Frequently Asked Questions
We understand you may have questions about the DAGS dissolution and the formation of DOGS. We've compiled the most common questions here to provide clarity.
1 Why did this issue only surface in 2024 when DSU allowed DAGS to operate for years?
This is a crucial question that DSU has never answered directly. If the CFS-NS affiliation was a problem, it should have been addressed in 2018 when DAGS first lost ratification—not in 2024 after years of operation under DSU oversight. The fact that DAGS was allowed to hold elections, request funds from DSU, and operate in a limited capacity while DSU controlled its money suggests that DSU was fine with DAGS existing—until the executives finally gathered all the required documentation to become fully independent again and gain financial access.
2 Who was responsible for ensuring the CFS-NS paperwork was completed?
The responsibility for formalizing the CFS-NS affiliation was shared between DAGS, DSU, and CFS. The missing signatures from the presidents that invalidated the agreement were from both DSU and DAGS's leadership at the time in 2017. Since then, DAGS did not actively pursue CFS-NS membership because no fees were ever officially collected or paid, and no formal contract was binding.
3 Why did DSU block DAGS's ratification so late in the process?
DSU's sudden refusal to ratify DAGS was based on concerns regarding the incomplete CFS-NS affiliation from 2017. Despite being aware of this issue for years, DSU allowed DAGS to operate in a limited capacity—holding elections, approving society grants, paying their office coordinator, and maintaining an office—while withholding the full privileges of a ratified society, including financial control.
4 Why was CFS-NS even an issue for an existing society like DAGS?
Historically, DAGS was a recognized levy society, meaning it collected funds to operate and support graduate students. When the CFS-NS referendum was held in 2017, DAGS received a 10% approval from grad students to affiliate. However, the official documentation (which required signatures from the president DAGS at that time, the president of DSU, and CFS chair) was never completed, meaning no membership fees were ever formally collected or remitted. The reason why it was never signed, we were never given any answer.
5 What happens to the fees graduate students have been paying all this time?
This is one of the biggest unresolved questions. Graduate students are still being charged the CAD 20 levy, even though DAGS no longer exists. Under normal circumstances, these fees would be allocated to graduate societies and DAGS itself. Now that DAGS is dissolved, there has been no clear statement from DSU about where this money is going or how it is benefiting graduate students.
6 What's next? What can graduate students do?
DOGS (Dalhousie Organization of Graduate Students) was formed to continue advocating for graduate students despite the loss of DAGS. Right now, our focus is on ensuring transparency, building a new graduate community, and holding DSU accountable. If you have further questions or experiences you'd like to share—please reach out to us at dogs@dal.ca.