The Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA) is an alliance of students' unions in Ontario , Canada. Their common objective is to protect the interests of over 160,000 professional and undergraduate , full-time and part-time university students, and to provide research and recommendations to the government on how to improve accessibility, affordability, accountability, and quality of post-secondary education in Ontario.
28-578: The initial catalyst for the creation of OUSA was disagreement over the position of the provincial and national student association in Ontario on the first Gulf War. In 1992, The student associations of Brock University , Queen's University , the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University , and the Association of Part-Time Undergraduate Students at the University of Toronto approached
56-490: A Halloween night at Isaac's Bar. Some students in the costume were found to have put on black faces, prompting controversy. BUSU has since begun monitoring costumes entering their bar as a result. This was the third time a black face incident had happened on campus, as former students also won for the bobsled team costume, and one in 2009 won the contest for dressing up as Lil' Wayne. In February 2022 an anonymous Reddit post alluded to reports of sexual misconduct against one of
84-511: A mid 1990s proposal that asked for increased government spending towards universities along with increased tuition fees, however this recommendation was reversed a few years later, and OUSA has called for tuition freezes and decreases since at least 1999. Presidents Executive Directors Information taken from OUSA's website unless otherwise stated. Presidents and Executive Directors updated annually. Brock University Students%27 Union The Brock University Students' Union ( BUSU )
112-415: A nomination process that includes a stricter vetting process of candidates, further Gender and Sexual Violence education and training for all staff and board members through Brock's Human Rights and Equity services, and further transparency with all BUSU Board Meetings now filmed and available via YouTube. Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance The Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA)
140-781: A referendum, to leave the Alliance. On April 29, 2014, the McMaster Association of Part-Time Students also withdrew from membership in OUSA. The Students' General Association (SGA-AGÉ) of Laurentian University was admitted into OUSA in April 2016, with membership taking effect May 2016. Most recently, the Ontario Tech Student Union (OTSU) joined OUSA as a full member in April 2023. As of 2023, OUSA's membership consists of: OUSA's Steering Committee
168-468: A referendum, to leave the Alliance. On April 29, 2014, the McMaster Association of Part-Time Students also withdrew from membership in OUSA. The Students' General Association (SGA-AGÉ) of Laurentian University was admitted into OUSA in April 2016, with membership taking effect May 2016. Most recently, the Ontario Tech Student Union (OTSU) joined OUSA as a full member in April 2023. As of 2023, OUSA's membership consists of: OUSA's Steering Committee
196-414: A roundtable discussing the prospect of pushing for an increase in tuition fees. When this idea was rejected, the roundtable occurred informally and resulted in the formal incorporation and creation of OUSA. Part-time students at the University of Toronto withdrew from the Alliance, as did Queen's Alma Mater Society, citing concerns over the organization's management in the mid-1990s. Queen's then rejoined
224-463: Is an alliance of students' unions in Ontario , Canada. Their common objective is to protect the interests of over 160,000 professional and undergraduate , full-time and part-time university students, and to provide research and recommendations to the government on how to improve accessibility, affordability, accountability, and quality of post-secondary education in Ontario. The initial catalyst for
252-453: Is responsible for overseeing the human resources of the students' union, as well as having a fiduciary relationship with the organization, particularly in regard to its corporate and legal responsibilities. The Board also serves a quasi-judicial function as the highest level of appeal for all redresses of grievance with, or within BUSU. BUSU operates student services that have the goal to improve
280-788: Is the students' union representing the over 17,000 undergraduate students of Brock University in St. Catharines , Ontario , Canada. BUSU is a founding and current member of the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance . The Brock University Students' Union executive is made up of four popularly elected students: the President, the Vice President Student Services, the Vice President External Affairs and
308-456: Is the body responsible for setting and monitoring the organization's priorities and strategic initiatives. It is also the non-profit organization's board of directors. One executive member of each constituent student union sits on the board as a voting member. According to the organization's Bylaws, each association is entitled to appoint one additional non-voting resource member to OUSA's Steering Committee. Alma Mater Society of Queen's University
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#1732780397484336-455: Is the body responsible for setting and monitoring the organization's priorities and strategic initiatives. It is also the non-profit organization's board of directors. One executive member of each constituent student union sits on the board as a voting member. According to the organization's Bylaws, each association is entitled to appoint one additional non-voting resource member to OUSA's Steering Committee. Alma Mater Society of Queen's University
364-414: Is the only OUSA member in recent years that regularly uses this provision to appoint an additional member. As of May 2024, the membership of the committee is: Due to its moderate leanings when compared with other student advocacy groups and close working relationship with many decision makers, OUSA has faced criticism that they are too cooperative with the government. OUSA has also received criticism for
392-412: Is the only OUSA member in recent years that regularly uses this provision to appoint an additional member. As of May 2024, the membership of the committee is: Due to its moderate leanings when compared with other student advocacy groups and close working relationship with many decision makers, OUSA has faced criticism that they are too cooperative with the government. OUSA has also received criticism for
420-451: Is to provide peace of mind through insurance and to offset costs associated with their health needs. Coverage includes prescription drug coverage, accidental travel insurance, emergency dental coverage, and optical coverage. BUSU provides every Brock student taking 1.5 credits or more with unlimited use of St. Catharines, Welland, and Niagara Falls Transit. This service is paid for by an ancillary fee collected with student tuition. The U-Pass
448-494: The Ontario Federation of Students(OFS) to host a roundtable discussing the prospect of pushing for an increase in tuition fees. When this idea was rejected, the roundtable occurred informally and resulted in the formal incorporation and creation of OUSA. Part-time students at the University of Toronto withdrew from the Alliance, as did Queen's Alma Mater Society, citing concerns over the organization's management in
476-638: The Alliance as an associate member in 2001 and then as a full member in 2004. In May 2011, OUSA welcomed two new members, the Trent in Oshawa Student Association (later the Trent Durham Student Association ) as associate members, and the McMaster Association of Part-Time Students as full members, who had rejoined after a 7-year absence. In May 2013, the University of Windsor Students' Alliance voted, through
504-647: The BUSU bulletin boards and advertising in the Brock Press. BUSU clubs are overseen by the BUSU Vice President Student Services. The Brock University Students' Union operates several businesses on campus, including the campus bar, Isaac's; the Students' Centre cafeteria, Union Station; and the on-campus convenience store General Brock. BUSU is unique to many other students unions in relation to their campus bar as they are one of
532-679: The Student Centre. The campus bar, Isaac's, Skybar Lounge, and the Union Station food court also occupy the Alumni Student Centre. The Brock University Students' Union was a founding member of the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance . The student association is also an observer member of Canadian Alliance of Student Associations . In 2015 a group of Brock students dressed as the Jamaican bobsled team for
560-657: The Vice President University Affairs. The Brock University Students Administrative Council (BUSAC) is a popularly elected legislative body composed of representatives from all academic faculties of the university as well as representatives for Residence, Off-Campus, and International students. The Brock University Students' Union Board of Directors comprises seven members, the president and one other executive member, two members of BUSAC as appointed by BUSAC, as well as three student at large members elected in general elections. The board of directors
588-411: The actions we plan to take, to convey the severity with which we acknowledge any allegations of harassment or misconduct.“ As a result of the accusations, some portions of the student election were postponed. BUSU staff and board also committed to an action plan that included additional student representation, increasing their Board of Directors to 13 voting students , changing the election process to
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#1732780397484616-431: The creation of OUSA was disagreement over the position of the provincial and national student association in Ontario on the first Gulf War. In 1992, The student associations of Brock University , Queen's University , the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University , and the Association of Part-Time Undergraduate Students at the University of Toronto approached the Ontario Federation of Students(OFS) to host
644-430: The few student unions that hold their own liquor license, as opposed to the university holding it. The Alumni Student Centre is the head office of BUSU and is owned and operated by BUSU. All BUSU offices are housed in the Alumni Student Centre. The Alumni Student Centre contains a lounge for off-campus students, discount photocopiers for student use, and a coffee shop. The offices of the Brock Press and BrockTV are also in
672-455: The mid-1990s. Queen's then rejoined the Alliance as an associate member in 2001 and then as a full member in 2004. In May 2011, OUSA welcomed two new members, the Trent in Oshawa Student Association (later the Trent Durham Student Association ) as associate members, and the McMaster Association of Part-Time Students as full members, who had rejoined after a 7-year absence. In May 2013, the University of Windsor Students' Alliance voted, through
700-478: The quality of students on campus experience at Brock. BUSU is responsible for running the O-Week in conjunction with Brock University during the first week of the school year, putting on all-ages events and information fairs for first-year students at Brock as well as returning students. BUSU provides extended health and accident insurance programs for Brock students through their health and dental plan. The goal
728-400: The student executive candidates. While BUSU was not aware of any such incidents prior to this Reddit post, there was a statement made on Instagram that was later deleted as it was viewed as not supportive of survivors. BUSU apologized for the original statement with the following statement. “ We recognize that a previous statement made via this social media channel was not written in a way that
756-617: Was first implemented after a student referendum in 2003. BUSU operates Brock Aid, which is a first aid responders team that provides emergency medical response during BUSU events. BUSU also oversees BrockTV, the online campus television network. BrockTV provides all facets of student-made content from news briefs and guest lectures, to varsity highlights, musician interviews and entertainment parodies. The Brock University Students' Union ratifies student clubs and provides them with funding and organizational assistance. BUSU provides clubs with room bookings, BUSU.net e-mail addresses, postings on
784-566: Was supportive of survivors of sexual violence. It was for this reason taken down. We apologize to those who were made to feel unsafe, triggered, or that they could not come forward. This was truly not our intention. We do not believe, and it was not our intention to convey that because this allegation came through certain channels, that it is not fully valid. We do take all allegations very seriously. With full transparency, yes, there have been serious allegations made online against certain candidates in this election. We aim through this statement, and
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