News

Next Board of Director Meeting: Monday, June 30

June 26th, 2025

NEXT MEETING: Monday, June 30 at 5 p.m. CST.

All UWinnipeg students are welcome to attend the Open Session over Zoom. Please email admin@theuwsa.ca by 12:30 PM on the day of the meeting for the Zoom link using your UWinnipeg webmail address and your Student ID Number.

Please review the following documents before the meeting:

 

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

Student Beach Field Trip July 15!!

June 25th, 2025

UWSA Student Beach Field Trip

Come join us for a fun day at Grand Beach! This in-person event is the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind, and enjoy the sun with your fellow students. Pack your sunscreen, snacks, and beach gear for a day filled with sand and smiles.

Don’t miss out on this exciting adventure – get your tickets here: showpass.com/student-beach-field-trip

Important Notes:

  • Must send a signed waiver to events@theuwsa.ca or hand it in person! You can find the waiver here: UWSA Waiver
  • This field trip is ONLY open to University of Winnipeg Students! We will ask you to check your UWinnipeg ID before getting on the bus.
  • We will not be issuing refunds. Please ensure you’re able to make it.
  • If it rains on Tuesday, July 15 we will reschedule for Thursday, July 17.

Summer Connect

June 2nd, 2025

Your UWSA executives want to meet you and listen to your ideas! We have prepared a special gathering at the University of Winnipeg Quad on June 20 at 4:00 p.m. so you can meet them, pitch your ideas, and share. We’ll see you there!

First Nations Students Automatic Opt-Out Process

May 30th, 2025

If you are a self-declared First Nations student, you are automatically opted out of the UWSA Health Plan.

If your tuition and fees are paid by a First Nations band, Indigenous community, or other third-party sponsor, please visit this page: Sponsored Students Health Plan Page

This arrangement is based on a 2018 agreement between the UWSA and the Indigenous Student Services Centre (ISSC) to streamline the process, as many First Nations students already have coverage through federal or First Nations band programs.

Want to be covered anyway?

Yes—you are still eligible to opt in to the Health Plan if you do not have other coverage or want the benefits provided.

  • If you are a sponsored First Nations student, please use the Sponsored Student Health Plan Opt-In Form to complete your application.
  • For non-sponsored students, please use the self-enrolment portal to opt-in found here: Studentcare Self-Enrollment Page
  • Once approved, the $330 health plan fee will be added to your University of Winnipeg student account and billed to your sponsor if coverage is included.
  • If your sponsor does not cover health insuranceyou will be responsible for paying $330 health plan fee yourself using the University’s accepted payment methods.

We strongly recommend confirming with your sponsor before submitting the opt-in form. Once your application is approved, you cannot opt out or reverse the charge.

If you have questions or need assistance, please reach out to the Corporate Accounts Manager, Emmanuel Iwuoha at e.iwuoha@theuwsa.ca for support.

Sponsored Student Health Plan Opt-In Form

Studentcare Opt-In Self-Enrollment Page

Sponsored and Indigenous Students Health Plan Page

Couple & Family Enrolments

Student Care Opt-Out

Sponsored Students Health Plan

May 30th, 2025

If your tuition and fees are paid by a First Nations band, Indigenous community, or other third-party sponsor, please read this section carefully.

If you are a self-declared First Nations student, you are automatically opted out of the UWSA Health Plan. Please visit here for more info: First Nations Students Automatic Opt-Out Process Info Post

Opt-in/opt-out dates for the 2025-2026 Academic Year:

  • Fall Term students: August 6 – September 15, 2025
  • New Winter Term students: December 8, 2025 – January 16, 2026
  • New Spring Term students: TBA

All sponsored students must:

  • Complete the UWSA Sponsored Student Health Plan Opt-In Form. The form is available at Sponsored Student Health Plan Opt-In Form.
  • Once approved, the $330 health plan fee will be added to your student account.

Who pays for the plan?

  • If your sponsor includes health plan coverage, the charge will be paid by your sponsor.
  • If your sponsorship does not include health coverage, you will be responsible for paying the $330 health plan fee through any of the University of Winnipeg’s accepted payment methods.

Adding a Family Member (spouse and/or dependent children) to Your Plan

If you’re already enrolled and wish to extend coverage to a spouse and/or child:

Dependants cannot be added retroactively, so it’s important to submit your application during the change-of-coverage period.

Important Notes for Sponsored Students

  • Once you opt in and the charge is applied to your account, you cannot opt out.
  • Before submitting your opt-in form, you must confirm with your sponsor whether health coverage is included in your sponsorship.
  • If your sponsorship does not include health coverage, you will be responsible for paying the $330 health plan fee through any of the University of Winnipeg’s accepted payment methods.

Missed the opt-in deadline?

  • The UWSA Health Plan follows a strict opt-in deadline. If you miss it, you may need to wait an entire academic year before you can opt in again.
  • Exceptions are not guaranteed. However, students who miss the deadline due to extenuating circumstances may submit an appeal.
  • Appeals are accepted only for a limited time after the add/drop period. Forms will be available on Health Plan Appeal Form.

If you have questions or need assistance, please reach out to the Corporate Accounts Manager, Emmanuel Iwuoha at e.iwuoha@theuwsa.ca for support.

Sponsored Student Health Plan Opt-In Form

Studentcare Opt-In Self-Enrollment Page

First Nations Students Automatic Opt-Out Process Info Post

Couple & Family Enrolments

Student Care Opt-Out

The UWSA 2025/26 Executives

May 10th, 2025

Meet your UWSA executives for the 2025/26 period!

From left to right:

Omega Budhathoki | Vice President External Affairs (VPEA)
Alan Saji Koshy | President
Harleen Deol | Vice President Student Affairs (VPSA)

Drag Storytime

May 9th, 2025

📖 Drag Storytime 📖

Come with family and friends for an enchanted break, and enjoy joyful, captivating stories read by three fabulous Drag Queens: Ruby Chopstix (@rubychopstix), Minokawa Song (@minokaw.a), and Artemyst (@the.artemyst).

📅 June 3
🕛 12:30 p.m.
🎟️ Free + open to all

Presented in partnership with @uwpglibrary and @rainbowloungeuwsa

⚠️ Registration is required to attend the drag storytime Click here to sign up! 

End-of-year message from Tomiris Kaliyeva, President and CEO of the UWSA

April 30th, 2025

“The most valuable thing you can make is a mistake – you can’t learn anything form being perfect.” – Adam Osborne 

Dear Members,  

As my Presidential term comes to a close, I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you. Serving as your President has truly been one of the greatest honours of my university life. Throughout the years, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the strength, passion, and resilience that make our student body so special. Whether it was through advocacy, events, campaigns, or just everyday conversations in the hallways—I’ve been constantly inspired by your commitment to making our campus a more inclusive, supportive, and empowering place for everyone.  

Thank you for trusting me to represent you. Thank you for your ideas, your feedback, your energy, and your care. Everything I’ve done in this role has been shaped by you, and I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together. Although my time as President is coming to an end, my belief in the power of student leadership and community is stronger than ever. I’ll carry the lessons I’ve learned with me for the rest of my life.  

I would like to thank everyone who kept me accountable, saw the best in me, and believed in me. I would like to also say thank you to my team, Abrar Abdelmahmoud (VPSA) and Chhavi Dhir (VPEA), as well as my previous team Jonathan Henderson (VPEA) and Christine Quiah (VPSA). Nothing would be possible without my team, who provided me with support and guidance in hard times and was there for me in good times. To everyone reading this, I strongly recommend getting involved with the UWSA. There are definitely ups and downs, but the experience you get from this cannot be replicated anywhere else. Thank you for voting for me and allowing me the privilege of serving you. I wish the best to my successor and the UWSA! 

Wishing you all a restful summer and continued success in whatever comes next.  

With gratitude and love,  

Tomiris Kaliyeva 
President & CEO (2023-2025)
University of Winnipeg Students’ Association (UWSA)

End-of-year message from Chhavi Dhir, VPEA of the UWSA

April 30th, 2025

“The focus is what is right before you – to give it your best. It sows the seed of tomorrow.” – Kiran Bedi 

As I reflect on this incredible year as your Vice President External Affairs, my heart is filled with gratitude. Each conversation in the hallway, every candid suggestion at a committee table, and every shared moment of celebration or challenge has shaped my journey.  

Your trust in me to be your voice both within our campus walls and beyond— has been the greatest honour of my student life. Thank you for inviting me into your concerns, your dreams, and your everyday experiences. It’s been a privilege to learn from you all, to advocate for you, and to witness the compassion and courage that define our UWinnipeg community.  

Though this chapter closes, the connections we’ve made, the policies we’ve shaped, and the progress we’ve sparked will endure. I am profoundly thankful to every student, staff member, and my wonderful executives who stood beside me, your passion has been my inspiration. I am equally grateful to our wonderful Board of Directors.  

Each of you brought unique initiatives, unwavering dedication, and boundless energy that enriched our work and inspired me daily. Your active engagement and creativity have been at the heart of every success this year. I also want to extend my deepest thanks to the incredible staff of the UWSA both full-time and part-time whose unwavering support, expertise, and dedication turned our ideas into reality. Without your guidance, teamwork, and tireless work behind the scenes, none of these initiatives could have come to life. 

With gratitude and hope for what’s next, 

Chhavi Dhir (she/her)
Vice-President External Affairs 2024-2025
University of Winnipeg Students’ Association 

End-of-year message from Abrar Abdelmahmoud, VPSA of the UWSA

April 30th, 2025

For the past year, I’ve had the immense privilege of serving the student body at the University of Winnipeg as your Vice President of Student Affairs. This role has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. It came with its fair share of challenges, but what made it meaningful and transformative was the incredible people I had the honor of working with. 

Working alongside strong-minded, intelligent, and deeply supportive women like Tomiris and Chhavi truly made my term unforgettable. From day one, they uplifted my ideas and stood beside me during both the high points and difficult moments. Their unwavering encouragement made every challenge feel conquerable.  

I’m also incredibly grateful to the UWSA staff for their support, warmth, and collaboration. Ted Turner, our Special Projects Manager, has been a constant pillar for me, a sounding board, a problem solver, and someone who always made time to listen. Binara’s tireless advocacy for students inspired me deeply and reminded me why this work matters. Alex brought life to every idea I proposed, transforming concepts into vibrant campus experiences. And of course, Diksha and Cynthia brought joy and laughter to the workplace, making the office a space of vibrance and connection. 

In my role as VPSA, I had the opportunity to represent students on several important university committees, including the Senate Appeals Committee, the Senate Academic Misconduct and Standards Committee, the Senate Student Services Committee, the Senate Graduate Appeals Committee, and the Academic Integrity Working Group. I was proud to speak up in these spaces and ensure student voices were centered, especially when it came to accessible processes, equitable treatment, and stronger support systems for international students. I advocated for increased collaboration between academic advisors and the student union to foster more connected and transparent services. 

As a member of both Senate and the Board of Regents, I navigated environments that were sometimes intimidating but I never let that deter me or my team from raising student concerns. We spoke out on issues like campus safety, tuition affordability, and inclusive grading practices. Throughout these engagements, I consistently pushed for more transparency from senior administration and emphasized the need for student representation in decision-making spaces. 

One of the most critical aspects of my role was supporting students through academic misconduct cases. Over the year, I worked with more than 50 students, whether by meeting with them individually, attending hearings for moral support, or guiding them through appeal processes for deferred exams, retroactive withdrawals, and incomplete coursework. I’m deeply thankful for the academic advisors, especially Binara, who helped me navigate these situations and always ensured students were treated with care and fairness. 

A highlight of my term was representing the University of Winnipeg at the Canadian Federation of Students’ National General Meeting in Ottawa. Winnipeg’s student population is small within the CFS national network, which makes it even more important to speak up about the unique needs of our students. At this conference, I advocated for free healthcare for international students, reduced tuition fees, and a clearer, more transparent defederation process. Alongside my colleague Chhavi, we pushed for greater CFS visibility on our campus, so students understand both the value and impact of their membership. 

One of my proudest accomplishments was launching the Academic Mentorship Program, a project I had envisioned from the very beginning of my term. As a first-generation immigrant navigating the Canadian post-secondary system without the guidance of family members who had been through it, I often felt alone in figuring things out. I wanted to create a program where students could find guidance, build confidence, and connect with alumni who once walked the same path. The program officially launched on March 26th, and I truly hope it continues to grow and benefit future students. 

To every student who entrusted me with their voice, their concerns, and their hopes—thank you. Being elected as your Vice President of Student Affairs was more than just a title; it was a responsibility I held close to my heart every single day. Thank you for believing in me, for challenging me, and for allowing me to grow through this experience. I am leaving this role with immense gratitude, deeper purpose, and a lasting love for student advocacy. Though this chapter is ending, my commitment to standing up for students will always continue.  

With all my heart, 

Abrar Abdelmahmoud
Vice President of Student Affairs (2024-2025)
University of Winnipeg Students’ Association (UWSA)

University of Winnipeg
University of Winnipeg
University of Winnipeg