The Ontario government has released the much anticipated guidelines on the Student Choice Initiative.
In January, the government introduced changes to the Ontario Student Assistance Program along with mandating that universities give students the option to opt out of non-essential ancillary fees.
“Essential” Services with fees that may be charged on a compulsory basis include: athletics and recreation, career services, student buildings, health and counselling, academic support, student ID cards, student achievement and records, financial aid offices, and campus safety programs.
Student unions, student newspapers such as the Charlatan, and campus radio stations are going to be optional. According to the guideline, students should be given with the option to opt out before paying their term fees.
However, universities have some discretion into deeming a service essential and thus its fees essential if the university can rationalize that it falls within the services the province deems as essential.
Universities are also expected to report annually to the ministry to ensure compliance and in the case of non-compliance, the school will have to reimburse the students.
