After a year of criticism from several student leaders, the University of Toronto Students’ Union (UTSU) has discontinued its Insider Pass program. The insider pass was available for $20 last fall and promised students access to exclusive events, discounts, and a ‘student survival kit.’ A detailed breakdown of the pass revealed that most of the discounts marked as exclusive were already available to students as part of mandatory fees paid to the UTSU.
When asked about the revenue the program produced and its level of success, UTSU president Yolen Bollo-Kamara said that the UTSU is constantly exploring ways of keeping students engaged. “Last year’s Insider Pass provided an incentive for students to stay connected throughout the year by providing them with discounts or free entry to numerous events, in addition to the promotions offered by various sponsors,” she said.
Regarding the decision to eliminate the Insider Pass this year, Bollo-Kamara explained that a changed structure motivated the decision. “This year, we are focused on promoting the popular new Blue Crew volunteer program, which is recognized by the new co-curricular record (CCR) and offers many opportunities for students to get involved in UTSU initiatives,” Bollo-Kamara said.
Pierre Harfouche, UTSU vice-president, university affairs, echoed remarks he made last year regarding the Insider Pass. “The Pass allowed students who had spare change to become ‘Insiders,’ essentially ‘better members.’ This was extremely unfair for students who could not afford this, or did not know about the Insider Pass. All UTSU members deserve to be treated equitably instead of being treated based on their ability to fork out $20 at the start of the year,” he said.
Harfouche attributed the decision to remove the Insider Pass from orientation events as a lesson learned from last year’s criticism. “It is likely that the executive team last year realized their misstep and discontinued the Pass, alternatively there may still be support for the Pass, but it is definitely not vocal,” he explained.
When asked how many of the passes were sold, Harfouche said he was unsure of the numbers.
Brian*, who purchased the Insider Pass as a first-year student last September, said he was disappointed when he heard that many of the purported benefits were available free of charge. “I felt cheated when I realized that I had essentially been the victim of false advertising. I was attracted by the Greyhound and food discounts, which I later learned were free of charge,” he said.
*Name changed at student’s request.
