University of Saskatchewan Policies

Residential and Food Services Rates Authorization

Category:	Operations and General Administration
Responsibility:	Vice-President (Finance & Resources)
Authorization:	PCIP Board of Governors
Approval Date:	September 30, 2005
Effective Date:	October 31, 2005

Purpose:

The University of Saskatchewan Act provides the authority for the Board to approve all rates for residential and food services. Recognizing that the Board can delegate this authority, this policy sets out guidelines by which that authority will be administered. The purpose of this policy is:

• To ensure that rates for residential and food services are assessed by the University are properly authorized and publicized.
• To ensure that the Board retains responsibility to set institutional direction regarding rates for residential and food services.
• To provide for delegation of authority over residential and food services rate approvals to the administration.
• To ensure that residential and food services rates charged to students are in accordance with Board approved policy.
• To describe the types of residence and food services.

The scope of this policy is specific to residential and food services rates. Other fees that may be assessed for services such as tuition and fees, parking, athletics activity fees, and books, are outside the scope of this policy.

Policy:

With regard to residential rates, administration is authorized to approve changes within the following guidelines:

• Increases should not exceed 7% per year.
• Residential rates should be structured to cover costs (direct and indirect, including administrative support, as well as the need to provide for renewal of facilities) and utilities, to the extent possible, while remaining competitive with the Saskatoon residence market.
• If residential rates are subsidized as a student recruitment tool, the full rental rate should be reflected and a subsidy recorded.

With regard to food services rates, administration is authorized to approve changes within the following guidelines:

• Increases should not exceed 7% per year.
• Food services rates should be structured to cover costs (direct and indirect, including administrative support), to the extent possible, while remaining competitive.

Any changes to rates not in accordance with these guidelines will require approval by the Board.

Definitions:

Residence rates can be considered within the following categories: residential, conference, and other rental:

Residential rates are defined as charges to students for occupying University-owned dormitory rooms and apartments. Rates are set on a daily or monthly basis.

Conference rates are defined as charges for room usage on campus for a short duration to host conferences and seminars.

Other rental rates are defined as charges, as per agreements, for space rental on campus by affiliates of the University (e.g. Counselling Services, Student Societies, etc.).

Conference rates and other rental rates are outside of the scope of this Policy. These rates would be determined based on a need to be competitive and to cover costs of operations.  

Food services rates can be considered within the following categories: contract meals and cash sales:

Contract meals rates are defined as charges for daily food services provided in accordance with a prearranged agreement or food plan. Meals are provided to students at a pre-set daily rate and an off-campus meal plan is also provided. There may also be other food plans introduced, as applicable.

Cash sales rates for food services are defined as charges for food items, meals or usage of food services and space on a one-time basis. These services include buffeterias; catering for dining rooms, conventions, and banquets; and space rental.

Procedure Summary:

Residential and food services rates must be reviewed, approved and publicized as follows:

1. Residential and food services rates should be reviewed annually by the Consumer Services Division, in consultation with the Vice-President (Finance & Resources) and SESD, as part of the budget-setting process.

2. Consumer Services Division will meet with the USSU and GSA Executive annually to discuss proposed rate changes.

3. All changes to residential and food services rates must be recommended by the Consumer Services Division, in consultation with the Vice-President (Finance & Resources) and SESD, and approved by PCIP.

4. Students currently residing in University-owned apartments will be notified of any residential and contract meal rate changes for the fall session, once the rate changes have been finalized (i.e. after January 31st).

4. Residential and contract meal rates, as appropriate, should be easily accessible on the University of Saskatchewan website. Cash sales rates should be accessible at point-of-sale locations.

5. A summary of residential and food services rates will be provided to the Board on an annual basis.

6. Board approval will be requested when administration views that residential and food services rate increases are considered significant and/or involve sensitive issues.

Other Residential and Food Services Rates Requirements:

1. To ensure that review and approval requirements can be met and that system changes can be accommodated, any requests for new rates should be finalized by December 31st for implementation in the subsequent fall session. All rate change requests should be finalized by January 31st for implementation in the fall session.

Contact: Director, Consumer Services Division (966-6785)

Web Site: www.usask.ca/consumer_services

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