ADVOCACY
Support students to understand rights and responsibilities, engage in student advocacy, connect students with available supports.
CAMPAIGNS
An integral part of the work done by NISU is campaigning for student issues at the local, provincial & federal levels. NISU works closely with the BC Federation of Students (BCFS) and other member Locals around the province on a variety of issues that affect all students.
We are always looking for members who want to volunteer with NISU on campaigns. For more information on how to volunteer or on any of our campaigns, members can email theoffice@nisu.ca
Current Campaigns
Open Textbooks Now!
The high cost of textbooks is creating obstacles for students to be successful in classes. 26% of BC students choose to not register for a course due to textbook costs, which negatively impacts their academic career. A solution is for instructors to use Open Education Resources (OER). OERs come in many forms: full courses, lesson plans, videos, exams, and textbooks. These are available in digital formats for free or in print at low cost. In the past 5 years, open textbooks have saved students more than $9 million; more funding and instructor adoption will result in more materials and save students money one class at a time! Instructors make textbook decisions, learn more at BC Campus. Want to talk to your instructor about their choices, learn how, with the BC Federation of Students campaign
Local and Provincial Campaign Victories
BC Budget 2019 has eliminated interest charged on BC student loans! This change will not only help current and future students but also those who have completed their studies and are paying back their loans.
We did this together – people across the province have been asking for the elimination of interest on student loans for years! This government heard our calls and made it happen.
Don’t Tax
My Loans
Legal Assistance
Members have access to unlimited free summary telephone legal advice and unlimited referrals to local lawyers at preferred rates.
Types of law:
Family, criminal, civil litigation, landlord and tenant, residential real estate, wills and estates, tax, employment, condo/strata, immigration, and identity theft support.
Student Advocate
Most often, staff and faculty at North Island College have your best interests in mind. That being said, there are inherent power dynamics in education, if you feel your rights have been infringed while at NIC, it is your right to have a student advocate support you while navigating a resolution. The Student Advocate can join you for any meeting, with instructor, department chair or dean, or NIC administrator. The Advocate acts as your supporter, is a second set of ears and can help you understand your responsibilities and rights.
If at any point you have questions or need advocacy with grade or other appeals, you can contact your students’ union by emailing advocacy@nisu.ca.
Learn about the policies and procedures that govern NIC.
Learn about student responsibilities and rights.
Learn more, from the Learn Anywhere site, a strong student resource.
While at NIC you can reasonably expect that:
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Students have a right to a healthy and safe environment, and to be free from physical, sexual or mental harassment, indignity, injury or violence. All NISU offices are safe refuge, should you need quick support.
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You have a right to be informed of, prior to registration, the extent of college related expenses to be incurred during studies at the college.
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You have the right to refer to any documents contained in your student records. Additionally, you have the right to add documents to college student records, including written documentation refuting the contents of documents of a disparaging nature.
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You have the right to be provided with written course descriptions including means of student assessment and to be assured that these will not be substantially changed throughout the course of your semester
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You have the right to be informed of methodologies, assignments to be handed in, penalties for delays, and the estimated waiting period for obtaining academic results at the beginning of the course.
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You have a right to attend class. If you cannot attend class for any reason, you can request the information that has been missed. You should not be penalized for missing any part of your class as long as you are fulfilling the attendance requirement of your course.
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All students have a right to freedom of opinion and expression in the classroom within the context of the course content.
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You have a right to proper and impartial evaluation of performance
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Students have the right to be provided with instructors who possess appropriate knowledge and teaching skills in relation to their course of instruction.
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Students have the right to appropriate services and resources that support instruction and student learning.
Members also have access to Legal Assistance Services.
All students should be aware of North Island College policies and your rights as students
