University of Ottawa

The University of Ottawa (uOttawa or U of O) (Université d'Ottawa) is a bilingual public research university in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The main campus is located on 42.5 ha in the residential neighbourhood of Sandy Hill, adjacent to Ottawa's Rideau Canal. The University offers a wide variety of academic programs, administered by ten faculties. It is a member of the U15, a group of research-intensive universities in Canada.

The University of Ottawa was first established as the College of Bytown in 1848 by the first bishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Ottawa Joseph-Bruno Guigues (French priest). Placed under the direction of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, it was renamed the College of Ottawa in 1861 and received university status five years later through royal charter. On 5 February 1889, the University was granted a pontifical charter by Pope Leo XIII, elevating the institution to a pontifical university. The University was reorganized on 1 July 1965 as a corporation, independent from any outside body or religious organization. As a result, the civil and pontifical charters were kept by the newly created Saint Paul University, federated with the University. The remaining civil faculties were retained by the reorganized University.

The University is co-educational and enrolls over 40,000 students, nearly 35,000 undergraduate and over 6,000 post-graduate students. The University has more than 167,000 alumni. The University's athletic teams are known as the Gee-Gees and are members of Canadian Interuniversity Sport.

History
The University was established on 26 September 1848 as the College of Bytown by the first Roman Catholic bishop of Ottawa, Joseph-Bruno Guigues. He entrusted administration to the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. The college was originally located in Lower Town, housed in a wooden building next to the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica. However, space quickly became an issue for administrators, triggering two moves in 1852 and a final move to Sandy Hill in 1856. The Sandy Hill property was donated by Louis-Theodore Besserer, where he offered a substantial parcel from his estate for the college. The college was renamed College of Ottawa in 1861, following the city's name change from Bytown to Ottawa. In 1866, the college received its first charter, as well as university status, making it the final institution in Canada to receive a Royal Charter from London before the British North America Act, 1867 made education a provincial responsibility. By 1872 the University had already begun to confer undergraduate degrees, with master's degrees coming in 1875 and doctoral degrees in 1888. On 5 February 1889, the University was granted a pontifical charter from Pope Leo XIII, elevating the University to a pontifical university.

The University faced a crisis when fire destroyed the main building on 2 December 1903. After the fire, the University hired New York architect A. O. Von Herbulis to design its replacement, Tabaret Hall. It was among the first Canadian structures to be completely fireproof, built of reinforced concrete. Women first enrolled in 1919.

A few weeks after the start of the Second World War, a Canadian Officer Training Corp was established at the University, with training beginning on in January 1940. An air force training corp was created in 1942 and a naval training corp in 1943. Participation in one of the three corps became mandatory for all students over 18, although they were not obliged to participate in the actual war. During this time, the Royal Canadian Air Force used parts of the University's grounds for training and the University constructed barracks to house members of the Canadian Women's Army Corps. In total 1,158 students and alumni of the University enrolled the Canadian Forces during the war, losing 50 killed in action.

The University was reorganized on 1 July 1965 as a corporation independent from any outside body or religious organization, becoming publicly funded. As a result, the civil and pontifical charters were transferred to the newly created Saint Paul University, federated with the corporation, while the remaining civil faculties were retained by the reorganized University.

In 1974, a new policy mandated by the Government of Ontario strengthened institutional bilingualism at the University, with specific instructions to further bilingualism and biculturalism and preserve and develop French culture. In 1989, Dr. Wilbert Keon of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute performed the country's first neonatal artificial heart transplant on an 11-day-old baby.

On November 11, 1998, during the University of Ottawa's 150th anniversary celebrations, two War memorial plaques were unveiled in the foyer of Tabaret Hall which honour 1000 graduates of the University community who took part in armed conflict, especially the list of 50 graduates who lost their lives.

Facilities
The University's main campus lies within the neighbourhood of Sandy Hill. The main campus is bordered to the north by the ByWard Market district, to the east by Sandy Hill's residential area and to the southwest and west by Nicholas Street, which runs adjacent to the Rideau Canal on the western half of the University. As of the 2010-2011 academic year, the main campus occupied 35.3 ha, though the University owns and manages other properties throughout the city, raising the University's total extent to 42.5 ha. The main campus moved two times before settling in its final location in 1856. When the institution was first founded, the campus was located next to the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica. With space a major issue in 1852, the campus moved to a location presently across from the National Gallery of Canada. In 1856, the institution moved to its present location.

The buildings at the University vary in age, from 100 Laurier (1893) to 120 University (Faculty of Social Sciences, 2012). In 2011 the average age of buildings was 63. In the 2011-2012 academic year, the University owned and managed 30 main buildings, 806 research laboratories, 301 teaching laboratories and 257 classrooms and seminar rooms. The main campus is presently divided between its older Sandy Hill campus and its Lees campus, purchased in 2007. While Lees Campus is not adjacent to Sandy Hill, it is displayed as part of the main campus on school maps. Lees campus, within walking distance of Sandy Hill, was originally a satellite campus owned by Algonquin College.

Libraries and museum
The University of Ottawa Libraries include six campus libraries that house more than 4.5 million titles in monograph and electronic form as of 2013. The main library is in Morisset Hall, houses the Media Resources, the Archives and Special Collections and the Geographic, Statistical and Government Information. The University has five other specialized libraries, Brian Dickson Law Library located in Fauteux Hall, the Health Sciences Library located at the Roger Guindon campus, the Management Library located in the Desmarais building, the Music Library located in Perez Hall and the Annex – an off-site storage facility to house less-used portions of the collection.

The University of Ottawa Museum of Classical Antiquities was established in 1975 as a teaching collection, operated by the Department of Classical and Religious Studies. Composed of artifacts which reflect daily life during the period from the 7th century BC to the 7th century AD, the permanent collection is enhanced by touring exhibitions.

Housing and student facilities
Although most students live off-campus, the University has seven student residences: Brooks, Le Blanc Hall, Marchand Hall, Stanton, Thompson Hall, Hyman Soloway and 90 University. The university offers a variety of housing options. Four of the seven residences are conventional single and double bedrooms. Brooks and Hyman Soloway are 2-4 bedroom apartment-styled residences, while 90 University is a two bedroom suite-styled residence. In September 2010, 26.2 percent of first-year students lived on campus, part of the 8.8 percent of the overall undergraduate population which lived on campus. Residents are represented by the Residents' Association of the University of Ottawa (RAUO). With a mandate to help improve the quality of life in residences, each building elects a representative to the association. The RAUO also provides a political representation on the behalf of the residents. Buildings may collect a small fee, known as the floor fund to pay for the group.

The Jock Turcot University Centre (UCU) is the centre of student life and programming. Located between Montpetit Hall and Morisett Library, the centre was completed in 1973 at a cost of over C$6 million. Funding for the centre was partially offset by the Jock Turcot University Fund, which was set up by the student body. The centre was named after former student federation president Jock Turcot, who was killed in a traffic collision in 1965. The University has over thirty five dining outlets. This includes several major restaurant chains.

Off campus facilities
Off-campus faculties are located throughout Ottawa. The University owns and operates another campus located in Ottawa's Riverview neighbourhood, known as the Health Science or Alta Vista campus. Located on Smyth Road, the Health Science campus is 7.2 ha. The campus primarily serves the Faculty of Medicine as well as hosting programs for the Faculty of Health Sciences. Roger Guidon Hall serves as the primary building for students at the campus. The Health Science campus is located in between The Ottawa Hospital and the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, both of which are university-affiliated. Many of the hospital's health professionals and researchers teach in the Faculties of Medicine and Health Sciences. Medical and health sciences students learn on the job at The Ottawa Hospital.

The University operates the Centre for Executive Leadership at the World Exchange Plaza. Located on O'Connor Street in Downtown Ottawa, the centre is primarily used by the Telfer School of Management's Executive Master of Business Administration program. The centre includes one amphitheatre-style classroom, seven case rooms for team meetings, collaborative work and/or independent study and conference and boardroom spaces.

Sustainability
The Office of Campus Sustainability, established in 2006, coordinates, promotes and implementes sustainable development activities. The Office of Campus Sustainability is headed by the Sustainable Development Committee. Membership of the committee comprises administrators, students, community groups and the City of Ottawa. Along with the other members of the Council of Ontario Universities, the University of Ottawa signed a pledge in November 2009 known as Ontario Universities Committed to a Greener World, with the objective of transforming its campus into a model of environmental responsibility. The University is a signatory of the Talloires Declaration.

Several programs from the university placed in the 2011 Corporate Knights rankings, which measures how well Canadian universities integrate sustainability into their curriculum. Telfer School of Management ranked fifth in Canada for undergraduate business programs. The Corporate Knights also ranked Telfer eighth in Canada for MBA program. The University of Ottawa has implemented a variety of activities in order to increase sustainability across campus. The university has been working on creating a more sustainable campus through the efforts of the Office of Campus Sustainability.

One of the main programs occurring at the University of Ottawa to promote waste reduction is RecycleMania. RecycleMania is a competition among colleges and universities that occurs within a 10-week period of time. Each school is to report their trash and recycling data which are then ranked according to the largest quantity of recyclables. The purpose of this competition is to see who has the highest recycling rate. As results fluctuate among competitors, schools get more enticed to keep reducing waste. In 2011, the University of Ottawa was awarded first place among Canadian universities in the RecycleMania competition. The university also ranked 14th out of 180 universities in the “waste minimization” category in the international RecycleMania competition. The RecyleMania program will continue to encourage and inform University of Ottawa students on how to change their consumption habits as well as recycle.

One of the newer programs initiated by the University of Ottawa is the Free Store. The Free Store is a location in which students can drop off items they no longer want and pick up items they do want for free. The reason this was created was to reduce consumption by offering free items to students who no longer want items that may be used by someone else. Items that are dropped off include clothing, textbooks, electronics, and office supplies. The Free Store is located at 647 King Edward.

On September 1, 2010, the University of Ottawa no longer sold bottled water on campus and created a bottled water ban in order to reduce plastic consumption, and encourage students to carry reusable water bottles and use campus water fountains. The University of Ottawa put forth $150 000 to improve the water fountains across campus.

The new Social Sciences Building at the University of Ottawa is the university’s latest green initiative. The fifteen-storey building that took about four years of planning and construction to complete opened its doors in September 2012. The Social Sciences Building that cost a grand total of $112.5 million provides students and faculty with an array of space for individual studying and group work. This building is the newest edition to the University of Ottawa with its green and sustainable architecture and facilities. This building is very different among the rest of the university’s buildings as its structure and characteristics are very eco-friendly. Some features that the building includes are: construction materials that were chosen due to their recycled content, a living wall that is five stories tall and composed of numerous plants that with act as an air filtration system, and a green roof. Eighty percent of the building’s heating will be recycled and created through the building’s data centres (computer labs, etc.). This heating system will also heat nearby buildings including Vanier Hall. One of the faculty’s goals is to achieve an LEED Gold Certification, which is given to green buildings that meet specific environmental guidelines.

The University of Ottawa has also introduced a Bike Share program to encourage cycling to and from school. The university offers free bicycle rentals and access to free maintenance and repair workshops. Along with new bike routes and services, the university has enhanced car-pooling and shuttle services, and is also conveniently located next to the transit way to encourage students to use public transit via a discounted university student buss pass.

The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) provides various activities that attempt to increase sustainability practices among individuals and institutions, promote resource sharing, and make sustainable practices a norm within higher education institutions. The Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS), created by AASHE, was designed to provide guidelines for better understanding of sustainability and build a more sustainable community throughout university campuses. It is a way for universities and colleges to measure their sustainability efforts. The program compares higher education facilities’ sustainability initiatives and ranks them based on their efforts. In 2011, the University of Ottawa received a silver star by the STARS program.

The Office of Campus Sustainability continues to create various events and programs to promote sustainability among students at the University of Ottawa. They are responsible for informing students of all initiatives and programs put forth by the University. Eco-friendly initiatives are growing rapidly at the University of Ottawa with the help of the office.

Administration
Governance is conducted through the Board of Governors and the Senate, whose roles were established by the University of Ottawa Act, 1965. The Act describes their membership and powers, as well as their principal officers. The Board provides overall governance and management and management, including financial decisions and the implementation of policies and procedures. The Board consists of an executive committee which includes the Chair of the Board and the Vice-Chair and Chair of the Executive Committee. As stipulated by the Act, the Board comprises no more than 32 members, appointed or elected by the various parts of the University community. While not stipulated in the Act, the Board's membership includes elected undergraduate and graduate student representatives. The Board includes one honorary member, the current chancellor.

The Senate sets educational policies and the management of academic issues. Such powers include the ability to create and abolish faculties, departments, schools and institutes, academic regulations, admission standards, degree and diploma requirements. It confers certificates, degrees at all levels and with the approval of the Board, honorary doctorates. The Senate consists of 72 members including president, who acts as its Chair. Other members of the Senate, as mentioned in the Act, include the Chancellor, the President, Vice-Presidents and the dean of each faculty, including those of federated universities. While not outlined in the Act, the Senate includes students from each faculty.

As stipulated in the Act, the Chancellor is the University's titular head and is accorded a place of honour at commencement exercises and other functions and may preside at examinations. The Chancellor is appointed by the Board with the concurrence of the Senate and holds the office for one or more four-year terms. As of 2012, the Chancellor was Michaëlle Jean, appointed on 1 February 2012. The President is the chief executive officer and chairman of the Senate with the responsibility of managing the direction of academic work and general administration, teaching staff, officers, servants and students. The President is appointed by the Board and continues until the Board votes otherwise. The office was first referred to as Superior until the University received a pontifical charter, when the name changed to Rector in 1889. In 2004, the English title of Rector was replaced with President.

Finances
Net assets as of 30 April 2011 stood at $904.071 million. The University completed the 2010–2011 year with revenues of $861.576 million, expenses of $810.051 million and an excess of revenues over expenses of $41.466 million. The largest single source of revenue originates from operating grants, valued at $369.801 million for the 2011-2012 academic year. The second-largest source of revenue that year was tuition fees, which reached $264.792 million. As of 30 April 2011, its endowment was valued at $164.51 million.

The University was registered as an educational charitable organization in Canada on 1 January 1967. As of 2011, the University was registered primarily as a post-secondary institution. The University's Institutional Research and Planning department estimated that its students, staff, visitors and the institution itself brought in an estimated total of $4.12 billion into the local economy in 2011.

Academics
This research university is a member of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada. It functions on a semester system, operating fall/winter and spring/summer sessions. Undergraduate programs comprise the majority of the school's enrolment, serving 33,917 full-time and part-time undergraduate students. Excluding Saint Paul, the University conferred 4,922 bachelor degrees, 177 doctoral degrees, 1,273 master degrees and 1,914 first professional degrees in 2011.

Bilingualism
As of 2012, the University was the world's largest English-French bilingual university. The University is one of the three bilingual universities in Ontario that is not federated with a larger university. Since its inception the University has seen itself as fostering English-French bilingualism. However, bilingualism was only made an official university policy in 1974 when the Government of Ontario passed An Act respecting Université d'Ottawa through the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. The Act specifically states that the University must further bilingualism and biculturalism and preserve and develop French culture in Ontario. The Act states that bilingualism must be shown in its programmes, its central administration, its general services, the internal administration of its faculties and schools, its teaching staff, its support staff and its student population. The University operates the Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute (OLBI). The OLBI was officially opened on 1 July 2007, replacing its predecessor, the Second Language Institute. Both institutes promoted English-French bilingualism, although the OLBI holds an expanded mandate, to strengthen research, innovation and outreach efforts in official languages and bilingualism. The University is a member of the Association of Universities of the Canadian Francophonie, an association which promotes post-secondary education and research in French.

While the University maintains bilingualism as an official policy, students need not be bilingual. Instead, most courses and programs are offered in both languages. As of September 2011, the percentage of students who used French as their primary language of education was at 31.1 percent, while the number of students which use English as their primary language for education was 68.7 percent. As of March 2009, 68.6 percent of professors in bilingual positions were considered to be actively bilingual, while bilingual staff comprised 91.5 percent.

Reputation
The university has consistently been ranked one of Canada's top universities. In the 2012-2013 Times Higher Education World University Rankings placed the University 171st in the world and seventh overall in Canada. According to the 2011 Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) rankings, the University ranked 201-300th in the world. The 2011 QS World University Rankings ranked the University 256th in the world. In Maclean's University Rankings, which takes a measure of the "undergraduate experience" of Canadian Universities, ranked the school 10th in their 2011 Medical Doctoral peer grouping. The University stopped participating in Maclean's graduate survey in 2006.

Telfer is accredited by all three of the largest business school accreditation associations as of 2009, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, the Association of MBAs and the European Quality Improvement System. The school is one of only three business schools in Canada to gain triple accreditation. The Maclean's 2012 ranking of law schools placed the University 11th in Canada. In the 2011 QS ranking of law programs, the University ranked 51-100 in the world, tied for 7th in Canada. In the ARWU's 2012 rankings for the field of clinical medicine and pharmacy, the university ranked 151-200th in the world. In the 2012 rankings of the top engineering schools in the world by Business Insider, the University ranked 44th, third in Canada.

Research
Research at the University of Ottawa is managed through the Office of the Vice-President, Research. The University operates 40 research centres and institutes including the Ottawa Health Research Institute and the University of Ottawa Heart Institute. The University is a member of the U15, a group of research-intensive universities in Canada. Research Infosource ranked the University Canada's ninth most research intensive school for 2011, with 2010 sponsored research income of $273.278 million, averaging $213,300 per faculty member. The largest is the federal government, providing $142.8 million in 2010. This was followed by the provincial government, which provided $31.2 million and the corporate/private sector which provides $25.8 million in research funding.

In terms of research performance, High Impact Universities 2010 ranked the University 180th in the world and ninth in Canada. In the same rankings, Ottawa ranked 98th in the world and seventh in Canada in the field of medicine, pharmacology and health sciences. In 2012, the Higher Education Strategy Associates, another organization which also ranks universities based off their research strength, ranked the university fourth nationally in the fields of social sciences and humanities.

Co-operative Education
The University of Ottawa’s Cooperative education Program is an optional program which presents students with excellent work experiences and other various benefits the program has to offer. The program is offered for both undergraduate programs and certain graduate programs. The program was first introduced to the school over 30 years ago, in the year 1980. The University of Ottawa's co-operative program has expanded very quickly since its creation and now stands as the second largest program in Ontario with a placement success rate of over 98 percent. The co-operative education program is designed to generally have students work full-time during altering semesters, in their area of study. One work term generally lasts 15 or 16 weeks. Every work term is a paid work term where students’ pay varies on the program of study related to their job; however, student pay can range anywhere from 400-700 dollars per week. In addition to the hands-on experience students may acquire through this program, the Co-op Program at the University of Ottawa can further offer a range of services to the students such as: one on one consultations concerning resume or cover letter reviews, various workshops, and numerous training possibilities for different purposes such as for interview preparation and work term success. The University of Ottawa’s Co-op Program claims to offer excellent experiences to students as the program maintains “regular contacts with over 4000 active private- and public-sector employers throughout the year”. The University of Ottawa’s Co-op Program has five fees, with prices varying each year. There is a fee issued for each work term and an additional free which is paid when the student accepts the co-op offer for the training and support provided by staff leading up to the work terms. The fees go towards the preparation and training of students, allowing them to develop a better understanding of the job market, resume reviews, and extensive preparation for interviews and jobs.

Each year, about a thousand students are accepted into the University of Ottawa Co-op Program. However, this number is a rough estimate because it is based upon job availability and is thus altered every year. Students are accepted into the program through their academic achievement. Based upon this, there are general requirements one must follow in order to successfully apply and be considered for the co-op program at the University of Ottawa. In order to keep a reserved Co-op spot, a student must maintain an 8.0 average throughout their first year. Although for some programs it may vary, generally a student is able to apply for the co-op program at the beginning of their second year of study; in order to begin their first work term the summer before their third year of study. The minimum CGPA required for applying to most undergraduate programs is a 6.0. For graduate students, the minimum CGPA is a 7.0. In order to be eligible for a co-op program at the University of Ottawa, a student must be considered a full-time student and maintain the requirements for their program of study as well. Furthermore, depending on the chosen program of study, one needs to complete certain required mandatory courses beforehand. Lastly, many programs require that a student be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or an international student with authorization or a permit allowing them to work.

The University of Ottawa’s Co-op Program is available for a wide range of programs for undergraduate students. Co-operative programs are offered in English and in French for certain programs. There are various programs offered in the following faculties: arts, social sciences, engineering, science and law. The faculty of arts offers the option of co-op for the following programs: communications, lettres Français, English, environmental studies, geography, history, and translation, along with the option of combining two programs in cases where a student is completing a joint honours program (i.e. sociology and communications). The faculty of social sciences offers co-op options for the following programs: anthropology, sociology, human rights, conflict studies, economics, political science, international development and globalization, public policy, and public administration. In the faculties of arts and social sciences, work terms usually begin in the second summer of a student’s studies (where a student is done second year and entering third) with the exception of the translation program where the first work term begins the summer before a student’s fourth year. Each program offers specific conditions that a student must meet in order to participate in his or her placement. For the science and engineering faculties, the co-op programs offered are: chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, software engineering, other various engineering programs, biomedical science, chemistry, biology, biochemistry, earth sciences, physics, environmental science, statistics, and other various science programs. All the engineering programs offered at the University of Ottawa begin during the summer before a student’s third year. However, the science faculty’s programs offer different starting points for the different programs mentioned above. The University of Ottawa’s co-op’s page offers a more detailed view on these starting points. The faculty of law offers a co-op program for civil law in French. The requirements consist of the same general requirements for acceptance and maintaining a position in the program. The Telfer School of Management at the University of Ottawa also offers a co-op option for some of their programs including: accounting, commerce, e-business, finance, management, marketing, and few other interconnected programs. With the exception of accounting which starts during the summer before a student’s fourth year, all programs start the summer before a student’s third year of study. Finally as a last category, several co-op graduate programs are offered as well: computer science, economics, globalization and international development, history, information studies, and public and international affairs. The entry requirements for graduate students are a little different than of those for undergraduate co-operative education programs. In the graduate level, one of the requirements of the co-op program is that it is crucial that students begin their study in the fall semester because of the co-op program’s placement cycle.

The option of completing a work term abroad is also a possibility through the University of Ottawa’s Co-op program. Although there may not be as many job opportunities abroad directly presented, the opportunity still remains. However, most of the work terms abroad are discovered by students themselves, outside of the co-op program. Typically, the requirements remain the same as for the co-op program itself. In certain cases, additional features may be considered. If one is considering working abroad there are information sessions held to further inform students at the University of Ottawa on work term abroad possibilities. The sessions outline what students should expect, various costs of living abroad, and the challenges they may come across. Furthermore, if a student chooses to pursue a work term abroad, the University of Ottawa’s Co-op Program offers further assistance right up to the departure date in order to ensure student success. Services offered may include meeting with a professional development specialist in order to compose a job-finding strategy, learn various success strategies, and work towards having everything ready before the departure date. In addition, training can be offered to help prepare students with an idea of what to expect, necessary documents, and further information on the work they will be completing and the country students may be traveling to.

The University of Ottawa's Co-op Program may provide students with a wide range of benefits. In addition to relevant work experience students acquire from the provided work terms, other benefits may arise from choosing the co-operative education program. For example, students can begin to build a network of contacts throughout their co-op work terms. Furthermore, students learn more about resume building and develop strong techniques for successful interviews. This can lead to a student's increased ability to find a job more easily after graduation. Due to their work experience, students may hold a stronger advantage in the job market. In addition, many students may struggle with paying for tuition fees, thus, the University of Ottawa's Co-op Program provides a solution by offering the opportunity for students to earn an income throughout their studies. The University of Ottawa's Co-op Program's staff is composed of experienced and friendly specialists who are dedicated to help students reach their goals. It is with these benefits and many others tied into the program for which numerous students choose to participate in co-operative education programs such as the ones offered at the University of Ottawa.

Admission
Admission requirements differ between students from Ontario, other provinces in Canada and international students, due to the lack of uniformity in marking schemes. The admissions office maintains that an admission rate of at least 70 percent is required, although the rate may increase based on the popularity of a program. The 2010 secondary school rate for full-time first-year students, including Saint Paul was 82.1 percent. The retention rate for first-time, full-time first year students in 2009 was 86.1 percent.

Students may apply for financial aid such as the Ontario Student Assistance Program and Canada Student Loans and Grants through the federal and provincial governments. Aid may come in the form of loans, grants, bursaries, scholarships, fellowships, debt reduction, interest relief and work programs. In 2011-2012, the University provided $71.458 million in financial aid and scholarships.

Student life
The two main student unions on administrative and policy issues are the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (SFUO) for all undergraduate students and the Graduate Students' Association des étudiant.e.s diplômé.e.s (GSAÉD) for graduate students. In addition, most faculties have student representative bodies. Resident students are represented by the Residents’ Association of the University of Ottawa. More than 175 student organizations and clubs are officially accredited by the student union, covering interests such as academics, culture, religion, social issues and recreation. Many of them center on the student activity centre. Two non-profit, independent student newspapers publish at the University. The Fulcrum publishes in English and is a member of the Canadian University Press, while La Rotonde publishes in French. Campus radio station CHUO-FM (89.1 FM), Canada’s second-oldest, began broadcasting in 1984. The SFUO recognizes three fraternities; Sigma Chi, Sigma Alpha Mu and Omega Theta Alpha; and eight sororities, Delta Delta Delta, Kappa Zeta Psi, Nu Sigma Pi, Omega Phi Sigma, Sigma Beta Phi, Sigma Psi Alpha, Xi Delta Theta, and Zeta Theta Xi.

Athletics


Athletics and student recreation at the University are managed by Sports Services. Varsity teams compete in either Ontario University Athletics or Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec conference of Canadian Interuniversity Sport, varying by team. The University hosts 29 competitive clubs, including 11 varsity. The first athletic group at the University was formed in 1885, with garnet and grey becoming the official team colours. Shortly thereafter, garnet and grey became the official colours of the University. Varsity team's names are a play on the initials of the colours. Varsity teams did not immediately adopt a name, leading others to refer to them by their colours. Ottawa sports media referred to the teams as "GG" for the teams and eventually the shorthand became official. Because the term gee gee also describes the lead horse in a race, that animal became their mascot.

The University owns and operates three athletic facilities on the University's two campuses. Montpetit Hall and Minto Sports Complex are located on the main campus and another is located on Lees. The Minto Sports Complex houses the University's arena ice rinks, which seat 840. All facilities are shared with both recreational users, as well as varsity teams. The University planned a new 3,500 seat stadium for its varsity football team for the 2012 CIS football season. The new stadium is due to the extensive renovations taking place at their former arena, Frank Clair Stadium and the adjacent Lansdowne Park, both of which belong to the City of Ottawa.

As is mandatory for Canadian Interuniversity Sport, the University does not provide full-ride athletic scholarships. On the recreational level, the University's Sports Services operates intramural sport leagues and tournaments with a participation rate of 1 of 8 students. Sports include badminton, volleyball, basketball, swimming, soccer and martial arts.

Notable people and alumni
Graduates have found success in many fields, serving as the heads of diverse institutions in both public and private sectors. As of 18 October 2011, the University has 167,224 alumni. Faculty and graduates have accumulated numerous awards including Governor General's Awards and the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. Recipients of the Governor General's Award include Michel Bock, Christl Verduyn and Pulitzer Prize winner Carol Shields.

Chancellors have previously held positions such as Governor General of Canada, Viceregal consort of Canada. Examples include, Pauline Vanier, 46th Viceregal consort of Canada, Gabrielle Léger, the 48th Viceregal consort of Canada, Maurice Sauvé, the 50th Viceregal consort of Canada, and Michaëlle Jean, the 27th Governor General of Canada.

Two former heads of government attended the University, including Edward Morris, 1st Baron Morris, the 2nd Prime Minister of Newfoundland, and Paul Martin, the 24th Prime Minister of Canada. Premiers include Paul Okalik, 1st Premier of Nunavut, and Dalton McGuinty, 24th Premier of Ontario. Five graduates became puisine justices, with one moving on to become a Chief Justice of Canada. Puisne Justices include Louise Arbour, Michel Bastarache, Louise Charron, Louis LeBel and Gérald Fauteux. Fauteux would later become a Chief Justice of Canada.

Prominent business leaders include Daniel Lamarre, president and CEO of Cirque du Soleil, Paul Desmarais, chairman of the Power Corporation of Canada, André Desmarais, Calin Rovinescu, President and CEO of Air Canada, and André Ouellet, Postmaster General of Canada, CEO and president of Canada Post.