Hi all,

I know that in previous years there have been conversations and concerns raised by students about BUSU, including questions surrounding transparency, accountability, and whether students feel their concerns are genuinely being heard. I have seen some of these conversations take place online and across campus, and I understand that rebuilding trust requires more than simply saying things will be different. My goal as President is to provide the stability, transparency, and meaningful change that students are looking for, and a major part of that starts with being accessible to you.
For the fall semester, I will be holding office hours every Tuesday from 10:00–11:00 a.m. and Thursday from 3:00–4:00 p.m. I will also be hosting a monthly table in front of the BU4U Hub so that students have another opportunity to stop by and speak with me directly.

Please do not hesitate to come by with questions, concerns, ideas, or changes you would like to see. Students are who I am here to serve, and I want to hear your voices so that I can advocate for and work toward the changes students actually want and need. If these times do not work for you, please email me at president@brockbusu.ca, and I will make time to meet with you.
September has marked a strong start to the academic year, with one of my primary objectives being to remain present and visible to students across campus. Throughout the month, I participated in numerous student-focused events, including the Blue Jays game, the BSSC Welcome Bash, Smart Start, BadgerFest activities, and other BUSU events. My goal is for students to recognize their representatives, feel comfortable approaching us with questions or concerns, and understand the different ways they can become involved with BUSU and the broader Brock community.
As an executive team, the Vice Presidents and I have been coordinating our efforts and preparing for the year ahead. A significant portion of our focus has been on the events and initiatives we each hope to advance, while identifying opportunities to collaborate across our portfolios. We have been discussing our priorities, strategizing for the year, and determining how we can work together to turn our ideas into action. It has been exciting to transition from summer planning into implementation now that students are back on campus.

The executive team also met with Brock University President Dr. Lesley Rigg. The meeting provided an opportunity for us to introduce ourselves, establish an understanding of one another's roles, and begin building a working relationship for the year ahead. I look forward to maintaining open communication and continuing to strengthen relationships throughout the University.
At the beginning of the semester, I also represented the executive team at Senate while one of our executive positions was vacant. Now that the position has been filled, that representation has transitioned to the appropriate executive.

Another area I have been working on is connecting with our pharmacy partner to explore the possibility of extending our partnership around providing menstrual products to students. Access to essential menstrual products should not become an additional source of stress for students, particularly those who may already be experiencing food insecurity, housing instability, or financial challenges. I have been
considering how BUSU can continue this support and improve the accessibility of these resources for students who need them.
I have also begun working with Brock on the development of a student pathway program. The goal of this initiative is to help students better understand themselves and the opportunities available to them as they transition from high school to university and eventually into the workforce, graduate studies, or other forms of further education. This could include exploring students' preferred working environments, working styles, career interests, and the qualities they value in a future workplace. From there, students could be connected with relevant clubs, committees, courses, campus opportunities, alumni, graduate students, and other resources that may help them make more informed decisions about their future.

Additionally, I have begun exploring the development of a committee focused on supporting students who are experiencing immediate challenges such as housing instability, food insecurity, or financial hardship. Although many supports and resources are available to students, it can sometimes be difficult to determine what resources exist, where to find them, or which support is most appropriate for a particular situation. The objective would be to help make that process easier and ensure students can be connected with the resources best suited to their circumstances.
Overall, September has focused on building relationships, remaining present and accessible to students, working closely with the executive team, and beginning to implement the priorities we have been developing for the year. It has been rewarding to see many of our plans move from the planning stage into action as students return to campus and the academic year gets underway.

Aaliyah Ariella
President
Brock University Students’ Union