Top three platform points

Enhancing Communication:
In my opinion, WUSA needs more feedback and more transparent communication channels among its members, UW leaders, and the student body! This is why my main goal for the coming year is to increase and improve communication. This means more communication on the types of events we will be hosting, more communication on where your funds are being spent to contribute towards the university, and most importantly, feedback from you for everything we do!

Mental Health Services:
Everyone deserves adequate and timely mental health services. Too many people here are suffering without the help and support that they need in a timely manner. This is why I will be committed to increasing the quantity AND quality of these services so that EVERYONE can have the support that they need when they need it.

Educational Support:
Sometimes a course doesn't go as planned and you start to fall behind. Office hours can go by too quickly and tutors may not always fit. This is why I want to build a support system where anyone can go and get personal help from students who are taking and have taken this course in a friendly manner so that people can learn their difficult material and make friends too.

Reason why someone should vote for you in 100 words or less

Why vote for me? Vote for me because I promise to do my best to give your voice a platform, and this isn’t the first time that I’ve done this. I’ve always done my best to give students in residence the events that they’ve asked for through the Residence Council. Even before then, as the Student Council Club-Coordinator, I’ve given clubs the ability to host events and have their voices heard. This year, I’m here to do more - for the entire UW student base! So are you ready to join me? After all, it’s your choice for your voice!

Links to any website, social media accounts and/or email address

Find my platform website: https://dltisdal44.wixsite.com/your-choice-your-voi

For any ideas and feedback please contact me!
Instagram: DougThePug44
Email: dltisdal@uwaterloo.ca

Top three platform points

1) Advocate for lower tuition. It's getting out of hand how much students spend just to survive especially after you include housing costs.
2) Less stressful coop experience by working with CEE to hold employers accountable on job description and pay transparency. I will also bring back the names of other interviewees on WW which many students found very beneficial.
3) Ensure that WUSA responsibly spends our student fees on clubs, events, and services that actually benefit students. I will allow students to opt out of more fees and to make the process easier.

Reason why someone should vote for you in 100 words or less

Currently a member of MathSoc Council and Board, also a youth advisor on UW’s Youth & Innovation. I will do everything I can to ensure that student concerns are addressed and that your voice is heard. My previous experience in societies and organizations taught me more about student governance and what I need to do to make sure our voices are heard. I’m more than happy to sit down and hear want you want to see changed!

Links to any website, social media accounts and/or email address

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielwang04/
Email: d37wang@uwaterloo.ca
Instagram: @daniel.wang04

Top three platform points

Evolving Beyond a 'Workaholic School':

At Waterloo, we're redefining what it means to be a student. It's not just about academics; it's about creating a lively, inclusive environment where brilliant minds and vibrant social lives intersect. Imagine a campus alive with dynamic discussions, innovative ideas, and social vibrancy. Let's transform our university into a place where learning meets living, and every student thrives.

Targeted Campus Safety Improvements:

It's time to advocate for specific safety enhancements like installing more lighting on pathways, increasing ice removal efforts during winter, and improving accessibility for all students across campus.

Immediate Mental Health Support:

Advocate for a streamlined mental health support system at the University of Waterloo, ensuring rapid access to counseling services, and ease of access to all available options

Reason why someone should vote for you in 100 words or less

I'm the candidate who will genuinely amplify your voice on the board. Tired of superficial changes and headline-grabbing initiatives? I understand. My focus is on real issues that impact us daily, not just what makes the news. From tackling mental health challenges to addressing everyday student concerns, I'm here to shift the conversation to what truly matters to you. It's time for action, not just words. Vote for me, and let's bring our real concerns to the forefront, together

Links to any website, social media accounts and/or email address

Feel free to reach out to me anywhere!

pranavbedi.com/vote
@pranavbedi on instagram
pranav.bedi@uwaterloo.ca

Top three platform points

1. Affordability

Affordability is a major concern for students. Given the massive increase in the cost of living and the slowing of the labour market affecting demand for Co-op positions it is no wonder why. This is clearly shown in the recent WUSA Affordability Survey results which among other things found a majority of UW students are concerned about having enough money to complete their education. In addition, the recent Blue Ribbon Panel Recommendation and cap on international students means that the University will be looking to increase tuition and other costs to offset its deficit. It is imperative for the collective fiscal health of UW students that students are united and have a voice on this issue.

2. Accommodation / Housing

Housing is another item which has been talked about a lot in the Waterloo region. I believe that WUSA needs to continue the work that was started with the creation of the off-campus policy stance. We need to leverage the connections that we have in the local community and with regional politicians to push for better protections for student tenants to ensure that predatory landlords and companies provide high-quality livable housing and aren't able to take advantage of students through the use of key deposits, illegal damage deposits, and unlicensed rental housing.

3. Advocacy

This last year I have been lucky enough to get the chance to meet with many MP's and MPP's to advocate for student issues like Affordability, Housing, Food Insecurity, Student Mental Health, and many other topics. If elected I want to ensure that our discussion and advocacy around these important topics continue to be at the forefront of our work. In addition, WUSA should complete its development of new advocacy stances to replace the ones removed during the governance structure.

Reason why someone should vote for you in 100 words or less

Over my time as president of the Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association, I have developed both knowledge and experience in navigating the complexity of both WUSA and the university. Such understanding is vital for an effective WUSA board of directors and will aid in the support of the new president as they step into their role. To this day I remain passionate about the opportunity to represent student voices and I hope to continue that work. I encourage you to take a second to go to both the Waterloo United and my website for more in-depth information about my candidacy.

Links to any website, social media accounts and/or email address

Personal Website:
https://voterorynorris.wixsite.com/home

Waterloo United Website:
https://razmjooarya.wixsite.com/waterloo-united

LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rory-norris/

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/rorynorris36/

Email:
ramnorri@uwaterloo.ca

Top three platform points

CO-OP - in my first year as director, I've used my place on the Policy 70 committee to advocate for students, and my connection with CEE to bring student issues forward (including your Reddit posts!). I will continue to bring the student experience forward to advocate on your behalf.
ENGAGEMENT - I will continue to move WUSA in a direction that better communicates, educates and engages with students
ADVOCACY - I will continue to oversee the development of WUSA's advocacy stances, and to be an accessible student representative that will take your voice where it needs to go

Reason why someone should vote for you in 100 words or less

In my first term as director, I've demonstrated commitment to bringing a better WUSA through my participation in multiple committees and the connections I've cultivated. When a new, seemingly harmful policy was introduced in co-op, I acted quickly to consult with your student leaders (EngSoc, SciSoc, etc) and to take student feedback directly to the people who made the decisions - with results that ultimately empowered you. I care about students: I want WUSA to be a resource that ultimately makes your undergraduate experience the best it can be. I will continue to work to set the organization on that path!

Links to any website, social media accounts and/or email address

Instagram: @thamilnee, @wloounited
Website: http://bit.ly/3SdpGJw

Top three platform points

1) Increasing transparency of Clubs deposit financial controls and digitalizing cheque processes for streamlined Clubs support
2) Improving students' access to AccessAbility Services (AAS) and re-evaluating Counselling Services’ current "six-session limit"
3) Collaborating closely with the Centre for Career Action (CECA), Waterloo Professional Development Program (WatPD), and a dedicated cohort of students, to engage in the revamping and comprehensive overhaul of outdated Professional Development (PD) courses, aiming to enhance their relevance and efficacy.

Reason why someone should vote for you in 100 words or less

During my tenure as Director last year, I chaired the Audit Committee and held director-level memberships in both the Advocacy Committee and the SSAC. As someone with niche knowledge of University policies and WUSA governance, I have a duty to share it so it may benefit others. Scrutinizing Annual and Special Purpose Audit Financial Statements, overseeing the Board Policy Manual and 23/24 Work-Plan Approval Processes, and assessing SSF fee proposals, I’m capable of lending my institutional knowledge of UW processes to the newly restructured board as it establishes itself. My vision is to preserve a plurality of students’ values.

Links to any website, social media accounts and/or email address

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chevinjeon/

Top three platform points

1. Advocate for a women's hour at PAC.
2. Create a platform for WUSA Clubs presidents and WUSA to better communicate.
3. More funding for student clubs.

Reason why someone should vote for you in 100 words or less

Vote for me because I want to make the student voice more audible to the WUSA administration. I care about the student body and want to advocate for those who feel like their voices don't have an impact. Also I am a vibe!

Links to any website, social media accounts and/or email address

h46moham@uwaterloo.ca

Top three platform points

PROGRAM NAVIGATION AND ACADEMIC ADVISING - Students need better resources to navigate their academic plans. I plan to advocate for regular check-ins from academic advisors, as well as the creation of a digital platform for progress tracking of credits/prereqs so that students can better arrange their program sequence and plan for their futures.

REBUILD WUSA'S CONNECTION WITH STUDENTS - Student input should be one of the most important parameters dictating WUSA's operations. I want to improve WUSA's response to events such as their roundtable by increasing transparency and ensuring follow-up on concerns raised by students.

WELLNESS SERVICES - As someone who is very passionate about student wellness, I want to improve visibility for resources provided across health services, counselling services, and health promotion, as well as ensure that students are being directed to the right places.

Reason why someone should vote for you in 100 words or less

Having worked in the university's Health Promotion department in the past, I have an intimate understanding of the way the university structure operates, how concerns are handled, and what resources are available for WUSA to promote and improve upon. I have also been a part of multiple student clubs and organizations, so I've heard what students have to say about the way things work on campus!

You should vote for me because my goal as a WUSA director is to make a lasting impact on student influence over WUSA by opening up more avenues for you, the students, to have a stronger voice and control over your own campus community!

Links to any website, social media accounts and/or email address

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sarahahmxd

Top three platform points

PRIORITIZE AND PROVIDE MORE FOR STUDENT-LEAD CLUBS: As more and more student-lead clubs are created I will prioritize and provide more resources for these clubs as student engagement continues to grow, and create easier ways for students to find out about clubs they may be interested in and provide more funds for clubs to run events and grow their student community.

ENSURE OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING SAFETY AND RENT ARE PROTECTED: The off-campus housing market is becoming more and more expensive, and it's becoming difficult for UWaterloo students to find homes. For students to find affordable housing close to school, a safe platform must be created for students to find accommodations without the worry of scams and I will make this happen.

BRIDGE A STRONGER CONNECTION FOR WUSA AND STUDENT VOICES: WUSA represents all undergraduate students of the University of Waterloo and in recent years students have felt that their connection to WUSA has become weaker, as director I will ensure more students' voices are being heard and WUSA student-run services provide more for students needs.

Reason why someone should vote for you in 100 words or less

As someone who works for WUSA under their promotions team, I first hand have witnessed many things that need change and I have listened to students' complaints and frustrations with their voices not being heard. As a member of the board, I will ensure change for every student at UWaterloo. By voting for me you will have your voice heard and become one step closer to evoking change in all aspects.

Links to any website, social media accounts and/or email address

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/merochini-m-2a6987250/

Top three platform points

1. Housing advocacy
This year I pushed housing to WUSA's #1 advocacy priority with resource updates, legal aid reviews, contract playbooks, and exploring partnerships with off-campus partners like WCRI. There's so much more to build on: did you know that small landlords need licenses while apartment buildings go unprotected? I'll campaign during the 2024 city bylaw review and drive WUSA's 2-year housing plan.

2. Student life.
In 2023, I redirected $100,000 to clubs and student groups by reviving the Student Life Endowment Fund- money otherwise collecting dust- and will double that in 2024 by completing the overhaul (admin, governance, & advertising). Let's bolster clubs funding, refocus WUSA's resources on bold new event ideas that students care about, and build up support infrastructure so WUSA stops letting our societies down.

3. Accountability and transparency, backed by a track record.
Never know who to contact with your ideas and complaints? I'll prioritize feedback by creating a student Feedback Officer, dedicated to swift responses and proactive engagement so that students feel like part of the process, instead of just finding out. I'll make sure student leaders serve students: in 2023 I helped organize WUSA Reform and communication initiatives, pushed back on fees, suspended pay for non-committed leaders, and drove public work plans to hold the org accountable to students.

Reason why someone should vote for you in 100 words or less

Ahoy! I'm a caffeinated, experienced driver of housing, funding, and transparency initiatives.

I've (literally) handed out food across many student groups on campus: delivering at WUSA is uber-hard mode. Cooking up ideas is one thing; avoiding traffic jams and gridlock is another.

At WUSA, I've been mapping processes and enforcing accountability: I'll empower new chefs on Board to get students what they actually ordered. In dark winters, you want someone who knows their way around and won't stop 'till you've got renter protections, refreshed student spaces, and solid communication to your door, dashed fast.

Vote Jeff: he delivers.

Links to any website, social media accounts and/or email address

See the full platform: jeff4wusa.com
Follow and share on Instagram (or leave feedback): @jeff4wusa
What have student leaders been doing? http://tinyurl.com/WUSADoc

Experience:
WUSA Governance Committee Chair, focusing on accountability
WUSA Board of Directors, 2022-24
WUSA Funding Group sponsor, Ownership Consultation Committee, OUSA delegate
EngSoc Board of Directors, Event Coordinator
Engineering Orientation
WEEF Special Project Officer
Hack the North Finance Director

Top three platform points

1. Rejuvenating campus culture and fostering community! UW needs a resilient and welcoming campus where all students can belong. The university's response to the attack at Hagey Hall has done little to address the underlying culture of student atomization. Efforts to foster community are confined to departments, preventing inter-faculty connections. Humanitarian crises abroad have left students feeling isolated and unsupported. Tackling each of these issues begins on-campus. I'm committed to implementing and maintaining more third places around campus, running long-term, recurring events to connect students with tight schedules, and planting strong, ad-hoc support structures in place for student-facing crises. A close-knit, vibrant community is a safer and more engaged one.

2. WaterlooWorks? I sure hope it does B-) Having used WW to get all of my co-op placements so far, I'm pretty familiar with its pain points. I'm advocating to add mandatory pay and benefits information, implement an offer negotiation period, and strengthen protections against workplace harassment. Let's tap in external labour boards and lobby like heck for students. Labour advocacy and rights don't stop at co-ops and interns. WW should serve the interests of the students it's for, first and foremost.

3. Affordable housing! Rent-controlled, off-campus housing. I'm pushing for a partnership with WCRI to grow UW off-campus, upper-year accommodations to ensure housing remains AT COST! Students deserve to apply to housing comfortably and not feel like they've won the lottery for an overpriced unit. Let's shift the pressure to navigate the chaotic rental market away from students, and let me do the landlord-fighting for you.

Reason why someone should vote for you in 100 words or less

I've always done advocacy in grassroots ways: working with Faculty of Engineering community wellness, CEE Co-op Student Council, and academic advocacy with the Engineering Society. But the issues that I wanted to tackle quickly felt out of scope of the faculty. I'm running to prioritize and protect students' well-being with actionable steps and a distaste for "doing things the way we've always done". I'm going into this with fresh perspectives on student needs outside of WUSA. I believe in students and the power we have to change things for the better. Renew student trust, renew student voice, renew Waterloo!

Links to any website, social media accounts and/or email address

Email me or our team about my platform or any other concerns! t36gnuye@uwaterloo.ca / renewwaterloo@gmail.com

Check out more about our platform and about the other awesome folks I'm running with:
IG: @renew_waterloo
TikTok: @renew.waterloo
Reddit: u/renewwaterloo

Top three platform points

Continued Advocacy for Affordable Education: I will continue advocating against any fee increase, especially non-academic fees.

Enhanced Coop Experience: Many students prioritize coop over everything else, so am I. I will continue advocating for better coop experience, such as student-friendly policies.

Reason why someone should vote for you in 100 words or less

Previous achievements at WUSA:

Advocacy Against Coop Fee Increase: negotiated the proposed 6% increase in the coop fee down to 4%;
Coop Renege Consequence Negotiation: Led the discussions and negotiations to reform the consequences of reneging coop offers on WaterlooWorks, ensuring fairer treatment and understanding for students in complex situations;
Salary Transparency Advocacy on WaterlooWorks: Successfully advocated for the inclusion of salary, location, and working mode (hybrid vs in-person) information in job postings;
Increasing 'Not Interested' Options: Pushed for and achieved an increase in the number of 'not interested' options available to students in the ranking process.

Links to any website, social media accounts and/or email address

email: jay.lan@uwaterloo.ca
ins: j._.lan
discord: gloryblue.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jay-lan1/

2021-2022: WUSA Students' Council (Math Caucus)
2022-present: WUSA Board of Directors

Top three platform points

Eliminate Co-op Penalty: I am committed to abolishing the unfair credit penalty for reneging co-op placements, advocating for student rights and equality within our university system.

Revamp WaterlooWorks: It's time to overhaul WaterlooWorks. I propose developing a new system, created by our own skilled students and faculty, that addresses its current shortcomings. This includes fixing loading issues, improving message management to eliminate the hassle of deleting spam one by one, and adding advanced search functionalities. Our goal is to create a more efficient, reliable platform that truly caters to the needs of our student community, reaffirming our position as leaders in experiential learning and innovation.

Student-Centric WUSA: I pledge to ensure that WUSA's full-time staff align with student interests, advocating for decisions and actions that reflect the will of the student body, not just the operational staff.

Reason why someone should vote for you in 100 words or less

As a seasoned advocate with two years of direct experience at WUSA and CECA, I've tirelessly worked towards enhancing our co-op experience. I've successfully campaigned for more 'Not Interested' options in WaterlooWorks and ensured that Tincubate (former WW employer) was banned for misconduct. Our university has long been a global leader in co-op and experiential learning, and it's time we innovate again. I am committed to revamping WaterlooWorks, bringing better employers onboard, and steadfastly ensuring that student interests are prioritized. Remember, without students, there is no co-op program, no WaterlooWorks, and no leadership in co-op education. Vote for innovation, vote for student-first policies!

Links to any website, social media accounts and/or email address

https://renewwaterloo.com/

Top three platform points

1) Engaging CEE/CECA firmly in a way that puts students first.
Too many students have had to deal with a hiring system that gives employers too much flexibility while limiting student rights. Many more students have been subjected to poor working conditions, and co-op advisors have often been unsympathetic to those struggles. The co-op program exists to benefit students, and we must bring that core value back.

2) Removing barriers to counselling and healthcare access.
It’s no secret that getting an appointment with counselling services takes far too long, even for urgent cases. I’ve already been working with them about improving this, with some success. Furthermore, accessing other Campus Wellness services should be easier, and students are either unable to or uninformed of how to take advantage of the coverage that WUSA provides.

3) Taking measured steps towards a better WUSA.
WUSA’s new model fixed some old issues at the cost of cohesion, efficacy, and student trust. I propose changes that would emphasize the strengths of the new model while addressing some of the weaknesses that it introduced. This includes adding an effective counterbalance to the executive officers of WUSA, and giving directors the freedom to engage with the student body without being bound by misguided principles of cabinet solidarity or duty to WUSA (as opposed to the student body).

Reason why someone should vote for you in 100 words or less

I’ve been quietly fighting for students for a while now, and I’ve realized that students need to take the leap to make the changes they want to see. Across positions in UW’s Senate and many different clubs and societies, I have built up a lot of experience in advocacy and understanding the issues that matter to the student body.

I’ve already spent time and effort trying to implement my platform, with some success (please ask me about this!). Being a director means taking things even further and continuing my advocacy in a way that promotes engagement with students and staff.

Links to any website, social media accounts and/or email address

https://renewwaterloo.com/
r3sayed@uwaterloo.ca

Top three platform points

- WUSA Clubs Reform: I will eliminate unnecessary rules governing how clubs operate, such as by allowing clubs greater freedom in amending their own constitutions. I will also work to generate new sources of funding for clubs, such as by increasing the term allotment to $100 a term, tripling SLEF funding from $20,000 to $60,000 and introducing a much faster source of funding through the presidential fund.

- Cutting wait times: I will cut down on the amount of time that it takes to get requests, such as reimbursement requests.

- Transparency: I want to increase awareness as to what WUSA is doing, by introducing more avenues of communication with the student body, and by working to create more avenues for students to give inputs and feedback to WUSA.

Reason why someone should vote for you in 100 words or less

I am a current President of a club running under the WUSA Clubs System and have first-hand experience with the issues the clubs system, and am familiar with the inefficiencies of the system that clubs are currently facing. This expertise will allow me to more effectively tackle the issues facing clubs and advocate for them. I will advocate for removing red tape hampering student life, work to increase SLEF funding, and introduce the Presidential Fund, and I will implement policies to cut down on wait times across WUSA services.

Links to any website, social media accounts and/or email address

Website: https://tedren04.wixsite.com/ted4wusa

Instagram: @ted4wusa

Top three platform points

1. WaterlooWorks changes:

Unlimited Not Interesteds: Why can’t we NI multiple jobs? Co-op is meant to be for the benefit of student learning; if a job isn’t right for students, it benefits no one to force a match.

Reporting and sanctioning mechanisms against employers: CECA has no effective means for students to report grievances. Students deserve to be supported by our school in exploitative co-ops, with protective mechanisms in place, such as blacklisting abusive companies. Employers should have the same expectations of conduct as students.

2. Healthcare:

COVID-19 is no longer the barrier it once was in accessing health care—why haven’t walk-in appointments for UW health services been reinstated?
The university has a responsibility to ensure the health and well-being of our community. Having UW health services unable to diagnose and treat people quickly contributes to sickness on campus. We’ve all heard the sniffling and coughing during the fall terms, and that's a symptom of poor care. VIFs should be free. Students deserve medical care when they need it—not a week or two later, when they’ve finally beat the waitlist.

3. Governance Changes:

The current WUSA model is not working. The 2022 governance change has prevented advocacy efforts and lowered student engagement. Changes to the structure of WUSA would allow the board to pursue advocacy initiatives without compromising their fiduciary duty. A new structure is necessary to make WUSA work for students now and in the future. I’m drafting a plan for a new governance structure to make WUSA more democratic and representative of the student body while getting rid of the limitations that are hamstringing current advocacy efforts.

Reason why someone should vote for you in 100 words or less

We need to make Waterloo a better place to live and study, and I have big ideas. As the current director of the Waterloo Engineering Endowment Foundation, I’m experienced in the organization and finance required to provide $160,000 in funding to academic equipment and student design teams every term. I want to work to make WUSA better and regrow a sense of student trust and engagement. The more people involved, the more people are engaged, and the more people will vote. It’s a self-perpetuating cycle that has been going in the wrong way recently, but one whose course we can reverse.

Links to any website, social media accounts and/or email address

ig: @renewwaterloo
tiktok: @renew.waterloo
email: nmajra@uwaterloo.ca

Top three platform points

WUSA ADOCACY FACING:
- Focusing on calls for sustainability and investigate ways to accomplish points as stipulated by the ClimateJusticeUW Open Letter
- Utilize insights from WUSA Fall 2023 Focus Groups (Int Education, Gender-Based and Sexual Violence Prevention and Response) including Winter 2023 Focus Group (Addressing Racism) to generate advocacy-based policy and recommendations (institutional facing, and provincial facing)
- Set strategic direction for federal advocacy and bolster relationships with MPs and MPPs
- Share more frequent communications about WUSA advocacy - through dispersion of RSP information; Imprint; or other effective media

WUSA ORGANIZATIONAL FACING:
- Communication (easy mechanisms for student experiences and feedback)
- Honoraria for Student Leaders within Student Societies
- Investigating methods to support the mental health of students and student leaders through possible grants or emergency funds
- Reinstate a renewed version of the Sustainability Coordinator Position in the new Spring Budget at WUSA with more flexibility and budget to pursue sustainability initiatives
- See opportunities to re-implement to WalkSAFE Program
- Complete actions to address Campus Safety as stipulated by the WUSA June 29th Statement: WUSA statement on the hate motivated attack at Hagey Hall – Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association
- Investigate options for food sustainability and support by partnering with the food support program and collaborating with Wilfred Laurier GSA to examine their mini mart (food support mart)

UNIVERSITY FACING:
- Ombuds Office Advocacy - that the office is impartial, accessible to students, and able to inform WUSA, GSA, and the University of Waterloo of policy gaps
- More Campus-wide adoption of Outline.uwaterloo.ca so all course outlines are available for courses offered to students
- Communication Channels with student leaders - Re-create a forum to maintain contact with VP, Academics from WUSA constituency societies and Undergraduate Senators
- Joint advocacy with WUSA, the GSA on Sector Sustainability (post-secondary institution sector), Housing & Transit
- Reduce the average wait time for counselling and therapy services on campus by minimum goals each term/create a triaged approach to reducing wait times for students to access mental health or wellness services (could be through creating a task force or working group to investigate student challenges)

Reason why someone should vote for you in 100 words or less

Hello,

My name is Katie Traynor (she/her) and I’m a 3rd Year Planner in the Faculty of Environment. I have a strong background in leadership, community volunteering, and communication. My passion for leadership stems from my desire to help those around me through advocacy, event planning, and information-sharing. I am committed to becoming a dedicated and reliable peer that can also inspire other students

Some of my recent work includes being Vice President at WUSA, Chair of UCRU, being Vice President of Human Resources & Administration at the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance. Some on-campus work I have done includes working for Campus Housing, the Student Success Office, and Velocity. Some volunteer work I have completed includes working for the Environment Student Society, and the Planning Student Association, being an FFL and Event Cord for Orientation, and volunteering with the Faculty of Environment on other occasions.

You can see more of my qualifications through LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-georgia-traynor/
Reach out to me through Instagram: @kate.traynor06

Links to any website, social media accounts and/or email address

**Waterloo United Website**
https://razmjooarya.wixsite.com/waterloo-united

**Katie Traynor Website**
https://kgtrayno.wixsite.com/katie-traynor

Top three platform points

Vote for me to transform WUSA! I pledge transparency—clear communication on fund use. I'll champion social and environmental causes, making WUSA a force for positive change. Prioritizing inclusivity and safety, I'll create a welcoming environment for every student. Together, let's shape a WUSA that truly represents and serves us all. Check out my instagram to learn more about my platform!

Reason why someone should vote for you in 100 words or less

With experience in WUSA clubs, the science faculty, and the Waterloo community, I bring proven leadership, structure, and discipline. I've spearheaded positive changes in the science faculty and am committed to amplifying student voices within WUSA. Addressing the transparency issue, I aim to rebuild trust by giving students a platform to influence board decisions. As a dedicated advocate for positive change and with a track record of effective leadership, your vote for me is a vote for a more inclusive, transparent, and student-driven WUSA. Let's shape a better future together.

Links to any website, social media accounts and/or email address

You can follow me on Instagram at uw.abeer.cheema

Top three platform points

1. You spend a lot of money every term on mandatory WUSA fees ($489.91 for co-op students in Fall 2023). I will advocate for a freeze of fee increases for 2024-2025 on WUSA funds which have a growing surplus with no concrete plans of utilization, call out when your money is being spent inappropriately or mismanaged, as well as continue to represent you and ask the tough questions and demand answers around university fee increases to administration (e.g., Student Services Fee -> SSO, CCD, Athletics and Rec, etc.)

2. I will take actions to make it easier for your elected student leaders (Board of Directors) to speak to Waterloo Regional Council, as well as engage with MP's and MPP's on your behalf without the burdens of unnecessary red tape and legal constraints. Effective communication between our elected student representatives and local, provincial, and federal leaders is crucial for addressing the concerns and needs of our student community. With that being said, the advocacy topics I'm most deeply passionate about are equitable access to local and regional transit, improved transit services and forward-thinking expansion, as well as affordable and inclusive solutions to student housing. I'd be more than happy to voice your concerns on these topics to elected officials directly.

3. Mental health issues continue to be very prominent at UW. I will continue to advocate for improved mental health services on campus and further promotion of these services, taking into account the direct feedback from undergrads who have actually used them.

Reason why someone should vote for you in 100 words or less

With the experience of being on our current Board and taking on various roles at UW including co-op terms and a number of different leadership positions, I've gained a pretty good understanding of how our admin systems work, what can be accomplished within reason, and what challenges we may face when trying to make changes. I am a strong leader and believe my variety of experiences across the University will continue to make me a strong asset to the Board of Directors. If elected, I commit to helping build a strong, inclusive, transparent, and well allocated WUSA for 2024-2025.

Links to any website, social media accounts and/or email address

If you have questions about current WUSA, my platform, or anything else, please contact me directly through the following channels. I will respond ASAP.

Instagram: @mqzpt
Email: mk2athan@uwaterloo.ca/mk2athan@wusa.ca
Teams: mk2athan@uwaterloo.ca/mk2athan@wusa.ca
Discord: @mqzpt (@mqzpt#3675)

Top three platform points

1. Accessibility of UW Counseling and AccessAbility Services
Currently, there are several barriers blocking students from accessing the appropriate care they deserve — and it's not only due to a lack of funding. Counseling Services is limited by the range of services they offer; especially for those in need of more specialized care respecting each student's unique circumstances. That’s not to mention the effectiveness of AccessAbility Services is debatable; with many students anecdotally sharing that they were not given relevant or helpful accommodations. In their times of need they were not shown adequate understanding and support. Students' mental health is a top priority for our team, and this priority is one of the critical approaches we are taking to remedy the ongoing issue of a lack of strong support systems across campus.

2. Fair TA and RA labour rights
I'm currently a lab TA for science students, and we are expected to arrive early to labs, stay behind until the last student leaves (even if they're late!), mark 10+ lab reports, and manage Piazza — all with only 2 paid hours per week outside of lab time. Realistically, it takes much longer — and I'm not the only TA to put extra hours into getting our marking done. I'm pushing for fair wages for all TAs and RAs across campus, who work hard to keep classes running and keep students learning.

3. Intersectional justice within the university
There's no easy way to say this: there has been an increase in racism within our community.
Especially concerning is the increase in the targeting of international students. I recognize how complex this issue is. While it can't be attributed to just a few specific causes, it does in part stem from student anxiety over the current state of unaffordable housing, declining co-op opportunities, and an overall lack of positive student culture. We aim to fight for all students; treating each of these issues from their root cause, while strongly standing for equality and against prejudice in all forms.

Reason why someone should vote for you in 100 words or less

While this election is my introduction to the WUSA Board, I have been involved with departmental clubs for years now. My experience as President of Cheese Club instilled in me the importance of curating lively and social third spaces on campus. From being the current elected Chem Club President and SciSoc BOD member, I have become passionately devoted to representing the student voice. I prioritize students' well-being and ensuring that UW and WUSA are giving students every opportunity to thrive, academically, socially, and personally. Renew student trust, renew student voice, renew Waterloo.

Links to any website, social media accounts and/or email address

Learn more about our campaign!
- renewwaterloo.com

Find Renew on our social medias!
- Instagram: @renewwaterloo
- TikTok: @renew.waterloo
- Reddit: u/renewwaterloo

Or contact me directly!
- E-mail: e255lee@uwaterloo.ca

Top three platform points

1) Commitment to be your VOICE - I promise to bridge the gaps between the undergrad students and student government. I promise to speak up for what is the truth and to highlight issues affecting minorities, advocate for the interests and concerns of the student body and promote more Equity, Diversity and Inclusion on & off campus.
2) Advocate for more students' success resources and mental health resources (on-campus and virtually).
3) Making campus a safe place for all students.

Reason why someone should vote for you in 100 words or less

My top three reasons:
1) Extensive leadership and advocacy experience.
2) Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
3) Vision for an inclusive, well-supported student community.
As a dedicated and experienced student leader at Waterloo, I'm your ideal choice for Board Director. With a track record of active involvement in over 10 student clubs, leadership roles within WUSA, and advocacy for diversity and inclusion as part of the President's Anti-Racism Task Force, I've consistently championed student concerns. My commitment to positive change led to recognition as "Young Woman of the Year." My vision for Waterloo students is one of inclusivity, support, and well-being. I'll ensure all students feel valued and have access to essential services. As your voice, I'll bridge gaps, promote dialogue, and create a better university community.

Links to any website, social media accounts and/or email address

Follow my Instagram: fatimaawan4change
Email: f3awan@uwaterloo.ca
My Linkeden: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fatima-awan/

Top three platform points

- Engagement. Boosting undergraduate engagement and interest in WUSA is one of my highest priorities!

- Student Input. Promoting higher levels of student input across campus.

- Transparency. Making WUSA's inner workings as clear as possible for students.

Reason why someone should vote for you in 100 words or less

I believe that UWaterloo students should have an undergraduate association that works to keep students at the center of everything. Throughout my past year of serving on WUSA's Board, I've worked towards making WUSA as open and student-facing as possible. Through town hall/roundtable events and sharing student stories at WUSA's highest levels, I'm working to keep student engagement at the top of WUSA's agenda.

If this interests you, consider voting for me as Director. Make sure your vote counts!

Links to any website, social media accounts and/or email address

If you've got ideas you'd like to see reflected in WUSA, hit me up at a3chaban@uwaterloo.ca