Earlier this year, the Ontario Government announced the ‘Student Choice Initiative’, which enables students to opt-out of paying certain ancillary or incidental fees covering a range of services. This policy directive was implemented for the Fall 2019 semester.
Last week, we became aware that the Ontario Divisional Court struck down the policy allowing post-secondary students to opt-out of fees. In the court filing, two student groups (Canadian Federation of Students and York Federation of Students) argued that the government did not have the authority to interfere in the relationship between universities/colleges and their students.
We are now seeking more information surrounding the implications of this court decision on Sheridan College students as well as more direction from the Province surrounding any implications this decision may or may not have on ancillary fee collection guidelines.
As the Student Choice Initiative was introduced through a governmental policy directive, we are monitoring the situation to see what course of action the government chooses to take. Until such time as we receive a new directive, Sheridan Student Union and Sheridan College will continue under the current directive which allows students to opt-out of paying certain ancillary and incidental fees.
We will continue to keep you informed of any future changes to this practice.