Executive Blog

September is here, and so with it the Fall. At AU, there is 12 months of intake, so this is not necessarily a new time for all of you. But these are the ending times of the year, and time for celebration if you’re finishing your course(s) or starting one.

There has been a lot going on in the month of August, and most likely for September. For my own schedule, I have been busy with meetings for AU and for AUSU. But I even managed to sign up for some courses too, so if you’re in courses this round, then I am with you (and feel your excitement!).

At AUSU, there’s been a lot ongoing. The big thing happening for AUSU has been our proposed bylaw revisions and the consultations involved in those. If you look at the revisions, the main changes include an increase from 9 to 13 councillors, revisions to the sections on the membership fees and The Voice Magazine, an addition outlining the responsibilities of the executive director, signing authority regulations, and the addition of a strategic plan of AUSU. Continue Reading

Going back to school?

As September nears, some of you may be preparing to go back to school, or know someone that is. While students at AU can start classes at any point, many end up taking the summer off. Maybe you were away on vacation. Or maybe you just needed some time off and it happened to be in the summer. Maybe you’re a visiting student who has the summers off. Whatever the reason, it may be that you, your friends, or your family are starting up classes again this fall.

So what does that mean? Well, getting back to the working and studying mentality may be hard after the summer break – especially since AU students aren’t going anywhere physically to attend a campus. For some, this means sprucing up that home study space. For others, maybe some new supplies are needed and will kick-start that study mindset. Whatever is it, we should try our best to get back in our studying space and to keep on track with our studies. If you have a specific way of getting back to your studies, please share it in the comments below!Continue Reading

Today was a big day for undergraduate students at Athabasca University!

The Board of Governors unanimously passed a budget that approved a change to the course materials fee to allow full transparency, choice and cost savings for students as it relates to texts and etexts.

AND

The Board of Governors unanimously agreed to an amendment to allow existing international students to be grandfathered at a rate of tuition very similar to what they are currently paying, as opposed to a market reset being put in place that will apply to students not currently enrolled at AU.

Today, I can say that student voices were heard.

Continue Reading

My first post for the AUSU Executive Blog, for June 2017 – what topic? Community & gratitude. Okay, that’s two topics, but a worthwhile combined topic to me. When I reflect on the nature of AU, and listening to the continual concerns of the AU community, one of the large ones is community.

AU comes from the newer tradition of distance and online education and holds the title of a “Global Pioneer” in open, online, and distance education.I feel honored to serve students, as their needs arise. In reflection on a proper topic to write for the Executive Blog, I looked at previous posts.

I wanted to gauge the reported concerns and hopes for the community from the view of AUSU executives, past and present. Some of the topics included, in one word, waiting, advocacy, representation, AU, cheating, surveys, requirements, vacation, and affordability – more or less.¹Continue Reading

“Thank you for your patience.  Your call will be answered in the order in which it was received.”

Do you hate waiting?  I know I do.

It seems we are living in a “right now” society, where everything we want can usually be found at the tip of our fingers.  Waiting has become something we are less and less used to.  Our society has evolved in a very short period of time into one where waiting is not only inconvenient, it’s unacceptable.Continue Reading

Advocacy Ammo!

A large role of AUSU, especially the executive members, is to meet with AU on a regular basis and express the voice of the members. The list of things that we discuss is very long, and I like to think that it includes all the topics that are important to the members that I am elected to represent. I take this role very seriously, and hope that I can affect some change for the good for current and future AU students.

AUSU membership is both diverse and dispersed across the country and beyond. It is difficult to engage everyone, and AUSU has a staff member and a committee devoted to improving engagement. Continue Reading

Hey everyone!

I’m going to give you all a little update on some of what AUSU and AU have been up to.

Over the past few weeks, I have been busy with working on consultations and committees regarding the future of Athabasca University. Chances are that you all have heard something over the past few months about a “provostial model” or the “third party review”, and maybe have been wondering what your future looks like since you decided to attend AU. Well, fear not! These are both good things to be happening right now, and after the consultations are done, AU will be better for it!

So what is a provost? A university provost is considered to be the university’s chief academic officer, and at AU, they would also have the role of VP Academic. Continue Reading

Who Goes to AU?

I go to AU.

If you’re reading this, there is a fairly good chance that you do too.

Take a moment, and ask yourself – WHY do I go to Athabasca University?

Here’s why I’m asking.  As the President of AUSU, I have represented undergraduate students at AU in countless meetings with people from inside and outside of our University.  I talk about AU and its students every single day, and I have found that there seems to be a misconception about “who” goes to AU.Continue Reading

Would You Knowingly Cheat?

I was hoping that my turn writing the executive blog would be a bright and cheery one with the holidays fast approaching, and a well-deserved break from school and work for some of us.  But really, how would I fill a whole page with holiday wishes?  It seems it would be a better use of this space to give you some really important information that could save you from accusations of academic misconduct.  Sounds serious, doesn’t it?

One of the hot topics at AU and across post-secondary institutions recently is plagiarism and cheating. Continue Reading

November is here!

It is now nearing the end of the year, and this will be my first post as the new VP External and Student Affairs. It has been an exciting and busy first few months in this role. I am excited to bring you all some news and important information for the month!

First off, the Government of Alberta is currently undergoing a tuition and fee review. They are seeking input from students and stakeholders to aid in future directions for governing tuition and student aid. They have released a discussion guide with questions, along with a survey to get input. This can be found online here.

The survey will be open until November 30, 2016. Taking this survey will require some time, including reading the background information provided. However, it is very important that you, as stakeholders, provide your valuable input.Continue Reading