LIKELY TO BE OPTIONAL

The following fees were voted on and approved by students

Canadian Centre for Civic Media & Arts Development Inc. $4.50

Civic-media hub, known as VX3 Exchange, employs 12 staff. A registered charity, it provides workshops to students and the public on how to contribute to and access media platforms. Last year, more than 125 students participated in subsidized workshops. Each year, VX3 offers five full-time paid internships. Students learn practical skills such as graphic design, digital media, journalism and advertising. A portion of student fees also supports campus radio station VIBE105 or 105.5FM.

Ontario Public Interest Research Group* $3

Student-funded, student-run, non-partisan organization employs two people and conducts research, advocacy, lobbying and runs educational and media campaigns. Stands at the forefront of social justice mobilization on campus and provides free workshops around conflict resolution, anti-oppression, how to build coalitions and how to start a campaign. In the past couple of years, just one or two students have opted out of paying this fee.

Regenesis Environmental & Community Initiatives At York $4.50

Employs about 35 students and recent graduates to run community and environmental programming and services on campus and in surrounding neighbourhoods. Includes a community bike centre, two farmers’ markets, cleanups, tree plantings, gardening workshops, food/ cooking workshops, waste-reduction workshops and leadership training. About 300 students are directly involved, either as volunteers, as part of a course, placement or research opportunity. About 54 per cent of students use at least one of its services or programs each year.

Excalibur $3.90

Weekly independent student-run newspaper has a circulation of 5,000, a staff of eight editors and a team of volunteer writers.

Community & Legal Aid Services Program $4.50

Provides free legal services to low-income people and York students in areas such as criminal law, family law, immigration, police complaints, human rights and employment law. Between 15 and 20 per cent of cases involve York students, particularly in the area of employment and family law. The affidavit and notary service is frequently used and in the past year has experienced an increase in demand, especially from students needing affidavits for immigration and OSAP-related matters.

Non-faculty Colleges $28.50

Every undergraduate student is assigned to a college, which provides a sense of community. Colleges offer peer-based academic supports, invite alumni to provide career talks and networking opportunities and are a place where students can get involved in intramural sports. College councils are studentelected and student-run.

First Student Centre Levy $57.90

Covers costs associated with the operation, maintenance and renewal of the old student centre, which houses seven meeting rooms, 35 club offices, lounges, student union offices, a discounted printing centre, a child-care centre, radio station, Excalibur and community service groups such as the Access Centre, Hillel, Catholic Chaplaincy, OPIRG (Ontario Public Interest Research Group) and more. Centre also houses a food court with 11 food options. Managed by the York University Student Centre Inc., which is student-run, providing parttime jobs to 100-130 students each year.

Canadian Federation of Students/Canadian Federation of Students (Ontario Chapter) $7.20

Federation uses the funds to pay for staffing, research, services, lobbying and campaigns, such as Fight the Fees.

Sexual Assault Survivors Support Line* $2.10

Provides in-person and phone support and referrals to survivors of sexual violence, available to students and community members. Runs educational outreach programs, self-defence workshops, information sessions and a survivor support fund. Its most essential and popular service is a round-the-clock support line. Most women accessing SASSL are survivors, single mothers or students dealing with PTSD. It employs five students and two recent graduates. This year, just one student opted out of paying this fee.

World University Service of Canada* $0.90

Part of a nationwide network of campus groups working to help student refugees. Money helps sponsor, resettle and support four refugee students a year, allowing them to study at York. It supports their living expenses in their first year as permanent residents. Last fall, one student opted out of paying the fee.

Second Student Centre Levy $113.40

Covers costs associated with the operation, maintenance and renewal of the new student centre, which opened last June. It houses 14 meeting rooms, 36 club offices, 3 dance studios, change room/showers, a café, lounge spaces, multi-faith prayer facilities and services such as a food bank, academic advocacy, the wellness centre and a discounted printing centre. It also has study spaces for about 200 students and a conference centre, which is the largest event space on campus. Managed by the York University Student Centre Inc.

Centre for Women and Trans People* $3

Currently not operational. Student levy funds are being held by the university until a new operational plan is in place.

York Federation of Students $53.40

Collects about $2 million total, which is used to fund campaigns, events and services. Includes supporting the food support centre, which acts as a food bank to 1,300 students each month; legal aid services for between 400 and 600 students annually; a mental health and wellness centre; a printing centre that serves between 800 to 1,000 students monthly; and a member services office where students get transit passes and where the health and dental plan is administered for 34,320 students. Union helps fund more than 250 campus clubs and organizations, including Campus Conservatives at York University, New Democrats of York University, Christian Students at York University, Muslim Students Association, Comedy Club and the Physics Society at York University.

* Those with an asterisk have an opt-out option. For two decades, York has allowed students to opt out of some fees approved by student referendums. The group requesting a fee determines if they want to include an opt-out option as part of their referendums proposal.