News

Tuition increases will cause more barriers and struggles for post-secondary education.

May 10th, 2021

TUITION INCREASES WILL CAUSE MORE BARRIERS AND STRUGGLES FOR POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION.

WINNIPEG [Treaty 1 Territory] May 10, 2021 – On May 4, 2021, The University of Winnipeg announced the tuition would increase by 3.75 per cent for the 2021-2022 academic year. This increase will be the fourth consecutive year The University of Winnipeg has increased the tuition.

“This tuition increase comes at a time when many students are already struggling financially due to the pandemic and will adversely affect the most vulnerable students like low income and international students,” says Kiratveer Singh Hayer, President of the UWSA. “I staunchly oppose increases in tuition and will work hard over my term to ensure that education stays as affordable and accessible as possible.”

The tuition increase comes after a 1.8 per cent reduction to The University of Winnipeg’s operating budget; since 2017-2018, The University of Winnipeg has had its operating grant cut 3.6 per cent.

“Increasing tuition will put a barrier to accessing post-secondary education for many students, especially students with disabilities, Indigenous students, and international students who pay high tuition fees,” says the UWSA Vice-President Student Affairs, Reza Saker Hossain.

According to The University of Winnipeg, they will be providing an additional $100,000 to support international students facing financial challenges.

Right now, the UWSA asks the administration to consider consulting with students about future budgets. Doing so will create a more accessible institution and become transparent with why the increase happens.

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:

Alex Nguyen
Marketing & Public Relations Manager
The University of Winnipeg Students’ Association
0R30 – 515 Portage Avenue
Winnipeg MB R3B 2E9
(204) 962-7023
a.nguyen@theuwsa.ca

Welcome to the new Execs and Directors of 2021/22!

May 3rd, 2021

The 2021-2022 Executive Team and Board of Directors have officially started their term. Welcome to the UWSA Team – Kirt, Jonathan, and Reza Saker!

An End-of-term Message from your 2020-21 UWSA President, Shawna Péloquin

April 30th, 2021

UWSA President for 2020-21 Shawna Peloquin

Tansi, Aanin, Watchiya, Students! Congratulation and Thank you for your perseverance, your dedication and your patience; it has been a rough year, and no one can anticipate the challenge of tomorrow. When I was elected your President, I was running under the Zhabwiiwin vision, which is the Anishinabemowin word for Overcoming Obstacles. Since obstacles have grown and yet you have completed your semester, you have made it to this day, and I am grateful for you and all that you have overcome this year.

A year ago, when I first started in Student politics, I was overwhelmed by the idea of becoming an Executive. It was a place of superheroes to me, leaders dedicated to social justice and in the service of others. The succession of UWSA Executives over the years have all brought unique leadership models to me that have inspired and motivated my own engagement with the university and beyond. Since, I have been reflecting a lot on what leadership means to me, how I perceive it and express it and how I want to act on it. My perspective of the UWSA has shifted in the last year. Holding Executive space has shown me that leadership does not need authority to be powerful. It does not need a position to be inspiring, but that it a space of courage, vulnerability and uncomfortable engagements.  For the 2020-2021 Executive Term, I found my inspiration, through the UWSA Board of Director and UWSA senators, the leadership models I aspire to learn from. I am grateful for the opportunity I have to work along with such talented leaders in the becoming, and at the end of the day, we all are leaders in the becoming. In the same way, we can’t predict what the pandemic brings next, so we can’t predict what we are able to do before we try. I’ve been your President for a short time and in a moment that all of us are apart. I have not been the leader I wanted to be, but I have become the leader I needed to see and that what I want for you.

I am honoured to have been your 2020-2021 UWSA President, and in awe of the students and leadership, I had the privilege to work and interact within this odd distance reality we now live in.  I want to take the time and space to also acknowledge the perseverance, kindness, and resilience of you, our students, our student groups and the student leaders that I did not get the chance to meet or work with. I thank all of you for the responsibilities and the brave steps you took to help your community with support; thank you for being present where we couldn’t.

Please also give this piece I made a read: MATRIARCHY AND MISOGYNY Asserting Lateral Kindness and Addressing White Supremacy

Kinanaskimitinawaw, Megwetch, Kichni-Marsii,

Shawna Péloquin
2020/21 President
University of Winnipeg Students’ Association

An End-of-term Message from your 2020-21 UWSA VP External Affairs, Jonathan Henderson

April 30th, 2021

2020-21 Vice President of the UWSA Jonathan Henderson

Aniin, tansi, boozhoo, hello, this has been a very difficult, trying year for all of us during this pandemic. 2020 brought a lot of personal loss of loved ones. What I realized is our entire community of the University of Winnipeg has a very strong spirit. Sure we are not perfect, but we persevere. I have been so blessed and humbled by the support, not only from the UWSA but from both current and former classmates and teachers, reaching out with love and support. I was also honoured to provide empathy and compassion that was shown me, back to those that reach out and shared their personal losses. That really helped in my healing and grieving journey. We all have experienced added stress and anxiety during this pandemic, the biggest message I want to send at this time, please reach out for help and support. We all need that extra love from one another, a kind comment on social media is our reality, since we cannot physically hug, but reaching out and spreading love is what connects us to our humanity towards each other, helping each other when we get knocked down in life. Just hearing, “you got this” sometimes is that extra encouragement is what you need to hear, but also do not be afraid to say you love each other. I know this can be difficult for some, but it does lift one’s spirit.

Within this role as Vice-President of External Affairs, I had the honour to advocate on behalf of students against Bill 33 – the advance education administration act. This gave so much valuable experience and knowledge regarding advocacy at that level, working with the government. Although the Bill has passed to a final reading, the pressure put on us students and student leaders across Manitoba, got an amendment to the Bill that will leave student fees alone. Which is was one of the goals of our campaign. Also, working on the Positive Space Policy was humbling, to have that pass and get approved after consultations with students, staff, and faculty, truly was a blessed experience. Finally, I want to touch on the Campaigns & External Relations Committee. This group did some amazing work, not only helping with the Positive Space Policy and other business, but the highlight was our approval of a $5,000 donation to Eisha Hudson’s family for support in their quest for justice for their daughter Eisha, on behalf of the UWSA.

Moving forward in this next term, utilizing what I have already learned, will continue with consultation processes with students, to pursue more active student engagement. This will certainly evolve the continued growth of the Positive Space Policy. And working with the new incoming Executives, looking forward to working together as a team, to address what concerns and advocacy that is brought forth, from you our student body, in the upcoming year. The attitude and ideology I will continue to lead with come from my Indigenous roots, with more focus on honouring our past generations, but also have the mentality of thinking about generations ahead in the work I do this year.

Again, if you feel you need to talk to someone, even to just vent, please reach out to your supports. I want also to let you know that I am offering my time as well to be one of those supports if you need to. I have been through a lot and can definitely share an empathetic ear and compassionate dialogue from the heart. Stay safe, and focused in your academic journeys, much love to you all.

Miigwetch,

Jonathan Henderson
2020/21 Vice-President External Affairs
University of Winnipeg Students’ Association

University of Winnipeg Students’ Association donates $150,000 to create new international student bursary

April 30th, 2021

University of Winnipeg Students’ Association donates $150,000 to create new international student bursary

 

The University of Winnipeg Students’ Association (UWSA) has donated $150,000 to support international students through the creation of a new bursary.

The UWSA International Student Health Plan Bursary will assist international undergraduate students, with demonstrated financial need, in covering the costs associated with their healthcare plan at The University of Winnipeg.

UWSA President Shawna Peloquin explained that the donation to create this bursary was an important, but easy decision to make due to the barriers international students face when it comes to healthcare.

“We deeply value our international students and we are grateful to have the ability to bring support forward as they face unequal barriers to healthcare,” said Peloquin. “At the UWSA, we believe in investing in our priorities and we acknowledge our international student community as a driving presence in our growth, learning, and becoming, and we stand in solidarity with them and their community of support.”

International Students’ Co-Directors Elsa Owusu and Francisca Idigbe, being international students themselves, are excited to see the launch of this bursary as international student healthcare was a top priority for them during their term on the UWSA Board.

“In these very challenging times for so many UWinnipeg students, it is humbling to see the UWSA stepping up and making such a generous donation to support international students, who are away from their families and in many cases with very limited financial resources,” said Javier Schwersensky, UWinnipeg Foundation President and CEO. “The University of Winnipeg Foundation is honoured to be part of this effort and we hope other members of the community will be equally moved by the UWSA’s leadership and generosity, and choose to join them and contribute to this fund.”

Pending approval by the University of Winnipeg Senate, international students will be eligible to apply for the bursary starting at the end of August for the 2021-22 academic year.

Media Contact
Brandon Logan, Digital Communications Coordinator
The University of Winnipeg
b.logan@uwinnipeg.ca
204.988.7129

Original article can be found at: news.uwinnipeg.ca/uwsa-donation-creates-new-international-student-bursary

Next Board of Directors Meeting on Wednesday, April 21

April 18th, 2021

The next board of directors meeting will be held over zoom on Wednesday, April 21, at 5:30 PM. All students are welcome to attend!

All UWinnipeg students are welcome to attend Open Session. Please email t.hanan@theuwsa.ca by 4.30 PM on the day of the meeting for the Zoom link using your UWinnipeg webmail address and your Student ID Number.

Please check back for an Agenda and Open Session Package before the meeting. Please review the documents below:

April 21 Agenda

April 21 Open Package

By-Law Change Recommendations

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

Truth and Growth Campaign Launch

April 14th, 2021

The Truth and Growth campaign launch is taking place on Wednesday, April 21, at 12:30 PM over Zoom! Truth and Growth is an environmental justice campaign at UWinnipeg. We take a critical look at the UWinnipeg Foundation’s investments and increase student awareness of how the finances affect them and work collaboratively to invest ethically.

Attend the meeting to learn everything about the campaign and how you can get involved. Everyone is welcome!

Where: https://zoom.us/j/92430249156

For more information on the Truth and Growth Campaign, email s.peloquin@theuwsa.ca

For any accessibility assistance, please email s.sarty@theuwsa.ca.

Study Break Gift!

April 12th, 2021

You’re studying hard! You deserve a break — on us! Sign up to receive ONE of our gifts, a $10 Unique Bunny Gift Card, a $10 Diaspora Cafe Gift Card, or a UWSA Swag Bag. Your Study Break gift card information will be emailed to you within 1-2 business days.

You can use the gift card to shop online or in-store! Whatever you are more comfortable with! Just have your gift card email ready to present at check out on your phone. 

This program runs from April 12 – April 23, 2021, or while supplies last!.

You must be a UofW student to qualify.

Click here to sign up: theuwsa.ca/studybreakgift

Do you have any questions? Email s.sarty@theuwsa.ca or p.stubson@theuwsa.ca

Lifetouch May Graduation Photo Sessions

April 8th, 2021

Get your graduation photo taken by Lifetouch!

Session Dates: Tuesday, May 4 and Friday, May 7

Lifetouch photo studio is located at Unit # 3 – 1410 Mountain Ave. To ensure your safety and that of their staff, they have made a few adjustments to their daily operations to ensure a safe environment, including mask usage, no-touch posing, no assistance on grooming and social distancing.

For more information and to book your appointment, visit www.lifetouch.ca/wpgsales

Next UWSA Board of Director Meeting: Wednesday, April 7

April 6th, 2021

The next UWSA Board of Director Meeting will be conducted over Zoom on Wednesday, April 7, 2021, at 5.30 PM.

Please review the documents below

210407 AGENDA

210407 OPEN SESSION PACKAGE

Draft Financial Year (FY) 2022 UWSA Operating Budget

UWSA International Student Health Plan Bursary

All UWinnipeg students are welcome to attend Open Session. Please email t.hanan@theuwsa.ca by 4.30 PM on the day of the meeting for the Zoom link using your UWinnipeg webmail address and your Student ID Number.

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

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