Alberta Students' Executive Council [ASEC]

ASEC is closed May 16-18 for the Victoria Day long weekend.
We hope you are able to unwind and enjoy the break!
We look forward to reconnecting with you on Tuesday, May 19.

Calling all ASEC Alumni!
ASEC is excited to welcome ASEC Alumni from across the province to the 2026 Alumni Dinner, sponsored by ALUMO. An evening to reconnect, celebrate, and meet the next generation of ASEC student leaders.

📅 Tuesday, June 2
🕔Doors open at 5:00 PM
🏨Matrix Hotel, Amber Room - Edmonton
👗Cocktail/formal attire

Join us for dinner, a panel discussion, and meaningful conversations with alumni and current ASEC leaders.

Registration closes May 25
Reserve your seat here: https://forms.gle/fuQwkA3Zb3Do9TTKA

We can't wait to see you there!

ASEC Member Spotlight: The Students' Association of Red Deer Polytechnic Car Smash

April 8-9 | Red Deer Polytechnic

Car Smash is SARDP's final event of the year and helps students smash their stresses away before final exams. The event typically occurs over 3 days. On the first 2 days, students write on the car with whatever is currently causing them stress or anything they would like to rid themselves of. On the third and final day, students can select a variety of tools to smash the car. This year, the weather interfered and the event could only take place over 2 days, but that didn't stop anyone from having a blast!

This event is a collaborative event between SARDP and RDP Trades and Technology.

"Car Smash is one of our favorite days of the year. Many of our students come to this event feeling stressed, and the weight of the end of the term, and by the time they leave, they are smiling ear-to-ear. It's really amazing to watch them literally smash their stress away!" Jacq Patterson, SARDP President.

Please join us in congratulating Alejandro Figueroa, President of the University of Lethbridge Students' Union, on being named one of ACGC's Top 30 Under 30.
On behalf of ASEC, we are incredibly proud of your leadership, advocay, and the impact you continue to make for students across Alberta.

ASEC is closed April 3–6 for the Easter long weekend.
Wishing everyone a safe, restful, and joy-filled break.
We look forward to reconnecting with you on Tuesday, April 7.

ASEC Member Spotlight: The Students' Association of NorQuest College Taste of Diversity

February 24 | NorQuest College

The Taste of Diversity event, hosted by the Students’ Association of NorQuest College (SANQC), is without a doubt one of the biggest events held on campus Over 550 students enjoying food, culture and community from a variety of nations around the world.

This event has become a popular campus tradition that celebrates the rich diversity of NorQuest’s student body by offering free food, desserts, and drinks from cultures around the world. This term’s event was particularly meaningful as it was part of our Black History Month event series, highlighting the cuisines and cultures of several African and Caribbean communities. Students had the opportunity to try dishes from countries such as Nigeria, Jamaica, Kenya, and Ethiopia, creating an immersive cultural experience that went beyond just food.

It took over 20 student volunteers, Students’ Council members and SANQC staff to bring Taste of Diversity to life, organizing and serving food throughout the event. Their collaboration helped create a welcoming and vibrant environment where students could connect, learn about different cultures, and celebrate diversity on campus.

“This event is always my favorite of the semester. It’s amazing how food and drinks can truly bring a community of people together, especially for those who are already sharing a journey together as post-secondary students.”
— Khoi Nguyen, Marketing Coordinator

“The Atrium turned into a cultural food hub with delicacies from different countries. It’s always amazing to be a part of the Taste of Diversity event and see students share, taste and celebrate cultures through food!”
— Prashant Virdi, Campus SafeWalk Administrator

Alberta’s 2026 budget brings a mix of promising steps and ongoing challenges for students. Operating funding for post‑secondary is increasing slightly, and the province is continuing to invest in high‑demand programs, apprenticeships, and campus infrastructure. The 2% cap on domestic undergraduate tuition is also staying in place, which helps keep tuition increases predictable for students and families.

At the same time, institutions are being asked to cover a larger share of their own operating costs, which can put pressure on fees, services, and the overall student experience. Student financial aid is shifting as well: while overall funding is up, the amount set aside for student loans is decreasing, and new eligibility rules could make it harder for some students to qualify for the support they need.

We’re continuing to dig into the budget to understand what these changes mean for post-secondary students across Alberta, and we’ll keep advocating for stable funding, fair supports, and decisions that protect affordability and access in post‑secondary education.

You can read our full press release on our website for a deeper breakdown of the numbers and what they mean for post-secondary students: https://www.albertastudents.ca/media

Alberta students are welcoming the province’s renewed investment in addiction recovery supports across post‑secondary campuses. With $3 million over three years to expand Recovery on Campus Alberta (ROC), students at all publicly funded institutions will see more accessible, stigma‑free supports embedded directly into campus life.

Our Chair, Joe Mooney, shared why this announcement matters to so many students: “As someone who has personally gone through mental health and addiction recovery, I know how challenging it can be to stay focused on your education while working to rebuild your life… Seeing the province invest in these services is incredibly meaningful, because it gives students who are struggling a real opportunity to heal, stay in school, and move forward with hope.”

ASEC will continue working with the Government of Alberta and our member institutions to ensure students pursuing recovery feel supported, connected, and seen.

Read the full press release here: https://www.albertastudents.ca/media

ASEC Member Spotlight: Northwestern Polytechnic Students’ Association S*x Toy Bingo

February 13 | Northwestern Polytechnic

As part of the S*xual Health campaign that runs every year in February, NWPSA hosted their incredibly popular “S*x Toy Bingo” on February 13. This is one of their most popular events, bringing students in to play a game of bingo, learn some s*xual health tips, and (hopefully) walk away with a s*x toy. S*x Toy Bingo allows students to learn about s*x toys and their uses in a safe, fun, inclusive environment. Doing this allows for NWPSA to open the doors to healthy and important conversations regarding s*xual health and activity. This year, NWPSA welcomed approximately 60 students.

Just like within NWPSA, S*x Toy Bingo makes sure to follow a harm reduction approach. They discretely package and label the s*x toys so students can either open it right there to show friends, or slip it into their bag for later. Furthmore, NWPSA also brings in their Harm Reduction team from Northreach to give out safe s*x supplies and provide extra resources for s*xual health and wellness.

“For me, S*x Toy Bingo is something that I look forward to every single year and is by far my favourite event to host and plan. This was personally my third and last year being apart of this event, and not only is it always our most popular event of the year by far, I love that it allows students the space to ask questions and learn about the topics that are sometimes harder and more uncomfortable to talk about. It brings me so much joy to see how into the games our students get, the cheers and claps from the crowd when someone gets a bingo (or one of us calls 069), and as a social work student- seeing an event that helps students learn but also have fun in the process. This is one of those events that you have to come witness in real life to see the real joy and excitement of it all!”
— Jake Rakestraw, NWPSA VP External