Your UASU Execs have been working hard this fall to advocate for more affordability for students, and more access to services for our campus community. From advocating for a better financial aid process, to the FlixBus pilot route, to supporting another successful Week of Welcome–we’ve got all the details on what your Execs have been up to so far this semester.
 

Lisa (President)

• Celebrated a successful Week Of Welcome with new, more accessible flooring—no more mud or slipping this year!
• Presented executive Goals to the Registrar, Campus Services, Board of Governors (BoG) and GFC! Check out Students’ Council minutes from July 30 for details.
• Secured a student-at-large for the Mutual Aid Project Micro-Grants initiative!
• Ensured student representation in the Office of the Vice President International and Enterprise, ensuring UASU gets involved when companies partner with U of A to create more student opportunities.
• Held advocacy meetings with over 20 government officials including municipal, provincial and federal representatives, to keep students’ issues top of mind this year.
• Held 20+ advocacy meetings with government officials and university admin to make sure student issues stay top of mind.
• Coordinated a joint letter with student associations representing 150,000+ students, requesting improvements to financial aid processes to prevent delays in the future.

Layla (VP Academic)

• Engaged students at FA orientations and WOW programming, promoting council seats and open student positions before by-elections.
  • Doubled turnout for Council and General Faculties Council (GFC) by-elections compared to last year, filling the most seats in recent years!
• Promoted Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) indicator on Bear Tracks to help new students find courses without materials costs.
• Saved students money on textbooks in new ways:
  • Collaborated with the library to boost instructors’ awareness of Open Educational Resources (OER).
  • Met with student associations from across Alberta to expand Alberta Open Education advocacy.
• Collaborated with faculty associations (FAs) to address shared issues and goals with administration.
• Hosted the SRA Summit, bringing student leaders together to discuss advocacy, accessibility, food insecurity, and reconciliation. Huge thanks to everyone who contributed to this event!
• Contributed feedback to the U of A's new experiential learning website and worked on survivor-centered protocols for sexual violence prevention in Work-Integrated Learning (WIL).
• Working on the Elections Task Force to gather more student feedback on election accessibility.
• Excited for the first Teaching and Learning AI subcommittee meeting this month—your VPA will bring the student voice to the table!
   

Abdul (VP External)

• Big win: Exceptional Tuition Increases (ETIs) were blocked this year. This means millions of dollars in savings for students, protecting your finances at a crucial time!
• Collaborated with the Ministry and Registrar’s Office to address delays in student financial aid, raising awareness and securing additional resources from the Ministry. Maintained ongoing communication to ensure effective updates to students.
• Launched the FlixBus pilot project for affordable travel between Camrose and Edmonton! Thanks to collaboration with VPSL Renson, we kicked off the service in late September. Your VP External secured $3,000 from Camrose City Council and $11,000 from U of A to subsidize student tickets through November 6, enhancing transportation accessibility for all students!
• Engaged with over 20 MPs, MLAs, City councillors through meetings and discussions, with many joining students at WOW. Your VPX advocated for students' needs and priorities at all levels of government.
• Campus St-Jean boosted enrollment thanks to our federal advocacy through Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA, securing more Provincial Attestation Letters.
• After a year of student advocacy, the Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Status of Women has announced the launch of the Women in Technical and Applied Arts Scholarship, opening in January 2025! This scholarship will help women break into the film, TV, and music industries by awarding $2,500 to 20 recipients, supporting creative careers.
• Your VPX (also the Chair of the Edmonton Student Alliance) presented key student priorities to the Urban Planning Committee and the City. We’re collaborating to keep housing, and transit needs front and center in local decision-making!
• Made headlines in 5 major outlets at the start of the school year to spotlight student affordability issues.
• Met regularly with Minister Sawhney to push for affordable tuition and expand access to Open Educational Resources (OER) to help lower textbook costs for all students!

Levi (VP Operations and Finance)

• Exploring opportunities for new businesses and locations to support UASU operations and services on campus.
• Engaged with students during WOW, awarded nearly 50,000 Perks points to students with fellow execs and connecting with incoming students at many events!
• Helping students navigate health and dental plans—don’t forget gender-affirming care is included!
• Assisted students with questions on fees and financials, making sure they get the most out of their benefits.
• Worked with the Council of Faculty Associations (CoFA) to ensure timely access to funds for their events.
   

Renson (VP Student Life)

• Safewalk now has 24/7 building access—better safety and weather protection for students!
• Advocated for more student-centered spaces—two wellness rooms are now available in Donadeo Innovation Centre for Engineering (ICE) and the 3rd floor of Students' Union Building (SUB) for prayer, meditation, and other personal practices, accessible to all students!
• The FlixBus service pilot is up and running! This sustainable and cost-effective travel option connects students between Camrose and Edmonton, making commutes to and from Augustana Campus easier and more affordable!
• In collaboration with the Indigenous Students’ Union (ISU), we supported this year’s Residential School Memorial (RSM) event, featuring Indigenous Elders sharing stories, jingle dancers, and drummers at the Sweetgrass Bear. The event included activities and storytelling to promote healing and build a brighter future. (gateway article)
• We celebrated the first Indigenous Welcome Ceremony with a Flag Raising Ceremony for Treaty 6 and the Métis Nation, where Indigenous students proudly raised the flags. The event featured a drum circle, marking a historic moment at WOW!
• Organized and executed the Campus Clash event, raising $2,616 for the Campus Food Bank. Thank you for your support!
• We proudly co-signed a letter supporting the Campus Food Bank’s grant application for an electric van through the Alberta Community Initiatives Program!
  • With demand for the Campus Food Bank up 600% in five years, the UASU will invest in managing the van’s maintenance and funding a charging station if the grant is successful.
• Working on student housing stability and a campus food strategy in collaboration with the Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) and university admin.
• Mental Health Day featured a mindful drawing workshop organized by the UASU in collaboration with Days of Action, following last year's panel discussion