The University of Manitoba Students’ Union (UMSU) council met on June 24th, 2010.
The council approved the selection of Darcy Vermeulen to fill the position of UMSU council chair for the 2010-11 year.
Services Coordinator Sharilyn Sheasgreen gave a presentation on the Health and Dental plan. She explained that to cover the cost of improved benefits, increasing rates from service providers and more students buying to in the plan, UMSU would need to raise their annual premium rates.
It was suggested that single coverage for the fall term be raised from last year’s rate of $238.75 to $256.27, and that family coverage be raised from $356.05 to $384.05.
UMSU council approved these premiums for the 2010-11 year.
UMSU President, Heather Laube, reported that she and other members of the UMSU executive had met with the university’s Special Functions department. Laube explained that they have concerns about Aramark taking over the management of the department, and are working the with university administration to ensure these concerns are addressed.
Vice-President Student Services, Matt Hepner, reported that Orientation Week planning was underway and that he had been meeting with the administration and other organizations, such as Bison Sports, to “make Orientation bigger and better.”
Vice-President Advocacy, Murat Ates, said he had met with the program coordinator for the Legal Information Clinic, Loren Braul. Ates reported they were looking at ways to expand the clinic’s services and possibly give them more space.
The selections committee announced that the deadlines for all the UMSU standing committees had been pushed back to June 28th. Thus, none of the committees had met at the time of the council meeting.
Laube announced that the UMSU run convenience store, GPAs, was looking at getting a few new food options.
Students Living with Disabilities Rep Bryan Douglas announced he is currently setting up an email and Twitter page where students can contact him directly. If students wish to get a hold of him, he encouraged them contact him at disability.rep.umsu@gmail.com.
