Message from AUSU
As President of the Algoma University Students’ Union (AUSU), I am proud to reflect on a year of meaningful progress, advocacy, and service to our student community. The dedication of our board members, staff, and volunteers continues to demonstrate the impact that strong student leadership can have across all Algoma University campuses.
We remain deeply grateful for the continued support of our community donors. Your generosity enables AUSU to provide essential services, advocate for student needs, and enhance the overall student experience. Through your support, we are able to respond to the evolving challenges students face while building programs that strengthen engagement, wellness, and academic success.
Throughout the year, AUSU focused on strengthening both our internal capacity and the services available to students. Board members and staff participated in governance, leadership, equity, and crisis response training, including opportunities through the Canadian Federation of Students Skills Symposium and Ontario General Meeting. These experiences strengthened AUSU’s ability to represent students effectively and ensure their voices remain present in institutional decision-making.
Student advocacy remained a central priority. During the Fall 2025 semester, many students were impacted by the university’s deregistration policy due to outstanding balances. AUSU worked closely with university administration to address these concerns, and through continued engagement and negotiation, deregistration was halted in November. This collaboration led to the development of a pilot payment plan allowing students to pay tuition in installments, improving financial accessibility.
Food security and financial support also remained key areas of focus. Through participation in the Bon Soo Hunger Freeze initiative, AUSU helped raise approximately $5,000 in donations for the Brampton food pantry. Snack and breakfast programs also continued in partnership with campus departments to help ensure students have access to basic necessities.
Student engagement increased through events such as Frosh Week and Halloweek, as well as collaborations with campus partners and organizations such as the Shingwauk Anishinaabe Student Association. These initiatives helped build community while supporting important cultural and wellness programming.
Looking ahead, AUSU will continue to advocate for expanded student services and infrastructure improvements. Priorities include developing a dedicated AUSU space on the Brampton campus, strengthening collaboration with academic departments to enhance student engagement, improving bus stop infrastructure, and advocating for accessibility improvements such as bidets in common campus washrooms.
Guided by our two-year strategic plan, AUSU will also focus on expanding campus outreach, strengthening internal leadership development, and creating additional student employment opportunities.
On behalf of AUSU, thank you for your continued support and commitment to helping our students succeed.
Warmly,
Karma Gurung (He/him) President | Algoma University Students’ Union (AUSU)
Message from SASA
As an Indigenous student and the President of the Shingwauk Anishinaabe Student Association (SASA), I am humbled and grateful to everyone who has stood here before me and everyone who has guided SASA. This year has been one of Indigenous excellence, cultural resurgence and meaningful growth across Algoma University. None of this would be possible without the generous support of our donors and community. Your support reflects reciprocity and belief in our students. For that, chi miigwech.
SASA has remained grounded in Anishinaabe ways of life, where First Nations, Metis, and Inuit students can thrive academically, culturally, and spiritually. Through full moon ceremonies, cultural events, awareness days such as Every Child Matters and Red Dress Day, and community gatherings across our campuses, we continue to promote belonging and pride.
This year, Indigenous students’ creativity transformed our campus in powerful ways. We are especially proud to highlight D’lyla Trudeau’s design for the Every Child Matters flag, an expression of remembrance and resilience. Her work reflects the strength and leadership of Indigenous youth at our University.
We also celebrate the work of Lucia Laford’s art class, whose students collaborated to create a mural in the SASA Lounge. The mural has reshaped the space into one that reflects our stories, teachings and connection to the land and the people around us. It stands as a daily reminder that Indigenous knowledge and artistry belong at the centre of this institution.
Land-based learning persisted as a foundation of our programming through the sugar bush. Students gather in early spring to tap trees, learn maple teachings and work together in preparing sugar. Sugar bush teaches patience, responsibility and relationship, reminding students that education extends beyond classrooms and into the land.
Events such as the Gathering at the Rapids Powwow and traditional workshops continued to welcome the broader University and community members into relationships with Indigenous cultures. These gatherings strengthen understanding while affirming that Indigenous presence at Algoma University is vibrant and enduring.
Your support sustains ceremony, knowledge holders and artists, provides materials and food for gatherings, and maintains culturally grounded spaces like the SASA lounge. Most importantly, it empowers our students to lead.
Together, we are honouring Shingwauk’s vision and building an environment rooted in respect, self-determination and community.
With deepest gratitude,
Chi miigwech – thank you.
Hannah Thibault (She/her) President | Shingwauk Anishinaabe Student Association (SASA)