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Welcome back to campus! While you were recharging this summer, your elected student leaders on the Representation Executive Council (REC) were busy advocating on your behalf. The team spent the summer focused on affordability, student employment, and making sure your voice is heard at every level.

Meet your 2025–26 REC team

REC is made up of four full-time student leaders elected by peers and appointed by the Student Governing Board. This year’s team includes:

Together, they represent student interests at Mount Royal University (MRU) and advocate to government and external organizations on issues like tuition, academic policies, student rights, and more.

Summer Advocacy Wins

Removing the $1 bookstore bag fee

• Successfully lobbied to eliminate a $1 fee for bags on online bookstore pickups, saving students thousands annually and easing financial pressure.

Advocated for Youth Employment

• Met with government officials (municipal, provincial, federal) regarding youth employment challenges.

Youth employment and co-op placements on the agenda

• Stressed the need to include co-op placements in funding programs to remove financial barriers 

You can read their full release on our website here. 

Your Vote Shapes Your City

Your vote in Calgary’s October 20 election is your voice on student issues like public transit, housing, and jobs.

To help you get ready, your student leaders (REC) hosted Municipal Mondays to teach you about voting and a Student Connect event where close to 100 students met 33 candidates.

Now, it’s your turn to make a difference. See Election Calgary’s website for a full list of mayoral and ward candidates and to find out which ward you’re in and where and when to vote!

REAC is back

The Representation Executive Advisory Committee (REAC) Ambassadors are students who work directly with elected student leaders on important committees. This is a hands-on way to make a difference on campus.

Committees REAC volunteers are involved with include:

• Tuition & Fee Consultation Committee (TFCC): As a TFCC Ambassador, students represent their peers by reviewing budget documents and providing feedback in meetings to help ensure that financial decisions regarding tuition and fees are fair.
• General Faculties Council (GFC): As a GFC Ambassador, students represent their peers on the university’s main academic decision-making body, ensuring their voices help shape policies that affect their classes and learning experience.

Share your experiences and get involved!

There are many different ways you can voice your opinions and be heard. Here are some of the key things where your input will help your elected representatives in the near future and make a difference.

• MRU’s Indigenous Strategic Plan: MRU is updating its Indigenous Strategic Plan this year and listening sessions will be held for students, staff, and faculty. REC is encouraging students to attend. For those unable to participate in person, we’d be more than happy to offer help preparing written messages or delivering feedback on students’ behalf. Reach out to REC at representation@samru.ca.
  
• Tuition Consultations in October: With tuition consultations scheduled for October, student feedback about affordability and any effects tuition may have is critical in shaping our advocacy efforts.

“Whether it’s about tuition, employment, or campus life, your input drives our work,” REC President Tala Abu Hayyaneh said. “We need to know what matters most to students.”

Students can connect with us throughout the year to share feedback on issues affecting their academic and personal lives at MRU.

“Whether it’s about tuition, employment, or campus life, your input drives our work,” Abu Hayyaneh said. “We need to know what matters most to students.”

• Academic Accommodations Policy: We are also preparing for consultations with MRU to participate in the review of the university’s Academic Accommodations Policy, ensuring the process is fair and accessible.

“We want to make sure student voices are heard at the table,” Anita Surujbally, SAMRU REC VP Student Affairs, said. “The best way to do that is by listening to students who have gone through the process themselves.”

How you can help: Students who have used, or tried to access accommodations are encouraged to share their experiences directly with us. Feedback will inform REC’s position in discussions with MRU administration.

Connect with us!

We’re so glad to have students back on campus for the new semester!

It was great seeing so many of you at the New Student Orientation, Campus Carnival and Open House. If you didn’t get to connect with REC, don’t worry! You’ll see the team all over campus this year.

 To stay up-to-date on where we’ll be and what we’re working on, be sure to keep an eye on our events calendar and follow us on social media!

• REC BlueSky: @samrurec.bsky.social
• REC Instagram: @samru.rec

If you have any questions or ideas, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your representatives at representation@samru.ca. We’re here to represent you!