Advocacy & Research

 
 

Your voice, backed by Data

The HUCSC doesn't guess what students need—we ask you.

The documents below (formerly called "Policy Papers") are built directly from your survey responses, focus groups, and lived experiences at Huron. We use these reports to sit down with the university administration and demand real, student-backed changes to our campus.

Find out what we are fighting for.

Published Papers

  • Why student wellness? University is stressful, and getting mental health help on campus shouldn't add to that stress. Students told us they need clearer access to care and better professional support.

    Primary Recomendations

    • Professional Care: Bringing a licensed psychologist to campus so students can get official diagnoses without leaving Huron.

    • Inclusive Support: Creating mental health resources specifically designed for Indigenous, Racialized, and 2SLGBTQ+ students.

    • Better Connections: Building stronger partnerships with off-campus mental health organizations so students know all their options.

    Read full paper here: Student Wellness Policy Paper

  • Why Student Accessibility? Students with physical, mental, or learning disabilities still face major barriers at Huron. 35% of surveyed students rated our campus disability support as inadequate.

    Primary Recommendations:

    • Independent Support: Moving away from a volunteer note-taking system and pushing for a dedicated Huron accessibility office with hired note-takers.

    • Fixing Physical Barriers: Demanding repairs and retrofits for older campus buildings, specifically broken elevators and inaccessible ramps in Hellmuth and O'Neil Ridley halls.

    • An Easier Process: Making the process to get academic accommodations simpler and less intimidating.

    Read full paper here: Student Accessibility Policy Paper

  • Why Career Development? Career support needs to work for all degrees, not just business students. Arts and Social Science students reported feeling left out of the current offerings and unsure of how to get consistent coaching.

    Primary Recommendations:

    • Diverse Career Paths: Establishing a dedicated prep program for grad school and law school (including LSAT workshops and personal statement help).

    • Alumni Mentorship: Rebuilding a mentorship program that connects students with Huron alumni working in their specific fields of interest.

    • Starting Early: Introducing career planning during first-year orientation, rather than waiting until graduation.

    Read full paper here: Career Development Policy Paper

  • Why BIPOC and Religious Students? Every student deserves to feel safe and culturally supported on campus. Our research highlighted a disconnect between domestic and international students and a lack of support for religious accommodations.

    Primary Recommendations:

    • Safe Reporting: Creating clear, confidential ways for students to report racism and discrimination on campus.

    • Religious Accommodations: Enforcing stricter dining rules for Halal and Kosher food, and creating a campus calendar that respects major religious holidays.

    • Targeted Support: Providing international and BIPOC students with dedicated mentorship and workshops (like how to navigate Canadian healthcare and taxes).

    Read the full paper here: BIPOC and Religious Students Policy Paper

  • Read full paper

 

Our Methodology

Good advocacy starts with good listening. We believe in total transparency about how we collect, store, and use your feedback.

Our Feedback Collection Guide is our public playbook. It outlines our ethical standards for running focus groups, protecting your privacy, and turning your comments into action. We publish this so you always know how your student council operates behind the scenes.

 

The Lens

Want to see how these issues play out in real time? Read deep dives into campus culture, systemic issues, and student life on The Lens, our student-led editorial publication.

Read the Lens