Announcements
Mar 12, 2026
Rotman Commerce Approves New Student Group
The Rotman Commerce Public Policy Association is excited to join the other 30+ RC Student Groups leading change
How It Started
The idea behind RCPPA came from a simple observation. While Rotman Commerce offers a strong foundation in business, there are relatively few opportunities for students to engage directly with government and public policy.
At the same time, policy decisions shape markets, influence industries, and affect nearly every area of business.
We saw not just a gap, but an opportunity to build something new from the ground up.
Building the Case
Our journey began in November with the New Student Group application. What followed was a structured process that pushed us to think more critically about what this organization should become.
After advancing past the initial review, we met with the Student Life team in February. That conversation challenged us to clearly define our purpose and demonstrate why this space mattered within the Rotman community.
We had to answer questions like:
Who are we building this for?
What need are we addressing?
How will this group create real value for students?
From there, we moved into preparing our final presentation. Over several weeks, we refined our ideas, gathered feedback, and built a case for why a public policy-focused organization belongs at Rotman Commerce.
The Final Decision
In March, we presented to a panel of approximately 15 Rotman Commerce panelists. It was a test of months of work, from early brainstorming to a fully developed vision.
On March 12, 2026, we received official confirmation that RCPPA was approved.
What Comes Next
With approval secured, we’re now focused on building.
Our goal is to create a space where students can better understand how public policy connects to business, whether through speaker events, discussions, or workshops that bring government and industry perspectives together.
More importantly, we’re starting from a relatively untapped area. That means we have the chance to shape what this space looks like at Rotman Commerce, and to build something that didn’t previously exist.
Looking Ahead
This is our first post, but it’s only the beginning.
We’re building RCPPA with the intention that it grows into a lasting part of the Rotman Commerce community, one that opens new pathways, conversations, and opportunities for students.
There’s a lot ahead, and we’re just getting started.
