OUSA's 2010-2011 Annual Report

Trenz Pruca Report on Castles, Page 1

Investing in Impact & In!uence2010-2011

Annual Report

2

“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 speci!c 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 bene!t 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

Natalie Cockburn | Editor (Vice President Finance)

I am thrilled to present OUSA’s "rst 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 "nancial position. It is an opportunity for celebration of accomplishments and critical self-re!ection. The OUSA philosophy is one of in!uence, and there has never been a better opportunity than right now to in!uence 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

Table of ContentsInside OUSA Mission & Vision...........................................5 Enduring Principles......................................6 Members .....................................................7 Structure.......................................................8Pillars & Priorities Policy & Research........................................10 Advocacy......................................................11 Communications..........................................12 Members & Alumni.......................................13 Provincial Election........................................14Investing in OUSA Revenue........................................................16 Expenses.......................................................17 Audited Financial Statements........................18

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 !uid 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 DirectorThe 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 "nancial 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.

4

Annual Report | 5

Inside OUSAMission, vision, principles & structure

Mission

Our vision is for an accessible, affordable, 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.

6

Inside OUSA | Mission & Vision

Member-driven and decentralized to respect the autonomy of individual student associationsStudents 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 activitiesOUSA 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 representationIn order to ensure our decisions re!ect 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 signi"cant 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 makersRepresentatives 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 resourcesOUSA shall strive to be accountable to our membership through responsible "scal 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 educationIn order to achieve successes for students, OUSA remains focused primarily on undergraduate education issues.

Committed to seeking opportunities for collaboration with partner organizationsRecognizing that we are stronger when we work together, OUSA shall reach out and build mutually bene"cial partnerships with organizations inside and outside the sector.

Annual Report | 7

Inside OUSA | Enduring Principles

8

Inside OUSA | Member Associations

Annual Report | 9

^ General AssemblyThe 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, rati"es government submissions, sets direction for the next meeting, approves the fee and "nancial statements.

Steering Committee >The Steering Committee is the B o a r d o f D i r e c t o r s f o r t h e organization, holding all legal and "duciary responsibility. It is made up of one representative from each of the member schools The Steering Committee operates under a one-member one-vote structure. The S t e e r i n g C o m m i t t e e m e e t s regularly, and is responsible for setting direction between General Assemblies, approves the budget and contracts, prepares policies for G e n e ra l As s e m b l y, a p p rove s government submissions, involved in advocacy efforts.

v ExecutiveThe Executive is made up of President, VP Finance and VP Administration, and is elected from within the Steering Committee. Each have s p e c i" c r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s , a n d collectively provide direction for the o r g a n i z a t i o n w h e n S t e e r i n g Committee cannot be consulted. The Executive also typically serves as the primary representation for the organization to government and at external events.

< Home Office Home Office staff consists of four full-t i m e e m p l o y e e s w o r k i n g i n a downtown Toronto office, joined by two 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 p a n e l s e l e c t s t h e H o m e Offic e employees with Steering Committee members for 2-3 year contracts.

Inside OUSA | Our Structure

10

Pillars & PrioritiesWhat we do and how we do it

Annual Report | 11

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 in!ation, 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

Pillars & Priorities | Policy & Research

12

2011 - 2012 Objectives & Deliverables• Priorities:

o Quality Improvementso Tuition & Fundingo Student Financial Assistance

• Secondary Priorities:o Accountability Agreementso Ancillary Feeso Credit Transfero Online Learning

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 fundingo $25 million in mental health fundingo $150 million for university infrastructureo $74 million for a new credit transfer

systemo Increased funding for access programs

Pillars & Priorities | Advocacy

An Educated Investment:Advancing Post-Secondary Education

February 2011

Submission to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs

Opening Classroom Ontario:

Students’ Vision for the Ontario

Online Institute

August 2010

GOING GLOBALSupporting Ontario’s International Students

March 2011

Annual Report | 13

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 signi"cant 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 "nancial position of the organization

Pillars & Priorities | Communications

14

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 speci"c 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

Pillars & Priorities | Members & Alumni

Annual Report | 15

IT’S YOUR VOTELeading 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!

#votedayremix

Spotlight: Provincial Election 2011

16

Investing in OUSAYour money and how we use it

Investing in OUSA | Revenue

Annual Report | 17

Revenue2010/2011: $374,487

Membership Fees$341,043

Delegate Fees$30,184

OUSA’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 OUSA’s bylaw, the fee increases yearly by in!ation, resulting in a fee of $2.78 for 2011-2012

1%8%

91%

Average Revenue Breakdown (2010/2011):

Investing in OUSA | Expenses

18

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

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

Salaries Operations LobbyingCommunications Research & Policy Conferences

15.6%

7.3%

4.2%0.4%

19.2%

53.3%

Average Expense Breakdown (2010/2011):

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.

OUSA’s salaries line pays for four full time staff in addition to two four-moth research interns.

Annual Report | 19

Return on Student Investment

$310 million in new funding for growth in the post-secondary

education sector

$81 million in improvements to student financial assistance

$74 million for a new Credit Transfer System

$150 million for university infrastructure

The creation of the Ontario Online Institute0

175

350

525

700

Investments in PSE

$310

$81

$74

$150

DollarsIn Millions

OUSA’s advocacy has lead to the following investments by the Provincial government:

20

Audited Financial Statements

Fiscal year 2010-2011

Balance  Sheet

For  the  year  Ended  April  30           2011     2010    

Assets

Current

  Cash               $152,993   $39,007

  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  

Liabilities  and  Members’  Equity

Current

  Accounts  payable  and  accrued  liabilities     $26,743   $12,772  

Members’  Equity

  Internally  restricted           3,175     1,883

  Unrestricted             221,351   185,661  

                224,526   187,544  

                $251,269   $200,316  

Annual Report | 21

Statement  of  Operations  and  Members’  Equity

For  the  Year  Ended  April  30         2011     2010    

Revenue

Membership  fees           $341,043   $275,606Delegate  fees             32,433     28,644Donations             964     -­‐Other  income             47     76    

                374,487   304,326  

Expenses

Advertising  and  promotion         5,042     3,477Amortization             1,162     2,299Campaign             1,675     3,752Communications           2,343     4,517Conferences             49,821     37,166Insurance             4,694     -­‐Interest  and  bank  charges         492     809Lobbying             4,342     3,966Meeting  expenses           1,380     1,383OfPice  and  printing           16,062     17,461Postage  and  delivery           1,052     437Professional  fees           10,877     19,110Publications  and  research         2,529     966Rent               23,476     21,682Salaries  and  benePits           195,515   151,654Special  projects           -­‐     13,500Staff  recruitment  and  professional  development   4,504     2,208Telephone  and  internet         7,887     7,639Travel               4,652     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  

22

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)  

Cash  Tlows  from  investing  activities:

  Purchase  of  capital  assets         (2,454)   (2,260)

  Purchase  of  short-­‐term  investments     (10,056)   (10,076)

  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  

Annual Report | 23

24

345-26 Soho StreetToronto, Ontario M5T 1Z7

Phone: 416-341-9948Fax: 416-341-0358

Email: [email protected]: www.ousa.ca

2010-2011