SSU Board of Directors Update
Find out what your Board of Directors has been up to this month!
September marked a strong start to the fall term as the SSU jumped into a packed month of student engagement, governance work, and strategic planning, all grounded in our commitment to putting students first.
On September 11, we had our first meeting of the SSU Policy Committee. This committee is made up of Directors and staff, including Agambir Singh, Ashish Arora, Austin Sharpe, Hanh Ngo, and Samiya Khan. The team focused on reviewing bylaw changes and beginning development of new policies to support those changes. One of the core responsibilities of The Board of Directors is to ensure our bylaws and policies remain current and relevant, and this meeting laid the foundation for that ongoing work.
On September 15, we held our Board meeting at the HMC campus. It was a productive session where we approved several bylaw amendments in preparation for the upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM). These updates were necessary to remove outdated references, align titles with our current structure, and reflect how the SSU operates today. Ensuring that our governing documents match our practices is key to staying accountable and effective. During this meeting, we also officially amended the Strategic Plan Committee membership to include Hanh Ngo, our Interim Managing Director. This change ensures continuity as we begin the important process of building a new Strategic Plan for the SSU.
Also, during this Board meeting, we received and approved the 2024–2025 Audited Financial Statements, which will be presented to our membership at the AGM in November. We’re proud to report that the SSU remains in a strong financial position, having received a clean audit, meaning all financial activities were reviewed and found to be accurate and in good standing. The Board also voted to continue with Doane Grant Thornton LLP as our external auditor for the 2026–2027 fiscal year, recognizing their ongoing professionalism and thoroughness. To wrap up the meeting, we set our Board meeting schedule for the fall, continuing our commitment to rotate meetings across campuses and bring governance closer to students.
Throughout the month, we also ran office hours, with Health and Dental coverage as the focus for September. We used this time to connect directly with students and ask key questions: What do you know about your plan? Have you used it? What matters most to you in terms of services? And where do you go to find information? These conversations are crucial, as the SSU manages the Health and Dental Plan for domestic students, this feedback helps us make improvements and communicate more effectively. We also spoke with international students to learn about their needs and ensure their voices are part of the conversation.
On September 29, we held the first meeting of the Strategic Plan Committee, which includes Directors from all campuses, staff, and executive leadership. The meeting was an exciting start to a process that will shape the SSU's future direction. Reaching out to potential consultant firms has begun. We had an early discussion about what we want from the strategic planning process, especially the importance of gathering student input. Our previous Strategic Plan expired in December 2024, and the new one will guide our goals and impact for the next coming years. This is a big moment for the SSU, and we’re committed to creating a plan that reflects the needs and priorities of the students we serve.
Looking ahead to October, our office hours will continue, shifting focus to a critical issue many students face: food insecurity. We want to hear from you, what’s your experience accessing affordable, healthy food? What gaps do you see, and how can SSU help? You can find the updated office hours schedule on the SSU website or just drop by our booth if you see us at your campus Student Centre.
We’ll also be preparing for our Annual General Meeting in November, where we’ll share updates, present financials, and the impact report. And with two Board meetings scheduled for October, we invite all students to attend and see your student leaders in action. Transparency and student voice are central to what we do, and your presence makes a difference.
Stay tuned, stay involved, and we’ll see you soon! — Your SSU Board of Directors
Take a look into how the Board of Directors prepared for the new academic season amidst staff changes, training sessions and much more!