AUSU This Month

“A Learning Alberta”

Recently, the Alberta Government announced a comprehensive review of the Alberta post-secondary education system. Many discussion documents were placed online, and all stakeholders were invited to respond and make suggestions on our how post-secondary system can be improved. The students of the four universities of Alberta have responded through a document drafted by CAUS — the Council of Alberta University Students –, which represents the students’ unions of all four institutions. Additionally, AUSU has drafted its own response, specifically addressing the needs of the diverse AU student body. You can read our response by downloading the PDF file from the link on the front page of the AUSU web site

AUSU Course Evaluations

Would you like to know what your fellow students have thought of an AU course? If so, you are not alone. Many students find the input of their peers invaluable when selecting courses or a program of study. AU students may not have cafeterias and hallways in which to share this knowledge, but AUSU has provided an alternative: AUSU Course and Program Evaulation surveys. Accessible through the “Course Evaluations” link on the right side of the top bar of AUSU.org, these surveys ask a series of questions about AUSU courses and programs. Each student many rate each course or program only once, to ensure the validity of the results, so you must be logged in to access a survey form. Anyone, however, may view the results. If you haven’t already, please rate some courses you have taken so that others may benefit from your experience. Note: these surveys are not the same as the ones that AU distributes with their course manuals. No AU staff or faculty member has access to the AUSU website, nor can they determine who has filled out a survey. Your anonymity is assured.

AUSU Discussion Forums and Chat

Looking for a way to interact with fellow students? Check out the AUSU discussion forums and chatroom, accessible through the top menu bar of AUSU.org. The forums contain many sections to address a wide variety of student interests. You’ll find the most students in the General Student Chat section, but you may also wish to use one of the province or city-specific forums to speak with AU students in your local area.

The AUSU Office has Moved

The Edmonton Learning Centre, which not only houses a number of AU services such as invigilation rooms and student advisors, but also the corporate offices of AUSU and The Voice, has moved to a new location in downtown Edmonton. The phone numbers and email addresses at the ELC remain the same. Watch the AUSU website for some photos of our new office once we get everything unpacked! Our new mailing address is:

Athabasca University Students’ Union
Peace Hills Trust Tower, 1200, 10011 109 St., Edmonton, AB T5J 3S8

AUSU Needs Volunteer Mentors

AUSU is in need of more volunteer mentors to help our new students adjust to AU and distance education. If you’re an experienced AU student and interested in being matched to a new student, please email ausu@ausu.org for an application form. The mentor program is designed to aid new students in their adjustment to distance learning. If you’re a new student and would like to be matched to one of our mentors please fill out the application form at this address: http://www.ausu.org/services/mentorsforms.php


http://www.ausu.org