Student leaders at the University of Calgary are fighting a by-law that would see them hand over thousands of tax dollars to the city.

While other provinces do not collect property taxes from campus dorms, Alberta residences get a yearly bill.

President of the students’ union, Hardave Birk, says it’s unfair considering the residences operate on a non-profit basis and cannot be sold.

Students also argue they don’t see any returns from paying the tax.

Officials paid $525,000 in property taxes last year.

Birk tells The Calgary Herald the money would be better used to fix up aging dorms.