The Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association (WUSA) held its 2026 Annual Members’ Meeting to review major decisions affecting undergraduate students, including fee changes, governance updates, and new initiatives. The meeting covered a wide range of topics, but many of the outcomes will directly impact student costs, representation, and available services in the coming year. 

Bylaw Changes & New VP Role 

One of the most significant discussions focused on changes to WUSA’s Board of Directors. Members approved updates to the organization’s bylaws that will alter the composition of the Board, including the introduction of a new Vice-President role. To support these changes, a $0.70 increase to the WUSA membership fee per student, per term was also approved. This means students will see a small increase in their fees, intended to strengthen leadership and representation within WUSA. 

2026-27 WUSA Board of Directors 

The meeting also confirmed the results of the 2026 WUSA General Election. Samir Sharma was ratified as President, alongside Majdalen Azouz as Vice-President, Student Experience, and Rory Norris as Vice-President, Government Stakeholder Relations. In addition, a group of student representatives was officially ratified as members of the Board of Directors for the upcoming term. These individuals will be responsible for guiding WUSA’s priorities and decisions over the next year. 

You can read the full election results here: 2026-27 WUSA Election Results – Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association. 

Financial Statements 

Financial accountability was another key part of the meeting. The Assembly formally received the audited financial statements for the 2024–25 fiscal year, providing an overview of how funds were managed. PricewaterhouseCoopers was also reappointed as WUSA’s auditor for the following year, ensuring continued external oversight of the organization’s finances. 

WUSA Accountability Act 

Several motions introduced at the meeting will lead to further changes that students may notice. A new “WUSA Accountability Act” was approved, which will create a publicly accessible tracker showing attendance for student leaders, including Board members and student representatives on university committees. This is intended to increase transparency and allow students to better understand how their representatives are participating in governance. 

Club Funding and Pay-What-You-Can 

Funding for student life was another major theme. Members approved a $1.39 fee increase per term to expand club funding, allowing for a higher base allocation to student clubs. Additionally, a $1 increase per term was passed to continue the pay-what-you-can (PWYC) program, which aims to improve affordability and access to services. The program will be reviewed again at the 2027 meeting to assess its impact. 

Officer Compensation 

Changes were also made to compensation for WUSA officers. A $0.21 per term fee increase was approved to support salary adjustments for the President and Vice-Presidents. While this raises student fees slightly, it reflects an effort to align compensation with the responsibilities of these roles. 

SLEF 

Beyond funding decisions, the Assembly approved new bylaws for the Student Life Projects Endowment Fund, which supports long-term investments in student-focused initiatives. 

LSPIRG 

Another motion introduced the possibility of expanding advocacy opportunities through a partnership with the Laurier Students’ Public Interest Research Group (LSPIRG). If implemented, this would allow Waterloo students to opt into a $4.50 per term fee to support a UW-based branch, increasing access to advocacy and research opportunities. 

Amendments to the Corporate Social Responsibility Policy 

The meeting also included a motion to amend WUSA’s Corporate Social Responsibility Policy to align with targets set by the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) National Committee. This change reflects an effort to strengthen WUSA’s stance on global social responsibility issues, while maintaining flexibility for student groups to access funding where appropriate. 

Overall, the 2026 Annual Members’ Meeting resulted in several fee increases tied to expanded services, governance changes, and new initiatives. While the individual increases are relatively small, together they represent a noticeable shift in how student fees are allocated. At the same time, many of these changes aim to improve transparency, enhance student representation, and expand access to funding and support programs. 

For students, the key takeaway is that WUSA is investing in both internal improvements and student-facing services. These decisions will shape everything from club funding and advocacy opportunities to how student leaders are held accountable in the year ahead. 

You can read the full meeting minutes at AMM_2026_Meeting_Minutes.

Alexandra Minard 

Communications Assistant