How to Join

Since 1983, the Association of Canadian College and University Ombudspersons has connected Ombuds across Canada. Join today!

Step 1: Classification of Membership

Voting members:

  • Work in a Canadian post-secondary educational setting on full-time or part-time basis
  • Meet all or most of the following essential characteristics:
    • Fosters respectful, fair and equitable policies, practices and treatment of individuals;
    • Functions independently of the administrative structures of the institution and of the staff, faculty and student associations;
    • Operates in an impartial and objective manner;
    • Respects confidentiality;
    • Provides information, advice and intervention; investigates or informally resolves complaints through access to persons, records, files and information;
    • Recommends on individual and systemic issues without decision-making authority to implement the recommendations;
    • Reports publicly or issues an annual report to the authority designated in the terms of reference of the office
  • Voting members are eligible for the following:
    • Voting rights at ACCUO Annual General Meetings;
    • Running for executive office in the association e.g. President, Treasurer;
    • Participation in the confidential forums of discussion;
    • Attendance at sponsored events e.g. mid-year meetings
    • Annual conferences;
    • Mentoring relationships

Associate Members:

  • Work in an educational institution (post-secondary, high school or primary levels) on a full-time or part-time basis without meeting the essential characteristics for a voting membership
  • Are affiliated with entities other than Canadian post-secondary educational institutions
  • Are interested in the ombuds profession but are not currently practicing in the field
  • Associate member are eligible for the following:
    • Attendance at ACCUO annual conferences,
    • Occasional workshops,
    • Consultations with the Executives,
    • Mentoring relationships.

Institutional Members: 

  • An office providing Ombudsperson services in a post-secondary educational institutions in Canada in accordance with the characteristics included above for voting members. Advantageous for offices of 3 or more people.
  • Institution Members are eligible for the following: same as for voting members, but limited to one vote.

Honorary Members:

Step 2: Complete the Membership Form

Download the Membership Application and Renewal Form: 2023-24 MembershipApplicationEnglish.

Step 3: Email the completed form and arrange payment

Annual Membership fees (July to June)

Voting Member:  $100.00 CDN

Associate Member: $50.00 CDN

Institutional Member: $250.00 CDN

Payment Instruction:

ACCUO accepts payments via INTERACT e-transfer.  Please note that credit card payments and cheques cannot be accepted at this time. To complete payment log into your online banking account, add ACCUO’s Treasurer, Jennifer Meister (info@accuo.ca) as a payee, and enter the membership amount you need to pay.

Membership Questions?

Contact Jennifer Meister (ACCUO Treasurer) by email at: info@accuo.ca