The UW Staff Association is the official voice of staff at the University of Waterloo. Our mission is to cultivate a progressive work environment where employees feel safe, empowered to grow, and able to thrive.
News
President's Report: August 2026
Alyssa's August report covers the new Health Care Spending Account, changes to the Daily Bulletin and self-funded leaves, elections, and a note about organizational changes.
2026 UWSA elections and changes to President term length announced
In October, UWSA members will elect three directors and the next president to help shape the future of the association. Together, these leaders will guide the UWSA's advocacy, services, governance, and strategic direction for years to come.
Here’s everything you need to know—and what's changing this year.
Members approve extension of President's term
With 95.8% of member votes in favour, Alyssa Kuron's term as president will be extended for one year, to fill the role following Bill Baer's retirement. Nominations for the next President (for the 2027–2028 term) will open in early September.
Events
Cambridge Campus: Coneversations with UWSA
Find us outside the School of Architecture at 12:30 PM on August 27 to meet the UWSA team and get yourself a sweet treat!
UWSA Election Info Session
Whether you're thinking about running for Staff Association president or the Board of Directors, or want to be informed so you can vote for the best candidates, this info session is for you!
Register to attend an info session today.
September 2026 Area Reps Meeting
The UWSA Area Representatives Council will meet virtually on Thursday, September 10, to hear from the UWSA Board about the 2026 UWSA elections, changes to the president's term, and the strategic planning process currently underway.
UWSA Election Info Session
Whether you're thinking about running for Staff Association president or the Board of Directors, or want to be informed so you can vote for the best candidates, this info session is for you!
Register to attend an info session today.
Understanding Policy 18, Part 2: Navigating Job Loss
Your Rights at Work: Understanding Policy 18
This two-part workshop is designed to help staff understand their rights under the primary staff employment policy at Waterloo, Policy 18.
Part 2: Navigating Job Loss, on September 24, is a refresh of our 2024 workshop, covering what happens if you lose your job, what your rights are, and how we can support you.
October 2026 Area Reps Meeting
The October Area Representatives Council meeting will be in person on Thursday, October 15, and is open to all Area Reps, with RSVPs requested to ensure adequate space.
Lynn Long from the Conflict Management Office will demonstrate Ovation, an AI-powered conversation simulator available to University of Waterloo staff at no cost through funding from the Staff Excellence Fund. Ovation helps individuals prepare for challenging workplace conversations by providing a safe environment to practice scenarios such as giving feedback, addressing conflict, and navigating difficult discussions.
Blog
Staff Spotlight: Patricia Huynh
The Staff Spotlight series shines a light on the support systems that help staff at the University of Waterloo thrive.
In this Spotlight, we meet Patricia Huynh, who works at the Sustainability Office, where she coordinates, leads, and implements projects across campus related to sustainability. We spoke with her about sustainability projects, campus collaboration, and the many ways staff can help build a more sustainable Waterloo.
What staff need to know about the University Pension Plan exploration
The University Pension Plan (UPP) is a multi-employer pension plan built for the post-secondary sector. The University is in the early stages of exploring possible conversion to UPP. Our role is to keep you informed and share key information as this exploration proceeds and so that you can make an informed decision if the process moves forward. Here’s what we think you should know.
Staff Spotlight: Alyssa Doyle
The Staff Spotlight series shines a light on the support systems that help staff at the University of Waterloo thrive.
In this Spotlight, we meet Alyssa Doyle, who works in Community Relations and Events, where she helps plan and deliver events across campus—including convocation. We spoke with her about what goes into events behind the scenes, why convocation matters, and why staff volunteers keep coming back.