The University of Ottawa has requested a forensic audit of the finances of the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (SFUO), following allegations of financial mismanagement made against some members of the SFUO executive.
In a news release posted to the university's website on Friday, the university says all transfer of fees collected from students, and sent on to the student federation, are being withheld, pending the outcome of that audit.
"The University takes these allegations seriously," the statement reads, adding "protecting the interests of uOttawa students is of primary concern to the University, which wants to ensure that money collected from students is properly managed."
A report in the university's student newspaper, The Fulcrum, says outgoing president Hadi Wess filed a complaint with the Ottawa Police Service, triggered by a report from the federation's bank, Caisse Desjardins, about alleged unusual charges.
The SFUO account in question was frozen, and the paper reports some $20,000 in transfers to a separate bank account to fund activities of a club were allegedly uncovered.
The paper says no charges have been filed.
