University, Students’ Union extend MacHall mediation

By Fabian Mayer and Kate Jacobson, February 26 2016 —

The University of Calgary and its Students’ Union have agreed to extend their mediation over the MacHall dispute until March 21, 2016. 

Both parties originally agreed to mediation on Dec. 4, 2015. The mediation period began on Jan. 18, 2016 and was set to end today.

“While significant progress is being made on the issues, more time is required,” said a statement on the SU’s website.

The dispute over MacHall’s ownership arose in September of 2015 after negotiations on an operating agreement stalled. The two sides engaged in a bitter back-and-forth over the agreement, which was set to expire on Dec. 9, 2015. The SU eventually sued the university over the building’s ownership.

University administration initially planned to take over the operation and certain revenues from the building when the current operating agreement expired. The two sides agreed to mediation shortly before the courts were set to rule on an injunction that would prevent the university from assuming control of the building.

The SU will continue to operate MacHall under the terms of the 1999 operating agreement.

Both sides have agreed not to speak publicly about the matter until the mediation has concluded.