The UWSA

New City of Winnipeg Bike Map

September 28th, 2021

The City of Winnipeg has created a new Bike Map for cyclists of Winnipeg. The map includes varies paths around the city and details the types of paths including the level of traffic for each.

The map’s legend provides describes the Bikeway Network and the multiple points of interest such as Bike Shops and Repair stations. Helpful information such as traffic signs can be found on the bottom of the map.

Check out the winnipeg.ca/bikemap for more information.

UWSA 2021 By-Elections Begin!

September 27th, 2021

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. 27 – Thursday, Oct. 7 *Due by 6 p.m. 

By-Election Nomination Form 2021 – Candidates must submit a completed nomination form to the CEC at cec@theuwsa.ca by 6 PM on October 7, 2021, in order to be eligible to run in the 2021 UWSA By-Elections. All candidates or their scrutineers are encouraged to attend the All Candidates Meeting on Friday, Oct. 8 at 12:30 p.m.

Nomination forms are available in alternate formats for students with accessibility needs. Requests for an alternative nomination form must be submitted in writing (University of Winnipeg Students’ Association, University of Winnipeg, 0R30-515 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3B 2E9) or by email (cec@theuwsa.ca) to the CEC.

Open Positions

• Education Director
• Graduate Students’ Director
• Professional, Applied, Continuing Education (PACE) Director
• Racialized Students’ Director
• 2SLGBTQ* Director
• Emerging Leader Director (1-year term)
• Emerging Leader Director (2-year term)

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

The next UWSA Board of Director Meeting will be conducted over Zoom on Wednesday, September 29, 2021, at 5.30 PM

September 27th, 2021

Truth and Reconciliation Week 2021

September 23rd, 2021

The University of Winnipeg Students’ Association (UWSA), Indigenous Students’ Association (ISA) and The University of Winnipeg present a week of programming from September 27th to October 1st surrounding Truth and Reconciliation and Every Child Matters Orange Shirt Day. Inspired by the work of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR), there will be virtual and in-person programming dedicated to learning from Indigenous peoples and cultures along with honouring residential school Survivors. In addition, the UWSA will be hosting virtual workshops, limited in-person events, providing food and refreshments and giving away Every Child Matters orange shirts! Everything is free, and all are welcome. 

 Join us for Truth and Reconciliation Week and reflect on what Truth and Reconciliation mean to you as a UofW student!   

You will need to pre-register for workshops. Food and shirts are available while supplies last.  

Click here to check out the full detailed schedule!

All in-person events require proof of double vaccination and masks.  

Questions? Reach us at events@theuwsa.ca 

Please review our UWSA Events Safer Space Policy 

UWSA Senators and Students-at-Large Applications

September 14th, 2021

Students-at-large:
Committees of the UWSA Board of Directors include a combination of directors and students-at-large. The committees convene regularly to guide the business of the UWSA. Two student-at-large seats are available on each of the following committees:

• Finance Operations Committee
• Campaigns and External Relations Committee
• Student Life Committee

The deadline to apply is Tuesday, September 21.

Click here to find the postings

UWSA 2021-22 Opening Update

September 2nd, 2021

Over the last year, the UWSA has operated completely remote and online. We will continue to prioritize remote work but have some staff members working at the UWSA office.

In light of the current public health situation, the UWSA will continue to take precautionary measures essential to the safety of all students, staff, and the community. To prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus and the delta variant, we will continue to be closed to the general public, which is in line with the Vaccination Requirement to be on UWinnipeg Campus This Fall.

All non-essential UWSA services, services centres, offices, and events are closed to the general public until further notice.

Here is a list of all services that will be affected:

SERVICES AND SERVICE CENTRES

Info Booth will be open in September Monday – Friday from 8:30 AM-4:30 PM. Info Booth will not be accepting cash. Students can e-mail or call Info Booth staff about their Health Plan concerns at infobooth@theuwsa.ca and 204-786-9787. Please visit the Info Booth Page for more info.

UWSA U-Pass will not be active for the 2021-22 Academic Year school year. Students can purchase a Post-Secondary Semester pass at the UWSA Info Booth, Shoppers Drug Mart, and 7-Eleven at the rate of $283/semester. Read the full update here: UWSA U-Pass Program Update.

Advocacy services are being offered virtually and in person through your VP Student Affairs, Reza Saker Hossain, and the Services Manager, Binara Hewagamage. Please e-mail Reza Saker at vpsa@theuwsa.ca or b.hewagamage@theuwsa.ca for more information.

Campaigns continue via our website and social media. Please e-mail vpea@theuwsa.ca for more information.

UWSA Daycare is closed to the general public but operates as a childcare facility.

PROGRAMMING

All in-person UWSA programming is either relocated or operating virtually until further notice. Here is the complete list:

Community Programs

• The UWSA Bike Lab is offering virtual programming. Students and community members can contact the Bike Lab Team via email or tune in to the weekly radio show ckuw.ca/programs/detail/outspoken. Email contact: Dave Dorning, Bike Lab Coordinator d.dorning@theuwsa.ca

• The UWSA Foodbank is suspended on campus, and all student and community participants have been redirected and enrolled in other programs nearby. You can contact Harvest Manitoba to connect with your local food bank here:https://www.harvestmanitoba.ca/need-food/. Email contact: Christina Cook, Services Assistant c.cook@theuwsa.ca

• The UWSA-UWinnipeg Safewalk program remains operational via UWinnipeg Security. Students and community members can access a SafeWalk or SafeRide by calling 204-786-9272 or emailing security@uwinnipeg.ca

Student Lounges

All UWSA Student Lounges are operating remotely and meeting virtually over Zoom, including:

• UWSA Access Lounge – Email: Thomas Hanan, Acting Access Lounge Coordinator, hanan@theuwsa.ca
• UWSA BIPOC Lounge – Email: Bonique Dawiskiba-Clark, BIPOC Lounge Coordinator, dawiskiba-clark@theuwsa.ca
• UWSA Rainbow Lounge – Email: Ezi Raizen, Rainbow Lounge Coordinator, raizen@theuwsa.ca
• UWSA Women Trans-Spectrum Centre – Email: Cristina Ortega, Coordinator, ortega@theuwsa.ca

EVENTS

We will be prioritizing virtual events for the safety of the public. Any in-person events will be held outdoors with masks while following the provincial health guidelines. UWSA spaces will be unavailable for booking until further notice.

For a list of University updates, please visit Campus Updates on COVID-19.

The UWSA looks forward to working with students in person, but we must remember we need to reduce the risk of COVID-19 and think of the well-being of students, staff, and the community. Thank you for your patience.

Please check our website for current and accurate updates on the situation and follow all government-recommended health, safety and travel guidelines outlined on UWinnipeg’s website.

Computers 4 Schools returns!

August 31st, 2021

The UWSA is partnering with Computers for Schools again 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

For more info, please email Services Manager Binara Hewagamage at b.hewagamage@theuwsa.ca.

After filling out the form, you’ll receive an email in the next couple of 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

U-Pass Program Suspended for the 2021-22 Academic School Year

August 27th, 2021

The UWSA U-Pass program will not be active for the 2021-22 academic school year. As a result, the UWSA U-Pass fee will not be assessed for new and returning full-time UWinnipeg students when they pay their tuition fees.

The UWSA recognizes that some students need to access transit. Therefore, in the absence of the UWSA U-Pass, students will be able to buy the Post-Secondary Semester Passes at the UWSA Info Booth, Shoppers Drug Mart, and 7-Eleven at the rate of $283/semester. Find the full list of Transit Customer Service Centres and partner agents here.

To minimize the financial impact on students, they can apply for the UWSA Transit Subsidy program to reimburse towards the cost difference roughly equivalent ($83) to the projected cost of the UWSA U-Pass for full-time graduate and undergraduate UWinnipeg students-in-need.

The deadline to apply is Friday, October 1, 2021

To apply for the UWSA Transit Subsidy please visit the UWinnipeg Awards and Bursary page.

How to Apply:

1. Log in to UWinnpieg online award application using your UWinnipeg webmail ID and password.
2. Complete the General Application for Awards.
3. If you meet the criteria (financial need and full-time undergraduate or graduate student status), you will see the UWSA Transit Subsidy in the list of Recommended Opportunities.
4. You must then apply directly for the subsidy by uploading an image of your semester pass receipt.

We hope to have the UWSA U-Pass up and running for the 2022-23 Academic School year, depending on students’ vote outcomes in the 2022 UWSA Referendum. Please be on the lookout for when students can vote for the u-pass.

If you have questions about the UWSA U-Pass program, the UWSA Transit Subsidy, or Winnipeg Transit products, please reach out to us at infobooth@theuwsa.ca.

Farmer’s Protest in India enters its Eighth Month

August 26th, 2021

Many South Asian students at the UofW have expressed concerns about the Farmer’s Protest in Delhi, India. I recognize the importance of the protest, which has entered its eighth month of demonstrations.

Beginning as local protests by farmers in individual states in India, the Farmer’s Protest movement transitioned and escalated into a national demonstration in the capital of India. The farmers have been protesting in opposition to three unfair agricultural bills. This movement is being called the largest protest in human history and is crucial to farmers in India and many Indian students at The University of Winnipeg. As well, this protest has led to demonstrations in cities across the world, including in Winnipeg.

In solidarity with this global movement, I recognize that these agricultural policies are detrimental to the interests and livelihoods of Indian farmers. The agricultural policies proposed by the Indian Government create an opportunity for exploitation of farmers by private corporations. In countries across the world, the farm industry is heavily dependent on government subsidies and services.

In place of the lack of government support, I want to thank organizations such as Khalsa Aid that currently ensure that support for farmers. Our hearts and prayers go out to those affected domestically and internationally, within and outside the University of Winnipeg community.

Sincerely,

Kirtaveer Singh Hayer

UWSA President

The next UWSA Board of Director Meeting will be conducted over Zoom on Wednesday, August 25, 2021, at 5.30 PM

August 23rd, 2021

The next UWSA Board of Director Meeting will be conducted over Zoom on Wednesday, August 25, 2021, at 5.30 PM.

Please review the documents below:

210825 AGENDA

210825 OPEN Package

All UWinnipeg students are welcome to attend Open Session. Please email t.hanan@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.

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