AMS External Policy Manual - Alma Mater Society of UBC

Policy Number:1996-05 Passed:Title:Ancillary FeesJuly 24, 1996Expired:July 24, 1999Summary:Opposes the introduction by UBC of new compulsory ancillary fees or increases to existing compulsoryancillary fees unless approved by students in a referendum. Supports the principle that all such fees sharethe same tax status as tuition.Whereas the AMS is concerned that the university may see ancillary fees as a way of increasing revenuefrom students without increasing tuition;Whereas the Student Activity Fee was introduced by the university in 1985 to pay for athletics andrecreation, despite the fact that the AMS and UBC had made an agreement in 1968 under which the AMShanded over a $5 per student Athletics Fee (later raised to $7 by referendum) and UBC agreed not toincrease the fee for athletics without getting approval in an AMS referendum;Whereas the Student Activity Fee introduced by the university in 1985 has risen 391% without consultingstudents;Whereas, unlike tuition fees, ancillary fees are not tax exempt;Whereas the Ontario provincial government has taken the lead and mandated that administrations gainthe approval of students before any compulsory, non-tuition, fees are levied;Whereas the university does not have policy relating to compulsory ancillary fees; andWhereas the university ought to show the same respect for students that the AMS does in relation toancillary fee creation or increase;Be it resolved that the AMS oppose the introduction of new compulsory ancillary fees or increases toexisting compulsory ancillary fees unless such fees are passed by referendum within the same referendumguidelines that appear in the AMS Constitution and Bylaws;Be it further resolved that the AMS supports, in principle, the concept that all compulsory ancillary feespaid by students to attend a postsecondary education institution share the same tax status as tuition fees.Definition: For the purposes of this policy, “compulsory ancillary fees” shall mean fees imposed or administered bythe university, or one of its constituent parts or its federated or affiliated institutions, in addition to regular tuitionfees, which a student is required to pay in order to enrol in, or successfully complete, any credit course.AMS Policy Manual Page | 46