Compulsory fees are charged on a mandatory basis for programs and services in accordance with t Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU) requirements. These programs and services are delivered by the university, student unions, faculty-based societies and campus resources, such as the student newspaper and radio station. All students have access to these programs and services.

Service Continuation & Enhancement

Most services funded by compulsory ancillary fees will continue to be available for student use throughout the crisis in some form. For students who have particularly acute academic, wellbeing, workplace or other needs, this continued availability of these services can be critical to success at Ryerson, and after graduation. 

*Details on service continuity for each compulsory fee are available below.

Academic Support

The Academic Support fee provides access to academic success and engagement programs. These include experiential and co-curricular learning opportunities, academic conflict mediation/resolution services, orientation and transition programs, and specialized academic support for historically disadvantaged and under-represented groups.

*During this time, Student Learning Support Services, Academic Accommodation Support, Academic Integrity Office, Ryerson Aboriginal Student Services, the Ombudsperson will remain operational, with supports available to students online or by phone. 

Athletics and Recreation

The Athletics and Recreation fee provides students with access to recreation facilities and programming, support for varsity athletics and competitive clubs, and funding for related operations and capital costs.

*While no physical access to the Mattamy Athletic Centre (MAC) or Ryerson Athletic Centre (RAC) are available at this time, support for varsity athletes and clubs continues remotely. A selection of fitness workshops and resources have been made available for student and faculty use in absence of gym access, and are available at http://ryerson.ca/recreation. Lastly, operations and capital costs for facilities will continue while physical distancing measures are in effect, and fees help support the staff that will ensure facilities are student-ready upon the reopening of campus. 

Campus Safety

The Campus Safety fee provides students with access to programs that prevent sexual violence and offer supports for people impacted by sexual violence as well as emergency food relief, and education and awareness programs.

*Resources available through the Centre for Safer Sex and Sexual Violence Support and Consent Comes First Ryerson have moved to remote working models and continue to be available for students. While the Good Food Centre has closed for the time being, Ryerson has partnered with Meal Exchange Canada - a national student organization addressing food sovereignty and insecurity on Canadian postsecondary campuses. We are currently providing biweekly foodboxes to up to 200 students over a 12-week period.

Students who are interested in signing up for the COVID-19 Food Support for Ryerson Students initiative can complete the Meal Exchange Form. 

Career Services

The Career Services fee provides students with access to programs, support, resources and  career specialists, as well as networking opportunities with potential employers, mentors, co-founders and investors to enhance student career readiness.

*Ryerson’s career and co-op centre has moved to online service delivery, and is offering online career mentoring/counselling, as well as virtual workshops and networking events for students looking to make transitions into the workforce or pursue further studies. 

Health and Wellness

The Health and Wellness fee provides students with access to medical care, mental health programs or services, and health resources, as well as support to ensure the well-being of equity-seeking groups.

*Ryerson Health and Wellness services will continue to operate remotely during the COVID-19 crisis. Ryerson’s Medical Centre and Centre for Student Development and Counselling (CSDC) are operating virtually and accepting appointments. 

Due to enhanced needs expected during the COVID-19 crisis, Ryerson has partnered with Keep.meSAFE to provide all students with 24/7 mobile access to licensed counsellors. Keep.meSAFE is a mental health counselling service that specializes in student mental health support and that provides 24/7 access to licensed counsellors through telephone and mobile chat.

Full details for all programs available to students are available at:
https://www.ryerson.ca/covid-19/students/wellbeing/

Student Buildings

The Student Buildings fee provides students with access to facilities for student activities (e.g. Student Campus Centre, Oakham House, campus media services), and funding for operations, capital costs, repairs, and undergraduate and graduate student lounges.

*Unfortunately, these buildings will remain closed for the time being. However, many operating and capital costs for facilities will continue while social distancing measures are in effect. We anticipate that these facilities will be available to students in some form in the 2020-21 academic year, and fees help support the staff that will ensure facilities are safe, clean, and ready for student use. 

Society Fees

Some fees Faculty society activities are support activities described by the six categories in “Compulsory Fees - All Students.” These fees have been grouped together in RAMSS for transparency purposes. For a breakdown of what activities these fees support, please see the appropriate schedule in the Ryerson Budget.

Additionally, we know that Ryerson’s student societies and unions funded through ancillary fees will continue to offer opportunities for students to engage with campus life throughout this difficult time. We encourage you to reach out to them in order to ascertain supports and services that may be available from them. 

While we certainly understand that some students may interpret reduced value-for-money in services that have moved to an online format, or are located in physical buildings that cannot be accessed at present, it is vital that they continue to be supported. For some students with specific learning, cultural, or personal health needs, the staff and resources funded by compulsory fees can mean the difference between success and failure.

This would be true even in a normal year – where all students pay compulsory fees to support staff and resources used by those who need them most. 

Financial Aid Available

We understand that the economic challenges brought about by COVID-19 will be faced by many students, which is why Ryerson, the Ontario and Federal governments are offering enhanced financial support to students in order to continue studies and pay academic costs such as ancillary fees: 

• Government Support: The Canadian federal government continues to announce numerous financial supports specifically for students facing reduced work hours, unemployment, or other financial hardships as a result of COVID-19. On April 22nd, the government announced several supports for students that will help students offset educational costs, including doubling the amount of non-repayable grant funding available in student aid packages. Further, many students will be eligible for the Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB), which will provide between $1250 and $1750. Full details of the government’s offerings are available online. Please see Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan for details.
• Ryerson Student Relief Fund: Ryerson recently distributed $3M in support to over 4,000 students. Specific Relief Funds across various faculties are also being distributed through the Student Awards and Scholarships Office, with commitments from the Ted Rogers School of Management, the Faculty of Community Services, the Faculty of Arts and the Yeates School of Graduate Studies. In total, these funds represent an additional financial commitment of almost $2 million.
• AwardSpring: Many scholarship opportunities continue to be available through Ryerson. If you have not already, please create an AwardSpring, external link profile to explore funding opportunities available through Ryerson.
• Ryerson’s Career Boost Program: Ryerson’s on-campus employment program, Career Boost, is expected to continue to run over the spring/summer term. This is a great opportunity for eligible students to secure full-time employment with Ryerson. Please visit the Career Boost website for information on eligibility, application deadlines, and job opportunities. 

These are fees that directly support the operations of student and campus-related organizations. 

CESAR

The Continuing Education Students’ Association of Ryerson (CESAR) represents all continuing education, distance education, and part-time degree students, as well as any student taking a Chang School course. This optional fee supports CESAR administration, advocacy efforts, member outreach, and emergency grants. 

CJRU Radio Ryerson

CJRU Radio Ryerson is a licensed campus radio station and emergency broadcaster. The optional fee supports administration, memberships and licenses, promotions, music and community events, radio camps, workshops for newcomers and refugees, outreach and volunteer training. 

Eyeopener Ryerson Students’ Paper

The Eyeopener, Ryerson’s student newspaper, reports on and investigates crucial campus issues. This optional fee covers paid student jobs, production, legal costs and more. By opting in, you support independent journalism that holds university stakeholders accountable.

Ryerson Students’ Union

Since 1948, the Ryerson Students’ Union has improved campus experiences through: student life, including support for over 200 student groups and course unions; advocacy, with victories including the fall reading week; and money-saving services, like COPYrite. 

WUSC Student Refugee

This fee provides financial support for a student refugee to study each year at Ryerson through World University Services Canada (WUSC).

Canadian Federation of Students

This fee provides membership in the Canadian Federation of Students. The CFS unites over 550,000 students across the country and lobbies local, provincial and federal governments on tuition fees, financial aid and student representation, and coordinates effective campaigns and discounted services.

• www.cfsontario.ca
• https://cfs-fcee.ca/

Note: These fees are being charged on a compulsory basis in accordance with the university’s interim strategy related to the Ontario Superior Court proceedings related to the student choice initiative.

Some compulsory fees are charged on a mandatory basis for students in specific programs.

For program specific compulsory fees, please refer to your program fee chart, available at: https://www.ryerson.ca/registrar/fees/detail/

Ryerson Architectural Science Society

This fee supports Ryerson Architectural Science Society (arc.soc) operations and social, non-academic programming to improve campus experiences of undergraduate architectural science students. 

Ryerson Communication and Design Society

This fee supports Ryerson Communication and Design Society (RCDS) operations, training activities, and affiliated student groups to improve campus experiences of Faculty of Communication and Design undergraduate students. 

Ryerson Engineering Students’ Society

This fee supports Ryerson Engineering Students’ Society (RESS) operations, thesis grants, publications, training activities, and social and non-academic programming to improve campus experiences of undergraduate engineering students. 

Ryerson Liberal Arts Society

This fee supports Ryerson Liberal Arts Society (RLAS) operations, training activities, social and non-academic programming to improve campus experiences of Faculty of Arts undergraduate students. 

Ryerson Science Society

fee supports Ryerson Science Society (RSS) and affiliated student groups’ operations, advocacy efforts and social, non-academic programming to improve campus experiences of undergraduate science students. 

Ted Rogers Students’ Society

This fee supports Ted Rogers’ Student Society (TRSS) bursaries, graduation celebrations, social programming, operations and other non-academic, value-added experiences for undergraduate business students. 

Health and dental fees are charged on a compulsory basis, and students are able to opt out with proof of pre-existing coverage.

CESAR Health & Dental Plan

This fee covers the cost of enrolment in the health and dental plan managed by CESAR, for students registered in a part-time degree program. Information about the benefits of the plan and how students who have alternative coverage can opt out of the plan are available on the CESAR website.

RSU Health & Dental Plan

This fee covers the cost of enrolment in the health and dental plan managed by the RSU. Information about the benefits of the plan and how students who have alternative coverage can opt out of the plan are available on the RSU website.

Universal Health Insurance Plan (UHIP)

All international students (including undergrad, graduate and exchange students) studying in Ontario with a valid study permit are required to be enrolled in a province-wide private insurance plan, called the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP). This plan pays for medical services such as seeing a doctor, hospital stays and treatment, physical exams and emergency services. For more information about the insurance plan and its benefits visit the Ryerson Student Life’s UHIP website.

As part of the university’s annual budget process, the Board of Governors reviews the tuition fee schedule including ancillary fees.

2020-2021 Non-Tuition Ancillary Fees >>

1. Why are society fees appearing twice in RAMSS as “COMP” and “OPT” and what is the difference?
   Some fees supporting faculty society activities are support activities described by the six categories in “Compulsory Fees - All Students.” These fees have been grouped together in RAMSS for transparency purposes. For a breakdown of what activities these fees support, please see the appropriate schedule in the Ryerson Budget. 
2. Why can I no longer opt out of some fees, as was the case last year with the Student Choice Initiative?
   On November 21, 2019 the Ontario Divisional Court made the decision to suspend the opt-out process. As a result, students will be assessed both optional and compulsory ancillary fees effective Winter 2020. For additional information please review Ryerson Today. 
3. Who do I contact if I have more questions about ancillary fees?
   You can contact Ryerson’s ServiceHub.