- What is the process and timeline involved in moving forward with a referendum question?
- As outlined in the Policy for Compulsory Non-Academic Incidental Fees, requests for increases to student society fees must be approved by the University Affairs Board of the Governing Council. A referendum is required for all new student society fees, all new designated portions of fees (e.g., a special levy or a fee to fund a […]
- What are the policy documents that a student society should be aware of if considering a referendum for a student levy?
- The policy documents related to referenda for student societies include the Policy for Compulsory Non-Academic Ancillary Fees, the Policy on Ancillary Fees, and the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities’ Guidelines for Ancillary Fees set out in section 6 of the Tuition Fee Framework and Ancillary Fee Guidelines for Publicly-Assisted Universities. While the Office of […]
- What kinds of charges are student societies permitted to levy to students?
- Only non-tuition related incidental fees are permitted. These fees are defined in the Ministry Guidelines as a “non-tuition-related fee which is levied to cover the costs of items which are not normally paid for out of operating or capital revenue”. In terms of physical spaces, that means co-curricular spaces, such as student activity space in […]
- What is a special levy fee?
- These fees are defined in the Policy for Compulsory Non-Academic Incidental Fees as follows: Student society fees may include levies for specific, limited projects, within the University including those for academic purposes. Such levies shall: Examples of Special Levies Society Fee Name University Affairs BoardDocumentation ReferendumHeld New College StudentCouncil Wilson LoungeRenovation Levy University Affairs Board […]
- What if my society’s fee change referendum cannot conclude before results are due to the Office of the Vice-Provost Students?
- If your society expects that it will not be able to conclude its fee change referendum before the final documentation deadline, please let the Office of the Vice-Provost, Students know as soon as possible to discuss possible next steps.
- Why is it important that the question be clear and unambiguous?
- Referendum questions that are unclear, or which provide a vague result, are subject to complaint and accordingly can make it difficult for a society to seek the necessary approval by the University Affairs Board.
- Is my society obliged to implement the changes to its referendum question suggested by the Office of the Vice-Provost, Students?
- Student societies are autonomous organizations. While the the Office of the Vice-Provost, Students (OVPS) is happy to offer advice to societies regarding their referendum questions, when such advice is requested, the societies themselves ultimately bear the responsibility for those questions and their operations. Student societies are not obliged to implement any of the changes recommended […]
- What other advice will the Office of the Vice-Provost, Students offer?
- The OVPS reviews referendum questions to offer advice on the following components: