OUSA

TORONTO, August 22 /OUSA/ – Students are supportive of proposed changes to the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) that would provide more aid to students. The Ontario PC Party announced today that, if elected, the provincial need assessment will be changed to match the federal parental contribution formula. This change would result in more realistic parental contributions.

“Adjusting OSAP’s parental contributions to more accurately reflect the lives of Ontario families has been a long standing priority of OUSA. This is an important step towards a stronger financial aid system for students,” said Sean Madden, President of the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA).

Nearly half of Ontario’s students are unable to receive financial help from their parents. The proposed changes would make meaningful provincial assistance available to thousands more students. Assuming the current student debt cap remains in place, the proposal will result in more non-repayable grants for students.

“Ontario families want to support their children in pursuing post-secondary education. More realistic expectations for how much they can contribute are essential. The next step is to provide certainty for how much it will cost,” said Patrick Searle, Vice-President of OUSA.

The current framework that caps tuition increases expires at the end of this coming academic year. While encouraged by today’s announcement, OUSA looks forward to working with all provincial parties to clarify their plans for tuition fees before the election. Ontario students are calling for a fair, predictable and affordable framework.

The Student Association at Durham College & The University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) is hiring a General Manager. Please flick on the PDF Link below for more information, and email studentcentre@dc-uoit.ca with any questions you may have.

Your-SA GM

Position Description:

The General Manager will serve as the Chief Operating Officer of the Student Association at Durham College and UOIT. The General Manager will report to the Student Association President, and all non-executive positions within the SA will report directly or indirectly to the General Manager. The position is a full time position, working 40 hours per week. There is an expectation of occasional evening and weekend work in addition to regular office hours.
The Student Association is a complex organization which represents approximately 15,000 students across three campuses and two institutions. The organization oversees several departments and services, and works closely with both Durham College and UOIT in order to ensure the needs of all students at these schools are met.

The General Manager will oversee the full time staff of the Student Association, and through departments direct and oversee the day to day operations of the business side of the organization. The General Manager will work very closely with student leaders each year to serve the needs of students on campus, as well as with university and college administration to achieve the goals set out by the organization. They are responsible for ensuring that organizational documentation such as policies and procedures, manuals, licenses, and insurance documents are in place and upheld.

Canadian Club Announcement

TORONTO, May 30 /OUSA/ – Students are encouraged by the Ontario government’s new roadmap for the post-secondary education sector, entitled “Putting Students First.” The plan was announced this afternoon by the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities John Milloy and addresses important student priorities concerning the affordability, accessibility, accountability and quality of higher education in Ontario.

The strategy proposes changes to the way colleges and universities are funded, such that institutions have incentives to focus on teaching quality and institutional strengths, not just on enrolment growth. The plan also highlights continued support for underrepresented students and a new initiative to develop programming in primary and secondary schools that will encourage and inform students through the transition to post-secondary education.

“Students have always believed that improving access to post-secondary education needs to begin early, and today’s announcement signals that we will begin to directly address these challenges,” said Sean Madden, President of the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA). “Undergraduate students also have had concerns with the balance between teaching and research in our universities, and welcome the plan’s emphasis on recognizing teaching excellence alongside research excellence.”

“It is reassuring to see that the Ontario government’s vision emphasizes putting students first. We are hopeful that this commitment will include student involvement in the upcoming negotiations of new institutional agreements to help ensure that our priorities are included,” said Sam Andrey, Executive Director of OUSA.

While students await some of the plan’s details, particularly concerning changes to the funding formula, the continued regulation of tuition fees, and investments in student assistance, OUSA looks forward to working on the next steps of this broad new plan for post-secondary education.

On March 31st, 2011, Dr. Ross Finnie of the University of Ottawa delivered the keynote address at OUSA’s 7th Annual Partners in Higher Education Dinner in Toronto. The subject was Access to Post-Secondary Education. Click on the two video links below to view the video of his presentation, and click on the slideshow at the end of this page to view his presentation slide deck.

Click to Watch 1 of 2

Click to Watch 2 of 2

Click to View Presentation Slides

OUSA's 2011-2012 Executive (L-R) Pat Searle, VP Admin, Natalie Cockburn, VP Finance, Sean Madden, President

TORONTO, May 17 /CNW/ – The Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA) is pleased to announce that Sean Madden has been elected OUSA President, effective immediately. Madden replaces Meaghan Coker, who has completed her one-year term. Joining Madden in the OUSA Executive Team is Natalie Cockburn as Vice President Finance, and Patrick Searle as Vice President Administration. The executive is elected for the 2011-2012 academic year.

As President, Madden leads the OUSA Steering Committee and acts as chief advocate for the organization. Madden is also the Vice President University Affairs at the Wilfrid Laurier University Students’ Union.

“Madden, Cockburn and Searle are accomplished student leaders who have demonstrated a strong commitment to improving post-secondary education in Ontario,” said Sam Andrey, OUSA Executive Director. “I am confident they will lead OUSA to new heights.”

OUSA would also like to thank outgoing President Meaghan Coker, Vice President Finance Saad Aslam, and Vice President Administration Joe Finkle, for their exceptional work and commitment to the organization over the past year.

OUSA also welcomes two new members this year: the Trent in Oshawa Student Association (TOSA), who join OUSA as associate members, and the McMaster Association of Part-Time Students (MAPS), who have become full members.

“We are thrilled to welcome McMaster’s part-time students and the students of Trent in Oshawa to the OUSA family,” said Sean Madden. “Their diverse perspectives will provide new energy to our alliance.”

“With OUSA’s proven record of solid research, well written policies, and excellent representation of post-secondary education students, we are excited to be joining such a credible and influential organization that can effectively represent our interests,” said Sam Minniti, Executive Director of MAPS. “We are particularly looking forward to raising awareness about the experience of part-time students and mature learners.”

“Membership in OUSA provides our students with effective representation at the provincial level,” said Kelly Vanleyden, President of TOSA. “By joining our voices with those of students across Ontario, we all benefit.”

With the addition of MAPS and TOSA, OUSA now represents over 145,000 full- and part-time university students at nine student associations across Ontario.

TORONTO, March 29 /OUSA/ – Ontario students welcome the McGuinty government’s 2011 Ontario Budget commitment to promote access to education through the funding of 60,000 new spaces in Ontario’s universities and colleges over the next five years. Though facing a sizable deficit, this strategic investment of $64 million next year rising to $309 million by 2013-14 demonstrates again that this government recognizes the importance of higher education.

“Investing in Ontario’s youth is the silver bullet that will ensure our province’s long-term prosperity,” said Meaghan Coker, President of the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA). “This is absolutely the right choice for Ontario’s future.”

The government has also announced that this new funding will be contingent upon Ontario colleges and universities renegotiating their multi-year accountability agreements with the government for the first time since 2006. Students continue to have concerns with these agreements and are pleased that such a critical lever for providing accountability to students and to the public will be revisited.

Though this is the last Budget before the next provincial election, there are no references to post-secondary education tax credits, indicating that the government may not fulfill its 2007 election promise to move the $330 million currently spent on these credits. The proposal was to use the funds for up-front grants which have a greater impact on accessibility. This morning, the Liberal Party of Canada also recognized the benefits of such a move and announced its intention, if elected, to redirect funds spent on federal post-secondary tax credits to up-front grants.

“Students had hoped that, given the Province’s deficit, the government would act on an opportunity to improve access to higher education by reallocating existing funds,” added Coker.

Students remain optimistic that the forthcoming five-year plan for the higher education sector will build on the government’s significant past investments and continue to improve student financial assistance and the quality of the learning environment at Ontario universities.

TORONTO, March 28 /OUSA/ – Ontario students welcome the McGuinty government’s announcement of full funding for 60,000 new spaces in Ontario’s universities and colleges over the next five years. This investment is crucial to Ontario’s long-term prosperity and to meeting the Premier’s target of 70 per cent post-secondary attainment.

“The government has demonstrated once again that it understands the importance of higher education to Ontario’s social and economic future,” said Meaghan Coker, President of the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA). “Reaching the Premier’s attainment goal will require growth in participation for students from traditionally underrepresented groups, and providing sufficient space is a necessary first step.”

Guiding Ontario to robust economic growth will require continued investment in post-secondary education, as every day, new jobs requiring a higher education are created. Since 2003, the government has created over 100,000 new spaces in universities alone, and despite a sizable deficit, the government’s commitment to access has not wavered.

“Ontario’s students stand in full support of this initiative, and stress that further investment in the quality of an Ontario post-secondary education is equally essential,” added Coker.

Students are hopeful for further commitments to building a more accessible, affordable, accountable, high quality higher education system in tomorrow’s 2011 Ontario Budget and the forthcoming five-year plan for higher education.

The Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA) is pleased to announce that Sam Andrey has been selected as OUSA’s next Executive Director effective May 1^st, 2011. A graduate of the University of Waterloo and OUSA’s current Director of Research & Policy Analysis, Sam has been heavily involved in OUSA for the past four years and has demonstrated a passion for and commitment to improving post-secondary education for the students of Ontario. As Executive Director, Sam will be responsible for managing the organization and implementing the directives of the General Assembly and Steering Committee.

With this role change, OUSA will soon be accepting applications for the position of Director of Research & Policy Analysis. Look for an announcement in the coming days.

Please join me in both congratulating Sam on his selection and in thanking outgoing Executive Director Alexi White for his tireless dedication and leadership. He will be greatly missed.

-Meaghan Coker
OUSA President

Position: Summer Intern

Compensation: $12.50/hr, 35 hours per week

Employment Period: 16 weeks within the period between May 2 and August 26, 2011.

Application Deadline: April 8, 2011 by 5:00pm

Overview

The OUSA summer intern will undertake special projects in the areas of research, policy and communications, as well as support the OUSA home office team in the day-to-day operations of the organization. The OUSA intern will work in the home office, located in downtown Toronto.

Research and Policy

The OUSA intern will:

-        Develop and carry out an independent research and policy project based on a topic designated by the organization, and supervised by the Directors;

-        Spearhead the revision and/or creation of updated issue briefings for the website;

-        Revise, when required, facts and figures in standing policies of OUSA; and

-        Support the work of the Director of Research and Policy Analysis in projects as required.

Communications

The OUSA intern will:

-        Organize and solicit articles for OUSA’s Educated Solutions magazine and other publications;

-        Contribute to projects surrounding the forthcoming provincial election; and

-        Support the work of the Director of Communications and Public Relations in projects as required.

Qualifications:

The OUSA intern will:

- Have been registered as a full-time student in the previous academic year and intend to return to school on a full-time basis in the next academic year;

- Be legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant provincial legislation and regulations;

- Have a working knowledge of Microsoft Office;

- Have skills in oral and written communication, research methods, and policy analysis; and

- Have a keen interest in post-secondary education issues.

Knowledge of data processing and statistical analysis software would be considered an asset.

PLEASE SEND APPLICATIONS WITH COVER LETTERS AND RESUMES TO hr@ousa.on.ca BY 5:00 PM, APRIL 8TH, 2011

TORONTO, March 17 – As Ontario prepares to welcome thousands more international students to our university campuses, undergraduate students are expressing their support for the government’s goal of increasing international student enrolment and are calling for institutions and government to offer international students a more supportive learning environment at a fair cost.

The Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA) today released Going Global, a report detailing the benefits of greater internationalization and students’ recommendations to ensure the best and brightest can access and succeed in an Ontario post-secondary institution.

International undergraduate students now pay over three times more in tuition fees than their domestic peers,  though institutions receive no government grants for these students. After a thorough comparison of the total  revenue generated by domestic and international undergraduate students, the report finds that Ontario universities on average receive over $5,000 more from an international undergraduate student, indicating that these students may be used to subsidize other university operations. Furthermore, survey results show that the number of international students from low-income families has declined steadily over the past 20 years.

“Undergraduate students stand in full support of the government’s internationalization agenda,” said OUSA President Meaghan Coker. “But the evidence suggests that high fees and unpredictable increases work against our shared goal of attracting the world’s best to Ontario.”

Additional recommendations to increase fairness and support include:

• Government regulation of tuition fee increases beyond the first year so that international students know the full cost of their education before they enrol;
• A tuition set-aside program for international students to fund need-based assistance currently available at less than half of Ontario universities;
• Re-enrolling international students under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP);
• Expanding eligibility and eliminating the application fee for the Opportunities Ontario Program, which assists international graduates in becoming permanent residents; and
• Providing incentives for institutions to expand the range and quality of support programs for international students.

“Both the provincial and federal governments have recognized that a strong brand is required for long-term success in attracting international students,” continued Coker. “Scholarships and recruitment initiatives are an important component, but improving the quality of the experience of studying and living in Ontario should be paramount.”

Copies of the report are available here. OUSA represents the interests of over 140,000 professional and undergraduate, full- and part-time university students at seven Ontario institutions.

Click image to view online

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE DOCUMENT