Canadian pride is a rare and elusive thing. The stereotypical Canadian is self-effacing, humble, apologetic, and meek. In some perverse way, we’re actually proud of this image. I call it “aw shucks, little ol’ me” thinking accompanied by downcast eyes and a toe digging in the dirt. We don’t as a rule blow our own… Read more »
Bella Savitsky Abzug was a renowned American political activist and politician. She served in the United States House of Representatives from 1970 to 1977, representing her constituents of Manhattan, in the State of New York. Abzug’s famous saying was “This woman’s place is in the House — the House of Representatives.” Bella’s achievements include becoming… Read more »
This column focuses on a wide range of issues affecting post-secondary students. Students are encouraged to submit suggestions and educational topics they are concerned about, or personal experiences with courses or university situations they feel other students should know about. If suggest a topic or a course alert for taking notes, contact voice@ausu.org, attn: Debbie… Read more »
Amongst my happiest childhood memories are Friday nights spent watching late night horror movies with my brothers and sister in our family’s basement television room. Four decades later, I can still recall the smell of popcorn on the dank air and the flickering shadows playing across the walls. Films such as the Plan Nine From… Read more »
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,… Read more »
Dear Barb, I don’t know if you can help me, but I thought I’d write anyway. I grew up in a severely dysfunctional home. All I ever wanted to do was get away. I was finally able to obtain an education and start a career. A few years later I met a wonderful man and… Read more »
Alberta’s Post-Secondary Review Once again the Alberta Government is conducting a review (http://www.advancededucation.gov.ab.ca/alearningalberta/) of post-secondary education. Once again, it completely misses its own learning commission’s recommendation that an independent review be conducted, and is conducting the review itself. That said, the current review is at least expanding beyond the Ministry of Advanced Education for the… Read more »
For those of you who believe, as I do, that many of our most troubling problems as a species can be traced back to our ceaseless busyness, our never-ending striving for new skills, experiences, knowledge and possessions, there is a political party out there that has some very interesting things to say. The credo of… Read more »
On June 1st, I was appalled and dismayed to read an article in a local weekly newspaper about a man who is paying $375 a month to live in a storage shed attached to the back of a house. As President and CEO of Grasp Ventures Unlimited, a large property development company developing some of… Read more »
They took a running start. As fast as they could, they jumped into the water. Their laughter was followed by a splash. I stood behind them, peering out from between my fingers and shaking my head emphatically no way. They were jumping off a cliff. I was white-water rafting down the Bow River in Alberta…. Read more »