uOttawa campuses are open during ongoing operating engineers strike

Careful preparations have been made to ensure the University’s operations, and critical mission, will be maintained safely and with the least possible inconvenience for students, staff and visitors. Contingency planning is underway to maintain most teaching and research activities. 

Electricity, ventilation and cleaning will be maintained regardless of the strike or power plant operations. 

Expect significant impacts on air conditioning, heating and cooling at most buildings on the main campus, over the course of time, in the event of a prolonged strike. The University community will be alerted in advance of any changes, and should expect that air conditioning, hot water, heat, steam and cooled water could be unavailable after several days of strike action. Teams are working to restore steam which became unavailable very early Friday morning.

The Minto Sports Complex, Desmarais Hall, Roger Guindon Hall, 200 Lees (FHS) and certain residences are notable exceptions where these capabilities would be maintained.

Classes

Until further notice, course delivery and academic lab activities will continue to be offered in person as scheduled. Please check your emails daily before heading to class. Your faculties and departments will communicate any changes with you directly.

Student residences

Residences not affected include:

• Friel
• Rideau
• Mann
• Annex
• Leblanc
• Henderson
• Hyman Soloway

Air conditioning and hot water could become unavailable in the coming days in these 4 residences: 

• 90U – from the first to the 6th floor, inclusively
• Stanton – from the first to the 4th floor, inclusively
• Marchand – entire building
• Thompson – entire building 

While this may take a few days to happen, here is what to do in these circumstances:  

• Lack of air conditioning

  For those without air conditioning, we recommend opening your windows and using fans if your room gets too hot. Be sure to stay well-hydrated. We will be in contact with you for updates and practical advice should this happen. Make sure to keep an eye on your emails. 

• Lack of hot water for showers

  Several portable showers have been installed in the parking lot of the 90U residence for impacted students. Additionally, the shower facilities at the Minto Sports Complex are available for your use.

Dining Hall and other food locations

The Dining Hall remains open. Priority will be given to those with meal plans. For those without meal plans, if you plan to visit, we may ask for your patience upon arrival. We thank you for your cooperation.

Other food locations

All outlets remain open until further notice, and many other restaurants and bistros are open near campus. Please visit this page regularly to see if anything has changed.

Open:

• Bac à frites (56 University Private)
• Bento Sushi (UCU)
• BT Cravings (UCU)
• ChaiGuys (UCU)
• Curry and More (Plaza CRX)
• Elements (RGN)
• Flour Kitchen (25 University Private)
• Go Café (FTX, LMX, TBT)
• Nox (MNO)
• Odelees (LEE)
• Paramount (CRX)
• Pizza 800 (SITE)
• PIVIK (UCU)
• Première Moisson (FSS)
• Quesada (SITE)
• Second Cup (HSY, MRT)
• Starbucks (DMS)
• Thaï Express (CRX)
• Tim Hortons (SITE, CRX, UCU)

Student administrative services

The following in-person and online service points on campus remain open until further notice: 

• Admissions (TBT)
• Financial Aid and Scholarships (DMS)
• InfoService (TBT)
• The Co-op Education Office (DMS)
• Career Centre (UCU) 

Check the Contact Us page to find out who to contact or reach out to your faculty regarding the services they offer.

Student Card

You can still get your student card at the Couch Lounge in the University Centre (UCU 031). Learn more about your student card.

Student health and wellness

• The Student Health and Wellness Centre at the Minto Sports Complex remains open.
• The Wellness Lounge at the University Centre (UCU) and at 90U also remain open unless otherwise notified. Please check the website before planning a visit. 

Welcome Week 

Events organized by the University remain scheduled for now, but we encourage you to check the Welcome Week page to ensure nothing has been canceled before heading out. For faculty or student union events, you will need to check directly with their representatives.

Library

Until further notice, the Library located in the Morisset building remains open.

Recreational and sports facilities

• Montpetit Pool: Closed until further notice.
• Montpetit Fitness Centre, Dance Studio, Martial Arts Room: Open, but there may be disruptions to hot water throughout the entire building, and air conditioning may not be functional during this period.
• Montpetit Triple Gymnasium: Remains open and unaffected
• Minto Sports Complex: Our facilities remain open and unaffected.

 Please check this page regularly to be made aware of any changes.

The University is open, and it is business as normal. 

Be advised that service calls and some maintenance could take longer than usual.  If you have questions about potential impacts on your business unit or responsibilities, please speak with your supervisor.

The impacts of labour action can affect members of the University community in different ways. Please be respectful and empathetic with colleagues and everyone you encounter on campus. Members of personnel can access support services through the Employee and family assistance program as well as Telemedicine. Access to these and more resources are available here.

Every precaution should be taken to ensure the safety and security of personnel and research equipment. Plan for expected interrupted availability of heating, cooling, steam and chilled water on most main campus buildings. Researchers should engage with their faculty administration and scientific platform directors should engage with OVPRI.

Students, staff and visitors to uOttawa can expect to see picketers at select extremities of campus. Picketers are permitted to advocate for themselves verbally and by carrying signs. Picketers are not permitted to block entrances, interfere with free circulation on campus or intimidate members of the University community. Your patience and courtesy are appreciated.

Buildings are open as usual at the present time. Please watch this space for updates in the event of adjusted hours or closures.

The University remains committed and available to negotiate in good faith to reach a collective agreement that is acceptable to both parties. We respect the employees’ democratic rights to strike, and we expect that the union will respect the University’s right to continue its operations.