OUSA

The Queen’s University Alma Mater Society also had the privilege to present at the prebudget committee hearings this morning in sunny and frigid Kingston. Our presentation focused on student success, and how it is affecting Queen’s. Because over 90% of Queen’s student leave their home to attend the school, student services provides the support that would normally be found at home with family members. This is why it is imperative that student services are readily accessible and are maintained, even throughout budget cuts.

Furthermore, we emphasized how teaching quality needs to be a focus of universities and that it is one of the highest priorities for undergraduate students. Creating teaching chairs, and training PhDs students in pedagogy is vital to ensuring that the new generation of professors can properly reach out to students and engage them with the curriculum. Universities need to start blending research and teaching, and make them of equal priority so that more students are able to attain post secondary credentials.

After the presentation, we answered a few questions. The committee was interested in the specific challenges at Queen’s, including the inability to expand and new capital projects. The committee seemed impressed in that we did not ask for lower tuition, which was something none of them had seen before from a student presentation. Our understanding of the government’s situation was appreciated and refreshing said one MPP. In the hallway, MPP Charles Sousa complimented us on our presentation, and related stories of his own children who are attending university and stated that he was very sympathetic to the students. I think the presentation was a great way to highlight the new and evolving issue of student success to the government. It was a nice and fairly relaxed atmosphere, and I never felt as though I was on trial. Being the second time slot of the day really helped in that everybody on the committee looked fresh and attentive.

It was nice to have somewhat of a follow up from LobbyCon. I even recognized a few faces from lobby meetings, and hopefully this will translate to having a stronger message when the budget gets made.

-Adam Zabrodski
Vice-President (University Affairs)
Alma Mater Society of Queen’s University

January is winding down, so that means two things on most university campus: executive elections are in full swing and the student financial assistance lines are just starting to look manageable. It is a quiet reminder of the importance of the work done by students across our Province to improve the financial accessibility and affordability of our education system. Unfortunately, as a student executive over the past two years, I have had to have many less quiet reminders of the need to reform Student Financial Assistance in Ontario from students struggling both inside and outside of the Ontario Student Assistance Program.

Yesterday OUSA was proud to announce that the Ontario Association of Financial Aid Administrators endorsed our proposal to modernize OSAP. The fact that stakeholders are agreeing with the OUSA proposal isn’t surprising. The recommendations, as a whole, are a giant step forward towards making OSAP the program that students in Ontario need it to be.

This post, however, isn’t going to focus on the recommendations that OUSA made (you can read those here). What I would like to discuss briefly in this post is consequences associated with gaps in the current system. Primarily what I am talking about is the students who are removed from the OSAP system, have their OSAP withheld from them or are not granted the OSAP they require to make it through a semester.

Every year that I have been involved with student government we are faced with students applying for exceptions to our emergency loan system. Consistently these students are approaching us for two reasons. First, the student emergency loan systems on campuses were set at levels that did not grant them the funds… Second, the students were either removed from the OSAP program or (more commonly) still receiving OSAP, but not quickly enough for them to ensure that they could make sure that their rent was paid and they could buy necessities (books, groceries etc). When these students request exceptions, they are at their last straw: many are struggling to support dependents, work part time jobs and are having difficulties working on their programs of study.

These students are a clear example of a few things. One, we need to modernize OSAP to ensure that all students are provided the resources they require, so that they can focus on being successful students. Second, better resources are required on our campuses to make sure that students are able to get their OSAP quickly without waiting a month (or longer). Finally, we need to make sure that there are safe guards in place, so when a student is struggling, they are not applying for exceptions to rules.

OUSA’s proposal for modernizing student assistance is an incredible step forward for student assistance in Ontario. If implemented, it will definitely improve the situation for students struggling to succeed. It should be noted, however, that this is a step and there is still a lot of work needed.

OUSA President Dan Moulton

As students across the Province return from reading week, all eyes are focused on the provincial budget to be tabled in March. Early indications are that the government will be emphasizing issues of accountability, credit transfer, e-learning and international student enrollment. At the same time, the government seems to be considering announcing one-year stopgap funding for the sector, thus delaying a long-term funding announcement until next year.

Looking ahead, OUSA is gearing up for a Spring General Assembly at the University of Western Ontario. Student leaders from across our institutions will meet to discuss student priorities and debate a new long-term plan for the organization.

Following that, OUSA will host its annual Partners in Higher Education Dinner. I’m pleased to announce that Dr. Joy Mighty, President of the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, and Dr. Julia Christensen Hughes, Dean of Business at the University of Guelph, will give the keynote address on issues in teaching and learning, based on a groundbreaking book they have recently co-authored.

Finally, on behalf of everyone at OUSA, I’d like to wish Paul, our outgoing Director of Research and Policy Analysis, all the best in his future endeavours. His commitment and dedication to OUSA will be sadly missed. Good luck, Paul!

January 26, 2010

OUSA is pleased to announce that the Ontario Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (OASFAA) has endorsed the financial aid recommendations contained in Ontario: A Province of Knowledge, OUSA’s submission to the Honourable John Milloy, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, on a new long-term plan for post-secondary education.

In a letter dated January 21, 2010, the OASFAA leadership congratulated OUSA on the quality of the submission and, on behalf of the OASFAA Executive, extended their support, writing that “the intention and the work that OUSA is doing in bringing forth these issues is commendable.”

“OUSA’s documented ‘Priority One: Student Financial Assistance’ is a direct reflection of many of OASFAA’s concerns within the current OSAP program policies,” wrote OASFAA Co-Chairs Scherry George and Terry Ableson. “OASFAA, upon review of OUSA’s paper, wish to extend our support to the priority one recommendations.”

While many advances in financial assistance have been made through the government’s Reaching Higher Plan, both OUSA and OASFAA recognize that there is still much to be done to create a realistic view of the student and the financial barriers they face.

OUSA wishes to thank OASFAA for their continued advocacy on behalf of students and their commitment to creating the best possible financial aid system. Our two organizations have worked closely in the past and OUSA looks forward to continuing that partnership and collaboration.

Uh, oh. Committee Hearings. Those two words strike fear in many people, and likely conjure up images of American committee hearings of the Chair on a 10-foot high bench, scowling and glaring at the presenter as he/she struggesl to answer biting,scathing questions of a partisan nature. Or maybe I tend to watch too much Jon Stewart or Stephen Colbert.

Either way, I was a little nervous heading into Monday’s presentation before the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs. These fine folks were in Niagara Falls for a day, and BUSU was selected as an organization they wanted to hear from. Unlike my mental imagery predicted, I walked into a large ballroom to a square seating setup, all at the same level, including the presenter. Best of all, they even gave me a chair, a microphone, and some water. It’s the little things that make your day.

I had the honour of following a delegation from Niagara College, who swing the committee into Post-Secondary mode with their request for college operating funding which simply is an extension of the current per-student rate, but extrapolated forward for additional enrolment growth. Then it was my turn. With a 10-minute presentation and 5 minutes for questions, time flies by much quicker than you would expect. I spoke to two main issues: Financial Aid, and capital funding for one of Brock’s upcoming projects. Within Financial Aid, the message was a reorganization of tax credit money to better support OSAP, including maintaining the OSOG limit, increasing OSAP maximums, finally allowing for personal exemptions, and implementing a true year-long interest-free grace period after graduation.

Thank you to the committee for allowing me to present and for your questions, and special thank you to MPP Dave Levac, who tracked me down in the hallways of the hotel ask a question that he did not have time for when the clock ran out.

Turns out, committee hearings aren’t so scary after all. They’re rather kind of fun!

-Rob Lanteigne
Vice-President (University Affairs)
Brock University Students’ Union

Alvin Alexander Tedjo, OUSA’s own Director of Communications, was married on Saturday, January 23 to the lovely Rebecca Giroux. It was both a beautiful wedding and an awesome party. They have since departed to Costa Rica for their honeymoon. To Rebecca, thank you for keeping Alvin happy and grounded. To Alvin, what’s your secret?

All of us at OUSA wish you both all the best for the future.

On Friday and Saturday last week, delegates from OUSA attended a conference entitled “Financing Higher Education in the Current Economic Climate,” hosted by the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA). The conference brought together academics, economists, bureaucrats, administrators and students to discuss and reflect on how we fund universities in Ontario, both now and in the future.

While I was only able to attend Friday’s events, I found the presentations insightful, especially the two panel discussions. The first, entitled “The public funding of higher education: Is it sustainable?” saw panelists who support both sides of the question. It was argued on the one hand that the Ontario government under-invests in universities in comparison to peer jurisdictions in Canada and the United States and that the system would be sustainable with increased funding. The argument was supported by statistics showing Ontario currently spends 0.9% of GDP on universities versus 1.2% across Canada and provincial grants make up 37% of operating budgets versus the Canadian average of 52%. Finally, since 1990, funding for post-secondary education has dropped from 6% of Ontario’s budget to only 4.7%.

Conversely, it was argued that unless universities change the way they spend their money, simply providing more funds wouldn’t make the system sustainable. Instead we must challenge the dominant corporate vision of our universities by, among other things, reducing the amount spent on competition for students and research dollars and using local talent rather than external contractors.

The second panel discussion was on the role of tuition and endowments in funding higher education. Economist Hugh Mackenzie did a great job telling the story of how, over the last 20 years, tuition fees have displaced more and more provincial funding as a source of university revenue. Meanwhile, federal funding has actually increased over this time. He also did a great job refuting Bob Rae’s assertion that lowering tuition would be a net transfer of funds from rich students to poor students.

Overall the conference was informative and we look forward to the published proceedings which will be made available by OCUFA later this year.

Alexi White
Executive Director

The Honourable John Milloy, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, gave the keynote speech at the Canadian Club luncheon yesterday. Dan and I were fortunate enough to attend, with Dan accepting the Minister’s invitation to sit at the head table.

The Minister’s remarks largely focused on where we’ve come in the five years since the Honourable Bob Rae presented his review of the post-secondary education system in Ontario. He proudly touted the vast increases in enrollment seen under the McGuinty government – equal to adding another U of T and Ryerson to the Province, as he put it. He stressed the significant improvements we’ve seen to financial aid in Ontario, both in terms of dollars and the number of students receiving aid. And he devoted much of his remarks to the advancements in training and apprenticeship programs over the past five years.

After taking stock of where we were and where we are, precious little insight was given on the future. The Minister did stress accountability and college-university credit transfer as important files moving forward. The fact that these issues are comparatively less cost-intensive is likely not a coincidence.

Interestingly, while all the perennial issues were touched on, the Minister said very little on the issue of quality of education, in the past or the future. There was no mention of student-faculty ratios, of new learning pedagogies, of persistence, retention and student success.

I’ve heard Minister Milloy speak previously on a number of occasions, but I thought his delivery yesterday was the best I’ve seen from him. He was well rehearsed, dynamic and quite funny.

I want to extend thanks to the Council of Ontario Universities for having me at their table for the event.

-Alexi White
Executive Director
Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance

Week 1 of OUSA’s 3rd Annual Blue Chair Campaign ended last week, with Wilfrid Laurier and McMaster both running very successful events and a week-long program. This week, Windsor, Western, and Brock take their campuses by storm with Blue Chair, while Queen’s starts next week. Below are links to coverage and pages regarding Blue Chair at each campus, check them out, and come back as we will continue to update our progress.

Windsor -

Windsor Star – Front Page News Story
http://bit.ly/5BF0KV

University of Windsor – Daily News
http://bit.ly/8UMJUb!

Windsor Radio – AM 800 CKLW
http://bit.ly/6v2dm7

University of Windsor Student Alliance – Web Story
http://bit.ly/5a2EH0

OUSA Website Windsor Blue Chair Page
http://bit.ly/5b5iYI

UWSA Blue Chair Facebook Group Page
http://bit.ly/6pDaP1

UWSA Blue Chair Facebook Event Page
http://bit.ly/8f2Mvd

Laurier -

Laurier’s The Cord Newspaper – News Article
http://bit.ly/8SxZ5v

OUSA Website News Post – OSAP Failing Students
http://bit.ly/8Er5NG

Wilfrid Laurier University Student Union – Blue Chair Web Page
http://bit.ly/6t486M

OUSA Website Laurier Blue Chair Page
http://bit.ly/8AEhWG

WLUSU Blue Chair Facebook Group Page
http://bit.ly/53FBF4

WLUSU Blue Chair Facebook Event Page
http://bit.ly/55yKER

McMaster -

McMaster Students Union – Blue Chair Web Page
http://bit.ly/5fm5h4

MSU Blue Chair YouTube Video
http://bit.ly/7CzCpV

OUSA Website McMaster Blue Chair Page
http://bit.ly/7L9nya

MSU Blue Chair Facebook Event Page
http://bit.ly/4AbRTH

Brock -

OUSA Website Brock Blue Chair Page
http://bit.ly/6UJxZO

Brock Press, Brock’s Campus Newspaper – News Article
http://bit.ly/4ymWTu

Western -

OUSA Website Western Blue Chair Page
http://bit.ly/6vixaF

USC Blue Chair Facebook Event Page
http://bit.ly/7l865f

OUSA -

OUSA’s Blue Chair Website
http://bit.ly/5pKL31

OUSA’s Blue Chair Twitter Feed
http://bit.ly/6eiKeo

>>>>>

Queen’s’ Blue Chair campaign starts next week, so links for that will be posted once their content is up.  Waterloo has a number of events running as well, however their website is being rebuilt – more to come later.  Brock and Western are just beginning their campaigns, so check out their OUSA Blue Chair home pages for updates.

–

Alvin A. Tedjo
Director of Communications & Public Relations
Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance

OUSA
Steering Committee met on January 8th in Toronto for our regular monthly meeting. OUSA is developing a pledge on teaching quality, which we hope can be adopted by individual universities, providing a commitment to the protection and growth of quality in these times of budget cuts. I have also put forth BUSU’s name for the pre-budget consultations when the committee travels to Niagara Falls, and other OUSA schools have done the same in their local areas, with the Home Office hoping for one of the Toronto meetings.

The organization is on track for 4 policies for General Assembly this spring, along with two policy updates. I have not been tasked with any of these this semester, but will be helping with supporting research on many of the topics.

Academic Issues
I have been working on two main academic issues since the last BUSAC. The first is the Brock Travel Policy, which I may have mentioned in previous reports. This is something that the university is developing for all trips which involve students who travel for any academic purposes, and faculty/staff who travel for job-related functions. This is not a policy which BUSU would be subject to, however it involves a significant number of students who would be on co-ops, internships, conferences, even field trips. I have shared my thoughts on this draft with the appropriate departments, and I believe that versions will be coming to senate soon.

The second issue I have been working on is with respect to “pop assignments.” I would classify these as being one where the professor has the ability to walk in at the start of class one day, and assign a paper/project that is due within 48 hours. A restriction on the ability to assign these would not prevent take-home exams, or anything else where a due date is known well in advance and presented in the syllabus, but is simply intended to protect students from surprise assignments when they may be scheduled to work, babysit, or have other commitments one evening and have no reasonable chance of finishing an assignment. Alex has been doing some work for me regarding how other universities treat this issue, and I am currently awaiting response from the committee of Deans about where progress will go next.

Blue Chair Campaign
So, why are there some blue chairs around the campus, you ask? Well, this is the third year of OUSA’s Blue Chair campaign. The empty blue chair represents the potential of a student who is qualified to attend university, but cannot attend due to barriers placed in their way, or not removed from their way. The different OUSA member schools then take this theme and use it on their own campuses to promote what OUSA does, and some aspect of our lobbying agenda.

This year at Brock, we are focusing on OSAP, and a number of problems with that program. Beginning with how it doesn’t fully fund what it assesses a student’s need to be, frozen loan maximums for the last four years, overestimating parental contributions, insufficient part-time job and personal savings exemptions, underestimating food and textbooks and more, there are a number of issues which OUSA has presented to the government in our submission for the next multi-year plan for how to fix the OSAP program. We are asking for students to sign our petition to the government to fix the OSAP program, as well as recording your thoughts on video for combination and presentation with the other OUSA member schools.

Make sure you stop by the OUSA displays in the hallway to sign the petition, grab a fortune cookie, and if you’re lucky enough, you might even find free food around the school and win other great prizes.

-Rob Lanteigne
Vice President (University Affairs)
Brock University Students’ Union