The University of Manitoba Board of Governors met on Nov. 17.
The board welcomed new member Andy Bonar, who has taken the position of Graduate Student’s Association (GSA) president after the former president, Abas Sabouni, was unable to continue the position as he has taken a research scholar position at the University of North Dakota.
Vice-president (research) Digvir Jayas gave an extensive presentation outlining the context of research within the university framework and some of the challenges the university is facing.
Jayas noted the lack of comprehensive provincial research funding and drew comparisons to university research funding in other provinces, which he noted often receive much more.
David Barnard, university president, reported having had his first formal meeting with the newly-selected premier, Greg Selinger. Barnard said he informed Selinger of the concerns on the financial side of the university and actions being taken to combat them. He said that Selinger told him that it would a tough budget year, but there would continue to be a priority on education and
health in the province.
Bonar asked the board if there was a graduate student representative on the Optimizing Academic Resources (OARs) and Resource Optimization and Service Enhancement (ROSE).
Vice-president (administration) Debbie McCallum said that currently there is only one student representative on the ROSE committee, which is filled by UMSU president, Sid Rashid.
Vice-president (academic) Richard Lobdell explained that the two committees are just now splitting off into smaller groups and student representatives will soon be contacted to become involved.
The Board approved the Establishment of the Manitoba Institute for Materials.
UMSU president Sid Rashid reported the Day of Action for the Target Poverty campaign had been a success, with hundreds of students showing up to support the rally.
He also reported that UMSU vision was up and running, and the Collaboration to Promote Art and Music (CPAM) program had had its official opening.
GSA president Andy Bonar reported that the GSA had recently hired three people to run The Gradzette, the graduate student-run publication.
