A negotiated agreement has been reached between Carleton and the two student unions to release millions of dollars of student fees Nov. 29.

An email sent by the administration Nov. 15 said the agreement allows the university to fulfill the recommendations of its auditor and ensures the annual collection of democratically decided member fees and levies, while reinforcing the independence of Carleton University Students’ Association (CUSA)  and Graduate Students’ Association (GSA).    

A portion of the fees were withheld from the student unions Nov. 1 after CUSA and GSA refused to provide the Board of Governors with their financial audits.

According to the email, the university collects approximately $7 million in fees from Carleton students on CUSA and GSA’s behalf.

The student associations had received $4 million, though $5.25 million is usually distributed at this point in the school year. Withheld fees affected student clubs and services for which CUSA and GSA are responsible.

Jason MacDonald, director of the department of university communications, said it was a “question of financial accountability and transparency.”
“It is not about what organizations or initiatives or causes they spend the money on. The university has no interest in directing or determining CUSA’s and GSA’s activities,” he said.

According to MacDonald, the university’s auditors recommended the university acquire audited financial statements that would ensure money disbursed is used “for the purposes for which it was collected.”

Legal counsel has represented the unions and the university since summer, said Kimalee Phillip, president of GSA.

Phillip said the agreement hasn’t been signed off by each party yet, but it “allows the university to satisfy the requests of its auditors while respecting the autonomy of the student unions.”

She said the agreement removes unilateral powers of the university, which would allow it to control the existence of student unions.

CUSA runs student-owned businesses including Oliver’s Pub, Roosters, Haven Books and Henry’s Convenience.

GSA owns and manages Mike’s Place, funds nine service centers and provides students with financial aid, scholarships, and awards.

Together, they fund over 170 clubs and societies, and offer part-time employment to approximately 100 students, according to a letter sent to students Nov. 11.

CUSA and the GSA signed an “administrative agreement [which] covers the finances of the student unions,” Phillip said.

CUSA and GSA will be providing letters from their auditors, to show that money is reaching its intended third party.

Phillip said they compromised by “providing a schedule of finances, and a letter of reassurance from [their] auditors.”

When asked why the parties involved allowed negotiations to get to this point, Phillip said, “It was telling of the controlling climate that the administration was trying to establish on campus. We saw similar sorts of bargaining tactics with the labour unions.”

“It took up a lot of time and resources. We’re happy that they’ve reached an agreement and we’re now hoping that the university will respect the autonomy of the unions,” Phillip said.

CUSA President Alex Sirois was unavailable for comment.