The Brock University Students’ Union (BUSU) is gearing up to host critical conversations about issues affecting post-secondary students across Ontario.

The 2024 Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA) 60th Fall General Assembly will take place at Brock from Thursday, Oct. 24 to Sunday, Oct. 27.

The event brings together student executives from 10 member institutions, representing the interests of more than 150,000 undergraduate and professional students from diverse academic backgrounds.

A highlight of OUSA’s annual schedule, the assembly serves as a platform for open debate, collaboration and the development of policy papers that will inform OUSA’s future lobbying efforts and shape the organization’s policy direction on issues such as student financial aid, mental health resources and accessibility.

“Hosting this event gives us the chance to bring Brock’s voice to the provincial stage,” says BUSU President Mark Chrabalowski. “Brock students have a lot to contribute to the broader conversation about post-secondary education in Ontario, and this assembly is the perfect opportunity to share our concerns and ideas.”

Some of the central topics up for debate during the assembly include student financial aid, environmental sustainability and university funding reform.

“These are issues that deeply impact students’ lives,” says Vice-President, University Affairs Carleigh Charlton. “By addressing them head-on at the General Assembly, we are able to put together recommendations that represent the voices of students across the province and bring them to the leaders who represent them, creating real tangible changes.”

BUSU’s team is committed to advocating for these changes, with a focus on enhancing access to education, improving campus mental health supports and promoting environmentally conscious practices.

Students interested in learning more about the assembly and the issues being discussed or wishing to support BUSU’s advocacy efforts are encouraged to visit the BUSU website for more information on student representatives and their portfolios.