Since its founding in 1908, the University of Alberta Students’ Union (UASU) has worked hard to ensure that U of A students have a strong and credible voice in Alberta’s post-secondary landscape and beyond. Today, an important step forward has been taken in strengthening this voice: The UASU is excited to announce that it has officially joined the Alberta Students' Executive Council (ASEC), following the decision to initiate the dissolution of the Council of Alberta University Students (CAUS).
"We have always taken our role in provincial advocacy seriously, and students expect that work to deliver results," said UASU President Pedro Almeida. "ASEC has demonstrated the ability to do that, and we believe joining this coalition puts our students in the strongest position to see real value."
While the UASU has been a longstanding member of CAUS since its founding, years of structural and staffing challenges have left CAUS unable to deliver the level of advocacy students deserve. Contributions from Council members and other parts of the campus community have been crucial in the UASU’s deliberations around the vitality of CAUS and decisions about its future. Ultimately, CAUS members have agreed that dissolution was the most responsible way to rebuild trust, strengthen institutional collaboration, and restore a proactive provincial advocacy presence. The official dissolution of CAUS is scheduled to be finalized within the next few weeks.
The Chair of the Alberta Students’ Executive Council, Joe Mooney, stated: "I've learned in agriculture that you don't judge success by talking about it; you judge it by how much crop is in the bin. Students want results, and with the UASU joining ASEC, it strengthens our ability to deliver them. Welcome to ASEC, we're excited to have you here."
The UASU remains committed to standing alongside the province's research universities in its advocacy efforts, but understands the importance of solidarity amongst all Alberta students pursuing higher education and looking to contribute to this vibrant province. This is why the UASU has chosen to join ASEC, uniting students from Alberta’s rich pool of polytechnics, colleges, and undergraduate universities with one of Alberta’s leading public research institutions under a common goal: empowering the next generation of Alberta changemakers. With the addition of the UASU, ASEC now represents ~147,000 students, roughly 45% of all post-secondary students in Alberta.
"Joining ASEC reflects the UASU's commitment to the high standards our students expect from us," said UASU Vice-President (External) Abdul Abbasi. "Alberta’s post-secondary sector needs advocacy that is organized, forward-looking, and aligned across institutions. We look forward to continuing that work through ASEC."
Joining ASEC positions the UASU where we need to be; ASEC has demonstrated a commitment to year-round advocacy, strong governance, and cross-institutional collaboration. Joining such a coalition reflects the current reality that students across universities, polytechnics, and colleges share many of the same concerns: affordability, job security, and educational quality. This transition is meant to contribute to a unified, empowered advocacy front that can deliver meaningful wins for all students now and in the years ahead.
About the University of Alberta Students’ Union
The UASU is the official representative of 37,000 undergraduate students at the University of Alberta. It advocates for students’ needs and priorities to the University of Alberta and at all levels of government. For more information or to arrange an interview, contact externalrelations@uasu.ca