Algoma University: student life on campus

The 411

Best place for a nap:
The Thunderbird Lounge
Best cheap lunch:
Pizza at Pino’s
Best hangover breakfast:
The Breakfast Pig or the Husky
Favourite campus food:
The soup and salad bar
Best bar for hanging out:
The Canadian
Best place for a fancy meal:
North 82
Where to live:
Student housing in neighbourhoods around the school
Best place to study:
The quiet floor of the library
Worst place to study:
The Speakeasy
Best campus tradition:
It isn’t an official tradition, but we get black bears on campus almost every year!
Best pizza:
It’s Sault Ste. Marie—so anywhere! (but Aurora’s is really good)
Best campus events:
Mardi Gras Pub Night
Best giveaway:
A season pass to ski at Searchmont Resort
Best live music venue:
LopLops
What surprised me most about the school:
The individualized attention given to students
If I could change one thing about the school:
More private study rooms available in the library for students to book

PROFILE: Algoma University | Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. | Founded 1964

“Dear student 184375582” is not what you will see at the top of your acceptance letter from Algoma University. Here, students are more than just a number—they are part of a community. When you hear “small classes and individualized attention,” it isn’t just advertising—it’s the truth. Algoma U is one of Ontario’s smallest universities. Where else will you be on first-name terms with all your classmates and professors? Where else will you get research and work experience opportunities reserved for graduate students at other schools?

Don’t let Algoma’s size fool you—we may have fewer students but we have endless possibilities.
Learning opportunities at Algoma go way beyond the classroom. The university is located on the site of Shingwauk Residential School, offering a unique perspective for history majors. Business and accounting students can obtain a co-op position with major organizations in the city. Students interested in biology or environmental science will appreciate the Algoma region, an area rich in forests, lakes and wildlife. Here, students won’t just study the subjects they choose, they will become immersed in them.

After Class
Algoma U is home to an active student union that is dedicated to your well-being and success, offering endless support to students. There are also plenty of clubs and organizations on campus. From student societies to sports teams, there is something to interest everyone. If you have an idea for something new, there is always the option to start your own club! The George Leach Centre offers a wide range of exercise equipment, classes and indoor and outdoor workout spaces. There are even snowshoe and cross-country ski trails around campus.

Local Vibe
Everywhere you go, you will always meet someone who is connected to “the Soo” in some way. Sault Ste. Marie and the Algoma region are rich in history and culture. The area was an important fur-trading site along the St. Mary’s River and also inspired many Group of Seven paintings. Forests, lakes and fields surround the city, offering endless outdoor adventures. Within city limits, you can enjoy the Art Gallery of Algoma, the Bushplane museum, the Soo Locks and other heritage sites. We are also a border city, allowing students to experience and explore Michigan as well.

More Info
Any information you need can be found at AlgomaU.ca. For a look into day-to-day activities and campus life, check out the Algoma University Instagram account: @algomau.