About
About COU
The Council of Ontario Universities (COU) is a membership organization of Ontario’s 20 publicly funded universities and the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC).*
We facilitate discussion between our members and advocate on a wide range of university issues as well as co-ordinate a number of shared services for members, including inter-university transit of documents; application processing, and an online portal of research resources for students and faculty.
COU works closely with the provincial and federal governments to develop and improve public policies that help our universities deliver high-quality programs for students, and the research and innovation that impacts the social, cultural and economic well-being of Ontarians.
*As a federally funded university, RMC is an associate member.
With approximately 40 full-time staff across seven departments, the COU Secretariat is the administrative group that supports the work of the executive body, or the Council, as well as various working groups and committees.
The Council is made up of two representatives from each member and associate member institution: the executive head (president or principal) and an academic colleague appointed by each institution’s senior academic governing body.
Alan Shepard, President and Vice-Chancellor of Western University, is the current Chair of Council.
Steve Orsini is the President and CEO of COU. View his bio here.
Council is supported by the following standing committees (Click name for membership list):
- Executive
- Nominations
- Relationships with Other Postsecondary Institutions
- Government and Community Relations
- OUAC Advisory Board
COU’s Budget and Audit Committee is a standing committee under COU Holding Association Inc., the corporate entity of COU, which is overseen by the Board of Directors of COU Holding Association Inc.
Accessibility Commitment
In fulfilling our mission, the Council of Ontario Universities (COU) strives to provide its services in a way that respects the dignity and independence of people with disabilities. As such, COU will provide an alternative communications format upon request.
To obtain information in an alternative format, please contact:
Marina Piao
Council of Ontario Universities
180 Dundas Street West, Suite 1800
Toronto, ON M5G 1Z8
416-979-2165 ext. 221
access@cou.on.ca