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TORONTO, ON - Students are urging the provincial government to elevate the province’s post-secondary credentials to international levels by approving three-year degree programs at Ontario’s colleges.

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“Many three-year programs in Ontario already meet the provincial standards for degrees and mirror the degree programs offered at colleges in most of the developed world,” said Tori Arnett, President of the College Student Alliance (CSA).

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“The degree is the credential best understood and recognized by employers. College graduates who have fulfilled the provincial standards for a post-secondary degree should be awarded a degree.”

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The call to elevate Ontario’s credentials to international standards comes as Colleges and Universities Minister Ross Romano conducts provincial consultations on modernizing post-secondary education. Currently, the province requires colleges to award diplomas to all graduates of the three-year programs.

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Expanding the range of degree programs will encourage more students to enroll in the colleges’ career- focused programs and help produce the more highly qualified workforce that will be key to Ontario’s economic recovery.

Offering more degree programs will also make Ontario’s college programs more attractive to international students. Many of those students and their parents are unfamiliar with the diploma credential.

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The province can also expand the micro-credential programs at colleges to create opportunities for current graduates with diplomas to quickly complete studies that lead to a degree. “This will help many graduates who want to obtain a degree to better their futures and help their careers,” Arnett said.

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“The government’s modernization process provides a great opportunity to enrich the offerings at colleges,” said Arnett. “Expanding the degree programs at colleges will strengthen Ontario’s workforce and help restore the province as an economic powerhouse.”

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About College Student Alliance:

College Student Alliance (CSA) advocates on behalf of Ontario college students in partnership with student leaders. Through our member student associations, CSA represents the collective voice of Ontario's college students.

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Contact:

Jason Baryluk
Director of Advocacy

advocacy@collegestudentalliance.ca

C: 647-888-6922

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Toronto, ON – Ontario college students face uncertain academic and financial futures as federal Covid-19 benefits are ending while the pandemic continues. College Student Alliance (CSA) recognizes the need for new supports from the Government of Ontario to ensure students can succeed.

Following a summer of lost jobs and financial insecurity, college students will face an education that is primarily digital for the same cost as a normal semester. The situation is worse for international students who have to manage increased tuition while not being able to enter Canada. Combined, the financial burdens, school work, and the pandemic itself have created a volatile environment for students and their mental health.

“Students are struggling right now,” said Tori Arnett, President, CSA. “While the federal benefits were helpful, many students didn’t qualify or had their money clawed back by the provincial government because they were receiving ODSP or OSAP.”

With the pandemic showing no signs of slowing down, it is critical that the Government of Ontario works with and supports college students. CSA is calling on the provincial government to:

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1. Increase non-repayable grants for low- and middle-income students.

2. Remove expected individual and parental contributions in OSAP calculations.

3. Dedicate funding and tuition support specifically to international students.

4. Create a plan for delivering mental health supports that are accessible to all students for the 2020/21 academic year.

5. Create standards for online-hybrid course delivery.

6. Provide resources to ensure effective delivery of virtual accessibility services at Ontario colleges.

“We all must work together to support students right now” said Arnett. “Practical supports like these are achievable and will carry students through the pandemic and ensure their success.” ​

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About College Student Alliance:

College Student Alliance (CSA) advocates on behalf of Ontario college students in partnership with student leaders. Through our member student associations, CSA represents the collective voice of Ontario's college students.

Contact:

Jason Baryluk

Director of Advocacy

advocacy@collegestudentalliance.ca

C: 647-888-6922

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TORONTO, ON - Today the Government of Ontario announced an "Employment increase in Ontario of 150,700 in July and follows gains of 377,900 jobs - 66,200 of them manufacturing - in the month of June." This is good news for the province, however, post-secondary students continue to face barriers to employment that have been exacerbated by COVID-19.

With the memories of the Great Recession and its job losses for students and graduates fresh in mind, 75% of College Student Alliance (CSA) membership indicated that they are significantly concerned about finding employment after graduation, over 60% indicated that COVID-19 has significantly impacted their ability to fund their education, and 49% of respondents indicated that they are having a decreased ability to afford rent. Low- and middle-income students are more significantly impacted by employment and wage losses posed by COVID-19, and resultingly will have a more difficult time funding their education and basic necessities in the coming school year.

CSA President Tori Arnett stated, “The provincial government needs to think of the future as the economy re-establishes itself as students are applying for financial aid to succeed in their education. Too many of the post-secondary students at this point can’t start, return or finish their education due to financial crisis or lack of placement opportunities. We need to do better for the students of this province and how they will impact the future we are all longing for”

With the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit and Canada Emergency Student Benefit being discontinued by the Government of Canada, students are losing critical financial support. The provincial government should allocate funding directly towards workplaces to create more placement opportunities and incentivize the hiring of college students and graduates. Without support from the government, students will face unemployment the likes we haven't seen before.

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About College Student Alliance:  

College Student Alliance (CSA) advocates on behalf of Ontario college students in partnership with student leaders. Through our member student associations, CSA represents the collective voice of Ontario's college students.  

Contact:   

Jason Baryluk

Director of Advocacy & Member Engagement 

College Student Alliance

T 416-340-1212  |  C 647-888-6922

www.collegestudentalliance.ca

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TORONTO, ON - The Ministry has unveiled their plans to gradually reopen post-secondary education while also providing an opportunity for students to complete their in-person learning this summer within a safe setting.

Post-secondary education as we know it came to a halt this past March when all schools in Ontario transitioned to online course-delivery. Many students have been able to successfully finish their courses online, however for students taking classes that require in-person learning, such as in nursing or PSW programs, finishing their courses was more difficult. In-person learning is crucial for the completion of these programs, many of which require a certain number of in-person hours to graduate from the program. Most of these co-ops and placements were either cancelled, put on-hold, or carried out through alternative means.

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In a recent survey of CSA’s membership, 35% of students were participating in a co-op or placement when physical-distancing measures came in effect, 91% of whom indicated that this in-person learning was a mandatory program requirement. The technical skills obtained through in-person learning are essential for preparing college students for the workforce and ensuring that our workforce has the skills needed for responding to Ontario’s economic demands.

CSA is pleased to see the Ministry’s announcement of a summer program for students to complete their in- person learning in a safe setting. This program will run from July to September 2020 and will include essential frontline and high labour market demand professions, such as nursing, PSWs, welding, engineering, and other critical professions. Over 6,000 college students may qualify for this program to complete their in-person learning this summer.

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“It's exciting, as it's been a long wait to see students being able to slowly get back on campus,” says Tori Arnett, President of CSA. “It’s a relief for so many students trying to find work as many of these programs that require the necessary hands-on components of their education are essential workers that are needed in the field now.”

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Additionally, the Ministry has also announced their plans to gradually and safely reopen post-secondary education in the Fall. This will include virtual learning, in-class instruction, and hybrid models of both. More focus will also be given to micro-credentials to promote the upskilling of students for their increased competitiveness in the labour market.

While many students have been grappling with uncertainty around the future of their education and employment, these announcements provide some clarity in terms of what post-secondary education will look like in the near future. CSA recognizes the hard work of the government and colleges in ensuring that college students can complete their programs successfully, uninhibited by the challenges posed by COVID-19.

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“We want to thank the government for all its continued efforts to keep all post-secondary students safe while trying to maneuver through the pandemic,” says Arnett. “Their quick and decisive action was for the betterment of our province as a whole and we stand with them in support.”

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About College Student Alliance:

College Student Alliance (CSA) advocates on behalf of Ontario college students in partnership with student leaders. Through our member student associations, CSA represents the collective voice of Ontario's college students.

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Contact:

Taylor Irvine, Research & Policy Analyst

College Student Alliance
E: research@collegestudentalliance.ca

T: 416-340-1212 | C: 289-686-1997

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TORONTO, ON - The Ontario government is investing $150 million into reliable broadband and cellular service to ensure that rural, remote, and underserved communities can access sufficient internet for increased economic, employment, and educational opportunities.

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Having access to reliable internet has become a basic necessity in the 21st century with our society being increasingly reliant on technology and global connectedness. This has become particularly important during the age of COVID-19 with social distancing measures in place, as schools at all levels have closed and shifted to online class-delivery that requires high-speed internet. Yet many remote communities in Ontario, particularly in northern Ontario, still do not have sufficient internet service, meaning that students in these communities are not able to access their online class materials and complete their post-secondary programs successfully. This not only stunts academic goals and abilities but also economic stimulation with students not being able to participate in their sector upon graduation and being weighed down by further financial debt associated with prolonged studies.

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CSA strongly advocates for accessibility and affordability of education. As we currently represent over 9,000 students in northern Ontario at Cambrian College, Confederation College, and Northern College this announcement is quite seismic for our membership. Just this past May, CSA had the opportunity to participate in a Ministerial Advisory Council on the economic recovery of COVID-19, during which we emphasized the need for the expansion of broadband internet service in rural and remote communities to ensure that all post-secondary students in Ontario can participate fully in their education regardless of their location.

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CSA is delighted to announce that the provincial government has acknowledged this need for accessible internet by investing $150 million into expanding broadband and cellular service in remote, rural, and underserved communities. This will undoubtedly have positive effects on the accessibility and affordability of education as well as the economic prosperity of these communities in Ontario, and as such, we encourage that the government ensure these services are affordable for each community. CSA is hopeful that this investment will shape the future of accessibility to education through online learning and guarantee all post-secondary students in Ontario access to a quality education, as one of the positive long-lasting impacts of COVID-19.

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About College Student Alliance:

College Student Alliance (CSA) advocates on behalf of Ontario college students in partnership with student leaders. Through our member student associations, CSA represents the collective voice of Ontario's college students.

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Contact:

Taylor Irvine, Research & Policy Analyst

College Student Alliance
E: research@collegestudentalliance.ca

T: 416-340-1212 | C: 289-686-1997

Add some more info about this item...

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TORONTO, ON​ – The government has passed a $9 billion investment for post-secondary students, known as the Canadian Emergency Student Benefit, which will provide income support to post-secondary students across Canada.

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In these trying times of COVID-19, students have been detrimentally impacted in a number of ways, including financially, which also holds larger ramifications for academic success, mental health and addiction as well. On the morning of April 22, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a commitment of $9 Billion to begin filling the gap students had expressed since the beginning of this pandemic. This investment, known as theCanadian Emergency Student Benefit (CESB)​, has now been passed by the House of Commons with support from MPs on both sides of the aisle.

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CESB will provide financial relief to post-secondary students and recent graduates who are Canadian citizens, registered under the Indian Act, permanent residents, and protected persons, from May to August 2020. There are also additional investments for Indigenous students and increased federal student grants for the upcoming school year. This benefit will help students stay afloat during these unprecedented times in which many students are struggling to afford their education and secure employment; a recent survey from CSA found that over 60% of respondents are struggling to fund their college education and over 70% are significantly concerned about finding employment after graduation.

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Through federal and provincial advocacy efforts such as the College Student Alliance’s mass letter writing campaign, your voices were heard! Below are the details of what this new initiative will include:

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●  $1250 a month for post-secondary students and recent graduates

●  $2000 for students with dependants and students with disabilities

●  Doubled federal student grants and increased student loans for upcoming 2020/21 school year

●  Specific help for Indigenous students

●  Grants for students who volunteer to fight COVID-19

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CSA commends the government on coming together from both sides of the aisle to approve this significant investment in post-secondary students of Canada. While CSA is glad that this benefit will help many students in need, we hope that international students will also be included in this generous investment moving forward. The ​federal announcement to temporarily remove the hourly cap on international student employment is

helpful but more assistance is urgently required. International students are particularly in need of support, as they pay exorbitantly higher tuition fees than domestic students and are far away from their families and support networks with limited ability to travel home. Also, with this global pandemic many international financial institutions are not accessible meaning that some students who rely on support from home are unable to receive them even if the funds are available.

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In a social media poll, CSA found that 47% of students believe they would not be supported by CESB. We are hopeful that the government will make CESB accessible to all students in need so that every student in Canada can access a post-secondary education without being hindered by the effects of COVID-19.

To help us in our advocacy efforts, you can fill out either our International Student Form Letter or ourDomestic Student Form Fetter​, and send them to the respective MPs and MPPs as listed at the top of each letter. Additionally, we have created an ​Infosheet on available COVID-19 funding resources, which includes available information on CESB eligibility.

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About College Student Alliance:

College Student Alliance (CSA) advocates on behalf of Ontario college students in partnership with student leaders. Through our member student associations, CSA represents the collective voice of Ontario's college students.

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Contact:

Champagne Thomson, Director of Advocacy & Member Engagement College Student Alliance
E: advocacy@collegestudentalliance.ca
T: 416-340-1212 | C: 705-327-8806

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Taylor Irvine, Research & Policy Analyst

College Student Alliance
E: research@collegestudentalliance.ca

T: 416-340-1212 | C: 289-686-1997

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TORONTO, ON – CSA responds to a COVID-19 Action Plan released by the Government of Ontario, which includes details on current government expenditures and spending on COVID-19 measures

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The Ontario Minister of Finance, Rod Phillips, released a COVID-19 Action Plan yesterday, which includes a fiscal update on this year’s government expenditures and planned spending on COVID-19 measures. The Action Plan included numerous measures dedicated to COVID-19 relief for families, front-line workers, and indigenous communities, coupled with increased health care spending to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on the public health of Ontario. In addition to these relief funds, a 6-month moratorium on OSAP loan payments and interest accrual was announced, to provide students and graduates with financial relief during this unprecedented time. This announcement comes after CSA and OUSA released a joint letter to the Ontario Government, calling on them to implement an immediate interest-free grace period on OSAP loan repayments for all post-secondary graduates.

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COVID-19 will undoubtedly have a negative impact on Ontario’s economy, and consequently, our post-secondary student population that drives the economy forward. This moratorium will help support students and graduates who are unable to pay their student loans amidst financial uncertainty. We commend the Ontario Government’s efforts to provide financial relief for post-secondary students and graduates during this uncertain time, yet we also recognize that students in Ontario are having trouble paying for other costs resulting from COVID-19, and are implicated in other ways by this public health emergency.

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Many international students are feeling stranded with limited community and financial supports, as they are significantly reliant on their college community and facilities and have a limited ability to travel back to their home country. Uncertainty around immigration and student visas only exacerbate the situation for international students, causing them to be unsure whether they can continue their studies in Canada. In addition, many college students in Ontario are mature and have dependents of their own, who are struggling to provide for their families without the ability to work.

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We would support the government in providing emergency monetary relief for both domestic and international students in the form of a student financial relief fund, to help all students in Ontario who are struggling to afford the basic necessities. We would also support the provision of tuition rebates for students who have seen the quality of their education implicated by COVID-19, by classes moving online and in-person labs and practicums being cancelled. Tuition rebates would ensure the accountability of Ontario’s post-secondary system, by honouring its commitment to quality education. Lastly, to account for students planning to study in the Fall 2020 semester who will have not been able to partake in part-time work over the summer, we recommend that more OSAP grants be made available to low-income students and that the minimum expected contributions for low-income students be eliminated.

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With upcoming plans to communicate our recommendations to the government, CSA will continue to advocate for the college student population of Ontario and work with the provincial government to ensure that their voices are heard and their needs are met. We are hopeful that these recommendations will be reflected in the upcoming 2020 budget, to ensure that college students in Ontario have the support they need to face the challenges associated with COVID-19. We commend the efforts of the Ontario Government in their commitment to supporting post-secondary students during this unpredictable time, and we welcome further collaboration as the COVID-19 situation develops.

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About College Student Alliance: College Student Alliance (CSA) advocates on behalf of Ontario college students in partnership with student leaders. Through our member student associations, CSA represents the collective voice of Ontario's college students.

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Contact: Champagne Thomson, Director of Advocacy & Member Engagement College Student Alliance
E: advocacy@collegestudentalliance.ca
T: 416-340-1212 | C: 705-327-8806

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TORONTO, ON – The government of Ontario and the federal government of Canada have announced 6-month moratoriums on the interest of federal and provincial student loans to address the financial impacts COVID-19 will have on students and graduates.

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In a press conference on March 18th, 2020, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a 6-month moratorium on National Student Loans to help students and future graduates manage their finances and pay their student loans during the COVID-19 crisis. The Ontario government followed suit, when Ontario Finance Minister, Rod Phillips, announced during a press conference later that day, that a 6- month moratorium will also be implemented on OSAP loans.

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These announcements come after CSA and OUSA released joint letters to the Ontario and federal governments, calling on them to implement immediate interest-free grace periods on OSAP loan repayments and National Student loans repayments for all post-secondary graduates.

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We commend the efforts of the Ontario and federal governments in their commitment to supporting post-secondary students during this unpredictable time, and we welcome further collaboration as the COVID-19 situation develops.

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About College Student Alliance: College Student Alliance (CSA) advocates on behalf of Ontario college students in partnership with student leaders. Through our member student associations, CSA represents the collective voice of Ontario's college students.

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Contact: Champagne Thomson, Director of Advocacy & Member Engagement College Student Alliance
E: advocacy@collegestudentalliance.ca T: 416-340-1212 | C: 705-327-8806

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The College Student Alliance (CSA) has partnered with the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA) in writing a letter to the Minister of College and Universities, Ross Romano, and to the federal government, calling for an emergency grace period on student loans in the wake of COVID-19.

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The COVID-19 pandemic has now brought the Ontario Government to declare a state of emergency. This pandemic will undoubtedly have drastic effects on the well-being of our population, our health care system, our economy, and our post-secondary system. Not only are current students being affected by an academic disruption, but graduating students will have an increased difficulty finding jobs and paying back their student loans due to the negative effects COVID-19 will have on our economy.  

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We are calling on the provincial and federal governments to implement an interest-free grace period for both provincial and federal student loan portions, to ensure that graduating students can focus on their health and well-being rather than their academic and financial situations. 

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Please find these letters attached below. 

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About College Student Alliance: College Student Alliance (CSA) advocates on behalf of Ontario college students in partnership with student leaders. Through our member student associations, CSA represents the collective voice of Ontario's college students.

Contact: Champagne Thomson, Director of Advocacy & Member Engagement

College Student Alliance

E: advocacy@collegestudentalliance.ca

T: 416-340-1212 | C: 705-327-8806

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TORONTO, ON – Colleges across Ontario have suspended in-person classes and are moving to online course-delivery to prevent the spread of the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.

Over recent weeks, the COVID-19 outbreak has escalated with cases increasing daily, putting more Ontarians at risk of contracting the virus. This risk has led to the closure of public elementary schools, the cancellation of many public events, as well as the closure of nearly all publically-funded colleges. In Ontario, 96% of college campuses remain open with essential student services in operation, including residences, but are moving to online course-delivery effective the week of March 23rd.

Allowing students to take classes at home will help prevent their exposure to the virus, however online course-delivery could pose a risk to students who are taking labs, placements, or co-ops; 36% of colleges have cancelled off-campus practicum. We emphasize that COVID-19 poses not only a health risk to college students, but an academic risk as well. Many college students’ academic careers were disrupted by the 2017 college strike, which affected the academic performance, financial standing, and mental health of college students all across Ontario. The current disruption of COVID-19 could have an increased detriment on the academic careers of those students by forcing many students to graduate later than expected, which will be coupled with added financial impacts.

International students are particularly impacted by the college closures resulting from COVID-19, as they are significantly reliant on their college community and facilities, especially college residences, and have a limited ability to travel back to their home country. Additionally, as negative mental health can impair one’s immune system and its ability to fight infectious diseases, the 69% of students in Ontario who experience negative mental health are also disproportionately affected by COVID-19.

Students disproportionately affected by COVID-19:

• International students

• Indigenous students

• Students with negative mental health

• Low-income students

• Single parents

• Immuno-compromised students

• Students with disabilities

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As post-secondary students are evidently a vulnerable population within the COVID-19 pandemic, we believe that post-secondary students should be identified in COVID-19 protocols and response-plans as such. We encourage institutions to develop their COVID-19 response plans to include protocols that reduce the academic and health impacts on students, especially those who are most at-risk. We also encourage institutions’ continued clear and consistent communications to ensure that students are adequately informed of COVID-19 developments on their campuses in a timely manner.

Questions on the effects of COVID-19 on college students for consideration:

• How will mental health support be made accessible to students during institutional closures?

• Financially, how will students relying on campus employment be impacted by campus closures?

• For students requiring summer courses and/or orientation, what will this process entail?

• What barriers do institutional closures pose for students transitioning to other institutions, requiring registrar services and timely course completion?

• Will students requiring access to the on-campus foodbank be affected by campus closures?

• How will students with disabilities be accommodated during the online completion process?

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Post-secondary students are our future labour market, making them integral to the economic prosperity of Ontario, and as such, require adequate support during this unpredictable time. There is much uncertainty surrounding how COVID-19 will inevitably affect the college student population of Ontario, and we want to ensure that the voices of students are heard and that their needs are accommodated. Amid these concerns, we have developed a social media campaign to uplift student voices and advocate for the prioritization of post-secondary students during this troubling time. As a part of this campaign, we have several questions on the effects of COVID-19 to continue this conversation. Please connect with us on social media to voice your opinion on COVID-19 by responding to these questions.

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About College Student Alliance: College Student Alliance (CSA) advocates on behalf of Ontario college students in partnership with student leaders. Through our member student associations, CSA represents the collective voice of Ontario's college students.

Contact: Champagne Thomson, Director of Advocacy & Member Engagement

College Student Alliance

E: advocacy@collegestudentalliance.ca

T: 416-340-1212 | C: 705-327-8806

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TORONTO, ON – Student organizations across the country have released a joint publication on student employability titled Shared Perspectives: A Joint Publication on Preparing Students for the Workforce.

This publication features student perspectives on several issues in post-secondary education, including employability, skills development, and experiential learning opportunities. It includes contributions from the Alberta Students’ Executive Council (ASEC), the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA), the College Student Alliance (CSA), the New Brunswick Student Alliance (NBSA), the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA), Students Nova Scotia (StudentsNS), and the University of Prince Edward Island Student Union (UPEISU).

“Today’s joint publication demonstrates the need for increased experiential learning opportunities,” said Brittany Greig, CSA president. “In a shifting labour market, work-integrated learning should be accessible to all college students as a part of their education.”

Shared Perspectives identifies challenges and opportunities encountered by post-secondary students on both a national and provincial level. It draws upon students’ experiences on campus and emphasizes how we must work together to provide post-secondary students with a strong foundation to succeed. Helping students succeed after graduation is an essential aspect of post-secondary education.

Our goal is for all students to have access to higher education and the ability to better their skill-set, regardless of financial position or background. The partners in this publication believe this joint report helps further the conversation on student employability, skills development, experiential learning opportunities, and how best to prepare students for the workforce.

“In last week’s budget, the government outlined their plan to promote skilled trades and apprenticeships,” said Greig. “The government should continue to explore experiential learning opportunities in the college sector so all students can benefit.”

Shared Perspectives: A Joint Publication on Preparing Students for the Workforce is a joint report from seven partners, representing over 570,000 students. To view the full report, visit CSA’s website at www.collegestudentalliance.ca.

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About College Student Alliance:

College Student Alliance (CSA) advocates on behalf of Ontario college students in partnership with college student leaders. Through our member student associations, CSA represents the collective voice of Ontario’s college students. Learn more at www.collegestudentalliance.ca.

Contact:

Abdullah Mushtaq, Director of Advocacy

College Student Alliance

E: advocacy@collegestudentalliance.ca

T: 416-340-1212 | C: 519-890-7559

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TORONTO - The Government of Ontario today announced major reforms on how post-secondary institutions will be funded in the 2019 Budget. By the 2024/2025 academic year, 60 per cent of provincial funding for colleges will be tied to only 10 performance-based metrics, down from 38. Major restructuring of provincial funding, with no consultations with college student leaders, will result in uncertainty for students and colleges alike.

Since institutions will have the flexibility to weigh the metrics that best reflect their differentiated strategic goals, it is imperative that student associations are involved in these conversations. This announcement only highlights the need for democratically elected leadership representing all students: student associations.

“The increase of percentage-based funding, with no consideration of the impacts on student accessibility and the quality of education, is a cause for concern,” said Brittany Greig, CSA president. “This change, paired with the Student Choice Initiative, could be detrimental for students.”

Also addressed in this budget is the review and promotion of skilled trades, apprenticeships and second career programs. 

“Attention must be paid to helping students enter the college system,” said Greig. “Affordability and accessibility, especially for marginalized populations, is key to ensuring a fairer and more prosperous Ontario.”

The most vulnerable students will be left behind as a result of the collective 2019 changes to the post-secondary sector. CSA urges the government to work with us and other non-partisan stakeholders to ensure students - current and future - will succeed.

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TORONTO - The provincial government has effectively destroyed student representation at the college level and made post-secondary education less affordable by making student association fees optional and financial assistance less accessible.

Student associations represent their student body at a local, provincial, and federal level. Elected student leaders are the driving force behind advocacy that directly affects college and university students. The Student Choice Initiative, announced today by Minister Fullerton, was designed without consideration of, or consultation with, student leaders who represent their campuses.

“The academic experience has been negatively transformed as a result of today’s announcements,” said Brittany Greig, CSA president. “Without student associations, there is no one to hold institutions accountable for decisions surrounding fee increases, programming, or strategic plans.”

By making student association fees optional, post-secondary students could lose access to:

• Fair and transparent academic appeals,

• Access to on-campus food banks, breakfast programs and food cupboards,

• Scholarships and bursaries,

• Student clubs and groups,

• Student employment opportunities,

• Federal, provincial and local advocacy efforts.

The government also officially announced a tuition reduction of ten per cent for all domestic students, and they will now charge interest during the 6-month OSAP repayment grace period. The government implied this tuition reduction would help students, however, combined with the OSAP changes, low- and middle-income students may have to pay more money out of pocket.

“Ontario students already receive the least per-student funding of all Canadian provinces,” said Greig. “By expecting colleges and universities to absorb a $450 million funding cut, the government is telling students, faculty and institutions alike that accessible, quality education is not their priority.”

Today’s announcement will harm Ontario families - not help them. As a non-partisan government partner for over 40 years, College Student Alliance (CSA) should have been involved in the decision-making process. We urge the government to reconsider these changes, and we offer our assistance in the creation of a program that truly puts students first.

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About College Student Alliance:

College Student Alliance (CSA) advocates on behalf of Ontario college students in partnership with student leaders. Through our member student associations, CSA represents the collective voice of Ontario's college students.

Contact:

Emmaline Scharbach, Communications Manager

College Student Alliance

E: communications@collegestudentalliance.ca
T: 416-340-1212

C: 647-389-7960

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TORONTO - Students recognize the Auditor General’s report on the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) this afternoon. The availability of student financial assistance is critical for many Ontarians who pursue college or university. Students believe that investments in the future of this province should be protected, and that the hundreds of thousands of families accessing OSAP in each corner of this province should continue to reap the benefits of education.

Students welcome many of the Auditor General’s recommendations, including improving the tracking and reporting of access to post-secondary education (PSE) for students who are Indigenous, mature, low-income, and students with disabilities, to improve the access of these groups. Additionally, students believe the provincial government can do more to modernize OSAP. Students currently face challenges with OSAP obtainment and repayment because of the lack of technology in the processing systems. By working with students, the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities could better, and more efficiently, serve students by utilizing technology rather than outdated systems.

In response to the Auditor General’s report, students also want to emphasize the importance of the Ontario Student Assistance Program. 24 per cent more university students and 27 per cent more college students are accessing OSAP, indicating a clear need for this program.

The OSAP transformation in 2016 was recommended by students, particularly from the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA) and the College Student Alliance (CSA). The recommendation from students was practical - to repurpose $365 million in tax credits to upfront grants for students who need it most. The changes to OSAP were made possible through that repurposing of provincial dollars first, before additional investment. With the increased awareness of financing available to students, the program has grown to support 80,000 more individual students.

Debt repayment provisions are another important part of student support. Students believe in a fair structure of repayment on loans, while also understanding that the 6-month grace period and the Repayment Assistance Program ensure graduates have the economic means to pay back their loans. Students want to contribute to the economy and to society after graduation, but cannot do so if burdened by their student loans.

Facts about student financial assistance:

• The amount of students receiving any OSAP funds was 198,145 in 2015-16 before the OSAP transformation, and 240,033 in 2017-18 with the current OSAP transformation at universities.

• The COISL (OSAP Loan) Default Rate for university students is only 3.6 per cent and 9.8 per cent for college students.

• Average domestic tuition for university students in Ontario is $8,800 - the highest in Canada.

• The average repayable OSAP debt is $23,500 for university graduates.​

Quotes:

“The current model of OSAP shows the province’s commitment that education is a right, and not a privilege. We need to continue supporting a program that is providing relief for students who need it the most.” - Danny Chang, OUSA President and student at Western University

“Affordable and accessible post-secondary education is necessary for students to thrive. We must continue investing in the future of Ontario’s economy - students - to ensure our province maintains a highly-skilled workforce.” - Brittany Greig, CSA President and Conestoga Students Inc. Vice President, External

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OUSA represents the interests of 150,000 professional and undergraduate, full-time and part-time university students at eight student associations across Ontario. Our vision is for an accessible, affordable, accountable, and high quality post-secondary education in Ontario.

CSA advocates on behalf of Ontario college students in partnership with student leaders. Through 12 member student associations, CSA represents the collective voice of Ontario's college students.

Contacts:

Sophie Helpard

Executive Director

Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance

416-341-9948

ed@ousa.ca

Emmaline Scharbach

Communications Manager

College Student Alliance

416-340-1212

communications@collegestudentalliance.ca

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TORONTO – Students are highlighting the devastating cost of textbooks with #TextbookBroke, an online campaign rolling out to Ontario’s post-secondary institutions today. 

Students will use social media to share how much they spent on textbooks to encourage institutions, faculty, and governments to fund, adopt, and adapt open educational resources (OERs). They can participate in the campaign by taking photos of their textbook receipt and posting it on social media with a caption explaining what essentials they could have spent their money on instead, including the hashtag #TextbookBroke.

“Students should not be forced to choose between textbooks and groceries,” said Brittany Greig, CSA president. “We hope the #TextbookBroke campaign will encourage additional OER support and usage at Ontario’s colleges and universities.” 

OERs - textbooks, presentations, handouts, and more - are covered by an open copyright licence. They are made available online to be freely used by students, instructors and members of the public. Students encourage college faculty to support the use of OERs so post-secondary education can be more affordable and accessible. 

Since Fall 2017, Ontario’s students have saved over $1.7 million by using the Open Textbook Library from eCampus Ontario. eCampus has expanded the library and made incredible advancements in educating colleges and faculty in the importance of OERs in the classroom. In 2017, the Government of Ontario responded to a direct call from CSA to invest in the future of thousands of learners through the Ontario Open Textbooks Initiative. The announced investment consists of 180 free textbooks and an additional $1 million to support faculty and institutions to adapt and adopt OER content.

“eCampus Ontario has created an entire library of free options,” said Greig. “We are asking instructors and institutions to use the library and remove the burden of textbooks from the backs of students, figuratively and literally.”

#TextbookBroke, originating in British Columbia, is expanding to various Ontario colleges through CSA and universities through the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA) until Sept. 14. View the Open Textbook Library and learn more at www.ecampusontario.ca.

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About College Student Alliance:

College Student Alliance (CSA) has advocated on behalf of Ontario college students in partnership with student leaders for over 40 years. Through member student associations, CSA represents the collective voice of Ontario's college students. Learn more at www.collegestudentalliance.ca. 

Contact:

Emmaline Scharbach

Communications Manager

communications@collegestudentalliance.ca
T: 416-340-1212 / C: 647-389-7960 

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TORONTO – College Student Alliance (CSA) is disappointed the provincial government quietly cancelled the Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology Task Force, ignoring the opportunity to improve the college sector and student experience.

The Task Force was created to develop recommendations on issues facing the college sector in the wake of the record-breaking strike by college faculty in 2017. With students, faculty, administration, and government around one table, the Task Force was an unprecedented step forward.

“Students are still dealing with negative academic and financial impacts left by the longest strike in college history,” said Brittany Greig, CSA president. “By disbanding the Task Force, the government is refusing the opportunity to improve the sector and prevent a devastating strike from happening again.”

With no mention of colleges in the government’s campaign leading up to the provincial election, or in the recent throne speech, college students have been left in the dark regarding improvements or changes to the sector they rely on. The cancellation of the Task Force, announced late afternoon on Friday, July 13, indicates the provincial government has little to no interest in supporting students.

“Ironically, Premier Ford intends to introduce legislation to end the York University strike,” said Abdullah Mushtaq, director of advocacy for CSA. “Cancelling the Task Force sends a message to students and their families that there may be nothing more to look forward to regarding his government’s post-secondary education agenda.”

Friday’s announcement confirmed the continued need for organized and dedicated advocacy efforts within the post-secondary sector. CSA is committed to finding alternative solutions in partnership with all major stakeholders, and hopes the government will participate.   

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About College Student Alliance:

College Student Alliance (CSA) has advocated on behalf of Ontario college students in partnership with student leaders for over 40 years. Through member student associations, CSA represents the collective voice of Ontario's college students.

Contact:

Emmaline Scharbach

Communications Manager
communications@collegestudentalliance.ca

T: 416-340-1212

C: 647-389-7960

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NEWS RELEASE / FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION

TORONTO - The College Student Alliance (CSA) would like to congratulate Doug Ford and the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario (PCPO) on winning a majority government in the 2018 provincial election. CSA looks forward to working with the PCPO to make college education more affordable and accessible for domestic and international students.

With the new government primarily focusing on Ontario’s fiscal state, CSA expects to have meaningful conversations focused on the outdated college funding formula and additional positive impacts that can make post-secondary education (PSE) more affordable for all.

Premier-elect Ford indicated creating more high-paying jobs and improving the provincial economy is his government’s primary concern. However, the PCPO did not make PSE a priority during the campaign. Ontario college students are the next wave of employees to join Ontario’s highly-skilled workforce, and colleges require proper funding to be their best. In addition to the economy, we look forward to seeing where specifically the PCPO will invest the $1.9 billion they committed to mental health.

“We know mental health issues can, and do, arise throughout college and university. Students need help and our current system is not working,” said Brittany Greig, CSA president. “We hope the incoming government will work with CSA, student associations and colleges to ensure students have access to supports and services that are timely, flexible, and provided in a safe and culturally-appropriate environment.”

Although the PCPO has a majority government, it is imperative they work with all stakeholders and opposition parties to ensure Ontario’s college system is improved. This includes institutions, faculty, support workers, employers, but most importantly, students. This opportunity to govern is a chance for our sector to re-evaluate what makes the post-secondary experience successful, recognize the diversity of those involved, and put graduates in a position to succeed. CSA will be reaching out to members of the PC team, specifically the Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development, to ensure our priorities are heard.

“Post-secondary education is a critical tool in making Ontario a world class place to live and work, and students deserve to have the opportunity to succeed,” said Greig.  

For over 40 years, CSA has remained nonpartisan and proven our ability to work with all political parties. We are excited to continue this hard work to ensure post-secondary education is a priority during the 42nd Ontario Parliament.

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About College Student Alliance:

College Student Alliance (CSA) advocates on behalf of Ontario college students in partnership with student leaders. Through our member student associations, CSA represents the collective voice of Ontario's college students.

Contact:

Emmaline Scharbach, Communications Manager, College Student Alliance communications@collegestudentalliance.ca | T: 416-340-1212 | C: 647-389-7960

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Student organizations across the country released a joint publication on campus sexual violence, titled Shared Perspectives: A Joint Publication on Campus Sexual Violence Prevention and Response.

In the publication, students from Victoria to Charlottetown express the need to eradicate sexual violence on their campuses. It includes contributions from the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA), Alliance of BC Students (ABCS), the College Student Alliance (CSA), the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA), Union étudiante du Québec (UEQ), New Brunswick Student Alliance (NBSA), Students Nova Scotia (StudentsNS), and the University of Prince Edward Island Student Union (UPEISU).

“Improving resources for students to address sexual violence on and off campus is paramount,” said Aimee Calma, CSA president. “Ontario college students are proud to contribute our recommendations to this report and help lead the charge for this change in Canada.”

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College Student Alliance (CSA) applauds the government for ensuring international students in Ontario will have a better postsecondary experience with the implementation of recommendations from the 2018 International Postsecondary Strategy.

“International students pay exponentially more than domestic students for tuition and services,” said Aimee Calma, CSA president. “CSA is encouraged the announced changes will help the international experience match the financial commitment made by international students and their families.”

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College Student Alliance (CSA) is proud to represent college students on the College Task Force, a newly established initiative to develop a forward-looking plan for Ontario’s publicly assisted college system.

The Task Force was created in early 2018 in response to a joint request by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) and the College Employer Council (CEC) following the 2017 strike by college academic staff. CSA successfully advocated to be involved in the process of establishing a forum to consider and develop recommendations on major issues facing the college sector.

“After the longest strike in college history, it was evident students require and deserve a voice at the table to represent their needs,” said Aimee Calma, CSA president. “The Task Force provides unique opportunities to set the stage for what colleges will accomplish in the next 50 years and beyond.”

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Ontario’s college students are pleased the Government of Ontario has committed additional funding for work integrated learning (WIL) and capital investments at post-secondary institutions in the 2018 Budget. College Student Alliance (CSA) welcomes these critical investments to ensure college students are prepared in an ever-changing labour market.