The OCSU offers a number of programs and services to meet your needs as a student. Our services come in a variety of forms, although we’ve had to adjust the way we deliver some of them in order to comply with COVID-19 health and safety protocols. As our offices at each campus remain closed, services will be online-based for the Fall 2020 semester.
Campus Wide Services
Virtual Office Q&A
We are so excited to offer this brand new service! Students can join us on a Zoom call every Wednesday from 9am-10am and 1:30pm-2:30pm to ask about our services, events, or any other college-related question they might have.
We will also have some availability for one-on-one virtual meetings if you aren’t able to attend during the times listed above.
For inquiries or to request a one-on-one meeting, contact us at virtualoffice@ocsu.ca.
Student Discounts
When you are living on a student budget every penny counts. That’s why we are proud to offer another one of our extremely popular services available FREE to all of our members: the Student Discount Program!
The easiest way to access these discounts is with the brand new Deals App!
Deals is available on Apple and Android absolutely free. Simply create an account with your student ID, and you’re ready to go! Just show your ID number at the point of purchase. The best part is, since this app is presented by the BCFS (a BC-wide organization), it shows you what discounts are available nearby, no matter where you are in BC.
Do you own a business, and are interested in offering a discount? Learn how here!
Health and Dental Plan
Your Health and Dental plan helps cover part of the costs from a wide range of medical services, from dentistry to massage therapy. Your coverage is through Green Shield Canada. All OCSU members who are enrolled in full time studies are covered (3 or more college level classes).
For more details, please see our Health and Dental page.
Student Clubs and Initiatives
Are you a student who has an excellent project in mind that could help benefit the campus community? Are you a group of students who are fundraising to start a new a service or attend a conference? If you are an Okanagan College Students’ Union member and have a great initiative that would help benefit the campus community, we encourage you to apply for our Student Initiatives program. Please see our Student Initiatives page for further details on how to apply!
Free Handbook/Dayplanner
Every year, the OCSU hands out over five thousand handbooks/dayplanners to students absolutely free! This is achieved by partnering with the British Columbia Federation of Students – BCFS. This project allows the OCSU to deliver a quality handbook with full colour pages, better quality paper with unique cover art and local flavour.
The handbooks are also a testimony to the OCSU’s commitment to sustainability; they are printed on 100% post consumer recycled material with vegetable dyes. Even the binding is recyclable!
What You Won’t Find Anywhere Else
- Details of who we are and the services we provide to our members
• The in’s and out’s of our Health and Dental plan
• Monthly and yearly calendars
• A course timetable
• Information on your membership in the British Columbia Federation of Students
• Campus activities and events
• Campaign details
• Details on the Deals App and a list of businesses offering discounts in the area
Frosh, Safer Sex, and Menstrual Hygiene Supplies *
Frosh, safer sex, and menstrual hygiene supplies are not currently available from any of our offices.
Grade Appeals
If you feel you have been unfairly treated in the assessment of your performance in a course, or that the determination of your final course grade is inconsistent with the grading methodology outlined in your course syllabus, it is your right to request a formal review of your course work or final grade.
What we can do
The OCSU can help you wade through the Okanagan College grade appeal policy and guide you step by step through the grade appeal process.
The OCSU can appoint a Student Representative to sit beside you as a student observer, in a non-voting capacity, throughout the review process. This Student Representative will ensure you are being treated fairly during the appeal process.
What we cannot do
The OCSU cannot expedite the Okanagan College appeal process.
The OCSU cannot determine or influence the instructors who make up the appeal committee, although we will ensure that you are treated in a non-biased and fair manner throughout the appeal process.
If you would like advice on how to proceed with a grade appeal, feel free to stop by the OCSU office on your campus and set up a confidential meeting with one of your Student Representatives.
Okanagan College policy on General Appeals on Academic Standing can be found here
Faxing *
Faxing is not currently available at any of our offices.
Kelowna Services
Kelowna Services
OC Serves Up
In July 2020, we partnered with RBC Royal Bank of Canada, Sysco, and Okanagan College to bring students in need with free lunches. Unchanged: In July 2020, we partnered with RBC Royal Bank of Canada, Sysco, and Okanagan College to bring students in need with free lunches.
Every day the OC Culinary and Pastry Arts students create 50 delicious and nutritious meals to hone their skills. The dishes are then given out to other OC students who have applied to the OC Serves Up program, completely free of charge!
Students can apply for the program by filling out the form at tinyurl.com/ocservesup each day they wish to request a meal. The form must be submitted by 10:30am on the day of, and only one meal can be requested at a time. Students can pick up their lunch from inside the cafeteria on the KLO campus. Please note that masks must be worn in the cafeteria. The program runs Monday through Friday and the meals can be picked up between 11:00am and 1:00pm on those days.
Please note that some meals may need to be heated prior to consuming, and that there are currently no microwaves available on campus for student use.
OCSU Pantry Hamper Program
The Okanagan College Students’ Union operates The Pantry as an emergency food bank to help you get through to the next pay cheque or loan disbursement, and for those needing short term assistance.
If you are in need of assistance, please fill out the intake form to request access the Pantry Hamper Program. To be eligible for this service, you must be enrolled in Winter classes and can request access twice a month. All eligible students are limited to 1 hamper at a time. Our Pantry Hamper Program will launch Friday January 22, 2021 and run until Friday April 30, 2021. You will receive a response within 2 business days regarding your hamper application. Please email potter@ocsu.ca, if you require further support or have any questions.
Our inventory is largely based on community donations and supplies provided by the Central Okanagan Food Bank, therefore our hampers will consist of basic, non perishable food items, and some basic hygiene items when available. Specific items will be based on availability at the time we fill your request. Hamper pick up is on Fridays at the Kelowna Campus from 12-3pm. You will be given a specific pick up date and time window. Please do not come come before your given time. *Please note that we have a limit of 60 hampers available per week. We will do our best to get hampers to every student as close to their request date as possible, but we cannot guarantee same week pick up dates. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
The Office *
Our office is currently closed as our staff works remotely amid the COVID-19 pandemic. You can contact us via any of our socials or our contact page, or visit our Virtual Office! (Hosted every Wednesday morning and afternoon over Zoom).
Bus Passes *
Please note that bus passes are not currently available for purchase as our office is closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As of January 2021, passes and sheets of tickets can be purchased from Kelowna City Hall instead.
Semester Pass (valid Jan-Apr): $176
Monthly Pass (valid Jan 1-31): $55
Sheet of 10 single use tickets: $22.50
Printing and Photocopying *
Printing and photocopying services are not currently available.
The Pantry *
The Pantry is closed until further notice. Students in need are encouraged to apply for OC Serves Up (see below) or contact the Central Okanagan Community Food Bank.
Poster Boards *
We are not currently allowing posters to be put up on our poster boards. (Mainly due to lack of people on campus who will see your poster)
Ping Pong and Board Game Rentals *
Our ping pong tables and board games are currently not available for use/rent.
Regional Services
Penticton
New! The Harbour
The OCSU operates the Harbour as an inclusive safe space for LGBTQ2+ students and allies on the Penticton campus. The Harbour’s goal is to provide resources and assist with food security for all members.
The Harbour normally operates out of the Penticton campus, but it has transitioned to a virtual platform for the time being. The Harbour Virtual Hamper Program is a monthly grocery gift card service for Salmon Arm and Penticton students in need during this time.
Please note that to be eligible for this service, you must be enrolled in Winter classes and can request access once a month. All eligible students are limited to 1 virtual hamper at a time. If you have been selected to receive a virtual hamper, you will be contacted within 5 business days and a gift card will be sent to you via mail or through email. Please email wiebe@ocsu.ca if you require further support or have any questions.
To request a Virtual Hamper, please complete our online signup form.
Locker Rentals *
This service is currently unavailable due to something other than COVID-19 – crazy! The OCSU will not offer lockers for the Fall 2020 semester as we are doing a complete renovation on them. We are looking forward to offering a new and improved locker service in the near future!
Board Game Rentals *
Board games are not available for rent at this time.
Salmon Arm
New! The Harbour
The OCSU operates the Harbour as an inclusive safe space for LGBTQ2+ students and allies on the Penticton campus. The Harbour’s goal is to provide resources and assist with food security for all members.
The Harbour normally operates out of the Penticton campus, but it has transitioned to a virtual platform for the time being. The Harbour Virtual Hamper Program is a monthly grocery gift card service for Salmon Arm and Penticton students in need during this time.
Please note that to be eligible for this service, you must be enrolled in Winter classes and can request access once a month. All eligible students are limited to 1 virtual hamper at a time. If you have been selected to receive a virtual hamper, you will be contacted within 5 business days and a gift card will be sent to you via mail or through email. Please email wiebe@ocsu.ca if you require further support or have any questions.
To request a Virtual Hamper, please complete our online signup form.
Lunch Once a Month *
This program is not currently available.
Ping Pong Tables *
The ping pong tables are not currently available.
Connect
Kelowna
Penticton
Salmon Arm