University of Ottawa terminates agreement with student federation

By Mike Vlasveld

The University of Ottawa is terminating its agreement with the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (SFUO), its says “with regret.” 

In a statement, the school said, as of December 24, it will no longer recognize the federation as the exclusive association representing undergraduate students.

Vice-President Academic and Provost David Graham writes, “The university has lost confidence in the SFUO's ability to represent our students and to supply the services that students pay for, and that is why it has taken this action.”

After learning of allegations of financial mismanagement involving members of the SFUO executive and a SFUO staff member, the university requested that the federation conduct a forensic audit.  

At the same time, the school notified the SFUO that uOttawa would withhold the fees that it collects from students on behalf of the federation, pending the outcome of the forensic audit and restored university confidence in the proper financial management of student fees. 

The university says measures have been put in place to ensure the continuity of financial operations until the results of the audit become available.

Since then, Graham writes that the uOttawa has learned of additional allegations of improper governance, mismanagement, internal conflict and workplace misconduct within the SFUO. University said it expressed growing concerns about these allegations in letters to, and in two meetings with, the SFUO executive. 

The university made it clear to the SFUO executive that it would be required to take steps to restore the university's confidence in the federation's ability to responsibly conduct its internal affairs. 

The university has not been satisfied with the federation's progress.

The university's principal objective in this matter is to ensure that money collected on behalf of the SFUO from our students is properly managed, allocated and accounted for.

The agreement between the university and the SFUO stipulates that either party may terminate the agreement by giving the other party three months' written notice.

The school admits that the implications of this decision are complex. 

It already provides many student services similar to those delivered by the federation and says it is fully committed to ensuring that services deemed essential be maintained; for example, the university considers it of paramount importance that vulnerable students continue to be protected and that student safety, security and wellness not be compromised.

The university's termination of its agreement with the SFUO does not affect the student UPass (transit pass), which is governed by a separate agreement with the City of Ottawa.

A new undergraduate student government may be formed in due course and uOttawa encourages students to take steps in this direction. 

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