The basics: The Referendums

The SFUO is a particular student union, as it generates hundreds of thousands of dollars in surpluses, every year. In fact, just two years ago, the SFUO ran over one million dollars in surplus.

How do they do? Are they so fiscally savvy? No. They just refuse to use their initial levy (23,70$/semester per semester) to fund new initiatives. Instead, they bring forward referendum questions to create new services asking students for anything from 0,25$ to 1$.

There are exceptions of course. Major projects, such as a bookstore, a health plan (and possibly a U-Pass) all ask for significant amounts. The bookstore levy (9$ per semester) was passed in 2006. The health plan (125$/year) was passed last year. The U-Pass is brought forth to students at 125$/semester.

There is one more secret to the financial success of this corporation. All levies are subject to indexation.

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What does this mean? We end up with an absurd situation where the SFUO is expected to generate 300 000$ in surplus, begging students for an additional dollar to create a service.

Here is a link to all levies.

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This year, three questions are brought forth. Two which have absolutely no binding authority. There were no "No" campaigns, and this was criticised in a recent editorial in the Fulcrum. Andréanne Baribeau also wrote an editorial on the referendums in La Rotonde (portion on the referendums).

The three questions can be found here.

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U-Pass

Basically, the Ottawa Transit Service is asking for 200$ per semester per student. The SFUO thinks that number should be 125$. Without reaching a prior agreement with OC Transpo, they decided to ask their members if they would accept to pay 125$ per semester for a bus pass. Even if this vote were to pass, students might never see this happen, as OC Transpo might never settle on 125 per semester.

Women's resource centre

The University of Ottawa has a service called "Community Life Services" which is supposed to maintain the UniCentre (which is also run by the University of Ottawa). CLS also runs a Women's resouce centre, using a minuscule portion of the student levy they receive (roughly 20$/year per student) to run it. The motion brought forth is to take control of the Women's resource centre. CLS would keep the money they spend on the Centre, and students would pay an additional dollar per semester to run it and have it as an "SFUO" service.

Ombudsman

A few years ago, students were asked if they were willing to pay 1$ per semester for an Ombudsman. Costs were supposed to be shared by the University and the SFUO. Against all odds, the question was defeated. It should be noted that a whopping seven questions were asked during that election. The SFUO has decided to bring forward this question, this time however, they would not ask students for a levy. It is still unclear as to whether the SFUO plans on running another referendum if this one passes, asking for money, or whether they plan on paying it through their budget (and surplus).

The University of Ottawa does not have an ombudsman.

If we base ourselves on the SFUO strategies in past years, expect Women's centre and Ombudsman to pass. U-Pass will be an interesting one, as it is a relatively high figure.

I will be liveblogging the results of these three races.