Notes from Council: Response to provincial government’s rejection of ETIs discussed

“Notes from Council” is The Gateway’s ongoing series of recaps of noteworthy items from Students’ Council meetings.

At the November 2 meeting of the University of Alberta Students’ Union (UASU) Students’ Council, councillors asked the executives questions, including about their response to the provincial government rejecting Exceptional Tuition Increases (ETIs). Council also approved Bill Four and a referendum question for the 2025 SU election. The meeting took place at Augustana Campus.

Additionally, Paige Wall was ratified as a kinesiology, sport, and recreation (KSR) councillor.

Councillors question executives on Augustana visits and the response to provincial rejection of ETIs

During question period, Augustana councillor Nate Goetz asked President Lisa Glock about the status on her campaign commitment to having UASU executives visit Augustana campus once a month. Glock said she continues to make efforts towards the commitment and is planning to return soon. She also mentioned that Vice-president (student life) Renson Alva makes frequent visits to the campus.

Law councillor Farshad Labbaf questioned Glock and Vice-president (external) Abdul Abbasi about the reasoning behind a press release in which the UASU thanked Minister of Advanced Education Rajan Sawhney for rejecting ETIs for the 2025–26 academic year.

Glock emphasized that the UASU is non-partisan. She said that it is important to recognize the “net-positive” of student financial savings that come from rejecting ETIs.

In response, Abbasi emphasized that the UASU will continue to advocate for student affordability.

Labbaf then asked an open question to all executives about the UASU’s plans to support LGBTQIA+ students “with respect to the current proposed changes outlined to the Education Amendment Act.” This act does not apply to post-secondary institutions (PSIs).

Glock said that it is a matter of concern that the UASU is “monitoring closely.” The UASU is working with the equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) office to assess how this legislation will impact students.

Arts councillor Nathan Thiessen asked Abbasi what advocacy efforts led to the rejection of ETIs by the provincial government. According to Abbasi, the UASU has been in frequent contact with Minister Sawhney and members of the legislative assembly (MLAs) from various parties about student affordability.

Additionally, Thiessen asked what the executives are doing to ensure student welfare and affordability in relation to further tuition increases. Abbasi emphasized that student affordability remains a key focus of the UASU’s advocacy.

Board and committee business

The motion to approve Bill Four based upon the recommendation of the bylaw committee was carried. The bill changes the oath of office from occurring before a by-election to occurring after a by-election, business councillor Owen Pasay said.

Council also approved a referendum question regarding the creation of the Menstrual Equity Fee. The referendum question will ask students if they support the creation of a Menstrual Equity Fee. The motion was carried unanimously. If the nomination receives over 5,500 signatures, the question will be on the ballot for the 2025 SU general election.

Abbasi discussed the UASU’s involvement in the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations’ (CASA) Secure the Grant campaign. The campaign is seeking to make the increase of the Canada Student Grant (CSG) from $3,000 to $4,200 permanent. As part of this, the UASU will be speaking to students about their experiences with affordability, and sharing those perspectives with government officials, Abbasi said.

Flaman appointed Native studies councillor Denee Reansbury to the First Alberta Campus Radio Association (FACRA) board of directors.

Flaman nominated Wall to the Physical Activity and Wellness Centre Strategic Operating Committee (PAWSOC). Thiessen then nominated Pasay to PAWSOC. Both councillors accepted their nominations.