TMU's student centre does way more than you think: Inside the Palin Foundation
The student centre is located on Gould Street, close to Church Street.
If you've grabbed coffee at Oakham Café or hung out at The Met Campus Pub, you've used the Palin Foundation's services. But many TMU students don't know what this organization actually does.
The Palin Foundation is a registered charity that runs the Toronto Metropolitan University Student Centre (TMUSC) and Oakham House. Think of it as your student hub — where student unions meet, clubs gather, and students work and connect.
"Each year, new students arrive with little understanding of what we offer," says Michael Orlando, the foundation's executive director. "Our job is to show students the opportunities available here — opportunities you won't find anywhere else on campus."
How it started
Students started the Palin Foundation in 1976. Their goal? Create a space on campus run by students, for students.
In 2004, that goal became reality. The new student campus centre – TMUSC – opened next to Oakham House on Gould Street.
What’s inside
The Foundation is home to student unions, affiliated campus groups, The Eyeopener newspaper, Met Radio, the Good Food Centre, Office of the Ombudsperson, Oakham Café, The Met Campus Pub and a host of rentable venue spaces.
A board of directors governs the centre. The board is comprised of representatives from TMU, the Toronto Metropolitan University Students’ Union (TMSU), the Toronto Metropolitan Association of Part-time Students (TMAPS) and the Toronto Metropolitan Graduate Students' Union (TMGSU).
TorontoMet Today asked Orlando what students should know about the Palin Foundation. Here’s what he shared:
Our mission is to create a supportive and inclusive environment for TMU students, and our vision is to empower students by offering access to resources, employment opportunities and spaces for personal and professional growth.
We provide five key benefits:
Affordable food – the Oakham Café and Met Campus Pub serve cheap, healthy meals on campus.
Employment – we offer stable jobs for students with transparent pay.
Advocacy – we are home to student unions and equity offices.
Space – we offer full-service event spaces and meeting rooms available for booking.
Community – we support the student-run newspaper, radio and campus groups.
These five benefits contribute to student success and the overall campus experience.
We provide comprehensive support for students by offering resources and services aimed at enhancing their university experience. Additionally, the Foundation offers employment opportunities for students, providing flexible jobs that accommodate their class schedules. We employ over 90 TMU students on a part-time basis, paying above minimum wage. I think it’s important to provide good stable employment, especially in an expensive city like Toronto.
Students can get involved in clubs and organizations by exploring the options available at the TMUSC. We house student-run clubs (external link) , advocacy groups and organizations focused on different interests and causes, so students can find activities that align with what they’re passionate about.
For those seeking employment, we offer part-time job opportunities (external link) that students can apply to. Positions are available in areas such as food services, event support and administration, providing students with valuable work experience and financial support during their time at university. We sometimes see students try multiple different roles – they may work in the café during the day, then work in the pub in the evening, or try working in conference services. We try to offer a variety of experiences.
There are huge benefits for students to get involved. Firstly, involvement in clubs, advocacy groups, and student unions offers opportunities for personal and professional development, fostering leadership skills, networking opportunities, and a sense of community belonging. We take pride in providing a safer space for students to use their voice. Additionally, engaging in part-time employment provides students with valuable work experience, financial support and a chance to contribute to the campus community.
Getting involved on campus can help students enhance their university experience, gain practical skills, and make meaningful connections that extend beyond the classroom. Overall, the Palin Foundation plays a crucial role in supporting students' holistic development and fostering a vibrant and inclusive campus environment at TMU.
As the Palin Foundation approaches its 50th anniversary, we have some exciting changes on the horizon. The SCC has always been where students find themselves, experiment with leadership, organize around what matters and build movements that last beyond graduation.
To celebrate the milestone, we’re refreshing how we show up. New name, new look, same mission, renewed focus on student leadership.
After five decades, The Palin Foundation is in the process of being renamed–we're figuring ourselves out, too. Here's what makes us different: your student fees fund this work directly, not just the university budget. Students have the most say here compared to any other place on campus. That means students help set the priorities, govern the space and decide how resources get used.