On May 24, 2003, AUSU will be hosting our 10th anniversary Annual General Meeting in Edmonton. We hope many students will be in attendance. So you may be wondering, what is an AGM and why is this one special? As an organization incorporated under Alberta’s Societies Act* we are required by law to have an… Read more »
This week Debbie explains the proposed changes to the course extension policy at AU [a subject on which many readers voiced their opinions in the March 19th Sounding Off. Perhaps some of you went the extra step and contacted the university with your concerns as well, because it appears that the policy is being reconsidered,… Read more »
THIS WEEK We have a really big issue for you this week, including contributions from two new writers [Trevor Siwak and Donna Koziak], the official announcement for the Athabasca University Students’ Union 10th Anniversary AGM [and no, you don’t have to live in Edmonton to be involved], a letter from a student, and a lot… Read more »
Dear Sandra, I’m in a cooking rut. My family is sick and tired of Hamburger Helper and fish sticks, but I don’t have the time, money or the know how to do any better. Any suggestions? Hamburgered-Out in the USA Dear Hamburgered-Out, You don’t have to cook like Emeril and have Oprah’s bank account to… Read more »
For a long time, Distance Education [DE] was considered inferior to traditional learning. That stigma is slowly being eroded, and AU has played a large role in legitimizing DE. For the next Sounding Off, tell me about your experiences as an AU student. How do people react to when they hear that you are attending… Read more »
Education Week From April 27th to May 3rd, it’s Education Week (http://www.gov.ab.ca/acn/200304/14212.html) in Alberta. In typical Alberta fashion, this means a concentration on the kindergarten to grade 12 school system through-out the province and a near neglect of post-secondary institutions. If you go to the link, you’ll see a number of events going on around… Read more »
For the first two parts of Debbie’s story, see The Voice April 2nd [v11 i14] and April 16th [v11 i16] issues. Being laid off was a traumatic experience, and I spent the first few days in shock. My immediate concern, of course, was how we would manage financially. But to my surprise…I was eligible for… Read more »
Most of the time I watch films that have able-bodied characters – don’t we all? But Door to Door is a whole different – and delightful – kettle of film. The star, William H. Macy, is the humble, cerebral palsy victim Bill Porter. His appearance won’t win him any Academy Awards but his acting did!… Read more »
NEW PROGRAM HELPS POST-SECONDARY GRADS LAUNCH CAREERS University of Victoria News Release For many post-secondary graduates, making the transition from school to the workplace can be difficult. However, thanks to a $680,000 grant from The Counselling Foundation of Canada, UVic is offering a new career program that allows grads from UVic and other post-secondary institutions… Read more »
Corks popped and the Champagne flowed amongst the Prime Minister’s staff to celebrate a great Canadian achievement one day after The Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre completed the sequencing of the SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) virus that is plaguing China as well as Canada. The Prime Minister even called, immediately, to congratulate the person… Read more »
On October 5th, 2002, Donna Koziak was a panellist at the 5th National Conference on Contingent Academic Labor [http://www.cupfa.org/COCALV/aboutcocal.html] in Montreal, Quebec. Following are her notes from the presentation. :: Since 1986 I have worked as a tutor for Athabasca University. AU is an institution completely dedicated to distance education at both the undergraduate and… Read more »
Send your fiction to voice@ausu.org. All forms of short fiction are accepted, from poetry, to plays, to short stories in all genres. I’m convinced that people who live in Stratford-upon-Avon shouldn’t be allowed to get married. This is not to consign all the residents of Shakespeare’s hometown to lives of sin, but rather to protect… Read more »
My mother has been married three times; every time it has ended badly. I have seen her move repeatedly through stages that are now predictable to me: from excitement and giddiness at meeting someone new, to the desire to be free of a life that restricts her movements like a too-tight skirt. She is now… Read more »
Life experiences provide many learning opportunities, and the skills from this learning are applicable to work or education. Workers are returning to school to gain standing for professional advancement. Athabasca University students can access the Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) process to receive credit towards Athabasca University degrees and diplomas, reducing the time it… Read more »
I want to feature graduating AU students for the profiles section in May and June. If you are graduating this year, write to me and I will send you a profile form to fill out or we can arrange for a more in-depth interview. Remember how hard it was when you started at distance education?… Read more »
The Athabasca University Public Affairs and Communications department is seeking student input on the AU website. The current website contains a lot of useful content, but it is important to ensure that students can locate the information that they seek. You can help by letting AU know what you are looking for on the AU… Read more »
For scholarships available through the Athabasca University Student’s Union, see the AUSU website at www.ausu.org ESSAY CONTEST ON AYN RAND’S NOVEL Value: $5000 DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 16, 2003 Administrator: Ayn Rand Institute Notes: Essay should be written on Ayn Rand’s novel “Atlas Shrugged.” There are three second prizes worth $1000 each and five third prizes worth… Read more »
CONTRIBUTED BY AU’S THE INSIDER CU Expo – Community-University Institute for Social Research – “Partnerships, Policy & Progress” – May 8-10, 2003, Saskatoon, SK. Details: http://www.usask.ca/cuisr/cuexpo Distance Education Technology Symposium (DETS-03) – sponsored by the Centre for Distance Education – May 15-17, 2003 – Edmonton, Crowne Plaza Chateau Lacombe. Details: http://cde.athabascau.ca/DET/2003/ or contact Pat Fahy… Read more »
If you live in Calgary you’ve likely heard or seen information posted by Society for Treatment of Autism: radio spots, brochures, posters on the sides of Calgary’s buses and bus stops, as well as all kinds of interviews and media coverage. This has been part of the communication objective that Society for Treatment of Autism… Read more »
To suggest listings for events, conferences, or opportunities in your area, contact voice@ausu.org. Finding Solutions for Alberta’s Schools A Public Forum Hosted by the Alberta Liberal Caucus April 24, 2003 7:30 p.m. @ The Provincial Museum of Alberta 12845 – 102 Avenue / Info: 427-2292 http://www.albertaliberals.ab.ca Panelists : Michael Griffith – Policy Analyst, Education Commission,… Read more »
Every Monday from 9:30 – 10:30 AM MST and Wednesday from 7-8 PM MST the Athabasca University Psychology Students’ Society gets together to chat about issues pertaining to the world of psychology at AU. Go to http://www.ausu.org/psychology/ and log on the discussion forum link, from there click on Psychology at the top written in blue… Read more »
We love to hear from you! Please continue providing your opinions, comments and ideas; any submissions can be sent to voice@ausu.org. Please indicate if we may publish your letter. Dear Ms Editor of the Voice; First let’s start out by saying that I really like the new website. Well done! I read Ms Jabbour’s article… Read more »
CLASSIFIED SPACE: Students of AU may print classifieds in The Voice free of charge (maximum three per issue) as long as they are not representing a company or product. Ads can be up to 60 words in length and may include a photo. Use The Voice classified space to sell or buy, research or find…. Read more »