Ethical Investments at The University of Winnipeg

August 6th, 2019

Over the past year, the University of Winnipeg Foundation and the UWSA have had several discussions around responsible investing.

While recognizing the work done by the Foundation since 2016, the UWSA recommended that two possible ways to follow through their commitment to invest ethically. Two ways we can move forward are by:

• Tracking and publicizing our fossil fuel investments
• And, setting tangible goals beyond baseline Environmental, Social, and Governmental Criteria.

The 2018-19 VPSA, Jade DeFehr presented an update and recommendations to the University of Winnipeg Board of Regents in Spring 2019. You can read the full speech here: Board of Regents Responsible Investments Speech.

Want to learn more about the issue? Click here to visit the Divestment page!

Job Opportunities

August 1st, 2019

Get involved with the UWSA through different job opportunities. Fill out the application form on our Job Opportunities page. We are currently looking for:

• Chief Election Commissioner
• Roll Call Event Staff

UWSA believes in equal opportunity employment and providing an accessible work environment.  Accessibility accommodations will be made throughout the interview process and upon hiring.

To keep up with our job postings follow us on Twitter: @theuwsa and Facebook: @theuwsa

For more information, please email Karolya Vargscarr at generalmanager@theuwsa.ca

Health Plan Opt-Out/Opt-Change Forms Available

July 30th, 2019

The Health Plan Opt-Out/Opt-Change period is on right now!

Students who have alternative health coverage can choose to Opt-Out of their student Health Plan at this link. The deadline to Opt-Out of the Health Plan is September 16, 2019. Please note that the Health Plan is compulsory for all International Students.

Your Health Plan is a one-year contract so students can only Opt-Out/Opt-Change in the first year of their study. This means that students who have Opted-Out last year will have to Opt-Out again this year. This also means that if you started school in the winter term, you can only Opt-Out in the winter.

You will need to have your student ID number and be covered under another health benefits plan to Opt-Out.

To Opt-Change, student will have to download the form from the UWSA Health Plan Page and submit it at Info Booth before September 16, 2019.

If you have any questions, please visit the Info Booth or email health@theuwsa.ca with your name, student number, and concern to set up an appointment.

U-Pass Opt-Out Forms Available

July 25th, 2019

The U-Pass is a universal bus pass program where all full-time students pay a fee at the beginning of the term to access transit services for a highly reduced fare.

The U-Pass program is mandatory but students can decide to Opt-Out of the program if they fulfill any of the following criteria:

• A student who lives outside the City of Winnipeg boundaries
• A student who is registered with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind
• A student who is a Winnipeg Transit Employee
• A student who will be studying outside of Canada for more than sixty (60) days per term
• A student who will be participating in an internship, cooperative program, or research outside the City of Winnipeg boundaries for more than sixty (60) days per term.
• A student who holds a valid U-Pass from another post-secondary institution
• A student who is a registered Handi-Transit user
  (Handi Transit users can use their U-Pass to access Handi Transit Services. This means Handi Transit users will be assessed the U-Pass fee each term they are full-time students. Handi Transit users do have the option to opt-out, as well.)

Forms can be found here.

Please drop off the completed forms at the Info Booth by September 16, 2019.

For more information, visit theuwsa.ca/u-pass, email u-pass@theuwsa.ca or visit the UWSA Info Booth.

Technical Issue with Forms on Website

June 10th, 2019

UPDATE: We’ve resolved the technical issue. Forms filled out on the website will be sent to UWSA staff. Thank you for your patience.

We’re currently experiencing a technical issue with forms on the website. The forms filled on the website are not getting delivered to UWSA staff.

For urgent enquiries, please e-mail the department you wish to reach.

We apologize for the inconvenience caused.

May Board Meeting

May 24th, 2019

The first board meeting of the year is on Monday, May 27 at 5 PM at the UWSA Boardroom (Bulman Student Centre).

All students are welcome and have speaking rights! Please send all questions to chair@theuwsa.ca

Check out the agenda here: May 2019 Board Meeting Agenda

CKUW Celebrations!

May 16th, 2019

Join the party tonight at the Good Will and celebrate 20 years of CKUW!

Free cake, DJs and Live bands! Event is pay-what-you-can and all are welcome!

Free UWinnipeg Pride Events

May 14th, 2019

From May 23-June 2, we’re celebrating Pride with The University of Winnipeg. Catch a movie or join us on the float!
All events are free and accessible. Find more information and a detailed schedule here: https://www.uwinnipeg.ca/pride/pride-events.html

Tuition hikes at UofW increase barriers to post-secondary education

May 9th, 2019

TUITION HIKES INCREASE FINANCIAL BARRIERS FOR MARGINALIZED STUDENTS ATTENDING THE UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG.

WINNIPEG, May 9, 2019 – The University of Winnipeg announced a tuition increase of 3.7 per cent for most undergraduate programs on May 07, 2019. The University of Winnipeg Students’ Association (UWSA) believes that the added cost will be a barrier to the access of post-secondary education for students. 

UWSA President, Meagan Malcolm believes that marginalized groups such as Indigenous students, people of colour, students with disabilities and international students will be the ones most effected.

“If tuition continues to increase, only a certain amount of people will be able to access university and doors further closed for those who cannot afford these rising costs,” Malcolm says. “It will end up making our campus not inclusive as it needs to be.”

This is the second consecutive year that tuition has increased at the University of Winnipeg, after the provincial government’s decision to allow post-secondary institutions to remove the cap on tuition. Tuition had increased by 6.6 percent in 2018/19.

“We acknowledge that the provincial funding cuts to education are a part of the problem but we have to remember that it is also the responsibility of the University of Winnipeg to make sure that all students have access to this institution,” UWSA Vice-President External Affairs, Mahlet Cuff says.

Less investment in post-secondary education from the provincial government and regular tuition increases by institutions is the beginning of a disturbing trend that needs to be addressed. The UWSA calls on both the Provincial Government and UWinnipeg to find a more valued and inclusive path forward for students.

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
communications@theuwsa.ca
(204) 786-9867

20 Years of CKUW!

May 7th, 2019

Congrats CKUW 95.9 FM on 20 years on the FM Dial! 

On April 30th 1999 at midnight the decades long dream of an FM CKUW was realized. Staff and volunteers huddled in the studio, playlists at the ready and celebrated the launch of Winnipeg’s latest FM radio station. You can listen to our first broadcast below, please excuse the tape hiss & static present on this archival recording!

Give a listen to their 1999 broadcast here: https://ckuw.ca/news/entry/20-years-on-the-fm-dial