You are now in the main content area

Referenda

Future of Student Wellbeing Referendum

TMU is reimagining the future of wellbeing on campus.

Vote YES on November 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.

By co-investing with students, alumni, donors and partners, we aim to bring a new vision for student and community wellbeing to life. You can expect:

  • Increased access to services.
  • Expanded access to primary health services now, especially more mental health supports.
  • Integrated care and navigation.
  • All of your wellbeing resources in one place so you don’t have to run around campus to find the care you need.
  • Wellbeing at the heart of campus.
  • A new Student Wellbeing Centre in the heart of the university community, giving you and future students a warm and welcoming space that’s designed to help you flourish.

On Tuesday, November 1, Wednesday, November 2 and Thursday, November 3 you will be asked to be part of TMU’s wellbeing evolution and vote yes to making this vision a reality.

A yes vote to an new student fee of $34.90 per-term will mean:

  • Additional Clinical and Mental Health Support Staff
  • Reduced Appointment Wait Times
  • 24-7-365 Virtual/Remote Counselling Access
  • Expanded mentoring opportunities 
  • Student Navigation Staff & Processes
  • Integrated Campus & Community Wellbeing Strategy
  • More Food, snacks and other wellbeing supports for students
  • A brand new facility that will allow students to have a seamless care experience in one location. This facility will include additional green and student activity space.

For more information, visit:

Our website: www.tmuwellbeingfuture.ca (external link, opens in new window) 
Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tmuwellbeingfuture/ (external link, opens in new window) 

BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, VOTE “YES” ON NOVEMBER 1,2,3 BY SIGNING INTO YOUR MY.RYERSON ACCOUNT

On September 28, 2022, the Board of Governors of Toronto Metropolitan University (“TMU”) approved the holding of a referendum among all students to seek approval to create a levy to partially fund an expansion of student health and well-being services on campus.

BACKGROUND

The Vice-Provost (Students), in recognition of the wellness needs of Students and in consultation with various stakeholders, has concluded that in order to better support Student well-being the delivery of services needs to be enhanced. To that end, with additional support from the university and donors, TMU believes that an increase in the current health and well-being fee would improve the quality, timeliness, and level of service received by students. 

If successful, a Student Wellness Fee of no more than $34.90 per fall and winter term (pro-rated for part-time students) would be charged to go towards additional health and wellbeing staff, programming, and supports for students that will reduce service wait times, improve physical and mental health outcomes, and support high quality care.

It could also be used to potentially support the capital and construction costs of a brand new Student Wellbeing Centre at the historic O’Keefe House to serve as a one-stop health hub. Students will be consulted on this initiative.

REFERENDUM QUESTION

Do you agree to raise the health and wellbeing fee by up to $34.90 for each of the fall and winter terms (pro-rated for part-time students) to fund expanded health and wellbeing initiatives (such as additional counseling, health supports, and new facilities) at Toronto Metropolitan University, to be paid by all students enrolled in Toronto Metropolitan University undergraduate and graduate degree programs starting in September 2023, and indexed annually to the Toronto Consumer Price Index? 

Yes    □ No   □

HOW TO CAMPAIGN ON THE REFERENDUM

Those intending to campaign in this referendum may register as a group represented by three individuals who are eligible to vote in this referendum. Campaign group registration forms are available at the  (PDF file) Board of Governors Referenda website. Completed forms are to be submitted to the Returning Officer at returningofficer@torontomu.ca. Registration for campaign groups closes on Tuesday, October 11, 2022 at 12:00 p.m. (noon).

HOW TO VOTE

Vote online at my.ryerson.ca.

Voting starts on Tuesday, November 1, 2022 at 12:01 a.m. and ends on Thursday, November 3, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. The voting system will be available throughout the voting period. 

If you are eligible to vote but cannot access the system or have other difficulties voting, contact the Returning Officer via email at returningofficer@torontomu.ca for direction and assistance.

Faculty of Community Services Society Referendum

Why should you vote YES?

Financial Transparency:
The Faculty of Community Services Society-FCSS is fully incorporated within Toronto Metropolitan University in a model known as cost center. As the name suggests money will be stored in TMU Bank accounts instead of an external bank account for the society.

The FCSS has the most Governance and Policy documentation (18) of them to be exact that outlines steps, and processes to how to do each portfolio on the FCSS. This is part of our commitment to the student body once we collect a levy to hold us accountable at SAGM and AGM meetings.

There is no possible way for the Faculty of Community Services Society to misuse fees for opportunities not benefiting their collective faculty student body. All funds will constantly go through the deans office financial team to make sure all funds are getting spent properly.

Furthermore the Operation budget is mandated to be approved by FCS students at a FCSS AGM, and posted on the FCSS website in similar fashion to the Ted Rogers Students' Society and the Undergraduate Science Society of Toronto Met.

Ie; www.trssociety.ca/finances (external link) 
www.rssonline.ca/about/governance/ (external link) 

--
Did you know as of right now your tuition does not go into the student experience? Actually student experience in our faculty is a new concept.

Did you know that this levy will be covered in your OSAP tuition total?

Did you know most program specific levy's are usually greater in price, yet only cover one item? This new levy will cover some of those program specific fees which saves you more money long-term, and cover hundreds of items every year in the student experience such as Professional Development, Mental Health, Commuter Events, Wellness Infrastructure, Unifying Events, and Academic Advocacy. Additionally the Unity Card program is a discount card that will also save you more money than the levy.

Would you rather pay a significantly larger levy for everything you do? Or pay one levy?

Did you know this new $30.00 per-semester levy is the smallest one on campus compared to all other student socities? All the levied student socities have been around for over 7-10 years now.
--
What the money will fund;
• Course Unions in FCS
• Clubs in FCS
• Career Carousel Nights
• Career Focused Events
• Cross University Competitions
• Cover letter workshops
• CV Workshop
• Emergency Simulation Competition
• Interview Prep
• Local, National, and International networking
• Local, National, and International Conferences
• Student Awards
• Thesis and Literature Review Workshops
• Alumni Association for FCS
• Asian Heritage Garden
• Asian Heritage Month
• Audio Visual Equipment for faculty, course union, and club events
• Black History Month
• DCC Student-led Cafe
• DCC Live! / SLC Live!
• Discount Tickets
• Fall Formal
• Field Trips
• First Year Activity Council
• Food Festival
• Fright Night
• Graduation Gala
• Graduation Gift
• Halloween Events
• Indigenous Garden
• Initiative Fundraisers
• Intramurals (Sports + Arts) program vs program
• International Student Mixer
• Leadership Opportunities
• Live Performances
• Mature student Mixers and Association
• Multicultural Days
• Unity Card
• Winter Gala
• First Year Orientation/ Frosh
• Cooking classes
• Paint Nights
• Community projects (Murals, Gardens, Art Pieces)
• Yoga and Zumba
• Dog and Cat therapy
• Advocacy for more therapists and dietitian health specialists on campus
• Paid Placements for all students
• Dean's list letters
• Massage therapy
• Thrift Shop/Clothing Swap
• Zen Room
• Prayer room for FCS students

This levy will fund all of this and so much more year over year, you are able to read more on our website at www.fcssociety.ca/referendum

Make sure to stay informed on all the reasons and benefits on why we you need to vote YES! By following us on instagram @fcssonline

#GetMoreFCS

On March 29th, 2022 the Board of Governors of Ryerson University approved the holding of a referendum among all Community Services to seek approval to create a levy to fund the activities of the Faculty of Community Services Society (“FCSS”).   

If successful, an FCSS fee of $60 would be instituted for students enrolled in full-time undergraduate degree programs in the Faculty of Community Services (“FCS”).   The funds would be used by the FCSS to support their programming including the support of professional development and mental health initiatives for FCS students, group grants for conferences, academic, networking, social events, and support for FCSS clubs, collegial affiliated groups, and collegial course unions. 

The approved referendum question is:

Do you agree to the creation of a fee of $60 per academic year (Fall and Winter terms) to support the operation of the Faculty of Community Services Society, to be paid by all students enrolled in full-time undergraduate degree programs in the Faculty of Community Services, starting after September 2023, and indexed annually to the Toronto Consumer Price Index?

Yes    □ No   □

HOW TO CAMPAIGN ON THE REFERENDUM

Those intending to campaign on this referendum question must register as a group represented by three individuals who are eligible to vote in this referendum. Campaign group registration forms are available at the Board of Governors Referenda website. Completed forms are to be submitted to the Returning Officer at returningofficer@torontomu.ca. Registration for campaign groups closes on Thursday, October 13, 2022 at 12:00 p.m. (noon).

HOW TO VOTE

Vote online at my.ryerson.ca.

Voting starts on Monday, November 7, 2022 at 12:01 a.m. and ends on Wednesday, November 9, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. The voting system will be available throughout the voting period. 

If you are eligible to vote but cannot access the system or have other difficulties voting, contact the Returning Officer via email at returningofficer@torontomu.ca for direction and assistance.