Advocacy

Your voice shapes what we do as a student union and we believe that you have what it takes to be a change-maker. Discover the information and tools available to you in this section to reach out to your student leaders, submit your ideas and find the support you need, so we can provide the best possible experience for you and your fellow Badgers.

Advocacy Department

BUSU has a team of student Advocates, led by our VP External Affairs and VP University Affairs that advocate for and with you on issues that affect post-secondary education both on campus and in the community. The team authors policy papers used to advocate for students' needs and interests to various levels of government through the Ontario University Student Alliance (OUSA), participates in nation-wide advocacy initiatives, organizes campaigns on campus and more.

OUSA

BUSU is a founding member of the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA). OUSA is a provincial lobby group that represents over 150,000 post secondary students in Ontario. Their approach to advocacy is based on creating substantive, student-driven, and evidence-based policy recommendations. All policy recommendations are researched, written, edited and approved by students. Over the years OUSA has had major milestone wins resulting in millions of dollars in student support from the provincial government.

Learn more about OUSA

Student Rights

Have you ever considered how change comes about? Before a change is made, there is planning and before planning, comes an understanding of what needs to be put into the action to make a situation better. Advocating is the process of research, promotion, lobbying and direct action to make a change that will better the community as a whole. Being an advocate means standing up for what you believe in, as well as what is best for your community, and lobbying for that belief to become reality.

Want to know more about your rights on and off campus? Study up on your student rights at link below.

Download Student Rights 1F90 (PDF)

Volunteer

Our Advocacy and Elections team includes smart, capable, enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers who help execute amazing campaigns through peer engagement. Volunteers will receive training on the topics being promoted and gain insight into BUSU's advocacy work. Many volunteers have gone onto leadership roles within the organization. Volunteer opportunities will be posted as available on our Opportunities page at link below.

View volunteer opportunities