At the last General Assembly, OUSA passed a policy paper on the importance of supporting the broader learning environment on Ontario campuses. This broader learning environment is supported by key student services that help students navigate the rigors of academic life. These services include everything from mental health and counseling centres to writing clinics. Unfortunately, these services are the first to be hit with cuts when universities face difficult financial decisions. We recently learned that McMaster’s core Basic Instructional Unit (BIU) funding from the government might be cut this year, which would force the institution to look for areas to save money. It is of vital importance that these kinds of services be prioritized. We’ll be working hard to lobby our administration on maintaining support for these key services, and since many of our schools are in the same boat, I encourage you to do the same.
-Chris Martin
