Message Centre

This message is posted on behalf of the Office of Campus Safety.

The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), which represents Durham College’s full-time support staff, has given notice of its intent to strike effective Thursday, September 11.

While negotiations are continuing, we want you to be aware that if strike action occurs, picketing may take place along all street entrances to the north Oshawa campus. Picketers are permitted to briefly stop vehicles entering and exiting campus to share information about the strike; however, they cannot block or prevent access or egress to campus.

Ontario Tech employees are expected to fulfil their regular work responsibilities during their scheduled hours, and Ontario Tech students are required to attend all scheduled in-person classes, labs and tutorials. Delays are anticipated, so please plan accordingly by arriving early and allowing extra time to reach campus, classes and work during this disruption.

Note: Should a full work stoppage occur, some services, such as technical support, mail delivery and facilities maintenance will be impacted and experience slower than usual service times. Should this happen, a complete list of impacts will be available at the Durham College link provided below.

Please remember that when an agreement is reached, the striking Durham College employees resume working with their students and colleagues. It is important to be patient and respectful of delays and inconvenience, and to operate your vehicle in a safe and lawful fashion.

For more information, visit Durham College’s Labour Relations website.

Thank you for your co-operation.

Do you identify as BIPOC, Indigenous, 2SLGBTQIA+ or Neurodivergent? We want to get creative with you! Join our Creative Coping Art Workshop as we explore identity through creative self-expression. Space is limited—visit our mental health events web page to register. 

The start of the new academic year is a good time to review and familiarize yourself with the university’s community standards and policies, as well as other helpful resources. All of these play an important role in making Ontario Tech a safe and welcoming place, and in promoting a respectful, diverse and inclusive environment.

Policies and forms

• The Student Conduct Policy outlines the standards of student behaviour at the university and provides guidance to uphold our shared values, while the Respectful Campus Policy outlines campus community members’ rights, roles, responsibilities and obligations as they relate to preventing and responding to all forms of harassment and discrimination.
  
  
• If you’re planning on-campus events or activities, please review the Booking and Use of Space Policy as well as the University-Hosted Event Risk Management and Approval Directive. In addition, make sure you complete and submit the mandatory on-campus events application to obtain advance approval for your event.

Safety-related resources and services

The university’s campus safety resources web page includes information on safety-related services provided for our campus community, as well as personal safety tips.

Well-being resources and services

Please remember, the university has many mental-health and well-being services and supports available to help you:

• Visit the mental health services website for one-on-one support, workshops and more. 

Due to the ongoing strike at Durham College, IT Services (ITS) is operating with adjusted services. 

Review the current hours of service on the ITS website.  

Travelling on or near campus requires collective effort from all of us. Whether you’re walking, driving, scootering or biking, staying alert and following the rules helps keep everyone safe.

Follow these tips:

Pedestrians:

• Cross the street only at marked crosswalks; jaywalking could result in a ticket.
• Stay alert; no phones or loud headphones near crosswalks or in parking lots.
• Wear bright or reflective gear when walking after dark.

Drivers:

• Never text and drive, even in parking lots.
• Give yourself extra time so you’re not tempted to speed or rush for parking.
• Watch for pedestrians at lot entrances and crosswalks; always make a complete stop.

E-scooters and bikers:

• Make eye contact with drivers and use hand signals.
• Obey all traffic signs and signals; stop completely when required.
• Stay off sidewalks and roads over 50 km per hour; it’s the law.

Ontario Tech University will observe Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with a meeting-free day on Tuesday, September 30.  

This is a somber day for many Indigenous individuals, families and communities who continue to live with the intergenerational impacts of Residential Schools. It is a call to bear witness to the experiences and healing journeys of survivors and their families, and to recognize the ones who did not return home.

Settlers and non-Indigenous people are encouraged to find meaningful ways to recognize this day. You can find additional information, events and self-directed learning resources on the Indigenous Hub for faculty, staff and students.

Ontario Tech continues to implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and address systemic barriers affecting all Indigenous Peoples.

As we honour the survivors, the children who died while attending Residential Schools and their loved ones, let us hold their stories close to our hearts, and focus on truth, reconciliation and healing.

Indigenous students, staff and faculty members impacted by Residential Schools and related intergenerational trauma can access immediate mental wellness support through the National Residential School Crisis Line at 1.866.925.4419 and the Hope for Wellness Helpline at 1.855.242.3310.

Alertus, the university’s emergency mass notification system, is transitioning to a new, enhanced mobile app: AlertAware.

AlertAware will replace the Alertus app as one of the university’s channels used to inform you of high-priority, active threats on campus that have the potential to affect their immediate safety (such as secure and hold or urgent evacuation).

AlertAware will be available for all iPhone and Android mobile devices as a free app download. Follow the instructions on the AlertAware web page to download and install the free AlertAware mobile app on your mobile device as soon as possible; this will ensure you continue to receive notifications in the event of a high-priority, active threat on campus.

Important: The Alertus app will not automatically update to the new app. Users will need to uninstall the Alertus app and install the new AlertAware app.

For more information, contact Tom Lynch, Director, Campus Safety.

Help shape a more inclusive Ontario Tech by ompleteing our short five minute survey. This is confidential and a voluntary way to help us better understand our community and improve programs, services and policies for all students. Complete the EDI Survey.

Ontario Tech University recognizes the impact of evolving trade and economic policies, including shifts in tariff structures, that will be felt by workers and families not only in Oshawa, but across the whole of the auto industry in Canada. In support, Ontario Tech University is proud to announce the creation of three new bursaries specifically for prospective students who are children of workers in the auto industry.

There will be three awards, each valued at $3,000.

Eligibility Requirements:
• Registered full-time in the upcoming 2025/2026 academic year.
• Awarded to children of individuals employed in the auto industry, with preference given to those pursuing studies in engineering, computer science, and related fields.
• Limited to domestic students (Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons).
• This award is open to all years of study.
• Combined with financial need, candidates will also be assessed on merit (minimum 2.5 CGPA for current OT students and a 75 per cent graduating high school average).

Application Deadline: Thursday, October 2

Registration form