Ancillary Fee Referenda

Carleton University

Access Your cMail

The fall 2026 Writ of Election for the Carleton University Ancillary Fee Referenda was issued by Melanie Chapman, University Ombudsperson and Chief Electoral Officer (CEO).

On This Page

Referenda Questions

Voting days will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 18 and Thursday, Nov. 19, 2026.

Referenda Questions

Carleton School of Architecture Association of Students (CSAAS) Computer Fee Levy

Important note: These questions are being posed to undergraduate and graduate students within the Azrieli School of Architecture and Urbanism (ASAU).

The Carleton School of Architecture Association of Students (CSAAS) Computer Fee generates funds for the ASAU to purchase software for computer labs and the ongoing maintenance, renewal, and upgrade of student computing facilities. These facilities include student computer labs and computer systems that are required for printing, laser cutting, and other model making procedures within our Fabrication Lab and Wood Shop. The fee is currently $60 per full-time undergraduate student and is charged once on an annual basis.

Adobe Creative Cloud licenses are an essential tool throughout students’ studies in the ASAU. The cost of these licenses has historically been covered by Information Technology Services and more recently by the Faculty of Engineering and Design. Beginning in 2026-27, there will no longer be centralized funding available to cover these costs. The ASAU is proposing an increase in the cost of the CSAAS Computer fee (and renaming it ASAU Computing Fee) to (1) include the cost of an Adobe Creative Cloud license, or equivalent, for undergraduate students, and to (2) introduce the same fee to graduate students.

An increase to the current fee, along with the expansion of scope to include graduate students would bring the ASAU in alignment with other units in the Faculty of Engineering and Design, such as the School of Industrial Design, whose ancillary fees cover the costs of computing and software fees. Introducing a fee for graduate students would make student contributions to the ASAU’s computing facilities equitable. If the referendum is unsuccessful, the original $60 fee and structure will remain.

Questions

For undergraduate students: Do you support the switch to a per-term levy (Fall/Winter) in the amount of $100, to be applied to all ASAU undergraduate students registered in a minimum of one course, beginning in September 2027 and indexed annually to the Consumer Price Index?

For graduate students: Do you support the introduction of a $100 per-term levy (Fall, Winter) to be applied to all ASAU graduate students registered in a minimum of one course, beginning in September 2027 and indexed annually to the Consumer Price Index?

The Leveller Fee

Important note: this question is being posed to graduate students.

According to their website, “The Leveller” is a publication covering news, current events, and culture at Carleton University, the University of Ottawa, the Ottawa/Gatineau region and, to a lesser extent, the wider world. It is intended to provide readers with a lively portrait of their campus and community and of the events that give it meaning. It is also intended to be a forum for provocative editorializing and lively debate on issues of concern to post-secondary students, staff, and faculty as well as Ottawa residents.

At present, the $2.22 per-term fee that supports “The Leveller”, indexed annually to the Consumer Price Index, is a mandatory, non-opt-out levy for graduate students. This referendum question asks whether students wish to introduce choice for those who do not want to contribute to this compulsory fee.

Question

Do you support making the existing $2.22 per term fee, pro-rated for part-time students and indexed annually to the Consumer Price Index, for ‘The Leveller’ refundable (opt-out) starting in September 2027?

Carleton Public Interest Research Group (Carleton PIRG) Levy Fee

Important note: this question is being posed to graduate students.

Carleton Public Interest Research Group (Carleton PIRG) is a student-funded non-profit organization that has operated at Carleton University through a referendum-approved levy since 1981. In 2024, Carleton PIRG formally defederated from the Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG) provincial network and now operates as an independent organization.

According to their website, Carleton PIRG is a student-led, student-funded non-profit based at Carleton University. They aim to research, educate, and provide action on social and environmental justice using a non-hierarchical and consensus-based space for students to organize.

At present, Carleton PIRG receives a levy of $4.64 per semester for full-time graduate students and $1.39 per semester for part-time graduate students. This referendum asks graduate students to decide whether Carleton PIRG should continue to receive this levy funding as an independent organization following its defederation from the OPIRG.

Question

Do you support maintaining the Carleton PIRG levy fee of $4.64 per term, prorated for part-time students, as of September 2027, now that Carleton PIRG is an independent organization, following its defederation from the OPIRG?

Mike’s Place Levy

Important note: this question is being posed to gradaute students.

Mike’s Place has operated at a loss in each of the past seven years, totalling more than $1,000,000. This level of annual deficit is projected to deplete the Graduate Students Association’s (GSA) unrestricted reserves within approximately two years. Consequently, the operations of Mike’s Place have been suspended, and the former $7.00 per term levy is no longer being collected. Mike’s Place continues to incur rent and administrative costs while suspended.

GSA funding comes from student fees, and existing fee allocations are fully committed to current programs and services. Reopening Mike’s Place therefore requires a dedicated levy sufficient to cover its full operating costs. The choice before members is between establishing that levy and closing Mike’s Place permanently.

Question

Do you support replacing the former Mike’s Place levy of $7.00 per term with a new levy of $25.00 per term, effective September 1, 2027, indexed annually to the Consumer Price Index, to reopen and sustain Mike’s Place?

Voting Information

Voting days will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 18, and Thursday, Nov. 19, 2026. Voting will be held online, and all ballots will be conducted electronically and sent to students’ university-issued email (cMail) account as appropriate.

Campaign Period

The campaign period will begin on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026 at noon (12:00 p.m.), with the last day of campaigning ending on Monday, Nov. 16, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. 

Committee Registration Period

The CEO is inviting those interested in participating in a YES or NO committee regarding the upcoming referenda to register as part of their chosen committee by email to the CEO no later than Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

Note: There shall be only one YES committee and one NO committee for each referendum question and no more than 1/4 of the total YES or NO committee membership can be non-students. A public debate will be scheduled if there are both YES and NO committees for each referendum question.

Each committee will also require a Chair, to act as a liaison with the CEO.

Student Referendum Procedures

The student referendum procedures document (PDF, 60 KB) describes the process for the conduct of a referendum concerning the approval of an increase in ancillary fees. This protocol applies to these referenda, with one procedural change, which was proposed by the Ombudsperson and accepted by the Ancillary Fee Committee. The procedural change pertains to the review and adjudication of violations and is explained in more detail at the end of the protocol.

More Information

For more information, please review the official 2026 writ of election for the Carleton University Ancillary Fee Referenda.

All enquiries or concerns regarding the referendum, campaigning, polling process and conduct should be referred to the CEO via email.

Historical Referendum Results

Below is a list of recent referendum results for historical purposes.