SSU Board of Directors Update
Check out what your Board of Directors has been up to this January!
We kicked off the new year rested and recharged after the winter break and ready to continue the work we started. January marked our first Board meeting of 2026, held on January 15, where we received an update on the feasibility study for a new Student Hub at TRC, a partnership between the College and the SSU.
The College is in the early planning stages of a multi-story Student Hub designed to serve as a central home for student life and a gateway between campus and the surrounding community. The hub would consolidate Student Union spaces, clubs, student amenities, athletic facilities, and an Indigenous cultural centre into one accessible and visible location. The project is currently in the feasibility phase, including stakeholder engagement, site and technical analysis, and early concept development. Student feedback remains a priority, with further engagement planned. If approved, the project would move into design and construction, with occupancy anticipated by late 2032.
On January 23, several Board members and SSU staff participated in the first working group meeting with LURA, the consulting firm supporting the SSU Strategic Plan. This work is now underway and will continue over the next few months, with opportunities coming soon for students to share their input.
This term, a major focus has been on student affordability, health, and well-being. During January office hours, we asked domestic students to complete the Health and Dental Survey, which was reopened after a short release window in the fall to ensure broader participation. This feedback helped us ensure that the decisions around health benefits are informed by real student needs.
We also collected input from international students through a survey on affordable supports, which highlighted that most student spending goes toward groceries, public transportation, and housing, with the majority of income coming from part-time work. Students expressed a strong desire for more affordable food options on campus. These insights will directly shape our advocacy as cost-of-living pressures continue to rise.
On January 27, the Finance Committee met and learned that the SSU is facing reduced revenue due to steep enrollment declines, resulting in projected budget deficits. In response, the SSU is exploring ways to reduce expenditures and identify new revenue opportunities, while prioritizing the protection of core student services. These considerations will inform the 2026–27 budget, which will be finalized and presented to the Board in March.
Lastly, this will be the final term for the current Board, as elections are underway and a new Board will take over in May. Until then, we remain committed to working hard to ensure student voices are heard and reflected in Board decisions.
Next month, we encourage you to stop by our office hours for a casual chat. We’ll continue gathering student input, advancing the SSU Strategic Plan, and advocating for affordability, accessibility, and student-centered decision-making.
— Your SSU Board of Directors
As we wrapped up the Fall 2025 term, December was a month rooted in community, care, and connection across Sheridan campuses. From festive celebrations and food security initiatives to advocacy work and student leadership milestones, SSU teams continued to show up for students during one of the busiest times of the year. Read the full Sheridan Life Update Now!