As the end of the 2022-23 academic year looms over the heads of post-secondary students, undergraduate student leaders across Ontario ramp up for a new term. For most Ontario university undergraduate student associations, the end of elections means the ushering in of the new executive team. 

As such, my term as Vice President, University Affairs (VPUA) for the Brock University Students' Union ends on April 30th. As the end of these terribly-wonderful chapters approaches, I have become reminiscent of my time as an undergraduate student and my involvement in student government.

In the wake of the recent elections, I asked myself why do students often not engage in student government, and why did I?

Finding affordable housing has long been an issue for students across OUSA’s member institutions. We have long advocated for supports to help students renter and young graduates enter the housing market. While the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated students’ struggles with finding quality housing, the issue has persisted for much longer. Rent prices have gone up significantly over the past four years, with the quality of housing decreasing simultaneously. A report conducted by a rental housing website found London, Hamilton, and Toronto to have experienced significant annual increases in average rent, increasing by 18.3%, 15.9%, and 14.3%, respectively.(1) How has the province of Ontario allowed the housing crisis to get so bad? More importantly, how can both the provincial and federal governments support municipalities in getting the housing market back on track? 

March is here! Can you believe we’re almost at the end of the school year already? I definitely can’t, especially as election season is gradually wrapping up. 

I’m writing this week to announce the launch of the housing edition of our “Stop OSAP Clawbacks” campaign. In preparation for the release of the Ontario 2023 Budget, we anticipate the third year of $400 million dollars clawed back in provincial contributions to the Ontario’s Student Assistance Program (OSAP), for a total of $1.2B in savings for the Ontario government. Our campaign seeks to highlight our province’s gaps in student financial aid in the wake of a pandemic that has only exacerbated the unaffordability of post-secondary education in Ontario.

JOB POSTING: Operations & Communications Coordinator

Formed in 1992, the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA) is a non-profit advocacy organization that strives to effectively and responsibly represent Ontario’s full- and part-time undergraduate students to lobby for an affordable, accessible, accountable, and high-quality higher education system. In order to achieve these goals, OUSA provides research and policy solutions to government, organizes campaigns, communicates priorities, and develops partnerships with post-secondary education sector stakeholders. With a membership of approximately 150,000 undergraduate, professional full- and part-time students, OUSA is one of the largest and most respected student organizations in the country.

Happy February everyone! 

How is everyone doing? I feel like 2023 is just flying by, and things at OUSA are as busy as ever!

Hello, world!! 

My name is Ananya, and I am super excited to be joining OUSA as the newest Research and Policy Analyst.

TL;DR – try for that new opportunity you’re intimidated by but can’t seem to get off your mind! You are qualified, valued, and capable. Don’t be afraid to lean on your community and ask for help along the way. It’s how we all get through it :)

“What stands between you and the world you want to live in?” A dear friend of mine recently shared her answer to this question that her professor posed in class. Her answer was simple: representation. While this isn’t a groundbreaking answer, her simple answer made me reflect on why representation is so important.

OUSA is thrilled to offer two internships this summer for undergraduate students at our member schools! We are hiring for the positions of:

1. Advocacy and Communications Intern
2. Research Intern

Applicants are welcome to apply for one or both positions, but will only be invited to participate in one interview. Please visit the attached links above for more information on both internships.

Internships are open to students at our member schools who are represented by our participating student associations; these include:

1. Queen's University - Alma Mater Society (AMS)
2. Brock University - Brock University Students' Union (BUSU)
3. University of Waterloo - Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association (WUSA)
4. McMaster University - McMasgter Students Union (MSU)
5. Laurentian University - Students' General Association (SGA)
6. Trent University Durham GTA - Trent Durham Student Association (TDSA)
7. Western University - University Students' Council (USC)
8. Wilfrid Laurier University - Wilfrid Laurier University Students' Union (Laurier SU)

Happy new year everyone!

I hope you had a relaxing and restful winter break, and have had a smooth transition back to classes. It’s hard to believe, but we only have 4 months left of the year!

JOB POSTING: RESEARCH AND POLICY ANALYST

Formed in 1992, the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA) is a non-profit, non-partisan advocacy organization that strives to effectively and responsibly represent Ontario’s full and part-time undergraduate students to lobby for an affordable, accessible, accountable, and high-quality higher education system. In order to achieve these goals, OUSA provides research and policy solutions to government, organizes campaigns, communicates their priorities, and develops partnerships with post-secondary education sector stakeholders. With a membership of approximately 150,000 undergraduate, professional full and part-time students, OUSA is one of the largest and most respected student organizations in the country.