University Students' Council at Western University

The University Students' Council (USC) mission is to enhance the educational experience and quality of life for all undergraduates at Western University. To accomplish this mission, the USC functions in three main ways: as an advocacy group, as a service provider and as a student leadership developer. Incorporated in 1965, the USC is a separate corporation from Western University and is managed by elected student executives (President [Chief Executive Officer], Vice President University Affairs; External Affairs; Student Support & Programming; Governance & Finance; and Communications & Public Affairs) with goals and strategic objectives which change annually. The USC functions in three main ways: As an advocacy group: student Council members advocate to the university administration, local groups, political bodies (on all levels of Canadian government) for students interests, and to make sure student voices are being heard. As a service provider: the USC maintains a variety of commercial operations to provide quality service to students. This includes two campus restaurants, a clothing store, and more. The USC also facilitates the student health, dental and bus pass plans. These initiatives, combined with the many events (such as concerts, speakers and festivals) make up most of the organization's budget. As a student leadership developer: the USC offers hundreds of paid and volunteer positions for students at Western. These can include internships with business managers, working closely with the student executive, and volunteering on one of the many programming or service files. The core of the USC will always be student leadership and decision-making.