Media

OTTAWA, January 26, 2010  —  Allan Rock, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Ottawa, appeared before Ottawa city council today in support to the universal student bus pass proposal (U-Pass).

Under the proposed universal student bus pass program, all graduate and undergraduate students at both the University of Ottawa and Carleton University would pay a fixed fee for a transit pass at the beginning of each semester.

“Transportation is a necessity for students in urban centres. It is not simply a way to get from home to school. Today’s students are likely to have a co-op term, or a job, or a community placement as part of their studies. Very few of these activities take place on the campus. They quite often involve working in businesses or community organizations that may be too far away to walk to,” said Allan Rock during his statement to council.

“The universal bus pass would make it easier for a nursing student from Sandy Hill to work with senior citizens in Orleans, for a business student to apply what was learned in the classroom to help businesses in Kanata succeed and for a community-minded student to volunteer with youth programs in Ottawa South,” he added.

To read President Rock’s full statement, visit the Office of the President webpage.