Informal Discussion with CASA National Director

Zach Churchill, National Director for the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations, will be visiting the UASU tomorrow. Students who are interested in learning more about the Students' Union's federal advocacy body are encouraged to come to an informal discussion tomorrow evening at 5:00pm in the SUB Lower Level Meeting Room or to attend the meeting of Students' Council at 6:00pm in University Hall, where several of officers of CASA will be giving a presentation to the members of council.

If you have any questions or would like more information about the Students' Union's involvement with CASA please contact Beverly Eastham at vp.external@su.ualberta.ca Continue reading...

Federal Budget

From Academica:

Mixed reaction to PSE funding outlined in federal budget: While the Conservative government is being praised for earmarking $2 billion for post-secondary infrastructure in its latest budget, some organizations are disappointed that only 30% of that funding is going towards colleges. Other groups say the budget fails to address necessary investment in provincial transfers for core operating funding, academic research, and student financial aid. In comparison to the US stimulus package, in which billions of dollars are geared towards higher education, Canada's budget falls short, and may lead to a national brain drain. Budget 2009 | Globe and Mail | CBC | ACCC News Release | CSA News Release | CFS News Release | CAUT News Release | CREPUQ News Release | EPI News Release | AUCC News Release | OUSA News Release

Continue reading...

The Future of Restricted Access

This morning's Take to the Streets event, the culminating piece of the Restricted Access campaign, saw an estimated 700 students come out in the largest Board protest in recent memory. I cannot express how inspiring it was, nor what an impact it will have in the long-term.

Unfortunately, the rent and tuition decisions were passed despite this massive dissent. However, the Students' Union fielded 20 interviews over 2 days as a result of students' efforts, and as we've said from day one, access is about more than one meeting; this is a long-term project that we will continue.

Please see our website next week for updates on what we will be doing following today's decision:

http://www.restrictedaccess.ca

To all those who helped for countless hours to make this campaign a success -- and a success it was -- my sincere and heartfelt gratitude. Your efforts truly will make a long-term difference.

Janelle Continue reading...

Take to the Streets this Friday!

On the morning of Friday, January 23, the Board of Governors is meeting to decide on the rent and tuition proposals. To address this occasion, the Restricted Access movement will be taking to the streets.

Starting at 7:00am, free hot chocolate and doughnuts will be provided at the tent in Celebration Plaza (outside the Admin building on the corner of the bus loop, under the large dove statue -- please view the map posted under photos). From there, we will head to 87th Ave, carrying signs and wearing scarves, to show our support for our fellow students and to send a message to the university, the government, and the general public that access is an issue.


We hope to see you there, and don't forget to bring your red scarf!

You can confirm your attendance on Facebook. Continue reading...