Notes from Council: 2026–27 councillors appointed to committees
"I'm not here for me ... the students come first, we serve the students who are struggling today," says UASU President Joseph Sesek.
Helen Zhang“Notes from Council” is The Gateway’s ongoing series of recaps of noteworthy items from Students’ Council meetings
On May 12 the University of Alberta Students’ Union (UASU) Students’ Council held their first meeting of the 2026–27 term. Executives gave inaugural addresses, and councillors were appointed to committees.
Adrian Lam is the 2026–27 speaker of the Students’ Council. Lam previously served as the 2025–26 councillor for the faculty of education.
Students’ Union Executives give inaugural speeches
After Lam had installed the 2026–27 UASU councillors, the executives shared their aspirations for their term in the office. Board of Governors representative, Amaan Khan, spoke first. He voiced his excitement for being able to make changes that matter while on council.
“I’m not here for myself, I’m here for the constituents that I represent,” said Khan.
Vice-president (student life) Paige Wall spoke about her belief in the importance of showing up for the students regardless of what is happening in your life. “I care about working with people who genuinely want to leave things better than they found them, which I believe that we can do this year.”
Vice-president (operations and finance) Logan West began by reassuring the councillors that their voices and opinions matter and make a difference for students.
West concluded her speech stating that the councillors’ “work is essential in steering the direction of our Students’ Union, and I believe that together, we can be the change that we wish to see in our UASU.”
Vice-president (external) Angel Raina spoke next. She expressed her views on the importance of responsibility and the privilege that comes with being on council. Raina acknowledged the “responsibility [of the UASU] to leave this organization better than we found it.”
Vice-president (academic) Susan Huseynova spoke of her goals to remove the challenging barriers to students when navigating systems and processes. “We have the chance to make student life more transparent, more accessible, and more responsive to the people that we represent,” said Huseynova.
President Joseph Sesek spoke last. “My goal is to build a team that can actually move the needle,” said Sesek. He hopes to see the U of A surpass other institutions such as the University of British Columbia or McGill University.
Councillors appointed to committees
The Audit Committee reviews the financial documents of the executive committee members and other audits. Council appointed the following: arts councillor Gurnain Bhatia, business councillor Josh Rivor, Khan, medicine and dentistry councillor Tala Mojarrad, and engineering councillor Michael Chang.
The Bylaw Committee drafts bylaws and referendum/plebiscite questions for the Students’ Council as required. Council appointed the following: Faculté Saint-Jean councillor Sophia Sparks, West, Mojarrad, Raina, and engineering councillor Euan Hustler.
The Council Administration Committee (CAC) is the main administration team for the Students’ Council. Council appointed the following: science councillors Janie George and Harika Singh, Chang, Khan.
The Finance Committee deals with budget recommendations, and dispersal of grants and funds. Council appointed the following: Khan, Rivor, and arts councillor Naomi Begna.
The Policy Committee guides advocacy efforts of the UASU executives and Student Representative Associations (SRAs). Council appointed the following: science councillor Janardhun Alagarsamy Vignesh, Begna, Bhartia, and Mojarrad.
The Health and Dental Plan Committee provides feedback, and recommendations for the UASU Health and Dental Plan. Council appointed the following: Alagarsamy Vignesh, and Begna.
The Student Group Committee (SGC) oversees U of A student groups. Council appointed the following: education councillor Braiden Janes, and Rivor.
The Sustainability Committee ensures that the UASU adheres to, and maintains current sustainability standards. Council appointed the following: George, Sparks, and Begna.
The Truth and Reconciliation Action Committee (TRAC) helps the UASU in the implementation of Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. Council appointed the following: Janes, West, and H. Singh.
