From new food spots and major concerts to groundbreaking advocacy wins, the Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association (WUSA) has had a year to remember! As the collective voice of undergraduate students, WUSA continues to make campus life more accessible, inclusive, and fun, all while pushing for real change on and off campus. 

Your Voice, Amplified 

Representing over 36,000 undergrads, WUSA ensures student voices are heard at every level, from campus committees to Parliament Hill. This year, WUSA officially joined the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA), giving Waterloo students a stronger presence in federal decision-making spaces. Locally, WUSA’s advocacy continued on issues that matter most: affordability, housing, transit, and mental health. 

Much of this work is now under threat due to Bill 33, which could significantly limit student associations’ ability to represent students on key issues. For a full breakdown of WUSA’s achievements and what’s at stake, see here. 

Supporting Wellness and Safety 

Student well-being remained a top priority. WUSA expanded its Community Care resources to make it easier for students to access mental health and crisis supports, while peer support volunteers hosted nearly 200 sessions throughout the year. Free legal advice sessions with Waterloo Region Community Legal Services continued, helping students better understand their tenant rights. 

And because food is comfort, WUSA updated its Global Kitchen Cookbook, adding new student-submitted recipes that are both budget-friendly and nostalgic. 

Advancing Equity and Accessibility 

Equity was front and centre this year. WUSA launched its long-awaited Indigenization Action Plan, committing to honour Indigenous knowledge and strengthen representation within the campus community. Work also continued on gender-affirming health care coverage, which officially launched in September 2025, ensuring every student can access the care they need. 

Cultural and cross-community events flourished — from the Holiday and Ramadan Dinners that welcomed over 2,000 students, to the always-popular Cultural Caravan, now hosted in Humanities Theatre to showcase even more student talent. 

Big Events, Bigger Memories 

Campus life came roaring back. WUSA hosted 52 events with over 13,000 attendees – including the Dillon Francis concert, Waterloo’s first major Orientation performance since 2006. Events like the Fall BBQ Smash, Sex Toy Bingo, and trips to Canada’s Wonderland helped students unwind and connect. Across the board, student participation jumped 40% this year.  

Whether you were in a club, attended an event, or volunteered at Orientation, there was something for everyone to be a part of. 

Empowering Student Leadership 

WUSA also hit record-high engagement in student governance, with 1 in 5 undergrads voting in this year’s election. We also finalized our new Long-Range Plan (2025–2030), a roadmap for advocacy, engagement, and leadership in the years ahead. 

New programs like the Change Engine pitch competition gave students a chance to turn advocacy ideas into reality. Three winners received $9,000 in funding to tackle issues like loneliness, sustainability, and campus safety. 

Feeding the Campus (Literally) 

If you’ve noticed new flavours around campus, you can thank WUSA’s commercial team. This year saw the launch of Chaska (Indian street food), Smarty Pants (a student-run ice cream shop), and SmashBites (home of affordable burgers). These outlets are more than just tasty, they’re part of WUSA’s not-for-profit model, keeping prices up to 15% lower than market rates while reinvesting profits back into student programs. 

Looking Ahead to 2025–26 

The next year promises even more exciting updates. WUSA recently launched Wok Stop, reopened The Bomber as a social and event space, and expanded support for clubs with a new website and more storage lockers. 

On the advocacy front, WUSA will continue pushing for affordability, improved wellness services, and student-led innovation through a second Change Engine competition. With national and provincial partnerships through Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA) and Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA), Waterloo students will keep shaping the policies that affect their education. 

Always Moving Forward 

Behind every event, policy, and service is a simple goal: to make student life better. From affordable meals to inclusive celebrations, WUSA’s impact is visible all over campus and it’s only growing. 

As WUSA’s 2024-25 President Nicholas Pfeifle and Vice-President Arya Razmjoo summed up: “This year has truly demonstrated the strength of student leadership, collaboration, and resilience in building a better campus experience for all undergraduates.” 

Here’s to another year of growth, advocacy, and unforgettable student moments, powered by WUSA. 

Maliha Karim  

Communications Coordinator Co-op