Infobox Canadian Student Association
name = Athabasca University Students' Union
established = 1993
institution = Athabasca University
president = Karl Low
vice president = Barbara Rielly
treasurer = Sarah Kertcher
location = Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
members = 40,000
affiliated = N/A
colours = Plum and Kelly Green
free_label1 = Publication
free1 = "The Voice Magazine"
homepage = http://www.ausu.org
Athabasca University Students' Union is the students' union of Athabasca University, in Athabasca, Alberta, Canada. AU has satellite campuses in Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta. The AUSU head office is in the Edmonton learning center, though the students' council may have elected members from any area where AU students reside.
AUSU Membership
AUSU represents all active undergraduate students of Athabasca University and has a current membership of about 40,000 students across Canada and around the world. As of 2006, about 36% of AUSU members reside in Alberta, 35% in Ontario, 10% in British Columbia, 5% in Saskatchewan, 13% in the rest of Canada, and 3% are international students residing in more than 70 countries. The AUSU membership is about 2/3 female, and has a higher mean age due to AU's high population of students who are working professionals, those working toward a second career, or students returning to school after a long absence. Only 44% are under 25, with 34% between 25 and 34 and the remaining 22% over the age of 35.
AU is also the only university in North America that is accredited in both Canada and the United States, and one of, if not the, fastest growing universities with an increase in enrolments of about 10% per year.
Formalization
AUSU was formed in 1993 and was formalized as a registered Alberta society until students' unions in Alberta were granted recognition under the Post-Secondary Learning Act. On 13 September, 2004 the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta approved an order in council which states:
Mission
The mission statement of the AUSU reads[ [http://www.ausu.org/bylaws/index.php AUSU Bylaws] , Retrieved September 26 2006] :]Cquote|The AUSU mission is to serve Athabasca University students and represent their interests. We affirm universal accessibility to quality post-secondary education in a system that recognizes student rights and the credibility of open and distance education.
In pursuit of this mission, we will hold to the following goals:
* Leadership: Actively promote values consistent with open and distance education
* Advocacy: Defend open and distance education through consultation and communication with stakehlders.
* Learning Organization: Expand our capacity to create our future through dialogue with stakeholders.
* Responsibility: Collaborate with stakeholders to achieve educational excellence for Athabasca University students.
* Responsiveness: Provide services that students think are essential.
* Stewardship: Manage programs and activities to commitments do not exceed resources.
Representation
The AUSU is not formally affiliated with any organization. In November, 2005 the organization parted ways with the Council of Alberta University Students to focus on other broader goals, along with promoting distance education.
Student media
Student media at Athabasca University is provided by the official publication "The Voice Magazine". Previously published on paper, the magazine since 2001 is published exclusively online in HTML and PDF format. AUSU also includes a column in the university's online publication, au.world.
Clubs
AUSU has established several clubs for students. Clubs currently sponsored by AUSU include the AU Health Sciences Society, La Société Française d'AU, the AU Literature Club, AU Business Students’ Association, AU Science Students' Society, AU Sports Club, and, the most popular club, the AU Student Moms' Club.
March 2008 election
It was reported that in the March 2008 election for the Council, there are 97 people running for 9 positions. [cite web |title=Candidate Sheet |publisher=Athabasca University Students' Union |url=http://www.ausu.org/election/candidates.php
accessdate=2008-03-03]
References
See also
*List of Alberta students' associations
External links
* [http://www.ausu.org/ Athabasca University Students' Union]
* [http://www.voicemagazine.org/ The Voice Magazine]
* [http://www.athabascau.ca/ Athabasca University]
