Hello everyone!
Welcome to the first Presidential update of 2026! Let’s chat about everything OUSA was up to in January!
First, we submitted our pre-budget recommendations to the Minister of Finance, calling for increased support across work-integrated learning opportunities, and that, should the tuition freeze not be extended, the provincial government should only permit gradual tuition increases tied to inflation or two percent, whichever is lower, and provide proportional increases in OSAP grants and loans to ensure affordability. There must be increased focus on providing meaningful experiential learning opportunities for post-secondary students, to ensure graduates gain the skills needed to thrive in the workplace. As well, while we are in favour of the tuition freeze, we recognize that it cannot be extended forever, and at some point, relief is needed to inject more money into the sector. However, this must be done gradually, with proportional increases to OSAP grants and loans, to ensure post-secondary education does not become more inaccessible for low-income students.
Next, Omar (VP: Finance) and I attended the Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security’s Funding Formula Review consultation, where we were happy to see fellow post-secondary student advocacy organizations around the table as well. Here, we chatted about the necessary updates needed to modernize funding in the post-secondary sector and ensure a meaningful, affordable experience for students.
As you may know, OUSA has unfortunately had two staff departures, with the wonderful Tiffany and Malika leaving our organization. Tiffany and Malika have both made incredible impacts on this organization, and are leaving behind an OUSA that has been improved by their leadership. The executive and I are currently wrapping up hiring for both our Manager of Operations and Executive Director, and we look forward to seeing the impact of whoever takes on these roles next!
And it wouldn’t be a Sayak Presidential update unless I plugged something I’m loving right now…so if you never streamed Lady Gaga’s MAYHEM from last year, take this as your sign. It was my favourite album released in all of 2025. The Grammys are this weekend, and I’m hoping she takes home a whole lot of gold!
Alright – catch you all in the next one!
In solidarity,
Sayak