In April 2026, King’s University College Students’ Council (KUCSC) passed a motion to hold a student-wide referendum regarding the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) program.
Currently, every King’s student pays $5 per year through their ancillary fees to support the WUSC program. KUCSC is hosting this referendum to give students a direct say in whether this mandatory fee and program should continue, or if funds should be redirected toward other student initiatives at King’s. KUCSC maintains the position that it is essential for students to have the opportunity to vote on how their money is used.
Background
In 2019, students at King’s University College approved a $5 student levy to support participation in the WUSC Student Refugee Program.
In 2021, King’s welcomed a student through the WUSC Student Refugee Program. KUCSC used levy funds to provide financial and practical support including living expenses, supplies, technology, and other related expenses, while King’s covered tuition, residence, and meal plan costs.
Since that time, significant challenges have arisen, including difficulties maintaining an active WUSC Local Committee and changes to the ability of King’s to provide the financial support necessary to sponsor future students. Despite these changes, the $5 levy has continued to be collected. As of April 2026, $90,771.97 has been accumulated through the levy.
KUCSC is seeking direction from students regarding whether the levy should continue through a referendum.
What is a Referendum?
A referendum is a vote where the public decides the outcome of a specific law or policy.
In this case, referenda provide students at King’s University College (collectively, the “Students”) with direct input on matters affecting them. For further information, visit KUCSC’s Referendum Policy.
What is WUSC?
World University Service of Canada (WUSC) is a Canadian international non-profit dedicated to expanding educational opportunities for refugees. Through its Student Refugee Program (SRP), which operates in collaboration with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada, WUSC enables youth living in refugee camps to come to Canada as permanent residents and earn a degree at King’s University College.
King’s students will have the opportunity to choose whether KUCSC should continue collecting the $5 WUSC Student Refugee Program levy.
Option 1: Yes, continue collecting the levy and participating in the WUSC Student Refugee Program.
The mandatory $5 annual levy will remain part of King’s student ancillary fees to support WUSC.
Note: Continuing the levy funds the program itself, but does not guarantee a WUSC Local Committee to manage program operations at King’s.
Option 2: No, discontinue collecting the levy and participating in the WUSC Student
Refugee Program and conduct further consultations on how to distribute
the accumulated funds.
The $5 annual fee will no longer apply to King’s students and no longer go toward the WUSC program.
KUCSC will conduct student surveys, focus groups, and polls to determine how to reallocate these fee dollars to student initiatives. These options could include exploring parking subsidies, food security initiatives, or other student resources.
Campaign Resources
The KUCSC has developed a form that must be completed and submitted by campaign teams seeking to participate in the WUSC Referendum. Campaign teams can take a position of continuing the $5 levy or discontinuing the $5 levy.
Note: The KUCSC will remain entirely neutral. Any members part of the KUCSC seeking to campaign must take a leave of absence from their position during the campaign and voting period. Please contact governance@kucsc.com for more information.
Key Dates
The voting dates for the WUSC Referendum will open at 8am on November 4th and close at 8pm on November 5th.
Questions?
If you have any questions about the WUSC program or the campaign period, please contact info@kucsc.com.
