How to be a UVSS Course Union
Each course union has an executive, elected by its membership, consisting of at least three people. Any student registered in a course of a department is eligible for membership in that department’s course union, and all members have voting rights. UVSS Course Unions are governed by the UVSS's policy, which outlines the relationship between the UVSS and Course Unions, the policy can be found here: Course Union Policy.
To receive UVSS Course Union status, a course union submits a verification form each semester. This form includes a request for a budget, and lists a minimum of two, and a maximum of three, signing authorities, these signing authorities are able to book rooms, request cheques, and book audio visual equipment on behalf of the course union. The verification form can be found here: Verification Form.
You can pick up the forms outside the Resource Centre on the Clubs & Course Unions Wall or print them off this webpage. Hand them in or email them to Jenn Bowie, Director of Student Affairs.
Course unions must also have a Constitution and Bylaws relevant to their department’s field of study. A template Constitution can be found here: Constitution Template.
Note: most Course Unions have a constitution on file, please check with the Director of Academics to ensure that it is current as of 2005.
Note: a course union is considered inactive if it has not verified its status in the current semester by submitting a verification form.
The UVSS also has four Professional Development Unions (PDU) which act as societies representing the interests of students in their particular faculty. The four PDUs are Law, Engineering, Education, and Commerce. The PDUs must submit a completed signing authority form each semester to the Director of Academics as well as having a current Constitution on file with the UVSS.
Course Union Council is held once a month, during which Course Unions are ratified, and funding requests are discussed. One representative from each Course Union is required to attend. Contact the Director Academics to find out when the next Council meeting is scheduled for.
Course Unions and PDUs are able to access Academic Funding for on campus academic events related to their specific area of study. Course Unions and PDUs are also able to access Publication Funding for a publication related to their area of academic study, publications exhibiting partisanship or religiosity are not eligible to access the Publication Fund. To access these funds Course Unions must complete and submit the forms located below to the Director of Academic 2 days prior to the next Course Union Council meeting, at which the requests will be discussed and voted on by the Council.
Academic Fund Guidelines
Academic Fund Application.
Publication Fund Guidelines
Publication Funding Application
Any UVSS member in good standing may apply to Course Union Council for Travel Pool funds for academic conferences or other events which are academic in nature and are relevant to their area of study, by completing and submitting the form found below to the Director of Academics.
Travel Pool Guidelines
Travel Pool Application
To book spaces within the SUB and the University:
UVSS Room Bookings
UVIC Room Bookings
UVic Table and Quad Bookings
Course Unions