Message Centre

Following a considerable and unnecessary delay in negotiations, bargaining with the Faculty Association is scheduled to resume on January 23, and there is a clear expectation from Ontario Tech University that this process will move decisively toward agreement.

A fair and groundbreaking deal was presented in September to the Faculty Association representatives. That offer was not presented to members and finalized despite the certainty it would have provided to staff and the university and its students.

Prolonged delays have already created unnecessary uncertainty, and time wasted on continued deferral only increases pressure on our faculty and students at a time when stability and certainty are essential. In November, the University’s outreach to the Faculty Association to advance negotiations was met with another prolonged delay.  Instead of returning to the bargaining table, the Faculty Association advised that it would wait until the parties met as part of the unfair labour practice complaint it filed with the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB). The OLRB meeting took place on January 12 and the only outcome was the agreement to resume bargaining on January 23. 

The University was forced to spend substantial time and resources to prepare and file submissions with the OLRB to respond to the frivolous allegations put forward by the Faculty Association. After choosing not to meet with the University since October 28 and ignoring requests in the weeks that followed to have the parties engage in the normal course of negotiations, the choice of the Faculty Association to instead devote time to processing its bargaining complaint was inexplicable.  It signifies to the University another attempt to shift energy and attention from where it should be—on certainty for our community.

The University has been, and will continue to be, fully committed to negotiating terms that reflect the quality and contributions of our valued faculty members. In doing so, the University is also responsible to ensure that its proposals reflect sector and market conditions changing from time to time, and how those realities directly impact the University’s current and future operations. Within a fast-changing environment, we do not see further delays in negotiations benefitting either party. 

The right thing to do in the current climate is clear: conclude negotiations, finalize the deal, and ratify it. Doing so provides certainty for our faculty, supports the education of our students, and demonstrates good-faith leadership.

Durham Region Transit is developing its 2026–2030 Accessibility Plan, and is inviting Durham Region residents and service providers to complete the Accessibility Plan Survey.

As a valued community partner, your input is essential in helping DRT identify and address barriers within the communities, services, programs and facilities. Please take the 10-minute Service Provider Survey. If you reside in Durham Region, you can also participate in the Resident Survey.

The surveys are available until February 6, 2026.

This survey is also available in a variety of formats, which can be requested by emailing eligibility@durham.ca.

Starting as early as Monday, January 12, Metrolinx will begin work on the Bowmanville Extension, which will extend Lakeshore East GO rail service east to Bowmanville. As part of this project, the Simcoe Street Bridge over the CPKC rail tracks will be demolished and replaced. This will require a full closure of Simcoe Street between Avenue Street and Albany Street for approximately two years.

During this time, vehicle traffic will be detoured via Stevenson Road, and pedestrians will be redirected to the Michael Starr Trail. GO Transit routes 52, 56, and 92, as well as Durham Region Transit routes 92 and N2, will also be detoured. Signage will be installed to assist drivers and pedestrians.

Construction will take place Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Those traveling near the work zone should expect noise from trucks and heavy equipment, lights directed toward the site, and vibration monitoring to ensure safety.

For more details and updates, visit metrolinx.com/bowmanville.

Ontario Tech University has leased a portion of its Windfields Farm lands for the North of Nowhere music festival, scheduled for July 17 to 19, 2026.

The festival is an independently operated event.

All event operations, including security, crowd management, parking, transit co-ordination, noise control, cleanup and site restoration, are the responsibility of the festival organizers.

Campus operations are expected to remain unaffected.

Questions about the festival should be directed to its organizers.

With the winter season upon us, we’d like to remind our community about winter safety.

Snow removal

We have a comprehensive snow removal and ice management program in place across all campus locations to maintain safe, accessible conditions throughout the winter months. Weather conditions are continuously monitored to ensure access to all sites and buildings remains safe, and unimpeded by snow and ice.

While our teams work diligently, winter weather can still be unpredictable. To help keep you safe, we want to remind everyone to take extra care when travelling to and around campus.

Safety tips for winter walking

• If you feel yourself falling, try to relax your muscles, tuck your chin to your chest if falling backward and aim to land on a fleshy part of your body (like your side) rather than knees, wrists, or spine.
  
  
• Keep your hands free; avoid walking with hands in pockets.
  
  
• Remain alert and take your time when walking outdoors, especially during or shortly after snowfall, or freezing conditions.
  
  
• Step straight down off curbs rather than at an angle.
  
  
• Use caution when approaching walking surfaces; assume wet or dark pavement may be icy and slippery. Be aware of changes in walking surfaces.
  
  
• Use handrails whenever available (ramps, stairs, etc.).
  
  
• Use special care when entering and exiting vehicles; use the vehicle for support.
  
  
• Take slow, short, shuffling steps, point feet slightly outward, bend knees and keep your centre of gravity over your feet.
  
  
• Walk only on designated pathways or sidewalks.
  
  
• Wear appropriate winter footwear to improve traction.

Reporting hazards

If you observe a snow or ice hazard on campus, report it to Campus Security at ext. 2400 or 905.721.3211, and provide the exact location and situation.

Your safety is our priority. Thank you for your co-operation in helping us maintain a safe and accessible campus environment this winter.

Helpful internal links:

• Emergency Closure Policy
• Emergency Closure Procedures
• Winter safety on campus

Helpful external links:

• Durham Region Transit service alerts and detours
• Environment Canada weather forecasts for Ontario
• GO Transit service updates
• Ontario Ministry of Transportation winter driving information

The main entrance of Charles Hall will be closed starting Wednesday, December 17, 2025. This will allow for the replacement of the current assisted lift at the entrance, with a self-operating elevator.

The new self-operating elevator will provide a more accessible experience for all building users.

During this time, a temporary entrance will be available and clearly marked with construction signage. Please follow posted directions when accessing the building. The main elevator inside Charles Hall will remain operational throughout the project.

The anticipated completion date for this upgrade is spring 2026. Your patience and understanding during this improvement project are greatly appreciated.

• View a diagram of the construction area.

Please direct inquiries to the Office of Campus Infrastructure and Sustainability.

Registration for winter 2026 parking permits is now open. If you need to extend your fall-semester permit to cover the winter semester (January to April) or purchase an annual permit (January to August), follow the instructions below.

Please note: If you already have an annual parking permit valid September 2025 through August 2026, no action is required.

Extending your existing fall semester permit:

If you already have a fall semester permit (valid September to December 2025), you can extend it to cover the winter semester (valid January to April 2026) by registering and paying for it on the Interactive Parking Access Subscriber System (IPASS) website.

If you don’t extend your fall semester permit, your parking access card or hang tag will expire after Wednesday, December 31, 2025.

Purchasing a new annual or semester permit:

If you don’t already have a semester or annual parking permit, use the IPASS website to register and pay for your winter semester or annual permit online.

Please ensure the IPASS application indicates January 1, 2026 as the activation date.

Important: A semester permit is only valid for four months at a time:

• Fall - September 1 to December 31

• Winter - January 1 to April 30

• Spring/summer - May 1 to August 31

All annual permits expire on August 31, regardless of date of purchase.

Pay-As-U-Go (PAUG) option:

• Register for this option on the IPASS website using a credit card. You will receive an access card to park in a designated gated lot.

• Charge per day is $12 and allows the user to exit and re-enter the lot (in-and-out privilege) with no additional charge during a single 24-hour calendar day (12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.).

• Precise ParkLink monitors PAUG card use. Charges on the registered credit card will be applied at the end of each month; you will receive a monthly email statement.

• Only available for Founders 2 and Commencement lots.

General notes on registration:

• Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.

• You must use your ontariotechu.ca email address to register.

• Use the IPASS registration website to pay for your parking permit. You can choose to pay in full, or set up equal monthly payments through credit card or pre-authorized payment.

• After completing the registration, you will receive an email response from IPASS within 48 hours indicating:

  • Approval, with follow-up instructions.

  • Declined registration due to:

    • Non-institutional email on application

    • Incorrect credit card or banking information

    • Full lot

  • If declined registration is due to:

    • Use of non-institutional email or incorrect credit card/banking information: Re-apply on the IPASS registration website with the appropriate correction.

    • Full lot: Forward email indicating declined registration to the Parking Services office for alternative options.

Access cards and hang tags:

• Those with parking access cards can input the card number while registering. This card will be activated upon IPASS approval. No further action will be required.

• Those without parking access cards will receive one at no charge. You can request a replacement card for $25.

• By Friday, January 9, visit the Parking Services office in the Gordon Willey Building at the north Oshawa campus, Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to:

  • Pick up your new access card or hang tag.

  • Have a new permit sticker applied to your existing hang tag.

Daily parking:

• Available in:
  • gated lots
  • pay-and-display lots

• Fee: $5 per hour ($18 daily maximum).

• Tap debit and credit card payment is available at exit gates.

• Pay stations accept cash, coins, debit and credit cards. They are located in Founders Lot 2 (southeast corner), and the Commencement Lot at the north Oshawa campus.

• Downtown daily and short-term parking is available for purchase through the Honk app or by scanning the QR code located in the lot at the designated parking areas.

Lots and rates – semester | year:

• Charles Hall: $350 | $700

• Founders 1 (waitlist only): $350 | $700

• Founders 2: $325 | $650

• Founders 3 (waitlist only): $350 | $700

• Founders 4 (Campus Ice Centre): $300 | $600

• Founders 5 (north Campus Ice Centre): $200 | $400

• Commencement: $325 | $650

• Simcoe Village: $325 | $650

• Ball Diamond: $300 | $600

Contact:

• For information specific to the IPASS registration website, see the IPASS frequently asked questions or complete and submit the contact form. IPASS will respond to all questions submitted through this portal within 48 business hours.

• For general inquiries, contact Parking Services.

Each winter in Ontario, weather conditions such as heavy snow, freezing rain and/or ice pellets can make basic travel difficult. During such situations, questions often arise about whether campus operations will change.

During most winter weather, the campus remains open and activities remain unaffected.

It’s important to keep in mind that different organizations—public and private—follow their own protocols and best practices. When they make the decision to cancel operations or to close, university operations and activities may remain scheduled as normal.

How the university communicates weather-related operational changes

If operational changes are implemented due to a winter storm warning or inclement conditions, the university will issue information as soon as possible using MyOntarioTech, the mobile app and the service disruptions page.

Depending on the situation, the university will also:

• Communicate via other means as needed, including messages sent to Ontario Tech student, faculty and staff email addresses, social media, and on-campus digital signage.

• Forward official university messages to regional newspapers and radio/television stations.

• Post full information about our campus status on our home page.

Travelling to campus

Monitor your email, the university’s mobile app, MyOntarioTech, and our website for late-evening and early-morning updates on severe winter weather days, or for class cancellations.

If you’re travelling to or from campus, allow for plenty of time, and travel with due caution and care, especially if you are in an area heavily affected by the weather. If you are in an area heavily affected by the weather and cannot get to campus, contact your supervisor or professor regarding your absence. 

Students, faculty and staff are reminded they are responsible for determining when weather conditions make their travel unsafe.

If you observe a snow or ice hazard on campus, report it to Campus Security at ext. 2400 or 905.721.3211, and provide the exact location and situation.

Helpful internal links:

• Emergency Closure Policy
• Emergency Closure Procedures
• Winter safety on campus

Helpful external links:

• Durham Region Transit service alerts and detours
• Environment Canada weather forecasts for Ontario
• GO Transit service updates
• Ontario Ministry of Transportation winter driving information