Welcome to Fall 2026: Kickback, Health & Dental, and C&A Referendum

Dear UFV Students,
Welcome to the Fall 2026 Semester!
To our returning students, welcome back, and to those joining UFV for the first time, welcome to our community. I hope your semester is off to a great start and that you are settling into the new academic year. September is always an exciting time on campus, and your Student Union Society has been working throughout the summer to prepare for another year of events, services, advocacy, and opportunities for students to get involved.

Kickback 2026 & Other Opportunities
One of the biggest events of the semester is coming up! Kickback will take place on Thursday, September 24, from 2:30 pm to 6:30 pm. Kickback is our opportunity to welcome everyone back and bring the UFV community together. There will be fun activities, free food and drinks, and plenty of opportunities to meet and connect with fellow students. Whether you are new to UFV, looking to meet new people, or simply want to take a break from classes, I hope you will come out and join us!
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Kickback is only the beginning, with more events and opportunities get involved happening throughout the year. Whether through SUS events, Clubs & Associations, or other opportunities on campus, I encourage you to get involved, meet new people, and make the most of your time at UFV.

Health & Dental Plan
Following the results of the Health & Dental referendum in March, there will be some changes to the coverage this year. These changes include an adjustment to the paramedical practitioner coverage from $40 to $35 per visit, and the introduction of a $10,000 annual maximum for prescription drug coverage.
We know how important these benefits are to students, and SUS will continue working to provide accessible and sustainable coverage. More information about the plan and your coverage remains available through our website: https://www.ufvsus.ca/health-dental

Clubs and Associations Referendum
Clubs and Associations are an important part of student life at UFV, creating opportunities for students, exploring their interests, finding their community, and getting involved on campus. This fall, students will have the opportunity to vote on C&A funding.

In 2023, students approved an Ordinary Resolution transferring $300,000 in existing surplus funds to support Clubs & Associations. This one-time funding has helped support the growth and operation of the program over the past several years.

From October 14 to 17, 2026, students will vote on whether they support creating a $5 per semester Clubs & Associations Fee, beginning in Summer 2027. The proposed fee would provide a dedicated and sustainable source of funding for the operation, support, and development of student Clubs & Associations at UFV.

More information about the referendum, what the proposed fee would support, and how to vote will be shared in the coming weeks.

Looking Ahead
These are just a few of the things happening at SUS as we begin the new academic year. Our team will continue working to strengthen the services students rely on, advocate on the issues that matter to you, and find new ways to support and improve the student experience at UFV.

Most importantly, I want SUS to remain accessible to you. If you have an idea, concern, question, or simply want to learn more about what we are working on, I encourage you to reach out, stop by, and connect with us.
You may also email president@ufvsus.ca for more information.

I look forward to sharing more updates with you throughout the semester, and I wish you all a great Fall semester

Tanvir Hundal
President

CASA PoliStrat Conference 2026

Delegates:

Tanvir Hundal (SUS President)

Zack Castiglia (SUS Vice President External)

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Overview

From June 22–25, 2026, SUS President Tanvir Hundal and SUS Vice President External Zack Castiglia travelled to Ottawa to attend the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations' (CASA) Policy and Strategy (PoliStrat) conference.

CASA PoliStrat

CASA is a non-profit federal advocacy organization, representing 400,000 students across Canada. PoliStrat is CASA's second annual conference and is where the structure of the organization's advocacy year takes shape. During the conference, delegates from student associations across Canada established CASA's federal advocacy priorities and the strategies that will be employed to achieve them.

Committee Elections

The conference began with an opening plenary session, followed by committee elections. CASA has eight permanent working committees, each responsible for advancing a specific area of the organization's governance, policy development, or advocacy. Delegates elected to these committees meet virtually every two weeks throughout the year.

During the conference:

• Tanvir Hundal was elected to the Governance and Internal Review Committee and the Financial Sustainability and Planning Ad Hoc Committee. She will also be a non-voting member on the Federal Policy Committee.

• Zack Castiglia was elected to the National Advocacy Committee and the Federal Policy Committee. He will also be a non-voting member on the Membership Committee.

UFVSUS's representation on five committees ensures that the perspectives and priorities of University of the Fraser Valley students are reflected in CASA's governance, strategic planning, and federal advocacy efforts throughout the year.

Major Initiatives

‍Throughout the conference, delegates identified several key advocacy priorities that will guide CASA's federal work over the coming year. Discussions focused on improving the affordability and accessibility of post-secondary education, strengthening student financial assistance, advancing Indigenous post-secondary education, and addressing barriers to student housing. These priorities will continue to be refined by CASA's committees before becoming part of the organization's federal advocacy strategy.

Other Highlights

Board Action Plan

‍Members of CASA's Board of Directors presented their annual Board Action Plan, outlining the organization's strategic priorities, governance objectives, and advocacy initiatives for the coming year.

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Committee Working Sessions

‍Following committee elections, each committee held its inaugural meeting to welcome new members, establish priorities, and begin developing work plans and strategies that will guide committee activities over the next year.‍ ‍

Strategic Plan Consultation

Delegates participated in consultation sessions with CASA staff and members of the Board of Directors to provide feedback on the organization's next three-year Strategic Plan. Small-group discussions focused on organizational priorities, member engagement, governance, and long-term advocacy goals.

Financial Update

CASA's Treasurer presented an overview of the organization's financial position, including current revenues and expenditures, budget projections, and considerations to ensure its long-term financial sustainability.

Closing Social

The conference came to a close with an evening social. This was the final conference for Wasiimah Joomun, CASA’s Executive Director since 2021, who concluded the evening with a farewell speech. UFVSUS thanks Wasiimah for all the work she has done for the student movement and wishes her all the best going forward!

Looking Ahead

The next CASA conference will be Advocacy Week in November 2026, where student leaders from across Canada will meet with Members of Parliament, senators, ministers, and senior government officials in Ottawa to advance CASA's federal advocacy priorities.

Through its work with CASA, UFVSUS will continue advocating for the interests of University of the Fraser Valley students at the federal level throughout the year.

Tanvir Hundal
SUS President
president@ufvsus.ca‍ ‍

Zack Castiglia
SUS Vice President External
vpexternal@ufvsus.ca

‍ ‍

CASA Foundations Conference 2026

Delegates:

Tanvir Hundal (SUS President) &

Zack Castiglia (SUS Vice President External)

Student advocacy starts long before elected officials hear our concerns. From May 25–29, 2026, SUS President Tanvir Hundal and Vice President External Zack Castiglia attended the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA) Foundations Conference in Ottawa. At this conference, student leaders from across Canada received training on federal advocacy and prepared for the coming year of lobbying Parliament on issues affecting post-secondary students.

Over the course of the five-day conference, we had the opportunity to get in-depth training on how to successfully lobby Members of Parliament and Cabinet Ministers. This included lectures on jurisdiction, policy overviews, brainstorming common concerns among delegates, and mock meetings with MPs.

The first of four conferences happening during this term, Foundations 2026, served as a crash course on how member delegates can work collectively to advocate for student issues to the federal government. Foundations is CASA’s most essential conference of the year. It sets up newly elected student leaders from across Canada with the practical skills and knowledge they will need to successfully advocate for students.

What is CASA?

CASA is Canada’s leading national voice for post-secondary learners. A not-for-profit stablished in 1995, CASA conferences bring together delegates from 26-member student unions, representing 400,000 undergraduate, graduate, and polytechnic students across Canada. CASA’s federal advocacy is grounded in the organization’s four main principles: accessibility, affordability, quality, and innovation.

The Importance of Foundations?

The Foundations Conference is CASA’s first conference of the year. This is where student leaders from across Canada received training on federal policymaking and how to lobby lawmakers in Ottawa. At the end of the five-day conference, we became equipped with the fundamental tools and skills needed to advocate on behalf of students.

The skills developed at Foundations will directly support SUS advocacy efforts over the coming year. Whether advocating for improvements to student mental health, financial aid, housing, and affordability, the conference helped us effectively represent UFV students at the federal level.

Memorable Moments from Foundations 2026

During the course of the five-day conference, delegates received detailed training, collaborative brainstorming sessions, networking opportunities to get to know each other, and opportunities to explore Ottawa.

• Update on the political climate, and how CASA should navigate it this year when advocating for students.

• The Honourable Patti Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay–Superior North, addressed delegates on the first day of the conference. She reflected on her journey to federal politics and spoke about the important role students play in shaping the next generation of Canadian leaders.

• An “Advocacy 101” lecture where delegates learned how to lobby federal politicians, including a mock meeting with MPs.

• Watching the prime minister and leader of the opposition go head-to-head during Question Period inside the House of Commons.

• Board of Directors debate and election. It was great to see student leaders from across the country put their names forward to be part of leading CASA this next year. 

• Leading with Equity. Delegates participated in a "privilege walk" exercise, taking a step forward or backward based on whether certain statements reflected their own experiences. The exercise demonstrated the wide range of lived experiences represented within Canada's student population and reinforced the importance of ensuring advocacy reflects the diverse needs and perspectives of the students we represent.

• Committee ideation. This final lecture gave a detailed overview of CASA’s eight committees and how members can be involved in the decision making process, and advance specific priorities more effectively.

What is next?

This is a strategic planning year for CASA where the organization will draft its 2027-2030 Strategic Plan.  As a member-driven organization, delegates from member student unions will play a vital role in the drafting of the Strategic Plan.

We will attend CASA’s PoliStrat conference at the end of June in Ottawa. This is when committees will begin to take shape, and where policy priorities and strategies will be set out for the next year.

The Foundations Conference marked the beginning of SUS's federal advocacy work for the year. We look forward to bringing UFV students' priorities to future CASA meetings and continuing to advocate federally for policies that improve the post-secondary experience across Canada.

Tanvir Hundal
SUS President
president@ufvsus.ca

Zack Castiglia
SUS Vice President External
vpexternal@ufvsus.ca

Bringing New Ideas Back to Campus: SUS At AMICCUS-C

The UFV Student Union Society (UFVSUS) recently attended the AMICCUS-C Conference at the University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, joining student leaders and campus professionals from more than 80 student unions across Canada.

While conferences are often viewed as networking opportunities, they also play an important role in helping student leaders and staff learn, collaborate, and bring new ideas back to campus. As the organization responsible for advocating for students and delivering services, events, and programs at the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV), SUS continually seeks opportunities to improve the student experience.

What Is AMICCUS-C?

AMICCUS-C is a national organization that supports student associations and student unions across Canada. Each year, representatives from member institutions gather to discuss common challenges, share successful initiatives, and explore ways to better support students.

This year's conference theme, Stronger Together, reflected the collaborative nature of student leadership and advocacy. Topics covered throughout the conference included student engagement, governance, advocacy, student services, leadership development, campus programming, and emerging trends affecting post-secondary students.

Inside The Conference

Over several days, attendees participated in keynote presentations, workshops, panel discussions, and networking sessions focused on student leadership and campus life. The conference brought together student leaders, staff, and industry professionals to exchange ideas, discuss emerging challenges, and share approaches that have been successful at their institutions.

Beyond the scheduled sessions, the conference provided valuable opportunities to connect with representatives from student unions across Canada. These conversations offered insight into how different organizations are addressing student needs, delivering services, engaging their communities, and adapting to changing campus environments.

The Work Behind The Scenes

Many students are familiar with SUS through events, services, clubs, advocacy initiatives, health and dental benefits, or campus spaces such as Fairgrounds and the Student Union Building (SUB). However, much of the work that supports these services happens behind the scenes.

Throughout the year, SUS staff and elected student leaders work on:

• Student advocacy and representation

• Campus events and programming

• Student clubs and associations

• Health and dental plan administration

• Student services and support programs

• Governance and strategic planning

• Community partnerships and engagement initiatives

Professional development and collaboration opportunities, such as AMICCUS-C, help ensure that this work continues to evolve and respond to student needs.

Why This Matters To Students?

Student unions across Canada face many of the same opportunities and challenges, from student engagement and advocacy to service delivery and campus programming. Attending conferences like AMICCUS-C allows SUS representatives to learn from successful initiatives, share experiences, and explore new approaches that can strengthen the support, services, and opportunities available to UFV students.

While much of this work happens behind the scenes, the ideas, relationships, and knowledge gained through these opportunities help inform decisions and improvements that benefit students throughout the year.

Bringing Ideas Back To UFV

The insights and ideas shared throughout the conference will help inform future programs, services, events, and initiatives at UFV. By learning from the experiences of other student unions and sharing our own, SUS can continue identifying new ways to support students and enhance campus life.

We would like to thank AMICCUS-C, the University of Alberta, and all participating student unions for creating a welcoming, collaborative, and insightful conference experience focused on supporting students across Canada.