Ash GroverEvery year, The Gateway hosts a panel to discuss the University of Alberta Students’ Union (SU) election. This year’s panellists provided their insights on the candidates running, student politics, and who students should vote for in the 2026 SU election.
Opinions expressed by the panellists do not reflect those of The Gateway.
The Panel
This year’s panel included:
- Angelina Botros: first-year pharmacy doctorate student, former General Faculties Council (GFC) and SU councillor from 2024–25
- Brooklyn Hollinger: The Gateway 2024–25 arts and culture editor, former deputy opinion editor
- Karene Kouadio: fourth-year English and political science student, social science councillor for the Organization for Arts Students and Interdisciplinary Studies (OASIS)
East Campus Students’ Association (ECSA) Referendum
Hollinger said that the work that the ECSA is doing, and wants to continue, is very important. Additionally, she said that the $10 per semester is reasonable, and students can opt-out.
“I think in a time when so many university students crave community and connection, having an association that is actively trying to facilitate that is important,” she said.
Botros said that this referendum is “super sensical” and the ECSA is “trying to bring community to a larger corner of campus.”
“My only qualm is that finding information in regard to this referendum has been a bit difficult,” she said. “I think I would find value in these services, with the nuance that there should be a little more clarity as to what they are striving for.”
Kouadio echoed that the ECSA’s initiative is grounded in strengthening community for those living in residence.
“The opt-out fee provides accessibility and affordability to and for everyone — especially as they promise to reimburse students after their financial goal has been met,” she said.
Will it pass: three votes for yes
Should it pass: three votes for yes
Lister Hall Students’ Association (LHSA) Plebiscite
Hollinger said that the fee seems like a “reasonable ask from the LHSA that will help residents in Lister access a range of services that they might need.” She also noted that the fee is appealing because it’s opt-outable.
“I appreciate the transparency that the fee does go towards paying the students who run the programming,” Hollinger said.
Botros’ impression of this fee is that it’s very operational and there is a lot of transparency as to where the funds will be going. “I think there is value in this fee as it not only goes towards events, of which Lister is infamous for, but also for salaries for students who work within the LHSA,” she said.
“I also think this helps with community building, as a large portion of the budget is associated with programming, and the engagement within Lister is quite large,” Botros said.
Kouadio emphasized that the LHSA seems to provide accessibility and support to students living in Lister.
“Their Instagram is well and active, further highlighting what students’ funds are headed towards,” she said.
Will it pass: three votes for yes
Should it pass: three votes for yes
Golden Bears and Pandas Legacy Fund Plebiscite
Hollinger stated that she liked that there is a board of students that makes decisions on how this money is spent. She also noted, however, that it is unclear whether or not this fee is opt-outable.
“Additionally, the fact that the fund will help go towards equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) initiatives, at a time when EDI at the U of A is threatened, is something that is extremely valuable,” she said.
According to Botros, this plebiscite comes across as fairly straightforward. “It’s about keeping a fee that already exists, rather than introducing something new, and they do a fairly good job of explaining where the money goes.”
“I can see the value, especially in things like student jobs, practicums, and improved mental health support for athletes. … at the same time, the benefits aren’t evenly felt. If you’re not involved in athletics or related programs, the value is mostly indirect,” she said.
Kouadio agreed that the description of this plebiscite is very ambiguous and leaves room to speculate if this is a safety measure for the Golden Bears and Pandas or if it’s a current plebiscite that students can take advantage of.
However, she said that she sees “the benefits of this plebiscite, especially as it aids in student practicums, mental health — all initiatives that are essential to students’ wellness.”
Will it pass: two votes for yes, one vote for no
Should it pass: three votes for yes
Interdepartmental Science Students’ Society (ISSS) Plebiscite
Hollinger said that this plebiscite is a reasonable ask by the ISSS, especially with it being a $2 increase after remaining stagnant for 14 years.
“Associations like the ISSS are extremely valuable for science students for opportunities and support, and so I think a $7 opt-outable fee per semester will contribute to the well-being of science students,” she said.
Botros said that this plebiscite feels fairly reasonable and well-explained, and she definitely sees the value in it.
“Even if a student doesn’t use every service, having access to funding, professional development, and faculty-level advocacy seems genuinely useful and more likely to impact students directly than some broader campus fee,” she said.
Kouadio echoed the other panellists and said that this plebiscite is understandable and a very reasonable request given that it is the first increase for this fee in 14 years.
Will it pass: three votes for yes
Should it pass: three votes for yes
Nursing Undergraduate Association (NUA) Plebiscite
According to Hollinger, the NUA provides essential services to nursing students at the U of A and the fee increase is not drastic at all.
Botros said that this plebiscite is a little hard to evaluate, mainly because there is not much information from the NUA.
“The fee supports representation with the Canadian Nursing Students’ Association (CNSA), which can matter for national advocacy and professional development. However, because there has not been an outline of many concrete, day-to-day services, many students may struggle to see immediate value,” she said.
Kouadio also said that this plebiscite seems to provide adequate services for nursing students. However, she also echoed Botros’ concerns regarding the lack of information online.
Will it pass: three votes for yes
Should it pass: three votes for yes
Education Students’ Association (ESA) Plebiscite
Hollinger said that this plebiscite is a reasonable ask from the ESA, especially since it’s not planning on increasing the fee from previous years.
“It appears that the ESA provides valuable and essential services to the students it represents, and the fee would contribute to that,” she said.
This plebiscite feels fairly straightforward as it is just the continuation of a small, long-standing fee that supports the ESA, according to Botros.
Botros said that this fee is valuable, “especially for education students who spend a lot of time in the Education building.”
Kouadio said that this plebiscite is a continuation of an existing fee and nothing is changing. She also said that it is valuable for “the ESA [to continue] their efforts to meet their students’ needs.”
Will it pass: three votes for yes
Should it pass: three votes for yes
Course Materials Access (CMA) Plebiscite
Hollinger said that she disagrees with the aim of the CMA program. “I think the student body and their academic needs are too varied to implement a one-size-fits-all program like this,” she said.
“Additionally, the fact that it is opt-out instead of opt-in can be harmful monetarily for students who may forget or [do] not know how to opt-out. I do not think the university should move forward with this program,” Hollinger said.
According to Botros, the CMA plebiscite is an “unfavourable idea with a misguided aim from the university.”
“Although the original intent is to save money for students by supplying discounted textbooks, the inherent nature of utilizing an opt-out instead of an opt-in structure will lead to more students paying for the program when they did not intend to,” she said.
Kouadio said that the CMA program “isn’t well mapped out.”
“It does not meet the needs of all students in all the different disciplines and I honestly question the flat rate fee? How did the university come to these numbers?” she said.
Will it pass: three votes for no
Should it pass: three votes for no
