A new registration deposit triggered considerable controversy at Mount Royal University. Continuing students must now pay $125 before they can register for classes each semester.

The university sent an email out to all students informing them of this change at the end of February. The deposit payment period started four weeks later.

Some students are concerned about how they would pay the deposit. Neither the email sent from the university or the Frequently Asked Questions website that came with the e-mail detailed options for students who couldn’t pay.

Tala Abu Hayyaneh, a second year Policy Studies student, was caught off guard by the new deposit.

“I was really concerned of how I’m going to be able to salvage that money right away … because that could be food or rent … and to come up with that money on such short notice is kind of a challenge,” said Hayyaneh.

Hayyaneh was able to have the deposit deferred after hearing about the option from fellow students.

Cordelia Snowdon, the Vice-President Academic of the Students’ Association of Mount Royal University, is troubled by how the university communicated the new fee, stressing administrators should have let students know about the deferral option.

“That’s important to let them know – not just go to Students Awards and Financial Aid to find out your options, but to really be transparent and up front and say these are the possible options for your scenario.”

Many students found out about the deferral option through social media.

Hayyaneh says that applying for the deferral was an intense experience.

“If I’m a student on student loans and I came to you to get this deferred I think it’s reason enough for me to get the deferral without being asked personal questions on how I’m handling my finances,” she said.

“I kind of felt violated in that sense,” added Hayyaneh.

Hayyaneh was pulled into a one-on-one interview to discuss her financial situation. She worries that other students might be too intimidated to follow through with the process.

The Office of the Registrar declined to comment, saying that they were too busy at this time of year.