In fall 2018, a successful referendum was held to offer Ryerson students a Ryerson University Transit Pass (RU-Pass), which was to start in September 2019.

The University was in discussions with the TTC on the implementation of an RU-Pass, when earlier this year, the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities released new guidelines for compulsory fees. It clearly stated that only those transit pass programs with fully executed agreements in place prior to January 17, 2019 could be considered compulsory. This was not the case with the RU-Pass.

Given these requirements, the RU-Pass will not proceed for 2019/20 and students will not be charged a fee associated with the RU-Pass.

For any questions related to RU-Pass, email vps@ryerson.ca.

Compulsory fees are charged on a mandatory basis for programs and services as dictated by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU). 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Under the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities’ (MTCU) Student Choice Initiative, students can decide whether or not they want to pay for programs and services that have been categorized as optional. Opting-out of some fees may limit access to certain services supported by the fee.

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 
• www.cfsfcee.ca

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/

Some optional fees apply to students in specific programs. Students can decide whether or not they want to pay for programs and services that have been categorized as optional. Opting-out of some fees may limit access to certain services supported by the fee.

Ryerson Architectural Science Society

This optional 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 optional 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 optional 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 optional 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

This optional 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 optional 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. To see the current fee amounts:

2019/20 Non-Tuition Ancillary Fees >>

The fee names look different from last year. Why is that? Am I being charged more?

Fees have been renamed to align with the Ministry’s new compulsory categories, however no new fees have been introduced. 

Certain fees that were bundled are now split between categories of compulsory activity to ensure compliance and transparency. For example, the longstanding “Student Services Fee” - which supports the Career Centre, Student Learning Support, The Ombudsperson Office, and Student Health and Wellness - is now allocated across three fees: Academic Support, Career Services, and Health and Wellness.

Why aren’t all ancillary fees optional?

The Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities permits universities to charge compulsory ancillary fees for programs and services in a number of allowable categories, including: academic support, career services, health and wellness, student buildings and campus safety. At Ryerson, these programs and services are delivered by a number of stakeholders including the university, the Ombudsperson Office, student unions, faculty-based societies, and student media.

How can I opt out of fees?

You can opt out of certain fees through your RAMSS Student Centre online. There you will be presented with a list of opt-out fees that apply to you. Each optional fee has a name, description and amount. You can then choose to opt out.

Can I change my mind on paying or not paying an optional fee? Can I opt back in?

You will have an opportunity at the start of each term to reassess your choices. For fall 2019 term, you can make changes up until September 13.

When do I need to decide which ancillary fees I want to opt out of?

If you are a new student, you will decide when you first create your RAMSS account. Returning students can decide now or during open enrollment in August or in a subsequent term if you are not enrolled in the Fall 2019 term.

Who do I contact if I have more questions about ancillary fees?

You can contact Ryerson’s ServiceHub.