February 12, 2024
Blog
Interested in writing for OUSA? Contact Tiffany Li Wu, our Operations & Communications Coordinator.
Finding The Balance: The Key For Success in University
It’s hard to believe that we have less than a month left until September. The beginning of the month of August marks the acceptable time to get ready for back to school. For many this may simply involve picking up some pencils, notebooks, a new backpack, and possibly some fresh new kicks.
Collaboration Across Campuses
Collaboration: a popular idea in the modern workplace, school, and government. Effective group-work is a skill of increasing importance, visible in the classroom with group assignments, projects, and even tests becoming more prominent and contributing to an increasing portion of students' grades. At the university-level, student unions function on successful collaboration: among student leaders both within and outside of the union, with full-time staff, university administration, stakeholders, and any other campus and community partners.
Presidential Update - July 2017
Last week, we released a joint publication called Shared Perspectives with our friends at the New Brunswick Student Alliance, Students Nova Scotia, Council of Alberta University Students, and Canadian Alliance of Student Associations.
It’s Time to Lift the Curtain on Financial Literacy
Let’s talk money.
Or rather, the fear of not having any.
For many students, the topic of finances is difficult and scary. It is full of not knowing – not knowing how interest and loans work, not knowing how to file taxes, not knowing how to make a budget. Let’s not even approach the idea of stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and other investments. But our ignorance on finances does not make us immune to the consequences that can result.
Introducing Stephanie Bellotto: Steering Committee Member from Wilfrid Laurier University
My name is Stephanie Bellotto and I am the Vice President of University Affairs for the Wilfrid Laurier University Students’ Union. I am very excited to be sitting on OUSA’s Steering Committee this year! Our Steering Committee is full of passionate individuals who are committed to making this a successful year by advocating for an enhanced student experience. Let’s also not forget OUSA’s amazing Home Office Staff who I am so excited to be working with!
Introducing Ryan Deshpande: Steering Committee Member from McMaster University
Hello!
My name is Ryan Deshpande, and I am thrilled to be a member of this year’s OUSA Steering Committee, representing McMaster students. At Mac, I serve as the Vice President (Education) and Corporate Officer of the McMaster Students Union (MSU).
Presidential Update - June 2017
Although it's the middle of summer, things are anything but boring at OUSA! We were excited to hear that White Ribbon’s Draw the Line campaign recently chose to recognize past Steering Committee member, Sarah Wiley, with an award for her advocacy efforts in sexual violence prevention and response.
Advocating for International Student Support Services
This past March, the OUSA General Assembly passed its newly-revised policy on International Students and Education. With various recommendations to the provincial government, it’s fantastic to see the organization move forward with this, recognizing key areas that need improvement when it comes to international students and international education.
Reflections on Pride Month and the Experiences of LGBTQ+ Students
As Pride Month comes to an end, it is an important time to reflect on the experiences of LGBTQ+ students in Ontario’s higher education sector. It’s easy for Ontarians to dismiss this topic of conversation in recent years. For instance, the Pride Parade in Toronto generates massive audiences each year, institutions have made strides in encouraging the hiring of LGBTQ+ faculty and staff, and more and more safe spaces for LGBTQ+ youth are popping up all over the province, including gender-neutral bathrooms. However, as the festivities come to a close, the lived realities of LGBTQ+ students continue to permeate across the province.
What Someone Who Knows Nothing About the Government Learns in a Role Where Everyone Knows Everything About the Government: An Exit Blog
In the latter part of my role here, I have seen what I would label as the core of OUSA, or the OUSA as I knew it move on. These were the people I first met after being hired here and the people I learned from. Knowing this team had changed me.