Welcome to RUSA!
The Religion Undergraduate Student Association aims to create a community for all undergraduates with an interest in the study of religion. In addition to advocating on behalf of students to the department, RUSA provides a collaborative space for students through events such as socials, academic and career seminars, as well as a mentorship program, where students are able to find one another along their academic journeys. This is a welcoming place for DSR undergraduates to hang out over great food and connect with your peers in religion.
The best way to stay informed about RUSA events and initiatives, potential opportunities for Religion undergraduate students, and to contact RUSA with any questions or concerns is to join the RUSA Discord, follow us on Instagram, and/or on Facebook. You can also e-mail us at rusa@studentorg.utoronto.ca.
| RUSA Executive 2024-2025 | |
|---|---|
|
Swamini Sagar, RUSA President |
Hi everyone! I'm Swamini, and I'm in my fourth year doing a double major in Religion and Philosophy, and a Minor in Writing and Rhetoric. I'm honoured to be RUSA's President this year! I'm broadly interested in the philosophy of religion, particularly South Asian philosophy, epistemology, and issues in philosophy of mind. In my free time, I enjoy travelling, reading poetry, biking, and exploring museums. I look forward to working with RUSA this year to serve our Religion undergrads! |
|
Aneri Patel, Director of External Affairs |
Hello! My name is Aneri, and I am entering my third year. I'm very excited to be RUSA's Director of External Affairs! I was drawn to the study of religion through my interests in law and metaphysics, and I'm eager to explore how these fields intersect with various belief systems. Outside of academics, I enjoy hiking, photography, singing, painting, and cooking. I'm looking forward to contributing to RUSA and engaging with our community! |
|
Miranda Crabtree, Director of Internal Affairs |
Hi! My name is Miranda Crabtree, and I am going into my 3rd year majoring in Religion and minoring in Classics and Philosophy. I have always been fascinated by world religions and entered the program to learn about humanity. I love to read, paint and cook! |
|
Annie Metzger-Oke, Director of Communications |
Hi everyone! My name is Annie and I am in my fourth year doing a double major in Religion and Art History. My interests include religion and heritage, modes of authorization, neopaganism, and religion in the digital sphere. When I'm not in school I can be found running the Victoria College dance club, trying new sports, doing fibre arts, and rewatching mocumentary-style comedies. I am super excited to finally get involved with RUSA and can't wait for what the semester has in store! |
|
Eshana Anand, Treasurer |
Hi! I’m Eshana and I’m in my last year completing a specialist in religion. I’ve been apart of RUSA for the past three years and I’m so happy to be joining again as an executive member. My area of interest is texts from the early Jesus movement, especially apocryphal and gnostic writings. I also love studying post-colonialism and applying those theories to studies in religion. |
|
Kaitlyn D'Souza, Arts Director |
Hi everyone!! My name is Kaitlyn and I am in my third year pursuing a double major in Religion and Philosophy, with a minor in Political Science. I am super interested in topics regarding religious philosophy and ethics, such as the problem of evil and ethics of belief. In my free time, I love spending time with my friends, trying new restaurants, and discovering different activities in the city. I am super excited to be part of the RUSA team and am really looking forward to all the upcoming events and activities :) |
|
Max Zhang, Mental Health Coordinator |
Hi everyone! My name is Max, and I am in my fourth year doing a major in Religion and Two minors in DTS and BPMH. My interests include religion, border studies, and mental health. Thanks so much! |
| 2024-2025 | ||
| RUSA President | Swamini Sagar | Double Major in Religion and Philosophy, Minor in Writing & Rhetoric |
| Director of External Affairs | Aneri Patel | Double Major in Religion and Philosophy |
| Director of Internal Affairs | Miranda Crabtree | Religion Major, Double Minor in Classics and Philosophy |
| Director of Communications | Annie Metzger-Oke | Double Major in Religion and Art History |
| Treasurer | Eshana Anand | Religion Specialist |
| Mental Health Coordinator | Max Zhang | Religion Major, Double Minor in DTS and BPMH |
| Second-Year Representative | Kaitlyn D'Souza | Double Major in Religion and Philosophy |
| 2023-2024 | ||
| RUSA President | Kayla Klanreungsang | Religion Specialist and German Studies Minor |
| Director of External Affairs | Aneri Patel | Double Major in Religion and Philosophy |
| Director of Internal Affairs | Swamini Sagar | Double Major in Religion and Philosophy, Minor in Writing & Rhetoric |
| Director of Communications | Eshana Anand | Religion Specialist |
| Treasurer | Trent Atkinson | Double Major in Religion and Diaspora & Transnational Studies |
| Mental Health Coordinator | Bianca Quilliam | Religion Specialist |
| Second-Year Representative | Tristan Gosselin | Religion Specialist |
| 2022-2023 | ||
| RUSA President | Owen Huisman | Religion Specialist and Philosophy Minor |
| Director of External Affairs | Kayla Klanreungsang | Religion Specialist and German Studies Minor |
| Director of Internal Affairs | Swamini Sagar | Double Major in Religion and Philosophy, Minor in Writing & Rhetoric |
| Director of Communications | Eshana Anand | Religion Specialist |
| Treasurer | Trent Atkinson | Double Major in Religion and Diaspora & Transnational Studies |
| Second-Year Representative | Eleanor Park | Double Major in Religion and English |
| 2021-2022 | ||
| RUSA President | Mukti Patel | Religion Specialist and Writing & Rhetoric Minor |
| Vice-President, External | Erblin Hysi | Double Major in Religion and English |
| Vice-President, Internal | Nelson Morgan | Religion Specialist |
| Vice-President, Communications | Owen Huisman | Religion Specialist and Philosophy Minor |
| Treasurer | Trent Atkinson | Double Major in Religion and Diaspora & Transnational Studies |
| Second-Year Representative | Eshana Anand | Double Major in Religion and Astronomy & Astrophysics |
| Second-Year Representative | Kayla Klanreungsang | Religion Specialist and German Studies Minor |
| Mental Health Advisor | Mishel Alexandrovsky | Psychology Specialist, Double Minor in Linguistics and Buddhism, Psychology & Mental Health |
| First-Year Representative | Swamini Sagar | Double Major in Religion and Philosophy, Minor in Writing & Rhetoric |
| 2020-2021 | ||
| RUSA President | Mukti Patel | Religion Specialist and Writing & Rhetoric Minor |
| VIce-President, External | Mayadevi Murthy | Double Major in Religion and Critical Equity & Solidarity Studies |
| 2024-2025 | |
| Applying to Graduate Studies | Friday, October 4, 2024 @ 11:00am-12:00pm |
| Bubble Tea Social | Friday, October 18, 2024 @ 1:00pm-3:00pm |
| Paint & Sip + Elections | Tuesday, December 3, 2024 @ 3:00-5:00pm |
| Lightning Talks | Thursday, December 5, 2024 @ 1:00pm-3:00pm |
| Curriculum Cafe | Wednesday, January 22, 2025 @ 12:00pm-2:00pm |
| Valentine's Day Speed Friending | Tuesday, February 11, 2025 @ 1:00pm-3:00pm |
| Vinyl Painting Social | Tuesday, March 25, 2025 @ 1:00pm-3:00pm |
| RUSA Executive Elections & End of Year Social | Tuesday, April 1, 2025 @ 1:00pm-3:00pm |
| DSR & RUSA Undergraduate Student Conference | Tuesday, April 8, 2025 @ 9:45am-4:00pm |
| 2023-2024 | |
| Bubble Tea Social | Thursday, October 12, 2023 @ 1:00pm-3:00pm |
| Guided De-Stresser | Friday, November 17, 2023 @ 2:00pm-3:00pm |
| Movie Night: Everything Everywhere All at Once | Friday, December 1, 2023 @ 7:00pm-9:30pm |
| Hot Chocolate Social | Friday, February 2, 2024 @ 1:00pm-3:00pm |
| RUSA Executive Elections & Social | Friday, March 22, 2024 @ 12:00pm-2:00pm |
| Gaza in the Classroom | Tuesday, March 26, 2024 @ 1:00pm-2:30pm |
| DSR & RUSA Undergraduate Student Conference | Saturday, April 6, 2024 @ 9:30am-5:00pm |
| 2022-2023 | |
| Bubble Tea in Queen's Park | Friday, September 30, 2022 @ 2:00pm-4:00pm |
| First-Year Representative Election | Friday, October 14, 2022 @ 2:00pm-3:00pm |
| RUSA Winter Symposium | Friday, December 2, 2022 @ 5:00pm-7:00pm |
| Bubble Tea Social & Program Exploration Day | Friday, February 17, 2023 @ 2:00pm-4:00pm |
| Book Club: We Measure the Earth with Our Bodies | Wednesday, March 8, 2023 & Friday, March 10, 2023 @ 3:00pm-5:00pm |
| Presenting Religion Seminar | Thursday, March 23, 2023 @ 4:00pm-6:00pm |
| DSR & RUSA Undergraduate Student Conference | Sunday, April 2, 2023 @ 11:45am-5:00pm |
| RUSA Executive Elections | Thursday, April 6, 2023 @ 4:00pm-5:00pm |
| 2021-2022 | |
| RUSA General Meeting | Tuesday, September 28, 2021 @ 5:00pm-6:00pm |
| Bubble Tea in the Park | Friday, October 8, 2021 @ 3:00pm-5:00pm |
| DSR & RUSA Town Hall | Thursday, October 28, 2021 @ 6:00pm-7:00pm |
| Study with Us & De-Stress | Thursday, December 9, 2021 & Friday, December 10, 2021 |
| Chat w/ Grads | Wednesday, February 2, 2022 @ 6:00pm-8:00pm |
| Exploring Religion Programs: An Open Forum for Students | Thursday, February 17, 2022 @ 5:00pm-7:00pm |
| Blood. Sex. Drugs. Happiness? A talk by Dr. Kevin O'Neill | Thursday, March 3, 2022 @ 6:00pm-8:00pm |
| Bubble Tea in the Park | Friday, March 25, 2022 @ 3:00pm-5:00pm |
| RUSA Townhall | Thursday, March 31, 2022 @ 6:00pm-7:30pm |
| DSR & RUSA Undergraduate Student Conference | Saturday, April 2, 2022 @ 12:00pm-4:00pm |
| RUSA General Meeting | Friday, April 15, 2022 @ 2:00pm-3:00pm |
| 2020-2021 | |
| RUSA Power Hour Study Session | Friday, October 9, 2020 @ 4:00pm-5:00pm |
| RUSA General Meeting | Wednesday, October 14, 2020 @ 7:00pm-9:00pm |
| RUSA Power Hour Study Session | Friday, October 23, 2020 @ 5:00pm-6:00pm |
| RUSA Power Hour Study Session | Friday, November 6, 2020 @ 4:00pm-6:00pm |
| RUSA General Meeting | Wednesday, November 18, 2020 @ 7:00pm-9:00pm |
| RUSA Power Hour Study Session | Friday, November 27, 2020 @ 4:00pm-6:00pm |
| RUSA Power Hour Study Session | Friday, February 12, 2021 @ 4:00pm-6:00pm |
| COVID & QAnon with Suzanne van Geuns | Wednesday, February 24, 2021 @ 7:30pm-9:00pm |
| RUSA General Meeting | Wednesday, March 10, 2021 @ 7:30pm-9:00pm |