Course Union Resources
Course Unions are a core part of graduate student organizing and student life at the University of Toronto. There are over eighty UTGSU Course Unions, represented in the UTGSU’s Assembly by individuals elected by the Course Union’s membership.
If you cannot find the contact information for your representative, email membership@utgsu.ca with your name, department, and campus for information.
Quicklinks
Update Course Union Contact
It is extremely important to update representative contact information as soon as possible to ensure that communication is open between the UTGSU and a Course Union – this includes after elections occur and when a change in representatives occurs. This will ensure that the Course Union President gets added to the appropriate Presidents’ email listserv, and that UTGSU-designated representatives are added to the Assembly email listserv. Information should be sent to membership@utgsu.ca.
The UTGSU requires:
- Elected or re-elected representatives
- Full name
- Email address
- Position (specifically the President and designated UTGSU representatives)
- Outgoing representatives
- Name and positions
Additionally, make sure to update your Rubric ‘Society Settings’ with updated executive contacts, logins and permissions.
Head Grants
Course Union Head Grants are distributed every year to UTGSU-recognized course unions. They are based on a percentage of the annual fees that each University of Toronto graduate student pays to the UTGSU. Head Grants are distributed in two payments: one in the fall semester (distribution starts at the end of October) and the one in the winter semester (distribution starts at the end of March).
The UTGSU aims to process Head Grants applications promptly after submission. The submission deadline is continuous throughout the academic year however deductions will apply over time (see below):
- Completed forms received by October 16, 2026 will receive their first head grant payment at the end of October.
- Completed forms received after October 16, 2026 will receive their first head grant payment as soon as it can be processed. The UTGSU typically aims for funds to be deposited approximately two to three weeks after the completed form is received.
- Completed forms can be submitted any time until April 16, 2027, but forms received after January 1, 2027 will receive only 50% of the fall payment.
Please refer to the application form for precise information on deadlines.
Receiving the fall payment of the Head Grant requires course unions to submit their Head Grant application and attendance at one course union orientation session by two members. The two members must consist of one Course Union Representative for the UTGSU Assembly and one Course Union president, co-president, treasurer, or equivalent. Your Head Grant application form should be submitted to the UTGSU on Rubric as soon as possible:
- Applications submitted on or prior to January 1 will get 100% of fall payment.
- Applications submitted between January 1 and April 16 will get 50% of fall payment.
- Applications submitted after April 16 will get 0% of fall payment.
The second part of the fall application is a fillable PDF with a Financial Statement for the previous financial year. This should be completed and uploaded to the Rubric form.
Receiving the winter payment is based on course union attendance at UTGSU Assembly meetings and the UTGSU Annual General Meeting (AGM) during the academic year. At least one executive member or Assembly representative must attend the AGM.
- Course Unions who attend all UTGSU Assembly meetings and the AGM (4 in total) receive 100% of winter payment
- Course Unions who attend 3 of 4 meetings receive 75% of winter payment
- Course Unions who attend 2 of 4 meetings receive 50% of winter payment
- Course Unions who attend 1 or 0 of 4 meetings receive 0% of winter payment
Assembly Meetings
The UTGSU coordinates Assembly Meetings at least four times per year (one Orientation Session + three standard meetings). These meetings are spaces to receive updates and trainings on Course Union expectations, but are also spaces to provide the UTGSU feedback and guidance on campaigns, programming & services.
Course Unions are required to send at least At least one Representative and one Executive of the Course Union (President, Vice-President or Treasurer) to the annual Orientation Sessions. You may send more than the minimum number of representatives.
Dates: Thursday, October 1, 2026 OR Tuesday, October 6, 2026
Penalties: Failure to attend at least one training results in 50% reduction of the Fall payment
Requirements: At least one Representative and one Executive of the Course Union (President, Vice-President or Treasurer)
Exceptions: If your elections occur after these dates, email membership@utgsu.ca
After the Course Union Orientation Sessions, the UTGSU hosts three additional Assembly meetings in November, February and March. Attendance at these meetings impacts your Winter Head Grant.
Additionally, the UTGSU hosts an Annual General Meeting on Thursday, December 3, 2026 from 6PM-9PM.
| Date | Time | Location | RSVP |
| October 1, 2026 OR October 6, 2026 | 5:45 PM-8PM | Oct 1: SS2118 Oct 6: SS2102 | October 1, 2026 Link October 6, 2026 Link |
| November 19, 2026 | 6PM-8PM | SS2118 | November 19, 2026 Link |
| February 11, 2027 | 6PM-8PM | TBD | |
| March 11, 2027 | 6PM-8PM | TBD |
The UTGSU produces an annual Course Union Manual which can be found below. In addition to information on accessing head grants and attending UTGSU Assembly meetings, this manual also includes tips and tricks to running a successful Course Union.
Course Unions and Assembly Representatives can find agendas, minutes and presentations in the 2026-27 Course Union Folder linked below.
Rubric
Rubric is a comprehensive platform designed specifically for student organizations to: Monitor grant deadlines and requirements, submit and track funding applications, manage financial records and reporting, access resources and documentation, and communicate with UTGSU staff.
Login at portal.hellorubric.com with your generic society email address. (Do not log in from campus.hellorubric.com)
All UTGSU course unions should have their Rubric account set up from the previous year. You can add to and update the information in your Society Settings (click the upper right corner icon). When you add team members you can also give them permissions to self-login to create events, manage communication, coordinate application forms and much more.
You can add to and update the information in your Society Settings (click the upper right corner icon). When you add team members you can also give them permissions to self-login to create events, manage communication, coordinate application forms and much more.
Your banking information has already been uploaded in the previous financial year, and should pre-populate when you complete your Head Grant or other Rubric Forms.
If you change your bank or have any change in your Account Number, Institution Number or Transit Number please contact membership@utgsu.ca.
The UTGSU hosts training in October for new Course Union and Student Group executives – largely geared to team members working on events, communications and membership engagement.
Having trouble with Rubric? Contact executivedirector@utgsu.ca.
Additional Funding
In addition to Head Grants, the UTGSU provides other types of funding and resources to support Course Unions and endeavors in their programs and faculties.
The UTGSU annually offers funding for conferences, workshops, or other academic events organized and hosted by graduate students at the University of Toronto. The purpose of the CAEG is to foster collective or cooperative work amongst graduate students within or across disciplines. The maximum grant for any one event is $750.00.
Special Grants are one-time annual grants available only to small course unions (less than 100 full-time equivalent members) to fund course union projects or events which enhance the graduate student experience. All projects and events must be aimed at the entire graduate student population of the course union and cannot cater to only one segment of the course union’s membership. Please see the application form for additional eligibility criteria.
- Fall Application Cycle: November 1 to November 30, 2026
- Winter Application Cycle: January 1 to March 31, 2027
Recognized graduate course unions and recognized student groups with the UTGSU may apply for funds. Course Unions may apply on behalf of subsidiary or faculty-wide student groups.
We will support one mental health event per semester per course union, with up to $300 in funding per event. Groups may either select an event from the provided options or propose their own. Funds can cover (but are not limited to) speaker honoraria, venue costs, materials, refreshments, and promotional expenses.
Additional Resources
Course Unions typically have a general email account. If your Course Union would like a UTGSU.ca account (ie. CourseUnionAcryonym@utgsu.ca) please contact membership@utgsu.ca.
Each Course Union is required to maintain an up-to-date constitution which outlines the Course Union structure, financial processes, executive roles & responsibilities, elections & meeting requirements, and other governance details. If your Course Union requires support or a consultation on your constitution, contact membership@utgsu.ca.
The UTGSU uses its size and resources to try and save money and resources for course unions and student groups at UofT.
- Speakers, mix board & microphones
- OWL conferencing system
- Foldable tables
- Coffee / hot water urns
- Water jugs
- Charcoal grills
- Popcorn machine
- Dolly / push cart
- Yoga & sporting equipment
- And more
The UTGSU Membership & Advocacy Coordinator is the primary contact for all matters relating to administrative support for Course Unions. You can reach the Coordinator at membership@utgsu.ca.