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
Kelowna Services
Kelowna Services
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. Over the summer months of May, June, July, and August, we will be mailing you a grocery store gift card.
Please fill our intake form to request access the Pantry Hamper Program. To be eligible for this service, you must be registered as a Kelowna student, and have been enrolled in Winter classes, or currently enrolled in courses over the summer courses. For students enrolled attending the Penticton or Salmon Arm campuses please apply for a Harbour Hamper (found on our website). Students enrolled at the Vernon campus should go to vsaoc.ca to see what services are available to them.
Eligible students are limited to 1 gift card per month. Gift cards will be either emailed as a digital card, or mailed mid-month via Canada Post if digital is not an option.
Cut-off for monthly registration is the second Friday of each month. Students who register after this day will be placed on the list for the following month.
Please email potter@ocsu.ca if you require further support or have any questions.
At this time we can only send gift cards to student attending the Kelowna campus who are located in British Columbia, Canada. We apologize for any inconvenience.
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