The Rideau River Residence Association (RRRA)’s student levy will be tied to inflation going forward with a one time increase of $5.00 per semester after a referendum passed March 31.
The levy is currently $60 a year for residence students.
The referendum question asked residence students: “Due to the loss of cigarettes sales, as a result of provincial legislation, do you agree that the Rideau River Residence Association levy be tied to Canadian inflation and increased one time by $5.00 as of 2015-2016?”
Students voted in favour of the increase with 105 for, 46 against, and two spoiled ballots, according to RRRA chief electoral officer Christopher Loye. Of the 3,598 students living in residence, 153 voted, a turnout of four per cent.
Voting was held over one day, March 31, and used paper ballots. There was a voting station set up in every residence house, according to Frano Cavar, RRRA’s deputy electoral officer.
In January 2015, provincial legislation came into effect banning the sale of tobacco products on university and college campuses. RRRA sold tobacco products from its Residence Commons convenience store, Abstentions.
RRRA projected its loss of revenue from the ban, which includes loss of actual revenue from the sale of tobacco products and loss of revenue from items smokers would buy while in the store, to be $20,000.
Henry’s Convenience, owned by the Carleton University Students’ Association returned its unsold tobacco stock to suppliers in January while Mike’s Place, owned by the Graduate Students’ Association sold few tobacco products and therefore absorbed the cost.
