Follow Up Deferral Statement 

We are deeply disappointed to learn that as of yesterday, the University has, despite warnings from the Union and 19 other Recognized Student Governments, adopted an administrative fee of $60 for each deferral of course evaluations. You will be charged whether your deferral request is accepted or not.

After the publication of a letter by the UOSU and 19 RSGs, the Central Administration promised a meeting with student leaders from across campus to address the issue. Several preliminary and productive discussions took place between the President of UOSU and Student Affairs at the University. These discussions culminated during the bi-monthly meeting between the UOSU Executive and the Central Administration, led by President Jacques Frémont. At this meeting, the Central Administration claimed to understand the concerns of students with this policy and expressed openness to addressing them. However, days before the planned consultation with students, the University has covertly introduced this fee into their budget. This was done during their latest Board of Governors meeting as part of their Incidental, Ancillary, and Administrative Fees for the Academic Year 2024-2025, and they proceeded with this action without meaningfully warning the Union. They didn’t have to pass this now, before our meeting and during final exams, the busiest time of year for our student body and those who represent them. Their own website reveals that fees being implemented in September are typically passed in May or June. To take this premature step days before their planned consultation with students is underhanded, cynical, and shows a fundamental lack of consideration of student voices.

As we have previously stated, the UOSU believes that this fee is unjustified, inequitable, and creates a financial barrier to academic success that disproportionately affects lower income, marginalized and disabled students. We are deeply worried about the University’s increased reliance on making students pay out of pocket for the use of administrative services. What is next: a fee for grade reviews or meetings with academic advisors? The University is attempting to bypass the government regulations preventing them from raising our tuition during times of economic hardship and have come for vulnerable students’ wallets to do so. Instead, they should put students first by collaborating with us on advocacy for increased government funding of Ontario post-secondary institutions, rather than engaging in deceitful attempts to balance their budget at our expense.

We condemn the University in the strongest possible terms for proceeding with this decision without upholding their promise to consult meaningfully with the Student Union and other student representatives. This isn’t just about a fee; it’s about the erosion of trust between the University administration and the student body.

Ahead of this conversation with the University, we encourage students to voice their concerns to the University and to provide feedback on this issue. Additionally, the UOSU would greatly appreciate feedback from students so that we can better represent the views of our members. Please reach out to the UOSU on social media or at deputy-pres@seuo-uosu.com if you have further thoughts on this important issue. We are seeking to present the Central Administration with strong alternative solutions to this short-sighted and classist policy.

Despite this disappointing news, the UOSU remains committed to advocating for the best interests of students and will continue to push for a fair and equitable deferral policy that prioritizes student well-being and academic success.

In solidarity,

The University of Ottawa Students’ Union