February 12th, 2021
We want to hear your thoughts on the new UWSA Elections Reform Proposal! You can view the proposal on page 18 at the February 10 Board Meeting Open Session Package.
We encourage all UW students to provide feedback by attending the February 24 Board of Directors Meeting or filling out the online form.
February 5th, 2021
On Thursday, January 28, 2021, the Independent Investigation Unit (IIU) of Manitoba recommended that no charges be filed in the murder of 16-year-old Eishia Hudson.
UWSA President, Shawna Péloquin says, “This is a clear message to Indigenous people in Winnipeg and beyond from the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS), which is that there is no transparency or empathy when an Indigenous life is taken as a result of police intervention. The show of force demonstrates that as Indigenous people in this city, our life is not a guarantee but is subject to police approval. It a reminder for all the Indigenous student in this institution and myself that we are surviving a genocide in action, and that our Indigenous youths and elders are disproportionally targeted. The opportunity to attend University was stolen from Eishia Hudson, yet the WPS continues to defend that the officer who was armed and trained to serve and make him a victim in this tragedy somehow. Why should this police officer be given another chance to open fire at an Indigenous youth? This is not a tragedy of police intervention. It a recurring pattern of power and violence imposed upon Indigenous families and communities empowered by the colonial nature of police services.”
The University of Winnipeg Student Association stands in solidarity with the Hudson Family, our Indigenous students and Indigenous youth. We support Hudson’s parents’ call for an inquiry, which would be broader in scope than the inquest required under the Fatal Inquiries Act and examine issues of systemic racism.
Support Eishia’s family by following the results of the upcoming inquest and raising awareness on social media using the following hashtags: #JusticeforEishia #JusticeforEishiaHudson and #NotAnotherIndigenousLife, or by donating to the family in their fight for justice through this Go Fund Me page.
February 4th, 2021
On January 27, 2021, The UWSA Board of Directors accepted and ratified the resignation of the 2020-2021 UWSA Vice President of Student Affairs, Melanie William. In August 2020, former UWSA President, Jibril Hussein and VPEA, Breanna Belisle had also tendered their resignations to the board.
Over the summer, former executives shared several experiences of harassment and discrimination while at the UWSA, following which the 2020-21 Executive team were placed on administrative leave. During this period, they experienced significant mental harassment and threats on social media from the UWinnipeg community as well.
The UWSA acknowledges the experiences shared by the former executives in their letters and strongly supports the decision to center their mental health. As an organization, we commit to doing more to prioritize students’ well-being and safety over institutional expectations.
We recognize the role UWSA plays in protecting and nurturing the well-being and potential of UWSA members. Oppression or harassment in our communities – online or offline – is never okay and we plan to work towards creating safer and non-violent spaces for discussion.
We recognized that we are working and learning in racist and colonial system, and that we have to be uncomfortable, transparent, and resilient to outroot these realities from our communities. For information on the steps we’re taking to address institutional racism at the UWSA, please refer to our previous post here.
To review Melanie’s letter of resignation, please click here: January 27 BOD Open Session Minutes (Draft)
February 4th, 2021
Join us for the first UWSA Game Night on Thursday, February 11, from 4-6 PM. The virtual game night is a bi-weekly event on alternate Thursdays.
Meet your fellow classmates, play games, hangout, and get to know the UWSA directors while playing JackBoxTV!
Zoom Meeting ID: 951 2759 2336
Passcode: JACKBOX
Dates:
For more information, email s.sarty@theuwsa.ca or p.stubson@theuwsa.ca
February 3rd, 2021
Students can book 20-minute appointments with the UWSA President, Shawna Péloquin, and the UWSA Vice-President External Affairs, Jonathan Henderson! You can discuss issues and concerns you are dealing with or get to know your UWSA Executive!
Shawna Péloquin virtual office hours:
Click here to book an appointment with Shawna!
Jonathan Henderson virtual office hours:
January 29th, 2021
Over the past few months, the UWSA has been working to restructure our bylaws and policies to minimize the harm caused by our election process. To guide us through the process and figure out the best path forward, the UWSA Board of Directors have been working with an external consultant at Catalyst Research & Communications.
On October 15, 2020, we released a statement outlining some emerging conclusions, where we acknowledged the need to increase transparency, encourage safe and open discussions, and address racism and oppression. One of the ways that the UWSA committed to doing this is to restructure the elections process to make it safer for candidates and voters.
To ensure that the harm done during the 2020 General Election is not repeated, and work on creating an anti-oppressive election framework, the UWSA Board of Directors voted to postpone the 2021 General Elections from February-March, 2021 to March-April ,2021. This change shifts the nomination period, where candidates can apply to run for a director, senator, or regent position to March 1 – 11 and moves the voting period to March 29-31.
The UWSA has also restructured the role of the Chief Elections Commissioner and created two Elections Campaign Facilitator positions to increase accountability and support the elections better. Interested candidates can apply for both roles through the UWSA website by clicking here.
The UWSA will release some election reform proposals with new campaign rules, director roles, and a safer complaint process in the upcoming weeks.
While these are just the initial changes, creating structural change at the UWSA is a continually evolving and collaborative process. To facilitate this, a student feedback process will be available by February 12.
All UWinnipeg students are welcome to attend the UWSA Board of Directors Meeting on February 10, where the election reform proposal will be presented before final approval on February 24. To register and receive the Zoom meeting link, please email Administrative Assistant, Thomas Hanan, at t.hanan@theuwsa.ca by 4:30 PM using your UWinnipeg webmail address and your Student ID Number.
In solidarity,
The University of Winnipeg Students’ Association
January 13th, 2021
Tuesday, January 19 2021 is the final day to Opt-Out/Change from the UWSA Green Shield Health Plan for students that have started their first term of 2020/21 in the Winter Term.
Click here to Opt-Out before January 19, 2021. Coverage is mandatory for International students studying for over six months.
Opt-In/Opt-Change Form 2020-21: Use this fillable PDF form to opt-in or change your plan type and submit it to optchange@theuwsa.ca.
For more information, contact Emmanuel Iwuoha at health@theuwsa.ca or visit theuwsa.ca/healthplan
December 24th, 2020
Join us for Snowed In, our annual winter welcome back event in January where we come together to celebrate the start of the Winter Term! Jan 6-8, 2021
All-day, All online!
Join us for some frosty funs this year with:
Snowed IN-STAGRAM Giveaway!
Cozy Crafts w/ Arts Junktion
Intro to Hip Hop w/ Studio 393
Mentally, I Am Here w/UW Wellness
Stay Home, Stay Cool: Snowed
Know your Directors: Aprés Ski!
Last Holiday! Snowed In Netflix Party
Snow Ball: Snowed In Virtual After Party w/ Lucky Sharms, Shael, and Boogey The Beat
Schedule and registration at theuwsa.ca/snowedin/
All programming is FREE for students and community members but students may need to pre-register for some events.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @theuwsa for updates!
Questions? Reach us at events@theuwsa.ca
December 23rd, 2020
On December 22, 2020, the University of Winnipeg Senate voted to pass the UWSA Motion on Alternate Grading Options for Fall 2020.
For Fall 2020 courses, University of Winnipeg students will be able to make a request to exclude a grade from the calculation of their GPA.
Additionally, students who have received a passing grade for Fall 2020 courses will also be able to request a grade of ‘S’ (Standing) for their course instead. A ‘Standing’ grade will not be included in their GPA calculation.
Before making a request to exercise either option, interested undergraduate students will have to consult an academic advisor and graduate students will have to consult their program advisor. Your request must be submitted by February 12, 2021, and their choice(s) will be noted in your transcript.
Students who have been found guilty of academic misconduct in 2020-21 will not be eligible to make use of either option.
Please note that:
Academic and Career Services Advisors are there provide guidance on these alternative grading options. Students can contact them at 204.786.9257 or advising@uwinnipeg.ca.
Please visit UWinnipeg’s list of frequently asked questions on final grading options for further information related to alternate grading options.
December 16th, 2020
The University of Winnipeg Students’ Association President, Shawna Péloquin is working with UWSA Senators and UWinnipeg Faculty towards providing students with a flexible grading option for the Fall Winter 2020/21 Term. An amended version of the GPA Calculation Motion that was passed by the UWinnipeg Senate on April 8, 2020 will be voted on by the Senate on December 22, 2020.
If passed, students will be able to access this option when their grades for the current term are released up until February 12, 2021.
We recognize the academic, financial, and personal challenges that many UWinnipeg students are facing due to the pandemic and the impact it has on their education. UWSA is working with UWinnipeg departments and boards towards providing students with options to alleviate some of your hardships.
Updates on the motion will be available at the UWSA website on December 23, 2020. Until the motion is passed, we would like to strongly encourage students to access support if and when they need it. Some of the available supports are listed below:
In solidarity,
The University of Winnipeg Students’ Association
