Rory Norris (he/him) is 4B Biotechnology and Chartered Professional Accountancy (CPA) student at the University of Waterloo and has significant involvement in governance, government advocacy, and institutional relationships.

Throughout his tenure at Waterloo, Rory has been committed to making positive changes in the student experience through advocacy and good governance. Rory was the 2023/2024 President of WUSA, during which he recognized the value of student-centred “third spaces” to building campus culture and a sense of belonging, he advocated for the re-opening of the Bomber. As a member of the Student Life Endowment Fund (SLEF) funding committee, he was part of unlocking over $500 000 in additional funding, and he continued that work on the Accounting and Finance Endowment Fund (AFEF) to further support student groups and events on campus. When it comes to advocacy, Rory met face-to-face with Ministers, MPs, MPPs, municipal officials, and political staffer in order to advocate for affordability and financial aid for post-secondary education, as well as housing and other policy issues affecting post-secondary students.

Rory has also actively engaged in provincial advocacy through the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA), having served as a delegate for three years. He contributed to enhancing positions and advocacy strategies presented to the Ontario government, gaining experience in consensus-based policy development and sector-wide lobbying. Rory authored the case study It’s the End of the Line”: Why Out-of-Municipality Students Rely on Local Public Transport in Habitats: Students in Their Municipalities, highlighting how out-of-region university students, including those from rural and international backgrounds, depend on local transit systems for access to education and daily life, and calling for increased municipal transit funding to support student affordability and mobility needs.

Rory complements his governance and advocacy knowledge with direct experience in community-building as a Residence Life Don, working with students on a daily basis to create inclusive and vibrant residential communities. His first-hand insight into the reality of students’ challenges and needs helps anchor his governance and advocacy work, reinforcing the importance of accessible, supportive, and well-designed campus communities.

Rory is running for Vice President, Government and Stakeholder Relations in order to bring a disciplined relationship-building approach to advocacy. As VP GSR, Rory would prioritize advocacy on affordability, sustainable funding for post-secondary education, and the protection of student services and supports, ensuring that student priorities are clearly articulated, evidence-based, and advanced early in decision-making processes. Rory’s goal is to position student voice as a credible and constructive force in external discussions, translating uncertainty in the broader sector into focused, strategic advocacy that delivers tangible outcomes for students.

Outside his involvement with governance, advocacy, and public policy, Rory loves movies, strategy games, as well as competitive chess.