BUSU’s latest Annual General Meeting featured a low turnout in an attendance of 16 people total, speakers included. Here’s what you missed.
The Brock University Students’ Union’s (BUSU) 2025 Annual General Meeting, which took place virtually on March 25 from 10 a.m. and lasted a little over an hour, provided students with key updates on major projects, academic initiatives and campus events. Among the most significant discussions was discussion on the long-anticipated construction of the new Student Centre.
Facilitated by chairperson Brielle Kaminsky, the meeting began with a land acknowledgement before moving on to a look at BUSU’s financing, with emphasis on how BUSU employment wages make up only 16.3 per cent of their expenses — at least when considering the $14,259,593 of expenses listed on their 2023-2024 audited statements, which are significantly higher than their estimated $2,344,316 of expenses in their 2023-2024 budget. Furthermore, due to the construction of the new building, the net book value increased nearly $200,000 from 2023 to 2024.
BUSU’s General Manager Robert Hilson then went on to talk about the new Student Centre. Hilson said that demolition was aimed to begin early in the fall semester of this year, with construction to follow. BUSU hopes the new facility will open for the fall semester of 2027. The building has been in the works a long time, starting back in 2004 when students voiced their desire for a new student centre. In 2017 and 2024, there were referendums further emphasizing students’ desire for it.
Hilson described how, in the last days of March, a meeting placed BUSU’s lawyers, the bank and the university council in the same room for the first time to go over the conditional loan sheet.
With $41.5 million accumulated between the bank and BUSU, Hilson made it clear that “we have the funds,” adding that “with respect to the university, there needs to be an agreement for construction and management.” In May, there will be a meeting among the Board of Trustees to vote on providing the land and discuss “some tender documents.”
Construction mobilization and demolition should start within the first two weeks of November 2025.
Students then heard from BUSU President Anusha Pahuja, who is approaching the end of her last term. On the new Student Centre, she said “it’s been a tremendous project this year and we’ve made some great progress.” She added that BUSU got lots of great feedback, and she encourages students to go have a look at the website or drop by during their office hours to ask any questions.
Pahuja highlighted some campus activities and events, including the time capsule celebrating 60 years at Brock, which will be sealed this June and expected to be opened in 40 years’ time.
Pahuja also talked about BUSU’s success with Instagram livestreams, and how they have been a “great opportunity to connect with students through social media.”
Next, students heard from Mark Chrabalowski, BUSU’s Vice-President of External Affairs, who discussed BUSU’s role in fostering open education resources (OER), which are free-to-use resources that allow students to access textbooks without having to pay for expensive physical copies.
Chrabalowski also talked about the “Pizza with Politicians” event, saying it fostered the opportunity for students to mingle with local MPs, MPPs and mayors.
BUSU’s Vice-President of University Affairs Carleigh Charlton brought up some interesting notes on transit. BUSU has had numerous conversations with Go Transit in terms of scheduling, although there are “very complicated systems” at play and local transit “has more sway.” BUSU has recognized that transit is an important factor for Brock students who live out of town, as well as those who have late classes.
In July 2024, BUSU partnered up with FlixBus, a low-cost bus company. FlixBus services from Brock’s main campus run seven days a week with pickup on Isaac Brock Boulevard West near Parking Lot D. Students looking for transportation to and from Toronto or other major cities can purchase a low-cost ticket which includes amenities such as free Wi-Fi, power outlets and easy booking via its website or app. Charlton said that BUSU is still working on securing easy transit for students who need to get home after late evening classes.
BUSU’s Vice-President of Student Services Shinaya Peiris went on to highlight the successful events of the past year, such as the 1,300-plus students who attended Free Grab and Go Breakfast events. “We’ve had 60 events throughout the year,” Peiris said. There were over 1,000 attendees at the ice-skating event, for which BUSU partnered with the Brock Winter Club. Peiris briefly talked about the Night Market and some other collaborations with clubs including the Brock Lego Club.
Regarding clubs, Peiris announced that in the past year, 96 clubs received funding. She mentioned that Brock has never had so many clubs, with more than 140 being ratified last year.
Which clubs receive funding and how much they get has been a hot topic for Brock students for a while now, but nothing was mentioned at this meeting. At the BUSU Board of Directors meeting on March 10, this was the largest topic of discussion.
Peiris announced that there would be four new club awards, including the Community Impact Award, Diversity and Inclusion Award, Religious and Faith Award, Academic and Well-being Award and the General Interest Award, which falls under the general interests and arts pillar.
Near the end of the meeting, chairperson Kaminsky reiterated that since less than 25 people were in attendance, no motions could be passed, meaning one of the only opportunities for students to meaningfully contribute to their student government was missed.
The meeting concluded with BUSU inviting students to the “Isaac’s Last Call” event, which will give Isaac’s a “legendary send-off” before it closes its doors for the construction of the new Student Centre.