Check out what your BUSU President Anusha Pahuja has been working on this month.

Student Alumni Centre

The BUSU team continues to work closely with Brock University and architects on the design of the new Student Alumni Centre. Demolition is scheduled for August 2025, with construction set to begin in Fall 2025 and an anticipated opening in Fall 2027.

The project is currently heading to the Board of Trustees for final land approval, as the building will be located on university property.

I am incredibly grateful to have worked alongside VPUA Carleigh Charlton and the BUSU Management Team, Robert Hilson, Kate Swiatek, Dave O’Connor, Ron Bauman, Kayleigh Rossetto, Jessie Reid, and Tanbirul Isam-  on this transformative project for students.

Last Call: Isaac’s Student Send-Off

On March 27, we hosted “The Last Call,” a celebratory event to mark the end of the academic year and give Isaac’s a memorable farewell before demolition. The DJ night saw over 350 students come together for one last evening in the space, and the energy was heartwarming.

Thank you to the Executive Team for going above and beyond in planning and executing this event. Special thanks to the BUSU Marketing and Events Team Jessie Reid, Dayna Hunsberger, Celyn Talaue, the Brock TV team, Shinaya Peiris -VPSS and,  our lovely street team members for bringing the vision to life. It was a night to remember.

Omnibus Agreement Renewal

BUSU is in the process of renewing the Brock-BUSU Omnibus Agreement, which governs key areas of our relationship with the University, including space usage, liquor licenses, ancillary fees, insurance, clubs, and events.

This has been a collaborative effort, and I extend sincere thanks to VPUA Carleigh Charlton, General Manager Robert Hilson, and Assistant General Manager Kate Swiatek for their leadership and dedication throughout this renewal process.

BUSU-GSV Student Advisory Committee

I’ve been a proud member of the BUSU-GSV Advisory Committee since the fall semester. This committee reviews sexual violence policies and programming, in alignment with Bill 132 and the Sexual Violence and Harassment Action Plan Act.

We’ve reviewed HRE’s Fall and Winter programming and offered feedback for upcoming improvements.

With our final meeting approaching, I’m currently contributing to a section of the final report..

Revamping the Club Funding Model

Following the last board meeting, I initiated a deep dive into the club funding model with the Executive and Clubs teams. Our goal was to ensure equitable, effective, and sustainable funding that supports club growth year-round.

After extensive research, brainstorming, and consultations, we developed a revised model that will be presented at today’s Board meeting.

This collaborative effort would not have been possible without the time and insight of Chloe Villers (Clubs Manager), Jamie Wong (Clubs Administrator), Kate Swiatek (AGM & HR Manager), Carleigh Charlton (VPUA), and Shinaya Peiris (VPSS). Thank you for your commitment to enhancing the student club experience.

GSA Gala

As always, it was a pleasure to attend the GSA Gala this year. We enjoyed meaningful conversations, delicious food, and the chance to celebrate graduate student achievements. It’s always an honour to support our GSA colleagues and the graduate student community.

PiHED 2025 Partners in Higher Education Dinner by OUSA

Held on April 8 in Toronto, PiHED recognizes exceptional instructors across Ontario.

With about 30 heartfelt nominations submitted by Brock students, Mark and I had the difficult task of selecting one professor to represent Brock.

We were proud to present the award to Lee Martin, whose impact on students is profound. He was joined at the event by his wife, along with Shinaya, Isabella (Policy Writer), two members of Brock TV, and myself. It was an evening filled with inspiration and pride.

Academic Accommodations Policy

Carleigh and I were invited to consult on revisions to Brock’s Academic Accommodations policy, both at the beginning and final stages of the review.

We were pleased to see student feedback meaningfully reflected in the final draft, and we are optimistic about its implementation moving forward.

Brock 60th Anniversary Time Capsule

I had the pleasure of being part of the adjudication sub-committee for the Brock 60th Anniversary Time Capsule. I’m proud to share that BUSU has contributed a swag pack and a letter written by me, which will be opened in 2064.

A heartfelt thank you to Jessie Reid, Director of Marketing and Events, for assisting with the packaging and letter drafting.

President’s Surgite Award Committee

It was an honour to sit on the President’s Surgite Award Committee.

Reviewing such strong nominations reminded me of the incredible dedication and leadership demonstrated by Brock students both on and off campus.

Brock University Alumni Association (BUAA)

As a member of the BUAA Board this year, all the meetings have gone well.

I had the privilege of attending our final meeting with President Dr. Rigg, who elaborated on the newly released Brock’s strategic plan and how Alumni Relations can support it. The discussion focused on how the BUAA can strengthen storytelling and build stronger connections with our alumni community.

AGM + A-Team Meeting

Though we unfortunately did not meet quorum at our March 25 Annual General Meeting, the Executive Team still share comprehensive portfolio updates. Thank you to everyone who engaged with our work throughout the year.

Coffee with My Board Mentor

I recently met with Rob Welch, BUSU and GSA Board of Trustees mentor, over coffee as my term ends. Rob’s wisdom and support have meant a great deal to me throughout the year - BUSU has been incredibly fortunate to have him as a mentor.

Staff End-of-Year Celebration

We hosted our end-of-year staff celebration on April 2. It was a special moment to recognize the incredible hard work and dedication of our student coordinators throughout the year.

Brock Budget Community Info Session

I attended Brock’s community information session on the budget, led by Dr. Arja (Provost), Joshua Tonnos (CFO), and Anna Lathrop (University Advisor).

Professor Lab Tour

Following PiHED, we sent congratulatory emails to all nominated professors to thank them for their impact. Professor Jianbo Gao kindly invited the Executive team to tour his lab. It was an inspiring visit that reminded us of the passion and innovation our faculty bring to Brock every day.

Exit Breakfast with President & Provost

Our Exit Breakfast with President Dr. Rigg and Provost Dr. Arja was a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the year and shared insights, along with the outgoing GSA team.

 I’m grateful for their leadership and for creating space for open dialogue.

Meeting with the Provost

Given Dr. Arja’s busy transition into the Provost role, I made it a priority to schedule a one-on-one meeting. I appreciated the opportunity to connect and explore how BUSU and the Provost’s Office can align on future student-focused initiatives.

Executive Board Reports on BUSU Website

A long-standing goal came to fruition this March: all Executive Board Reports are now published on the BUSU website for transparency and student accessibility. Thank you to Jessie Reid for championing this project with me.

A huge thank you to Jessie Reid – Director of Marketing and Events.

BUSU Annual Report

The BUSU Annual Report is currently in development. Each Executive has contributed their section and approved their quotes. A huge thank you to our Marketing Team for their dedication to creating a comprehensive and visually engaging final product.

A huge thank you to Dayna Hunsburger, Communications Manager, Jessie Reid, Director of Marketing and Events, and Ronsdale Bernardo, Design and Marketing Manager.

University Action Plan – Student Consultation

The University is developing its institutional Action Plan and invited BUSU to provide student feedback. Our consultation is scheduled for tomorrow, and the team looks forward to sharing meaningful student insights that help shape the university’s future.

Food First Update

While I was away, Carleigh Charlton (VPUA) and Christian Santesso (GSA President) led important conversations with Brad Clarke, Ron Bauman, and Jennifer Meuser to address student concerns around Food First. Meaningful changes are underway, and we aim to finalize updates before the new academic year.

Some final conversations are still underway, but we aim to have everything finalized by the end of this month and the end of our terms.

Cycle 4 – CIC Meeting + Board of Trustees

My final meeting as BUSU President will take place on May 1. It’s bittersweet, but I am grateful for the opportunity to close this chapter by participating in these critical discussions.

Elections Canada on Campus

Thanks to Brock’s Government Relations Department, Elections Canada voting was made available on campus from April 13–16. Mark and the Marketing Team quickly coordinated promotional materials to encourage student turnout and civic engagement.

A huge thank you to Jesse Reid, Director of Marketing and Events for making this happen.

Executive Team Transition

The Executive Team is actively working on transition documents to support the incoming team. Although our time with them will be short, we hope to familiarize them with the office, introduce them to stakeholders, and walk through the first two months of their roles visually.

 

Read more updates from BUSU President here.