The Athabasca University Students’ Union invites undergraduate students to attend our upcoming public council meeting on October 15, 2026 at 6pm-8pm MT.
Why attend?
Hear updates on how AUSU is advocating for your student experience at AU, learn about available student supports, have your perspective heard, and get know the students who represent you!
How To Join in:
Register in advance: sign up with ausu@ausu.org and include your student ID and student email.
All participants’ inquiries must be submitted to ausu@ausu.org by October 13 at 5pm MT to be included at the meeting.
We are looking forward to connecting with you and working together to build a stronger AU community!
September 30th marks a commitment across Turtle Island for settlers, newcomers and Indigenous people alike, to remember the impacts of colonization and partake in building right relation with each other, with the land and with Indigenous peoples.
The day also marks a recurring remembrance of the countless children who were abducted from their home communities and families and put into residential schools, many of whom never returned. Indigenous children continue to be overrepresented in the children services and foster care systems, direct consequences of the intergenerational impacts on our people.
Anyone can participate in this national day, whether you are reflecting through literature and movies or joining a gathering. There are many different ways to learn and expand your understanding of what Truth and Reconciliation really mean.
Here are some of the ways you can be part of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, with a call to carry this learning and intent forward every day.
Events in Calgary and surrounding area
Pokaiks 10th Annual Reconciliation Walk and Gathering in Calgary: Truth and Reconciliation walk and gathering will feature food trucks, an artisan market, speakers, cultural performances, artwork, as well as many other culturally grounded activities.
Walk and Event Agenda:
11:00 a.m. Reconciliation Walk & Opening Ceremonies
11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Artists/Artisans, Community Groups, Family Fun, Dome Theatre
12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (after the walk) Performances, Tipi Teachings, Indigenous Games, and Elders Niche
Studio Bell, Home of the National Music Centre – Free Admission & Concert, followed by an evening performance from JUNO Award-winning Indigenous tenor Jeremy Dutcher at 7:00 p.m.
Every Child Matters Pow Wow: Hosted at the Bob Bahan Aquatic & Fitness Centre starting at 11:30 a.m. with traditional performances and community gathering
The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland: Open from 10:00 a.m. for family-friendly educational programming focusing on the history of Canada’s residential school system.
Wîwîp’son: The Healing Swing showing at Metro Cinema at 7:30 PM Sept 30 2026. It’s a documentary about the Healing Swing created by Dr. Darlene Auger who current lives in Edmonton. “The event will include an artisan market in the lobby and a post-screening panel discussion with Dr. Darlene Auger, Director Aretha Greatrix, Dr. Kelvin Jones, and Ty McKinny, Ph.D.”:https://metrocinema.org/event/wiwipson-the-healing-swing/
* Reflect on any prejudice or stereotypes you may have towards Indigenous people and change your thinking to replace those thoughts with positive ones.
* Acknowledge the painful history of racism, genocide and assimilation, while celebrating the beauty and resilience in Indigenous people.
* Acknowledge that you are on Indigenous land, and learn the Native American map of Canada.
* Help to uplift our elders, youth, and communities. Wear orange as a symbol of solidarity, while understanding reconciliation goes beyond one day.
* Be kind to those who are facing addiction or who are houseless. They are the ones who are directly impacted by the Indian Act, racism, and residential school systems.
Literature:
Truth Telling: Seven Conversations about Indigenous Life in Canada by Michelle Good
* Focus: A powerful collection of essays examining contemporary Indigenous realities, the human costs of colonialism, and what meaningful execution of reconciliation actually requires.
True Reconciliation: How to Be a Force for Change by Jody Wilson-Raybould
* Focus: A foundational, practical guide breaking down the historical context of reconciliation and offering actionable steps for individuals, communities, and organizations
21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act by Bob Joseph
* Focus: An essential, highly accessible legal and historical guide exploring how the Indian Act heavily restricted Indigenous lives and shapes current generational realities.
Online Programming and Learning:
Hear from members of WISA on Truth and Reconciliation!
Listen to the podcast episodes and learn more about our members stories!
AUSU has concluded the 2026 General Election in accordance with the AUSU Bylaws and POL‑007: Elections. Voting was conducted by secure electronic ballot.
The Chief Returning Officer (CRO) has certified the results in accordance with Bylaw 7.13. The candidates receiving the highest number of valid votes in each portfolio race have been elected to serve on Council for the 2026–2028 term. Click here to view the results.
Athabasca University Students’ Union (AUSU) is pleased to announce the official list of 12 candidates running in the 2026 Council Election across 9 individual races. These students represent a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and passions, and are all committed to enhancing the AU student experience. Each candidate has successfully completed the required eligibility and verification steps in accordance with AUSU’s bylaws and election procedures.
The voting period opens at 12:01 a.m. MT on April 10, 2026, and closes at 11:59 p.m. MT on April 14, 2026.
Why Your Vote Matters
AUSU Council plays critical roles in representing and advocating for AU undergraduate students on institutional, provincial, and federal levels. By voting, you will help decide how student services and advocacy efforts are shaped during the 2026-2028 Council term.
How to Vote
Eligible voters will receive a secure voting link by email at the start of the voting period.
The ballot will list each of the 9 races, with the candidates running in each.
Students may cast one vote per race.
Review the candidate profiles before submitting your selections.
Ballots must be submitted before the voting period closes.
It’s that time of year again. With the arrival of spring and the promise of warmer weather, AUSU’s Spring Awards Season has officially opened. These awards celebrate the unique achievements and dedication of AU students.
Celebrating Diverse Success
AUSU’s awards recognize that success goes beyond academics in our membership. In addition to academic excellence, these awards highlight resilience, and contributions to the student and broader community.
Select the Awards, Scholarships, or Bursary category
Choose the Award, Scholarship or Bursary you’re applying to
Read the requirements before starting your application
Fill out the questionnaire and upload supporting documentation
Click submit
You should receive an email confirming that your submission was received. If you do not receive this email, please contact AUSU
All active members of AUSU are encouraged to apply and receive recognition for their hard work, perseverance, or the ways in which they give back to their communities.
Self‑nominations are now open for the 2026 AUSU General Election. Undergraduate students interested in serving on AUSU Council are invited to submit a nomination package during the nomination period:
March 17–30, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. MT
Elected Councillors serve a two‑year term and help shape services, advocacy, and student representation at Athabasca University.
The voting period will run from April 10–14, 2026.
To learn how to submit your nomination, review eligibility requirements, and see all mandatory steps, visit our Elections page.
If you have questions, contact the Chief Returning Officer at elections2026@ausu.org.
New Lunch Support for In-Person Labs in Athabasca (One-year Pilot Program)
Students attending in‑person science labs in Athabasca will now receive free catered lunches for the full duration of their lab, thanks to a new partnership between AUSU and AU’s Faculty of Science and Technology.
What students can expect
Fresh, nutritious lunches will be provided each day of the lab. Dietary needs can be accommodated with advance notice.
Why this matters
Students have shared that accessing meals during lab weeks can be challenging and expensive, especially for those travelling from out of town or out of province. This initiative helps reduce stress, supports well‑being, and creates a welcoming space for students to connect with one another. For many AU learners, labs are one of the rare opportunities to meet classmates face‑to‑face, and shared meals will help make those moments meaningful and memorable.
Help shape the future of the program
All lab participants will receive a short AUSU survey to share their experience. Your feedback will help determine whether this program continues beyond the pilot year.
Notice of Special Resolutions of Council Second Reading
This notice is to inform AUSU members that the first readings of the following resolutions have both passed unanimously.
Resolution #1 – New Bylaws Approval
BIRT AUSU Council approves the amended Bylaws as presented.
Resolution #2 – Strategic Plan Approval
BIRT AUSU Council rescinds the 2023–2026 Strategic Plan and replaces it with the new 2025–2030 Strategic Plan as presented.
AUSU extends sincere thanks to all students who took part in the engagement opportunities and shared their perspectives throughout this process.
A second reading is scheduled for February 23, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. (MT).
Students who wish to attend the Council meeting may register by emailing ausu@ausu.org with their full name and student ID.
CASA: Join the Movement to Protect Student Financial Aid!
Help us tell the federal government: don’t cut student financial aid during a cost-of-living crisis.
The federal government has yet to confirm whether the temporary increase to the Canada Student Grant (CSG) from $3,000 to $4,200 will be extended after July 2026. This vital support helps over 700,000 students across Canada manage rising tuition and living costs.
Without a commitment to extend this support, funding could drop back to $3,000, effectively a $1,200 cut each for thousands of students.
Students deserve certainty and stability to focus on their education.
This notice is to inform AUSU members that Council will be considering two special resolutions with the following wording:
Resolution #1 – New Bylaws Approval
BIRT AUSU Council approves the amended Bylaws as presented.
Resolution #2 – Strategic Plan Approval
BIRT AUSU Council rescinds the 2023–2026 Strategic Plan and replaces it with the new 2025–2030 Strategic Plan as presented.
A survey link has been sent to all current students via email to collect feedback. The survey includes links to the proposed Bylaws, the accompanying rationale for the changes, and the proposed 2025–2030 Strategic Plan. The survey will close on January 26, 2026 at midnight (MT).
A first reading of both resolutions is scheduled for February 2, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. (MT). A second reading is scheduled for February 23, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. (MT).
Students who wish to attend either or both Council meetings may register by emailing ausu@ausu.org with their full name and student ID.
Your feedback matters and will help guide Council’s work.
The holiday season has arrived and we’re excited to share some festive cheer with all our members. To celebrate the holidays, AUSU is hosting a four-day giveaway from December 21-24th. Each day members will have the opportunity to win gift cards redeemable at a number of popular stores such as Amazon, DoorDash, Apple, Google Play and more.
To participate, we encourage you to follow our Instagram page and keep an eye out for each giveaway post. This is our way of saying thank you to our members for an incredible year!
Exam Concerns:
We have heard many concerns from students about the recent outage related to AU’s MuchLearning platform, and the issues it has caused with prescheduled exams. Thankfully the university confirmed to us today that the platform is fully operational, and exams will proceed as normal.
If you were affected by the outage or need further guidance, you may contact examunit@athabascau.ca.
AwardsUpdates:
The Fall 2025 Awards Season was filled with incredible submissions, and we were thrilled to review the work of our talented students. Each entry showed the drive, persistence, and resilience of AU students, and demonstrated the impact AU students have on the wider community. All winners have been notified for this season.
If you haven’t seen the Spring 2025 winnersand their inspiring stories on our website yet, be sure to check them out.
Additionally, the incredible winning submissions of the Spring 2025 Storyteller Awards are found here. These highlight the creativity, talent, and originality of our members, truly celebrating diverse student voices.
Looking Forward to the New Year
As 2025 comes to a close, we want to thank all our members for their support over the past year. AUSU looks forward to advocating for and supporting all our students in the year ahead. We cannot wait to continue working hard to improve your student experience.
AUSU is excited to announce that our Fall Awards are now open for application from October 1st to October 31st, closing at midnight MT.
We offer a variety of awards and scholarships that celebrate the resilience, achievements, creativity, and educational journeys of Athabasca University students. AU students are truly like no other and we’re honoured to support them through these opportunities. To learn more about our awards, read our policy 7.02.
Academic Excellence Award ($1000): Awarded to the students with the highest academic achievement, based on their overall GPA.
Faculty Scholarships ($1000): Recognizes students making impactful contributions academically or professionally within their AU program. This is available for all students in the faculties of Humanities, Science and Technology, Health and Business.
Resilient Scholar Award ($1000): Celebrates inspiring students who have shown resilience and academic success after facing significant challenges or barriers.
AUSU Community Impact & Engagement Award ($1000): Recognizes meaningful volunteering within local communities or the AU student community.
Returning Student Award ($500): For students who have returned to post-secondary education after a minimum of five years.
Storyteller Award ($500): Students are invited to share their AU journey through original artwork, stories, videos, or other creative media.
HOW TO APPLY:
Registerand create an account using your AU student email address.
Select the “Awards, Scholarships, or Bursary” category.
Choose the award you want to apply for.
Review the requirements for your selected award.
Complete the questionnaire and upload all required supporting documents.
Click Submit. Your application will not be received unless it is submitted.
You will receive a confirmation email. If not, please contact us at president@ausu.org
Deadline: October 31, 2025, at Midnight (MT)
Extra Resources Hub
Empowering Your Journey Beyond AUSU
At AUSU, we recognize that successful student life extends beyond campus services. Our Extra Resources Hub curates a diverse collection of outside links and tools to support your academic, professional, and personal development. Explore trusted resources designed to help AU students overcome challenges and seize opportunities.
You will find:
Career & Professional Development: Discover job boards, internship portals, online career counseling, resume-building platforms, and interview preparation resources tailored for emerging professionals.
Health & Wellness Support: Explore external counseling services, mental health organizations, and wellness programs that support both emotional and physical well-being.
Financial Assistance: Find scholarship directories, bursary listings, financial literacy guides, and information on student loans to manage your education expenses.
Community & Social Engagement: Connect with volunteer networks, mentorship platforms, and social forums that broaden your community involvement and networking opportunities and more…
If you come across a valuable resource not yet featured here, let us know. We welcome your recommendations to help the entire AU community benefit.
Student Savings
Direct2U Pharmacy Savings
AUSU is excited to connect AU undergraduate students with great pharmacy savings in partnership with the Direct2U Virtual Pharmacy, now with preferred pharmacy pricing, free delivery in Canada, and discounts on purchases through the DrugSmart Pharmacy platform.
Preferred Pharmacy Pricing!
Free Delivery in Canada!
Once you create your account and your information is verified, you will be eligible for preferred pricing and benefits. These include:
15 DrugSmart Circle points for every $1 spent on eligible purchases (what is this?)
a 5,000-point DrugSmart Circle sign-up bonus that can be redeemed for $10 off your next purchase
Transferring your prescriptions from another pharmacy is easy to do and completely free. Simply provide the phone number of the pharmacy you’d like to transfer from, and DrugSmart Pharmacy will contact them to complete the process for you.
AUSU has teamed up with FYidoctors to bring tremendous preferred partner savings on eyewear to our student membership!
FYidoctors has over 370 locations across Canada, and growing! They were founded by some of Canada’s most reputable and respected optometrists who believe that patients should come before products and that eye care should be their primary focus.
FYidoctors is offering the following discounts to our student members:
20% Off: Complete pairs of glasses and sunglasses.*
10% Off: Any contact lens box
10% Off: Online eyewear purchases (use code at checkout)
*Regular priced optical frames and lenses. Sunglasses can be prescription or non. Excludes RayBan Meta products.
How to Access the Discount
Step 1: email president@ausu.org to request the FYidoctors Partner card.
Step 2: present the Partner card and your student ID at FYidoctors during purchase.
Step 3: enjoy the savings!!
Student Price Card (SPC)
AUSU is thrilled to offer AU undergraduates a chance to save more with the Student Price Card—take advantage of exclusive student discounts today.
The Student Price Card, also known as the SPC Card, is a student loyalty program in Canada offering discounts and deals on things like clothes, food, travel, and more. Show your SPC Card at participating locations and receive instant savings every time you shop.
When you purchase a Student Price Card annual membership, you gain instant access to 450+ unlimited discounts and up to 25% off top brands.
Sound good to you?
Well, it gets better! When you purchase an SPC Card through the AUSU link below, you take advantage of an additional $2.00 savings off the cost of the annual membership. At only $9.99/year, the card pays for itself with one purchase!
The AUSU Wellness Passport was created with the idea that wellness is a personal journey. Much like a real passport, it marks the steps you take. As you explore this path to better well-being, you’ll find a variety of activities to engage in. Completing them earns you valuable passport stamps and helps enhance your overall wellness.
The Wellness Passport is thoughtfully designed around the eight dimensions of wellness: social, spiritual, emotional, physical, intellectual, occupational, environmental, and financial. Each section offers a curated selection of eight activities tailored to its specific dimension, with a written resource and an accompanying video, all conveniently hyperlinked for seamless access.
As you explore your wellness journey, check out our additional resource guide for more ideas and valuable information.
We hope that you’ll embark on this journey with us to better your well-being, and we know that a bit of positive reinforcement can increase motivation to get started. So, we’re offering the opportunity to win prizes! Each quarter—January, April, July, and October—we’ll give away three $50 gift cards.
Participating students must complete at least three activities from each wellness section to qualify. Then email your completed Wellness Passport to ausu@ausu.org – we’ll keep track of the entries for a random draw for prizes every quarter!
Food Assistance Program
Food insecurity is a problem many post-secondary students face due to rising tuition costs, living expenses, and insufficient financial aid systems. Students often face significant challenges as they work toward personal growth, academic achievement, and professional success.
Recognising these obstacles, AUSU is proud to offer the Food Assistance Program; a dedicated resource for AU undergraduate students experiencing food insecurity. If you are in need of support, apply here
Awards & Bursaries
AUSU seasonal awards and year-round bursaries are available to qualifying AUSU members* who submit completed applications with all required forms by the appropriate deadline.
To learn more about our awards and bursaries see Policy 7.02. Applications are collected and processed through AwardForce.
*You are an AUSU member if you are currently taking any AU undergraduate course for credit. Your membership ends on the end date of your course, including extensions or when your final grade is posted.
We are also thrilled to partner with AU on another important initiative by sponsoring the AUSU Indigenous Student Award administered by AU and open annually for applications from December 1 to January 15. AUSU Indigenous Student Awards encourage and support Indigenous students at AU as they pursue their academic studies. Learn more about the AUSU Indigenous Student Awards on the AU website here.
Advocacy & Representation
AUSU is dedicated to supporting and empowering the AU student community through comprehensive advocacy services. AUSU offers two main types of advocacy to address the diverse needs of its members: individual student advocacy and external advocacy. Individual student advocacy focuses on providing personalised support to students facing academic or administrative challenges, ensuring their voices are heard and their rights are protected. On the the other hand, external advocacy involves representing the collective interests of the student body to broader audiences, including policymakers and education stakeholders, to drive meaningful change and improve the overall student experience at AU.
Please email president@ausu.org if you have concerns or feedback about things such as:
course problems
academic or exam fees
tutor concerns
any other concerns related to your student life
new course suggestions
any ideas that will improve your academic experience overall
