Welcome to the University of Manitoba,

If you’re arriving on campus for the first time, I hope you’re ready for some of the most memorable years of your life. If this fall marks your return to the U of M, I hope you’ve had a nice break and you’re ready to get things underway.

UMSU is your University of Manitoba Students’ Union, and your five elected executive members have been working extremely hard all summer to have things up and ready to rock for all of you upon your arrival. In the coming months, you’ll see UMSU Vision, our student-owned, student-run TV network, our convenient computer kiosks, a revamped website with online blogs and new features, a focus on student experience with projects like the Alternative Spring Break, our art, sculpture and music initiative across campus, renovations to a number of our businesses including a complete makeover of Degrees, and a jam-packed Orientation Week schedule with everything from local artists to Grammy Award winner Lupe Fiasco.

We’ve focused on initiatives to help you overcome barriers in what’s been a tough summer of tuition fee increases for students, including projects like our new textbook lending program, a free store, providing microwaves across campus, additions to our Health & Dental plan, and changes to the off-campus work permit to benefit international students, to name a few.

I encourage all of you to make the most out of your university experience: meet as many people as you can, get involved, volunteer, stay informed, and meet your elected representatives, whether they be in your faculty, your residence, your college, or your university.

Check out Umsu.ca and join our Facebook.com group to get connected and stay informed, and make sure to swing by our offices on the first floor University Centre.

On behalf of your 2009-10 UMSU executive, take it one step at a time, and we’ll be here for you every step of the way.

Good luck,

Sid Rashid

president, University of Manitoba Students’ Union

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