Blog

Well. Here it is. My last blog as OUSA President.

May is a time of renewal and reflection. This past month, our Steering Committee and their fellow executives on their home campuses have packed up their belongings, reflected on the year, and embarked on the next chapter of their lives. At the same time, new student leaders across the province have transitioned into their new roles, excited for the year ahead and to advocate for students. It’s definitely bittersweet, and I’m sure many of my peers would agree that this year has had some of the most difficult challenges, as well as some of the most rewarding and exciting experiences.

Hello!

I’m Linda Cabral, and I am excited to be joining OUSA’s home office team for the summer as a research intern.

The Wilfrid Laurier University community was shocked and devastated by the passing of its Dean of Students, Leanne Holland Brown. In her years at Laurier, Leanne touched the lives of thousands of students, helping them navigate their way through university. Since hearing the news, finding the words to express Leanne’s impact on myself as a student leader, as well as the Laurier community, have been difficult to string together, but need to be shared.

The Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance Teaching Excellence Award recognizes educators who excel at unlocking the potential of Ontario’s young people. Successfully engaging individuals in the learning experience depend on an instructor's ability to spark students' curiosity and desire to learn. It is our pleasure to give these remarkable professionals the recognition they deserve. A good textbook and a high-tech classroom are not enough to provide quality education. An excellent instructor will be able to engage their students in the process of learning and discovery and help them develop the critical skills that form the foundation of a robust education. With this in mind, the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance annually presents its teaching awards to professors from each of our member campuses who have taken this role to heart, and who have been selected by their students as examples of teaching excellence.

We are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2019 OUSA Teaching Excellence Awards! 

Hello everyone!

On March 1-3, OUSA hosted its annual Spring General Assembly at the University of Waterloo. The weekend was filled with great discussions related to Student Financial Aid, LGBTQ+ Students, and Student Employment. I’m really grateful to all of our member schools who had delegates participating in very meaningful and complex conversations on our policies.

Hello!

My name is Ryan Tishcoff and I’m excited to join OUSA’s Home Office as a Research and Policy Analyst.

I have a law degree from the University of Ottawa and an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the University of Toronto. I’ve also tried my hand at the publishing industry, completing post-graduate courses at Ryerson University.

Post-secondary students choose their area of study for any number of reasons - interest, career aspirations, or perhaps mere convenience. One thing that post-secondary students should leave their education with, is the feeling that they were given ample opportunity to learn in their areas of interest. There has been an increase in conversations around the idea that the post-secondary sector must respond to the needs of employers, and industries must collaborate in order to sufficiently prepare the next generation of employees for the modern workforce. In the midst of these conversations, students have expressed dissatisfaction with the opportunities afforded to them to develop the skills that employers seek.

Hi! My name's Britney De Costa and I am very excited to be joining the OUSA team at the home office as a Research & Policy Analyst.

How to Write a Letter to an MPP

Are you unhappy or pleased with something announced or enforced by the Ontario Government? If you want to have your voice heard, you can write a letter to Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs).

Why Write a Letter to your MPP?

Writing a letter to your MPP gives you the opportunity to make your voice heard as a constituent of their riding. MPPs have shown to be effective advocates for their constituents, but need to hear from them in order to do so. At OUSA we do our best to advocate on behalf of all of our students, but writing a letter to your MPP allows you to personally address and advocate on issues that you think are important.      

The government’s recent introduction of the Student Choice Initiative to make most ancillary fees, including student association fees, optional has caused significant feelings of concern not only to myself but also to student associations across the province. As the current Vice President: University Affairs of the Wilfrid Laurier University Students’ Union and someone who has been actively engaged with my student association since my second year, I am obviously hesitant to this initiative. The Laurier Students’ Union has provided me with opportunities for both personal and professional growth, and has been a second home for me during my time at university.