April 17th, 2020
The April Board Meeting is being held via Zoom at 5 PM on April 21.
The board meeting agenda is available here: April 2020 Board Meeting Agenda
All students are welcome and can join in by clicking here.
UWSA Board Meetings are governed by UWSA Rules of Order.
UWinnipeg’s Respectful Working and Learning Environment Policy applies to all UWSA online and offline meetings.
April 9th, 2020
On April 8, the UWinnipeg Senate passed the motion to adopt an alternative GPA calculation system. University of Winnipeg Students, including Undergraduate, Honours, and Graduate Students, will now be able to choose to include or exclude grades in their GPA calculation for any course work completed at the University of Winnipeg in Fall/Winter 2019-2020 and Winter Term 2020.
We would like to thank every student that brought their concern to us and advocated for it to their faculties. We hope this measure eases some of the academic burden you’re facing due to pandemic.
Students in Winter 2020 courses, or spanned courses that they have completed over Fall 2019/Winter 2020, for which a standard letter grade is typically received, will be able to request that the grade be excluded from the calculation of their GPA. A notation will be made on the student’s transcript indicating this choice. This option must be exercised no later than May 28, 2020;*
Students who have received academic penalties or have academic penalties pending as a result of being found guilty of academic misconduct in specific courses during 2019- 2020 are not eligible to make use of this option.
Students in Winter 2020 courses, or spanned courses that they have completed over Fall 2019/Winter 2020, for which a standard letter grade is typically received, are able to request a grade of “S” (for “Standing”) for their course instead. A notation will be made on the student’s transcript indicating this choice. A “Standing” categorization will not be factored into their GPA calculation. This option must be exercised no later than May 28, 2020;* and
If exercising either option, students must be aware that grades excluded in the calculation of their GPA will not be used in calculating GPA for the purpose of program progression and/or overall graduation GPA requirements. Students who require a certain grade to continue with program progression must ensure not to choose the “Standing” option offered.
Where specific course grades, other than “Standing”, are required to satisfy UW pre-requisite requirements, for entry into other courses, or admission to other programs, and to satisfy any other program requirements, course grades will continue to be used. A grade of “Standing” cannot be used to satisfy a pre-requisite where a letter grade is normally required.
Please visit UWinnipeg’s list of frequently asked questions on final grading options for further information and considerations related to the grading options.
Academic and Career Services Advisors can also provide guidance on these alternative grading options. Students can contact them at 204.786.9257 or advising@uwinnipeg.ca.
April 9th, 2020
The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) overlooks too many, including students who will not be able to find work this summer because of COVID-19. Students need income security!
Call on Prime Minister Trudeau and your MP to ensure income security for post-secondary students! Your message will be sent to your MP and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
April 9th, 2020
In order to support students during the pandemic and ensure they have access to food, the UWSA is creating an Emergency Food Hamper program. UWinnipeg students-in-need can fill the form online to receive food hampers of 4-5 non-perishable food (cans, pasta etc.) and hygiene products. Each hamper will be sent to your residence via safe and contact-less delivery.
Please note that we have limited packages available so we request students with an urgent need to apply. Packages will be awarded on a first-come-first-serve basis and delivered between April 20-24, 2020.
April 6th, 2020
The alternative GPA inclusion system will now be presented to the University Senate in an emergency meeting on April 8. The UWSA is recommending students email professors and their academic advisors to let them know that they are in support of the motion so that they are aware of students’ needs and the motion passes.
Certain professors are implementing the pass/fail option in their courses, depending on the requirements of the class. Please be in touch with your professor if you prefer this option over the other.
Additionally, students can contact Academic and Career Services at 204.786.9257 or advising@uwinnipeg.ca if they need to submit an academic appeal for additional time to complete term work or request a deferred final exam.
Academic and career advisors can explain the process. Medical documentation will not be required at this time. Students with accessibility needs can also contact Accessibility Services at 204.786.9771 or accessibility@uwinnipeg.ca to submit appeals.
The university has said they are offering exceptional leniency with appeals, keeping the crisis in mind.
April 1st, 2020
On March 30, 2020, the UWSA Executive proposed an alternative semester grade system at the UWinnipeg Senate Meeting. If this system is implemented, students can choose to exclude a grade from their GPA calculation for any course taken in the 2020 Winter term. The amended motion will be voted on in the April Senate Meeting.
After listening to students and the University, we decided that this option offers students greater flexibility over the pass/fail system. It would accommodate students and allow them to graduate with honours, receive scholarships, and apply to grad school and assure them of the chance to continue their studies successfully once the current public health crisis is under control.
It will let students many students finish their term without letting the Coronavirus pandemic affecting their GPA. University of Winnipeg students are living with uncertainty every day. We hope that the implementation of this option will give students who studied and completed work at the University of Winnipeg in good faith over the past year, a little more control over their current situation.
As your executives, we want you to know that we’re here for you. We’re advocating for students’ needs at an institutional and federal level every day. We want to listen to the challenges you face so we can make education accessible to you. Let us know how the pandemic is affecting your education and your recommendations by filling up this form here.
Due to the changes, we’re removing the current call to action and replacing it with an updated one. One, that reflects what you need and is based on your feedback.
Please bookmark this page for updates and information on how the UWSA and UWinnipeg is addressing the pandemic.
Sincerely,
Your Executives
The UWSA
March 27th, 2020
*Notice: We’re updating our calls to action. Please check back in a few hours.*
Over the last week, we’ve heard from many students concerned about the effect the current situation will have on their grades. We’re in constant conversation with University administration and are advocating for the best option for students. More updates will be available next week as the situation evolves.
Meanwhile, students may contact Academic and Career Services at 204.786.9257 or advising@uwinnipeg.ca if they need to submit an academic appeal for additional time to complete term work or request a deferred final exam.
Academic and career advisors can explain the process. Medical documentation will not be required at this time. Students with accessibility needs can also contact Accessibility Services at 204.786.9771 or accessibility@uwinnipeg.ca to submit appeals.
The voluntary withdrawal date for winter term courses, has also been moved to March 31, 2020.
March 25th, 2020
The March 26 Board Meeting is being held via Zoom at 5 PM on March 26.
Please click here for the agenda: BOD AGENDA 200326
All students are welcome but we encourage you to pre-register.
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/uJUud-6vqjkt1gmd0Ve7qFXYx3zgg9HtGQ
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
March 24th, 2020
March 23-29 is Divest UWinnipeg: Digital Week of Action. Take one action a day from the safety of your homes to educate yourself, build awareness, support divestment and call on University of Winnipeg Foundation to withdraw it’s funds from fossil fuels.
Day two of the Divest Week of Action is to listen to a podcast. You can learn more about why divestment is necessary for a sustainable and Indigenized campus and world.
These are some of our podcast recommendations:
Remember to sign the open letter to call on University of Winnipeg’s decision makers to divest! To sign the letter click here.
For more information on each day’s action at our Divest Week of Action Page
March 19th, 2020
At the City of Winnipeg Executive Policy Committee Meeting today, Mayor Brian Bowman announced that they heard students’ voices and amended the draft budget to include U-Pass at a rate that is in line with the proposed low-income bus pass.
We’re encouraged by this recent development and hope to receive more information and discuss it with your representatives at next board meeting. We want to thank all of you that raised your voice against U-Pass cuts to make this possible. We wouldn’t be here without you.
Over the next few weeks, we will navigate the next steps while following COVID-19 precautionary measures of social distancing. Please stay safe, stay indoors, and watch this space for updates.
Sincerely,
The UWSA
