The Charter of the Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association is a founding document of the organization, and establishes the Association as a legal entity, setting broad rules that still govern everything we do. The Charter was approved by the University of Waterloo Board of Governors’ and subsequently by the Provincial Secretary on 27th of April 1967 and received Supplementary Letters Patent in 1980. Any amendments to the Charter must be approved by the Students’ Council, Board of Directors, and students directly and is then subject to approval from University of Waterloo Board of Governors before changes may be presented to the Provincial Government for final approval.
The By-laws operate as the Constitution of the Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association, governing all aspects of the Corporation. Included are such things as requirements for membership, the structure of our governing body (the Students’ Council), the body-corporate (the Board of Directors), and the Executive. The By-laws cement the roles, responsibilities, and powers of each part of the student government. By-laws are established by the Board of Directors, on the advice and consent of Council, and must be ratified by the general membership at a General Meeting.
The Board Policy manual outlines, in (mostly) plain-English, the governance of the Waterloo Undergraduate Student Assocation (WUSA). It is used to support Board members in understanding their duties to set an annual plan, approve budgets,oversee the Executive Director, and drive high-level change on campus by advocating for student issues. This document is a good introduction to how WUSA works and for what the Board of Directors is responsible for.
To take active, conscious steps to create a positive working environment for all employees and volunteers. The Federation of Students, currently operating as the Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association, is committed to providing and maintaining a professional working environment that is based on respect for the dignity and rights of everyone in the organization.
Procedures
The Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association governs elections and referenda for the Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association. This procedure was passed by the Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association’s Council. It governs elections for Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association Executive positions, including by-elections for vacancies occurring before November 1st; Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association Councillor positions, including by-elections for vacancies occurring before November 1st; and Undergraduate Student Senator positions for the University of Waterloo Senate, except with regard to spending limits, reimbursement and appeals, which are dealt with in Senate Bylaw 5.
Agreements
The Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association has developed a number of agreements and contracts with the University of Waterloo, since our inception. Agreements between the University and Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association include terms for the use of certain spaces, contract for business transactions and general improvements at the university.
The Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association and Student Societies enjoy a rich tradition of supporting and advocating for undergraduate students at the University of Waterloo. The WUSA/Society Agreement is a memorandum of understanding that exists to better establish a relationship that can continue to be increasingly more fruitful and beneficial to all undergraduate students.
In order to operate the Bombshelter Pub and Federation Hall, the Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association has reached a series of agreements with the university focused around our use of the space and the sale of alcohol.
This agreement lays out the process for the collection of fees and provision of services regarding the universal bus pass. It is between the Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association, the Region of Waterloo and the University of Waterloo.
After the successful completion of a student referendum in the winter of 2010, the Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association entered into an agreement with the University of Waterloo about how to move forward with an agreed upon expansion of the Health Services Complex.
The WUSA’s Health & Dental Plan provides students with unique health and dental benefits. The Plan was designed by students for students to provide many important services and cover expenses not covered by basic health care (i.e. OHIP or UHIP), such as prescription drugs, dental care, travel health coverage, vision care, and more. WUSA is pleased to offer this valuable service and hopes you make the most out of it.
The Student Life Centre is managed by the Student Life Centre Management Board, which is made up of representatives of the University of Waterloo, the Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association and the Graduate Students Association. The day-to-day management of the building is further governed by the Student Life Centre Operating Agreement.
The Constitution of SLEF is the founding document in the fund, and is part of a series of agreements with the University of Waterloo under the “Student Coordinated Plan” to improve student life at UWaterloo. This constitution was drafted by the University and WUSA and approved by the University’s Board of Governors. Included is also the bylaws adopted by the SLEF Board of Directors and ratified by the Students’ Council, which is filed as a procedure of the Students’ Council under Procedure 17: Bylaws of the Student Life Endowment Fund.
Reports
WUSA published reports have been moved to the Research and Consultation page. If you can’t find what you’re looking for try the document library search.
To request a report not listed here, contact us.
Every year, the Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association contracts an independent auditor to perform an audit on its financial statements to ensure that they are free from material misstatement. An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements.
WUSA Annual Impact Reports
As a not-for-profit organization which serves as the official collective voice and legal representative of undergraduate students at the University of Waterloo, our mission is to serve, empower, and represent students.
These reports outline our organizational achievements over the past year in the pursuit of this
mission. From large-scale initiatives to daily operations and services, WUSA continues to impact not only
students, but the university community as a whole.
Plans
The objective of this plan is to cement WUSA’s reputation as a strong, innovative organization that is responsive to the developing issues and needs of its membership, while remaining focused on activities that support its vision and mission. The mission, core values, enduring principles and long-term strategic goals will remain unchanged year-to-year. The strategies will guide future executive in focusing on deliverables throughout their term, to ensure that WUSA remains responsive to our internal and external environments.
WUSA’s 2024-2025 Annual Plan sets out our plans and priorities for the year to come. Like all annual plans, they tie back to the 5-year plan created in 2020.
This year’s annual plan is broken down into Operational Goals, and Advocacy Priorities. Each one will be worked on by the groups specified, or as is necessary to work towards and complete all stated goals and priorities.