What was supposed to be an annual celebration showcasing the work of OCAD U students is the subject of intense controversy as the university appears to be asking student volunteers to pay the salaries of proctors and security staff at the event.
For six years, the OCAD U Artist Alley (OAA) has been a celebrated tradition in the university community, where student artists can sell and showcase their work in a one-day marketplace on campus.
However, the event appears to be in jeopardy this year as the student organizers recently released a statement claiming that OCAD U management will require the student organizers to pay the salaries of cleaning and security staff working at the Event works.
The statement signed by the OAA team said they were initially told that they would only have to cover the salaries of the supervisory staff, and after resistance from the student body, the university administration scheduled a meeting with the organizers.
“After deliberating as a team, we are sharing the news that this was not a productive or mutual conversation and the new information that emerged in the conversation resulted in our concerns not being acknowledged and our opinions being dismissed,” it said Explanation.
“In the future, we not only need to compensate the salaries of OCAD University’s supervisory staff, but now we also need to compensate the salaries of their security team.”
The statement then breaks down that it would cost an additional $515 to procure their one-day event and an additional $1,030 for their two-day event in September.
Since this is a non-profit event, there appears to be no way for the student organization to raise the necessary funds to cover costs, especially in time for the April 6 event.
Additionally, the student group argues that as paying students (with tuition of $10,000 or more per year) they should not be required to pay university staff salaries. Where do your tuition fees go then?
“We are confused as to why OCAD University is unable to pay its employees accordingly and would instead place unreasonable expectations on its paying student body for an event that benefits the institution,” the statement said.
According to the statement, university leadership offered the student group options for raising the funds to pay salaries (applying for a “micro-scholarship” of up to $250 or charging table fees), but none of these options were viable, the statement said.
The student group organizing OAA has now launched a petition to oppose the school's demands for organizers to pay these fees, but only current OCAD U students and alumni can sign.
The OCAD Artist Alley will be held at 100 McCaul Street on April 6 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will feature work by emerging OCAD U artists and alumni.