Do you support removing the $0.75 per full-time student per term fee previously dedicated to Uni 101, effective September 2026, now that the program has ended?
“Your fees pay for so many important services in the UVSS, but they shouldn’t have to pay for services that no longer exist.”
Why vote yes to this decrease?
The University 101 program has ended, so I’m proposing as the Director of Finance & Operations to remove the fee. This reduces the total semesterly fees that students will have to pay to the UVSS.
Since University 101 is over, we want to make sure that student money is given back to students. Your fees pay for so many important services in the UVSS, but they shouldn’t have to pay for services that no longer exist.
As you look through the rest of the referenda questions below, remember that your vote on this could mean money back in students pockets. This fee decrease makes way for other fees that we need your vote on – see you at voting period from March 4 to 6!
Do you support increasing the student fee for UVic’s independent and fact-checked student newspaper, The Martlet, for the first time since 1999, by $2.00 per full-time student per term and $1.00 per part-time student per term, beginning in September 2026, to support the ongoing operations of independent student media on campus?
“Currently, we receive $3.75 per full-time student –– the same amount we have been receiving since 1999.”
Why vote yes to this increase?
The Martlet is UVic’s independent, fact-checked and student-run newspaper. We have been reporting on all things UVic since 1948, and have been editorially and financially independent from the UVSS since the 1990s. Our mandates are to hold campus institutions, like the UVSS and UVic Administration, accountable, provide free local and campus news, and serve as a springboard for aspiring journalists at our university.
We regularly win awards for our reporting, and in the past two years, we have received student journalism awards for investigative reporting, science reporting, humour writing, cover design, and our podcast, The Nest.
Currently, we receive $3.75 per full-time student –– the same amount we have been receiving since 1999. Over time, this has significantly impacted our ability to fund student journalism jobs with fair wages, produce frequent and free publications, and cover important stories within our community.
The fee we collect per student is among the lowest in the province, with other student publications collecting from $4.90 (SFU) to as much as $12.37 (Capilano) per semester.
Since 1999, we have had to decrease from offering 36 paid student positions to 8, and reduce print publishing from weekly to monthly.
In addition to stagnant student fees, many sources of external funding for student newspapers that we have relied on to keep student fees low have dried up.
Without this critical raise in our student fee, our ability to continue to operate as UVic’s independent student newspaper and create lucrative campus jobs will diminish rapidly. We are asking for you to vote yes to a $2 increase to the Martlet’s student fee to support free independent student journalism on campus, create more, better-paid student jobs, report on more stories, and ensure the longevity of independent student journalism at UVic.
Do you support increasing all UVSS student fee levies (excluding the UVSS Health & Dental Plan and U-Pass fees) each year by up to the annual percentage change in the all-items Consumer Price Index for British Columbia, capped at 3% per year, beginning in September 2026, so the UVSS and its various advocacy, affiliated, services, and related groups can continue to serve and represent students as the cost of doing so increases?
“Every year, inflation causes our tuition, rent, and every day expenses to go up. But for groups in the SUB, they get the increased cost without the increased ability to afford it.”
Why vote yes to this increase?
As every student knows, the cost of living is expensive – and it only keeps growing. Every year, inflation causes our tuition, rent, and everyday expenses to go up. But for groups in the UVSS and the SUB, they get the increased cost without the increased ability to afford it.
What exactly does this mean? The affordable food and drink options at the SUB get more expensive; advocacy groups like the Students of Colour Collective can’t host events like Global Village; and the ability to find community in our vibrant student groups, including advocacy, affiliate, and services groups, gets lost.
Due to inflation, the cost of food, supplies, and operations rises each year. The UVSS and all the groups that give our organization its unique character need a sustainable way to keep their programs accessible without sudden price increases or budget cuts. By tying fees to inflation, we can help ensure students continue to enjoy high-quality, low-cost meals, engaging events, and student initiatives. This approach allows the UVSS to plan responsibly, protect affordability, and maintain the services that make campus life more connected for everyone.
This is a recurring fee increase, which means that we only need you to vote yes now. The 3% cap will make sure that any fee increases stay reasonable but ensures longevity for the groups and services that need it most. Vote yes to help your student services continue to support you.
Do you support increasing the student fee by $1.00 per full-time student per term and $0.50 per part-time student per term, effective September 2026, to increase funding for the administration and activities of clubs and course unions?
“As we continue to see more and more new clubs and course unions, we can’t keep up with the cost”
Why vote yes to this increase?
For many students, joining a club or a course union is a key part of the university experience – and Uvic has so many amazing clubs and course unions to offer! But as we continue to see more and more new clubs and course unions, we can’t keep up with the cost.
Clubs and course unions have not received a fee increase for over fifteen years. While the number of clubs and course unions goes up, the funding they receive continues to go down. Our clubs and course unions are a key part of the Uvic community, and without funding, the activities and number of people who can join is directly affected.
An increase to the fees that clubs and course unions receive would do so much more than just increase funding. This increase helps club and course union members access more support and enables them to be more involved with the community, whether that be through more events or greater outreach.
All of this means greater representation of students, better management of club and course union operations, and better access for students to join these awesome organizations. I need your vote to support our clubs and course unions and keep them being able to do amazing things with students throughout our campus community.
Who can vote?
All undergraduate students at the University of Victoria.
Where to vote?
UVSS members will receive a voting link at their UVic emails on March 4th at 9:00am. Login with your UVic NetlinkID.
When to vote?
Wednesday, March 4th at 9:00am – Friday, March 6th at 3:00pm
- The UVSS has developed into a large organization, servicing and advocating for 18,000 undergrads at UVic
- The health and dental plan
- The bus pass
- Mental health support and support for survivors
- Employs students in a unionized workpalce
- Provides over 400 students with groceries every week
- The SUB has cheapest food on campus
- Support for 150 clubs
- Free hot lunches for over 5,000 students
- Events that create community
- Advocacy for marginalized students on campus
- And so much more!!!