Notes from Council: 2025–26 councillors appointed to committees
"I have seen productive councils and less productive councils, but I hope that we will be a council that works together for the betterment of students in as productive of a way as we can," UASU president says.
Rosty Soroka“Notes from Council” is The Gateway’s ongoing series of recaps of noteworthy items from Students’ Council meetings.
At the May 6 University of Alberta Students’ Union (UASU) Students’ Council meeting, the 2025–26 executives gave inaugural addresses and councillors were appointed to committees.
Angelina Raina is the 2025–26 speaker of Students’ Council. Raina previously served as an UASU arts councillor.
New executives share their goals for the upcoming year
After Raina installed the 2025–26 UASU councillors, the executives gave inaugural addresses. President Pedro Almeida spoke first. He expressed his gratitude for the work of his fellow executives and said he looks forward to having “complicated but productive conversations.”
“I have seen productive councils and less productive councils, but I hope that we will be a council that works together for the betterment of students in as productive of a way as we can,” he added.
Vice-president (student life) Logan West spoke about her focus on “addressing matters of safety and accessibility” for students.
“My mandate is clear. Students deserve to be safe, students deserve to be included, deserve to be seen, and deserve to be heard.”
Vice-president (academic) Katie Tamsett discussed her platform priorities, including menstrual accommodations and providing students with information about the First-Day Access program.
“There are projects that we will need to work on together to ensure student voices are heard so we can have collective impact and ensure that our constituents are represented,” Tamsett said.
Vice-president (external) Abdul Abbasi said that he is confident that the connections and experience he gained in this role last year will help the UASU to “advance key issues.”
“I’m looking forward to building on the momentum with this year’s executive and council,” he said.
Vice-president (operations and finance) Nathan Thiessen expressed his goal to “build towards a stronger union that advances the welfare of our students.”
“It is my hope that we will make decisions — often hard decisions — and that we will do so together with students’ interests in mind,” Thiessen said.
Lastly, Board of Governors Representative Karina Banerji expressed her excitement for her new role. She said she looks forward to “working with everyone to get our goals accomplished.”
Councillors appointed to committees
The Council Administration Committee (CAC) manages the administrative needs of council. Council appointed the following: engineering councillor Michael Chang, open studies councillor Aamir Mohamed, science councillor Christene Saji, kinesiology, sport, and recreation councillor Paige Wall, and West.
The Bylaw Committee reviews UASU bylaws and oversees bylaw updates or creations. Council appointed the following: nursing councillor Asha Jama, Mohamed, business councillor Owen Pasay, Faculté Saint-Jean councillor Skyla Seguin, and Thiessen.
The Policy Committee reviews the UASU’s political policies and oversees the creation of new ones. Council appointed the following: engineering councillor Bassam Dakhel, arts councillor Christopher Reynolds, Seguin, and agriculture, life, and environmental sciences (ALES) councillor Morgan Vany.
The Student Group Committee (SGC) oversees undergraduate U of A student groups. Council appointed the following: science councillor Lavanya Jain and Wall.
The Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Committee (ARRC) assists in the UASU’s implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) Calls to Action. Council appointed the following: Banerji, Native studies councillor Denee Reansbury, and Vany.
The Finance Committee oversees UASU budgeting and the allocation of UASU’s grant and bursary fund. Council appointed the following: Jama, Mohamed, and Pasay.
The Sustainability Committee (SUSC) manages the annual evaluations of the UASU’s sustainability practices, and makes recommendations. Council appointed the following: arts councillor Arman Chauhan, Reansbury, and Vany.
The Health and Dental Plan Committee oversees the UASU’s Health and Dental Plan. Council appointed the following: Jain and Saji.
The Students’ Union Building (SUB) Planning Committee reviews students’ needs with regard to SUB’s facilities and operations. Council appointed the following: Jain and Pasay.
The Audit Committee oversees the spending and collection of UASU funds. Council appointed the following: Chang, Chauhan, Dakhel, Reynolds, and education councillor Antony Salib.
