WHY CSA?

It’s All About the Students
Driven by the common mission of strong students, strong leadership and strong colleges, CSA members have direct input in the direction, focus and services of the organization. All major decisions are guided by majority votes by the membership which helps to maintain our grass roots and consensus building approach to the way the CSA is run.  Guided by a Strategic Framework, which is presented by the Board of Directors and approved by the membership annually, the organization works towards accomplishing their set objectives in all areas such as advocacy, capacity building, leadership and member services.

Effective Student Advocacy
As the only recognized voice for college and college-university students across Ontario, the CSA speaks to important issues that affect our membership. Members truly drive the agenda of the CSA. On the topics of tuition fees, transferability or student rights, members and their students truly have their voices heard.

Members participate in student-focused forums and advocacy campaigns and approve policies to reflect their views to the government and other postsecondary stakeholders. Since the CSA is a priority stakeholder with the Ontario government, college and college-university students of member student associations are also a priority. Student voices and concerns have a powerful voice which is being heard as the CSA now represents over 70% of Ontario college and college-university students.

Capacity Building
Student associations turn over annually and CSA is dedicated to ensuring new student leaders have access to important information and are provided with the resources they need to carry out their responsibilities effectively and successfully. Members are able to access abridged versions of government policies, orientation materials, best practice documents from other student associations and important CSA members-only information through the CSA’s members-only intranet.

As well, CSA connects student leaders with each other through such networking means as Provincial and regional conferences, and a variety of internet communication channels that give members access to the entire membership with almost immediate feedback. As a student leader you often need information, assistance or advice or guidance on short notice-you don’t always have the time or resources at your disposal. The CSA is your organization providing all that and more, expert staff and peer mentorship.

Student Leadership Training
Many student leaders have had little experience or exposure to the skill sets often needed to perform their roles to the fullest. For example, how many have managed budgets in the hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars before student leadership? How many have managed a staff before-often older than they are themselves? As a member of the CSA you have access to a Leadership Success (LS) program designed by students for students to give you the skills needed to excel in your student governance role. LS was designed for the student leader and is delivered in an informal, peer to peer format that ensures relevance to your position while being delieverd by credible professionals. With a series of resources and mentors readily available a student leader who is a member of the CSA is never left on their own-assistance is just a call or email away. You as a student leader on your campus often work in an environment of unpredictable challenges, a demanding workload and a high-turnover rate. The CSA is there for its members to help student leaders serve their student constituents to their full potential and gain valuable experience through it all.

Joining the CSA
If you are a student or student leader at college or college-university student association that currently is not a member of CSA and would like more information, please contact the CSA President or our Development Coordinator at the CSA office. The President, Board of Directors and CSA Secretariat would be happy to speak with you and provide whatever information you need to make an informed decision about membership.

The CSA believes that with each new member, college and college-university students, leaders and institutions are collectively that much stronger.