Students lobby MPPs for necessary changes to higher education

TORONTO , Dec. 8 /CNW/ - Student leaders representing 140,000 undergraduate students from across Ontario have returned home from Queen's Park where they met with over 45 MPPs and 17 Ministers last week to discuss the future of post-secondary education. The meetings were arranged as part of the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance's (OUSA) annual three-day lobby conference. Priorities included improving student financial aid, enhancing student success and quality, as well as creating a tuition framework and cost-sharing model that is fair to Ontario students.

"This was the most successful lobby conference in OUSA's history. We met with more ministers, MPPs, bureaucrats and stakeholders than ever before," said Dan Moulton , OUSA President. "Most importantly, legislators are beginning to understand that investment in our institutions and students is a necessity for the long-term prosperity of our Province, not to mention an immediate economic stimulus for Ontario's communities."

With Ontario facing a record deficit, OUSA's recommendations focused on targeted investments that will have a large impact on students without a tremendous cost to government.

"OUSA's ideas were very well received by MPPs from all parties and congratulations were frequently given on our pragmatism and forward-thinking solutions," Moulton added. " Many Members were eager to back our cause, promising letters to the Premier, questions in the legislature, or, in the case of many in Cabinet, to voice support for our solutions to their colleagues."

At the close of the event, students met with the Honourable John Milloy , Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, who expressed interest in OUSA's recommendations on improving teaching quality and the first-year experience, and agreed on the need to update the OSAP need assessment formula to reflect students' true costs.

For further information: or to arrange an interview please contact: Alvin Tedjo, OUSA Director of Communications & Public Relations, work: [phone], cell: [phone]