MSU-MAPS Membership Transferability

Undergraduate degree students at McMaster University belong to one of the McMaster Association of Part-Time Students (MAPS) or the McMaster Students Union (MSU). Membership, and associated fees collected by McMaster University, is based on the number of courses taken by a student in an academic session. Memoranda of Agreement (1986, 2007) between MAPS and the MSU define the membership of the two organizations:

• MAPS members are students in 1-17 units of undergraduate degree courses in an academic session, plus all students taking courses through the Centre for Continuing Education (CCE).

• MSU members are students in 18 or more units of undergraduate degree courses in an academic session.

• Effective September 2007, limited membership transferability will be permitted between the organizations by undergraduate degree students who meet specified criteria.

The benefits and obligations of membership in student organizations are indivisible. With the right to vote, access to services and the option to participate, comes a responsibility to pay membership fees in full.

MAPS and the MSU are committed to maintaining the principle of membership based on course load, but have agreed to permit membership transfers in exceptional cases as follows.

Membership transfer from MAPS to MSU

A member of MAPS may transfer their student government membership to the MSU if they are either:

• Registered with the Centre for Student Development (CSD) as having a disability and, based on written confirmation from CSD, is restricted to less than 18 units in each fall/winter academic session; or
• In her/his graduating year, who: (a) in at least one, but not necessarily all, previous fall/winter academic sessions was registered as a member of MSU, and (b) will register in less than 18 units to complete her/his degree at the next Convocation.

Students eligible to transfer must initiate the process, no later than September 30, by submitting a completed application to one of the Centre for Student Development (students with disabilities), the University’s Student Accounts and Cashiers Office, or MAPS and MSU, depending on which of the eligibility criteria they are applying under.

Adjustments to fees are administered by either the McMaster University within the student’s account or independently by the two student governments, depending on which of the eligibility criteria the student applies under. This is because the University will not administer fee adjustments for some transfers.

A transferring student will be responsible to pay additional fees to become an MSU member. The transfer and continued payment of such fees will be permanent and continue for the balance of the student’s undergraduate studies at McMaster University.

A student who has transferred from MAPS to the MSU may opt out of health and dental plans in 2007-2008 (fees totaling $140) if they provide proof of comparable coverage to the MSU no later than September 28, 2007.

For further information, contact Executive Director of MAPS, ext. 23885.

Membership transfer from MSU to MAPS

A member of the MSU may transfer their student government membership to MAPS if they are either:

• Registered in 18-20 units in the fall/winter academic session and was a member of MAPS in a previous fall/winter academic session; or
• In her/his graduating year AND was a member of MAPS in a previous fall/winter academic session AND is registered in more than 17 units to complete her/himailU, depending on which of the eligibility criteria they are applying under.

Adjustments to fees are administered by either the McMaster University within the student’s account or by the two student governments, depending on which of the eligibility criteria the student applies under. This is because the University will not administer fee adjustments for some transfers.

The transfer will be permanent and continue for the balance of the student’s undergraduate studies at McMaster University.

For further information, contact the MSU Business Manager, ext. 24111.