Blog

Interested in writing for OUSA? Contact Tiffany Li Wu, our Operations & Communications Coordinator.

Presidential Update May 2023

Written by on May 29, 2023

Hi everyone! I hope the start of your summer has been splendid and you’ve been enjoying some much deserved rest and relaxation! This is a bittersweet moment for me as this is my final presidential update, so please humour me and my sentimentality. 

Presidential Update April 2023

Written by on April 26, 2023

Hi friends, I hope exam season is treating you well! I can’t believe it’s already April and we’re at the end of the academic term.

Does Political Science Belong in STEM?

Written by on April 18, 2023

The other day, someone asked me “Are you in Political Science?” I answered this interaction by laughing. Me? A Biotechnology student being mistaken for a Political Science student? Should I feel complimented or insulted?

I’ve always been the person that agrees with the statement I hate politics or had a prejudice that science is more impactful than the arts. My mind has completely changed this year from being the Commissioner of External Affairs at the AMS and a Steering Committee member at OUSA, as it exposed me to the importance of Political Science in the STEM field, and how change is driven through politics.

OUSA's 2023 Teaching Excellence Award Recipients

Written by on April 13, 2023

The Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance Teaching Excellence Awards recognize educators who excel at unlocking the potential of Ontario’s young people. Successfully engaging individuals in the learning experience depends on an instructor's ability to spark students' curiosity and desire to learn, and this has never been more true than what we have witnessed over the past couple of years. It is our pleasure to give these remarkable professionals the recognition they deserve.

Supporting Former Youth in Care as They Pursue Post-Secondary Education

Written by on April 04, 2023

While having a post-secondary school degree is not the sole indicator of future employment, it continues to be one of the most important factors that employers look for when young people enter the workforce. In fact, the 2021-22 Ontario University Graduate Survey indicates that 54% of graduates required an undergraduate degree to work the job they were currently employed in.[1]

From Winter Blues to Spring News: OUSA’s 57th GA Recap!

Written by on March 28, 2023

Spring is in the air - the birds are chirping, the flowers are pushing through the frozen grounds, and kinder temperatures are on their way! With that, OUSA, too, gave an early welcome to spring and held its 57th General Assembly (GA) on the beautiful campus of Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. GA, which is a weekend-long policy formulation conference (or a policy party, haha!), brought together delegates from OUSA’s eight member schools to discuss and approve student-written policy papers. We were also thrilled to have observer delegates from the Ontario Tech Student Union physically join us (as opposed to seeing their lovely faces on a screen throughout the weekend). This time around, all delegations joined in-person for the first time since October, and yes, we celebrated this with warm hugs, loads of laughter, and immaculate vibes.

The Importance of “Giving a $@!#”: An Opinion Piece

Written by on March 22, 2023

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?