Campus Wellness Student Advisory Committee

image showing students sitting with hands on their laps

About the Student Advisory Committee (SAC)

An active group made up of 12 students from diverse backgrounds, faculties, and program levels. They work to enhance client engagement and improve the quality of programs and services at Campus Wellness (CW) by:Ìý

  • Recommending updates to CW services, initiatives, procedures, processes, practices and more.
  • Representing the perspectives of undergraduate and graduate students based on their experiences at CW.Ìý
  • Enhancing CW client engagement and client-centred care practices.Ìý
  • Strengthening communication and collaboration between CW clients and students who do not use our services.

Benefits of being an active SAC member

  • Boost your communication and community-building skillsÌýÌý
  • Champion positive changes in your student healthcare servicesÌýÌý
  • Gain valuable experience working on a committeeÌýÌý
  • Build relationships with Campus Wellness leadership and other students dedicated to improving the student experienceÌýÌý

Incoming members can expect to contribute to projects on health education, wellness programs and groups, and Campus Wellness’ student needs assessment.

Join the Student Advisory Committee

Apply to become a member

We are accepting applications for the 2024-25 membership cohort until end-of-day Friday, May 30. Members will receive an honorarium of $360 for their active participation in three meetings over the academic year, as well as any preparation or reading that needs to be completed between meetings. The meetings are scheduled in-person from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. pm on the following dates: October 21, February 10, March 31.

Accommodations will be made for members on co-op placements outside of the region. IfÌýyou would like to apply, please take some time to review theÌýTerms of ReferenceÌýbefore fillingÌýout ourÌýapplication form.Ìý

Deadline to apply:ÌýJuly 16, 2025

Effective membership date:ÌýSeptember 2025

Contact email:Ìýemma.courlander@uwaterloo.ca

Required qualifications

  • Starting at least their 2A term in Spring 2025
  • Registered UÀ¶Ý®ÊÓÆµ students for the duration of their term on the SACÌý

Staff Support

Membership

Terms of Reference

MandateÌý

The goal of the Campus Wellness (CW) Student Advisory Committee (SAC) is to serve as an essential mechanism for ensuring CW implements, delivers, and evaluates programs and services that meet client* needs by aiming to incorporate client voices/perspectives into everything they do.Ìý

The SAC will enhance client engagement and improve the quality of programs and services at CW by:Ìý

  • Providing input on/recommendations for improving or enhancing CW services, initiatives, procedures, processes, practices etc.Ìý
  • Representing client perspectives about theirs and others experiences at CW, including undergraduate and graduate students and their respective families**.Ìý
  • Supporting CW to enhance its client engagement and client-centred care practices.Ìý
  • Strengthening communication and collaboration with service users and non-service users.Ìý

Role and processÌý

  • The committee is an advisory body to Campus Wellness units.Ìý
  • The committee is not a decision-making body.Ìý
  • CW units can request to bring items to the SAC for information, consultation, deliberation, or collaboration.Ìý
  • The committee is welcome to bring forward suggestions and recommendations to the chair and to the CW Senior Management Team for consideration.Ìý

Committee Structure

  • Chair, Executive Director of Campus WellnessÌý
  • 12 student representativesÌý
  • Registered UÀ¶Ý®ÊÓÆµ students for the duration of their termÌý
  • Includes graduate and undergraduate representativesÌý
  • Ideally 50% are current service users or have used services in the past 2 yearsÌý
  • Represent the diversity of UÀ¶Ý®ÊÓÆµâ€™s student population with respect to race, ethnic origin, international status, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, ability, or disabilityÌý
  • Associate DirectorsÌý
  • Process Improvement SpecialistÌý
  • Staff coordinatorsÌý

The committee may invite non-committee members to attend as guests as necessary.ÌýÌý

Duties of the chair

  • Ensures the SAC functions properly, that there is full participation during meetings, that all relevant matters are discussed, and that recommendations are brought back to the CW Senior Leadership TeamÌý
  • Conducts meetings according to the terms in this document, and ensures that matters are dealt with in an orderly, efficient mannerÌý

Duties of the membersÌý

As a member, you will be expected to:Ìý

  • Come prepared to actively participateÌýin-personÌýfor all scheduled committee meetings.ÌýAccommodations will be made for those members on co-op placements outside of the region.
  • Review minutes and materials posted in MS Teams Channel in advance of meetingsÌý
  • Represent, to the best of your ability, the views and interests of the communities you are connected withÌý
  • Respect lived experience and bring broader perspectivesÌý
  • Approach one another with understanding, empathy, curiosity, and patienceÌý
  • Respect the confidentiality of all sensitive information disclosed or discussed at committee meetingsÌý

Members who accept a seat on this advisory committee will serve a one-year term. If extenuating circumstances arise where a student is no longer able to fulfill the entirety of their term, they should alert the chair as soon as possible. Members may reapply to extend their term by another year up to two years total served on the committee. The SAC may retain up to 50% of eligible incumbent members to support continuity and allow space for new perspectives. Final membership decisions will be made at the discretion of the chair to ensure membership is fair, balanced, and meets the requirements outlined under Committee Structure.Ìý

If members are unable to attend a meeting, they will notify the staff coordinator in advance. Members who miss a scheduled meeting without notice will be contacted by the staff coordinator to discuss whether reasonable accommodations can be made and/or if they are unable to continue their commitment as a member.

Meeting frequencyÌý

The SAC will meet in-person three times during the academic year. Members will receive an honorarium of $360 after the third meeting for their active participation in all scheduled meetings. Students will only be compensated for the meeting hours they attend.

Recruitment and onboardingÌý

Recruitment for a new cohort will take place once a year for a fall term start-date. Recruitment to replace inactive or withdrawn members will take place on an as-needed basis. In the event that membership is unbalanced in terms of diversity, applicants may be declined or deferred accordingly. Call for applications will open in the spring term. Final recruitment decisions will be made at the discretion of the chair to ensure recruitment is fair, balanced, and meets the requirements outlined under Committee Structure.Ìý

Students interested in joining the SAC will submit a written application identifying what perspectives, experiences and skills they bring to CW SAC.Ìý

*Client refers to any UW student who receives CW support/services or engages with any CW program.Ìý
**Families includes a student’s spouse/partner/child.ÌýÌý