Vol. 11 Iss. 38

Volume 11 Issue 38 - 09/17/2003

Editorial Pages

THIS WEEK NEW COLUMN: Check out the Net Nerds internet picks. CONVENTIONAL VIS-Ã?-VIS DISTANCE EDUCATION – Wayne Benedict gives us his unique perspective on the two types of university study. If you have ever wondered what you are missing by going to AU, read Wayne’s article and see traditional university through the eyes of an… Read more »

NEW COLUMN – The Net Nerd’s Website Profiles

The first installment of a new column featuring the best of the net, with a student focus. If you just can’t get enough of books and studying check out: http://www.schoolfinder.com This website has tons of information on Canadian universities, colleges, and even high schools (over 700 schools). Schoolfinder.com also has information on financing, careers and… Read more »

Sounding Off – Provincial quirks

Last week Wayne Benedict wrote about some of the provincial quirks (http://www.ausu.org/voice/articles/articledisplay.php?ART=1994) he noticed in moving from British Columbia and Saskatchewan. I responded, in my editorial, with some of Alberta’s oddities (http://www.ausu.org/voice/articles/featuredisplay.php?ART=1991). I asked readers to write in with some fun facts about their own locales, and a few of you did! Anyone who would… Read more »

AUSU This Month

AUSU JOB POSTING See the News section of this paper for the job posting for the position of AUSU Executive Director. This posting can also be found on the AUSU website at http://www.ausu.org/jobposting/index.php AUSU IN PERSON DISCUSSION GROUPS AUSU in-person discussion groups in Calgary, Edmonton, and Medicine Hat would like to invite students to join… Read more »

Canadian Fedwatch! News Across the Nation

A Good Investment for Who? No doubt concerned by reports that most high-school students cite cost as the primary factor preventing them from attending post-secondary education, the Alberta Learning Minister, Dr. Lyle Oberg, has provided a press release (http://www.gov.ab.ca/acn/200309/15080.html) to tell us all how wonderful an investment a post-secondary education is. The information is presented… Read more »

Dear Sandra

Dear Sandra, With West Nile prevalent in some areas of Canada right now, especially Alberta, I’m wondering why mosquitoes choose to bite some people and not others? Also, how do you know if you if you have the West Nile virus? Baffled in Brooks Dear Baffled, Mosquitoes are not choosy “biters,” they don’t really have… Read more »

Conventional Vis-à-Vis Distance University Education

Until two weeks ago, all of my university-level education was garnered through Athabasca University’s (AU) distance education. I am very accustomed to self-discipline with regard to studying and individualized learning. I often wondered, while taking a break from the books in my basement office, what it would be like to actually attend classes at a… Read more »

SUDS Conference July, 2003 – Conclusion

This article is the conclusion of a report on the Student Union Development Symposium, held in British Columbia on the campus of UBC. To read the first three reports, see The Voice: August 17 (http://www.ausu.org/voice/articles/articledisplay.php?ART=1857), September 3 (http://www.ausu.org/voice/articles/articledisplay.php?ART=1973) September 10 (http://www.ausu.org/voice/articles/articledisplay.php?ART=1996) The final day of the conference began with a session on Communications Savvy: Keys… Read more »

Sports Solutions for Athabasca University Students

September is here and University campuses all over Canada are coming alive again as the 2003-04 school year begins. This is also the time when students are trying out for Varsity sports teams, signing up for intramural sports leagues and joining the other athletic programs available in most Universities. Unfortunately, since Athabasca University is a… Read more »

The Voice Fiction Feature – Poems by

panels howling of doves singing of wolves crippling of senses thunder of hooves pounding the nails dropping the bombs pouring the wine singing the songs mapping the genes spreading the plagues passing of needles joyless parades bodies in basements dropping of hints government statements dream of the sphinx turning the channel turning the screw watching… Read more »

From My Perspective – Donating my body to science

Well, OK, I haven’t really donated my body to science! But I’ve done the next best thing – I’ve loaned my brain to research. How did this come about? Ever since I attended the undergraduate chemistry research conference last May, I’ve been looking for different research opportunities and ways students can get involved. On-campus psychology… Read more »

The first ever Voice writing contest!

THE FIRST VOICE MAGAZINE WRITING CONTEST! $600 in scholarships to be awarded $300 each in the fiction and non-fiction categories Write for The Voice and win money for your education. The Voice is launching its very first writing contest, with categories for both fiction, and non fiction. Non-Fiction: In 1500 words or less, tell us… Read more »

ATHABASCA UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’ UNION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR – JOB POSTING

The Athabasca University Students’ Union (AUSU), is seeking a creative and self-motivated individual to fill the position of Executive Director. AUSU is a non-traditional students’ organization representing approximately 26,000 distance education students from across Canada and internationally. The AUSU office is based in downtown Edmonton, and under the guidance of a nine-member elected Council, provides… Read more »

Conference Connections

Contributed by The Insider AU Learning Services Conference – October 3 & 4, 2003 – Edmonton, Crowne Plaza Chateau Lacombe. Details to follow. OTHER CONFERENCES CAPDHHE [Canadian Association for the Prevention of Discrimination and Harassment in Higher Education] – To be held in Calgary, October 29 – November 1, 2003. http://www.capdhhe.org/conference2/index.htm Teaching In A Digital… Read more »

Scholarships & Awards

For scholarships available through the Athabasca University Students’ Union, see the AUSU website at www.ausu.org Athabasca University Awards and Scholarship Information The Office of the Registrar would like to advise students of pending deadlines for scholarships and awards: Award Name: Syncrude Aboriginal Scholarship (http://www.athabascau.ca/html/depts/registry/studawrd.htm#sast) Value: $2,500 Program: Various – see website Basic Criteria: 1st year… Read more »

Free AUSU Student Gift Packs!

FREE STUFF FOR AU STUDENTS FROM AUSU! Do you want a package filled with cool AUSU study related items? This year instead of sending out student planners AUSU has compiled a package filled with products to help you study (and in some cases play). We’ve also included in these packages the latest issue of REALM… Read more »

Contacts please, and student loans abuses

We love to hear from you! Send your letters to voice@ausu.org, and please indicate if we may publish your letter in the Voice. To the editor: A couple of things regarding the article on federal student loans (http://www.ausu.org/voice/articles/columndisplay.php?ART=2004). First off, who do we contact to complain? How about some e-mail addresses, telephone numbers, etc.? Rally… Read more »

Edmonton coffee group – first meeting

Edmonton and Area AU students are holding their inaugural face-to-face get together and you’re invited. It will be a casual social mixer and a way to connect with fellow students. Meet other students in your program, make new friends, have a coffee, find study buddies and find out what’s going on at AU and the… Read more »