Students’ Union, university agree to mediation in MacHall ownership dispute

By Fabian Mayer and Kate Jacobson, December 4 2015 —

The University of Calgary and its Students’ Union have agreed to mediation in their dispute over MacHall.

The battle for the U of C’s student centre was headed to court until the announcement early Friday morning. All legal proceedings are put on hold and the Students’ Union will continue to operate MacHall until mediation concludes on Feb. 26, 2016, though this period can be extended by the agreement of both parties.

After years of negotiations on a new operating agreement, the SU made its ownership dispute with the university public in September. The SU then served the university with a lawsuit over the building in October.

The university had planned to take over the operation and certain revenues from the building when the current operating agreement expires on Dec. 9. The SU was seeking an injunction to prevent this  — the hearing was scheduled for just hours after mediation was announced.

A mediator acceptable to both parties will be selected by Jan. 8, 2015.

Both the university and SU declined to comment. The sides have agreed not to speak publicly until the end of the mediation period.