The New University Cooperative consists of students, professors, academics and community members from around Canada. Incorporated in 2008 as a solidarity cooperative, we are committed to developing an institution for higher education that is grounded in sustainability, social justice, and that is accessible to all.

Given the massive environmental and concomitant social crises that face humanity today, such as climate change and growing social inequality, we believe that we need an institution that fosters innovation and leadership to help bring about sustainable communities. Young people today are told they must seek some post-secondary education in order to be “successful”, however the costs of university has risen steadily, limiting accessibility. Students themselves place much more emphasis on post-secondary education simply as a means to an end, that of a well-paying career, rather than a means in itself where education is to be valued for developing a well-rounded and critical thinking human being. Prohibitive costs also mean that higher education is inaccessible for many individuals in marginalized communities, including the working poor, immigrants, aboriginals, and communities of color.

The New University Cooperative seeks to provide students with the space that is accessible to marginalized individuals, so that students can create and enact visionary ideas, and provide leadership towards a sustainable and just world.

The New University buildings on inspiring models of already existing ecological educational institutions from around the world to create a distinctly Canadian university designed to meet the challenges of the 21st century.