Advocacy
The CSI Board of Directors is here to support every student and is working hard to improve your student experience as a Conestoga College student. At CSI, students support students! Your CSI Board of Directors is elected by students to represent and advocate for all students at Conestoga. They are always looking for your feedback to make sure your voice is heard and to help them advocate for change at Conestoga College and every level of government!
Here are a few ways in which we can help!
Academic Appeals
Your CSI Board of Directors is able to walk you through the procedure of an academic appeal and they are also available to offer support by attending and taking notes at academic appeal meetings.
CSI Legal Protection Program
The CSI Legal Protection Program provides access to a toll-free legal assistance helpline for any area of law, and legal representation for housing disputes, employment disputes, and disputes with an academic institution.
Raise the Student Voice
Share your experience with CSI’s Advocacy Team to help raise awareness about problems students are facing and create change for the better. Tell us through our surveys, focus groups, or send us an email!
Advocating for students is the CSI Board of Directors’ top priority! Want to learn more about your Board of Directors?
Advocacy Priorities & Actions
| Priority: | Status: |
|---|---|
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Student Housing This project aims to gain an understanding of the current housing challenges faced by Conestoga Students and explore best practices and develop solutions to address them focusing on accountability, affordability, equity, and sustainability. |
Preliminary research has been completed. Student Consultations will begin in Fall 2021. Estimated completion in Winter 2022. |
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Transportation This project aims to gain an understanding of what transportation methods students use and how their transit experience can be improved including parking, buses, biking, inter-city transit, and more. |
Pending Final Report |
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Academic Fairness This project aims to understand and improve the academic appeals process and provide resources to support students in all matters related to academic fairness. |
Research to begin in Winter 2022 |
Want to get involved and advocate for students
OR
Want to share your feedback and concerns with us?
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Letter to MPs and MPPs
Get involved and advocate for better supports for students with us!
The provincial and federal governments have focused on helping people during the COVID-19 pandemic, but many students feel left behind. We have heard from many students about their experiences and the additional challenges the pandemic has created.
We need to share these experiences with the government to demonstrate the need for additional support for students.
How can you get involved and advocate for additional support for students?
Your CSI Board of Directors has created a letter based on your feedback to send to the MP’s and MPP’s responsible for assisting students. -
Local Advocacy Initiatives
CSI ensures that Conestoga students have a positive and enriched experience that allows their voice to be heard loud and clear. We address all student concerns and aim to find solutions that satisfies students. This includes academic appeals, legal consultation, fee concerns, etc.
Have a concern? Email us!
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Survey for Conestoga students and their learning experience through COVID-19
Your CSI Board of Directors collected feedback from all students during the pandemic to learn about your concerns and better represent you. Continue to help us understand your needs and tell us how the pandemic is still affecting you!
Check out the survey results -
Meeting with MPP Chris Glover, and the petition to increase support from the provincial government
Our Vice President External shared student concerns with MPP Chris Glover and discussed the issue of returning to school during a pandemic. From this meeting, the panel created a petition to demand increased support from the provincial government.
Get involved by signing the petition.
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Post Secondary Education Rally with MPP Laura Mae Lindo
Our Vice-President External represented CSI and post-secondary students in the virtual rally hosted by MPP Laura Mae Lindo. She shared student feedback and concerns regarding the pandemic. MPP Lindo is standing up for post-secondary students in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.
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CSI Advocates for the Reopening of CSI Food Banks at Conestoga College
CSI requested Conestoga College to help support the CSI Food Bank to ensure students facing food insecurity would have the option for assistance. You can apply now to receive support from the CSI Food Bank!
CSI Food Bank -
Conestoga Student Financial Security Advocacy Report
Students face a large number of financial challenges including tuition deadlines, ancillary fees, high tuition rates, expensive online resources and more. Student financial insecurity is a significant issue and CSI is here to advocate for you. We hold our partners accountable to make sure our students pay a fair price and do not have to stress about due dates. Tell us more about how we can advocate for better financial security for you!
Check out the full report here -
Meeting with MPP Mike Schreiner to discuss supporting through the pandemic
Your CSI Executive Team met with MPP Mike Schreiner to discuss how students can be better supported through the pandemic.
Feedback Reports
If you require assistance reading any of these documents, please come to the CSI Office on your campus.
Canadian Alliance of Student Associations
CASA is a national voice for Canada’s post-secondary students. Established in 1995, CASA is a non-partisan, not-for-profit student organization composed of student associations from across Canada. We represent undergraduate, graduate and polytechnic associations.
At its core, CASA advocates on behalf of post-secondary students to the federal government. When Canada’s leaders make decisions affecting our post-secondary education system, they turn to CASA for solutions.
Examples of Wins CASA has had includes:
- Doubling of the Canada Student Grant
- Broadening eligibility requirements for Canada Student Loans Program
- $80 million for the Student Work Placement Program
- $75.2 million in additional support for First Nations, Inuit, and Metis Nation students.
Learn more about CASA and their wins here: