Students at the University of Regina have spoken, delivering a definitive mandate for change. Following a campus-wide referendum, the University of Regina Students’ Association (URSA) has been officially endorsed as the new representative body for the university's student population.
A Decisive Mandate for Change
The results, confirmed in a letter from U of R president Jeff Keshen circulated on Tuesday, December 17, 2025, were overwhelmingly in favour of the new organization. The referendum question asked students if they accepted URSA as the official representative body, replacing the former Students’ Union of the University of Regina (URSU). The vote was not close: 442 students voted yes, with only 42 voting no.
This pivotal vote marks the culmination of a turbulent period for student governance at the university. The move to dissolve the previous union, URSU, occurred in October after a year marked by controversies surrounding its financial practices, operational transparency, and a series of legal challenges. These issues led to the university cutting off URSU's funding and evicting it from campus as of September 2024.
Next Steps for the New Student Association
With the referendum now complete, the university administration plans to engage with URSA's interim leadership to "discuss and finalize operating relationships." According to President Keshen's letter, the next phase involves completing the organization's incorporation. Following that, URSA is expected to hold its first general meeting and elect its permanent leaders, a process anticipated to take place during the Winter 2026 academic term.
In his communication, Keshen expressed gratitude for the efforts of the interim URSA leaders and the students who participated in the democratic process. "I want to express my appreciation to the interim URSA leaders for their continuing efforts to develop an effective form of student representation on our campuses," he wrote. He emphasized that "student engagement matters and is critical to shaping a positive path forward in many aspects of university life and operations."
Looking Forward: A Fresh Start for Student Advocacy
The president concluded by stating his anticipation to work with the new association, ensuring student "concerns continue to be heard, respected, and acted upon." This transition represents a significant reset for student representation at the University of Regina and its federated colleges. The decisive referendum result provides URSA with a clear mandate to rebuild trust, establish transparent operations, and advocate effectively for the student body as the university community moves forward from a challenging chapter.
