• Home
• Media
• News
• 2023
• UES referendum paves the way for student space in new Engineering building

UES referendum paves the way for student space in new Engineering building

In February, the Undergraduate Engineering Society held a referendum on a student levy that would fund the creation of student space in Western Engineering’s new building. 

The vote passed with over 80% approval and nearly 30% voter turnout. With the referendum passing, students will pay a $75 annual fee over 10 years to fund a 6,400-square-foot student space in the new building.

“I think this is a historic moment for the Western Engineering community,” says Chris Mohan, a fifth-year software engineering, former UES President and co-chair of the UES New Building Committee.

“It has been inspiring to see students come together and support a project that will continue to build on the vibrant student life we have in our program. I am excited to see the next generation of Western Engineering students transform this new space to best serve the needs of our growing community.

In addition to the student levy, Western Engineering will match the funding of the students and fundraise for additional support for student space, which will include space for meeting rooms, study rooms and a multi-faith prayer room.

“The student leadership was very generous in proposing this fundraising mechanism and the student body matched that generosity with their vote,” says Ken Coley, Dean of Western Engineering.

“Frankly I am humbled that our students have demonstrated their confidence in our Faculty in such a meaningful way and I very much look forward to working together with our students to make our new building a place where our students will thrive.”

UES President Myeesha Siddique was pleased to see the Engineering community come together to create new space for its student body.

"The UES is thrilled that the new building referendum has passed,” says Siddique, a fourth-year Mechatronic Systems Engineering student. “A lot of the credit goes to the new building committee and our student leaders who have put an immense amount of effort and time into campaigning and garnering support from our engineering community.” 

“As we move forward, the UES council is excited to work collaboratively with the faculty to bring our vision for the new building to life. The new building will be a vital addition to our campus and will provide a space to enhance the experience of our students." 

Planning for the design and the exact location of the new building is still underway, with the building scheduled to open in late 2025.