Board Updates From Nick and Arya

Time to take a closer look at what our President Nick and VP Arya have been up to in this semester!

Arya  has been quite busy, helping out the Arts Student Union (ASU) to get their shop off the ground (Tuck Shop) and support student businesses. Simultaneously, the VP has been working on a policy paper with the Provincial Lobby Team at OUSA on sector sustainability, looking into achieving cut-downs on tuition for students. “I want to create a framework so post-secondary institutions aren’t squeezing every cent out of students,” Arya says, “and I look forward to presenting it at Ontario’s legislature.”

While on a trip to Montreal with President Nick, the pair attended a conference based on food insecurities to come up with solutions. After swinging by the Congress 2024 of humanities and social sciences, Arya tells us that meeting with the Conestogo Student Association, helped them learn more about their operations. “We had a lot to take away from it,” our VP explains.

Arya has also met with TMU, talked to some college student associations, and attended CASA’s federal and policy conference, where they came up with and discussed this year’s Federal Advocacy goals. Arya mentions, “These goals are going to be lobbied in November at the federal government.” Amidst all this travelling, Arya has met with various city councils, mayors, MPP and MPs, advocating issues based on the annual plan.

Now, Nick may have been involved in many of the same things as Arya, but our President has been on his own quests in the meantime! Let’s see what Nick has to say about his activities so far.

In the first few weeks of the semester, Nick spent time attending many orientation and welcome week activities, focusing on introducing new and returning Warriors to the student government. Nick focused on highlighting what the student government does, as well as what his role as the president entails. “I got to publish lots of welcome letters for O-Week materials!” Our President mentions enthusiastically.

Throughout this first half of the semester, Nick has been able to attend many events and facilitate meaningful conversations within the community. At Waterloo Fest, Nick spoke with several City Councillors, the Fire Service, Municipal Enforcement and the GRT. Here, Nick was able to schedule time with MPP Catherine Fife on Co-op and ESA issues, including unpaid internships. Also, Nick had an excellent time discussing the future of parking, commuting, circulation, and the fleet of campus through the lense of sustainability: “many of the books I read months back suddenly really had an impact on my ability to ask for not only Waterloo leading the pack nationally, but globally.”

At Waterloo Fest, Nick was invited to Bannock and Tea at United College, an opportunity to speak with indigenous students over a meal. This created a wonderful opportunity for discussion to further align what we do at WUSA with our Indigenous community at Waterloo. Nick tells us, “I’m excited for more discourse to happen this term!”

Nick worked alongside the advocacy team to create comprehensive list of Food Support Services operating on campus. It is important to Nick that students facing food insecurity are aware of the resources available to them. Alongside crafting the food support services list, Nick met with Goldi Gill of Campus Wellness to discuss new programs that are emerging for students, including naturopathy and needle exchange and supply. On behalf of WUSA, Nick encouraged WalkSafe, a program that would assist students walking around campus at night.

Furthermore, Nick has opened up the floor for more discussions between students and himself! He has worked closely with the advocacy team to facilitate ongoing office hours where all students can personally bring up any questions, comments, or concerns.

Arya and Nick are super excited to see what the rest of the semester brings! Through conversations with community members, to speaking with students here at Waterloo, these are the conversations that initiate change. Arya and Nick will continue to work alongside each other to ensure that students here at Waterloo have the best undergraduate experience possible!

Alexandra Minard and Anusha Akella

Communications Coordinator Co-ops