Before the end of the year and the holiday season arrives, we've got a final update on what your UASU Execs have been up to this semester! From leading tuition consultation sessions with the University, to proposing improvements to religious accommodations and academic advising, to negotiating a U-Pass deal that could help save students money–we've got all the details here:

• Advocated to improve how the University's Advisory Committee on Support for Displaced Palestinian Scholars and Students incorporates the voices of Palestinian students. (Pres Lisa)
   
• Enhancing campus sustainability by securing commitments to update the Pest Management Plan and the University's pesticide practices, with consultation to come forward at Students' Council or Sustainability Committee. (Pres Lisa)
   
• Worked to make the Executives more accessible, through tabling and attending student events (e.g. Bar None and events by PSUA, the ISA, and the Sexual Assault Centre). (Exec team)
   
• Led several tuition consultation sessions with the University. Presented a slate of financial aid asks, focused on the students who need it most. Got assurances that no faculty will see disproportionate domestic tuition hikes. (Pres Lisa)
   
• Met with the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) to advocate for enhancements to student research awards funding as part of CASA's Advocacy Week. (Pres Lisa)
   
• Met with 11 MLAs and Cabinet Ministers during the UASU's provincial advocacy week. Also met with staff and public service, as well as the leader of the Alberta NDP. Advocated for an urgent strategic review of needs-based student grants, investments to improve work-integrated learning (WIL) opportunities and protect students in WIL placements, provincial support for the Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) course indicators that have saved students millions at UAlberta, and funding for culturally-informed, locally-guided supports for Indigenous students. (Pres Lisa, VPX Abdul)
   
• Attended the Canadian Alliance of Students Associations' (CASA's) Advocacy Week in Ottawa. Met with many Members of Parliament and other officials. Advocated on federal funding for work-integrated learning, student financial aid, and increasing Indigenous students' access to post-secondary education. Met with federal immigration minister Marc Miller to ask about impacts on international students and ways to improve co-op work permits. (Pres Lisa, VPX Abdul)
   
• Developed a proposal to remove obsolete barriers to standard religious accommodations for exam deferrals, and worked with administration to get the proposal full consideration. (VPA Layla)
   
• Presented the University with data on improving the consistency and inclusiveness of academic advising, including transfer students and Open Studies. (VPA Layla)
   
• Advocated to GFC, the Provost's office, and others for expanded online learning options—more flexibility in more courses. (VPA Layla)
   
• The Elections Task Force's consultation survey received over 1,300 responses about students' priorities and needs. (VPA Layla)
   
• Bringing forward a proposal to shift library hours for better access based on student survey data. (VPA Layla, VPSL Renson)
   
• Conducting consultations with Faculty Assocations about updates to the Charter of Student Rights and Responsibilities. (VPA Layla)
   
• Participated in food services RFP consultations, securing hours extensions and commitments to renovate two dining halls! Look forward to more information from the University early in Winter Semester! (VPSL Renson)
   
• As a collaborative effort with the International Students' Association, I-Day took place on November 8th. The event showcased food and cultural performances, and student groups raised over $1,500 to fund their outreach and engagement! (VPSL Renson)
   
• The Executives launched public office hours to be more accessible to the student body! Executives are holding even more meetings with the student body on all kinds of issues related to their portfolios. (Exec team)
   
• Making progress on more permanent multi-faith prayer and meditation spaces! The University has now launched a Prayer, Worship, and Ceremony grant, and the VPSL is part of the grant committee. New applications for this grant open in the new year and will be sent out on the Digest and the Student Group Services newsletter. (VPSL Renson)
   
• Developed a proposal for major process improvements for international students' payment of tuition and fees. (VPSL Renson)
   
• Alongside counterparts across Edmonton, negotiated a U-Pass deal that will save students $3.35 million over three years, if students approve the deal at the upcoming referendum. The VPOF played a key role in the financial modelling that helped bring all parties to an agreement after months of negotiations. (VPSL Renson, VPOF Levi, VPX Abdul)
   
• Commissioned a completed internal review of all bylaws and regulations (totalling 46,000 words) for obsolete citations, to make the UASU's governance documents easier to navigate. (VPOF Levi)
   
• Identified and engaged with potential providers of travel and accommodations discounts for students who need them. (VPOF Levi)

We'll see you in 2025!