What are Levy Groups?
Levy groups are student-run clubs and charitable organizations that receive funding for events and programming to support Carleton University students. These groups either provide support directly through in-person/virtual events or indirectly by providing relevant services and opportunities to get involved both locally and globally. Fees are collected by the Carleton University Students’ Association (CUSA) and distributed directly to organizations by CUSA. Check out what the groups below are doing with your funds!
The Canadian Federation of Students is the oldest and largest student organization in Canada. Representing 530,000 students, the Federation advocates for a free post-secondary education system and represents students rights at a federal, provincial and local level. Several campaigns include United for Equity, Consent is Mandatory, Fairness for International Students, Equity in Mental Health and Fight the Fees. All campaigns are available to student members in both French and English. Student services are available to members of the CFS-FCÉÉ including providing student-owned and operated services such as the ISIC (International Student Identity Card) and the Ethical Purchasing Network, which are designed to save students money. The Federation is students’ connection to the student movement!
Fee: $19.40
Carleton University Debate and Speech (CUDS) is a student-run organization dedicated to fostering public speaking and analytical skills. For the past 20 years, CUDS has established a legacy as one of the most inclusive and competitive debate societies in the country, routinely beating institutions like Harvard, Yale and Oxford. In addition, CUDS consistently achieves success by making it to out-rounds at and even winning major national and international competitions, including the World Universities Debating Championships. Whilst maintaining competitiveness, CUDS is one of the only clubs in North America that is highly inclusive as the club prides itself on making debate accessible to all by covering costs to compete at debate tournaments near and far. These costs include registration fees, accommodation expenses and transportation expenses. CUDS strives to be as accessible as possible as we want to ensure every person, regardless of their socio-economic conditions, is able to develop key public speaking skills and access the Canadian debate community’s vibrant social atmosphere. These skills benefit members tremendously with regard to personal, academic and professional success. Many of our proud CUDS alumni have used the skills they learned at debate to craft incredible careers. Anyone can join, regardless of experience!
Fee: $1.00
OPIRG Carleton is a student-led, student-funded chapter of a non-profit organization, based at Carleton University. We aim to research, educate, and provide action on social and environmental justice using non-hierarchical and consensus-based approaches. In addition to our programming, research, campaigns and communications, we also provide funding and support for students planning to organize for social and environmental justice, including through our working groups.
Want to get involved? From sharing our bursary opportunities, to writing on our blog, and proposing a programming idea you want to bring to life, there are many ways to be a part of the action at OPIRG Carleton.
Fee: $8.73
Sock ‘n’ Buskin Theatre Company is committed to nurturing creativity, fostering collaboration, and championing diversity across our productions. Through explorations of both modern and timeless themes, we are dedicated to encouraging artistic development and a lifelong love of theatre in our community.
Founded in 1943, Sock ‘n’ Buskin is both Carleton University’s oldest club and Canada’s oldest student-run theatre company. We take pride in our role as a stepping stone into the theatre industry, and we are so honoured that so many SnB alumni (like Dan Akroyd!) have gone on to make waves in the performing arts.
Every year, we put on a number of performances both on- and off-campus that vary greatly in style and content. Historically, SnB has produced plenty of Shakespeare and other classical theatre, but also many modern plays. Visit our Instagram, @snbtheatre, for more information about past shows.
Students have the opportunity to join our community in a number of capacities. From stagehands to on-stage roles, from directors to ushers, Sock ‘n’ Buskin has opportunities for anyone who wants to contribute to our community and shares our love of theatre.
A lot of work goes into producing even one show, and that’s why Sock ‘n’ Buskin is supported by a Board of Executives and has two Artistic Directors to oversee the company’s functions. The Board is made up entirely of students who are elected at the end of each school year by the current Board and the Artistic Directors. As SnB is completely volunteer-run, we use our levy to pay for venues, props and costumes, community events, and talent development. Our club is made possible through this funding.
If you’re interested in working with Sock ‘n’ Buskin, send us an email at snbtheatre@gmail.com or reach out through our social media. We’d love for you to share your talents with us, and we’re so excited to hear from you!
Fee: $1.05
Our Mission
Interval House of Ottawa empowers all persons who identify as women and their dependents. In partnership with the community, we provide safe shelter and support, intervention and prevention services, and advocacy to break the cycle of violence.
Our Vision
Interval House of Ottawa leads the way in building a community committed to healthy and respectful relationships, free from all violence and abuse.
Our Values
- Client-centred
- Empathy
- Empowerment
- Intersectionality
- Leadership
- Accountability
- Respect
About Unsafe at Home Ottawa
Unsafe at Home Ottawa is a secure text and online chat service for women and members of LGBTQ2S+ communities in Ottawa and Lanark County who may be living through increased violence and abuse at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our personnel provides emotional support, practical advice and referrals using encrypted technology so conversations are confidential and secure.
We can help you with:
- Talk about how you’re feeling
- Create a safety plan to reduce your risk of harm
- Get you the services you need for support
- Cope with your situation during this period of physical distancing
Connect with us
Our text and online chat service is available 7 days a week from 8:30 am to midnight. Your conversations with our personnel are confidential and secure.
How it works
You can chat online with us or text us. We’re here for you. Our trained personnel will give you support, information, resources and safety planning ideas. There are two ways to reach us: chat or text us at 613-704-5535.
Fee: $0.71
Chat with Us Email Us Interval House Website Unsafe at Home Website
The University of Ottawa Community Legal Clinic (the Clinic) provides free legal services to individuals in the Ottawa community who meet financial eligibility criteria. Because Carleton University undergraduate students pay an ancillary fee to the Clinic, they automatically meet these criteria and are eligible for all our services.
Under the supervision of lawyers, second and third year law students may provide legal assistance, including representation, in the following areas of law: (1) Criminal and Quasi-Criminal Law, which includes Criminal Code of Canada offences such as assault, theft, mischief, and drug offences, and offences under the Provincial Offences Act and City of Ottawa By-Laws; (2) Tenant Housing issues such as disputes over lease agreements, return of rent deposits, terminating tenancies and repairs and maintenance; and (3) Family Law matters such as divorce, decision-making responsibility and parenting time issues and child and spousal support issues. The Clinic also offers legal information workshops on various legal topics to community partners and their clients.
The Clinic provides free notary services to undergraduate students. Notary services include certifying true copies of original documents and affirming affidavits and statutory declarations.
If you have a legal problem in one of our areas of practice or wish to inquire about our public legal information workshops, please call our Clinic at 613-562-5600.
Fee: $4.50
WUSC Carleton is a local committee with the World University Service of Canada (WUSC). WUSC is an official sponsorship holder in Canada which supports student refugees in their transition to Canada through the Student Refugee Program (SRP). WUSC assigns student refugees to their university committees like WUSC Carleton, which are tasked with providing them with essential support in their transition to Canada. The support areas consist of “5 pillars”: self-reliance, health and well-being, financial support, academic support and social support. Carleton University has a rich history with the WUSC SRP program, dating back to 1978. WUSC Carleton is one of the oldest SRP local committees. The student levy from Carleton University enables WUSC Carleton to continue operating the SRP program by providing essential monetary support. What makes the SRP program unique is that as part of WUSC Carleton, students are directly involved in supporting student refugees in their transition to Canada and into the Carleton University committee.
Fee: $2.92
The Charlatan is Carleton University’s independent newspaper. Run by students for students, the paper has been providing the Carleton community with news and entertainment for more than 75 years.
The Charlatan publishes works by current Carleton students and is a primarily volunteer-run organization. Although the editorial staff is paid, all of the newspaper’s writers, photographers, graphic artists and so forth work on a volunteer basis. All Carleton students are welcome to contribute — no experience necessary.
In 1988, the Charlatan became independent from the Carleton University Students’ Association and is now funded primarily through annual student levy fees and advertising. As a not-for-profit corporation, the Charlatan’s finances are overseen by an independent Board of Directors composed of student directors, journalism faculty representatives and professional journalists.
Fee: $6.78
The Millennium Promise Alliance, Inc. (MPA) is an international non-profit organization with a mission to implement innovative solutions and scalable systems aimed at achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, including the end of extreme poverty. Presently, MPA partners with Governments and institutions on local and national levels in research and applied field work by mobilizing cutting-edge science and technology, providing technical assistance, and capacity building. As of January 2022, we are engaged in multi-sector projects with the Governments of Uganda, Senegal, Guinea, and Ghana. Millennium Promise Alliance actively supports Governments to directly apply new innovative tools, systems, and protocols, as well as those tested, and refined over the 10 years of implementing the Millennium Villages Project to now achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in their respective districts and regions. MPA is also in special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Our large networks of partners and experts have accumulated invaluable expertise on effective sustainable development. Examples of interventions range from national COVID-19 responses, regenerative agriculture, gender equality, increasing access to quality education for all, economic empowerment, and more. Our teams help drive the SDG Agenda alongside governments and partnerships through various multi-sector projects and initiatives.
Fee: $6.00