Student Senate

About the Student Senate

The Student Senate is the official committee representing secondary students’ views to the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board. 

It is composed of two Student Senators per secondary school, three non-voting Student Presidents’ Council members, five diversity representatives, and is chaired by the Student Trustees. While Student Trustees serve a one-year term, Student Senators serve a two-years term as Junior Senator or Senior Senator. Student Trustees gather feedback from Student Senators to bring to the board and communicate updates to the student body at-large through the Student Senate.

What the Student Senate Does

The Student Senate meets once a month to discuss key issues. Oftentimes, board staff attend meetings to receive feedback directly from students. Student Senators also have the opportunity to attend OCDSB Committee meetings (Committee of the Whole, Special Education Advisory Committee, Advisory Committee on Equity, Advisory Committee on the Arts, Indigenous Education Advisory Council, Audit Committee) to provide additional student voice at the board level.

Schools must complete their Junior Student Senator elections or appointment process for the upcoming school year by specific deadlines: May 31st of the previous year for Senior Student Senator elections and October 31st of the ongoing year for Junior Student Senator elections. Typically, Student Senators also serve on their school’s student council. Students interested in becoming a Student Senator should contact their student council, student council teacher-supervisor, or school administration. For more information, refer to Policy P.113.GOV: Student Senate.

Student Trustees 2024-2025