L P) program, on the other hand, still distinguishes between the two (though not exclusively). Always check the O I S E Course Schedule to read if there are any restrictions placed on particular courses. 

Second Digit – Offering Program 

L H A E houses three graduate programs, and we use the second digit to differentiate between A E C D, E L P and H E.   

• L H A 1000, 3000, 5000 and 6000 series are E L P courses  
  • e.g., L H A 1003 H or L H A 6002 H 
• L H A E 1100, 3100, 5100, and 6100 series are A E C D courses 
  • e.g., L H A 1100 H or L H A 3102 H 
• L H A 1800, 3800, 5800, 6800 series are Higher Ed courses 
  • e.g., L H A 1803 H or L H A 5804 H 

Letter Suffixes – Weight and Session 

The first letter following the four digits indicates the weight of the course, while the last letter represents the session in which it is offered.  Example L H A 1803 H F - H represents weight (Half Course), and F represents the session (First)

Weight 

• Letter: H 
  • Course Length: Half Course
  • Duration: 1 session (e.g. (e.g. Fall or Winter term only, or in the Summer term, May to June or July to August) 
  • Course Weight: Half a credit (i.e. 0.5 Full Course Equivalent or F C E) 
• Letter: Y 
  • Course Length: Full Year Course 
  • Duration: 2 sessions (e.g. Fall and Winter; or May to June and July to August) 
  • Course Weight: Full credit (i.e. 1 F C E) 

Session 

• Letter: F 
  • Course Session: First (i.e. Fall or May to June) 
  • Duration in Fall and Winter Terms: September to December
  • Duration in Summer Term: May to June 
• Letter: S 
  • Course Session: Second (i.e. Winter or July to August) 
  • Duration in Fall and Winter Terms: January to April 
  • Duration in Summer Term: July to August 
• Letter: Y 
  • Course Session: Full Year or Duration in Fall and Winter Terms: September to April 
  • Duration in Summer Term: May to August 

For example, in L H A 1040 H F, the H designates the weight, valued at half a credit (0.5 F C E), and the F designates the first term. 

Students enroll in courses using ACORN (with some exceptions). We advise that you select your courses in advance of the course enrolment date and place your top choices in your “enrolment cart”. Note that simply adding a course to your enrollment cart will not enrol you in the course. You must click “enrol” but this can only be done once course enrolment opens. Courses are filled on a first come first served basis so we strongly recommend you “enroll’ at 6:00 am E T on the course enrolment day. For help with online enrolment, see ACORN Help.  

Some courses require the approval of the instructor. In such cases, you might be able to enrol in the course via ACORN but your status will be “interim” (“I N T”) until you get the instructor’s permission. This can be done by having them sign a course add drop form. Once the form is processed by ROSE, the course will be manually added to your record and your status on ACORN will be changed to “Approved” (“A P P”). For more information visit the ROSE course enrolment page.  

Do not enroll in courses that are restricted to a specific group if you are not in that group, as you will be removed from the course.  

Most graduate programs in L H A E require students to take at least one course in research methodology, to be chosen in consultation with the faculty advisor. Research methods courses are indicated by [R M] in the O I S E Bulletin and on ACORN. In some instances, students may seek to take research methods courses outside of their program or department, provided the course in question is not limited to students in a particular program. Additionally, some research methods courses are offered as joint listings, indicated with the “J O I” prefix. J O I courses are open to students in all O I S E departments. 

If you want to study an advanced topic for which no courses are available at the University, you can ask a specific faculty member to supervise an Independent Reading Course. Consider taking a regular course with that faculty member first, so they can get to know you and your work. Faculty will often consider an I R R if the topic closely aligns with their research interests. The I R R is also a means for M.Ed. students to pursue some research, particularly if they are interested in continuing their studies at the doctoral level. 

For more information on I R R courses, go to https://www.oise.utoronto.ca/home/current-students/student-forms

Students will most often take courses within their own program. However, students are also able to take courses outside of their program, be they in another program in  L H A E or another unit at O I S E. If the course you are interested in is open to all students, simply enrol in it via ACORN. You can see restrictions on the O I S E Course Schedule. If the course is restricted to a particular group, you will need the permission of the instructor to enrol (via a course Add or Drop form, which is then submitted to the ROSE). 

To take a course outside of O I S E, first contact the course instructor and the host graduate department to see if you are eligible to take the course and if there is room. Once you obtain permission from the course instructor, complete the S G S Add or Drop form. Once signed by the host instructor and unit, submit this form to the L H A E department, where a Program Assistant will have a Program Coordinator sign off on the request. If you have a research supervisor, they would need to sign off on this form as well.  

Once your home department, L H A E, has signed your form, submit it to the host department. If approved, the host department will enrol you directly. Be sure to check your ACORN record to verify you are officially enrolled. 

On rare occasions when a graduate level course required for a student’s program is not available at U of T, it may be possible to take said course outside of the University, provided that both U of T and the host institution approve the request. For more information on course mobility agreements, consult the following links: 

• The Ontario Visiting Graduate Student (O V G S) Agreement for universities within Ontario. 
• The Graduate Exchange Agreement to attend the University of British Columbia, McGill University or the University of Montreal. 
• The Canadian University Graduate Transfer Agreement (U G T A) to attend a university outside of Ontario but within Canada.

 Study abroad opportunities might also be possible, especially for master’s level students. Check out the Centre for International Experience to learn more about exchange programs and other learning abroad opportunities. 

What happens if the course I want to take is full? 

If the course you wish to add is full, you may place your name on a waitlist via ACORN. If space becomes available within the enrolment period, you will automatically be placed in the course. Students remain on the waitlist until ACORN enrolment closes, approximately 1 week before the start of the session. At this time, the waitlist is disabled.  If you did not get into the course before the waitlist was disabled, you may go to the first class in the event a spot in the course has opened up. If space becomes available, submit a Course Add or Drop form to the ROSE so that they may add it manually. You can also try to seek instructor approval prior to the first week via email. 

If you are unable to join the waitlist due to enrolment restrictions (i.e. you are blocked from enrolling in ACORN), you may reach out to the instructor to request permission to enter the course. However, this decision is fully up to the instructor and they may advise you to wait until waitlists drop to request enrolment. 

What is R S T 999 Y H and does it count towards my course load? 

R S T 999 Y H represents your thesis. ACORN automatically loads this compulsory continuous course on your record if you are an M.A., PhD or Ed.D. student, and it will stay there up until you graduate. It is a way for the University to attribute an activity to your record, when you are done your coursework. This ‘course’ does not count towards your course load. It simply indicates that you are enrolled in a thesis track degree program.  

What happens if I need an extension to complete my course? 

To request a course extension for one term, complete the Extension to Complete Coursework form, including supporting documentation. After securing the instructor's permission, submit the request to lhae.masters@utoronto.ca if you are a master's student or lhae.doctoral@utoronto.ca if you are a doctoral student. If approved, the new deadline would be negotiated between you and the instructor, however it cannot exceed 1 session (e.g. a Fall course would need to be completed and graded by the end of the Winter session). 

To request a course extension for one term, complete the Extension to Complete Coursework form, including supporting documentation

Students must know the status of their course requests at all times.  This information can be obtained through ACORN. The following are possible statuses:

REQ: Course requested. Must be resolved/approved by the last date to add a course.

INT:  Course requested pending instructor approval in addition to co-ordinator's/advisor's approval.

APP: Request approved. Student is enrolled in course.

REF:  Request denied. Student is not enrolled and may not make another request for this course via the web during this session.

CAN: Course cancelled (student withdrew from course before deadline)

WAIT: No room in the meeting section. Student has been placed on a waiting list based on category and will be enrolled automatically if space becomes available.

DWAIT: Student has cancelled place on the waiting list or been removed.

The Academic Success Department at U of T assists students with navigating their discipline and university experience. Students are assisted by learning tools to build skills in areas such as research, note taking, and study tools, as well as developing routines, prioritizing, and setting goals. The staff at the Academic Success Centre work one on one with students to create individualized success plans. They also provide interactive workshops each session aimed at academic topics. 

Accessibility Services facilitates the inclusion of students with disabilities into all aspects of university life. Services are provided to students with a documented physical, sensory, or learning disability, or a temporary or long term mental health condition.  

Students can register for Accessibility Services online by completing a student intake form. To learn more about this process, review the accessibility services registration and documentation requirements. Once registered with Accessibility Services, students meet with the On Location Accessibility Advisor for Professional Faculties North  (O I S E, Social Work and Law).  

That said, many O I S E students prefer to first meet with the in house Student Success Counsellor, Jeananne Robertson in the Registrar’s Office and Student Experience. Jeananne works closely with the University of Toronto's Accessibility Services to implement recommended accommodations for students with a disability at O I S E. Read more about Accessibility Services at O I S E. 

The Centre for Learning Strategy Support helps you identify and achieve your learning goals. They understand that you have more going on in your life than just academic responsibilities, so they tailor their learning supports to fit you.

The Graduate Centre for Academic Communication (G C A C) provides graduate students with advanced training in academic writing and speaking. As you prepare to attend your first conference, to write your first award or grant proposal, or to publish your first paper, you will need stronger communication skills than those needed in undergraduate work. G C A C offers five types of support designed to target the needs of both native and non native speakers of English: non credit courses, single session workshops, individual writing consultations, writing intensives, and a list of additional resources for academic writing and speaking. 

The O I S E Library offers many services designed to support your research and learning. In addition to the ever growing collection of books and journals, the O I S E library provides services such as one on one research consultations, workshops, help with referencing, and copying, scanning and printing and technology loans. The library also offers work spaces for students, from quiet study spaces to bookable group study rooms. See section "Space and Facilities" for more information.

Upon admission, each student is assigned an O I S E librarian they can go to for assistance. You are also welcome to use their online chat system, where you can ask a librarian questions from a distance.  

Settlers of Catan anyone? The O I S E library has a teachers’ resource collection from which you can borrow educational toys and books for the kids in your life. Robarts Media Commons even lends out video and board games. 

The O I S E Student Success Centre (O S S C) is a peer academic skills support centre that offers one on one appointments with an O S S C advisor. The advisors at O S S C have a range of professional and academic experience. Students are encouraged to consult the advisor profiles as a guide when booking appointments for a specific subject. O S S C is located inside the O I S E building, Room 8-202. 

You can get a head start by perusing the S G S Scholarships and Awards, Award Explorer, the O I S E Internal Awards website, and the L H A E Departmental Awards for award descriptions and eligibility. These websites are updated throughout the year so it is best to check them often.   

The most common major awards, both federal and provincial, are linked below.  

The vast majority of awards require proposals and academic references. Students applying for major awards should work with their faculty advisor or supervisor when developing their proposal. Proposal writing support is also available through the Graduate Centre for Academic Communication.  

Most often faculty advisors and supervisors serve as the main referee but many awards call for at least 2 references. As most professors will want to see a student’s proposal and supporting documents before they agree to be their referee, it is important that students connect with referees very early in the process. It is customary to give referees several weeks to prepare their recommendation. Keep this in mind when planning.  

• S S H R C Doctoral Fellowships (deadline: typically mid September) 
• Canada Graduate Scholarships - Doctoral Program (C G S D; deadlines not applicable) 
• Vanier C G S Program (deadline: typically late August) 
• Ontario Graduate Scholarship (O G S) (deadline: typically February or March) 

• Canada Graduate Scholarship – Master’s Program (C G S M) (deadline: typically early December) 
• Ontario Graduate Scholarship (O G S) (deadline: typically February or March) 

The Centre for Graduate Professional Development (CGPD) is a central hub for graduate student professional development at the University of Toronto. Engaging in professional development gives graduate students a unique opportunity for autonomous exploration of academic skills and professional aspirations.

Career Exploration and Education offers a full range of career related programs open to graduate students and delivers extensive customized career programming for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. 

• The Registrar's Office & Student Experience (ROSE) at OISE have curated a number of career resources for current OISE students and recent graduates: https://www.oise.utoronto.ca/current-students/career-resources
• The OISE Student Success Centre (OSSC) offers assistance with preparing resumes and cover letters, in addition to mock interviews. 

Folio is a new system supporting the student experience at the University of Toronto. Folio can help you identify opportunities to engage in activities that align with your skills and interests, track your participation in those activities and reflect on your accomplishments and the skills you are gaining.

Please note: You are required to log in using your UTORid and Password. 

• 9 1 1 – Police, Fire, Ambulance 
• 416-978-2222 – Campus Police 
• 416-978-3636 – O I S E Security 
• 416-978-0031 – O I S E Building Operations 

The University of Toronto Police is dedicated to creating a safe, secure and equitable environment for students, staff, faculty and visitors. They offer a variety of resources to students including, but not limited to, the Travel Safer, Work Alone and Buy and sell safe zone programs. Visit the U of T Police website for more information on the services offered by campus police as well as for information on reporting incidents. 

The O I S E building is monitored by Security Management Service in cooperation with the University of Toronto Police.  The building is open Monday to Friday from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm, and on Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm.  The building is closed for a few days during the winter holidays and that is the only time there is no security coverage. O I S E Security can assist you with the following: 

• After hours emergency  
• Opening locked classrooms 
• Opening a locked office when you have forgotten your keys 

Note that after hours on weekdays and on weekends anyone entering the building will be required to sign in at the security desk at the ground floor entrance.  

The Community Safety Office responds to students, staff, and faculty members of the University of Toronto community who have personal safety concerns. The Office responds to all personal safety concerns by addressing the complaint, assessing the personal and community safety risks, and providing a continuum of intervention options that the complainant can explore in order to address their personal safety concern(s).  

The Sexual Violence Prevention and Support Centre assists and support students, staff and faculty at the University of Toronto who have been affected by sexual violence or sexual harassment. This office is here to help you understand, access and navigate supports such as counselling, medical services, academic or workplace accommodations, financial aid and legal aid. 

If the fire alarm goes off, be sure to: 

• Evacuate the building via the nearest exit. 
• Do NOT use elevators. 
• Keep clear of the building to permit emergency access. 
• Do not re enter until authorized by Fire Officer. 

Students should head to the nearest stairwell as quickly as possible. There is a stairwell on each side of the department, as well as one in the middle of the floor, around the back of the elevators.  

If you have an accessibility need and cannot take the stairs, Telephone the Campus Police emergency line (416)-978-2222 from the nearest phone or cellular phone and inform them that the fire alarm is sounding and you are mobility impaired. Ensure you provide them with your exact location. 

In general, be aware of your exits and where the nearest fire pull alarms are in case you ever need to use one. 

There are red emergency assistance push buttons located throughout all levels of the Parking Garage which will connect you directly to the U of T Police. 

There is a Code Blue Station (tall red pole with bright blue light) located near the entrance to the Bedford Avenue parking lot, close to the north west corner of the Faculty of Social Work building.  In case of emergency, pushing the button will connect you directly to the U of T Police, and is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

It is important for registered students at the University of Toronto to identify at least one person who can be contacted in the event of an emergency. By entering emergency contact and next of kin information in ACORN, you are authorizing the release of academic information to these individuals in the case of an emergency.  

To record emergency contact information on ACORN:  

• Click the Profile and Settings option in the left hand sidebar  
• Select Display and Update Emergency Contact  
• Select Add New (either Emergency Contact Type or Next of Kin Contact Type) 

Various Departments of Student Life at the University of Toronto support student needs and enrich the university experience. Some of these, like the Career Exploration and Education Department were previously featured in the handbook. For a comprehensive list, visit Student Life. 

Anti Racism and Cultural Diversity Office provides assistance and manages confidential concerns and complaints of discrimination or harassment based on race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship or creed. They can be reached at 416-978-1259.

As a University of Toronto student, you have many options for keeping active. Get moving at state of the art facilities on each campus, and through a variety of different classes, fitness programs and sports teams across the University. 

The Centre for International Experience (C I E) assists both international students who are new to Canada as well as domestic students would are interested in studying abroad. Services for international students include: transitioning to U of T, counselling and advising, and English communication programs.  

The Family Care Office (F C O) supports current University of Toronto students, staff, faculty, post doctoral fellows and their families with any family care related issue. The F C O provides confidential guidance, resources, referrals, educational programming and advocacy for the University of Toronto community and their families. It also puts on great, family friendly events both on and off campus throughout the year.

The First Nations House provides culturally relevant services to Indigenous students in support of academic success, personal growth and leadership development. They also offer learning opportunities for all students to engage with Indigenous communities within the University of Toronto and beyond. 

Hart House provides cultural programming such as Hart House Theatre, Justina M. Barnicke Gallery, creative classes and guest lectures, as well as wellness and recreation services (including gym and swimming pool). Hart House also has inexpensive monthly lunches, community kitchens, special events and buffets.  

Finding and maintaining suitable housing is a key part of your personal and academic success. Housing Services offers the information, resources and support you need to meet your housing goals.  

Grad House is a residence that provides housing for single graduate students at the University of Toronto. Each year applications open in January for the following academic year. Details on applying can be found on the Grad House website. 

Student Family Housing provides housing for students with families. Apply as early as possible. 

Toronto is home to a diverse population, with hundreds of ethnicities and cultures shaping the city. Toronto is known as ‘the city of neighbourhoods,’ including areas such as Chinatown, the Annex, Little Italy, Little India, Greektown, Kensington Market, and many more. The climate in Toronto is classified as 'humid, continental' and can range from 35°C in the summer to as low as -20°C in the winter. 

U of T’s Residence Office website shares information on the average Toronto living costs and average rental prices. Their office also holds workshops called U Rent, which provide students with information on being a tenant, as well as facilitates an off campus housing and roommate finder. 

The Multi Faith Centre  supports the spiritual well being of everyone on campus and provides opportunities for people to learn from each other while exploring questions of meaning, purpose and identity. Their facilities and programs accommodate a wide variety of spiritual and faith based practices and encourage interfaith dialogue and spiritual development as part of the learning experience for all students.  

The Sexual and Gender Diversity Office along with a wide range of student organizations and University departments host a range of programs and services to support L G B T Q + students, students who are questioning their sexual and gender orientation, allies and students who would like to learn more about L G B T Q + communities. 

The Accessibility Services team assists in navigating disability-related barriers to students academic success at U of T for their on-going or temporary disability. They provide services and support for learning, problem solving and inclusion.

Supports include:

• program, practicum, and course accommodations 
• learning strategists 
• adaptive technologists 
• peer advisors
• learning skills workshops

Accessibility Services offers extensive services and resources in addition to those discussed above. For a full list of services, please consult the Accessibility Services website. 

Accessibility Services Graduate and Professional Program Student Handbook 2024-25 (PDF)

O I S E Council sets and approves academic policies, principles, and priorities. It provides general direction for teaching and research activities for O I S E. Students can get involved with the Council itself or sit as a member of one of the Council’s standing committees. Calls for nominations for the Council are put forth each fall. For more information, visit the Council’s webpage. 

The Graduate Students' Association (G S A) represents and advocates for graduate student interests at O I S E. Coordinating Departmental Student Associations (D S A), as well as promoting links between graduate students and the institute’s administration is an important part of their mandate. The G S A is also a formal link to the G S U. The G S A voices O I S E graduate student concerns, such as funding, academic and equity issues. They also provide support and service to individual students. If you have any questions or concerns about “grad” student life, the G S A is here to support you! 

As an O I S E student and a member of the O I S E G S A, you are automatically a member of the University’s Graduate Student Union (U T G S U) when you pay your incidental fees. The G S U provides a wide range of services for graduate students, including political representation at all levels of university government and assistance in cutting through bureaucratic red tape. In addition, the Union manages the G S U Supplemental Health Insurance. It also runs a bar and a gym for graduate students out of its office on 16 Bancroft Avenue. 

All students holding a graduate assistantship (G A) at O I S E are represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (C U P E) Local 3902 Unit 7. The union assists members with problems relating to their employment at O I S E by ensuring that the G A ranking process is fair. It also mediates any conflicts that arise with the employer, supports member interests, and educates members about their rights and responsibilities. C U P E is located on the 8th floor at O I S E in room 8-104. There are also notice boards on each floor of the building.

The Centre for Black Studies in Education (CBSE) in the Ontario Institute of Studies in Education (OISE), University of Toronto, was established on January 1, 2022.  The CBSE exists primarily to harness the knowledge of Black scholars and address anti-blackness & inequities that impact Black people in all aspects of Canadian life including education.

The Centre for Black Studies in Education is also designed to:

1. Foster, strengthen, and value the Black studies research and pedagogical practices in education.
2. Provide for the production and advancement of Black scholarship in the areas of research and pedagogy, curriculum development.
3. Serve as a safe, accessible, and inclusive space for OISE Black professors and students; offers space for critical dialogue surrounding issues of race, racism, African Indigeneity, decolonization & more.
4. Facilitate collaboration with research programs, faculty members in other departments & community organizations to promote critical Black studies research and pedagogy.
5. Provide leadership and training on issues of anti-Black racism and equity training to influence issues of equity.

Contact cbse.oise@utoronto.ca 

The Black Graduate Students’ Association (B G S A) engages in powerful discourse of local and international issues and experiences in the Black community. While empowering the community, B G S A also celebrates Black culture. They also are dedicated to host events, initiatives and outreach to support and strengthen members at U of T and beyond. Email the B G S A for more info at bgsa@student org.utoronto.ca  

The Indigenous Education Network (I E N) is a group of students, faculty and community members who share a common commitment to and passion for Indigenous Education and Research. Follow the I E N on Twitter and Facebook or contact I E C at: ien@utoronto.ca  and by phone at 416-978-0732. 

Grad Life is the School of Graduate Studies graduate student life initiative. Grad Life connects students to the University and to each other through chats, talks, events, programs and services ranging from the Graduate Conflict Resolution Center to Grad Escapes that offer discounted tickets and invitations to grad only events. Grad Life is a hub to help support your grad life, through co curricular programs, resources and engagement specifically for grad students. Follow Grad Life on social media to receive daily updates. 

OISE's Sustainability & Climate Action Network (SCAN) aims to make sustainability and climate action integral to the
Institute's work and commitment to individual and collective wellbeing, equity and climate justice.

SCAN provides educational programming, mobilizes research, and leads advocacy on campus, in the GTA, and beyond.