Photo by Belle White.
In the Aug. 24 UVSS board meeting, board members accepted a representative’s resignation, filled a committee vacancy, approved the global budget and strategic plan, and outlined the goals of each lead director, amongst other things.
Students of Colour Collective (SOCC) board representative Roven Brooks-Stephenson opened the meeting with a land acknowledgement that focused on land dispossession and redistribution.
“We must remember that when we do these acknowledgements, we are acknowledging the history of land dispossession and displacement, and we are seeing this more than ever.”
After the acknowledgement, Director of Outreach and University Relations Matthew Curtis gave the group a moment to personally reflect on what was said, and the board accepted the resignation of Acorn Wasserman as the Society for Students with a Disability (SSD) board representative for the 2026/2027 term. The motion carried.
Campaigns Director Tam Aljundi brought forward a motion to fill vacancies on the Campaigns, Member Outreach and Engagement, and Policy Development committees as a result of Wasserman’s resignation.
Director-at-Large (DAL) Donovan Wood-Gaines nominated himself for the Campaigns Committee and was subsequently elected to the committee.
Vacancies were also left on the Clubs Council, Advocacy Relations Committee, Ombudsperson Advisory Committee, and U-Pass Appeals Committee.
The advocacy relations spot must be selected by the SSD board representative; however a new representative has not yet been elected. Curtis recommended that the board table this vacancy, along with Clubs Council and Ombudsperson Advisory Committee, until October to give the next SSD representative a chance to fill the spots.
The board then voted to ratify the whole motion — electing Wood-Gaines to the Campaigns Committee and leaving the rest unfilled..
Finance Director Mariah Luzon moved for the board to adopt the 2026/2027 global budget, reviewed and recommended by the finance and operations committee.
Curtis requested that an excluded manager review the budget and give an overview of the changes from the last budget. Luzon offered to summarize, and said that lead directors have about $40 000 more in spending compared to last year.
Later, UVSS General Manager Dale Robertson clarified that the reason for increased salaries or wages is that last year, numerous lead directors resigned or did not work their full hours. This year, he explained, they assume most lead directors will finish their term and work the majority of their hours.
With no further discussion, the motion carried.
Curtis explained that next the budget will go through the UVSS Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Oct. 27 to be voted on by the UVSS membership.
Luzon then moved for the board to approve the 2026/2027 strategic plan, reviewed and recommended by the executive committee.
In response to a student question, Curtis explained that the plan outlines the goals of lead directors, and that it will be presented at the AGM.
Luzon said that the strategic plan contains an executive summary, and the rest of the report contain lead directors’ portfolios — the directors’ goals for the term and plans to achieve them.
Of note, Vanderhooft wants to expand accreditation, training, and resource offerings for for club and course union executives and student leaders, and Director of International Student Relations (ISR) Cherop Lyoba wants to expand the position to an “adequately funded,” full-time position, create an international student experience survey, and increase international student engagement with the UVSS.
To increase hours and funding for the ISR lead director, Lyoba plans to conduct research on peer student unions and create a motion for the AGM to amend the constitutional bylaws.
She plans to coordinate with the International Center for Students to formulate relevant questions for international students to be included in the Annual General Survey.
Lastly, she plans to use social media to increase international student engagement.
With no more discussion on the strategic plan, the motion carried.
Luzon moved for the board to approve the transfer of up to $85 000 from the Operating Reserve in the 2026 fiscal year — the result of the UVSS anticipating needing $160 000 from the Operating Reserve, but performing significantly better than expected, and not requiring the full amount. The motion carried.
Luzon brought forward another motion, for the board to approve a personal emergency leave for herself from Aug. 24 to Sept. 3. The motion carried.
The board then began to review reports. Of note, Human Resources & Administrative Services Manager Laila Casado reported that she is working on creating clearer pathways for students to opt in and out of the UVSS’ health and dental care plans. Casado also reported that employee health and dental care plan rates are higher than expected this year, and they are doing research to find a more affordable option.
Several lead directors reported on attending the Student Union Development Summit (SUDS), which was held at the University of British Columbia. Luzon said it was a great networking and educational opportunity.
Luzon reported that she has been consulting with the fee reduction appeals committee, which is currently in the process of updating their terms of reference, saying she wants to ensure that students have appropriate options in extreme circumstances.
Curtis reported that the UVSS won the “most engaged student union” award. He also said that swag for campus kick-off welcome bags has come in, and the first episode of his series Mornings with Matt has been released on social media.
Vanderhooft reported taking part in a mental health first aid training course, as well as importing clubs and course union forms into new management software.
Selvajaran reported an upcoming night market with vendors and food trucks on Sept. 25 from 4 to 8 p.m.
For the UVSS Food Bank, Casado reported working on outreach and preparation for the fall semester, and said that the food bank will be participating in four events in September: tabling through Clubs and Course Union days, SUB-fair, Thunderfest, and first-year Fridays. Additionally, they are working to increase the hamper size options from individual or family to include family plus.
For the Gender Empowerment Centre (GEM), representative Cecilia Bulbrook reported on many upcoming events such as a summer book club that will continue into the fall semester. They also reported a need for volunteers and said that GEM is looking for an artist-in-residence.
The SSD reported that they have nine days of tabling coming up, and they are working on peer-support groups. The Access for All campaign will likely have an AGM at the end of September. Finally, the SSD will be collaborating with the UVSS for the 2026 community care fair.
With reports concluded, the meeting moved in-camera, and the public portion of the meeting concluded.
