Students advocating for students
The Ted Rogers Student Society (TRSS) is deeply committed to supporting, advocating and educating students about equity, diversity and inclusion. Under its umbrella are two committees, the EDI committee and the TRSS Cares committee, that work to create an equitable, diverse and inclusive community at the Ted Rogers School and promote socially responsible events.
The student community also advocates for the establishment of scholarships, awards and bursaries as a form of financial aid in order to remove barriers to education for deserving students. In 2023-24, TRSS provided over $100K in awards and bursaries, and introduced a new Course Material Bursary to support students in paying for textbooks, online homework sites and other required course materials.
Food Insecurity Project
The TRSS Food Insecurity Project was introduced this year to address a pressing issue among university students today who struggle to find affordable food options. This initiative provided "5-Meal Pack" passes, each valued at $75, to 100 students facing immediate food insecurities. These meal packs, designed to cater to nutritional needs and various dietary restrictions, are redeemable at TMU dining halls in an All-You-Care-to-Eat (AYCTE) manner. Meal packs are loaded directly onto student OneCards and using back-end financial need indicators through the AwardSpring database, ensuring student privacy and minimizing stigma.
This initiative met an important need for the student body, with over 200 students from the Ted Rogers School applying for support within four days of its launch. The project won the award for "Best Wellness Initiative" from the Canadian Association of Business Students and also inspired the creation larger initiatives targeting this issue such as the "Free Food Initiative," a collaboration between the TMU Student Societies, Office of the Vice Provost, Students and TMU Eats providing free food to undergrad students during exam season.
Cultural and gender-diverse groups for students
TRSS also includes five equity groups for Black-identifying students, for women in technology management and leadership and for 2SLGBTQIA+ students:
Black Business Graduate Student Association (BBGSA)
The Black Business Graduate Student Association (external link, opens in new window) (BBGSA) is a graduate-level student group that was formed as a response to the inadequate level of representation of Black professionals in leadership positions across industries. The BBGSA is committed to making a positive impact on Black professionals stepping into the workplace. Their mission is to improve the experience of Black graduate students at TMU, striving to achieve this by harnessing cross-sectoral resources and creating a safe space for Black students to learn, network and develop skills that propel them closer to their career goals. It works to provide mentorship and social networking for students, with events like the Black Excellence Summit, panels, workshops and social events throughout the year.
Black Business Students’ Association (BBSA)
The Black Business Students’ Association (external link, opens in new window) (BBSA) is an award-winning student group of dedicated and driven student leaders supporting the Black community at TMU. BBSA equips students with essential tools to become future changemakers by organizing events and initiatives focused on community engagement, professional development and academic excellence. In 2023-24, the association focused on growing and enriching the school community through a diverse range of professional and social events such as Black Frosh events, a Black History Month Photo Exhibit and its first BBSA Conference: Breaking Barriers, Building Success!
Women in Information Technology Management (WITM)
Established in 2007, the Women in Information Technology Management (external link, opens in new window) (WITM) aims to shed light on the significant gender disparity within the Business Technology Management (BTM) program and the broader IT industry and corporate environment. Our primary focus is to promote diversity and inclusion through academic, professional and social initiatives in the Business and IT sectors. We do this by hosting events that encourage, empower and equip undergraduate students to shape them into young tech leaders of tomorrow.
Women in Leadership TMU (WILTMU)
Women in Leadership TMU (external link, opens in new window) (WILTMU) is a non-profit student organization that focuses on mentoring female professionals and bridging the gap between the industry, alumni and the student community. The group connects students with industry professionals and provides support through education, mentorship and networking. WILTMU aims to successfully build an environment at TMU that supports the advancement of women and gender equality, to develop the foundation for successful student leaders.
Ted Rogers Pride Alliance (TRPA)
The Ted Rogers Pride Alliance (external link, opens in new window) (TRPA) is a 2SLGBTQIA+ student group dedicated to advocating for, empowering and celebrating its community within the Ted Rogers School and the broader TMU community. Their mission is to create an inclusive environment where queer students can thrive both academically and personally regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression and sex characteristics. TRPA aims to bridge the gap between the business world and the queer community, fostering meaningful connections and professional opportunities for students.
Project BITS
Enactus TMU, Ted Rogers School’s largest student social entrepreneurship group, regularly organizes financial literacy programs for students. With topics like Newcomer’s Guide to Canadian Finances, How to Pay for School and Guide to Personal Income Tax, sessions are designed as a response to a pressing need among students for fundamental financial literacy education. Enactus TMU produced a curriculum to fill knowledge gaps and meet needs through identifying emerging financial trends and issues impacting students.