The Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association (WUSA) is the official voice of all Waterloo undergraduates. Representing over 36,000 students, WUSA is run by elected student leaders who advocate for an accessible, affordable, accountable and high quality post-secondary experience.
WUSA is a non-partisan, not-for-profit student advocacy association. Our advocacy priorities and policies are written and voted-on by students.
We advocate for a post-secondary experience that meets students’ needs and expectations in and outside the classroom. By bringing recommendations to the university and all levels of government, we ensure students’ voices are prioritized among decision makers. We advocate on things like:
Health and wellness
Diversity and equity
Co-op and experiential learning
Affordable education
Housing and tenant rights
Campus safety
Quality of education
Academic rights
Transportation
Transparency and accountability
Accessibility
Freedom of speech
You (all Waterloo undergrads) choose your representatives in the WUSA elections.
We gather your feedback on the challenges impacting your student experience.
Using your feedback, we get to the root of the problem. Chances are, if it’s a challenge you’re facing, others are too. We then research evidence-based solutions and create recommendations for change. Finally, we figure out who the decision makers are and strategize the best way to bring your concerns to the table.
We meet with university faculty and administration, as well as politicians at all levels of government to advocate for those recommendations to become reality.
Sometimes we get what we ask for, other times we reach a compromise, and in some cases our conversations with decision makers are met with resistance. When that happens, we respond with persistence by keeping the conversation going and continuing to bring the student voice to the table.
WUSA Executives are the official representatives of all Waterloo undergrads. Execs are Waterloo students just like you, working fulltime on your behalf. To get the best advocates, these are paid roles, elected (by you!) in the winter term of each year that work from May 1 – April 30.
Advocacy is a big job, and no one knows that like WUSA’s commissioners. Ranging from academic and co-op issues, to inclusion and equity, and many things in between – these student advocates are hired by the Execs to get more done and done well.
There’s power in numbers. WUSA partners with student associations across the province and country to collectively advocate for the needs and wants of students to the provincial and federal government.
Elected student representatives who ensure that individual student voices make their way to the Executives and inform Council’s decisions, which steer the organization. Council meets once a month, collect student feedback and are ultimately elected by you in the winter term of each year and work from May 1 – April 30.
You are also represented at the faculty level by your elected society representatives. Societies are at the heart of WUSA and exist to support and advocate for the unique needs of your faculty. Societies also have a voting seat on Students’ Council.
WUSA works with groups within the University of Waterloo to resolve issues that affect students.
Double arrow On Campus Advocacy
We work with municipal staff, elected officials and community organizations to provide students with the opportunities and services necessary for a positive community experience.
Double arrow Local Advocacy
WUSA works with all levels of government to ensure students' wants and needs are shared.
Double arrow Government Advocacy
