New Lunch Support for In-Person Labs in Athabasca (One-year Pilot Program)

Students attending in‑person science labs in Athabasca will now receive free catered lunches for the full duration of their lab, thanks to a new partnership between AUSU and AU’s Faculty of Science and Technology.

What students can expect

Fresh, nutritious lunches will be provided each day of the lab. Dietary needs can be accommodated with advance notice.

Why this matters

Students have shared that accessing meals during lab weeks can be challenging and expensive, especially for those travelling from out of town or out of province. This initiative helps reduce stress, supports well‑being, and creates a welcoming space for students to connect with one another. For many AU learners, labs are one of the rare opportunities to meet classmates face‑to‑face, and shared meals will help make those moments meaningful and memorable.

Help shape the future of the program

All lab participants will receive a short AUSU survey to share their experience. Your feedback will help determine whether this program continues beyond the pilot year.

Notice of Special Resolutions of Council Second Reading

This notice is to inform AUSU members that the first readings of the following resolutions have both passed unanimously.

Resolution #1 – New Bylaws Approval

BIRT AUSU Council approves the amended Bylaws as presented.

Resolution #2 – Strategic Plan Approval

BIRT AUSU Council rescinds the 2023–2026 Strategic Plan and replaces it with the new 2025–2030 Strategic Plan as presented.

AUSU extends sincere thanks to all students who took part in the engagement opportunities and shared their perspectives throughout this process.

A second reading is scheduled for February 23, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. (MT).

Students who wish to attend the Council meeting may register by emailing ausu@ausu.org with their full name and student ID.

CASA: Join the Movement to Protect Student Financial Aid! 

Help us tell the federal government: don’t cut student financial aid during a cost-of-living crisis.

The federal government has yet to confirm whether the temporary increase to the Canada Student Grant (CSG) from $3,000 to $4,200 will be extended after July 2026. This vital support helps over 700,000 students across Canada manage rising tuition and living costs.

Without a commitment to extend this support, funding could drop back to $3,000, effectively a $1,200 cut each for thousands of students.

Students deserve certainty and stability to focus on their education.

Sign the petition now by February 4th 2026 to urge the government to extend the expanded CSG and protect student financial aid.

Notice of Special Resolutions of Council

This notice is to inform AUSU members that Council will be considering two special resolutions with the following wording:

Resolution #1 – New Bylaws Approval

BIRT AUSU Council approves the amended Bylaws as presented.

Resolution #2 – Strategic Plan Approval

BIRT AUSU Council rescinds the 2023–2026 Strategic Plan and replaces it with the new 2025–2030 Strategic Plan as presented.

A survey link has been sent to all current students via email to collect feedback. The survey includes links to the proposed Bylaws, the accompanying rationale for the changes, and the proposed 2025–2030 Strategic Plan. The survey will close on January 26, 2026 at midnight (MT).

A first reading of both resolutions is scheduled for February 2, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. (MT).
A second reading is scheduled for February 23, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. (MT).

Students who wish to attend either or both Council meetings may register by emailing ausu@ausu.org with their full name and student ID.

Your feedback matters and will help guide Council’s work.

The holiday season has arrived and we’re excited to share some festive cheer with all our members. To celebrate the holidays, AUSU is hosting a four-day giveaway from December 21-24th. Each day members will have the opportunity to win gift cards redeemable at a number of popular stores such as Amazon, DoorDash, Apple, Google Play and more. 

To participate, we encourage you to follow our Instagram page and keep an eye out for each giveaway post. This is our way of saying thank you to our members for an incredible year!

Exam Concerns: 

We have heard many concerns from students about the recent outage related to AU’s MuchLearning platform, and the issues it has caused with prescheduled exams. Thankfully the university confirmed to us today that the platform is fully operational, and exams will proceed as normal. 

If you were affected by the outage or need further guidance, you may contact examunit@athabascau.ca. 

Awards Updates:

The Fall 2025 Awards Season was filled with incredible submissions, and we were thrilled to review the work of our talented students. Each entry showed the drive, persistence, and resilience of AU students, and demonstrated the impact AU students have on the wider community. All winners have been notified for this season.

If you haven’t seen the Spring 2025 winners and their inspiring stories on our website yet, be sure to check them out.

Additionally, the incredible winning submissions of the Spring 2025 Storyteller Awards are found here. These highlight the creativity, talent, and originality of our members, truly celebrating diverse student voices.

Looking Forward to the New Year

As 2025 comes to a close, we want to thank all our members for their support over the past year. AUSU looks forward to advocating for and supporting all our students in the year ahead. We cannot wait to continue working hard to improve your student experience.

AUSU is excited to announce that our Fall Awards are now open for application from October 1st to October 31st, closing at midnight MT.

We offer a variety of awards and scholarships that celebrate the resilience, achievements, creativity, and educational journeys of Athabasca University students. AU students are truly like no other and we’re honoured to support them through these opportunities. To learn more about our awards, read our policy 7.02.

Awards Available this Season:

Academic Excellence Award ($1000): Awarded to the students with the highest academic achievement, based on their overall GPA.

Faculty Scholarships ($1000): Recognizes students making impactful contributions academically or professionally within their AU program. This is available for all students in the faculties of Humanities, Science and Technology, Health and Business.

Resilient Scholar Award ($1000): Celebrates inspiring students who have shown resilience and academic success after facing significant challenges or barriers.

AUSU Community Impact & Engagement Award ($1000): Recognizes meaningful volunteering within local communities or the AU student community.

Returning Student Award ($500): For students who have returned to post-secondary education after a minimum of five years.

Storyteller Award ($500): Students are invited to share their AU journey through original artwork, stories, videos, or other creative media.

HOW TO APPLY:

1. Register and create an account using your AU student email address.
2. Select the “Awards, Scholarships, or Bursary” category.
3. Choose the award you want to apply for.
4. Review the requirements for your selected award.
5. Complete the questionnaire and upload all required supporting documents.
6. Click Submit. Your application will not be received unless it is submitted.
7. You will receive a confirmation email. If not, please contact us at president@ausu.org
   

Deadline: October 31, 2025, at Midnight (MT)

September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. On this day we honour the children who never returned home from residential schools, recognize the survivors and their families, and acknowledge the intergenerational impacts of the residential school system.

The orange shirt is a symbol of what was taken from Indigenous children and communities – their culture, identity, and dignity. By wearing orange, we declare that Every Child Matters. Through this, we honour the past, support the present, and commit to a better future.

At AUSU, we encourage everyone to take this day to reflect on this history, learn from Indigenous voices, and prioritize their wellbeing and healing.

Learn More & Participate:

• National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR): nctr.ca

• Orange Shirt Day: orangeshirtday.org

• Truth and Reconciliation Week (NCTR): nctr.ca/education/trw

• APTN National Commemoration: aptn.ca

• Alberta Native Friendship Centres Association: anfca.com

Foodbank & Fall Awards:

If you are in need of food assistance, we’re here to support you. AUSU’s Food Assistance Program offers help when it is needed most. Apply here and learn more about our program.

And, we have some exciting news: AUSU’s Fall Awards open in two days! Beginning on October 1st, 2025, all AUSU members are encouraged to submit applications to be recognized for their achievements. Members will receive an email as soon as applications are open. We cannot wait to see the incredible submissions this season!

AUSU is proud to announce that the Student Food Assistance Program is now open and operating under a new, equity-focused model.

This program supports Athabasca University students experiencing food insecurity. We’ve made important changes to ensure the process is fair, accountable, and respectful of your circumstances.

🚫 No More Draws. No More Guesswork. No More Gaps.

We’ve listened to your feedback and redesigned the program to better serve our members:

• No More Random Draws
  Every application is now reviewed using a structured, equity-based scoring system. Support is provided based on demonstrated need—not chance.
• No More One-Size-Fits-All Support
  Assistance amounts now range from $100 to $250, depending on household size and level of need.
• No More Unverified Claims
  AUSU may request documentation to verify application details. This protects the integrity of the program and ensures resources go where they’re needed most.
• Useful Data Collection
  The new system collects anonymised data to help AUSU better understand student needs and improve future services.

Privacy and Data Use Statement

All data collected through this program is confidential and will be used solely for program evaluation by the Athabasca University Students’ Union (AUSU). Individual identifying information will not be shared publicly. Data will be aggregated and analysed to identify trends and improve student support services.

📝 How to Apply

We’ve moved the application to the same secure platform used for AUSU’s Awards and Bursaries program.

To apply:

1. Visit 👉 https://ausu.awardsplatform.com
2. Sign up or sign in using your @learn.athabascau.ca student email address
3. Click “Start Entry”
4. Scroll down and select “Food Assistance Program”

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and support is issued as quickly as possible based on available resources.

📄 Formal Policy Statement: Application Processing & Waitlist

The Food Assistance Program operates on a scoring-based system with a fixed issuing schedule. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and processed monthly. Allocations are issued at regular intervals based on available resources and applicant scores.

Applicants who are not selected during a given issuing cycle will be automatically placed on a waitlist, which remains active until the end of the fiscal year. These individuals do not need to reapply unless their household circumstances change significantly or they wish to update their application to improve their score.

Applicants who are selected and receive a food assistance card may reapply later in the fiscal year if their circumstances change or if they require continued support. All applications — whether new, returning, or waitlisted — are reevaluated during each issuing cycle.

At the end of the fiscal year, the waitlist is cleared and a new application cycle begins. Applicants must reapply to be considered for assistance in the new fiscal year.

New Accessibility Survey Launched:

In our mission to transform the educational experience at AU, we are continuing to listen and hear the voices that matter the most – our membership. Over the past month, we’ve conducted several surveys, including our Indigenous Consultation Survey (as part of Phase 1 of our Membership Consultation) and the Student Financial Aid Survey. Thank you to all who participated, you are shaping our advocacy.

With this in mind, we just launched a new survey for students with accessibility accommodations on July 29th. We want to hear about your experiences at AU, because your feedback will help us identify gaps for students with accommodations and create transformative change.

This survey has been emailed to all students, and is open until midnight on August 19th MT. All participants have an opportunity to enter to win a $50 gift card! If you have not received a link to your AU email with the survey, please contact president@ausu.org.

🤝 Our Commitment to You

AUSU is committed to supporting students with compassion, confidentiality, and fairness. These changes reflect our dedication to equity, transparency, and responsible stewardship of member resources.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact us at president@ausu.org.

Thank you for being part of a student community that cares.

AUSU Team

Many smiles were captured at our photo and video booths at Athabasca University’s Convocation, where graduates had free professional photos and 360 videos. Above is a few highlights featuring the AUSU President Jan Lehmann and several of the amazing graduates.

Congratulations to all who graduated and who attended Convocation virtually or in person, it was truly inspiring to see so many walk across the stage with their hard-earned diplomas!

Indigenous Consultations:

We greet you in unity.

AUSU has launched the Indigenous Students Engagement & Advocacy Survey as Phase 1 of our Membership Consultations. We want to hear your voice to better understand how AUSU can support, represent, and uplift Indigenous students.

This survey has been emailed to all students, open until midnight on July 20th. All participants have an opportunity to enter to win a $50 giftcard! If you have not received a link to your AU email with the survey, please contact president@ausu.org.

Provincial Funding Survey

We have also launched a survey for students receiving provincial funding for tuition. Your feedback will drive real change and support for AU students like you. This survey has been sent out to all students, open until midnight on July 20th. Participants will also have an opportunity to enter to win a $50 giftcard! If you have not received a link to your AU email with the survey, please contact president@ausu.org.

Awards Judging:

All winners have been contacted by our office, and will be shared on our platforms soon. Thank you to all who participated, it is clear that our incredible membership is like no other!

Help shape the future

With your ongoing support and feedback, we can work together to make a difference in your educational experience at Athabasca University.

We would like to sincerely thank everyone who applied for the AUSU Seasonal Awards and Scholarships! 

We’ve seen an incredible increase in applications this year, showcasing the inspiring ambition and dedication of so many students in our community. Over the next two weeks, AUSU’s Awards Committee will continue their hard work in processing and reviewing applications. 

We appreciate your patience during this process. All winners will be contacted directly by our office!

On another exciting note, Convocation is just around the corner!

Athabasca University will be hosting Convocations on June 5th-6th. We’re thrilled to celebrate the remarkable achievements of our graduating students in Athabasca. Your hard work, perseverance and dedication have led you to this milestone, and AUSU is here to help make your convocation like no other.  

AUSU is excited to present our Graduation Memories Experience at Convocation featuring:

🎥 360 Video Booth – Step inside and record immersive, interactive videos to relive your graduation from every angle.

📸 Photo Booth Experience – Strike a pose for high-quality images in our professionally lit, beautifully designed photo booth.

✨ Instant Keepsakes – Choose print or digital downloads, making it easy to treasure your convocation memories and share them online. Graduates will receive a private password to access, download, and share photos free for six months. 

We can’t wait to celebrate with you and see the excitement of this milestone reflected in every smile, laugh, and moment shared. Whether you’re graduating this year or cheering on your fellow students, we hope you’ll join us in making this occasion special. 

Digital Yearbook: 

Our friends at the Athabasca University Graduate Student Association (AUGSA) are extending an invitation to all AU graduates, both undergraduates and graduates, to join the Convocation 2025 Digital Yearbook, including complimentary pins and other exciting keepsakes. 

Congratulations to the graduating class – your future is bright, and we’re honoured to celebrate with you 🌟

🎓 Have a convocation like no other!

Spring has sprung, and so has our Spring Awards Season! In line with our mission of transparency, AUSU is excited to share our achievements from the past month and our goals for the upcoming two months. 

Our Accomplishments last month: 

• We launched a new and more accessible website.
• Revamped and successfully rolled out the Spring 2025 awards season through a new platform, along with a brand new awards policy.
• Initiated a partnership with AU’s Faculty of Humanities to research better support for accommodative students at AU. 

Our goals for the next two months are to: 

• Open phase 1 of consultations with our students.
•  Refine our councillors’ portfolios to better serve and support your needs. 
• Work towards securing health and dental benefits for our membership through a referendum.
•  Launch an updated social media platform for students to connect. 

We appreciate your continued support during this process, and are committed to making your educational experience at Athabasca University memorable. If you have any questions or require further details, please feel free to reach out! 

Reminder: our Awards and Scholarships are still open for application until April 30th! 

Click here to access our Spring 2025 Awards and Scholarships, along with our year-round bursaries (Including our travel, computer and emergency bursaries).

We are thrilled to announce the Spring 2025 Awards and Scholarship applications are now open for undergraduate AU students! As promised, we’ve delivered—just in time for the new season. We have launched a fresh platform featuring new scholarships, awards and bursaries. We hope you enjoy exploring these awards, and wish you the best of luck with your applications!

Applications will be accepted from April 1st-30th 2025, closing at midnight.

Our new seasonal awards and scholarships include:

• Faculty Scholarships ($1000 for 4 recipients per faculty): These celebrate the achievements of program students across the Humanities, Science, Health, and Business faculties.
• Academic Excellence Scholarship ($1000 x 4): honours the highest academic achievements in GPA.
• Returning Student Award: ($500 x 4): for students who have returned to post-secondary education after 5 or more years
• Resilient Scholar Award: ($1000 x 4): Celebrates the resilience and academic success of students who have undergone significant hardships
• AUSU Community Impact & Engagement Award: ($1,000 x 4): Recognizes impactful volunteer service in local and AU communities
• Storyteller Award ($500 x 4): Submit a creative and original artwork, story, or video that shares your educational journey!

Awards, Scholarships, and bursary applications are all now available on a new, simplified platform, making it easier than ever to apply.

Apply here by April 30th!

How to Apply?

1. Register and create an account using your AU email address.
2. Select the Awards, Scholarships, or Bursary category.
3. Choose the Award, Scholarship or Bursary you wish to apply to.
4. Fill out the questionnaire and upload the supporting documentation.

Deadline: April 30th 2025

If you have any questions, please contact president@ausu.org.

Click here to learn more about the awards and our new awards policy!

Please be patient as we rebuild our Website.