An Update on Addressing Institutional Racism at the UWSA

July 6th, 2020

On June 12, 2020 the UWSA Board of Directors (“the board”) approved a motion to send a formal request to the UWinnipeg Human Rights and Diversity Office (HRDO) to investigate the experiences of harassment and discrimination disclosed by students Mahlet Cuff and Noelle Sagher in social media on June 4 and 10. These disclosures include the potential involvement of the current UWSA Executive Director team: Jibril Hussein, Melanie William, and Breanna Belisle. 

On June 16, 2020, the board approved a motion to put the Executive team on paid administrative leave until the investigation is completed.  

The UWSA Board of Directors believes our former Executives’ experiences and the opinions shared on the Executive Directors’ Instagram account, were not approved by the UWSA Board, nor supported by UWSA labour unions. 

We acknowledge our part in creating an environment where our former Executives felt unsafe and unsupported. We want you to know that we’re listening, and we’re committed to changing the way we work to address the gaps in our organization for Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour.  

In addition to the external HRDO investigation, the UWSA Board of Directors is committed to providing anti-racism training and to conducting an internal investigation, with the support of a third-party, to help us identify and change the limitations of our policies and processes, and take steps to improve them.  

We recognize that these are just the first steps towards dismantling institutional racism inherent in colonial educational institutions, and we plan to continually evaluate where we are, and do better. Over the year, we will continue to share information on our next steps with students on our website.

During this time the UWSA would like to support any students that were affected by these disclosures and actions, as well as to reassure all students that Executive emails and phone lines are forwarding to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), and being redirected to supporting UWSA departments. The UWSA Board will be meeting on July 8 to discuss other interim changes to board meetings and subcommittees.

In the absence of a Chair of the Board, our former Chair, Taylor Daigneault has stepped-in to offer interim support.  

All questions regarding Board Meetings can go to UWSA General Manager, Jennifer Black, at j.black@theuwsa.ca  

All questions regarding business operations can go to UWSA Chief Operating Officer, Karolya Vargscarr, at k.vargscarr@theuwsa.ca   

Thank you for raising your voice and always keeping us accountable. 

Sincerely, 
UWSA Board of Directors
University of Winnipeg Students’ Association

About the Canada Student Service Grant (CSSG)

June 26th, 2020

On June 25, 2020, the Federal Government launched the Canada Student Service Grant (CSSG) portal, that connects qualified post-secondary students and recent graduates with volunteer opportunities to support Canada’s response to COVID-19. In recognition for their service, eligible students can receive a grant of between $1,000 and $5,000, depending on the number of hours worked.

While the grant does provide support to some students, many students will once again be left out.  International students, students over the age of 30, and those who are receiving the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), are not eligible for CSSG. 

UWSA’s International Students’ Co-Directors, Elsa Owusu and Francisca Idigbe (UWSA) stress on the fact that the Coronavirus pandemic has created unprecedented disruption for international students across Canada.

“They are struggling to make ends meet and need support too,” they say. “We are calling on the federal government to provide income support to international students.” 

Canada needs a program that doesn’t leave anyone behind. The Canadian Federation of Students has a template, which students can use to call Minister Qualtrough, the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development, and Disability Inclusion, to ask for an expansion of the Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB) to include international students and make the CESB $2000 per month.

To be considered eligible to apply for CSSG, you must: 

• be enrolled and attending post-secondary education during spring, summer or fall 2020; or 
• have graduated from PSE no earlier than December 2019; and
• be 30 years old or younger as of December 31st, 2020; and
• be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, First Nation, Métis or Inuit, or those with Refugee status.

All Canadian students and recent graduates who meet the eligibility criteria can receive the Grant for volunteering between June 25th and October 31st, 2020. Students who study abroad are also eligible, but they must be currently living in Canada. If you receive or have received the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), you are not eligible for the Grant.

Applying for Volunteer Opportunities: 

Once you’ve confirmed you meet the eligibility criteria, you can start searching for service opportunities on the I Want to Help platform. You have until August 21, 2020 to apply. If you are already volunteering with a charity or not-for-profit organization and would like your hours to count towards the Canada Student Service Grant, the organization you’re volunteering with can submit the opportunity for approval before August 21st, 2020 — as long as it meets all of our requirements.

Once you’ve found an opportunity, create your account and apply here. You will need: 

• A piece of identification such as a valid driver’s license, provincial or territorial identification, or, a valid passport; and
• A proof of registration from a recognized post-secondary institution for Spring/Summer 2020 or Fall 2020; or
• A proof of graduation from no earlier than December 2019.

Track your hours: 

Remember to track your hours once you start volunteering at the place of your choice. The organization will assign you a supervisor who will be able to approve your volunteer hours as you complete them.

The Canada Student Service Grant ranges from $1,000 to $5,000. The more volunteer hours you work between June 25 and October 31, 2020, the higher the grant amount you will be eligible to receive. Note that the Grant is only offered in increments of $1,000 for every hundred volunteer hours completed. This means you won’t be receiving $1,500 for 150 completed hours.

For more information, please review the eligibility details and application requirements here. For additional support, you can call 1 (833) 521-0117 or email us at support@iwanttohelp.org between Monday to Friday, from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm EST.

U-Pass @ UWinnipeg: Community Consultation

June 23rd, 2020

The UWSA Board of Directors want your feedback on whether the UWSA should offer the U-Pass in the Fall 2020 term. Please submit your response via this survey here: U-Pass @ UWinnipeg: Community Consultation.

Questions? Please read through the FAQs below before you select your answer. 

How much is the U-Pass?  

The U-Pass fee for Fall/Winter 2020-21 is $200 per term. Students will pay this fee with their other registration fees at the beginning of each term. The U-Pass program is mandatory for all full-time students. 

What options do I have in the absence of U-Pass? 

In the absence of the U-Pass, students can purchase monthly or semester post-secondary passes. The post-secondary pass costs $81.65/month or $278/semester.  

Starting May 1, 2020, eligible adults can apply for a WINNpass, a monthly transit pass for individuals with low income. Please click here to check your eligibility. 

If you don’t plan on using transit frequently, you can choose to purchase e-cash or cash tickets on a pay-per-use basis. A full list of fares can be found here. 

Why do I have to decide now?  

In order to provide U-Pass in the fall, the UWSA and Winnipeg Transit need to start preparing in the summer. UWinnipeg and UWSA staff also need to input registered students’ data and collect financial information two-three months before classes start. 

How often will I have to travel to the campus in Fall 2020? 

As of now, the University has not made an official announcement regarding Fall classes. We have been told that a vast majority of classes will be offered remotely. According the provincial health guidelines, post-secondary institutions can provide learning in settings where learning and/or research requires hands-on experience. Examples may include, but are not limited to, laboratories, studios, trades instructions and practicums. 

If I select yes, does that mean U-Pass won’t be available all year?  

The U-Pass fee is assessed on per term. Your survey response will help guide us for the Fall 2020 term from September – December 2020. Depending on the public health situation, the U-Pass fee may or may not be charged for the Winter 2020 term.  

What if the public health situation improves by the Fall? 

The U-Pass fee is assessed at the beginning of the term. So, we will not be able to provide it in the middle of the term. Later in 2020, the UWSA Board of Directors will decide whether to offer U-Pass in Winter 2020-21 from January – May 2020/21. 

Is it safe to travel on the bus? 

Winnipeg Transit has made changes to service and operation in light of COVID-19. Please visit this link here to review their guidelines for social distancing and reduced schedules.  

Can I Opt-Out of U-Pass? 

Enrollment for full-time students is mandatory, as per the student referendum and legal Winnipeg City Council directive. However, select students, including but not limited to those who live outside city limits and/or use handi-transit are eligible to opt-out. Please click here to check if you qualify.  

Some Winnipeg biking pit-stops to help you maintain your bike over the summer!

June 1st, 2020

Does your bike need a tune-up or maintenance? Although the UWSA Bike Lab’s physical location is closed due to University of Winnipeg’s closure and the pandemic, some community bike shops are still open and ready to help!

The situation is changing everyday so please visit the specified websites or follow them on social to check when they reopen.

Co-op Velo (Open)
190 Ave de la Cathedrale
Tue – 4:00 to 7:00 PM
Thu – 4:00 to 7:00PM
Sun – 12:00 to 4:00PM
Contact: info@coopvelocite.ca

Orioles Bike Cage 
444 Burnell St.

Tues 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Contact: oriolesbikecage@gmail.com

South Osborne Bike Hub
725 Kylemore Ave
Mon, Fri, Sat – 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Contact: sobikehub@gmail.com

The Bike Dump (Temporary Closed)
631 Main Street
Volunteers are answering questions via e-mail and Facebook.
Contact: winnipegbikedump@gmail.com

The Wrench
1057 Logan

Thurs, 12:00 to 5:30 PM
@ The Forks – 1 Forks Market Rd

Wed, 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM 

Sat, 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Sun, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Contact: inquiry@thewrench.ca

Ralph Brown Tool Cupboard

460 Andrew St. (located in the Community Centre)

Thurs and Fri 1:00 to 5:00 PM

The Bicycle Garden

267 Sherbrook St.

Tues to Fri – 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Sat – 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM

UWSA Bike Lab (Temporarily Closed)
515 Portage Avenue (The University of Winnipeg)
Contact: b.hewagamage@theuwsa.ca

UMCycle (Temporary Closed)
University of Manitoba
Contact: umcycle@umsu.ca

Please note that all community bike shops are DIY shops, which are volunteer-led. Staff and volunteers are there for you to learn how to repair your bikes by yourselves in a well equipped workshop, at no charge.

Questions? Contact the UWSA Services Manager at b.hewagamage@theuwsa.ca.

UWSA BoD Meeting: June 3, 2020

May 27th, 2020

The next UWSA Board of Director Meeting will be conducted over Zoom on June 3, 2020 at 5.30 PM. All UWinnipeg students are welcome to attend the open session. To attend, email j.black@theuwsa.ca for the link using your UWinnipeg webmail address. Please include the following information in the email:

• Full name
• Student number
• That they are a UWinnipeg student currently enrolled in classes, or registered to start or resume classes in the summer or fall.

Please note that students have to sign into the meeting using their UWinnipeg webmail address, and are expected to mute their mic unless we are in an active question period.  The acting chair of the meeting reserves the right to mute participant mics where necessary.

Please click here to view the June 2020 Board Meeting Agenda.

Student can download the June 2020 Board Meeting Package here.

All participants are expected to abide by the University’s Respectful Work and Learning Environment Policy.

Questions? Please email us a j.black@theuwsa.ca for more information.

Final Grade Options Deadline: May 28

May 26th, 2020

Due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, University of Winnipeg students may choose how their grades will affect their grade point average (GPA) calculation for the Winter 2020 and Fall/Winter 2019-20 terms. 

Students can either request to have a course final mark appear on their transcript but not count toward their GPA, or, choose a pass/fail option (Standing or F) rather than a grade displayed on a transcript.

 You have until May 28 to make your decision and submit your request for either options.

To request an alternative final grade, please complete one of the following forms and send it, via your UWinnipeg webmail, to Student Central at studentcentral@uwinnipeg.ca. 

• Undergraduate Alternate Grade Form 
• Graduate Studies Alternate Grade Form

For questions about progression in your program or prerequisites in your major, please contact your Department Chair.  You are strongly encouraged to speak with an academic advisor prior to making your decision, to ensure you consider possible consequences. Please contact advising@uwinnipeg.ca or call 204-786-9257.

UWSA representatives are also there to support you through the process. Please contact your VPSA, Melanie William, at vpsa@theuwsa.ca if you require academic guidance.

UWSA Health Plan Opt-Out/Opt-In/Opt-Change Deadline: May 20

May 19th, 2020

Tomorrow, May 20. is the last day to Opt-Out, Opt-Change, or Opt-In for the UWSA Green Shield Health Plan for students enrolled in Spring-Summer Courses. 

Please note that only students starting classes in the Spring/Summer term can Opt-Out/Opt-Change right now. Students who started in Fall or Winter can Opt-Out/Opt-Change in September/January. Coverage is mandatory for International Students. 

All Opt-Outs are processed online. Please have your student number handy. Click here to Opt-Out.

Download the form here and submit it to optchange@theuwsa.ca to join the plan or add a partner or dependent to your plan.

For more information, contact Emmanuel Iwuoha e.iwuoha@theuwsa.ca

Canadian Emergency Student Benefit (CESB) Applications Open Tomorrow, May 15

May 14th, 2020

Starting tomorrow, May 15, eligible UWinnipeg students will be able to apply for the Canada Emergency Student benefit through their Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Account. 

While the CESB will offer much needed support to many students who had been left out of the CERB, there are still ways to improve this vital program. International students, who make up 12.5 per cent of UWinnipeg’s student population will still be left out. 

The amount of $1250 per month is also considerably less than the $2000 per month that applicants receive through CERB. The reduced amount is not enough to cover education and living costs for students unable to work or find work due to the pandemic. 

The UWSA appreciates the financial support from Ottawa and hopes that both the federal and provincial governments will take steps to ensure that the CESB is available to all students and is on par with the CERB. 

About the Canada Emergency Student Benefit 

The CESB will provide financial support to recent graduates and post-secondary students who are unable to work or find employment due to COVID-19, or are not earning over $1000, and who are not eligible for either the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) or Employment Insurance (EI).  

The benefit will provide $1,250 every four weeks for eligible students or $2,000 every four weeks for eligible students with disabilities or those with children or other dependents. The CESB is available from May 10 until August 29, 2020. Applications will be accepted until September 30, 2020. 

Applications for the CESB will open Friday, May 15, 2020. To get ready to apply, the CRA encourages eligible students to take three important steps: 

• Step 1: Register a profile with the CRA. If you have never filed an income tax return with the CRA, you may not have a profile with them. Call 1-800-959-8281 to activate your SIN with the CRA. 
• Step 2: Register for My Account as this is the fastest and easiest way to apply for the benefit. 
• Step 3: Enroll for Direct Deposit with the CRA through My Account or your financial institution to get your CESB within 3 days of applying. Alternatively, you must ensure your mailing information is up-to-date in My Account to receive a cheque by mail within 10 business days. 

Please visit the CESB website here to make sure that you qualify and have all the documents necessary to submit your application.  

Need food? Here are some community resources where you can get emergency food support

May 13th, 2020

In order to protect the safety and health of students and community members and staff, the UWSA Foodbank will remain closed till the public health situation improves. However, as students deal with unprecedented challenges, food and income insecurity continue to rise.  

Harvest Manitoba has helped us prepare a list of distribution centres across Manitoba where students and community members can access free emergency food and groceries.

Harvest Manitoba 

If you need emergency food, please call Harvest Manitoba to book an appointment at your local food bank. You can reach them by phone or email.

In Winnipeg:  
New to Harvest Manitoba Phone: (204) 982 – 3671

Returning Clients to Harvest Manitoba Phone: (204) 982 -3660
Email: appointments@winnipegharvest.org 
Outside Winnipeg:  
Phone: 1 (800) 970 – 5559 
Email: kellym@winnipegharvest.org 
Hours:  
Monday to Friday 9:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. 
Saturday 9:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. 

 You will need the following information when calling:  

• Six-digit Manitoba health number  
• International Students: You don’t need a Manitoba Health Card to access the foodbank. Simply, keep your UWinnipeg Student Number handy.  

Seniors and people living with disabilities can have food delivered to their residence via Harvest Manitoba by calling (204) 982–3660. Walk-ins service is not available, so please call before visiting a food distribution centre.  

Other Winnipeg Community Resources 

If you need supplemental food, the following soup kitchens are open and serving pre-packaged food. 

• Agape Table
  364 Furby St.  
  Monday – Friday: 7 a.m. – 11 a.m.  
   
• Siloam Mission
  300 Princess St. 
  Monday – Sunday  
  Breakfast: 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. (only for people staying overnight)  
  Lunch: 12.30 p.m. – 1.30 p.m.  
  Supper: 6.30pm – 7.30pm  
   
• Manitoba Metis Federation
  Call for a hamper and have your MMF# ready. Delivery only. 
  150 Henry Ave. 
  65 & under: Call 204-589-4327  
  65 & over: Call 204-586-8474 (ext. 371) 
   
• Missionaries of Charity  
  167 Aikins Street   
  Take and Go: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday  
  Breakfast: 9.30 a.m. – 10.45 a.m. 
   
• West Central Women’s Centre
  640 Ellice Ave.  
  Monday, Wednesday and Friday: 12 – 1 p.m. (lunch and coffee until supplies last)  
  Tuesday and Thursday: 5 – 6 p.m. (dinner and coffee until supplies last)  
  Saturday: 10 – 11 a.m. (breakfast and coffee)
   
• Main Street Project
  661 Main St. 
  Thursday: 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. 
   
• Main Street Project (Shelter)
  637 Main St. for men: 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 a.m.
  190 Disraeli Freeway for women: 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 a.m.
  First come first serve for overnight shelter. 
   
• Union Gospel Mission  
  320 Princess  
  Breakfast: 11 a.m. | Supper: 7 p.m. 
  50 people served each day 
  Drop-in service provided from 2 – 4 p.m. from Monday-Friday for use of showers and food (if available). Maximum of twenty people every thirty minutes. 
   
• Light House Mission  
  669 Main St. 
  Monday – Thursday 
  Breakfast: 9 – 11 a.m. | Lunch: 2 – 3 p.m.  
  Friday: 1 – 2 p.m. | 6:30 – 8 p.m. 
  Call 204-943-9669 for an emergency hamper. 
   
• Salvation Army  
  For residents only. Shelter units are currently full.  
  180 Henry Ave.  
   
• Crossways in the Commons  
  222 Furby St.  
  Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Fridays: 11.30 – 3 p.m.  
  Free lunches: 12:30 – 1.10 pm. 
  Call 204-774-2773 to arrange an appointment for emergency hampers after-hours. 
   
• Bear Clan Den  
  563 Selkirk Ave.  
  Call 204-219-1052 
  Changes every day depending on the supplies they receive so call ahead. 
   
• North Point Douglas Women’s Center  
  221 Austin St. N  
  Wednesday & Friday: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., 1 – 4 p.m.

           Thursday: 1 – 4 p.m.

           Saturday: 1 – 5 p.m.

           Non-perishable food hampers and feminine hygiene products are also available. 
 

• The Welcome Home
  188 Euclid Ave.  
  Wednesday: 10 a.m. onwards 
  20 food hampers distributed on a first-come-first-serve basis. Bagged lunches after that. 
   
• North End Women’s Center
  394 Selkirk Ave.  
  Monday-Friday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. or until they run out 
  Bagged lunches, hygiene products, pads, clean needles and new-born diapers available. 
   
• Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Center  
  Emergency kits with food (bagged lunches, fruit, juice box & granola bar), baby supplies (diapers, formula, baby cereal & baby food jars, basic needs (toilet paper, feminine products, shampoo, conditioner & soap).  
  Deliveries only
  Monday to Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.   
  Request kits by calling McGregor location 204-925-0330/6816 
  Or, Spence location 204-925-0352 or 204-925-0348 
   
• Macdonald Youth Services (ages 13-21)  
  159 Mayfair Ave.  
  Call: 204-477-1804 (within Winnipeg), 1-888-477-1804 (outside Winnipeg)
  Offering food, shelter, shower, and laundry 
   
• Daniel Mcintyre/ St Matthews Community Association  
  823 Ellice Ave.  
  Monday – Friday: 2 – 6 p.m.  
  Take-out window for drinking water, snacks, hygiene supplies, feminine products, safer sex protection, clean needles socks & service referrals. Ring the doorbell out front for service. 
   
• Feed My Lambs  
  117 Euclid Ave.  
  Friday: 3:30 p.m. 
  Food-hamper distribution on a first-come, first-serve basis.  
   
• Andrews Street Family Centre  
  220 Andrews St.  
  Emergency food, diapers & formula available with MB health card.  
  Meals served Monday – Friday: 12 – 2 p.m.  
   
• Salvation Army Weetamah  
  324 Logan Ave.  
  Bread every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday: 11 a.m.  
  Washrooms available: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. 

Questions? Please contact us at foodbank@theuwsa.ca.  

Provincial cuts to UWinnipeg’s funding to increase financial and academic challenges for students amid global pandemic.

May 11th, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Provincial cuts to UWinnipeg’s funding to increase financial and academic challenges for students amid global pandemic.

WINNIPEG [Treaty 1 Territory] May 11, 2020 – On May 11, 2020, UWinnipeg announced that the Government of Manitoba has cut the University of Winnipeg’s (UWinnipeg) operating grant by 3.7 per cent, amounting to a $2.3 million reduction, even as post-secondary students deal with uncertainties due to the Coronavirus pandemic. This is the third year in a row that the province has cut post-secondary operating grants.

Since enrolment for the Spring/Summer term at UWinnipeg has increased, these cuts will put pressure on administrators to offer high-quality education, while also striving to provide the financial and academic support that students need as they deal with uncertainty.

“Students are facing reduced course options for the spring term, and with the current economic instability, this news is profoundly disappointing,” says Jibril Hussein, President of the University of Winnipeg Students’ Association. “Cuts to the operating grant and the University’s budget will probably mean fewer course options for students, and higher tuition costs to make up for the lost revenue. This, coupled with the economic downturn due to COVID-19, presents one of the worst financial futures students have ever faced.”

Hussein agrees that critical financial decisions need to be made during an economic crisis but defunding educational institutions is not a sustainable strategy. 

“Investment in post-secondary education is not only vital for the wellbeing of all of its students, but for the province’s future as well,” he says. 

According to UWinnipeg, funding cuts will impact their ability to meet the significant demand increase the University is currently experiencing. 

“I’ve witnessed the adverse effects that the current public health situation has had on both academic life and mental health of students at the University,” says Melanie William, UWSA Vice-President Student Affairs. “Budgets are about choices, and this choice sends a clear message that students are not a priority for this government.”

The University of Winnipeg plans to present its revised budget to the Board of Regents in June. In order to avoid layoffs, their focus will be on non-salary reductions as they pivot to meet the growing demand for educational programs. 

About UWSA

Established in 1972, the University of Winnipeg Students’ Association (UWSA) democratically unites the students of the University of Winnipeg in order to advance student interests. As well as promoting communication within the University, the UWSA advocates on behalf of students to administrative bodies.

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For further information, contact:

Shreya Jhunjhunwala 
Communications Manager
The University of Winnipeg Students’ Association
0R30 – 515 Portage Avenue
Winnipeg MB R3B 2E9
(204) 962-7023
s.jhunjhunwala@theuwsa.ca