Annual Report
Investing in Impact & Influence 2010-2011 Trenz Pruca Page
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Report on Castles,
“A lot of the improvements to student assistance in Budget 2010] came about because of the good work that's been done by OUSA, because of the discussions that we've had and the very specific and sometimes technical information you've been able to bring forward. So kudos to OUSA!” -Hon. John Milloy, former Minister of Training, Colleges & Universities
“It’s important that Ontario’s students remain at the forefront of the public debate. OUSA has always done an outstanding job in this regard, and has in many ways led the argument for a continued focus on investment in higher education. Avoiding ideological excess every step of the way, OUSA has commissioned research, documented the failures of public policy, and pointed the way to a better approach... I congratulate OUSA on keeping the debate alive, focused, and looking for solutions rather than rhetoric.”” -Hon. Bob Rae, former Premier of Ontario, Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada
“It’s a pleasure to partner with OUSA in helping to advance important university issues in this province. OUSA conducts strong policy work and develops constructive approaches to major issues in our sector and we collectively benefit from sharing information, exploring options and working with them to build awareness of the university sector and of the importance of our students to the future success of our province.” -Bonnie Patterson, President of the Council of Ontario Universities
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Table of Contents Inside OUSA Mission & Vision...........................................5 Enduring Principles......................................6 Members .....................................................7 Structure.......................................................8 Pillars & Priorities Policy & Research........................................10 Advocacy......................................................11 Communications..........................................12 Members & Alumni.......................................13 Provincial Election........................................14 Investing in OUSA Revenue........................................................16 Expenses.......................................................17 Audited Financial Statements........................18
Natalie Cockburn | Editor (Vice President Finance) I am thrilled to present OUSA’s first ever Annual Report! The idea for the Annual Report came out of growing recognition for the need to provide student members with more insight into OUSA’s annual activities, accomplishments, and financial position. It is an opportunity for celebration of accomplishments and critical self-reflection. The OUSA philosophy is one of influence, and there has never been a better opportunity than right now to influence positive change for students. We believe in bringing forward practical and educated solutions to drive change and improvement in the increasingly complex post-secondary education system in Ontario. We look forward to the quest ahead with a new political landscape upon us, and are happy to have you with us on that quest. Annual Report | 3
Sean Madden | President OUSA is an organization that prides itself on doing a lot with very little. We ve long provided educated policy solutions to things that challenge the success of our students and their experience of an affordable, accessible, accountable and high quality education system. These pillars are the core of our advocacy, but the strength of OUSA isn t just what we do but how we do it. This annual report is our chance to highlight not only results, but the strength of our processes. Member driven values, fair and transparent operations and the belief that we can make things better together get more than lip service here. From the dedicated volunteers at our campuses, through to General Assembly delegations, the members of Steering Committee and our tireless Home Office staff, there is undeniable passion and energy. These people, and these commitments and results, are what make OUSA so special, and it s a joy to see our little group contribute to a collective vision of the future. The world of policy and advocacy is a fluid one, but know my friends that we remain uncompromising in our promises to you, our members. We live ever within the limits set for us by the Assembly, and work ever towards the goals set for us by the Committee. This report is evidence of that commitment, our process and everything that it has meant for your education.
Sam Andrey | Executive Director The past year was one of great change and accomplishment for the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance. It is no secret that university enrolment is as high as it has ever been. As such, the needs and priorities of OUSA’s members are more diverse than ever before. This diversity has brought the need for a renewed focus on enhancing the accessibility of our system, by securing resources to accommodate sustained growth, expand online learning, improve financial aid programs, facilitate credit transfer and build on success in early outreach. This year our policy and advocacy activities reached into new areas of focus as well through supporting international students, Aboriginal learners and those affected by mental illness. With so many important priorities, the early part of the year ahead has been dominated by our successful push to get these and other issues to the top of the agenda in the provincial election. Attention shifts now to helping shape and implement the new government’s agenda and, as always, to leading the way for a more accessible, affordable, accountable and high quality post-secondary education system for the students of Ontario.
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Inside OUSA Mission, vision, principles & structure
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Inside OUSA | Mission & Vision
Mission Our vision is for an accessible, aordable, accountable, and high quality undergraduate education in the province of Ontario.
Vision Our mission is to develop educated solutions to challenges facing undergraduate education in Ontario and to successfully lobby government to make them a reality.
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Inside OUSA | Enduring Principles Member-driven and decentralized to respect the autonomy of individual student associations Students direct all of the activities of our organization, including our messages to government, our research and policy development, our strategic direction, and all of our programs and deliverables. Student associations retain autonomy over their own affairs in all matters, including policy, public messaging and methods of alignment. A home office in Toronto exists to implement the members’ vision. Solution-oriented and innovative approach to research, policy, and activities OUSA shall strive to be a thought-leader in the sector through innovative research, policy development and programming. Our policy development will be based in research and focused on offering government educated solutions to challenges facing the sector, and our programming will promote our solutions to our target audiences. Democratic decision-making and balanced representation In order to ensure our decisions reflect the interests of all of our members, our Steering Committee shall endeavour to make decisions by consensus. We will actively work to build consensus at the General Assembly by providing significant opportunities for feedback and debate. In order to ensure balanced representation, General Assembly delegations are based on proportional representation and each school is designated one vote at Steering Committee meeting. Professional lobbying approach with an emphasis on accessing key decision makers Representatives strive to ensure students have access to key decision makers, including political and public service representatives in the provincial government, as well as Ministers and MPPs. Our access and lobbying success is driven by our professional approach and goal of providing educated solutions rooted in the needs of our members. Accountable and efficient use of resources OUSA shall strive to be accountable to our membership through responsible fiscal management, regular and public reporting of our activities, and efficient use of resources to keep fees low. We strive at all times to do more for less. Focused on higher education In order to achieve successes for students, OUSA remains focused primarily on undergraduate education issues. Committed to seeking opportunities for collaboration with partner organizations Recognizing that we are stronger when we work together, OUSA shall reach out and build mutually beneficial partnerships with organizations inside and outside the sector.
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Inside OUSA | Member Associations
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Inside OUSA | Our Structure
^ General Assembly The General Assembly is the highest governing body of the organization. It is made up of delegates from each of the member schools on a proportional representation basis (one delegate for every 3,000 students). The General Assembly meets twice annually, where it passes official policy, ratifies government submissions, sets direction for the next meeting, approves the fee and financial statements. v Executive Steering Committee > The Executive is made up of President, The Steering Committee is the VP Finance and VP Administration, Board of Directors for the and is elected from within the organization, holding all legal and Steering Committee. Each have fiduciary responsibility. It is made s p e c i fi c r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s , a n d up of one representative from each collectively provide direction for the of the member schools The Steering organization when Steering Committee operates under a oneCommittee cannot be consulted. The member one-vote structure. The Executive also typically serves as the Steering Committee meets primar y representation for the regularly, and is responsible for organization to government and at setting direction between General external events. Assemblies, approves the budget < Home Office and contracts, prepares policies for Home Office staff consists of four fullG e n e r a l A s s e m b l y, a p p ro ve s t i m e e m p l o y e e s w o r k i n g i n a government submissions, involved downtown Toronto office, joined by two in advocacy efforts. research interns for the summer months. The Home Office is responsible for carrying out the directives of General Assembly, Steering Committee and Executive through the daily operations of the organization. A hiring panel selects the Home Office employees with Steering Committee Annual Report | 9 members for 2-3 year contracts.
Pillars & Priorities What we do and how we do it
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Pillars & Priorities | Policy & Research 2010 - 2011 Highlights • Hired one additional full time research staff • Created OUSA Campus Research Council to improve on the ground research and connectivity with members • On-campus focus groups • Roundtable on cost recovery models • Approved the following policy papers through the General Assembly: o International Students (Fall 2010) o Student Financial Assistance (Fall 2010) o Access Strategy (Fall 2010) o Aboriginal Students (Spring 2011) o Ancillary Fees (Spring 2011) o Student Success (Spring 2011)
2011 - 2012 Objectives & Deliverables • Create the following policies for approval at the General Assembly: o Tuition (Fall 2010) o System Growth (Fall 2010) o Accountability (Fall 2010) o Rural & Northern Students (Spring 2011) o Credit Transfer (Spring 2011) o Mature Students (Spring 2011) • Conduct preliminary research on Student Mental Health with the aim of creating a policy • Produce submissions on cost inflation, ancillary fees, and the tuition framework • Conduct the Ontario Post-Secondary Student Survey at all member and observing schools in partnership with the College Student Alliance • Improve research ethics standards and consultation processes for underrepresented groups
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Pillars & Priorities | Advocacy 2010 - 2011 Highlights • Met with 70 out of 107 MPP’s at annual Lobby Conference at Queen’s Park • Government submissions on Differentiation, International Students, Access, and Online Institute, Infrastructure, and the Budget • Hosted Dr. Grace Lynch of Open Universities Australia, proponent of online education • Results; o Five-year quality plan with $310 million in new funding o $25 million in mental health funding o $150 million for university infrastructure o $74 million for a new credit transfer system o Increased funding for access programs 2011 - 2012 Objectives & Deliverables • Priorities: o Quality Improvements o Tuition & Funding o Student Financial Assistance • Secondary Priorities: o Accountability Agreements o Ancillary Fees o Credit Transfer o Online Learning
Opening Classroom Ontario: Students’ Vision for the Ontario Online Institute August 2010
GOING GLOBAL Supporting Ontario’s International Students March 2011
An Educated Investment: Advancing Post-Secondary Education February 2011
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Submission to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs
Pillars & Priorities | Communications 2010 - 2011 Highlights •Hosted the Blue Chair campaign on several member campuses to raise awareness about access issues •Published Educated Solutions edition on Student Success •Implemented significant improvements to web page, including integration of social media channels • Elevated the relevancy of OUSA’s blog by increasing frequency and attracting new student and government readers •Distributed monthly communiques
2011 - 2012 Objectives & Deliverables •Elevate communication and relevance to students at member schools •Publish Educated Solutions edition of affordability •Create platform comparison and accompanying public relations strategy to push post-secondary education issues in the provincial election •Elevate media presence through surveying, polling, local op-eds, and provincial election coverage •Create an annual report and spending & stability report to communicate financial position of the organization
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Pillars & Priorities | Members & Alumni
2010 - 2011 Highlights •Welcomed new members: McMaster Part Time Student Association & Trent in Oshawa Student Association •Hosted largest Partners in Higher Education Dinner to date, with guest speakers Hon. Bob Rae, Ross Finnie, James Bradshaw, Joseph Berger, Rick Miner and Stacey Young •OUSA Executive & Home Office visited all member campuses, meeting with students, and administration •Formed an OUSA Alumni Committee to provide regular consultation on OUSA’s approach to government relations
2011 - 2012 Objectives & Deliverables •Enhance volunteer recognition through an awards program •Continue with campus specific OUSA Campus visits to member schools •Extend General Assembly meetings for better networking and consultation processes •Continue with OUSA Campus Coordinators and OUSA Campus Researchers, and better integrate these individuals in day-to-day operations •Create an alumni database •Expand Partners in Higher Education Dinner
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Spotlight: Provincial Election 2011
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ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S YOUR VOTE Leading up to the Provincial Election, OUSA teamed with the College Student Alliance to promote the student vote to student voters and party leaders, candidates, and policy makers, and the media. The goal: make post-secondary education a central issue in this election, and get students to vote! Together we created a student-focused website, itsyourovte.ca, created several videos, platform comparisons, polled Ontario voters about post-secondary education, and worked closely with each of the parties to drive the agenda. The outcome: tuition reform, and post-secondary education were central issues in the provincial election, and we hope you voted!
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Investing in OUSA Your money and how we use it
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Investing in OUSA | Revenue OUSAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s revenue is derived almost exclusively from student membership fees. Every undergraduate student at each of the member institutions paid $2.68 per year for membership with OUSA. As per OUSAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bylaw, the fee increases yearly by inflation, resulting in a fee of $2.78 for 2011-2012
Average Revenue Breakdown (2010/2011):
1%
Revenue 2010/2011: $374,487
8% Membership Fees $341,043
91%
Delegate Fees $30,184
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Investing in OUSA | Expenses OUSA operates on a cost-recovery model, with the goal of spending our revenue on activities that are valuable to our member schools and students. We invest in four full time staff to carry out the day-to-day operations of the organization, and in our pillars: communications, research & policy, and lobbying.
Average Expense Breakdown (2010/2011):
Salaries Communications
Operations Research & Policy
Lobbying Conferences
Financial Highlights 2010-2011: •Total Revenue: $374,498 •Generated $37,000 surplus, some of which has been allocated to be spent in 2011-2012 on the provincial election
15.6% Financial Highlights 2011-2012: •Forecasted Revenue: $372,452 •Invested $10,000 in the provincial election, funded through surplus and strategic fund •Increased investment in research for the Ontario Post-Secondary Student Survey & full time staff
7.3% 4.2% 0.4%
53.3%
19.2%
OUSA’s salaries line pays for four full time staff in addition to two four-moth research interns.
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Return on Student Investment OUSAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s advocacy has lead to the following investments by the Provincial government:
$310 million in new funding for growth in the post-secondary education sector
700
$150
$81 million in improvements to student financial assistance
525
$74 350
$74 million for a new C redit Transfer System
$81
$310 175
$150 million for university infrastructure
Dollars In Millions
0
Investments in PSE
The creation of the Ontario Online Institute
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Audited Financial Statements Fiscal year 2010-2011
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Balance Sheet
For the year Ended April 30
2011
2010
$152,993
$39,007
Assets Current
Cash
Short term investments
10,056
15,957
Accounts receivable
75,879
140,395
Prepaid expenses
9,166
3,074
248,094
198,433
Capital assets
3,175
1,883
$251,269
$200,316
$26,743
$12,772
Liabilities and Members’ Equity Current
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Members’ Equity
Internally restricted
3,175
1,883
Unrestricted
221,351
185,661
224,526
187,544
$251,269
$200,316
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Statement of Operations and Members’ Equity
For the Year Ended April 30
2011
2010
Revenue Membership fees Delegate fees Donations Other income
$341,043 32,433 964 47
$275,606 28,644 -‐ 76
374,487
304,326
Advertising and promotion Amortization Campaign Communications Conferences Insurance Interest and bank charges Lobbying Meeting expenses OfPice and printing Postage and delivery Professional fees Publications and research Rent Salaries and benePits Special projects Staff recruitment and professional development Telephone and internet Travel
5,042 1,162 1,675 2,343 49,821 4,694 492 4,342 1,380 16,062 1,052 10,877 2,529 23,476 195,515 -‐ 4,504 7,887 4,652
3,477 2,299 3,752 4,517 37,166 -‐ 809 3,966 1,383 17,461 437 19,110 966 21,682 151,654 13,500 2,208 7,639 4,351
337,505
296,377
Excess of revenue over expenses for the year
36,982
7,949
Members’ Equity, beginning of year
187,544
179,595
Members’ Equity, end of year
$224,526
$187,544
Expenses
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Statement of Cash Flows
For the Year Ended April 30
2011
2010
Cash from operating activities:
Excess of revenue over expenses for the year
$36,982
$7,949
Item not involving cash Amortization
1,162
2,299
38,144
10,248
Changes in non-‐cash working capital balances
Decreases (increase) in accounts receivable
64,516
(64,827)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities
13,971
(8,595)
Increase in prepaid expenses
(6,092)
(1,516)
110,539
(64,690)
(2,454)
(2,260)
(10,056)
(10,076)
Cash Tlows from investing activities:
Purchase of capital assets
Purchase of short-‐term investments
Proceeds on disposal of short-‐term investments 15,957
-‐
3,447
(12,336)
Net increase (decrease) in cash
113,986
(77,026)
Cash, beginning of year
39,007
116,033
Cash, end of year
$152,993
$39,007
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345-26 Soho Street Toronto, Ontario M5T 1Z7 Phone: 416-341-9948 Fax: 416-341-0358 Email: info@ousa.ca Web: www.ousa.ca
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