University of Regina Students’ Union files lawsuit against U of R for withholding fees

WATCH: The University of Regina Students’ Union has launched legal action against the U of R for withholding fees. Wayne Mantyka explains.

The University of Regina Students’ Union (URSU) has filed a lawsuit against the University of Regina (U of R) for withholding fees and terminating their fee collection agreement.

Earlier this month, the university announced it would terminate URSU’s collection agreement effective Aug. 31, citing concerns with URSU’s 2024 audited financial statement.

In a news release sent by URSU on Friday afternoon, the union said the university should not intervene in student governance barring evidence of fraud.

“URSU knows we need to take step to restore confidence, but we also cannot adequately represent the student body if we allow the University to dictate all terms and exclude student representation,” their statement read.

In a statement to CTV, the university administration says it’s disappointed that URSU decided to pursue legal action.

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“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,” the statement read.

In the response, the university said it implemented a payment protocol earlier in the year allowing URSU to receive collected student fees to continue providing core services.

“To date, URSU has chosen not to engage the protocol and access these funds,” the statement read.

The university says it will be defending the action in court and will not be commenting further on the matter.

-With files from Wayne Mantyka