OUSA

TORONTO/CNW/March 8 – Beginning today, students at four Ontario universities will undertake a three-week experiment: They will attempt to eat a healthy, balanced diet while spending only $7.50 a day on food – the same amount allocated for food by the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP).

Entitled “Food For Thought”, the experiment will be co-ordinated by the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA).  Participants will blog and video blog on their experiences at www.ousa.ca/foodforthought.

The OSAP need assessment uses a standard living allowance for every student living away from home. It totals $34.72 per day, of which $7.50 is allocated to food costs and the rest is meant for shelter, public transit, and miscellaneous expenses. Over the course of a year, this living allowance is $3,000 less than the poverty line for a city of over 100,000 people.

“Given that OSAP expects students to live below the poverty line, I expect our participants will have a great deal of difficulty eating a healthy, balanced diet,” said OUSA President Dan Moulton. “I hope the results of this experiment will convince the provincial and federal governments to fix the broken OSAP assessment formula and end the institutionalization of student poverty.”

Taking part in the experiment are students from Wilfrid Laurier University, Queen’s University, the University of Western Ontario, and Brock University.

A number of organizations dedicated to poverty and social justice issues have pledged their support, including the Council of Canadians, Canada Without Poverty, and university food banks across the Province.

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TORONTO, March 5 – For nearly three weeks, from March 8, 2010 to March 26, 2010, students at four Ontario universities will undertake an experiment: They will attempt to eat a healthy, balanced diet while spending only $7.50 a day on food – the same amount allocated for food by the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP).

Entitled “Food For Thought”, the experiment will be co-ordinated by the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA).  Participants will blog daily on their experiences at www.ousa.ca/foodforthought.

The OSAP need assessment uses a standard living allowance for every student living away from home. It totals $34.72 per day, of which $7.50 is allocated to food costs and the rest is meant for shelter, public transit, and miscellaneous expenses. Over a year, this living allowance adds up to $12,540 – about $3,000 less than the poverty line for a city of over 100,000 people.

“Students across the Province are looking forward to the results,” said OUSA President Dan Moulton. “Given that OSAP expects students to live below the poverty line, I expect our participants will have a great deal of difficulty eating a healthy, balanced diet on only $7.50 a day, or only $2.50 a meal.”

Taking part are Nicholas Gibson-Lockhart from Wilfrid Laurier University, Andrew Beach from the University of Western Ontario, Rachel Crane from Brock University, and Gabrielle Koerber and Sarah Baker from Queen’s University.

For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact: Alvin Tedjo, OUSA Director of Communications & Public Relations, work: (416) 341-9948, cell:  (647) 669-6885

LINK to Charity Village Job Posting

POSITION: Director of Research and Policy Analysis

STATUS: Position is 40 hours per week with the requirement to work some evening and weekends.

START DATE: Successful candidate will be provided with a short transition period in April and will assume full responsibility for the organization in May.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 5:00PM on Friday March 12, 2010

GENERAL SCOPE OF DUTIES
The Director of Research and Policy Analysis, herein known as the Director, is responsible for overseeing or personally completing the research and policy activities of the organization.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Director is responsible for the following deliverables:
• research papers and research studies;
• policy papers and statements;
• submissions to government;
• response papers for government announcements;
• briefing documents on new research and policy in the sector
• building and maintaining relationships with other researchers; and
• the in-house policy and research library.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
• graduate or professional level degree or equivalent combination of education and experience;
• familiarity with various word-processing and spreadsheet software;
• excellent research, qualitative and quantitative analysis skills;
• excellent organization skills;
• familiarity with research methods, academic integrity, and proper citation;
• background or relevant experience in post-secondary education realm;
• ability to work independently and within a team environment;
• excellent personal initiative and strong work ethic
• ability to work effectively and efficiently under pressure; and
• knowledge of OUSA’s structure and internal operations.

While OUSA is a professional organization, it is intimately connected with university students.  This youthful attitude transfers into a highly charged and passionate workplace that creates a unique opportunity for both satisfying and creative work.  OUSA makes every effort to reward employees with both a relaxing and exciting environment and a job that gives them the chance to build and develop their skills. If you would like a full copy of the job description, please e-mail hr@ousa.on.ca

Please send resume and cover letter via e-mail to:

Dan Moulton, President

e-mail: hr@ousa.on.ca

Protecting quality and reversing privatization are the goals of new Ontario University Coalition

TORONTO, Feb. 18 /CNW/ – All front-line groups at Ontario universities – students, staff and faculty – have joined together to put the collective strength of their voices behind a common message: that Ontario’s university system is at a crossroads in providing accessible, affordable, quality education.

In absence of an immediate public investment in higher education, Ontario University Coalition members warn that the affordability, accessibility and quality of Ontario universities will be further threatened.

Ontario lags behind all other provinces in its support for universities. Coalition members will draw on their shared experience and resources to document the deteriorating student experience that results from government under-funding.

The coalition is concerned that inadequate public funding leads to creeping privatization by way of ever-increasing tuition fees and the growing influence of the private sector on our universities ranging from research and teaching to buildings and services. Coalition members say privatization does not reflect the value that generations of Ontarians have placed on a public higher education system.

Coalition members include the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS), the Canadian Union of Public Employees Ontario (CUPE Ontario), the Confederation of Ontario University Staff Associations (COUSA), the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA), the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF), the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA), and the United Steelworkers.

The coalition will release a statement about what the university system needs from the 2010 Ontario Budget, but its ultimate focus is the next provincial election, when it aims to make the declining state of Ontario higher education an issue for voters when marking their ballots.

For further information: Graeme Stewart, (416) 979-2117 x232, gstewart@ocufa.on.ca

TORONTO, Dec. 8 /CNW/ – Student leaders representing 140,000 undergraduate students from across Ontario have returned home from Queen’s Park where they met with over 45 MPPs and 17 Ministers last week to discuss the future of post-secondary education. The meetings were arranged as part of the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance’s (OUSA) annual three-day lobby conference. Priorities included improving student financial aid, enhancing student success and quality, as well as creating a tuition framework and cost-sharing model that is fair to Ontario students.

“This was the most successful lobby conference in OUSA’s history. We met with more ministers, MPPs, bureaucrats and stakeholders than ever before,” said Dan Moulton, OUSA President. “Most importantly, legislators are beginning to understand that investment in our institutions and students is a necessity for the long-term prosperity of our Province, not to mention an immediate economic stimulus for Ontario’s communities.”

With Ontario facing a record deficit, OUSA’s recommendations focused on targeted investments that will have a large impact on students without a tremendous cost to government.

“OUSA’s ideas were very well received by MPPs from all parties and congratulations were frequently given on our pragmatism and forward-thinking solutions,” Moulton added. “Many Members were eager to back our cause, promising letters to the Premier, questions in the legislature, or, in the case of many in Cabinet, to voice support for our solutions to their colleagues.”

At the close of the event, students met with the Honourable John Milloy, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, who expressed interest in OUSA’s recommendations on improving teaching quality and the first-year experience, and agreed on the need to update the OSAP need assessment formula to reflect students’ true costs.

For further information: or to arrange an interview please contact: Alvin Tedjo, OUSA Director of Communications & Public Relations, work: (416) 341-9948, cell: (647) 669-6885

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TORONTO, Nov. 30 /CNW/ – The Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA) released a new report today to mark the launch of its annual lobby conference at Queen’s Park. The report, entitled Ontario’s Knowledge Economy: The Economic Impact of Post-Secondary Education, emphasizes the need for increased investment in universities to ensure Ontario’s long-term prosperity.

“Money given to universities is an immediate and powerful economic stimulus,” said Dan Moulton, OUSA President. “We know that 70% of future jobs will require a post-secondary education, and in order to compete in the knowledge economy of the future, the Ontario government must continue investing in high-quality and accessible universities.”

Investment in higher education provides an individual return on investment of up to 28%. University graduates make up just 22% of the population yet they contribute 41% of income taxes.  Moulton added, “five years ago the Province made a large investment in higher education with its reaching higher plan.  We think that the Province needs to build on the successes of this investment instead of cashing out the future of Ontario’s students when they are most in need.”

The report highlights current gaps in Ontario’s higher education system such as rising student-faculty ratios, lower quality, and lower per-student funding than other provinces in Canada.

A number of partner organizations have joined with students to support the report’s recommendations. These include the Council of Ontario Universities, Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations, Ontario Chamber of Commerce, the Institute for Competitiveness and Prosperity, and the Ontario Association of Food Banks.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE REPORT

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TORONTO, Nov. 27 /CNW/ – The Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA) is releasing a report entitled Ontario’s Knowledge Economy: The Economic Impact of Post-Secondary Education, that underscores how investment in Universities can stimulate the economy and help Ontario climb out of the current recession. The following organizations are joining with students to support the report: the Council of Ontario Universities, Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations, Ontario Chamber of Commerce, the Institute for Competitiveness and Prosperity, and the Ontario Association of Food Banks.

The document will be released at a media conference at Queen’s Park with the supporting organizations in attendance.

Date:             Monday, November 30, 2009
Time:            10:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Place:            Queen’s Park – Media Studio

The press conference is being held in conjunction with OUSA’s annual Lobby Conference, taking place from November 30 to December 2, 2009 in Toronto.  During this conference, student leaders will be meeting with Members of Provincial Parliament and other key decision makers to explore solutions to the challenges facing Ontario’s post-secondary education system.

TORONTO, Nov. 10 /CNW/ – The Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA) has submitted recommendations to the provincial government, detailing what Ontario students need to see in a new long-term plan for higher education.  The 40-page submission, entitled Ontario: A Province of Knowledge, focuses on three key student priorities: student financial aid, student success, and tuition.

“With the imminent expiration of the government’s Reaching Higher Plan, students need to see a continued commitment to post-secondary education from the Province,” said Dan Moulton, President of OUSA.  “By tackling issues such as raising the student loan maximums and living allowances, or improving teaching quality, Ontario will be investing in its future success in the knowledge economy.”

The submission was presented to the Honourable John Milloy, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities when he recently attended OUSA’s fall General Assembly. “As you know we have been working hard on this issue, and have come to OUSA to get your feedback,” said Milloy. “This is hard work what you do, representing your institutions and your students.” Moulton added, “this is a very important time for government to recognize that students need better financial assistance, students are struggling and are asking their government for help.”

The submission can be found on OUSA’s newly revamped website at www.ousa.ca, launched today after a lengthy redesign.  The new website also contains all of OUSA’s current policy documents, government submissions, and features pictures and videos from recent events.

TORONTO, Sept. 29 /CNW/ – The current economic recession in Ontario drove student summer unemployment to the highest levels on record and weakened university endowments, severely reducing available financial aid, says a report released today by the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA). The report, entitled Postsecondary education in Ontario and the recession, explores the negative effects the recession is having on higher education in Ontario and calls for greater government funding to reverse the damage.

“Ontario students are paying more of the total cost of their education than students in other provinces,” said Dan Moulton, President of the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA). “It’s time for the government to restore fairness to the system. Students strongly support OCUFA’s recommendation for greater government funding for postsecondary education.”

Other high-profile reports have recently recommended an increase in government funding, highlighting the economic benefits a strong postsecondary education system. At the request of Premier McGuinty, The Martin Prosperity Institute completed a report entitled Ontario in the Creative Age, which recommends increasing funding for postsecondary education. The Task Force on Competitiveness, Productivity and Economic Progress came to the same conclusion in their most recent annual report.

“The evidence for the social and economic benefits of a strong post-secondary education system is overwhelming. It’s time for the government to make a smart investment for Ontario’s future,” added Moulton.