Student Life Manual
A Manual for the VP Student Life
University of Toronto Engineering Society

Last Revision: April 30, 2026

Contents

For Candidates #

0.0 # Role Summary

1. 0.0.1 # The VP Student Life (VPSL) is responsible for bringing fun to Skule™ and ensuring Skule™ spirit continues, and is the face of & expert on Engineering student life, in that capacity overseeing or liaising with all affiliated clubs (including design teams) as well as several relevant Project Directors and Associated Entities.

0.1 # General Responsibilities

1. 0.1.1 # The VP Student Life chairs the Affiliation Committee, which decides which clubs should become affiliated at Trial Status or remain affiliated at Full Status, and recommends to the Board which clubs should become affiliated at Full Status.
2. 0.1.2 # The VP Student Life supports all affiliated clubs (including design teams), including with regards to funding, physical space allocation, and recruitment.
3. 0.1.3 # The VP Student Life strives to ensure that all Engineering students are given the opportunity to join a club that aligns with their interests, and promotes Skule™ spirit through liaising with Associated Entities and overseeing their Project Directors.
4. 0.1.4 # The VP Student Life and the other Officers are jointly responsible for providing one of two required signatures for the release of EngSoc funds.

0.2 # Required Qualifications

1. 0.2.1 # The VP Student Life must have genuine passion for service to every Engineering student.
2. 0.2.2 # The VP Student Life must have genuine passion for Skule™ spirit and Engineering student life and traditions.
3. 0.2.3 # The VP Student Life must be able to exercise mature, fair, and intelligent judgement in urgent situations.

0.3 # Impact to Students

1. 0.3.1 # TODO

0.4 # Useful Qualifications

1. 0.4.1 # Extensive experience with EngSoc, ideally in the VPSL portfolio, is an asset.
2. 0.4.2 # Experience with and in student club and/or Spirit Head positions is an asset.
3. 0.4.3 # Experience with Faculty relations or space management is an asset.

0.5 # Role Takeaways

1. 0.5.1 # A VP Student Life missing qualifications listed in section 0.4 may gain them by exercising the role.
2. 0.5.2 # The VPSL's role as representative of student life in Engineering makes them a desirable connection to make for club executives and certain divisions of the Faculty or University, which results in unique connection opportunities.
3. 0.5.3 # The VPSL role is useful experience for anyone wishing to participate in running a not-for-profit organization.
4. 0.5.4 # The VPSL role is unique leadership experience which can be cited in future applications for employment, graduate school, etc.

Summary and Structure #

1.0 # Role Summary

1. 1.0.1 # The VP Student Life is, appropriately, the expert on and leader/face of student life in Skule™. They

1.1 # Transition

1. 1.1.1 # The VP Student Life shall transition their successor as described in the Transition Policy.
2. 1.1.2 # The VP Student Life should pay particular attention to the transition of the DTA Director.

1.2 # Executive Structure

1. 1.2.1 # The following Project Directors and Internal Representatives report to the VP Student Life:
   1. 1.2.1.a # Design Team Association Director ("DTA" Director)
   2. 1.2.1.b # Skule™ Kup Director ("SKup" Director)
   3. 1.2.1.c # Skule™ Photography Director
   4. 1.2.1.d # Skule™ Patrol Directors
   5. 1.2.1.e # First Year Chair
   6. 1.2.1.f # Fourth Year Chair
2. 1.2.2 # The following Associated Entities have the VP Student Life as their point of contact:
   1. 1.2.2.a # Lady Godiva Memorial Bnad, through its Seenyur Bnad Leedur
   2. 1.2.2.b # Blue and Gold Committee, through its Chair(s)
   3. 1.2.2.c # Engineering Athletics Association, through its President
   4. 1.2.2.d # Skule Nite, through its Producer(s)
3. 1.2.3 # All Affiliated Clubs, including design teams, have the VP Student Life as their point of contact, through the club chair or equivalent.
4. 1.2.4 # The Business Manager officially reports to the entire Officer team.
5. 1.2.5 # The VP Student Life is ex officio chair of the Affiliation Committee, defined in Bylaw 1, section 4.12.6.

1.3 # Executive Responsibilities

1. 1.3.1 # Each direct report to the VP Student Life has its own Manual which should be consulted instead of this section.

1.4 # Reporting Structure

1. 1.4.1 # The VP Student Life is accountable to the Board of Directors and to a certain extent to the President.
2. 1.4.2 # The VP Student Life is an ex officio member of:
   1. 1.4.2.a # Board of Directors
   2. 1.4.2.b # Executive Committee, defined in Bylaw 1 section 4.12.2
   3. 1.4.2.c # Finance Committee, defined in Bylaw 1 section 4.12.3
   4. 1.4.2.d # University of Toronto Student Leadership Awards (UTSLA) FASE nominations committee
   5. 1.4.2.e # Election Appeals Committee (EAC), defined in Bylaw 3 section 10.0, if eligible and requested

Manual of Responsibilities #

2.0 # Ongoing Responsibilities

1. 2.0.1 # Every week, the VPSL attends the Executive Committee meeting or at minimum provides updates to the other Officers.
2. 2.0.2 # In each month with a Board of Directors meeting, the VPSL:
   1. 2.0.2.a # Reminds Affiliated Clubs who are nearing the expiry of their Trial or Full Status affiliation to submit a Trial-to-Full Status or Full Status Renewal application, respectively
   2. 2.0.2.b # Hosts (and announces) an Affiliation Committee meeting to consider applications for club affiliation, if any have been submitted, in accordance with the Policy on Affiliated Clubs
   3. 2.0.2.c # Checks in with each VPSL Project Director (often in person) and Internal Representative in section 1.2.1
   4. 2.0.2.d # Attends the Finance Committee meeting
   5. 2.0.2.e # Writes an Officer Report covering events since the last Report
   6. 2.0.2.f # Attends the Board of Directors meeting and presents their Officer Report
3. 2.0.3 # The VPSL works especially closely with the DTA Director and may be called upon to join them in meeting with representatives/directors from FASE Environmental Health & Safety or Facilities & Infrastructure Planning.
4. 2.0.4 # The VPSL occasionally provides Affiliated Clubs with letters of affiliation, especially for banking purposes.
5. 2.0.5 # The VPSL manages lockers on the 2nd floor of SF, in the Pit, and in the Myhal basement for the benefit of Project Directorships, Affiliated Clubs, and Associated Entities.
6. 2.0.6 # The VPSL gives out hard hats to certain people throughout the year (see section 2.3).
7. 2.0.7 # The VPSL, due to their close connection to the VP Finance, is often the informal third super-signing authority. In the event the VPF or President position is vacant, often it is the VPSL who becomes responsible for providing the second approval for Interac e-transfers set up by the Business Manager.
8. 2.0.8 # The VPSL normally provides the "overseeing Officer" signature on all cheque requisitions submitted by Affiliated Clubs, VPSL Project Directors, and Associated Entities.
9. 2.0.9 # As a Vice-President, the VPSL is sometimes called upon to attend events or meetings on behalf of the President.

2.1 # Time-fixed Responsibilities

1. 2.1.1 # In March and April before their term begins, the incoming VPSL participates in hiring committees for the VPSL Project Directors listed in section 1.2.1
2. 2.1.2 # In May of their term, the VPSL:
   1. 2.1.2.a # Submits a motion to strike the Affiliation Committee to the Board of Directors
   2. 2.1.2.b # Submits the VPSL blurb to the F!rosh Handbook
   3. 2.1.2.c # Meets with each Associated Entity representative listed in section 1.2.2 to establish mutual priorities and expectations for the year
   4. 2.1.2.d # Attends Pre-F!rosh along with the other Officers
   5. 2.1.2.e # Takes inventory of hard hats and orders hats which are low on stock (see section 2.3)
   6. 2.1.2.f # Cleans up the EngSoc Office and Outer Stores (ideally with help from other Officers)
3. 2.1.3 # In June of their term, the VPSL:
   1. 2.1.3.a # Joins the Skule™ float at the Pride Parade along with the other Officers (either on the float or as a marcher, at the Blue & Gold Committee's discretion)
   2. 2.1.3.b # Recruits at-large members of the Affiliation Committee
   3. 2.1.3.c # Reviews the first budget of each VPSL Project Director listed in section 1.2.1 before its submission to the [Finance Committee]
   4. 2.1.3.d # Begins preparations for F!rosh Week Clubs Fair (see section 2.2)
4. 2.1.4 # In July of their term, the VPSL:
   1. 2.1.4.a # Runs EngSoc 101 to reintroduce EngSoc to Affiliated Clubs and all Project Directors and explain EngSoc governance procedures
   2. 2.1.4.b # Runs the final pre-Clubs Fair affiliation cycle (see section 2.2.2)
5. 2.1.5 # In August of their term, the VPSL:
   1. 2.1.5.a # Orders hard hats which are low on stock (see section 2.3)
   2. 2.1.5.b # Takes inventory of club lockers and evicts/reassigns them as necessary
   3. 2.1.5.c # May, at the DTA Director's discretion, attend a design team roundtable
   4. 2.1.5.d # Assists the Orientation Chair where requested
   5. 2.1.5.e # Prepares and executes a Matriculation performance along with the other Officers
   6. 2.1.5.f # Runs Clubs Fair (see section 2.2)
6. 2.1.6 # In October of their term, the VPSL:
   1. 2.1.6.a # Attends the Annual General Meeting along with the other Officers
   2. 2.1.6.b # Presents a mid-term report to the Accountability Meeting along with the other Officers
   3. 2.1.6.c # Submits proof to the Ombudsperson of completion of Sexual Violence Prevention and Response training along with the other Officers
   4. 2.1.6.d # Attends the CPSIF Finance Committee meeting
7. 2.1.7 # In November of their term, the VPSL:
   1. 2.1.7.a # Begins preparations for Godiva Week Clubs Fair (see section 2.2)
   2. 2.1.7.b # Attends the Fall Meet & Greet along with the other Officers
   3. 2.1.7.c # Begins reviewing UTSLA packages
   4. 2.1.7.d # Shows face at the traditional Skule™ Remembrance Day ceremonies along with the other Officers
8. 2.1.8 # In December of their term, the VPSL:
   1. 2.1.8.a # Attends the UTSLA selection committee meeting
   2. 2.1.8.b # Shows face at the traditional Skule™ ceremonies for the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women along with the other Officers
   3. 2.1.8.c # May, at the DTA Director's discretion, attend a design team roundtable
9. 2.1.9 # In January of their term, the VPSL:
   1. 2.1.9.a # Shows face at Godiva Week events and assists the Blue & Gold Committee with them where requested, along with the other Officers
   2. 2.1.9.b # Runs Clubs Fair (see section 2.2)
   3. 2.1.9.c # Attends Cannonball (for free) along with the other Officers
   4. 2.1.9.d # May, at the Chief Returning Officer's discretion, attend Orientation Chair interviews
   5. 2.1.9.e # Begins identifying and encouraging potential Officer candidates to run in the Officer elections
10. 2.1.10 # In February of their term, the VPSL:
    1. 2.1.10.a # Attends the Awards Committee meeting(s) along with the other Officers
    2. 2.1.10.b # Submits the VPSL blurb to the Skulebook
    3. 2.1.10.c # Attends the All Candidates Forum to ask questions of VPSL candidates
11. 2.1.11 # In late February or early March of their term, the VPSL:
    1. 2.1.11.a # If graduating, attends their Iron Ring ceremony and shows face at the subsequent Skule™ and discipline traditions
    2. 2.1.11.b # May attend an EAC meeting if requested
12. 2.1.12 # In March of their term, the VPSL:
    1. 2.1.12.a # Reviews this Manual and submits any updates to the Committee for comment before adopting them in accordance with Bylaw 1 section 7.2.4.d.
    2. 2.1.12.b # Begins transitioning in the incoming VPSL
    3. 2.1.12.c # Attends Gradball (for free) along with the other & incoming Officers
    4. 2.1.12.d # Attends the Student Leadership Reception hosted by the Alumni Relations Office (including UTSLA and EngSoc Awards recipients) along with the other Officers
    5. 2.1.12.e # Attends the Spring Meet & Greet along with the other Officers
    6. 2.1.12.f # Chairs hiring committees for the VPSL Project Directors listed in section 1.2.1
13. 2.1.13 # In April of their term, the VPSL swears in the new VPSL at the April Board of Directors Meeting.

2.2 # Clubs Fairs Practices

1. 2.2.1 # In July/November at the latest, the VPSL coordinates with the Orientation Chair/Committee (for F!rosh Week) or the Blue & Gold Committee (for Godiva Week) to schedule and book rooms for Clubs Fair.
   1. 2.2.1.a # For F!rosh Week, the typical bookings are the Myhal Arena for design teams and the Bahen lobby and 2nd floor tutorial rooms for everyone else.
   2. 2.2.1.b # For Godiva Week, the typical booking is GB 202, with clubs sharing tables to the extent possible.
2. 2.2.2 # As part of the July/November call for affiliation applications for the Board cycle before Clubs Fair, the VPSL emphasizes that only clubs affiliated as of that month's Board meeting are eligible to apply to attend Clubs Fair.
3. 2.2.3 # Immediately after the July/November affiliation decisions are made, the VPSL emails all Project Directorships and Affiliated Clubs, and certain other organizations at their discretion, calling for applications to attend Clubs Fair.
   1. 2.2.3.a # Project Directorships, being directly part of EngSoc, are usually given priority over other groups.
   2. 2.2.3.b # University or Faculty groups (e.g. ILead, the Engineering Library) or the UTSU are sometimes invited.
   3. 2.2.3.c # The Officers ex officio, in their capacity as "EngSoc itself", are given a table near the entrance which doubles as a starting point to obtain maps or directions.

2.3 # Hard Hat Practices

1. 2.3.1 # VPSLs have varied year by year in the extent to which they formalize hard hat pickups. Schemes that have been tried include:
   1. 2.3.1.a # Meeting people individually on request at Outer Stores to give them their hard hat(s)
   2. 2.3.1.b # Organizing fixed hard hat pickup days where those entitled can sign up in advance to come pick them up on the day
   3. 2.3.1.c # Limiting hard hat pickups to one per person per color (e.g. both white and orange, but not multiple orange)
   4. 2.3.1.d # Combinations of any of the above
2. 2.3.2 # Since the hard hats are stored in Outer Stores, to which multiple people have access, it is a reality that some people who are aware they are entitled to a hard hat will simply take it themselves. As such, it is advisable for the VPSL to take inventory of existing hard hats annually or at least every few years.
3. 2.3.3 # The VPSL provides the following people/groups the following colors of hard hat:
   1. 2.3.3.a # Officers (including the President), Discipline Club Chairs, and Neutral Officers (as defined in Bylaw 2 Chapter 3) — White
   2. 2.3.3.b # SUDS Managers — Beige
   3. 2.3.3.c # All other Project Directors, the Blue & Gold Committee Chairs, and the Engineering Athletics Association President — Green
   4. 2.3.3.d # Directors of the Board (not including Officers), Class Representatives, Internal Representatives (see Bylaw 2 section 2.2), and External Representatives (see Bylaw 2 section 2.4) — Orange
   5. 2.3.3.e # Affiliated Club Chairs (or equivalent) — Grey
4. 2.3.4 # The VPSL does not provide the following hard hats (they are purchased/maintained by the groups themselves):
   1. 2.3.4.a # First years attending F!rosh Week (purchased by the Orientation Committee) — Yellow
   2. 2.3.4.b # Lady Godiva Memorial Bnad Leedurs and D(r)umb Majur(k) — High Visibility Orange
   3. 2.3.4.c # Cannon Guard — Black
   4. 2.3.4.d # President — White Firefighter's Hard Hat
   5. 2.3.4.e # Orientation Chair and Vice Chairs — Purple
   6. 2.3.4.f # Business Manager (in memoriam Julie Wilkinson) — Pink
   7. 2.3.4.g # Godiva's Crown — Gold
   8. 2.3.4.h # Mr. Blue & Gold — Blue and Gold Halves
   9. 2.3.4.i # Skule Nite — Red