Insights for Future Student Leaders: Reflections from a Former WUSA VP

With WUSA elections having wrapped up for another year, we want to share the insights and experience of someone who was in those same shoes four decades ago. As Matthew Erickson retires from his career at Waterloo, he sat down to share some insights from his time as Vice President (VP) of Student Affairs of WUSA, back when it was known as the Federation of Students (Feds).  

For over four decades, Matt has been a valued member of the University of Waterloo community. He began his studies here in 1984, and after graduating returned to the University as the Ombudsperson. His career at the University took him from Ombudsperson to a Staff Relations Coordinator in Human Resources, eventually becoming the founding Director of the Conflict Management and Human Rights Office.  

What was WUSA like forty years ago? How different was campus back then? What was it like running for VP with the different priorities of the past? Erickson shared these experiences and advice for those about to start their new roles in May, as well as anyone who might be interested in getting involved with governance in the future! 

 Let’s take a look at what his experience was like as a member of the Board of Directors four decades ago! 

Becoming VP of Student Affairs  

Erickson reminisces about his time as a university student at Waterloo. Having started his first year as a mature student at the age of 24, he recalls his aspiration to become a lawyer. 

“I joined the Legal Resources Office as a volunteer, and I would do some research there on landlord/tenant questions!” the former VP of Student Affairs says. 

Landlord issues and rent problems were not just a struggle for today’s students, students in the ‘80s faced this too. During his volunteer time, he eventually realized that becoming a lawyer was not his calling. He went on to create another service, called the Rent Recovery Service, a resource that helped organize students’ complaints and present them to the appropriate government agency. Erickson found his passion for helping students. Soon after, he was approached by candidates running in the upcoming Feds elections and was convinced to join their cause.  

“As a VP, student housing was a huge part of my job – just with a bigger portfolio…I even hosted Canada Day celebrations, and we had around 25,000 students show up!” he tells us, when asked about his responsibilities as VP of Student Affairs. 

The main priorities then were housing-related, with municipal governments focusing on bylaws and a taskforce dedicated to housing. This involved collaboration between the municipal government, university administration, and the province.  

Although some priorities remain the same – such as housing, with the Housing Playbook having been released by WUSA in the past year – the VP role itself has changed over the years. There were multiple VP positions during Matthew’s time, and they were full-time during the summer, with a stipend. The other 8 months, those in the roles had to maintain at least three courses in school, unlike the current singular VP role that is a full-time position and can be counted towards co-op terms!  

The Power of Connections: How WUSA Governance Can Shape Your Career Path 

When asked how his experience as a Feds VP helped transfer over to his career, Erickson fondly recalls his very first job, which indeed involved housing. Working as an investigator with the Ministry of Housing required him to make use of all that he had learned during his work with student housing. However, surprisingly, the technical skills were not the most important transferable skills, according to Matthew.  

“It wasn’t so much working in a legal resource office that led me to my first job…it was the people that I met while working there,” Matthew answers.  

His work at the Legal Resource office and at Feds provided him with a lot of opportunities to try something new, meet people, and most importantly, engaging in new relationships. It was these relationships that ultimately guided his career path, not a grander scheme or plan for his future.  

“Engage in relationship genuinely…meaningful ones you can enjoy during times of crisis to help you deal with those crises,” Matthew advises all of us.  

Thoughts on the Ombudsperson Role 

As a former Ombudsperson, a role having been recently brought back, Matthew shares his thoughts on its return. Considered quite an important role, Ombudspersons help keep organizations accountable, serving as a watchdog, that is helpful rather than punitive. 

“Sometimes organizations make mistakes, and they don’t see them…ombuds help bring those mistakes to light and suggest remedies for them,” Matthew explains. 

Erickson believes the return of the Ombudsperson role will enhance the University’s function. It provides a place where students can voice their concerns and get support from an impartial party. You can find the new Office of the Ombudsperson on the 3rd floor of the SLC.  

The return of this office is thanks to student voices from both WUSA and the Graduate Students Association (GSA) and shows us that together, student voices can create real change on campus! 

Tips for Students to Get Involved with Governance 

Campaigning and running in WUSA elections are no small feats and can be quite daunting at first. Erickson recalls campaigning as an ‘absolutely petrifying’ experience. Being knowledgeable of student issues is certainly important but it is also crucial to recognize that not all answers lie within you. 

“It’s important to demonstrate that you’re willing to put in the work and effort…you need to volunteer, dedicate your time to help students, get involved, feel things out, identify what you want to do in that position.” 

Building the kind of confidence you need for a successful campaign is critical in his opinion. He recalls a time when he walked into a cafeteria in St. Paul’s and saw around 30 students painting his name on a banner – he didn’t know any of them but eventually got to know them personally. That was the kind of student engagement that provided the confidence boost needed for tasks such as going to specific classes and asking the professor for some time to talk about their campaign.  

“I would’ve never imagined myself doing things like that before!” Matthew says with a laugh.  

Thank you to Matthew for taking the time to meet with us and share some reflections on student governance of the past. We wish him all the best in his retirement! 

Get Involved with WUSA 

Want to get involved with WUSA? Here are some ways for you to get started!  

If you’re interested in governance or running for a seat on WUSA’s Board of Directors next year, sign up for our student leadership mailing list!  

Anusha Akella 

Communications Assistant