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

July 8 Board of Directors Meeting

July 4th, 2020

A UWSA Board of Director Meeting will be conducted over Zoom on July 8, 2020 at 5:30 PM. Please email j.black@theuwsa.ca for more information using your UWinnipeg webmail address and your UWinnipeg Student ID Number.

Click here to view the agenda: 

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

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.  

Next BoD Meeting: June 16, 2020

June 13th, 2020

In accordance with the motion passed at the UWSA Board of Directors Meeting June 12, 2020, the next board meeting has been rescheduled to take place on Tuesday, June 16 at 5:30 p.m. via Zoom. 

Please click here to view the agenda: June 16 Board Meeting Agenda

You can also view the June 12 Board Meeting Open Session Minutes.

All UWinnipeg students are welcome to attend the open session. To attend, please e-mail j.black@theuwsa.ca with your student number.

June 12 Board Meeting

June 10th, 2020

A UWSA Board of Director Meeting will be conducted over Zoom on June 12, 2020 at 7 PM. Please email j.black@theuwsa.ca for more information using your UWinnipeg webmail address.

Click here to view the agenda:  June 12 2020 Board Meeting Agenda

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

A Statement by the 2020/21 UWSA Executives

June 8th, 2020

We apologize to everyone who has seen and been affected by the actions and conduct of David Teffaine, a student-at-large serving on a Board subcommittee and Board of Regents representative. We were blindsided and disturbed by the photo that had surfaced and do not condone this conduct. 

This individual has been removed as a student-at-large and from his position on the UWinnipeg’s Board of Regents and will not be involved with the UWSA, in any capacity. We are ending all forms of association with him.  

As Executives, and people, we never intended to engage in or support acts of racism. We are truly disgusted and disturbed by what has occurred and sincerely apologize. We will continue to learn and do better. 

The campus Human Rights and Diversity Office investigation will have the full cooperation of the UWSA, and the Executive will present the path forward for soon, making sure to do the work that is needed.

A statement against racism and inequality in solidarity with the Black community

June 3rd, 2020

The University of Winnipeg Students’ Association (UWSA) stands in solidarity with our Black students, staff, faculty, and community against racism, inequality, and discrimination. We recognize the importance of taking the time to address the recent deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, and David McAtee, in the United States, Regis Korchinski-Paquet of Toronto, D’Andre Campbell of Brampton, and countless others in the Black community. The UWSA opposes the violent actions by police resulting in the deaths of members of the Black community.  

We understand that now is the time for action. We stand with Black students from across the country demanding change. Anti-Black racism, systemic racism, and unconscious bias are real in Canada and there is no place in this world for racism, inequality, or discrimination. We are actively working to support the initiatives of the Black community here in Winnipeg. As well, working collaboratively with Black student groups on campus, such as the Students of Colour Collective (@SOCC.UW) and the Black Student Union (@BSU.UofW). 

To start, we will be working with our Racialized Students’ Director, student groups, and staff to make sure they are supported in this time. The University of Winnipeg Students’ Association will be taking steps to revise policy to actively consider the role of police on campus and within UWSA spaces. Policy changes within the UWSA will be revisited, to add that calling the Winnipeg Police Service be reserved for extremely selective situations, which require law enforcement to enforce specific criminal statutes. Limiting the amount of police involvement within UWSA spaces, to a minimum, is a concrete step to ensure the integrity of the UWinnipeg community will not be compromised. We will also be reviewing our positive space policy to ensure the needs of Black students on campus are being met.  

Follow @justice4blackliveswinnipeg on Instagram or their Facebook Event Page for more information regarding movements in Winnipeg led by Black students. Monetary donations can be provided via e-transfer to justice4blackliveswpg@gmail.com. 

If you want to connect with a UWSA Executive, our Racialized Students’ Director, and racialized student groups on campus, please reach out to us at president@theuwsa.ca. Please understand that many Black students are organizing, grieving, and healing at this time. Information will be provided as it is available. If you are in a mental health crisis, there are options available:  

• Please call the 24/7 Klinic Crisis Line at (204) 786-8686 or 1-888-322-3019
• UW Student Counselling Services by phone at 204.988.7611 or e-mail at studentwellness@uwinnipeg.ca 
• Mind BEACON: Mental health resource for UWinnipeg students 

A list of other community mental health resources can be found here.  

As your student union, we exist to amplify student voices and we are here to listen, make change and do better. We support you. 

Thank you,  

UWSA Executive Team 2020-2021 
Jibril Hussein, President  
Breanna Belisle, Vice-President External Affairs  
Melanie William, Vice-President Student Affairs 

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.