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{{Short description|Student advocacy organization}}
{{Unbalanced|date=August 2011}}
{{Unbalanced|date=August 2011}}
{{Original research|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox Students Union
{{Infobox Students Union
| name = Canadian Alliance of Student Associations
| name = Canadian Alliance of Student Associations
| image = [[Image:Canadian Alliance of Student Associations logo.png|frameless]]
| image =
| motto =
| caption =
| established = 1995
| motto =
| institution =
| established = 1995
| president =
| institution =
| vice presidents =
| president =
| vice presidents =
| treasurer =
| other officers =
| treasurer =
| other officers =
| location = [[Ottawa]], [[Ontario]]
| location = [[Ottawa, Ontario]], Canada
| affiliated = [[Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance|OUSA]], [[College Student Alliance|CSA]], [[Alliance of Nova Scotia Student Associations|ANSSA]], [[Alberta Students' Executive Council|ASEC]], [[Council of Alberta University Students|CAUS]], [[New Brunswick Student Alliance|NBSA]]
| affiliated = [[Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance|OUSA]], [[College Student Alliance|CSA]], [[Students Nova Scotia|SNS]], [[Alberta Students' Executive Council|ASEC]], [[Council of Alberta University Students|CAUS]], [[New Brunswick Student Alliance|NBSA]], [[Undergraduates of Canadian Research Intensive Universities|UCRU]], [[Student Mental Health Canada]]
| members = 25 (300,000 students)<ref>[http://www.casa.ca/index.php/member-associations.html ''CASA Members'' Retrieved on September 4th, 2008]</ref>
| members = 24 (275,000 students)<ref>[http://www.casa-acae.com/members/ ''CASA's Current Members'' ]</ref>
| colours =
| free_label = National Director
| colours =
| free = Zachary Dayler
| free_label = Executive Director
| homepage = http://www.casa-acae.com
| free =
| homepage = {{URL|www.casa-acae.com}}
}}
}}
The '''Canadian Alliance of Student Associations''' (CASA) was formed in 1995 by several post-secondary institutions' student unions who had withdrawn from the [[Canadian Federation of Students]] (CFS) and previously unaffiliated student unions. Today CASA boasts of a membership of 25 student associations representing over 300,000 students.<ref>[http://www.casa.ca/index.php/About-CASA/what-is-casa.html Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (n.d.). ''What is CASA?.'' Retrieved on July 21, 2008]</ref>
The '''Canadian Alliance of Student Associations''' (CASA) is a federally focused student advocacy organization. CASA currently has 24 members, who represent over 275,000 students from across Canada. With a formal partnership with the Quebec Student Union, CASA represents 365,000 students.<ref>[http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/693.nsf/eng%20/00246.html Government of Canada (n.d.) ''Canadian Alliance of Student Associations'' ]</ref> CASA works towards an accessible, affordable, innovative and high-quality post-secondary education system.<ref>[https://www.casa-acae.com/about Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (n.d.). ''What is CASA?.'']</ref>


==History==
==History==
⚫
CASA's origins can be traced to the first Winds of Change conference hosted by the [[University of Alberta]] in 1990. In what would become an annual meeting, student leaders from across the country were invited to come together to discuss challenges facing post-secondary education students in Canada.{{citation needed |date=October 2024}}


⚫
In 1993 the federal government announced that all of Canada's social programs{{clarification needed |date=October 2024}} would be reviewed.{{citation needed |date=October 2024}} Sweeping and significant changes were likely to come,{{citation needed |date=October 2024}} which prompted several student unions not affiliated with the [[Canadian Federation of Students]] to try to organize efforts to lobby the federal government on education issues.{{citation needed |date=October 2024}}
⚫
CASA's origins can be traced to the first ''Winds of Change'' conference hosted by the [[University of Alberta]] in 1990. In what would become an annual meeting, student leaders from across the country were invited to come together to discuss challenges facing post-secondary education students in [[Canada]].


⚫
In 1994, as the result of a conference held at [[Carleton University]], a number of student leaders decided to form a new Canadian post-secondary student organization. The foundations for the new organization were laid down, and the framework for a constitution was built upon it.<ref>[https://higheredstrategy.com/casa-at-20/ Alex Usher (2014) ''CASA at 2020'']</ref>{{citation needed |date=October 2024}}
⚫
In 1993 the [[Politics of Canada|federal government]] announced that all of Canada's social programs would be reviewed with sweeping and significant changes likely to come which prompted several student unions not affiliated with the CFS to try to organize efforts to lobby the federal government on education issues.


In 1998, Patrick Fitzpatrick, then acting Director of CASA, pled guilty to fraud charges after it was discovered that he embezzled money from the organization.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.carillon.uregina.ca/feb5.98/news/news3.html |title=The CASA saga continues: Fitzpatrick pleads guilty in fraud case |publisher=The Carillon |date=1998-02-05 |accessdate=2013-07-05}}</ref>
⚫
In 1994, as the result of a conference held at [[Carleton University]], a number of student leaders decided to form a new Canadian post-secondary student organization. The foundations for the new organization were laid down, and the framework for a constitution was built upon it.


In 1998 Patrick Fitzpatrick, then acting Director of CASA, plead guilty to fraud charges after it was discovered that he embezzled money from the organization.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.carillon.uregina.ca/feb5.98/news/news3.html |title=The CASA saga continues: Fitzpatrick pleads guilty in fraud case |publisher=The Carillon |date=1998-02-05 |accessdate=2013-07-05}}</ref>
In 2003, Liam Arbuckle, then National Director, resigned after it was alleged that he provided confidential information to a candidate hoping to succeed him.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gazette.uwo.ca/2003/February/18/news4.htm |title=CASA buckles down: national director out |publisher=The Gauntlet |date=2003-02-18 |accessdate=2013-07-05}}</ref>


CASA was incorporated June 27, 1995.{{citation needed |date=October 2024}} CASA currently has members in seven provinces and represents undergraduate, graduate, college and polytechnic students.{{citation needed |date=October 2024}}
In 2003 Liam Arbuckle, then National Director, resigned after admitting that he provided confidential information to a candidate hoping to succeed him.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gazette.uwo.ca/2003/February/18/news4.htm |title=CASA buckles down: national director out |publisher=The Gauntlet |date=2003-02-18 |accessdate=2013-07-05}}</ref>


== Board of directors ==
In 2008, CASA accepted its first member organization to consist entirely of graduate students: the [[University of Waterloo]] Graduate Student Association.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.casa.ca/news.asp?ID=107 |title=Canadian Alliance of Student Associations / L'Alliance Canadienne des Associations Étudiantes |publisher=Casa.ca |date= |accessdate=2010-07-30}}</ref> In November 2011, the Athabasca University Graduate Student Association became the second member organization to consist of entirely graduate students.
CASA has a board of directors that helps guide the home office staff.{{citation needed |date=October 2024}}{{clarification needed |date=October 2024}}


This board is made up of a chair, secretary, treasurer, and four directors-at-large. The director-at-large positions include a Director of Policy, Director of Advocacy, Director of Membership, and Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
==Recent membership dissatisfaction==
{| class="wikitable"
In 2005, the [[Students' Society of McGill University]] voted to leave the CASA. The CASA sued the SSMU after disaffiliation, and reached a settlement on fees in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|last=Jabir |first=Humera |url=http://www.mcgilldaily.com/articles/20981 |title=News - SSMU settles with CASA for $35,000 |publisher=The McGill Daily |date= |accessdate=2010-07-30}}</ref>
|+Board of Directors 2021-2022 <ref>{{Cite web|title=Board of Directors|url=https://www.casa-acae.com/board_of_directors|access-date=2021-02-16|website=Canadian Alliance of Student Associations|language=en}}</ref>

|Chair
In 2006, the [[University of Saskatchewan Students' Union]] ended its membership in the CASA during the USSU's failed bid to join the [[Canadian Federation of Students]].<ref>{{cite web|http://www.ussu.ca/usc/pdfs/archives/2005-06-usc.pdf |title=USSU Student Council Minutes, see January 26, 2006}}</ref>
|Marley Gillies

|-
In 2009, the CASA's largest member, the Alma Mater Society of the University of British Columbia (AMS), voted for the second straight year to disaffiliate. The AMS cited high fees and the irrelevance of the CASA as primary reasons for disaffiliation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ubyssey.ca/news/ams-votes-to-leave-casa/ |title=AMS votes to leave CASA |publisher=Ubyssey.ca |date= |accessdate=2013-07-05}}</ref> They currently sit as an associate member.
|Secretary

|Dawson "Golden Gavel" Thomas
==Founding principles==
|-
The Association set down a number of founding principles<ref>{{cite web|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20100115101352/http://casa.ca/index.php/history-of-casa.html |title=History of CASA |date=2008-07-07 |accessdate=2013-07-05}}</ref>:
|Treasurer
*First, CASA would be member-driven in that the members of the Association would set the organization's policy agenda and define its goals.
|Stacey Hutchings
*Second, CASA would focus on issues specific to post-secondary education, establishing a strong orientation toward policy development.
|-
*Third, CASA would ensure that membership within the alliance would not unfairly burden member associations. Joining CASA would be made easy through clear and flexible by-laws. Membership fees would be capped and kept to the lowest possible level.
|Director at Large, Policy
*Lastly, CASA would focus its attention on those challenges facing post- secondary education students within federal jurisdiction only. Provincial advocacy would be best left to member associations. In effect, CASA established principles and practices that would promote a strong, grassroots, pragmatic alliance focusing exclusively on the problems facing post- secondary education students in Canada.
|Spirit River Striped Wolf
|-
|Director at Large, Advocacy
|Christian Fotang
|-
|Director at Large, Membership
|Matthew Yanish
|-
|Director at Large, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
|Kyle Cook
|}


==References==
==References==
Line 52: Line 68:


==External links==
==External links==
*{{Official website|www.casa-acae.com}}
{{Commons}}
*[http://www.casa-acae.com Canadian Alliance of Student Associations]
*[http://web.archive.org/web/20050404041459/http://www.umanitoba.ca/manitoban/20050209/article.php?section=features&article=01 Alliance vs Federation] ''The Manitoban'' student newspaper examines the pros and cons of CASA and the CFS.
*[http://web.archive.org/web/20040329200337/http://www.thevarsity.ca/news/2002/01/25/News/Mi.Casa.Ain8217t.Su.Casa-332925.shtml Mi CASA ain't su CASA] 2002 article from ''[[The Varsity (newspaper)|The Varsity]]'' on CASA's troubles.


{{csa}}
{{csa}}
{{Education by subject}}


[[Category:Students' associations in Canada]]
[[Category:Students' associations in Canada]]
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[[Category:Groups of students' unions]]
[[Category:Groups of students' unions]]
[[Category:Student political organizations]]
[[Category:Student political organizations]]
[[Category:1995 establishments in Canada]]

Latest revision as of 12:38, 28 October 2024

Canadian Alliance of Student Associations
LocationOttawa, Ontario, Canada
Established1995
Members24 (275,000 students)[1]
AffiliationsOUSA, CSA, SNS, ASEC, CAUS, NBSA, UCRU, Student Mental Health Canada
Websitewww.casa-acae.com

The Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA) is a federally focused student advocacy organization. CASA currently has 24 members, who represent over 275,000 students from across Canada. With a formal partnership with the Quebec Student Union, CASA represents 365,000 students.[2] CASA works towards an accessible, affordable, innovative and high-quality post-secondary education system.[3]

History

[edit]

CASA's origins can be traced to the first Winds of Change conference hosted by the University of Alberta in 1990. In what would become an annual meeting, student leaders from across the country were invited to come together to discuss challenges facing post-secondary education students in Canada.[citation needed]

In 1993 the federal government announced that all of Canada's social programs[clarification needed] would be reviewed.[citation needed] Sweeping and significant changes were likely to come,[citation needed] which prompted several student unions not affiliated with the Canadian Federation of Students to try to organize efforts to lobby the federal government on education issues.[citation needed]

In 1994, as the result of a conference held at Carleton University, a number of student leaders decided to form a new Canadian post-secondary student organization. The foundations for the new organization were laid down, and the framework for a constitution was built upon it.[4][citation needed]

In 1998, Patrick Fitzpatrick, then acting Director of CASA, pled guilty to fraud charges after it was discovered that he embezzled money from the organization.[5]

In 2003, Liam Arbuckle, then National Director, resigned after it was alleged that he provided confidential information to a candidate hoping to succeed him.[6]

CASA was incorporated June 27, 1995.[citation needed] CASA currently has members in seven provinces and represents undergraduate, graduate, college and polytechnic students.[citation needed]

Board of directors

[edit]

CASA has a board of directors that helps guide the home office staff.[citation needed][clarification needed]

This board is made up of a chair, secretary, treasurer, and four directors-at-large. The director-at-large positions include a Director of Policy, Director of Advocacy, Director of Membership, and Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.

Board of Directors 2021-2022 [7]
Chair Marley Gillies
Secretary Dawson "Golden Gavel" Thomas
Treasurer Stacey Hutchings
Director at Large, Policy Spirit River Striped Wolf
Director at Large, Advocacy Christian Fotang
Director at Large, Membership Matthew Yanish
Director at Large, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Kyle Cook

References

[edit]
  1. ^ CASA's Current Members
  2. ^ Government of Canada (n.d.) Canadian Alliance of Student Associations
  3. ^ Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (n.d.). What is CASA?.
  4. ^ Alex Usher (2014) CASA at 2020
  5. ^ "The CASA saga continues: Fitzpatrick pleads guilty in fraud case". The Carillon. 1998-02-05. Retrieved 2013-07-05.
  6. ^ "CASA buckles down: national director out". The Gauntlet. 2003-02-18. Retrieved 2013-07-05.
  7. ^ "Board of Directors". Canadian Alliance of Student Associations. Retrieved 2021-02-16.
[edit]
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