Events

False allegations on Social Media

February 26th, 2020

Dear Members,

Some of you may have seen posts in social media accusing the former Vice-President Internal Affairs of misconduct. The UWSA can confirm that no funds were embezzled or donated to political parties and that these allegations are entirely false and defamatory in nature. The UWSA is considering pursuing legal action against those responsible for the slanderous comments made on social media.

As was publicly communicated in social media and via our website in the fall of 2019, the VPIA was removed due to conflict of interest, and this process was transparently shared with the UWSA Board of Directors, and voted on in Closed Session, as per the processes outlined in the UWSA Bylaws. Privacy and labour legislation prohibit personnel matters, which are confidential, to be disclosed publicly.

For more information on how UWSA student fees are used, you can access the budget on the website, here: https://theuwsa.ca/budget/

The UWSA encourages students’ questions regarding how UWSA funds are used, and invites all members to attend the AGM in March, where the budget and financial reports of the organization are delivered publicly, including an appraisal by an external auditor.

If you have any further questions, please contact us at communications@theuwsa.ca.

Sincerely,
The UWSA

Loud in the Library is Tomorrow!

February 24th, 2020

It’s time to get Loud in the Library tomorrow!

Tomorrow, we’re celebrating Black History Month by prioritizing Black voices.

Join us for an evening of spoken word amongst written words in the University of Winnipeg Library from 6-8 PM📚

All are welcome to attend and refreshments will be provided.

Candidate Speeches for the 2020 General Elections!

February 22nd, 2020

The candidates for the UWSA General Elections are students just like you. They represent your faculties and communities to the UWSA and the University.

Find out if your representatives care about the same issues as you before you cast your vote.

Attend Candidate Speeches at:
The Hive
February 24 & 26
12.30 – 1:30 PM

Learn more about your election candidates and make an informed vote in the 2020 General Elections.

Can’t make it to the event? Click here to read Candidate Bios in the Voter’s Guide.

Speech Schedule:

Monday, Feb 24 – Candidates for:
UWSA Senator
Accessibility Director
International Students’ Director
Arts Director
Community Liason Director
Vice-President External Affairs

Wednesday, Feb 26 – Candidates for:
Graduate Student Director
Racialized Students’ Director
Business and Economics Director
Vice-President Student Affairs
2SLGBT* Director
President of the UWSA

Please e-mail events@theuwsa.ca for written copies of the speeches, accessible seating and other accessibility requests.

2020 UWSA General Election Candidates

February 14th, 2020

Here are your 2020 UWSA General Election Candidates!

President of the UWSA
Jibril Hussein
Kirt Hayer
Mahlet Cuff

Vice-President Student Affairs of the UWSA
Melanie William
Noelle Sagher
Reza Saker

Vice-President External Affairs of the UWSA
Alex Ilesanmi
Breanna M. Belisle
Shawna Péloquin

UWSA Senator
Ada Chukwudozie
Cheta D. Akaluka

Accessibility Director
Sarah Anderson

Arts Director
Wesley Fallis

Business and Economics Director
Harsimrat S. Malhotra

Community Liason Director
Celina Clements

Graduate Student Director
Alexandra K. Nychuk and Nadia M. Chaharsoughi (Co-Directors)

International Students’ Director
Elsa Owusu and Onyinye F. Idigbe (Co-Directors)
Harshleen Singh

Racialized Students’ Director
Ella Taylor

2SLGBT* Director
Jacob K. Antman

REFERENDUM QUESTION

The City of Winnipeg has made a fee increase mandatory to continue offering the U-Pass.

Are you in favour of a U-Pass fee increase of $24.50 per term, amounting to a total U-Pass fee of $160.75 per term (adjusted annually for inflation), to continue providing unlimited access to Winnipeg Transit services for students?

Respond with a Yes or No vote:

Yes, I am in favour of the U-Pass fee increase
No, I vote to end the U-Pass

*This referendum is open to be voted on by all students. Sides can register by completing a nomination form, available by request from the CEC at cec@theuwsa.ca. Registration deadlines for referendum sides (either opposing or not-opposing) is February 28, 2020 at 4 p.m.

For information on where and how to vote, visit theuwsa.ca/elections.

Winnipeg Jets Reading Week Deal for Students!

February 13th, 2020

Looking for something fun to do during reading week? Check out a Jets game with an exclusive deal just for you!

Experience the thrill of a Jets game for $50! The Reading Week Deal includes:

One discounted upper bowl ticket to Winnipeg Jets vs LA Kings on Feb 18
One FREE beer
And the chance to win a truly amazing Winnipeg Jets prize!

Use promo code: STUDENTBREAK to purchase your tickets today!

PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS HERE!

Last day to Nominate Yourself for the UWSA General Elections

February 13th, 2020

Today is the last day to nominate yourself to run in the UWSA General Elections!

Submit your nomination forms to the CEC or in the health plan drop box in Riddell Hall by 6 PM today. Download the nomination forms and find more details here.

UWSA Stands in Solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en Nation

February 12th, 2020

The University of Winnipeg Students’ Association (UWSA) are firmly in solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en Nation as they continue to assert sovereignty on unceded territories and resist state violence.

On December 31, 2019, the BC Supreme Court issued an injunction allowing the RCMP to forcibly remove Wet’suwet’en people from their traditional territories in northern British Columbia. The Hereditary Chiefs of all five clans of the Wet’suwet’en Nation responded by rejecting the Supreme Court’s injunction. Then, the Chiefs evicted Coastal GasLink and their contractors who are attempting to build a liquified natural gas pipeline (LNG) across Wet’suwet’en territory.

The UWSA encourages students to take action in support of the Wet’suwet’en community. Some way you can help are:

Read the supporter toolkit
Educate people on the issue by watching a screening of the documentary, Invasion, together
Donate to the Unist’ot’en Camp and their legal fund
Sign the pledge
Share postson social media, talk to your community, keep eyes on the Unist’ot’en and Wet’suwet’en!

Locally, you can support the Indigenous Youth for Wet’suwet’en Winnipeg by bringing them food, beverages and supplies as they occupy the office of Northern Affairs Minister, Dan Vandal.

The UWSA supports the demands of the Wet’suwet’en Heriditary Chiefs and call on the BC government to end violence and respect the sovereignty of Indigenous peoples there.

Sincerely,
The UWSA

#WetsuwetenSolidarity
#WetsuwetenStrong

REBLITE Ruling - Feb 10, 2020

February 12th, 2020

Referenda and Elections By-law Interpretation and Transparent Enforcement Board Meeting February 11, 2020 7 p.m.
UWSA Boardroom

On November 10th, David Teffaine and Kierra Ryner were found to be in violation of 5.24.i for pre- campaigning. The CEC decided to disqualify both candidates invoking clause 5.21.iv.a.4. The decision made by the CEC was appealed by David and Kierra.

On Nov 20th 2019 David Teffaine was found to be pre-campaigning in violation of By Law 5.24.i according to the CEC. The CEC’s decision was to disqualify David Teffaine from the election based on clause 5.21.iv.a.4 to implement supplementary rules.

In the case of Kierra Ryner, Kierra has also been found to be in violation of by-law 5.24.i. The REBLITE Board recognizes the severity of these violations. The appeal and all supplemental interventions were sent by David on behalf of himself and Kierra, satisfactorily demonstrating to the board that they were working as a team.

The REBLITE Board is tasked with ensuring a fair and impartial process and upholding the UWSA by- laws and policies in regards to the election. The CEC is accountable to the REBLITE board and the board finds the CEC’s ruling fairly demonstrates and rectifies the aforementioned violation of the election rules, as per 5.33.iii.e.

REBLITE has determined to uphold the rulings of the CEC.
The REBLITE Board’s ruling is final, binding, and may not be appealed, as per Section 5.31.x.

Click here to view all 2020 General Election Rulings.

Wet'suwet'en Solidarity Action

February 10th, 2020

Tonight, join us as we continue peaceful actions in solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en’s defence of their land against the RCMP and Coastal GasLink pipeline.

Click here for more information!

Prevent viral illnesses and racial stereotypes

February 5th, 2020

According to Manitoba Health, the risk of the novel Coronavirus affecting Manitoba is low, with just four confirmed cases in Canada so far. Coronavirus symptoms, such as a cough, fever, sore throat, runny nose, headache, and breathing difficulties, are similar to the common cold are easily treatable in most cases.

As a precaution, public health officials advise individuals to take common prevention measures. They recommend regular hand washing with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand cleanser, covering your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing with your sleeve; and avoiding contact with anyone showing symptoms of a respiratory illness, such as coughing or sneezing.

News of the spread of Coronavirus has also led to increased negative racial stereotyping of Chinese and East-Asian people. Instances of this include avoiding visibly Asian individuals in public, shaming cultural foods, making assumptions on hygiene practices, and insensitive social media posts.

Several other foreign-borne illnesses like the SARS outbreak have been racialized in the past. Stereotypes like these are xenophobic, inaccurate and hurtful.

The University of Winnipeg Students’ Association (UWSA) encourages students to support Asian students on campus by debunking myths stemming from racism. Education and following public health recommendations are critical to preventing the spread of the virus and the discrimination associated with it.

For links to more information, visit the website at www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/diseases/coronavirus.html.

For health questions or more information on respiratory illness, Manitobans can phone Health Links–Info Santé at 788-8200 or 1-888-315-9257 (toll-free).