October 21 Board of Directors Meeting

October 20th, 2020

A UWSA Board of Director Meeting will be conducted over Zoom on October 21, 2020 at 5:30 PM.  All UWinnipeg students are welcome to attend Open Session. Please email j.black@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 review the following documents before the meeting: October 21 Board Meeting Agenda October 21 Open Session Package All participants are expected to abide by the University’s Respectful Work and Learning Environment Policy.

A message from the REBLITE Board on a safe and fair 2020 By-Elections

October 15th, 2020

Dear students,

Over the past few months, it had become clear to the UWSA that our elections have caused harm to past participants. Unclear expectations and enforcement of conduct, insufficient accountability processes, and a lack of a capacity to follow through are some of the aspects that must be addressed. The Board is reviewing its democratic processes and working towards reforming the system of governance. However, in order to fulfill our obligations as a non-profit board and remain accountable to the student membership, the 2020 By-Elections will take place.

We are in the difficult position of having to navigate a harmful system while we reform it, and we know that this puts election participants in difficult positions as well. Participants can continue to file complaints and appeals through our website, as per the process outlined in the UWSA By-Laws. However, we recognize that the current processes have their limitations.

As the elections commission, the REBLITE Board wants students to know that we are committed to a safe and fair election.  We want students to feel safe to come forward with their concerns and there are two points of contact to help students do so.  If you have a concern about the election, the first step is to reach out to the Chief Elections Commissioner (CEC), Shenal Fernando, at cec@theuwsa.ca; however, if the concern is regarding the CEC, or if you are unsatisfied with his response, please reach out to the Chair of the Board (CoB), Anjola Aderinto, at chair@theuwsa.ca.  Anjola will bring your concern to the REBLITE Board, regardless of whether or not it is a formally submitted appeal, and we will work to address it.

As an organization, we depend on the participation and feedback of our membership.  We understand that bringing forward concerns is an act of care that requires significant emotional labour.  We value every disclosure and are committed to honouring them through harm-reduction frameworks.

Thank you,
The Referenda and Election By-Law Interpretation and Transparent Enforcement Board
(The REBLITE Board)

UWSA By-Election 2020

October 1st, 2020

The UWSA By-Election period has begun!

The By-Election is where students can run for vacant positions that were not filled during the General Election. To run, you will need to fill out a nomination form and submit it to the Chief Elections Commissioner before the end of the nomination period.

Nomination Period:  Monday, Sept. 28 – Thursday, Oct. 8 *Due by 6 p.m. 

2020 By-Election Nomination Form – Candidates must submit a completed nomination form to the CEC at cec@theuwsa.ca by 6 PM on October 8, 2020 in order to eligible to run in the 2020 UWSA By-Elections. All candidates or their scrutineers are encouraged to attend the All Candidates Meeting on Friday, Oct. 9 at 12:30 p.m.

Nomination forms are available in alternate formats on for students with accessibility needs. Requests for an alternative nomination form must be submitted in writing or by phone to the CEC by 8 a.m. on Thursday, October 1. Interested candidates can call 204-786-9052 to make their request.

Open Positions

• President of the UWSA
• Vice-President External Affairs (VPEA)
• Education Director
• Environmental Ethics Director
• PACE Director
• Part-Time/Mature Students’ Director
• Recreation & Athletics Director
• Science Director
• Student Living Director
• Women & Non-Binary Students’ Director
• Board of Regents Representative

Thinking of running? Check out the Candidate Guide for details on the open positions, campaigning, and voting: Candidates Guide By-Election 2020

Questions? Email the Chief Elections Commissioner at cec@theuwsa.ca

Book your Grad Photo Session with Lifetouch!

September 30th, 2020

 Lifetouch Canada will be taking Graduation Photos at their Winnipeg Studio location for University of Winnipeg 2020 Graduates only, on Friday, October 23 and Friday, October 30.

Lifetouch Studio Address:  Unit # 3 – 1410 Mountain Avenue

To book your photo appointment, visit the following online link:  www.lifetouch.ca/wpgsales

 Once on the website, scroll down until you see the purple banner and in the drop-down menu please select “University of Winnipeg” in order successfully book your grad photo appointment.

You will receive your photo proofs by Canada Post 2 – 3 weeks after your photo session. Keep in mind that your proofs are not retouched, but your finished portrait order will include basic retouching at no charge to eliminate blemishes & soften lines.

If you are a graduate with the Faculty of Education, you have the option to purchase an 11×14 souvenir Composite of the 2020 Graduation Class, for $25.00 at the time of your session. Debit or credit is preferred.

In order to ensure your safety and that of our staff, Lifetouch has made a few adjustments to our daily operations to ensure a safe environment, including mask usage, no touch posing, no assistance on grooming and social distancing.

 

Please read the following points outlined below:

• If you are experiencing any symptoms related to COVID-19 as outlined by the Province of Manitoba, please do not come to your appointment and we will be happy to reschedule you at a later date. You can refer to the Health Canada Screening Tool website to take a self-assessment test at: ca/covid19/screening-tool/
• Please arrive 5 – 10 minutes prior to the start of your scheduled appointment time. Our studio door will remain locked so kindly please wait in your vehicle until one of the photographers calls you on your cell phone and will meet you at the front door. Anyone who is late will not be photographed and cancellations will require 48-hour notice online.
• It is recommended that your $20 Session Fee is paid by debit or credit only.
• Appointments will be 20 minutes. Only the graduate will be allowed at the appointment; no friends or family members will be permitted to ensure proper safe social distancing.
• We will not be including props or casual photos during photo sessions; all photos will be taken in graduation attire.
• Graduates who prefer to wear a white dress shirt and black tie, please come prepared to your session already dressed in this attire as there will be no public washrooms or change rooms available to use.
• Graduates who prefer to not wear a white dress shirt and tie, we suggest wearing a v-neck or scoop neck shirt. Please come prepared to your session already dressed in this attire as there will be no public washrooms or change rooms available to use.
• Photographers will not provide white dress shirts or black ties for graduates to use. Please ensure your tie is pre-tied before your appointment or use a clip-on tie.

Hand sanitizer will be provided upon arrival to your appointment; the refusal of using sanitizer will result in voluntary cancellation of your appointment.

Motion 46: Statement of Support

September 28th, 2020

The University of Winnipeg Students’ Association (UWSA) strongly supports Motion 46, which calls on the federal government to introduce legislation and work with provincial and territorial governments and Indigenous peoples to ensure a guaranteed livable basic income.

This universal basic income program would replace the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) permanently and work towards eradicating poverty and ensure the respect, dignity and security of all persons living in Canada.

The program would be a step towards reducing financial barriers to the access of education by allowing students the freedom to reach their full potential without the burden of student loans, cost of living, and other educational expenses. It would offer people living in poverty opportunities to access post-secondary education and better job opportunities.

Programs like CERB and CESB have demonstrated the benefits and the potential for a guaranteed basic livable income for all. Click here to email your MP and encourage them to support Motion 46.

Computers for Schools Partnership

September 18th, 2020

The UWSA is partnering up with Computers for Schools to give students-in-need access to a desktop for their home! You must be a University of Winnipeg student to be eligible to receive one of the desktops.

Sign up now, while supplies last!

Click here to fill out the Computers for School form

After filling out the form you’ll receive an email in the next couple weeks telling you how and when to pick up your desktop.

You will receive:

• Desktop Specifications:
  • CPU Speed – 2.0GHz+
  • Memory – 4.0GB
  • Hard Drive – 500 GB
• Monitor
• Mouse
• Keyboard
• And, all required cables

 

Apply for the REBLITE Position!

September 10th, 2020

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Tuesday, September 15, 2020 at 5:00PM Do you want experience working on a non-profit board? We’re looking for a Referenda and Election By-Law Interpretation and Transparent Enforcement (REBLITE) Board Member at the UWSA!

The REBLITE Board is comprised of directors of the UWSA Board and students-at-large and convenes as needed to hear appeals filed against the Chief Elections Commissioner. The REBLITE Board acts as a check-and-balance, ensuring that the UWSA Elections and Referenda are run fairly, transparently, and without bias. There are two available REBLITE seats for students-at-large, and four available alternate seats (called when all other members of the board are unavailable to ensure the board can meet in a timely manner).

Read more and apply here: UWSA Job Opportunities

 

Virtual Roll Call 2020!

September 3rd, 2020

Roll Call is UWSA’s annual back-to-school event in September. This year, we’re celebrating the start of the school year by bringing Roll Call to the safety of your screens. From September 9 – 11, Join us for three days of virtual events and give-aways on our social media and website.

Get your laptops and phones ready, check your WiFi networks, gather your friends, and join us for a host of fun and engaging online events including:

All programming is FREE for students and community members but students may need to pre-register for some events. All are welcome!

Follow our event on Facebook here and follow us on Instagram and Twitter @theuwsa for updates! 

Click this link to Pre-Register for each event!

Click here to sign up to pick up your free Roll Call Swag Bag!

SCHEDULE

Wednesday, September 9

🤸Morning Move w/UWinnipeg Athletics
9am – 10am | Zoom + Facebook Live

🎁A Giveaway A Day!
All Day

🛍️Free Swag Bag Pickup
11am – 2pm | The University of Winnipeg

🎨Vision Board Workshop w/Rising Strong
5pm – 7pm | Zoom – Register below for link

🧩JackboxTV Trivia Game Night
8pm – 10pm | Zoom

Thursday, September 10

🤸Morning Move w/UWinnipeg Athletics
8am – 9am | Zoom + Facebook Live

🎁A Giveaway A Day!
All Day

🛍️Free Swag Bag Pickup
11am – 2pm
The University of Winnipeg

🎨Indigenous Beading Workshop w/Monias Beads
5pm – 7pm
Zoom: Register to receive link

🎬Roll Call x UWpg Film Fest Shorts Screening
8pm – 10pm
Facebook Live

Friday, September 11

🤸Morning Move w/UWinnipeg Athletics
9am – 10am | Zoom + Facebook Live

🎁A Giveaway A Day!
All Day

🛍️Free Swag Bag Pickup
11am – 2pm
The University of Winnipeg

🎨Cooking with Miss Assuma Gender: Uni Edition!
5pm onwards
Facebook Live and IG TV

🎉Roll Call Digital DJ Afterparty
8pm – 10pm
Facebook Live + IG Live + Zoom (link to come soon)

Questions? Reach us at events@theuwsa.ca

Please review our UWSA Events Safer Space Policy

International Students Health Plan Opt-Out Form

August 25th, 2020

Opt-Out Deadline: September 20, 2020

The form is for International students who are unable to land in Canada in Fall 2020 term and are attending classes virtually from their home country only. 

Coverage is mandatory for International students studying over six months and living in Canada for the Fall 2020 term. Please submit a digital copy of this form to optchange@theuwsa.ca before the Opt-Out Deadline listed below. Please note: you cannot opt-out if you plan to land in Canada between September 8 – December 23, 2020.

Fill out the Opt-Out form here: https://theuwsa.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Fillable-Opt-Out-International-Form.pdf

For more information: Health Plan Page

Executive resignation update for UWSA membership

August 18th, 2020

On August 5, 2020, former UWSA President, Jibril Hussein and former UWSA VPEA, Breanna Belisle tendered their resignations. On the same day, the UWSA Board of Directors accepted their resignations effective immediately.  

On June 16, 2020, the UWSA Board of Directors voted in favour of placing its Executive Director team on administrative leave, pending an investigation into their conduct, and engaged with an external consultant regarding mediation services and a restorative justice process. UWSA VPSA Melanie William still holds her position and is currently under administrative leave while the investigation is pending. 

The former UWSA Executives cited that the decision was made out of “caution for their mental and physical health and to recover from the trauma” and not as a way to escape accountability for their actions. Hussein also stressed “concern for the safety of his family and friends due to direct violent threats by many students on and off campus.” A full transcript of their resignation letters can be found in the August 5 Board Meeting Open Session Minutes here. 

The UWSA Board of Directors is meeting almost weekly to oversee the suspended business matters that sub-committees chaired by Executive Directors manage, in accordance with UWSA bylaws. In the absence of Executive Directors and regular sub-committees, full-time staff members of the UWSA have picked-up pieces of each portfolio, along with their regular duties. Contact information for UWSA staff and directors are available on the website.  

Over the next few months, the board will take several steps to restructure the organization in order to ensure the integrity of UWSA democratic processes, to create anti-oppressive leadership models, and to minimize the harm caused to students from marginalized communities.  We are currently engaged in a process to review and restructure UWSA elections process, issues management process, and safer space policies; as well as organizational connecting points with UWinnipeg offices regarding Human Rights and Diversity and the Respectful Work and Learning Policy. 

While UWSA governance and election by-laws will continue to evolve over the rest of the year, the position of President and VPEA will be open for election in the 2020 UWSA By-Elections. Additional details will be available when nominations open on September 28, 2020.  

For more information regarding the elections and governance, please contact our General Manager, Jennifer Black at j.black@theuwsa.ca. For other enquiries, please reach out to our Chief Operating Officer, Karolya Vargscarr at k.vargscarr@theuwsa.ca. 

Sincerely,  
The UWSA