This past Thursday, Nov. 12, the University of Manitoba Students’ Union (UMSU) held its Semi-Annual General Meeting at the Bannatyne campus.

The meeting covered a wide range of topics and issues, focused on current and past successful
campaigns and services and highlighted some of the new services the union is looking to provide.
UMSU outlined the major focus points for provincial campaigns for this year including: the Students’ Sustainability Campaign, Tuition Fees and Funding, Equality for International Students, Students’ Unions Right to Organize, Protection for Students living in Residence, Aboriginal Student Issue campaigning and Building a Discrimination-free Campus.

One of UMSU’s top priorities is the issues surrounding tuition fees and the current tuition freeze that was lifted this past fall.

The 4.5 per cent increase that the university faced was the second highest increase in the country. To combat such issues UMSU used the Target Poverty campaign this year, said members at the meeting.

A report referencing the campaign indicated, “We’re working to build on the work that anti-poverty organizations do every day, by uniting students and youth, Aboriginal communities, and [other] communities, and community and labour organizations in a call for a real plan to end poverty and social inequality.”

Along with having guest speakers present at the U of M, UMSU is taking initiative to promote a “greener” lifestyle by banning bottled water in their offices. They also ensure that only Fair Trade coffee is sold in Degrees and that, as of this September, GPA’s now offers Fair Trade coffee as well.

Also of interest is the rapid transit campaign, as well as the Universal Transit Pass (U-Pass). The rapid transit plan includes a bus route along the rail lines from the University of Manitoba Fort Garry Campus to downtown. The plan, which has three phases, is set to be completed by approximately 2011.

The U-Pass, a bus pass that students would pay for as part of their tuition in September, allowing them to ride Winnipeg Transit unlimited throughout both terms, is still looking for possible funding options.

Along with continuing to provide existing services, such as Bison Grocery Runs, Bison Patrol, Bulk Buy, the Carpool Registry and other services UMSU provides the union is introducing new services in the upcoming year.

One the new programs will be the Collaboration to Promote Art and Music (CPAM). Broken down into three programs, Tunnel Vision, Sculpture Experience and Random Acts of Music, its goal is to promote art throughout the campus.

UMSU is also starting a Laptop Lending Program and have already started a Textbook Lending Program.

Another new service UMSU will provide is the UMSU “Free Store” said to open on Nov. 30, 2009. Located on the fifth floor of University Centre, students can donate items that could be of use to other students in need. Due to lack of space, they are not accepting clothing or any large items, but are looking for school supplies, small fitness equipment, small appliance, home decor and hardware tools.

So far 452 scholarships worth $338,450 and 1,400 bursaries with a total of $687,000 have been granted by UMSU. The UMSU Endowment Fund provides funding for a long list of UMSU services, and this year includes UMSU Ice Rink, The Tunnel Mural Painting and Sculpture Garden Project and UMSU Vision.

Sid Rashid, UMSU president, said, “It is an exciting time for the university.”