SSU Board of Directors Update
Check out what your Board of Directors has been up to this November!
November was a busy and exciting month for your SSU Board of Directors! On November 6th, the Policy Committee met to continue working on Board policies in preparation for the Annual General Meeting (AGM), ensuring new and updated policies aligned with upcoming bylaw changes. We kicked things off with our AGM on November 12th at HMC, where over 90 student members joined us to participate in student governance. The meeting opened with a grounding drumming ceremony and storytelling by Jared Big Canoe, setting a meaningful tone for the day.
Students reviewed and approved the 2024-25 audited financial statements, ratified the SSU Board of Directors and the audit firm, and voted in favour of all proposed bylaw amendments. Our Student Executive Director also shared the 2024-25 Impact Report, showcasing how the SSU continues to enrich student life across all campuses.
The Board also approved several long-term financial decisions to support SSU sustainability. At our Board meeting on November 15th, we approved fee adjustments for the 2026–27 year, including a 10% increase to the Student Experience Fee, an increase to the Building & Capital Fee, and a 3% increase to the Domestic Health & Dental Plan fee. We also selected LURA as our consulting partner to lead the development of the SSU’s next Strategic Plan, launching in the new year with paid student ambassador roles and multiple feedback opportunities.
This fee increase ensures we can deliver stable, long-term services across all three campuses without cuts with investing in things that matter most to students, while handling challenges like enrolment shifts and Bill 33." About the fee increases. AND
Navdeep, who is excited to work with LURA on the Strategic Plan, said, "LURA have over 40 years of experience and a proven track record with student unions like Mohawk and Centennial. Moreover, they have two Sheridan alumni on the team who understand our campus culture. What's most exciting is their commitment to student voices, i.e., they'll hire and train three Sheridan students as paid ambassadors to collect feedback on campus. Unlike past plans, LURA's approach includes measurable metrics so students can see exactly how we're delivering on priorities, making this process truly about co-designing the SSU's future, not just checking a box."
On November 21st, the Board held an emergency meeting to meet crucial deadlines regarding the domestic student health and dental plan. We approved sending notice to end our current contract with Alumo effective August 31, 2026, and authorized the start of a tender process with Mercer, our health plan consulting firm, to select a new plan for the future. On November 25th, the Elections Committee met to prepare for the upcoming election season and update policies, while the Finance Committee reviewed materials to present for approval at the next Board meeting in December. Altogether, November brought significant progress, strong participation from students, and important decisions shaping the future of the SSU.
Throughout the month, the Board focused heavily on areas that impact students’ daily lives, particularly transit, accessibility, affordability, and campus infrastructure. Many students raised concerns during the AGM about high transportation costs. Provincial directives limit new mandatory U-Pass models, but we continue advocacy efforts with municipal leaders across Oakville, Mississauga, and Brampton. We also revisited the possibility of bringing back the inter-campus shuttle; however, because the SSU previously co-funded only a third of the cost, the service cannot be reinstated without a major funding partner.
Accessibility and student input on new campus builds were also major themes. Students from TRC raised concerns about building accessibility, and while the SSU does not control College infrastructure, we escalate these issues to the appropriate campus leaders. Students also asked about future campus builds and renovations, and we confirmed that student input is central to all new projects. Additional student visioning sessions will be held to collect feedback. Sustainability was another priority raised by members, with students expressing a desire for the SSU and the College to take stronger action. While the College manages its own staffing and operations, the SSU Executive Team has sustainability-focused programming planned for 2026. A major theme this month was communication and feedback. Students asked for more ways to share their thoughts beyond forms or office hours.
We reminded members that our “office hours” are on campus pop-ups at all three campuses, and feedback can also be submitted in person, anonymously online, or through CSR desks. Throughout November, our Board Office Hours focused on Housing Security, where we spoke with students about affordability, winter-term housing plans, and the challenges of finding safe, reliable places to live while studying.
Directors had meaningful conversations across all three campuses, including personal stories and frustrations shared by students. Your feedback will continue to shape our discussions on advocacy, student support initiatives, and long-term planning with campus partners. Looking ahead to December, we focused on closing the term with strong student engagement and preparing for major projects launching in the new year.
Our biggest priority is supporting student input as we prepare for the Strategic Plan process with LURA. There will be surveys, focus groups, and opportunities to apply for paid student ambassador positions early in 2026, and we’re committed to ensuring every student voice can be heard. We will also continue Board Office Hours for the first two weeks of December with a new theme: SSU Student Services & Accessibility. We hope you’ll stop by, share your experiences, ask questions, and help guide our work, plus grab snacks and SSU swag while you’re there. Finally, we’re preparing materials for the upcoming SSU elections in the new year, ensuring Nomination Packages and Election Policies are clear, fair, and easy for future candidates to navigate. As always, thank you for staying engaged and helping shape the direction of your student union. We’re students just like you, and every question, concern, and idea you share helps us advocate more effectively on your behalf. Stay tuned for more updates, and we’ll see you on campus!
- Your SSU Board of Directors