This week’s UMSU board of directors meeting was brief but packed with updates for students.
UMSU shared ongoing developments in its federal advocacy efforts. On Nov. 3, UMSU hosted MP Heather McPherson for a town hall meeting focused on student issues such as funding, post-secondary affordability and the federal budget. The event gave students the opportunity to speak directly with the MP and raise questions and concerns.
Advocacy on the Winnipeg Transit system continues. UMSU has been gathering student feedback and meeting with representatives from both the City of Winnipeg and Winnipeg Transit. The union hopes to see several key routes reinstated to better support student commuters.
UMSU president Prabhnoor Singh reported on his meeting with U of M president Michael Benarroch and vice-provost Laurie Schnarr where they discussed broader student advocacy priorities. The meeting focused on opportunities for UMSU and the university to jointly push for a safer and more reliable transit network, the urgent need to reinstate provincial healthcare for international students and the possibility of the university subsidizing the Manitoba International Student Healthcare Plan to ease financial burdens. They also addressed growing concerns around student housing, emphasizing the need for more affordable options both on and near campus.
UMSU’s annual Holiday Hamper initiative is back. This year, UMSU will provide $150 grocery gift cards to support students during the holiday season and allow them to purchase personalized items for the hampers.
Carolyn Wang, vice president of finance and operations, presented updates on her work with UMSU Services and Operations to develop a new UMSU community lounge in Helen Glass. The project is still in its planning phase.
To increase financial transparency, UMSU will soon publish a spreadsheet on its website showing the status of all funding applications. This will help student groups track their submissions and stay informed.
UMSU’s annual audit and financial statements are now available on the website for students to review. UMSU is also partnering with the U of M Food Bank to provide ongoing food support to students.
The anti-choice group has been appearing on campus more frequently, raising concerns about harmful and graphic materials, as well as the lack of prior communication before their arrival. UMSU is currently working with the university’s associate vice-president (administration) to update the language on the warning-sign sandwich boards to ensure students are informed and connected with appropriate resources both on and off campus.
Motion 0678 was brought to the table to investigate UMSU VPSL Hannah Le for violating workplace harassment policies following a complaint made to the judicial board on Oct 3, 2025. An ad hoc committee was formed at the meeting to investigate Le, and the committee’s results will be shared during an upcoming emergency meeting, to be held in closed session.
The judicial board also brought an emergency motion to the table to hold a hearing for an anonymous complaint against UMSU accessibility students’ community rep Gurminder Singh filed on Nov 15.
Other updates from the meeting included recommendations for two additional amendments to the UMSU elections manual. The first proposes the implementation of a ranked ballot system. The second introduces revisions to the community by-election process aimed at improving transparency, representation and overall fairness. Wang’s report also announced new microwaves in UMSU University Centre on the second floor across from the multi-purpose room.
