2021 SANQC Referendums
February 23, 2021
THE VOTING PERIOD HAS BEEN EXTENDED! Make sure you make your voice heard and vote in our referendums before 4 pm on Wed, Mar 24!
This year, there are three topics that all current NorQuest students who are Students’ Association members will be asked to vote on:
- U-Pass continuation for eligible full-time students
- U-Pass inclusion for eligible part-time students
- MyLegalPlan continuation for eligible students
Voting details were sent to your mynorquest email account on March 17.
See below for more details on the referendum topics.
Referendum Drop In Sessions
SANQC is here to answer anything you need to know about the U-Pass and MyLegalPlan referendums. Stop by one of our drop in sessions to find out more about these programs, how to vote and how else you can help to get the word out!
- Session 1: Wed, Mar 17 from 9:30 – 10 am on Blackboard here.
- Session 2: Wed, Mar 17 from 2:30 – 3 pm on Blackboard here.
U-Pass Referendum Details
The Students’ Association of NorQuest College (SANQC), in cooperation with other Students’ Associations and Unions, has negotiated a new U-Pass contract to replace the current one, which expired August 31, 2020.
The new contract will remain with Edmonton Transit Service, St. Albert Transit, Strathcona County Transit, Spruce Grove, Leduc, Beaumont and Fort Saskatchewan Transit.
The U-Pass would provide unlimited regular usage of Edmonton Transit, St. Albert Transit, Strathcona County Transit, Spruce Grove Transit, Leduc Transit and Fort Saskatchewan Transit during the fall, winter and/or spring/summer semesters.
The U-Pass will cost, per term:
- 2021/2022 – $180
- 2022/2023 – $180
- 2023/2024 – $180
- 2024/2025 – $180
This means that there would be no increase in the price of the U-Pass for the duration of the new contract and would match the price in the final year (2020/2021) of the current contract.
The U-Pass will be mandatory for credit students that have been assessed the on-campus SANQC membership fee at NorQuest, with the following exceptions:
- Mid-term Start Students – Students that have a program start date that does not align with the start date of each of the terms.
- Online Students – Students who take all of their classes online.
This referendum will determine whether the U-Pass program would apply only to full-time students who have paid the on-campus SANQC membership fee or if it will include part-time students who have paid the SANQC membership fee as well.
Students who take 100% of their classes online are exempt from the U-Pass program.
Students eligible for the U-Pass program who have a valid CNIB registration, DATS, SCAT or Handibus registration, work for one of the transit services, have a U-Pass from another provider or have a practicum outside of the service area for longer than eight weeks per term, will still be able to request an exemption.
Under a new pilot program that SANQC and the transit authorities may extend, for the first year of the contract the following students will be able to request an exemption:
Students who are seniors: NorQuest students who turn 65 or older before an academic term begins
Students on AISH: NorQuest students receiving financial assistance from AISH immediately before an academic term begins.
Long Distance Commuters: NorQuest students who commute more than 100 km each way to and from the NorQuest main campus.
Voting Opens: 10 am on March 17
Voting Closes: 4 pm on March 18
You will receive an email in your mynorquest account with details on how to vote on March 17.
While the U-Pass program has been suspended during COVID-19, the alternative transit options that have been made available to students during this time are typically programs that post-secondary students would not qualify for.
A new contract needs to be agreed upon to have the U-Pass program in place moving forward. As has been done to this point, discussions will continue to be had around the implementation of the program depending on the safety measures in place.
Price wise, the U-Pass offers a significant discount compared to other transit options. Currently it is a 38% discount compared to the ETS Youth Pass (24 and under) and a 55% discount from the ETS Adult Pass. The U-Pass will also not increase in price throughout the lifetime of this contract.
MyLegalPlan Referendum Details
The Students’ Association of NorQuest College (SANQC) has implemented MyLegalPlan as a pilot program in 2020/2021 as a way of supporting students needing access to legal services. The pilot program was funded through a one-time Covid-19 relief grant.
SANQC is proposing the continuation of this Legal-Aid Protection service, known as MyLegalPlan. This program is an additional benefit that provides legal support and discounted rates to SANQC members.
This plan covers a wide variety of legal disciplines such as family law, notary services and employment law. This plan would cover students for a 12-month period.
- Covers up to $1,500/year in legal expenses
- 25% lawyer fee discount which continues even after the expenses are maxed out (with lawyers affiliated with MyLegalPlan).
- All lawyers through MyLegalPlan have a minimum of five years experience.
- 24/7 legal hotline.
- Online legal consultation booking.
- Online access to a legal library and downloadable/customizable legal documents.
- Covers: housing, immigration, notary services, mediation, employment, family, personal injury and other areas of law.
Eligible students will be charged $18 per member per year (tax included) for the 2021/2022 academic year.
This price is subject to change and will be reviewed each year by SANQC and Gallivan (provider).
Unconditional opt-out. Students can opt-out for any reason within the opt-out window set by the Students’ Association.
Opting out will result in a full refund for the service.