Although Justice Grant Huscroft clearly showed that the provincial government contravened the “University Acts” by infringing on universities’ autonomy with the SCI, is this really the final nail in the coffin for the policy, or will the government be stubborn and drag taxpayers in an even longer battle with Ontario’s university students?
This policy is something that does not benefit students, as we saw in 2019. It leaves student services across campus anxious and creates more uncertainty leading up to the fall 2021 semester after the hell that was the 2020-21 academic year.
The Ontario provincial government’s attempt to appeal the court decision concerning the Student Choice Initiative (SCI) will go forward over a year after it was struck down in Ontario’s Divisional Court.
President Jacques Frémont responded to thousands of petitioners demanding the school improve its mental health services after four student deaths last year, and also gave an update on the school’s anti-racism campaigns after two Black students were carded on campus last year.
The University of Ottawa is making ancillary fees students could opt out of in the fall semester under the Student Choice Initiative mandatory again for the winter 2020 semester, following a court ruling last month quashing the provincial policy.
The provincial government is looking to appeal last month’s Divisional Court of Ontario ruling striking down the Student Choice Initiative and deeming it unlawful, according to the Globe and Mail.
The Canadian Federation of Students and the York Federation of Students took to the halls of Queen’s Park on Friday to celebrate the court ruling quashing the provincial government’s controversial Student Choice Initiative, saying the decision marked “a historic day for students.”
Ontario’s Divisional Court has unanimously sided with student groups in a legal challenge against the provincial government over the Student Choice Initiative, deeming the policy unlawful, according to the Canadian Federation of Students.
“We want to send a strong message to Doug Ford and his government that some of his policies are not actually policies that are supported by students and workers on campus,” said Anne-Marie Roy, one of the organizers of the protest.
An average of around one-quarter of students at the U of O opted out of campus services deemed ‘non-essential’ under the Student Choice Initiative, a policy introduced by the provincial government this semester. Services impacted include the Office of the Ombudsperson, financial aid, clubs, student governments and campus media.
Student organizations on campus are already feeling the pressures of the Student Choice Initiative as the opt in deadline of Sept. 27 approaches, leading groups to develop tighter budgets and cut staff.
If you had the time, we could talk to you for hours about why it’s important to stay opted in to the work the Fulcrum produces. We thought an editorial might be the easier route for everyone.
“For essentially the cost of a cup of coffee ($3.38 per semester), if you do face a problem you’re going to get some assistance and some help in dealing with the issue which can be very stressful,” says clinic director Louise Toone.
Whether you’re an international student or a domestic student, whether you come from a rich family or a poor family, whether you receive OSAP or know someone who does, we can, by simply showing up, send a message all the way to Queen’s Park.
The IPPSSA was forced to seek out missing funds after public administration students were missing the student association fee option when paying tuition.
The Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (SFUO) sent out their final newsletter on April 10, alerting students that their doors have officially closed, and bidding students farewell.
If the referendum passes, full-time students would pay mandatory union fees totalling $105.88 per semester. This fee would cover all core union functions including safety, academic support, and health services.
“(These changes are) not benefitting anyone except Ford and his cronies … we’re going to have to fight back.” — Susan Spronk, president of the Association of Professors of the University of Ottawa.
Post-secondary students across the province held a walkout today, leaving their classes and staging rallies to protest recent changes to education policy by the provincial government.
Communications director of the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, Stephanie Rea, confirmed, “fees that support programs and services that promote on-campus safety, including the prevention of sexual violence, are an allowable compulsory ancillary fee under the Student Choice Initiative.”
With voters traditionally failing to hold student unions fiscally accountable, and the instability of student media, third-party oversight and intervention needs to be implemented. It doesn’t need to be the university itself, as many are rightfully cautious of university involvement in union affairs, but perhaps a body separate from the union?
These services were voted in by students, for students, and for the most part are run by students. In threatening the stability of these services, the Ford government is ignoring the democratic means through which these services came to be.
Ford shouldn’t be able to use information gathered by a source that relies on student levies, as backing to why student levies should be optional. The Eyeopener needs their funding in order to carry out this important work.
