Features

Dear Barb Continues Advice Tradition in Book Format

There’s a saying, attributed to author and inspirational speaker Regina Brett, that states, “If we threw all our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s we’d grab ours back.” Whether it’s schadenfreude, self-improvement, or simply gratitude that our own problems are not worse, reading advice columns seems to be a pastime with universal appeal…. Read more »

AU Graduands—Shara Kirk & Raphael Ugobi

In this new monthly column, The Voice Magazine will be featuring upcoming and recent AU grads, as well as alums.  If you would like us to showcase your journey in an upcoming article, feel free to reach out!  This month, we were able to catch up with two recent grads from Calgary, Shara Kirk and… Read more »

Convocation 2020—Interviews with Graduands

The 2020 pandemic has affected many aspects of AU students’ lives, including this year’s upcoming convocation, with ceremonies cancelled in both Edmonton and Toronto. A “reimagined virtual convocation” will take place on October 2, 2020.  Invitations to eligible graduates were sent in June, with July 31, 2020 as the last date to submit applications to… Read more »

Minds We Meet—Interviewing Students Like You

As I spoke on the phone with Athabasca University student V.K., I was excited learning all the interesting things about his life.  V. was not able to start post-secondary education as soon as he wanted to because he was born in Namibia and had spent the last nine years attempting to receive immigration status.  But… Read more »

Does Online Learning make Cheating Easier?

As Canadian universities are preparing for virtual learning for the Fall 2020 semester, post-secondary courses are being adapted to fit an online learning environment.  Virtual courses present a plethora of challenges for professors, including how to prevent a spike in cheating.  Multiple choice tests, online exams and the number of students enrolled in a course… Read more »

AUSU’s Indigenous Representation Committee—What’s It About?

With the recent global events and grassroots movements striving for equity, representation, and acknowledgement and redress of historical and current injustices, The Voice Magazine has reached out to AUSU about their new initiatives to increase inclusivity here at AU.  Our first in a series of interviews focuses on the newly established Indigenous Representation Committee, and… Read more »

A Re-imagined Convocation

Graduation as a Time-honored Tradition As AU students and staff prepare for a modified “Reimagined Convocation” on October 2, 2020, we have time to consider what impact the COVID-19 crisis has had on recent graduates.  As a time-honored tradition dating back to the 1800s, university convocation represents a university’s history and successes.  Gowns and caps… Read more »

National Indigenous Peoples Day—June 21, 2020

In a recent press interview, Prime Minster Justin Trudeau spoke about an “unconscious bias” impacting all Canadians.  Now, more than ever, our cultural perspectives and unique identities are being called into question, especially in political and corporate sectors. Our increasingly globalized economy demands sameness, which is in direct opposition to natural human culture.  In our… Read more »

Remembering Stonewall—Celebrating Pride Month in COVID-19

Amidst protests decrying police brutality facing Black Americans and new Albertan legislation that may be affecting the very right to protest, we enter Pride month, a celebration of queer rights, whose origins can be traced back to a riot. Despite the cancellation of this year’s Pride parades because of the pandemic, June remains a joyful,… Read more »