This year, one of the largest projects we are working on is the Student Centre Expansion!
Located in the heart of the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) Campus, the Student Centre is home to the UTMSU (UTM Students’ Union) services, campaigns, and events.
The Student Centre hosts multiple student-led events, provides campus groups places to book out and use, offers space for the UTMSU essential services (such as the Food Centre and Printing Services), and most importantly, is available for all UTM students to study, socialise, and engage in.
The Student Centre was originally constructed in 1999, for a campus with approximately 6,000 students. However, our campus is home to 16,000+ undergraduate students, and the current Student Centre is not large enough for all students and campus groups to use.
Before its construction in 1999, the
Student Centre building location was
originally the Crossroads Building.
The UTM Student Centre after its 1999
expansion. The building has grown in
use, but has not been expanded since.
Visualization from UTM’s master plan
of the Student Centre expansion. The
graphic is a tentative illustration.
As UTMSU is a non-profit and membership-driven organisation, our members are full-time and part-time undergraduate students at UTM. So, to expand our Student Centre we are holding a referendum –a democratic process used by the Union for larger scale decisions– in the Fall 2023 semester!
Currently, we are in the planning stages of
the Student Centre Expansion project, to
identify what spaces and services students
and campus groups want to see in a newly
constructed and renovated Student Centre!
We have (and are still) having meetings and
discussions with students and campus
groups to collect as many perspectives and
ideas as possible. So, if you would like to
share your ideas, please email
president@utmsu.ca – feel free to email to
schedule a time to discuss, or email your
ideas and input directly too!
In the meantime, please look through these resources [1][2] illustrating what our past discussions consisted of, more history and context of the Student Centre, and the current priorities for the expansion.
Ultimately, this is a historic moment for the UTM student population and campus. With the chance to build our Student Centre together, let’s envision a space that will stand for many years to come.
What is the Student Centre?
The UTM Student Centre is the only student-managed building at UTM, and is home to the UTMSU, many campus groups like the Medium newspaper, Sexual Education Center (SEC), and CFRE Radio, as well as services like the Food Centre, Duck Stop Convenience Store, and the Blind Duck Pub.
Why Expand/Renovate the Student Centre?
The Student Centre was built in 1999 to service just 6000 students. . Now, the UTM student population is around 16,000 students, with over 150+ clubs, academic societies, and levy groups. The UTM community is in need of more food options, social and study spaces for students, and multipurpose rooms for campus groups.
When is the Expansion/Renovation happening?
The Student Centre expansion and renovation will be completed in stages. The first stage is confirming funds via a referendum: a process where we ask students if they would like to contribute to the new building, and we secure a match from the University of Toronto to support the cost of the expansion. After, we will continue consultations with students to ensure the newly expanded/renovated Student Centre is as student-friendly as possible.
Preamble
Whereas, the Student Centre serves as a hub on campus for the UTM student community of alumni, current and future students, as well as faculty, staff and partners;
Whereas, the last expansion was completed in 1999 for a student population of 6,000 students at the time, and the UTM undergraduate population is now reaching around 16,000 students;
Whereas, the Student Centre is home to popular services such as campus groups support, the Food Bank, the Infobooth and Printing Shop, Blind Duck Pub and others;
Whereas, 100+ clubs, academic societies and levy groups host numerous events in the Student Centre every year;
Whereas, a renovated and expanded Student Centre should include additional multi-purpose and multi-faith activity and event spaces, expanded student-led food services, and improved and shared student campus groups spaces to support more campus groups on campus;
Whereas, the introduction of a Student Centre Renovation and Expansion Levy would allow for a reimagining of the space to be more efficient for its users;
Whereas, the increase the Student Centre and Blind Duck Pub Levies are required to maintain the upkeep of the renovated and expanded building;
Be it resolved that the student population at UTM be presented with a vote yes/no referendum to renovate and expand the Student Centre and its services for UTM students with the question below;
Question
Be it resolved that every member of the University of Toronto Mississauga Students’ Union (“UTMSU”) registered at the UofT Mississauga campus shall contribute financially to the Student Centre facility (“Student Centre”) on the express condition that the Student Centre shall continue to be managed and operated by students through the UTMSU in coordination with UTM;
For renovation and expansion costs of the Student Centre (introduction of a Student Centre Renovation and Expansion Levy):
- Upon the start of the fall session in 2024, and until the scheduled opening of expanded spaces in the Student Centre, every UTMSU Member shall contribute $10.00 per session; and,
- Upon the scheduled opening of expanded spaces in the Student Centre, every UTMSU Member shall contribute $30.00 per session, until the total cost of the project is paid.
For operating and capital renewal costs of the Student Centre (increase of current Student Centre and Blind Duck levies):
- Upon the scheduled opening of expanded spaces in the Student Centre, every UTMSU Full-time Member (who currently contributes $12.50 per session) shall contribute up to $24.00 per session, adjusted annually by CPI to a maximum of ten percent (10%).
- Upon the scheduled opening of expanded spaces in the Student Centre, every UTMSU Part-time Member (who currently contributes $3.75 per session) shall contribute $7.20 per session, adjusted annually by CPI to a maximum of ten percent (10%).
- Upon scheduled opening of the restaurant/pub, every UTMSU Full-time and Part-time Member (who currently contributes $3.25 per session) shall contribute up to $4.00 per session, adjusted annually by CPI to a maximum of ten percent (10%).
Are you in favour of the proposal, as appearing above? Yes / No
I’m a student and I want to help!
If you would like to be part of this historic moment and bring change to our campus, please email president@utmsu.ca.
We are currently looking for people to help us outreach for the referendum taking place from November 7 to 9. You can help us by telling other students, doing class talks, collecting petitions, and helping us type them out!
After the referendum, we will need help organizing meetings with general students to go over the expansion/renovation plans with architects and project managers.
I’m a campus group executive and I want to help!
If you are a campus group executive and would like to join our movement, please email exec@utmsu.ca for an initial meeting with the UTMSU execs.
We need your support and the support of your executive team to tell your members about the expansion. Help us by sending messages to your group chats and newsletters, by promoting the expansion during your events, and by gathering as much input from students as possible.
Also, you get to apply for the Student Centre Expansion Grant, to ensure you have some funding to do so!
Please find the grant application attached.
Want to know more about the Expansion/Renovation of the Student Centre? Please check out the resources below!