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MANAGER, STUDENT SERVICES
MANAGER, STUDENT SERVICES 150 150 HR
ABOUT THE STUDENTS’ UNION

The Students’ Union (SU) is one of the leading undergraduate Student Associations in Canada. We are a not-for-profit organization that works to ensure that University of Calgary undergraduate students have the best possible university experience through advocacy, representation, and providing valuable on-campus services and programs. We also manage several businesses within the MacEwan Student Centre including a restaurant and bar, two concert venues, a convenience store, a used bookstore and copy centre, and the MacEwan Conference & Event Centre.

We’re in the business of student leadership, and so SU staff are all teachers in some capacity. We coach, mentor, and work alongside the elected members of our student government to help them develop skills and make good decisions for the organization. As such, the SU is a nimble and leading-edge organization that can pivot quickly to address emerging issues and trends.

The Students’ Union offers all our employees a competitive, market-determined salary. Our benefits, though, tend to exceed the market. These include:

  • Five weeks paid vacation, to start
  • Unlimited paid sick time
  • A six percent RRSP matching program
  • Full health and dental benefits plus a health spending account
  • A mission-driven culture that values work-life balance, diverse experiences, and kindness

At the Students’ Union, we prioritize the well-being and professional growth of our employees, fostering a supportive and engaging workplace. Our commitment to a positive work environment has resulted in a dedicated, long-serving team with low turnover. If you are seeking a meaningful career where your contributions are valued without compromising work-life balance, the Students’ Union may be the ideal place for you.

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Director, Student Services, the Manager, Student Services provides leadership and oversight for the effective delivery and ongoing development of Student Services programs and services. The position leads a team of staff responsible for a range of student-facing programs and services, including volunteer services, the LGBTQ Centre, Quality Money programming, scholarship and awards opportunities, the refugee student program, and office administration.

The Manager provides coaching, mentorship, and operational guidance to staff while working closely with the Director, Student Services and Policy Analyst to support the orientation, development, and ongoing work of elected Students’ Union officials.

The position also supports organizational planning, governance processes, elections, committee work, and the effective administration and continuity of Student Services programs.

SALARY

The hiring range for this position is $65,000 to $73,000 annually. The offered salary will be negotiated based on a candidate’s relative experience. As a not-for-profit organization, it is extremely unlikely that we will be able to offer a successful candidate a salary outside of this range.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Lead, manage, coach, and mentor the Student Services team, including three full-time and 14 part-time staff members.
  • Provide oversight and guidance to the Coordinators responsible for Information and Administration, Governance Administration, and Volunteer Services.
  • Oversee the delivery and ongoing development of Student Services programs and services, ensuring they align with organizational priorities and the needs of undergraduate students.
  • Provide leadership and guidance for programs including volunteer services, food bank, LGBTQ Centre, event planning, Quality Money programming, scholarship and awards opportunities, refugee student programming, and office administration.
  • Establish and maintain effective workflows, systems, processes, and information management practices to support efficient service delivery.
  • Review and monitor staff-led projects and initiatives to ensure departmental responsibilities, timelines, and organizational priorities are met.
  • Work alongside the Director, Student Services and Policy Analyst to support the orientation and annual planning processes for elected Students’ Union officials.
  • Provide coaching, mentoring, and operational advice to elected officials, particularly the Vice-President Internal, while maintaining appropriate professional and organizational boundaries.
  • Support the administration of Students’ Union elections and provide leadership and guidance to the Programs and Services Committee and Quality Money Committee.
  • Participate as an ex-officio member of internal committees as required.
  • Provide budget and financial recommendations to the Director, Student Services and support responsible use of departmental resources.
  • Work with Student Services staff to plan and implement initiatives that support student engagement, student life, and organizational priorities.
  • Liaise with University departments and other internal and external stakeholders to support Student Services programs and initiatives.
  • Provide advice and support on emerging issues, change management, conflict resolution, and operational matters.
  • Support the development and implementation of annual and longer-term departmental plans.
  • Perform other duties as required.
QUALIFICATIONS
  • A university degree in a related field and a minimum of five years of progressive leadership or management experience. An equivalent combination of education and experience would be considered.
  • Previous experience working within a post-secondary education, government, public sector, or non-profit environment is preferred.
  • Experience working with elected officials, student leaders, boards, or community organizations is preferred.
  • Demonstrated experience leading, coaching, and developing staff in a professional environment.
  • Strong organizational and planning skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, competing demands, and emerging issues.
  • Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex information clearly to a range of audiences.
  • Demonstrated ability to build effective working relationships with staff, elected officials, University partners, and other stakeholders.
  • Strong judgment, discretion, and professionalism when dealing with sensitive or confidential information.
  • Demonstrated ability to adapt to change, manage conflict, and support others through periods of change.
  • Basic financial literacy and experience with budgeting or financial administration.
  • Strong computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.

For more information, check out the position description.

LOCATION

This is a fully in-office position at the University of Calgary’s main campus.

HOW TO APPLY

Please send a resume and cover letter to resumes@su.ucalgary.ca. We are accepting applications until October 16, 2026, or until the position is filled. We anticipate making a hiring decision by late-October.

STATEMENT ON EMPLOYMENT EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION

The Students’ Union is committed to ensuring that members of equity-deserving groups, from a broad range of communities, feel empowered to apply for positions within the organization. We strongly encourage qualified candidates from Black, Indigenous, and/or other racialized communities to apply. Qualified candidates who identify as 2Spirit and/or LGBTQIA+ or are otherwise marginalized on the grounds of gender expression, gender identity, and/or sexual orientation are also strongly encouraged to apply.

The Students’ Union welcomes applications from people with disabilities and believes strongly in accessibility in the work we do. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process – please advise us at any point and we will work with you to meet your needs while respecting your privacy as much as possible.

The Students’ Union is grateful to work on the traditional territories of the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, which includes the Blackfoot Confederacy (comprising the Siksika, Piikuni, and Kainai First Nations), the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda (including the Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Goodstoney First Nations). The City of Calgary is also home to Métis Nation of Alberta, Region III. The University of Calgary is situated on land adjacent to where the Bow River meets the Elbow River, and the traditional Blackfoot name of this place is Moh’kins’tsis, which we now call the City of Calgary. The Students’ Union also recognizes that land acknowledgments are not enough. We need to pursue truth, reconciliation, decolonization, and allyship in an ongoing effort to make right with all our relations.

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NOTICE OF NOMINATION: BY-ELECTION 2026
NOTICE OF NOMINATION: BY-ELECTION 2026 150 150 admin

Notice is hereby given that Nomination Days are Tuesday, September 22 and Wednesday, September 23, 2026. Nominations for the election of candidates for the following offices will be accepted virtually from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Offices Available (# of Vacancies)

  • Faculty of Social Work Representative (1)
  • School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Rep (1)
  • Schulich School of Engineering Representative (2)
  • Senate, Student-at-Large Representative (1)

More information can be found on the SU By-elections page. 

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NOTICE OF ELECTION – BY-ELECTION 2026
NOTICE OF ELECTION – BY-ELECTION 2026 150 150 admin

Notice is hereby given that an election will be held for the filling of the following offices:

  • Faculty of Social Work Representative (1)
  • School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Rep (1)
  • Schulich School of Engineering Representative (2)
  • Senate, Student-at-Large Representative (1)

Online voting will take place on the 6th, 7th, and 8th of October 2026 through the my.ucalgary.ca Student Centre. Voting opens at 9 a.m. on October 6th and closes at 4 p.m. on October 8th, 2026.

Polling stations are open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on each voting day at the following locations:

  • Mac Hall: South Courtyard
  • Engineering Block C: By the Atrium/Social stairs
  • Hunter Student Commons: 3rd floor, by the Social Work entrance

All University of Calgary undergraduate students registered in the above faculties in the Fall 2026 session are eligible to vote. All undergraduate students registered in the Fall 2026 session can vote for the Senate, Student-at-Large Representative.

For more information, visit the SU By-Election 2026 page.

Dated at the University of Calgary in the City of Calgary, Province of Alberta, this 24th day of September 2026.

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University of Calgary Students’ Union recommends proactive approach to AI policy and training to AI expert panel
University of Calgary Students’ Union recommends proactive approach to AI policy and training to AI expert panel 150 150 admin

Student leaders recommend not adopting AI for adoption’s sake

CALGARY – As the world of artificial intelligence (AI) continues to rapidly grow, the University of Calgary Students’ Union (SU) is concerned about the impact the technology has on student learning and their development.

The SU provided written and verbal feedback to the Expert Panel on AI Impacts on Labour Markets and Educational Post-secondary Outcomes on September 18, emphasizing that while the technology is new, that doesn’t mean it’s necessary for learning.

“We’re not surprised that the Government of Alberta is taking a closer look at AI in learning,” says Gabriela Dziegielewska, SU President. “A few years ago, conversations around AI focused on cheating. Now, we’re seeing that students and faculty alike are applying AI to every part of academia.”

With AI usage rising at post-secondary institutions, it’s time for institutions to develop and maintain policies around how the technology can be used and implemented.

Feedback given to the expert panel also outlined the harm AI is having on students’ ability to critically think.

“In my third year, AI started to be more pronounced in post-secondary learning,” says Zoe Zeritsch, SU Vice-President Academic. “I started to use it like my peers, and before I knew it, I began to simply turn to AI first. Through constant usage, I could feel my own cognitive decline.”

The SU is recommending that training should be provided to students, staff and faculty on what AI can do, its limitations and how to use it effectively. Without proper training, those using AI tools fail to understand how its dangers as well as its applications.

As the technology continues to develop, post-secondaries also have an opportunity to embrace alternative forms of assessment to better promote genuine learning. Still, student leaders emphasize that AI should not be used for grading. Human review still must be done to ensure students are learning and Alberta does not see a situation where AI grading is tasked with marking AI submissions.

At the forefront of the AI conversation is data and privacy, which should be safeguarded when developing policy surrounding AI. Students should have the option to report improper AI use without feeling they could be penalized for doing so.

“AI works best as a tool of convenience for people with established abilities,” concludes SU President Gabriela. “Our post-secondary institutions excel at teaching those abilities. Adoption for adoption’s sake will prevent our future skilled workers from developing independent expertise by taking them straight to the shortcuts.”

We urge the expert panel to listen to recommendations made on the potential harm of AI use and allowing it to remain unregulated.

Quick facts

  • As more employers find AI literacy desirable, 77 percent of Canadian post-secondary students expect their institution to offer AI training (KPMG)
  • 42 percent of Canadians use AI at work; just 12 percent have taken formal training (Growclass)
  • Of the 73 percent of Canadian students who use AI tools in academia, almost half admit their “first instinct” upon receiving a written assignment is to generate a first draft with AI (KPMG)
  • A 2025 survey of over 2,000 US schoolteachers found that 60 percent had used AI in the past year, with 79 percent of those respondents using AI tools to save time on grading assignments (The 74)

About the University of Calgary Students’ Union
We represent over 30,000 undergraduates at the University of Calgary and work to bring their concerns to various levels of government as well as the university. For media inquiries please contact: christian.apostolovs@ucalgary.ca

About the Expert Panel on AI Impacts on Labour Markets and Educational Post-secondary Outcomes
The Expert Panel was convened by the Government of Alberta to advise the Ministry of Advanced Education on the responsible and effective integration of AI within Alberta’s post-secondary system. Their final report is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2026.

Members
The Expert Panel is composed of seven AI entrepreneurs, executives, and analysts: Nicole Janssen (chair), Stephanie Enders, Neerja Gupta, Dr. Jessalyn Holodinsky, Michael Lim, Celia Wanderley and Aarn Wennekers.

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University of Calgary proposes more tuition and fee increases for 2027-28
University of Calgary proposes more tuition and fee increases for 2027-28 150 150 admin

The Students’ Union (SU) is looking for your feedback ahead of tuition and fee consultations with the University of Calgary. This year, the university is proposing a number of tuition and fee increases that will impact undergraduates in the 2027-28 academic year:

  •  2% increase to domestic undergraduate tuition
  • 5% increase to international undergraduate tuition
  • 4% increase to mandatory non-instructional fees
  • 5% average increase to charges by Ancillary Services (e.g., residence, parking)

In Alberta, post-secondary institutions must discuss the proposed costs of education for the next academic year with their student councils. At the University of Calgary, that’s the SU for undergraduates and the Graduate Students’ Association for graduate students. A series of public and private meetings, called the Tuition & Fees Consultation Committee (TFCC), takes place each year between student representatives and university leadership.

The SU has fought for students in an increasingly complex fiscal environment since 2019, when the Government of Alberta began reducing post-secondary operating grants by cutting them or leaving them unadjusted for inflation.

That’s why we’re looking for your feedback on the above proposals. Without hearing your voices, the university is left to make decisions by default around tuition and fee increases.

Early TFCC discussions are underway, and we want to bring your feedback to university leadership at our next meeting on September 29. You can connect directly with us before that date by emailing your student leaders. There’s still time to have your say on this year’s proposed increases.

  • Email SU President Gabriela Dziegielewska: supres@ucalgary.ca
  • Email SU Vice-President External Mahad Rzain: suvpext@ucalgary.ca

About the Students’ Union
We represent over 30,000 undergraduates at the University of Calgary, advocating on their behalf to the university and all tiers of government.

For media inquiries
christian.apostolovs@ucalgary.ca

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SUMMER ADVOCACY SURVEY
SUMMER ADVOCACY SURVEY 150 150 admin

Right now, you can tell us exactly which issues matter most to you by completing our annual SU Summer Advocacy Survey. We’ll ask you about tuition and fees, employment, food insecurity, housing, and more. Your responses will guide our efforts in these areas, so please take a few minutes to fill it out by Friday, Sept. 18.

2026 SUMMER SURVEY

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Budget Advocacy Update: One SU Recommendation Underway, Another Submitted
Budget Advocacy Update: One SU Recommendation Underway, Another Submitted 150 150 admin

Your SU has exciting news about our work to advance your priorities to the Governments of Alberta and Canada.

Textbooks shouldn’t break the bank: $3 million invested in open access materials

Ahead of Budget 2026, we submitted recommendations to the Government of Alberta (which you can read here). Among them was a proposal to invest $1 million into developing more free learning materials, also known as Open Education Resources (OER). Not only did the Ministry of Advanced Education take the proposal and run, but they also committed $3 million over the next three years. This investment comes at a time when students can expect to spend hundreds to thousands of dollars on commercial reading lists.

The Ministry is finalizing the roll-out and began consulting students’ groups including the SU last month. We ran an on-campus survey to inform our first meeting, so if you were among the 60 students who shared painful memories of eye-watering textbook prices, we salute your bravery. (Missed us that day? Email your thoughts on OER to your Vice President Academic and we’ll use them in future feedback.) On-campus experts Sarah Adams, open education librarian, and Alex Poppendorf, education researcher, also kindly shared their advice with us.

Today, we followed up with a written submission to aid the Ministry’s work, in partnership with UCalgary’s very own Graduate Students’ Association (GSA). Among other things, we suggested a funding model involving students jobs as well as savings. We’ll keep you updated as the Ministry’s work unfolds.

Bringing campuses up to code: improving accessibility for everyone

UCalgary celebrates its 60th birthday as a university this year, but did you know the campus is even older than that? Construction began in 1959, when UCalgary was still a branch of UAlberta, and some buildings are showing their age. Today, many ‘accessibility’ features on our main campus are anything but accessible, ranging from unadjusted washrooms to elevators with outswing doors.

In Canada, older facilities aren’t required to meet modern accessibility standards, which can limit the access of students with disabilities to an education they pay full price for. Inaccessible spaces also pose challenges for other groups, like staff with temporary injuries, or grandparents hoping to attend graduation ceremonies.

UCalgary isn’t even Canada’s oldest campus, which is why your SU is urging the Government of Canada to help improve public post-secondary accessibility. Every year, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance receives recommendations ahead of the next federal budget. We suggested creating a $30 million Accessible Campus Fund for campus upgrades and retrofits, ranging from automatic doors to audiovisual tools, based on the existing federal Enabling Accessibility Fund.

Read our full submission here, which also contains a series of recommendations by the GSA to supercharge Canadian productivity and innovation through research and graduate funding. The SU and GSA will be discussing our recommendations with Members of Parliament in the coming months, and you’ll be the first to hear of developments in these campaigns.

Quick links
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2026 SU Teaching Excellence Award Winners
2026 SU Teaching Excellence Award Winners 800 533 admin

Yesterday, the Students’ Union (SU) announced the professors, instructors, and teaching assistants being honoured through the SU’s annual Teaching Excellence Awards (TEA). Awards and honourable mentions were given to 39 exceptional members of the university community to highlight their commitment to student success over the past academic year.

The annual TEA is the SU’s campus-wide recognition program giving undergraduate students the chance to honour and thank those instructors, professors, and teaching assistants who have supported and made a lasting and positive impression on their students. All nominees and winners and determined exclusively by students.

The students of the University of Calgary are fortunate to have such a dedicated group of excellent educators that do their best to bring a top-tier experience to this campus. The impact that this year’s winners have made in student lives does not go unnoticed and it is a privilege to be able to recognize their hard work with this year’s Teaching Excellence Awards.

The SU received over 1,000 nominations this year and shortlisted 135 educators for the committee to review. Award winners received an Apple Award and a framed certificate. The SU will also donate $5,000 to the Taylor Institute for Teaching & Learning in recognition of the contributions made by the award winners and to support the professional growth of instructors to address the changing needs of students.

TEA is an event that has been funded in part due to the Quality Money program. The funding that TEA provides is not only used to host the awards ceremony but also to offer further training and workshops to UCalgary instructors and facilitate an environment where high quality of teaching becomes a standard for all students. From the start, the awards were intended to give undergraduate students the opportunity to provide feedback on the quality of the university instruction they receive. With the University ending the Quality Money program, this may be one of, if not the last, renditions of TEA, so we are grateful to this year’s crop of educators just a little bit more than usual.

For more information about the SU TEA program, please visit www.su.ucalgary.ca/TEA.

The SU wishes its sincerest congratulations to all of the winners and honourable mentions. The complete list of award winners and honourable mentions is available below.

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Media inquires may be directed to:
Nathan Ross
Manager, Communications and Government Relations
Nathan.ross@ucalgary.ca
All photos must be credited to Gene Baines

Teaching Excellence Awards – Teaching Assistants

  • Matthew Chu
  • Mr. Tyler Hiltermann
  • Kaylin Husband
  • Wesley Joyce
  • Aimee Koristka
  • Ms. Katelyn Le
  • Mr. Jonah Nelson

Teaching Excellence Awards

  • Dr. Tiffany Boulton (Cumming School of Medicine)
  • Dr. Aliya Kassam (Cumming School of Medicine)
  • Dr. Victoria Fast (Faculty of Arts)
  • Dr. Brittany Lindsay (Faculty of Arts)
  • Jessica Ruffolo (Faculty of Arts)
  • Dr. Lucia Vojtassak (Faculty of Arts)
  • Coleman Vollrath (Faculty of Arts)
  • Dr. Saied Jalal Aboodarda (Faculty of Kinesiology)
  • Dr. Howard Kislowicz (Faculty of Law)
  • Dr. Carol A. Kroeker (Faculty of Nursing)
  • Dr. Joe Harrison (Faculty of Science)
  • Dr. Ann Quinney (Faculty of Science)
  • Dr. Mayada Khalil Shahada (Faculty of Science)
  • Krista Osborne (Faculty of Social Work)
  • Justin Knibbe (Haskayne School of Business)
  • Dr. Hussein Ahmed Warsame (Haskayne School of Business)
  • Dr. Ricardo Moya-Barbera (School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape)
  • Dr. Maryam Badv (Schulich School of Engineering)
  • Dr. Ismael Foroughi (Schulich School of Engineering)
  • Dr. Schuyler Hinman (Schulich School of Engineering)
  • Catherine Burwell (Werklund School of Education)

Teaching Excellence Awards – Honourable Mention

  • Dr. Jalel Azaiez
  • Dr. Maureen T. Duffy
  • Allen Habib
  • Dr. Craig Jenne
  • Rosalind Kang
  • Danika Lipman
  • Mr. Grant Maheu
  • Tina Petrick
  • Jerrod M. Smith
  • Prof. David V. Wright

Hall of Fame Award

  • Dr. David R.M. Pattison

Hall of Fame, Dr. David R.M. Pattison (Science)

Winner in Teaching Excellence, Dr. Saied Jalal Aboodarda (Kinesiology)

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The Students’ Union Announces New Student Government
The Students’ Union Announces New Student Government 150 150 admin

Calgary – The Students’ Union (SU) of the University of Calgary is pleased to announce the results of the SU General Election which will form the 84th Students’ Legislative Council (SLC). Undergraduate students were able to cast their vote in the election from March 3-5 to determine which of their peers will represent them to faculties, the university, and the three orders of government.

There was just a single race within the executive positions this year which was a three-candidate race for SU President. Gabriela Dziegielewska has been elected, defeating Julia Law and Michael Harris to succeed Naomie Bakana as President. They won with 66.1% of the vote.

They will be joined by three uncontested Vice Presidents, who all garnered enough Yes votes to win their races. The three Vice Presidents will be Abdu Negmeldin (Vice President Internal), Mahad Rzain (Vice President External), and Zoe Zeritsch (Vice President Academic).

The position of Board of Governors representative was also uncontested, and Aitazaz Shah received a majority of yes votes to claim the singular Board of Governors’ seat. While the SU had two open seats for the position of Senate Representatives. Ophelia Vecchione will be joining the Senate, and the other open position will be filled in a future by-election.

In the Faculty Representative races, there were three faculties with races – Arts, the Haskayne School of Business, and Kinesiology.

There were six candidates for the Faculty of Arts, in which there were four positions available. The four elected are Davina Elesin, Xander Halsey-Dam, Abbas Hussain, and Fatima Jarid.

In the race for the two seats available to represent the Haskayne School of Business, there were three candidates. Zahra Qazi and Elias Karayiannis were successful in their bids, and will be joining the 84th SLC.

In the final contested race, there were three candidates for the singular Faculty of Kinesiology seat. The successful candidate is Noah Karmali.

Other Faculty Representative races asked students to vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ for candidates. All candidates running received a majority of ‘yes’ votes in their respective races:

Cumming School of Medicine (two seats available): Laiba Nasir and Nikhil Srivalsan

Faculty of Law: Mickail Hendi

Faculty of Nursing: Natasha Tenor

Schulich School of Engineering (two positions available): Jana Abdelrahman and Khadiza Ahsan

Faculty of Science (four positions available): Warren Hamill, Yansing Huang, Sehaj Kang, and Carrar Saleh

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine: Samuel McFetridge

Werklund School of Education: Siena Yee

There was also a Referendum Vote to determine if students supported implementing a fee to finance a Mac Hal Redevelopment Fund beginning in the Fall Term of 2026/27. With 55.2 % of the vote, students have voted to support this fee, meaning the referendum has passed.

3309 students voted in the 2026 General Election, which equates to 11% of the undergraduate population. The results announced today are provisional and become official on March 13. Students elected in this General Election will take office on May 4th, 2026.

The SU will hold a by-election in October 2026 to fill the vacancies for the following positions:

  • Faculty Rep., School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape (1)
  • Faculty Representatives, Schulich School of Engineering (1)
  • Faculty Representative, Social Work (1)
  • Senate Student-at-Large Representatives (1)

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Inquiries may be directed to:

Nathan Ross
Manager, Communications & Government Relations
nathan.ross@ucalgary.ca
Cell: 403-835-1836

The new 2026-2027 SU Executive team. From the left, Zoe Zeritsch, VP Academic; Abdu Negmeldin, VP Internal; Gabriela Dziegielewska, President; Mahad Rzain, VP External.

Aitazaz Shah, incoming Board of Governors representative, General Election 2026

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Quality Money is Your Money: Don’t Let the University Decide Where it Should Go
Quality Money is Your Money: Don’t Let the University Decide Where it Should Go 150 150 admin

Quality Money (QM) is a unique tuition rebate program that gives students a say over where their dollars should go. Every year, the student-run QM Committee reads through applications and selects innovative, impactful projects that enhance our campus. With just a fraction of annual tuition revenue, QM has launched over 100 initiatives since 2003. Projects you may be familiar with include:

The $3 Quality Meal at The Den

The SU Wellness Centre

The Science Collaborative Study Space

Expansion of the African Studies program

UCalgary's red arch (without QM, it would still be beige)

The Affordable Market at the Campus Food Hub

The UCalgary Recovery Community

Residence's Outdoor Study Space

(Check out our vid on Instagram for more!)

This year, senior university leadership told the SU that they don't see the value of one of the biggest student-led programs on campus. Instead, they want to absorb QM funds into the university's regular budget, eliminating student choice entirely.

Leadership claims their plan is primarily based on the results of UCalgary's 2025 student survey... but the answers this survey received don't actually support their plan to reallocate QM's funds. The university wants to invest most of QM's budget (60%) into classrooms — even though students placed classrooms fifth out of eight on their list of priorities. The university also plans to address the 96% of students who opposed this year’s tuition increase by adding just 0.3% to its existing financial aid budget.

We heard a different message from you: you’re tired of annual tuition hikes, and you at least want to know where your money goes. We don't think UCalgary will adequately resolve your concerns by clawing back the tiny fraction of tuition that students get to manage for themselves every year. With QM, you know exactly where your money goes: every project ever funded is available on our website for your review.

If QM is taken away, students will lose this direct say over how their money should be spent. We believe students have the best understanding of what students need, but without QM, there'll be no mechanism available to pilot now-established services like the Annual Flu Clinic, or introduce spaces like Spyhill's Accessible Exam Centre (both of which were student ideas). We don’t think the university (or even the SU) should get to unilaterally decide what happens to your tuition rebate without you.

That’s why we want to hear from you before UCalgary takes the decision out of your hands. If you…

  • See value to a program that lets students shape the campus they pay a premium for,
  • Have ever used, enjoyed, or benefited from an initiative funded by QM,
  • Have a great idea for enhancing our campus that won't be possible if QM goes away,
  • Have ever worked on a QM project yourself, or
  • Think QM could be improved, but don’t think the university should get to decide what that looks like for you

…then we want to hear from you. Email your thoughts to your SU President, or send the SU a signed copy of the template letter below. We’ll present your voice to executive leadership and make sure the university’s most senior officials know exactly how you feel.

Discussions with the university on QM's future are still underway. We’ll have more updates for you as they develop.

Click for: a template letter

Below is a template letter you could use to support preserving QM. You can write your own, or simply sign the below if it speaks to you. Send your letter in PDF, Microsoft Word, or email format to supres@ucalgary.ca or reception@su.ucalgary.ca.

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Subject: Protect Student Choice by Keeping Quality Money (QM) Alive

Dear University of Calgary leadership,

I write to express my support for the Quality Money (QM) program, which gives students a direct say in how our money should be spent on our campus. QM allows us to leverage a portion of our tuition dollars to advance projects that improve our experience. The ability to propose, evaluate and otherwise support these initiatives ourselves embodies genuine student choice. This cannot be replaced by a top-down allocation model that the university unilaterally decides to impose.

We therefore request that University of Calgary leadership:

  • Preserve the Quality Money program as a student‑governed funding mechanism.
  • Revoke any proposal that removes our authority to directly decide where our tuition rebate dollars should be spent.

Thank you for respecting the right of students to shape the resources that affect our daily lives.

Click to learn more about: QM's track record

From a review of projects initiated in five funding years (2015-16/2019-20).

  • 80%+ of projects intended to achieve sustainability (e.g. a wellness service) or create specific deliverables (e.g. equipment) succeed
  • ~10% of QM projects introduce a responsive intervention to a temporary issue (e.g. emergency student supports)
  • Applicants most commonly apply for QM funding because there is no suitable university funding channel available
  • Many applicants also seek QM funding because they need to establish proof of concept before applying for internal and external funding sources
Click to find out: why applicants applied to QM, in their own words

These are quotes taken from Quality Money applicants over the program's many years (edited for brevity).

“While we are pursuing sustainable funding sources, a QM grant will allow us to keep our program running over the coming year. If we can't continue the program for a full year while we work to secure funding, we risk compromising relationships with faculty and returning contributors.” — Staff member, on a program that runs to this day

“The initial phase of this project will act as a 'proof of concept' to quantifiably demonstrate the demand for this service, as well as its effectiveness. It is currently our intention to use the information we collect to strengthen our argument that the university should fund this in the future.” — Student, applying for a program UCalgary now runs annually

“My department is currently preparing a budget for this service going forward, but there are significant immediate needs that QM can address.” — Faculty member, describing the benefits of QM's flexibility

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