SSU Board of Directors Update
Get up to date with what your Board of Directors have done this October!
The Board of Directors had a busy and productive month in October. We held two Board meetings, one at the Davis Campus on October 3rd and another at TRC on October 27th. During the first meeting, the Board received and reviewed the Quarterly Financial Condition Update for the period ending July 31, 2025. This quarterly review allows the Managing Director to present an overview of our financial performance, comparing actual versus budgeted spending from May through July. The report showed the organization remains in a strong financial position, ensuring that student resources and initiatives continue to be well supported.
We also made progress in several key areas this month:
Health & Dental Plan Review:
On October 15th, Mercer, the SSU’s contracted consultant, continued its review of the student health and dental plan through a focus group session. The assessment aims to determine whether the current domestic insurance provider delivers appropriate value to students. Peter Kyadondo (TRC Director and Board Chair), Austin Sharpe (TRC Director and Board Vice-Chair), and Navdeep Kaur (HMC Director) participated in this important discussion. Reflecting on the session, Navdeep shared, “It was a great and valuable opportunity to collaborate with other directors and share students’ perspectives on how our health and dental plans can better meet the needs of students, as well as the challenges they currently face when using the plans. These discussions are essential to ensure that our plan not only provides comprehensive coverage but also real value to the students who rely on it cause, in the end students deserve a plan that truly works for them. This process allowed us to highlight the real challenges students face when accessing these services and exploring ways the plan can continue to evolve to better meet their needs.”
TRC Building Feasibility Study:
On October 23rd, a focus group session with Montgomery Architects brought together student leaders, staff, faculty, and community partners to discuss the high-level vision and plan for a potential new building project at TRC. Because the facility will serve both students and the broader community, gathering input from future users is a vital part of the SSU’s collaborative planning process. Speaking about the experience, Austin Sharpe noted, “It was a full day of meeting, listening, and engaging with students and community members around creating a shared space. There were a lot of great ideas that came from this session, and I am excited to see what is made from this experience!”
Strategic Planning Process:
This month, we continued advancing our Strategic Plan initiative. We interviewed six consulting firms and have now narrowed the list to three finalists. Our Strategic Plan Committee, will review these firms in detail and finalize a recommendation. In November, we’ll select a successful firm, a significant milestone in shaping our organization’s long-term vision and priorities.
Hiring Committee Formation:
We have established a Hiring Committee to oversee the recruitment of the next SSU Managing Director. Directors, Peter, Austin, and Navdeep have been appointed to lead this important process on behalf of the Board.
Transportation Survey Insights:
At the October 27th meeting, Dean Langan presented the results of the Transportation Survey conducted in March 2025. Findings revealed that 71% of students regularly use public transit, with many facing long commute times, sometimes exceeding two hours one way, and significant monthly transportation costs (often $200 or more). These challenges directly affect students’ ability to engage fully in campus life and maintain affordability for essentials like food and housing. The Board will use these insights to guide future initiatives supporting commuting students.
Throughout October, our focus on student well-being continued, particularly around food insecurity. We hosted several Board office hours dedicated to gathering student feedback on the challenges of accessing affordable, healthy food. As the academic year settles in, many students begin to experience the financial realities of college life, and food can often become one of the first areas where tough trade-offs occur. We wanted to better understand students’ lived experiences and the decisions they make around food. Some of the questions we explored included: Where and what do you typically eat during the school week? What would make it easier for you to access the food you want? Have you used any of the food programs on or off campus? If a new food access initiative were introduced, what would you like to see?
Reflecting on these conversations, Leanne Gulmayo (HMC Director) shared, “As part of my front-facing hours as a Board Director, I continued engaging with students to better understand their needs around food access and affordability on campus. One of the questions was, ‘What would make it easier for you to get the food you enjoy during the week?’ Students consistently mentioned that price is the biggest factor affecting their food choices. While many appreciate the convenience of campus food, affordability remains a concern. Some shared that discounts, loyalty rewards, or small promotions would make eating on campus more manageable, while others expressed interest in healthier and more balanced options that would encourage them to buy on campus more often.
When asked, ‘If the SSU could start one new thing to help students with food access, what would you like to see?’ responses highlighted a shared desire for greater variety and accessibility. Several students suggested reopening Booster Juice or introducing more protein-based options for fitness-focused students. Others requested reopening the A-Wing cafeteria or adding new food vendors at HMC, noting that current options are limited. There were also requests for Indian cuisine and popular chains like Subway or Starbucks, similar to other colleges. A few even suggested selling pizzas at the C-Wing bar space, turning it into a fun and convenient food stop.
Overall, students want food that is affordable, diverse, and health-conscious, while still being convenient. Listening directly to their perspectives helps shape how SSU can continue advocating for better food accessibility and inclusivity for all Sheridan students.” We value these conversations deeply because they help us ensure that our advocacy and program decisions are grounded in real student experiences.
Looking ahead to November, the Board’s primary focus will be to:
Finalize the selection of a Strategic Planning consultant to begin shaping the SSU’s new long-term plan.
Continue the Managing Director hiring process, moving closer to appointing a new leader for the organization.
Review recommendations from the health and dental plan assessment, ensuring student coverage remains valuable and affordable.
Use transportation and food insecurity insights to guide discussions on how SSU can further support student affordability and accessibility.
Next month’s Board Office Hours theme will focus on Housing Security. We want to hear directly from students about their experiences finding and maintaining safe, affordable housing while studying. Your input helps us better understand the challenges you face and how SSU can advocate for meaningful change. Stop by and chat with us!
Our office hours and locations are published on the SSU website, and we hope to see you there. — Your SSU Board of Directors
The Board of Directors had a busy and productive month in October. We held two Board meetings, made progress in several key areas and continued our community outreach to ensure our advocacy for students is as authentic and streamlined as possible.