Students’ council is revisiting the prospect of rejoining the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA) after voting to leave the organization in April 2025 and entering an observership.
CASA allows student associations to hold observer status for up to two years. During that period, an association that does not become a member must wait three years before reapplying for observer status again. It can still apply for membership during that time.
With SAMU’s observership coming to an end, the association must decide whether to rejoin CASA or end its involvement with the organization. During the Aug. 19 council meeting, SAMU president Nathan N. Poon and vice-president (external) Alem Tesfay presented opposing suggestions about SAMU’s future with CASA.
Poon recommended that SAMU rejoin CASA, stating in his written report that he believes “SAMU realistically does not carry the capacity or ability to properly achieve focused self-federal advocacy.”
Poon also argued that CASA’s advocacy cycle structure would help SAMU maintain consistency and predictability in its federal advocacy efforts.
Tesfay recommended that SAMU remain outside of CASA and revisit membership in at least two years, allowing the association to assess how effectively it can advocate federally on its own. Tesfay also pointed to what he described as current inconsistencies among CASA staff, which he said could be better assessed after the proposed two-year period.
The cost of CASA membership was not included in SAMU’s 2026/27 budget, meaning that rejoining would require an unbudgeted expenditure to be approved by the council. Poon estimated that CASA membership for the 2026/27 year could range from $58,000 to $62,500.
During questioning, councillor Trinh noted that SAMU’s strategic plan was also expected to be discussed. The executive committee said the plan will be brought forward in October, as it was not discussed at the August meeting.
