University of Regina terminates fee collection agreement with students’ union

WATCH: The University of Regina is terminating its fee collection agreement with its student’s union. Donovan Maess explains.

The University of Regina has terminated its fee collection agreement with the campus’s students’ union after uncovering “significant concerns” with the organization’s financial situation.

In a statement sent to CTV News, university President and Vice Chancellor Jeff Keshen laid out the situation and what led to decision to suspend the agreement with the University of Regina Students’ Union (URSU).

“Over the past several months, the University has tried to work with URSU leadership, offering financial and governance assistance. Unfortunately, URSU has not undertaken the steps recommended by the University to improve and address these matters,” he explained.

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As a result, the university said its “lost confidence” in URSU’s ability to serve and represent students.

The decision will come into effect on Aug. 31, 2025.

“These are complex situations to navigate, and this is a decision we do not take lightly,” Keshen added.

“We value and respect the independence of student associations. The University remains committed to working in good faith with a student union that demonstrates a commitment to good governance and sound financial management.”

The university went on to say that core student services will continue in the fall 2025 term, as will the collection of student fees that fund those services.

“The necessary arrangements will be put in place over the coming months,” the statement added.

According to URSU’s audited financial statements for its last fiscal year, the organization accumulated a net asset deficit of more than $1.3 million as of April 30, 2024.

The union’s expenses column totalled more than $2 million, including over $540,000 for the board. Operating expenses included more than $1.5 million in salaries and benefits.

URSU posted a response to Keshen’s announcement late Wednesday afternoon.

“This [decision] means that URSU fees would no longer be collected after the Spring/Summer 2025 semester and student representation on campus would cease to exist,” the statement read.

The union went on say that it hopes to negotiate a resolution with the university that restores confidence to the student body.

“We are still investigating our options to respond to the notice and have no further comment at this time.”

Mounting issues

Keshen’s decision comes after a tumultuous few months for URSU — with the organization’s actions attracting attention far from campus.

In mid-September of last year, URSU passed three motions to hold a referendum on whether it should continue collecting student fees to support several organizations on campus, namely: the UR Pride Centre for Sexuality and Gender Diversity, the Regina chapter of Engineering Without Borders and the Women’s Centre.

That decision drew considerable criticism from both UR Pride and the U of R Womens’ Centre — with the centre refuting URSU’s allegations that the non-profits were not holding fair elections, conducting annual meetings and completing yearly audits.

On March 14 of this year, the Women’s Centre attempted to hold its Annual General Meeting (AGM) but constant disruptions from a large crowd that had formed at the event led to its cancellation.

The disruption spawned a whirlwind of accusations on social media — with some accusing URSU members of causing the disruption.

The union responded to the allegations in a lengthy post to social media 10 days later, saying in part: “This narrative is misleading and unfounded.”

• U of R Women’s Centre sets date for annual meeting following cancellation

Additionally, students at the First Nations University of Canada (FNuniv) spoke out against the union — criticizing the fact Indigenous students were being charged for its health and dental plan.

First Nations and Inuit people are provided coverage through the federal government’s Non-Insured Health Benefits Program — the services are guaranteed by constitutionally-protected treaty and inherent rights.

While students can opt out of the plan prior to a certain date, the complaints shared that many students are unaware the charges have even been added to their fees.

Adding to the communications issues between the organization and FNUniv students is the fact that the union’s Indigenous student representative seat has been vacant for the past three years.

In the midst of these events, a group of concerned students organized a petition for the temporary dissolution of URSU - an objective that has seemingly has been achieved.