University of Manitoba Graduate Students' Association - 2012 Annual General Meeting Package

www.umgsa.
ca
GSAAnnualGeneralMeetingAgenda
5:00pm,February2,2012
GSALounge(217UniversityCenter)
1. Calltoorder
a. Motion:BIRTtheGSAmembershipratifythePresidentoftheAssociation
tochairtheGSAAnnualGeneralMeeting
2. Approvalofagenda
3. IntroductionofGSAExecutivemembers
4. ApprovalofminutesfromJan27
th
2011GSAAGM
5. ApprovaloftheminutesfromtheOctober12,2011SpecialGeneralMeeting
6. Executivecommitteeannualreport
a. Motion:BIRTtheGSAmembershipapproveandcontinuetheemployment
ofaresearchassistant,(ElizabethGonsalves,MSc.),tocontinue
investigatingtherelationshipbetweentheCanadianFederationof
StudentsandtheUniversityofManitobaGraduateStudentsAssociation
untilsuchtimethatthemembershipstatusoftheUniversityofManitoba
GraduateStudentsAssociationasamemberoftheCanadianFederation
ofStudentsisvalidatedbythelegalcounseloftheAssociation,the
UniversityofManitoba,andtheCanadianFederationofStudents
b. Motion:BIRTtheGSAmembershipholdintrusttheCFSfeescollected
untilthemembershipstatusoftheUniversityofManitobaGraduate
StudentsAssociationasamemberoftheCanadianFederationof
StudentsisvalidatedbythelegalcounseloftheAssociation,the
UniversityofManitoba,andtheCanadianFederationofStudents
c. Motion:BIRTtheGSAmembershipapprovearequesttotheBoardof
GovernorstoceasethecollectionofCFSfeesuntilthemembershipstatus
oftheUniversityofManitobaGraduateStudentsAssociationasa
memberoftheCanadianFederationofStudentsisvalidatedbythelegal
counseloftheAssociation,theUniversityofManitoba,andtheCanadian
FederationofStudents
7. ReviewoftheGSA'sBudget
a. Motion:BIRTtheGSAmembershipformallyapprovetherenamingofthe
OfficeEquipmentFundtotheCapitalFund
b. Motion:BIRTtheGSAmembershipformallyapprovetheamaximumof
$150,000tobeallocatedfromtheCapitalFundtowardsthecapital
projectsforrooms221(GSAOffice)and217(GSALounge)University
Centre
c. Motion:BIRTtheGSAmembershipformallyapprovetheamaximumof
$15,000tobeallocatedfromtheCapitalFundtowardsthecomputer
networkprojectfortheGSAoffice
8. PresentationoftheGSA's2010Audit
a. Motion:BIRTtheGSAmembershipapprovetheGSAauditaspresented
fortheperiodendingMarch31,2011
b. Motion:BIRTtheGSAmembershipapproveBDOCanadaLLPastheGSA's
auditorsforthe2011-2012term
9. Otherbusiness
10. Announcements
a. GSAgeneralelectionprocesswillbeginFeb2
nd
,2012
11. Adjournment
a. Motion:BIRTtheGSAmembershipapprovetheGSAauditaspresented
fortheperiodendingMarch31,2011
b. Motion:BIRTtheGSAmembershipapproveBDOCanadaLLPastheGSA's
auditorsforthe2011-2012term
9. Otherbusiness
10. Announcements
a. GSAgeneralelectionprocesswillbeginFeb2
nd
,2012
11. Adjournment
1
GraduateStudentsAssociation
AnnualGeneralMeetingMinutes
Wednesday,April27,2011,4:00pm
GSALounge,217UniversityCentre
Present:54UniversityofManitobagraduatestudents,seeattachedlist.
1.Calltoorder
Themeetingwascalledtoorderat4:04pmandchairedbyAlanMcGreevy.
2.Approvalofagenda
Motion:BIRTtheagendabeapproved.
Freeman/Scofield-Singh
Allinfavour
Carried
3.ApprovalofminutesfromJanuary27
th
,2011GSAAGM
Motion:BIRTthattheminutesbeapprovedaspresented
Sliwinski/Freeman
Motion:BIFRTthattheminutesbeapprovedasamendedwiththefollowing
ammendments:a)#10gshouldreadIpodtouch,notIpad.
Nawrot/Salter
Allinfavour
Carried
4.Businessarisingfromtheminutes
None.
5.GSAExecutiveupdatePresentation
LabineRatherthancreatinganexecutivesummaryreport,sincenoonereads
them,Ihavecreatedalistofwhattheexecutivehavedoneoverthepastyear,and
hopetohaveanopendialogueasIpresentthis.
Accomplishmentsare:
- AutonomyagreementWeareinthelastfewdaysofgettingthissigned.
ThiswillgivetheGSAcompleteautonomy.
- GSAby-lawsArenowbeforeyoutogetapproved.
- PolicymanualsWewrotethemandwillpresentthemattheupcoming
councilmeetingtobeapproved.
- Allgoverningdocuments-Completelyoverhauledthisyear.
- OfficenetworkinstallationWasinstalledyesterday.Wehaveanew
networkandcomputerstoallowforgreaterfilesharing,whichwillhelpthe
GSAworkmoreefficiently.Therewillbemorecomputersavailablefor
2
studentstouse.
- Office&LoungerenovationprojectThereisalackofgraduatestudent
spaceoncampus.WhatwearelookingatdoingisrenovatingboththeGSA
office&loungetogivestudentsbetterspacestouse.Ithasyettobe
approvedbycouncil.
- HandbookimprovementsWeoverhauledthehandbooktomakeitmore
concise.WewillhavehardcopiesinSeptember,anditwillbeavailable
online.
- GSAwebsiteWiththeofficenetworkinstallationwearelookingathosting
ourownwebsite.Wewouldliketocreateapplicationsforthewebsiteso
gradstudentscanbetteraccessinformation.
- DigitizationofdocumentlibraryWehavestartedtodigitizeeverythingso
thereisaneasilyaccessiblehistory.
- OfficeinventoryprojectWehaveaninventorygoingofallitemsintheGSA
officetoavoidtheft.
- HiredanewstaffpersonCaraNichols,agradstudent.Wehiredhertohelp
getmanyoftheprojectsdone.Shesbeengreatintheroleandshesdoneat
theendofJune.
- Travelgrantvalues&financialpolicyWewillbeupdatingourfinancial
policymanualwithintheupcomingcouncilmeeting.Withinthatweare
lookingatincreasingtheamountfortravelgrants.
- Were-evaluatedthegradstudenthealthplan.
- Someexecutivecompletedriskassessmenttrainingtobetteridentify
individualsatriskandhelpmediateanyadversesituationsthatcomeup.
- StudentrepresentationThisyearwehavehadgreatattendance,up90%.
ThisisimportantbecausetheGSAistheofficialvoiceforthegraduate
students.
- InteractionswithFGSThisyearwemadeitapointtoengageFGS&be
moreinvolvedwithpoliciestheyarecreating,particularlythetimeto
completionreportandfundingissues.
- WeamendedourrelationshipwithUMSU.
GSAActivities:
- FallorientationWeplanonbuildingonthisincollaborationwithFGS.
- Workshopsweprovidedafew.
- GSAopenhousesWeopeneduptheGSAofficetogradstudents(coffee&
snacks)inordertoengagethestudentbody.Wehadupwardsof100people
comethroughtheofficeeachtime.
- SocialsWehad3thisyear.
- SpeakerSeries-Dr.RichardHeinzlfromDoctorsWithoutBordersCanada
cameinMarchtotheBannatynecampus.
- GSAawardsluncheonWasdonetoacknowledgegraduatestudentswho
wonawardsintheawardscompetition.
ExternalActivities:
- FallorientationWeplanonbuildingonthisincollaborationwithFGS.
- Jointfundproposal-TheGSAapproachedtheUniversityandtheProvince
aboutanewstrategytoincreasetheamountoffundingcomingtograduate
students.Wearelookingatamassing$50,000overaperiodof5yearsand
endowingthatmoney.
- GraduatefundreferendumItfailedbutwestillgoaheadwiththejoint
fundproposal.
- GradzetteThisyearwedidanoverhaul.Werevisedthebudget;lookedat
whatgradstudentsreallywant;content;management;andwaystomakeit
moreenvironmentallyfriendly.Wewillbesigningacontractwiththe
ManitobaninthenextcoupleofdaystomanagetheGradzetteforus.They
willbeproducingaonceamonthonlineissue.
- CFSNationalandProvincialparticipationWehavehadaninteresting
relationshipwithCFS.Thisyearwehaveincreasedourparticipationat
meetingsby50%-60%.Wehaveapresentationbytheoutgoingchairinour
upcomingcouncilmeeting.
- TimetocompletionreportreviewWrotethisafterthereportcameoutin
September.Itaddressesallconcernsfromgraduatestudentsregardingthe
timetocompletionreport.
- Holidayfoodhampers
- ImprovedProvincialgovernmentrelationsWetriedtoengagetheminister
ofadvancededucationtoputgraduatestudentsontheradar.
- UMSUtaxserviceWehavepartneredwithUMSUsograduatestudentscan
getthesupporttheyneedwhenfilingtheirtaxes.
- FoodbankThisisthefirstyearwehavecontributed.
- GSAcouncilimprovementsWehaveincreasedcouncilparticipation.We
haveatotalof134differentgraduatedepartmentsoncampusandweareup
to50(15departmentsmorethanlastyear).Councilprocedurestightenedup
forgreateraccountability.
- GreatercontinuitybetweenGSA&HSGSA-Weveincludedtheminourby-
lawsandactivities.
OjopresentsonGSACampaigns:
- Wehave2maincampaignsthisyear,andmanysmallerqualitativeones.
- Forexampleonecampaignwastoencouragegradstudentstoaskpoliticians
tocontributemoremoneytowardseducation.
- Wehavebeenabletogetareductionininternationalstudentshealth
insurancefees,andhopefullyitwilltakeeffectbySeptember,2011.
- Wealsohaveissueswithstudentslivingonresidence.Wearelookingat
gettingamodificationtothestudentresidencyact.Wehadameetingwith
theMinisterofAdvancedEducation.Wehaveacommitteethatwillbe
workingonthisoverthesummer.
4
- Wehavealsocreatedacommitteetolookintothelackofhousingforgrad
students.
LabineThatistheendofthepresentation.Ijustwantedtosaythankyou
toallgradstudents;councilors;andexecutivewhohavehelpedenhance
representationthisyear.
McGreevyAnyquestionsregardingthepresentation?
StudentHowcanIaccessdocumentsfromthe1970s?
NawrotThe1970sinformationisavailablethroughUMSUsinceatthat
timetheGSAwasapartofUMSU.
6.GSAtravelendowmentfund
LabineThisarosein2007.Essentiallythemotionistofreeupmoremoneyfor
travelgrants;andintheGSAbudgetforprogramming,planningandadministration.
NawrotAttheAGMin2007wesignedthefirstautonomyagreementwithUMSU.
Graduatestudentswerepaying$30intoanendowmentfundfortravelgrants.We
havebeencollectingthismoneyanditsnowreachedapprox.$900,000.Wehave
notusedthismoneyfortravelgrants,ithasjustbeensittingandcollectingsome
interest.Rightnowweareusingouroperatingbudgettopayouttravelgrants.With
thismotionwewanttousethetravelgrantmoneycollectedinthetravelgrant
budgetline.
McGreevyIrecommendyoure-wordthebeginningofthemotiontosay:BIRTthe
GSAterminatethecollectionofthe$30GSAendowmentfund,andBIFRTtheGSA
institute$30/yearstudentfeefortravelgrants.
NawrotBasedonmyconversationswiththeUniversityendowmentpeople,weare
abletocallitanendowmentfund.
Scofield-SinghDoesthemoneyfrominterestpayfortravel?Doesthe$30stayin
theaccount?
LabineThesumofthemoneywillnotbetouched.Theinterestfromthefundand
the$30(principle)willbegoingdirectlyintothetravelgrantbudgetline.
Motion:
Whereasgraduatestudentsvotedinthe2007AGMtocontribute$30ayearof
theirstudentorganizationfeestoatravelgrantendowmentfund.
5
Whereassinceitsinceptionin2007,theprincipletravelgrantendowmentfundhas
grownto$867,000,buthasnotbeeninvestedtoearninterestandhastherefore
notbeendrawnupon.
WhereastheGSAtravelgrantbudgetiscurrentlyfundedfromtheGSAoperating
budget,andnottheGSAtravelgrantendowmentfund.
BIRTthemoneyoriginallyassessedasanendowmentforstudentsat$30eachyear
beusedintheGSAoperatingbudgetinthetravelgrantbudgetlinegoingforward
infutureUMGSAbudgetswithoutspendingtheprinciplefundvalue.
BIFRTtheinterestearnedonthetravelgrantendowmentfundbeaddedtothe
travelgrantbudgetlineeveryyear.
BIFRTanyunspentmoneyfromthetravelgrantbudgetlinebedepositedintothe
travelgrantendowmentfundattheendofeachfiscalyear.
St.Aubin/Gonsalves
Allinfavour-34
Allopposednone
Allabstentions1
Carried
7. PresentationoftheGSAsrevisedBy-laws.
LabineWehave2presentations:1onHSGSAdisbursement,and1on
honorariumallocations.Asyouwillnoticethereisamotiontoincreaseexecutive
honorariumsfornextyearandthereisachangetotheHSGSAdisbursement
amount.
McGreevyWhatIasknowisthatpeopleputtheirhandupiftheywouldliketo
discussanyparticularsection.
Motion:BIRTforthedurationofthismeeting,friendlyamendments
thatdonotsignificantlychangethespiritofamotioncan,withthe
permissionoftheoriginalmover,beadoptedwithoutamotionto
amend.
Labine/Scofield-Singh
Allinfavour
Carried
SalterTheHSGSAaskedmetofurtherdiscussitems:7.1,7.2&7.7(HSGSA
Honorarium).
FreemanArticle6shouldbeaspacebetweenGSAandare&between
6
HSGSA&are.Therearealsoformattingissueswithstandingcommitteesand
elections.Underfinances(#7.1)itshouldsayhonorariumamount,notsalary
amount.Article9itcurrentlysays:bc,takeawaytheb.
SalterInArticle9d-itshouldntsaynotmotion,itshouldsaynomotion.
McGreevyUnder#7.2eV.P.Academicshouldnotbemaking$3peryear,but
rather$3600peryear.
StudentArticle5Inthetitle,ExecutivehasanextraE.
Motion:BIRTtheGSAmembershipapprovetheUMGSArevisedBylawsas
presented.
Gonsalves/Freeman
NeilIwouldliketoputforwardthefollowingmotion:BIFRTthattheappendicies
containingtheHSGSAdisbursementcalculationsbeattachedtotheby-laws.
McGreevyTobringeveryonetowhereweare.Innumber7.7wearetalkingabout
theannualbudgetchangeequalto16%forallstudentassociationfees.Thereisa
motioncomingforwardfromtheHSGSAtohavetheformulaonhowthe16%was
arrivedatattachedtotheby-lawintheappendicies.Isthistherightspotforit?
NawrotItisimportantforthisinformationtobeintheappendiciessothatin
futureyearspeoplewonthavetoaskthequestionhowdidtheyarriveat16%?.
MotionBIFRTthattheappendiciescontainingtheHSGSAdisbursement
calculationsbeattachedtotheby-laws.
Salter/Buse
Allinfavour(2/3)
Carried
McGreevyFurtherdiscussiononArticle#7oftheby-laws.
Scofield-SinghWhyisthereadifferenceinhonorariumsbetweentheVice
PresidentsfromtheGSA&HSGSA?
LabineTheV.PsforHSGSAdolessandattendfewermeetingsthantheGSAV.Ps
becauseoftheirsmallergraduatestudentpopulation(approx.500).TheHSGSA
V.PsdoalittlemorethantheSenatorsandalittlelessthantheV.PsfortheGSA,so
itsdifficulttoquantifytheirsalary.
McGreevyIsthereanythingelseinsection#7anyonewouldliketodiscuss?
7
StudentIhaveaquestionabouttheincreaseofthehonorariumingeneral.Isthere
asysteminplacetocontrolaccountability?
LabineTheIDRcommitteeisgoingtobemorethoroughoftheirexaminationof
theexecutive.TheywillstartinMayandfollowtheexecutivethroughouttheyear,
providingmonthlyupdatesoneachexecutive.
BuseWhathappensifsomeonedoesntliveuptotheexpectation?
LabineItwillgototheIDRcommitteeforreview.Thehonorariumcanbewithheld
basedonIDRreports.Alternatively,avoteofnoconfidencecanoccursothatperson
isnolongeremployedinthatposition.
BuseWhatisbeingchangedwiththeexecutiveatlargepositionsothatthesalary
istripling?
LabineWhattheexecutiveatlargeissupposedtodois:sitonallinternal
committees;chairexecutivecommittees;chaircouncilmeetings;anddowhatthe
executiverequiresofthemtodo.Therearealotofmeetingstoattendandalotof
worktodo.Youcantpaysomeonelessthantheotherexecutivemembersandask
themtodoasmuchwork.
BuseIwouldliketoseethebreakdownofwherethe16%comesfrom.
NawrotItooklastyearsbudget($455,000)andlookedateverythingHSGSAshares
withus.Forexample:travelgrants;conferences;insuranceandbrokeitdownbased
onhonorariums.Outofthe$455,000,theyshare$402,000withus.Afterallthebills
arepaidweonlyhaveabout$53,000tospendonanyeventsputonforstudents.
Therefore,11.7%ofourbudgetisallocatedforsocialevents.Sotechnicallyspeaking
HSGSAssharewouldbe12%(roundedup).Wedecidedtoraisethatupbyanother
4%becausetheyareoperatingonanothercampus,andtheyhavetheirown
independentcosts,plustheyalsohaveanewVicePresidentofSaintBoniface.The
additional4%bringsthetotaltheyreceiveto$13,428.Basedon500students,that
worksoutto$83.93/student(thiswillgoupeveryyearbyapenny).The16%works
outto$6700persemester&$13,428fortheyear(forHSGSAtooperate).IfHSGSA
runsshortonmoneytheycanaskformoreatcouncil.
Motion:BIRTtheGSAmembershipapprovetheUMGSArevisedBylawsas
presentedandamended.
Gonsalves/Freeman
Allinfavour
Carried
8
Motion:BIRTtheGSAmembershipapprovetheretroactiveincreasetotheGSA
PresidentshonorariumasoutlinedintherevisedBy-lawsforthe2010-2011term.
McGreevyruleditoutoforderbasedonBylawsArticleVII6,asitwouldincrease
honorariapriortoMay1,andBylawsArticleVIII5,astheitemwasaddedtothe
agendaonApril20,2011.
ThemotionwasmovedfromthefloorbyGonsalves/Freeman
ToavoidconflictwithBylawsArticleVII6,afriendlyamendmentwasmadeto
removeanyreferencetohonorarium.
Motion:BIRTtheGSAmembershipapproveaone-timebonusof$3600tothe
2010-2011GSAPresidentMeaghanLabineinrecognitionforheroutstanding
accomplishmentoverherterm.
GonsalvessuggestedthatCouncilcouldvotetosuspendBylawArticleVIII
(#5).McGreevyruledthatthiswasnotpermitted.
GonsalveschallengedMcGreevyontheruling.
Motion:OverturntheChair'srulingthatBylawArticleVIII5cannotbesuspended
byamotionfromthefloor.
Allinfavour28
Allopposed8
Allabstaining3
Carried
Motion:suspendBylawArticleVIII5forthedurationofthemainmotion.
Gonsalves/Agbor
Allinfavour23
Allopposed2
Allabstaining12
Carried
Motion:BIRTtheGSAmembershipapproveaone-timebonusof$3600tothe2010-
2011GSAPresidentMeaghanLabineinrecognitionforheroutstanding
accomplishmentoverherterm.
Allinfavour29
Allopposed0
Allabstaining6
8. UMGSAannualaudit
9
Motion:BIRTtheGSAmembershipapprovetheOfficeoftheAuditorGeneralof
ManitobaastheGSAsauditorsforthe2010-2011term,pendingapprovalofthe
2011GSA/UMSUAutonomyagreementbytheUniversityofManitobasBoardof
Governors.
Nawrot/Hink
Carried
9. Otherbusiness
None.
10. Announcements
a) GSAApril28
th
GSAsocial
LabineWearehavingourlastsocialtomorrownight.Therewillbefree
drinksandlotsoffood.EntertainmentbyDJMamaCutsworth;acaricaturist;
andaballoonartist.SincethisismylastAGMasPresident,Ijustwantedto
makementionthatitwasapleasureworkingwithyouguys.
StudentIstheGSAgoingtoorganizeatournamentthisyear?
NawrotWedoubledthebudgetinordertohost2tournamentsthisyear.
11. Adjournment
Motion:BIRTthemeetingbeadjournedat5:38pm.
Gonsalves/St.Aubin
Carried.
Name Department Student Number Signature

Ruth Prokesch GSA
1 Liz Gonsalves Medical microbiology Provided
2 Neil Salter Physiology Provided
3 Olivier Gagne Geological sciences Provided
4 Jennifer (Yijie) Chen Kniesiology & Rec. Management Provided
5 Peter Nawrot Social Work Provided
6 Matt Hink Agribusiness & Ag. Economics Provided
7 Cordula Buse Biochemistry & Med. Gen. Provided
8 Angela Freeman Biological Sciences Provided
9 Cathy Scofield-Singh Nursing Provided
10 Erin Acland History Provided
11 Meaghan Labine GSA President Provided
12 Farhoud Delijani Biosystems Provided
13 Alan McGreevy Medical microbiology Provided
14 Dan Lockery Electrical Engineering Provided
15 Maggi Sliwinski Natural Resource Institute Provided
16 Emannuel R. Ojo VPE Provided
17 Hamed Aghakhan Management Provided
18 Jeremy Funk Management Provided
19 Stephanie Armstrong Anthropology Provided
20 Michelle Keller French, Spanish, Italian Provided
GSA AGM Attendance Record
Please PRINT clearly
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
1 Brenna Haimes-Kusumoto Linguistics Provided
2 Kay Hamidzadeh Linguistics Provided
3 Zoe St.Aubin Sociology Provided
4 Ryan Sharpe Geological Sciences Provided
5 Peter Karari Peace & Conflict studies Provided
6 David Boutilier Anthropology Provided
7 Junzhao Economics Provided
8 Greg Boese Psychology Provided
9 Jonathan Veilleux Entomology Provided
10 Laura Rempel City Planning Provided
11 Daniel Balcha Mechanical Engineering Provided
12 Valery B. Agbor Biosystems Provided
13 Cara Nichols City Planning Provided
14 David Opeyem Education Provided
15 Monica Martinez Fine Arts Provided
16 Tonia Bates Kinesiology & Recreation Provided
17 Md. Eftekhar Hossain Biosystems Engineering Provided
18 Michael Cardillo Soil Science Provided
19 Mohsen Akbarzadeh Mechanical Engineering Provided
20 Enoch A-lyeh Electrical Engineering Provided
GSA AGM Attendance Record Wednesday, April 27, 2011
1 Mehrdad Espah Electrical Engineering Provided
2 Mehdi Daryabak Electrical Engineering Provided
3 Damon Bazargan Electrical Engineering Provided
4 Lawrence O. Mechanical Engineering Provided
5 Roohollah Abbasi Biological Science Provided
6 Hamidreza Khazanehei Animal Sciences Provided
7 Ali Reza Armiyoon Mechanical Engineering Provided
8 Kamaloddin Darchinimaragheh ECE Provided
9 Jeff Brogges Sampa Provided
10 Jonathan Tsikata Mechanical Engineering Provided
11 Barney Gelors Microbiology Provided
12 Luis Maya Food Science Provided
13 Senthilkumar Thiruppathi Biosystems Engineering Provided
14 Pavithra Rajan Kinesiology Provided
15
16
17
18
19
20
GSA AGM Attendance Record Wednesday, April 27, 2011
1
SpecialGeneralMeeting
Minutes
Tuesday,October18,2011
GSALounge,217UniversityCentre
Present:42graduatestudents,seeattachedlist.
Themeetingwascalledtoorderat5:20pm
1. CalltoOrder
2. ApprovalofAgenda
NawrotnotedthatRyanLussierfromRBCWealthManagementwillbe
providingapresentation,andshouldbeaddedtotheagenda.
Motion:BIRTtheagendabeamendedtoincludeapresentationbyRyan
LussierofRBCasthefirstorderofbusiness.
Scofield-Singh(Nursing)/Cowie(PoliticalStudies)
Carried
Lussierpresentedashortfilmontheglobalfinancialsituation.Hepresentedan
overviewontheGSAsfinancialsituation,andnotedthattheGSAsfinancial
positionisstable,andinexcellentcondition.HenotedthattheGSAsinvestment
accountsareyieldingpositiveinterest.
NawrotnotedthatinterestaccruedisgoingtowardsanincreaseinConference
Grants.
Motion:BIRTtheagendabeapprovedasamended.
Haglund(CityPlanning)/Gislason(Microbiology)
Carried
3. IntroductionofGSAExecutiveMembers
TheExecutiveintroducedthemselves,andexplainedtherolesoftheirpositions.
4. ApprovalofminutesfromApril27
th
,2011SGM
Motion:BIRTtheMinutesoftheAprilbeapprovedasamended.
Armstrong(Anthropology)/Scofied-Singh(Nursing)
Carried
5. PresentationofGSAfinances
NawrotexplainedthattheGSAreceivedautonomythispastsummer,andthe
BoardofGovernorsagreedtokeeptheGSAstudentfeesstableat$68.88per
semesterand$8.37forotherstudentfees,includingGradzette,UMREG,UMFM.
HenotedthatbecausetheGSAwasnotautonomousfromUMSU,someofthefees
inthepastweredirectedthroughUMSU.HesaidthatBDOremainsastheGSAs
2
auditors.Henotedthatbecauseofautonomy,theGSAalsohastotakeout
insurance.TheGSAsoughtquotesfrominsurancecompanies,andultimately
purchasedinsurancefromWesternFinancialInsurancefortheamountof
$4,140/year,including$150,000incontentinsurance.Hesaidthereisalsoa
$5,000,000boardandtrusteeliabilityinsurance.
HesaidthatUMSUisdevelopingtheHubPub.HesaidthattheGSAis
investigatingasponsorshipforthepub,thatwouldallowtheGSAtohavefree
partiesinthebarforgradstudents.Itwouldincludetwofreedrinksandfood,but
isstillbeingnegotiated.
HesaidmoneyhasbeeninvestedfromtheGSAEndowmentfundsinRBC,andthe
GSAisreceivingmonthlychequesof$3,593,whichisgoingtowardsthetravel
grants.
Motion:BIRTtheGSAmembershipapprovetheinvestmentofthe
endowmentandcapitalfundswithRBC.
Gamble(Anthropology)/HamidZadeh(Linguistics)
NawrotpresentedaPowerPoint,explainingtheexistingfeestructure.Henoted
thatthispresentationisavailableintheGSAofficeformembersnotpresent.
Heprovidedanoverviewofthefeestructure,andprovideddefinitionsofeach
fee.Heexplainedthereferendumprocessinplaceforadding,orremoving
particularfees.
Scofield-Singh-calledquorum.
Nawrotnotedthatwith31people,andaquorumof34,quorumhasbeenlost,
andthebusinesscomponentofthemeetingwillhavetoend.Hesaidhewill
continueprovidinganupdate,asinformation.
FreemanprovidedanoverviewoftheGSAsfeestructureincomparisonto
othersimilarorganizations,availableformembersnotpresentattheGSAoffice.
ShenotedproposedchangestotheGSAs2012feestructure.
Nawrotannouncedthatquorumisnowachieved,andtheformalbusinessof
themeetingcancontinue.
Henotedthattheoverallgoalofthefeerestructuringistoprovideforadoubling
oftheDepartmentalGrantsandtodoubletheamountallocatedtotheSpecial
ProjectsGrant.Hesaidthatasanot-for-profit,theGSAisrequiredtospendthe
moneyitreceivesonprogramsandservicesforitsmembers,ratherthanto
accumulatelargeamountsofunusedmoneyinendowmentfunds.
Motion:BIRTtheGSAmembershipapprovethefinancialfeestructureof
membershipduesaspresentedattheOctober18
th
,2011SGM.
Cowie(PoliticalStudies)/Armstrong(Anthropology)
Carried
3
Motion:BIRTtheGSAmembershipapprovetheEndowmentFundintended
solelyfortravelgrantstoberenamedastheGSAStudentInitiative
EndowmentFundwherebytheincomeandmarketgainsoftheGSAStudent
InitiativeEndowmentFundwouldbeusedtomeettheneedsofthe
AssociationanditsmembersasdeterminedbytheGSACouncilwithinits
approvalprocessoftheannualGSABudget.
Haglund(CityPlanning)/Sharpe(GeologicalScience)
Carried
6. Otherbusiness
Therewasnootherbusinessnoted.
7. Announcements
Nawrot-notedthattherewillbeaGSACouncilMeetingonOctober28
th
immediatelyfollowedbytheannualHauntedThesisHalloweenparty,bothtaking
placeintheGSALounge.
FreemanremindedcouncilorsthatDepartmentalGrantsaredueNovember1
st
.
8. Adjournment
Motiontoadjournat6:22pm.
Scofield-Singh(Nursing)/Gislason(Microbiology)
Carried
www.umgsa.ca

Graduate Students' Association
Executive Committee Report

Annual General Meeting

February 2
nd
, 2012

2012UMGSAAGMExecutiveReport 2
GSAInternalActivities
GSAOrientation
In Sept 2011, the GSA held our annual graduate student orientation. This was made possible
with collaboration with the Faculty of Graduate Studies and the Office of the Vice Provost for
Students. The event lasted a week from September 12 September 16, featuring a variety of
informationsessions,lotsoffood,aBBQandasocialonSeptember23.
ToencouragegreaterparticipationitwassuggestedthatthePassportprogramimplementedat
the2010orientationshouldbeimplementedinupcomingorientations,asitwasverysuccessful.
It was also suggested that food could be ordered from Degrees rather than Aramark and that
thelayoutofthefoodbemoreefficienttopreventlineupsinthehallway.
GSAOfficeRenovationProject
The GSA Office renovation is expected to begin February 16

th
(for asbestos abatement) and be
completed by February 29
th
, 2012. If construction is delayed, operations of the GSA will be
movedintothespacepreviouslyleasedtoCUPE3909byMarch2,2012.Thecostoftheproject
isestimatedtobe$70,000.00.
GSALoungeRenovationProject
The GSA lounge is a room that is constantly booked for a variety of events ranging from
seminars, exercise classes, meetings and socials. Renovation of the lounge commenced in
November of 2011 and will be completed in January 2012. The scope of the project includes
soundproofing, new carpeting and installation of audio and visual equipment. The cost of this
projectissetat$76,000.00.
TheGSANetwork
The GSA purchased a network and computers using the MAC platform to operate as an
organization.Unfortunatelythenetworkhasnotmetourneedsandhasledtoinefficientuseof
time for staff and executive. Support for the MAC network has been expensive and not
expedient. Networking requests from as far back as November 2011 to our technical support
firmhavebeenunanswered.Theexecutiveteamwillbeswitchingtoapcnetworkwiththecost
oftechnicalsolutionsbeing37%cheaperthanthecurrentratetheAssociationispaying.Useof
the previous pc systems will be incorporated with the addition of a new computer system for
theofficemanager.Fouroutofthefivecurrentmacsystemswillbesoldforafairmarketprice
tohelpsubsidizethecostofmovingtoapcnetworksolutionwithpropersupportandnetwork
assistancetoimprovetheproductivityandefficiencyoftheorganization.
Staffing
Over the past year, the Association has hired staff to assist with the operations of the
organization. It is recommended that the organization look into hiring a fulltime permanent
position that will benefit the organization with institutional memory and comply with the
auditorssuggestiontohavetheorganizationsfinancialactivitiesmorebalanced.
LeasingofOfficeSpacetoCUPE3909
On December 1
st
,2010, the GSA Executive decided to lease our old Gradzette office space to
CUPE 3909 as an office on campus. The relationship had work out well. In November of 2011,
we were advised that the leasing of the space to CUPE 3909 was contrary to the University
CentreAgreement,whichprohibitstheleasingofspacetoanygroupthatisnotastudentgroup.
OnNovember29,2011aletterfromtheUniversityofManitobaGraduateStudentsAssociation
presidentwassenttoCUPE3909givingthemnoticeoftheterminationoftheleaseagreement.
CUPE3909willbevacatingthespacebyMarch1,2012.
TheHUB
TheUniversityofManitobaStudentsUnionisintheprocessofhavingacampuscommunitypub
open after construction in February 2012. The GSA will be entering into contract negotiations
once the HUB is open to ensure that graduate students have programming and events at this
newvenue.AdraftproposalwassenttoUMSUinthesecondquarterof2011,buttheGSAhas
notreceivedaresponsefromUMSU.
Audit
TheannualauditisperformedbyBDOCanadaLLPandapprovedbytheGSAAGM.The
UniversityofManitobaisauditedbytheAuditorGeneralofManitoba.Concernwasexpressed
thatBDOmaynotbeabletocompletetheauditfortheGSAbecausewithGSAautonomy,the
AuditorGeneralofManitobawouldconducttheauditforGSA.TheAuditorGeneralofManitoba
contractstheirworktofirmslikeBDOCanadaLLP.Consequently,theGSAmaycontinueto
rendertheservicesofBDOCanadaLLPtocompletetheGSAannualaudit.
The annual audit was performed by BDO Canada LLP and completed in the fall of 2011. The
President and VPI reviewed the recommendations of the auditor, and have worked to
implement those recommendations. The primary concerns raised were those pertaining to the
use of multiple accounts that were being used for the same function. Another concern dealt
with bank reconciliations regarding stale dated cheques and the lack of segregation of duties.
Theoverallopinionoftheauditoristhatthefinancialstatementspresentfairly,inallmaterial
respects,thefinancialpositionoftheGraduateStudentsAssociationasatMarch31,2011and
itsfinancialperformanceanditscashflowsfortheyearthenendedinaccordancewithCanadian
generallyacceptedaccountingprinciples.
SincetakingofficeinMay,theVPIworkedtoaddresscertainissuesthataroseinpreviousyears
concerningthefinancesoftheorganization.Inordertoaddresstheseissuesthefollowingsteps
weretaken:
1. Withrecommendationsfromtheauditor,monthlystatementswerereviewedbytheVPI
tocheckforinconsistenciesinanybankingactivitiesbytheorganization.
2. FinanceCommitteemeetingsweresetforafixeddateandtimetomaintainquorumat
meetingsandtoensureparticipationandbusinesscompletion.
3. Changestothefinancialpolicymanualincluded:maximumlengthsbetweenconference
attendanceandsubmittalofconferencegrants,arequirementtoreportonspecial
projectgrantcompletion,changestoeligibilityforconferencegrantapplications,and
doublingofthedepartmentalgrantamounts.
4. Endowmentfundswereinvestedinordertogainhigherinterestthanthechequing
accountforstudentbenefit.
Allthesestepsweretakentoensureaccountabilityoftheorganizationsfinances,andto
improvetimeofservicetograduatestudents.
Insurance
Since being granted autonomy from UMSU, the GSA requires its own insurance. The
approximate cost for insurance is $4,140.00 a year, which includes $150,000.00 in content
insurance and $5,000,0000.00 Board and Trustee insurance. The GSA has secured this financial
policywithWesternFinancialInsuranceCompany.
GSAEndowmentFunds
TheGSAhascurrentlytwoendowmentfunds.ThefirstfundisnamedtheEndowmentFundand
is valued at $858.818.00 (June 30
th
, 2011). This fund has been invested with RBC Financial and
generates a 4% income gain with additional market gains being re-invested onto the principle.
The 4% return $3,590.00 a month has be allocated to support student conference grants. The
secondfundisnamedtheCapitalFundandisvaluedat$431,451.73(June30
th
,2011).Thisplace
has been invested with RBC Financial and all income and market gains are applied to the
principleamount.Itisestimatedthatwithinthepast2yearsbothfundshavelost$340,000.00
in market and income gains within a conservative portfolio due to not being invested and
remaininginabankaccount.
Ourinvestedfundshaveyielded$21,540ininterestsinceinvestinginMay2011.
DepartmentalGrants
Overthepastyear,wewereabletodoubletheamountofmoneythatdepartmentsreceivefor
their department grants. In past, departments with representation on GSA Council and
Committeescouldreceive$10.00peracademicyearforeverygraduatestudentpayingfull-time
studentorganizationduestotheGSAandbelongingtothedepartmentalassociationand$5.00
peracademicyearforeverygraduatestudentpayingpart-timestudentorganizationduestothe
GSA and belonging to the departmental association. Within the new funding structure
departments will able to provide $20.00 per academic year for every graduate student paying
full-time student organization dues to the GSA and belonging to the departmental association
and$10.00peracademicyearforeverygraduatestudentpayingpart-timestudentorganization
duestotheGSAandbelongingtothedepartmentalassociation.Thisinitiativecomplimentsthe
Strategic Planning Framework of the University of Manitoba by allowing departmental councils
toenhancethestudentexperienceoftheirmembers.
TravelGrants
Conference Travel grants are being subsidized by the income and market gains of the
EndowmentFund(4%).Travelsgrantsarewellfundedwithanannual$100,000.00budgetline.
Thefinancecommitteereceived142applicationsforconferencegrants,andawarded
$44,379.97.Sincechangingpolicytoallowforamaximumof$500forinternationalconferences
(outsideNorthAmerica),15studentshaveappliedforthesefunds.Additionally,manystudents
havetakenadvantageofthenewmaximumof$500perfiscalyearandhaveattendedtwo
conferencesinNorthAmericatousethesefundseffectively.
SpecialProjectGrants
Over the years the GSA has not always been able to afford, within its funding structure, all the
requests it receives from graduate students requesting financial support for special projects
related to the university community. Council voted to doubling the amount available from
$3,000.00to$6,000.00ayearsforthespecialprojectgrants.
Thefinancecommitteereceived16applicationsforspecialprojectgrants,andawarded$4,100.
Donations
OvertheyearstheGSAhasnotbeenabletoafford,withinitsfundingstructurealltherequests
itreceivesfromgraduatestudentsrequestingfinancialsupportfordonationstowardseventsor
initiatives that impacts the university and broader community. Council voted to doubling the
amountavailablefrom$3,000.00to$6,000.00ayearfordonations.

GraduateStudentFeeStructure2011/2012
Persemester,eachgraduatestudentcontributesthefollowing:
UMFMRadiostation-$2.50
AllstudentspaytooperatetheFMRadiostationwhichopenedintheFallof1998.
UMREG$1.25
All students pay this fee to assist in the operation of the beverage container recycling program
attheUofMandwithpromotionandeducationrelatedtoenvironmentalawareness.
WUSC-$1.25
AllstudentspaytosupporttheeffortsWUSCtobringrefugeestudentstotheUofM.
WorldWise$0.25
Allstudentspaythisfeetosupportstudentexchange/studyprograms.
EngineerswithoutBorders-$0.125
Gradzette-$3.00
All graduate students pay this fee to assist in the operation of the autonomous Gradzette
studentpublication.
GSAOperatingBudget$68.88
GoestowardsthegeneralexpensesofoperatingGSA.
CFSManitoba-$2.72adjustedtotherateofinflationeachyear
CFSNational$4.08adjustedtotherateofinflationeachyear

UMGSABudget
2011
Budget May 1, -Jan 10
Updated
Budget
Income

4000 Revenue

4005 - Student Organization Fees
321,000.00

4010 Membership Fees 300,000.00

425,517.00

4020 Rent from CUPE3909 7,200.00 7,245.00 7,200.00

4030 - GSA Cash Box - - -

4031 GSA Cash Box Revenue 1,200.00 155.39 1,200.00

4032 - Cash Box Float - - -

4050 - Ad sales Gradzette - - -

4070 Endowment Fund 110,000.00 -

4075 Endowment Fund Transfer 125,000.00 - -

4080 Capital Fund 59,000.00 - 175,000.00

4090 To CFS - National 26,000.00 - 26,000.00

4100 To CFS - Provincial 17,500.00 - 17,500.00

4110 Gradzette Fees (Manitoban) 19,500.00 - 19,500.00

4111 - UMFM Radio Fund - - 17,025.00

4112 - UMREG Fee - - 8,512.50

4113 - WUSC Fee - - 8,512.50

4114 - World Wise Fee - - 1,702.50

4115 - Engineers without Borders -

851.25

4120 Interest on Bank Accts 45,000.00 3,952.56 45,000.00

4125 Interest - GIC's -

-

4130 - Revenue - Other (Endowment Fund Interest) 1,000.00 21,540.00 1,000.00

4000 Revenue - Other
Total 4000 Revenue 711,400.00 353,892.95 754,520.75
4150 Other income -
4999 Office Equipmnt Fund Withdrawal -
-
Total Income 711,400.00 353,892.95 754,520.75

Expense

5000 Honorarium/salary/benefits

5001 - Human Resources
-
-
-

5005 Executive 56,400.00 35,800.00 56,400.00

5010 HSGSA 14,400.00 9,600.00 14,400.00

5015 CRO 1,000.00 - 1,000.00

5020 Council Chairperson 1,000.00 - 1,000.00

5025 Minute Taker - - -

5030 Employee Pay 100,000.00 53,520.71 100,000.00

5040 Employer Paid CPP 3,500.00 3,537.41 3,500.00

5045 Employer Paid EI 2,700.00 2,537.24 2,700.00

5050 Employer Paid RRSP 2,550.00 1,902.86 2,550.00

5055 Blue Cross Premiums 4,100.00 3,113.24 4,100.00

5060 Parking or Bus Pass 570.00 462.07 570.00

5000 Honorarium/salary/benefits - Other - 3,600.00 -
Total 5000 Honorarium/salary/benefits 186,220.00 114,073.53 186,220.00
6000 Expenses - - -
6005 HSGSA - Bannatyne Disbursements 17,550.00 541.29 17,550.00
6010 Campaigns 2,000.00 1.00 2,000.00
6020 Capital Expense

6025 Major Purchases 1,000.00 - 1,000.00

6035 Office Space 50,000.00 - 70,000.00

6040 Lounge Space 50,000.00 - 75,000.00

6020 Capital Expense - Other - - -
Total 6020 Capital Expense 101,000.00 - 146,000.00
6100 CFS Canada 26,000.00 - 26,000.00
6125 CFS Manitoba 17,500.00 - 17,500.00
6200 Council & Committees

6205 Venue Booking & Equipment 200.00 - 200.00

6210 Committee Hospitality 600.00 104.30 600.00

6215 Hospitality (Meals at Meetings) 4,000.00 1,180.56 4,000.00

6220 Parking/Bus for Meetings 500.00 336.80 500.00

6200 Council & Committees - Other - - -
Total 6200 Council & Committees 5,300.00 1,621.66 5,300.00
6300 Donations - - -
6325 Elections

6021 Elections 1,000.00 - 1,000.00

6325 Elections - Other 500.00 - 500.00
Total 6325 Elections 1,500.00 - 1,500.00
6375 External meeting Expenses

6380 CFS External Meetings 15,000.00 10,050.01 15,000.00

6385 Other External Meetings - 8,439.82 -

6375 External meeting Expenses - Other - - -
Total 6375 External meeting Expenses 15,000.00 18,489.83 15,000.00
6400 Fees

6405 Bank Service Charges 70.00 48.82 70.00

6410 Annual Incorporation Fee 25.00 25.00 25.00

6415 Subscriptions, Etc 300.00 217.67 300.00

6420 Professional Consulting 2,000.00 - 2,000.00

6425 Revenue Canada - Penalty Charge - - -

6430 University Charges - - -

6435 Other Fees 500.00 210.00 500.00

6400 Fees - Other -
Total 6400 Fees 2,895.00 501.49 2,895.00
6450 - Fees Paid to UMSU


6451 - UMFM - 17,025.00 17,025.00

6452 - UMREG - 8,512.50 8,512.50

6453 - WUSC - 8,512.50 8,512.50

6454 - World Wise - 1,702.50 1,702.50

Engineers without Border

1,672.79 851.25

6450 - Fees Paid to UMSU - Other - - -
Total 6450 - Fees Paid to UMSU - 37,425.29 36,603.75
6475 Gradzette 19,500.00 12,099.42 19,500.00
6500 Grants

6503 Departmental Grants 50,000.00 16,582.50 50,000.00

6505 Graduate Teaching Award 100.00 100.00 100.00

6510 Special Projects 6,000.00 3,800.00 6,000.00

6520 Conference Grants 100,000.00 46,019.75 100,000.00

6535 Donations 6,000.00 1,000.00 6,000.00

6540 - Emergency Loans/Grants 3,000.00 2,451.00 3,000.00

6545 Childcare (PlayCare DayCare) 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,000.00

6550 Holiday Hampers 5,000.00 5,000.00 5,000.00

6555 Food Bank 3,000.00 - 3,000.00

6560 Tax Office 2,500.00 - 2,500.00

6500 Grants - Other - - -
Total 6500 Grants 176,600.00 75,953.25 176,600.00
6600 Promotions

6605 GSA Designed Items 2,000.00 3,550.36 2,000.00

6610 CFS Handbook 3,200.00 2,278.50 3,200.00

6615 Sports 1,000.00 - 1,000.00

6625 CFS Bulk Purchases 1,000.00 - 1,000.00

6640 CFS Website Administration - 31.50 -
Total 6600 Promotions 7,200.00 5,860.36 7,200.00
6725 Long Term Accounts Payable

6730 Expense - - -

6725 Long Term Accounts Payable - Other - - -
Total 6725 Long Term Accounts Payable -
6750 Office Expenses & Supplies

6755 Stationery and office supplies 3,100.00 925.29 3,100.00

6760 IOS Copier Lease 4,000.00 2,480.36 4,000.00

6765 IKON Photocopies 1,500.00 584.96 1,500.00

6770 Insurance 5,000.00 7,340.00 5,000.00

6775 Office Improvements 250.00 - 250.00

6777 CUPE3909 Expenses 200.00 318.40 200.00

6780 U of M - Monthly Ledger 1,500.00 994.35 1,500.00

6785 - Office Expenses/Supplies - Other 50.00 343.52 50.00

6750 Office Expenses & Supplies - Other - 172.48 -
Total 6750 Office Expenses & Supplies 15,600.00 13,159.36 15,600.00
6795 Professional Development 1,000.00 571.20 1,000.00
6800 Programming

6805 Orientation 10,000.00 7,287.26 10,000.00

6810 Social Events 15,000.00 4,795.69 15,000.00

6815 Seminar Series 8,000.00 - 8,000.00

6820 Speakers Series 10,000.00 1,051.91 10,000.00

6825 GSA Awards Luncheon 3,000.00 4,536.53 3,000.00

6830 - Council Retreat 4,000.00 - 4,000.00

6800 Programming - Other - - -
Total 6800 Programming 50,000.00 17,671.39 50,000.00
6850 Endowment

6851 Endowment Fund 10,000.00 - 10,000.00

6852 Capital Fund 10,000.00 - 10,000.00
Total 6850 Endowment 20,000.00 - 20,000.00
6925 Professional Consulting

6930 Audit 7,000.00 5,500.83 7,000.00

6935 Legal 7,000.00 1,744.82 7,000.00

6940 Computer & Website Maintenance 30,000.00 20,839.02 30,000.00

6945 - Professional Consulting - Other 2,000.00 1,339.50 2,000.00

6925 Professional Consulting - Other - - -
Total 6925 Professional Consulting 46,000.00 29,424.17 46,000.00
6950 Retained Earnings Fund -
-
Total Expense 710,865.00 289,967.95 755,865.00
Net Income 535.00 63,925.00 (1,344.25)

SpeakerSeries
March1st,2011:Dr.RichardHeinzl
AspartoftheannualGSASpeakerSeries,theGSAinvitedDr.RichardHeinzl,founderofDoctors
Without Borders Canada to speak on Lessons from Abroad: The Opportunities of a Borderless
World.TheeventwasheldonMarch1st,2011attheBannatyneCampus.
This particular speaker series was a joint venture with the Fort Garry Campus and Bannatyne
Campus. The GSA contributed $5,000, the HSGSA contributed $2,000, the Faculty of Medicine,
theFacultyofGraduateStudies,andthePresidentsOfficecontributed$1,000each.
March28th,2012:StephenLewis
For the 2012 Speaker Series, the GSA is seeking a partnership with Student Life to bring Mr.
StephenLewistotheUniversityofManitobafortheGSASpeakerSeriesonMarch28,2012.
While the partnership is currently being discussed, as sponsors of the event the GSA would be
included in promotional materials, and have the opportunity to participate in a reception with
Mr.Lewisafterhispresentation.Mr.LewisisinternationallyrenownforhisworkonHIV/AIDSin
Africa,aswellashisexperiencewiththeUnitedNations.
The $5,000 funding allocation for the annual speaker can be found under the budget line item
6820.
Workshops
March7,2011aworkshopwasheldentitledHowtogetajobforgraduatestudentsworkshop
attheBannatynecampus.Thisworkshopincludedhowtobuildyourresume,howtogetajobat
theNationalMicrobiologyLab,communication,whatdoyouneedtoknowwhenapplyingajob,
jobsearchsuccessfortheFacultyofMedicine,NSERC,andlifesciences.
Copyright Information Session March 8, 2011. Presentation by Daria Patrie from English, Film
andTheatreonFortGarryCampus.
HolidayFoodHampers
This year the GSA continued the working relationship with UMSU to cosponsor the annual
holiday hampers, distributing holiday hampers for graduate students in need. The GSA
purchased 50 hampers, using the full $5,000 allocated to the program from the budget line
underHolidayHampers.Pick-upanddeliveryofthehampersoccurredonDecember15,2011.
Most registrations for holiday hampers were from international students, as well as from
students who have family and children. GSA President Peter Nawrot and Senator Adam
Reisacher volunteered to deliver hampers to graduate students who would not be able to pick
themupin-person,whiletheVPAYijie(Jennifer)Chenassistedalldayindistributionfromthe
UMSUCouncilChamber.
ThehamperswerepreparedbyUMSU,andtoysfromtheholidaytoydriveweredonatedto
familieswithchildrenasgifts.Thehamperscontainedchicken/turkey,non-perishablefood,rice,
noodles,jam,teabagsaswellasstuffingandcranberrysauce.Pleasefindbelowtheholiday
hamperpercentchangesbetween2010-2011.Thisshouldbeusefulinreviewingthegrowthof
theholidayhamperprogram.
FoodBank
TheGSAbudgeted$3,000.00forthe2011-2012towardstheUniversityofManitobaFoodBank,
operatedbyUMSU.StudentsinneedcandropbytheUniversityFinancialAidandAwardsoffice
(4
th
floorofUniversityCentre)foraccesstotheUMSUfoodbank.
TheGSAscontributionstothefoodbankcanbefoundunderbudgetlineitem6555.
GSAAwards&Bursaries
The Graduate Students Association confers peer-to-peer recognition of fellow graduate

students who are currently not recognized by the University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship
or other national awards. The Awards are designed to recognize the important contributions
!"#$%&' ()*+,' -%../% !"#$%&' ()*+,' 01/+)&%2 -%.%,"&/"2 !"#$%&' ()*+,' 01/+)&%2 -%.%,"&/"2 !"#$%&' ()*+,' 01/+)&%2
31 80 4 (7.8) 30 39 28** 7 (23.3) 47 93 34 10 (21.3) 36.20 37.90 17.60
3%&4%2,501"2.%5678796788
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:%./',%&%)5!;+/)"<5!"#$%&'=
677> 6787 6788
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graduate students make to society through scholarship and community involvement. The
awards have been made possible by the generous contribution of Dr. James Burns, a levy
appliedtoallgraduatestudentsapprovedthroughaGSAreferendum,andacontributionmade
bytheManitobaScholarshipandBursaryInitiative.
Awards
The2011-2012GSAAwardsCommitteemetthroughoutthesummer,andcametoadecisionfor
theGSA2011-2012Awardrecipientsafterreviewing40applications.
TheGSAAwardswereawardedtothefollowingindividuals:
GraduateStudents'AssociationTeachingAward
Dr.DavidWattDepartmentofEnglish,Film&Theatre
GraduateStudents'Assoc.AwardforFulltimeMaster'sProgram
AlonWeinbergNativeStudies
DarioSchor-ElectricalandComputerEngineering
GraduateStudents'Assoc.AwardforFulltimeDoctorateProgram
GontshwanetseKethusegile-PeaceandConflictStudies
GraduateStudents'Assoc.AwardforParttimeMaster'sorDoctorateProgram
KhalieDanineJackson-Davis-Curriculum,TeachingandLearning
JenniferMcKinnon-Curriculum,TeachingandLearning
The GSA Awards Luncheon was held on Tuesday, August 30, 2011 at Marshall McLuhan Hall
(University Centre) at the University of Manitoba to acknowledge graduate students who won
awardsintheawardscompetition.Approximately80guestsattendedtheluncheontocelebrate
the achievements of these graduate students, including the Minister of Advance Education &
Literacy, Minister of Housing & Community Development, Member of Parliament Winnipeg
South, MLA for Morris, members from the Council on Post-Secondary Education, guests from
Manitoba Innovation, Energy & Mines, University of Manitoba Vice-Presidents, Registrars
Office, Faculty of Graduate Studies, Financial Aid & Awards, University of Manitoba Faculty
Association,GSA,HSGSA,CFS,UMSU,awardsrecipientsandtheirfamilies,supervisors,headsof
theirdepartments,andGSAcouncilors.Theeventwasverysuccessfulandincreasedtheprofile
oftheGSAamonggovernmentanduniversityrepresentatives.
The2011-2012GSAAwardscommitteemembersincluded:
Chair,VicePresident(Academic) JenniferChen
President PeterNawrot
VicePresident(External) ToniaBates
HSGSAVicePresident(Academic) MarkCollister
Senator OlivierGagne
HumanitiesDesignate MichelleKeller
SocialScienceDesignate TimMelnyk(graduated)
Nat.andAg.ScienceDesignate LauraCobus
ProfessionalStudiesDesignate HamedAghakhani
GraduateStudent DavidBoutilier
GraduateStudent MohamadaliAlizadehsadrdraneshpour
GraduateStudent FatemehKhorasani
GraduateStudent GrahamParsons
The 2012-2013 GSA Awards and Teaching Award applications will be available on GSA website
(www.umgsa.ca)bytheendofJanuary.
Bursaries
ThebursaryfundsfortheFall2011andWinter2012sessionswerereleasedinDecember2011
and deposited through students Aurora accounts. The UMSU and GSA Graduate Student
Bursary Fund (Award number: 43819) has been granted to 4 graduate students at $4,000 in
total.TheGSA/UMSUGraduateBursary(Awardnumber:44830)hasbeengrantedto7graduate
studentsat$7,000intotal.TheGraduateStudentsAssociationBursary(Awardnumber:45358)
has been granted to 13 graduate students at $ 65,000 in total. The total amount of bursaries
given to graduate students is $76,000 in addition to the GSA Awards given for the 2011-2012
whichisvaluedat$50,000.
The 2011-2012 GSA has provided $126,000 in awards and bursaries to graduate
students.PleasefindbelowtheGSAbursarychangebetween20092012.
2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012

UMSU&GSAGraduateStudent
BursaryFund
$1,00010=$10,000 $1,0005=$5,000 $1,0004=$4,000
GSA/UMSUGraduateBursary $1,00021=$21,000 $1,00020=$20,000 $1,0007=$7,000
Bursary
$5,00015=$75,000 $5,00014=$70,000 $5,00013=$65,000
Total $106,000 $95,000 $76,000
ICSOrientationDay
TheInternationalCentreforStudentsheldorientationdaysonSeptember1and17,2011and
January6,2012.TheVPApresentedduringtheGSAsessions,whichincludedapproximately40
newinternationalgraduatestudentsinSeptember,and15-20newinternationalgraduate
studentsinJanuary.
TopicscoveredincludedGSAstructures,services,grants,advocacyandcampaigns.
GSAhandbooks,rulers,pamphletsandpromotionalmaterialsweredistributedtothestudents.
FundingIncreases
Asaresultofstudentanduniversitylobbyingefforts,theGovernmentofManitobaannounced
on April 14, 2011 the provision of long-term, stable funding increases to universities in the
province, including operating increases of 5% each year, for the next three years. The
government also announced a 1% cap on tuition fee increases, ensuring that universities in
Manitoba remain among the most affordable in the country. In addition, the provincial
government announced an additional $250,000 towards the Manitoba Graduate Scholarship
Programprovidingscholarshipstograduatestudentsintheprovince.
Advocacy
Becauseoftheconfidentialandpersonalinformationassociatedwithadvocacycases,andinthe
interest of privacy, details of advocacy cases will not be presented in this report.
Advocacycasescanpertaintoacademicappeals(includingrelationshipsbetweenstudentsand
their advisors, funding, fees, plagiarism, time to completion issues and others) as well as
personalorhealthrelatedissues.
GSAExternalActivities
BoardofGovernors
UMGSAAutonomy
AttheJune2011meetingoftheBoardofGovernors,theBoardvotedinfavoroftheGSAbeing
recognizedasanautonomousstudentunionwherebythemembersoftheGraduateStudents
Association(studentsenrolledintheFacultyofGraduateStudies)beassesseda$68.88per
semesterGSAStudentOrganizationFee,whichwillbeforwardedtotheGraduateStudents
Association.TheboardalsovotedthatmembersoftheGraduateStudentsAssociation
(studentsenrolledintheFacultyofGraduateStudies)beassessedan$8.375persemesterGSA
StudentLevyFee,whichwillbeforwardedtotheGraduateStudentsAssociation.TheBoard
alsovotedthatmembersoftheGraduateStudentsAssociation(studentsenrolledintheFaculty
ofGraduateStudies)willcontinuetobeassessedtheCanadianFederationofStudentsand
CanadianFederationofStudents-ManitobafeesassetbytheBoardofGovernorspreviously.
BoardMeetingStructure
The Board of Governors approved the change in the structure and timing of Board meetings.
This change will be effective January 2012. The Chair summarized the submission, stating that
the key to it is reducing the number of Board meetings from seven to six annually and having
more in-depth discussions on strategic areas. The Chair reminded Board members that the
meetings have always been set for 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. even though the expectation and
practice has been to end by 6:00 p.m. and noted that under the new meeting model the
meetings will likely be three hours long. The Chair then explained that there would be three
policy/strategy meetings and three business meetings per year. Further, she stated that some
business matters may creep into the strategy meetings, particularly in the beginning, but that
wouldnotbetheintention.TheChairthenaddedthatthisnewmodelcouldnotbeallowedto
delay the necessary work of the Board so some flexibility and ongoing monitoring would be
needed. Lastly, the Chair noted that this model would allow discussion of some bigger issues
and provide opportunities for education on matters where the Board needs a better
understanding.
Re-appointmentofthePresidentoftheUniversity
The Board of Governors has re-appointed Dr. David T. Barnard to a second five-year term as
PresidentandVice-Chancellor,beginningJuly1,2013.TheBoardmadethisappointmentonthe
recommendationofthePresidentialReviewCommittee.TheCommitteewasestablishedbythe
Board to invite submissions from members of the community and seek feedback on the
Presidents performance and to recommend back to the Board on the advisability of re-
appointment.TheCommitteereceivedagooddealoffeedbackfrommembersoftheUniversity
communityandontheirbehalfIwishtothankthosewhotookthetimetosharetheirviews.
The review has provided an excellent opportunity to hear from the University community on
their impressions of the Presidents leadership and the challenges and opportunities facing the
University of Manitoba going forward. These impressions will be shared with Dr. Barnard to
assisthiminhisongoingleadershipoftheUniversity.
ProfessorG.Lukcs
The administration of the University of Manitoba and Professor G. Lukcs have entered into a
fair and mutually agreed upon settlement. The University has rescinded all disciplinary actions
against Professor Lukcs (including reprimand, suspension and denial of increment). All
outstandinglegalproceedingsbetweenthepartiesareterminated.Thepartieshavealsoagreed
that it is to their mutual benefit to end the employment relationship. The specific terms of the
agreementareconfidentialandwillnotbedisclosed.
Pre-BudgetSubmissiontoHouseofCommonsStandingCommitteeonFinance
The University of Manitobas pre-budget submission to the House of Commons Standing

Committee on Finance includes three recommendations: 1. Provide funding for a Canadian
Cereal Research Lab; 2. Strengthen investment in Canadas research granting agencies, and 3.
Create a new funding program to support international research collaborations. The Standing
CommitteewillreviewallrecommendationsinpreparationoftheFederalbudgetin2012.
ExecutiveLead,IndigenousAchievement
ThepositiontitlehasbeenconfirmedasExecutiveLead,IndigenousAchievement.Whenthe
new senior leadership position responsible for Aboriginal Achievement at the University of
Manitobawasapproved,thetitleExecutiveLead,AboriginalAchievementwasidentifiedasa
workingtitle.InordertobetterreflectboththeCanadianandInternationalIndigenousresearch
efforts at the University of Manitoba as well as to further support Indigenous students (First
Nations,MtisandInuit,includinginternationalIndigenousstudents)whoeitherplantoattend
the University of Manitoba or are currently enrolled at the University, Executive Lead,
Indigenous Achievement has been identified as a more appropriate title for the position.Ms.
DeborahYoungwasappointedtothisnewly-createdpositioneffectiveJuly4,2011.
RestructuringofSecurityServicesattheUniversityofManitobaBannatyneCampus
The University of Manitoba is committed to the safety and security of its students, staff and
visitors. As part of that commitment we felt it important to review our current security system
toensureresourcesandstaffinglevelsinSecurityServicesatboththeFortGarryandBannatyne
campusareappropriateandsufficientbasedonthetypeandfrequencyofcallsforservice.
That review analyzed all calls for service received at both campuses over a six- year period
between 2004 and 2010. The results of that review indicated that we could optimize our
resources and maintain a high level of security by reorganizing our Security Services staff in a
moretargetedway.ThisdecisionwasnotpartoftheROSEproject.Itderivedfromareviewof
thenatureandfrequencyofsecurityservicecallsforassistanceoverasixyearperiod.
SpecialConstablesandsecurityguardsprovideasimilarservice.SpecialConstablesareprovided
with a special designation under an agreement with the Province of Manitoba that enables
them to lay charges under a limited number of provincial and municipal statutes such as the
HighwayTrafficAct,thePettyTrespassActandtheCityofWinnipegnoiseby-law.
The six-year review of the nature and type of security calls received at the Bannatyne campus
showed that the vast majority of those calls involved situations which do not require the
services of a Special Constable. In fact, over 97.5 per cent of all calls at the Bannatyne campus
were for situations or incidents which did not require an officer with Special Constable status.
NearlythreequartersofcallsreceivedattheBannatynecampusinvolvedattendingtounlocked
doors or building alarms. In contrast, the size of the Fort Garry campus and the nature and
frequencyofactivitiesheldthereresultedinahighernumberofincidentswhichdidrequirethe
involvementofSpecialConstables.
UM security staff will be on site at all times at the Bannatyne campus to assist staff and
students. Calls related to issues of personal safety will be immediately dispatched to the
Winnipeg Police Service, as they always have been. The University of Manitoba enjoys an
excellentworkingrelationshipwiththeHealthSciencesCentreandtheWinnipegPoliceService
andwillcontinuetoworkwithbothagencies.Studentsandstaffrequiringanescorttotheircar
orbusstopwillbeabletoaccesstheservicesofsecuritypersonnel.
All patrol officers at Bannatyne have been offered patrol officer positions at the Fort Garry
campusattheirsameclassificationandsalarystep.
The proper alignment of skills and resources ensures our continued efficient response to the
safetyandsecurityofallstaffandstudentsoftheUniversityofManitoba.
FGSFacultyCouncil
Dr. Barnard attended and told faculty members that some programs will receive more funding
while other program will be cut as part of the Academic Restructuring Plan. There was a brief
questionandanswerperiodwiththePresidentoftheUniversityandfacultymembersrequested
thattheUniversityadministrationconsultandcommunicatemorewithfacultymembersbefore
initiatingchanges.
StudentAdvising
The President of the University approached the Vice Provost of Students last year about
reviewing advising services on campus. This is a common area for improvement at many
institutions. Several other Canadian institutions have conducted similar reviews which the
UniversityofManitobacanlearnfrom.Theprojectedtimelineforthereviewhasbeensetat15
to 18 months. There is an active Advisors Exchange group on campus that meets regularly,
whichischairedbyGregSobie.Gregwillliaiseandrelayinformationtoandfromthisgroup.
Centralizing advising services across campus is not being considered. Advising is closely tied to
studentretentionandstudentsatisfaction.Inordertoimproveservicestoourstudentbody,the
followingwillbeconsidered:
Whatisacademicadvising?
What are the students needs during the various stages throughout their academic
careers?
Howsatisfiedarestudentswithadvising?
Whatarethegaps?
Whatarethebestpracticesinadvisingatotherpost-secondaryinstitutions?
WhatrecommendationsshouldbemadetoimproveadvisingattheUniversity?
Graduate students require other types of specialized services. A question arose if this review
includethegraduateadvisorandstudentrelationship?Ananswerwasnotclearlystated.
International students particularly have increased stress with these situations. Cross-faculty
advisingshouldbeconsideredasstudentsmayreceiveconflictinginformation,andalsocanfeel
theyarebeingsentfromoffice-to-officewithoutproperadvice.
Advisingstartsasearlyasrecruitmentandcontinuesthroughoutthelifeofastudent(including
CCRopportunities)tograduation.
Fourcomponentsofacademicadvisinginclude:
Program; Academic; Career Development/Professional Opportunities; and Specialized
(i.e.,Accessibility,Athletic,International,Aboriginal,Graduate).
WirelessAccess
Thereareseveralareasthatdonothavewirelessserviceoncampus.Unfortunately,theplanto
have this project completed by September 2012 is not feasible. IST is currently reviewing all
spacesoncampuswithandwithoutaccessandtheyarecoordinatingwithPhysicalPlanttoplan
thisproject.ItisexpectedthataplanwillbecommunicatedtotheUniversitycommunityshortly
after the holiday break, including a timeline as to what can be completed by September 2012.
WirelessisavailableinPembinaHallResidence.
EmailandIDs
Therearetwoissueswithregardstostudentemailaccounts.Thefirstissueincludesbeingable
to claim a UM ID early (at application, admittance, or acceptance, as opposed to registration).
TheearlierastudentisabletogetanID,theearliertheorientationprocesscanbegin.Thishas
beendiscussedwithISTataStudentAffairsLeadershipTeammeeting.Thesecondissuehasto
do with students not using their UM account, and/or having it forwarded to their personal
account. There are potential security and privacy issues with this practice. Students find the
portalcumbersomeanddonotusethisaccountonaregularbasis.TheUniversityofManitoba
willbechangingthestudentemailsystemtoeitherMicrosoftOfficeorGoogle.
MobileApp
Frustration has been expressed that this app is not available for blackberries as many students
areblackberryusers.Thereisaconcernthattherewasnostudentinputonthedevelopmentof
the app, nor on the advisory committee for updating the app even though they were assured
that they are to be included. Student Affairs has also asked for representation on this
committee.
InternationalStudentHealthPlan
The Registrar advised that there was a meeting the appropriate provincial ministers and
representatives from the Manitoba post-secondary institutions. It is hoped that clarification of
the plan is provided and that a clear communications plan with a FAQ document can be
available for all parties. There are some questions about early enrolment availability and how
studentscanobtainarefundfromthecurrentUMplan,ifapplicable.
UndergraduateResearchOpportunities
Since the provincial election, there has been a continued push to obtain adequate funding for
research activities and there has been some success to date. There is an online module on
researchintegrityavailablewhichisaself-servicetutorialwhichtakesapproximatelysixhoursto
complete. The Research Office has reviewed it, have received very positive feedback from
consultations, and therefore the University of Manitoba will be purchasing the software. A
certificate is provided upon completion of the module which will add considerable value to
students cvs. It is being considered for the CCR as well. This is a fantastic opportunity for our
students as we will be the first Canadian university to offer the program. It is expected to be
launchedinlatespring.Studentsinsciencearelaunchingaresearchjournal,whichissupported
by the deans offices in science and engineering. It will be peer reviewed and there are faculty
advisorsthatwillsupporttheinitiative.ItwillbelaunchedinJanuary2012.
Signage/Wayfinding
TheAssistantVicePresidentofAdministrationspoketoareportoutliningtermsofreferencefor
the working group on outdoor way finding (including the tunnel system). Wireless signage will
be considered as part of this groups efforts as well. The group is focusing on addressing the
needs of new students and visitors to campus and are working on some items that can be
completedwithashortturnaroundtime.
StudentResidenceCapitalPlan
Itisacknowledgedthatmoreresidencesarerequiredoncampus.Residenceoperationscannot
runadeficit.Asignificantchallengeinthisregardisthatfeesarecollectedforonlyeightmonths
of the year. There is a need to retrofit University College and Mary Speechly Hall (both are
almost 45 years old). McLean Crescent is evolving as residence row for undergraduate
studentsasresidencesareinaclusterandneartothedininghall.TheCampusPlanningOfficeis
creating a master plan for the Southwood Lands which will include options to build residences
forgraduatestudentshousingandfamilyhousingforinternationalandAboriginalstudents.Itis
importanttohavetheseoptionsasitisincreasinglydifficultforthesegroupstofindappropriate
andsafehousing,particularlyclosetocampus.Therearethreeoptionsforthemanagementof
newresidences:UMindependent(existingsystem),private(similartoatraditionalapartment),
or in partnership (a developer constructs and manages the property, but allows the residence
life programming to be run by our staff). During the summer, the developer has the ability to
run the property as a hotel. As the Strategic Enrolment Management plan includes doubling
graduatestudentenrolmentoverthenextfivetosevenyearsandalsoincreasingAboriginaland
internationalstudentenrolment,theresidencecomponentiskeyinplanning.
PersonalSafety
ThestudentsofBannatyneCampuswillbeholdinganeventwithoutSecurityServices(usingthe
FAQ document). The Assistant Vice President of Administration announced that the new
Bannatyne Security Services plan will not be implemented until the end of January, so the
directorofsecurityservicescanattendameetingintheearlynewyear.Theremaybeanopen
forumarrangedforallfaculty,staffandstudentstocommunicateandclarifycorrectinformation
around this issue. The Committee was assured that safety on all campuses is a high priority of
the University and the protocols of security service will not be changed as a result of this
initiative.
RegardinglightingontheFortGarrycampus,apilotprojectwillbestartedwithchanginglights
onGilsonCrescent(leadingintoNlot)toflorescentlighting.Thecurrentlightingcastsshadows.
Thepilotprojectwillassessthedifficultytochangebulbsandwhetherthelightingimproves.Pat
will follow-up about the possibility of installing a swipe card system at the Dentistry parking
entranceatBannatyne.
Parking
TheDirectorofAncillaryServicesadvisedthataParkingAdvisoryCommitteeisbeingestablished
which will meet quarterly. The membership includes students and administrative
representatives. A new Parking Services Manager has now been hired, and the first meeting of
this group will be held very soon. The committee currently does not a graduate student
representative.UMGSAwillpursuetohaverepresentationonthiscommittee.
EnhancingStudentSpacesonCampus
TheAssistantVicePresidentofAdministrationadvisedthathisstaffandmembersofUMSUare
working together on the Student Space Implementation Team (SSIT). Projects include the Arts
loungeandtheArmestunnelspacewhicharebothmovingforward.
TheStudentLifeofficewillhaveastaffoftwelveinJanuary2012anditwillmaintainthespaceit
hascurrentlyuntilthespring.Thisofficerequireshigh-trafficstudentspaceastheywelcomeall
studentsandprovideservicestotheentirestudentbody.Inaddition,theofficeprovidesspace
for Student Recruitment to meet prospective students, as well as for many student program
groups.TheAssistantVicePresidentofAdministrationisworkingoncampusspaceplanning.
It was noted that the University Centre Agreement is being redrafted and is currently being
reviewed by the Legal Office. This agreement is between UMSU and the University Centre
services to set out best practices and the allocation and control of space in University Centre.
Theoriginalagreementwassignedin1987.
CanadianFederationofStudents
The Canadian Federation of Students offers a number of programmes and services in order to
meettheuniqueneedsofstudentsandtohelpstudentssavemoney.
Services-ISIC
TheISICistheonlyinternationallyrecognizedproofoffull-timestudentstatusintheworldandisa
studenttraveldiscountcardinthat70countriesworldwide,includingCanada.Iftravellingabroad,
theISICprovidesdiscountsonaccommodation,admissiontohistoricalsitesandmuseums,and
transportation.StudentsreceiveexclusiveWestJetdiscountswiththeISIC.Studentsreceive10%off
whentheyusetheirISICtobookaroomatMotel6locations.IfyouhaveavalidISICyoucansave
upto90%offtheretailpriceofMicrosoftSoftwaresuchas:
Office2010ProfessionalPlusforPC
Office2011forMac
MicrosoftProject
MicrosoftVisio
Windows7operatingsystem
ForafulllistofISICdiscountsinCanadaandabroadvisitisic.org.ThepriceoftheISICis$20.00.For
full-timestudentswhoaremembersofeithertheCanadianFederationofStudentortheCanadian
FederationofStudents-Service,thecardisissuedasabenefitofmembership(i.e.the$20.00feeis
waived).
218 ISIC cards were provided for graduate students this past year. This totals to a savings of
$4,360.00forourstudents.
ServicesStudentsaverDiscountCard
TheStudentsaverCardisCanada'sonlystudentownedandoperatednationalstudentdiscount
program.WiththousandsofdiscountsacrossCanada,Studentsaverhelpsstudentssavemoney
oneverydaypurchaseslikebooks,clothing,food,andentertainment.
Each year, Federation members receive their Studentsaver Card through their local students'
association. Members simply take their card to any of the participating businesses to receive
discounts ranging from 10% to 50% off purchased goods and services. In addition to discounts,
the card acts as a Federation membership card. Unlike the ISIC, the Studentsaver Card is
availabletopart-timestudents.
Visitthestudentsaverwebsitehere:www.studentsaver.ca
ServicesUfile.ca
In an effort to make UFile accessible to more Canadians, UFile.ca provides a large number of
taxpayers with the opportunity to file their tax returns with UFile.ONLINE taxsoftware,
absolutelyfreeofcharge.Federationmembersareeligibleforthisprogramandmanygraduate
studentsmakeuseofthisservice.TheUMGSAcontributes$2500.00eachyeartowardsthetax
officethatUMSUoperatestoassistpeopletofiletheirtaxes.Inaddition,UMGSAhashostedan
information session with the Canadian Customs and Revenue Agency to provide students with
theskillsandknowledgetohelpthemcompletetheirtaxreturns.
InternalMattersregardingtherelationshipbetweenCFSandUMGSA
Ms. Gonsalves was hired to investigate a possible loan owing to the Canadian Federation of
Studentsoveradecadeagoandhassubsequentlyprovidedapreliminaryreportofherfindings.
This report is an objective report that is stating facts but in no way provides any conclusions. I
have read through the report and note that there is a lot more material that needs to be
reviewedandthatthisisapreliminaryreport.Atthisstagewehaveinformationthatdoesnot
clearly show whether GSA has joined CFS such that GSA must collect fees from graduate
studentsatUniversityofManitobaforCFSandremittoCFS.Thereportatthisearlystagedoes
notcontainarecommendationorconclusionastowhattheavailableoptionsare,whichismore
than understandable given the internal contradictions in the material that was
summarized.Uponconsultationwithourlegalcounselsreviewofthereportthefollowingwas
stated:
Perhapstheonlyconclusionorrecommendationthatcouldbemadeatthisstageisthat
insufficient and contradictory information discovered to date suggests that further
research and investigation is warranted before it will be possible to suggest further
actions.
The report will be given to the membership at the upcoming Annual General Meeting to
determine the will of the membership to further research, investigate, analyse, and synthesize
thematerialsthathavebeencollected.
The dissent of Local 96 (University of Manitoba Graduate StudentsAssociation) on the motion

toadopttheagendaasamendedtonotincludeitem4."CFS-Manitoba:OperationReviews",at
the January 17, 2012 Provincial Executive meeting left us no choice but to leave the Provincial
Executive on principal of dissent regarding changes to the agenda that prevented discussion
deemed to be of severe importance by our co-representatives. The position of Local 96 is that
weareinviolationofthebylawsofCFSManitobaandthatLocal96cannotfurtherparticipateif
thedecisionofthedirectorsistobreakthebylawsofCFSManitoba.
Senate
KeypointsofsenatemeetingsheldfromMay2011untilDecember2011arepresented.Please
addressanyquestionstotheappropriatesenator;
May2011:SenatorGagn
June2011:SenatorKarari
September2011:SenatorKarari
October2011:SenatorGagn
November2011:SenatorReisacher
December2011:SenatorReisacher
Agendasofanyandallsenatemeetingsareavailableatthefollowingwebsite:
http://www.umanitoba.ca/admin/governance/senate/agendas/index.html
Minutesofthesenatemeetingsareavailableatthefollowingwebsite:
http://www.umanitoba.ca/admin/governance/senate/minutes/index.html
A brief report regarding senate committee activities is also presented by each senator
(attached).
May2011meeting
ThebachelorofLaws(LL.B.)degreewasrenamedtoJurisDoctor(J.D.).Thiswasdonetofollowa
trendacrossCanadaofdepartingfromthehistoricalBritishrootsoftheLL.B.Itwasnotedthat
thisdoesnotmaketherecipientsoftheJ.D.doctors.
An annual report for all senate committees was included in the agenda for information
purposes.
The 2011 budget was announced, promising the University of Manitoba an operating grant
increaseof5%annuallyforthenextthreeyears.A$250000increasetotheManitobaGraduate
Scholarship was also announced for a total of $2,250,000 available to graduate students this
year.
June2011meeting
1. Faculty of Education Recognition of Degrees from Booth College and Providence

College(Page53-55)
Report on degree recognition from Booth and Providence colleges concerns the recognition of
certain degrees from non-unionized institutions/colleges in Manitoba that have faith-based
hiring and tenure perceived by some faculties as constituting insufficient protections for
academicfreedom.
Ms. Gottheil (Vice Provost, Students) MOVED a motion on behalf of the committee, THAT:
Senate approve the Report of the Senate Committee on Admissions regarding the Faculty of
Education, recognition of degrees from Booth College and Providence College dated April 15,
2011.
Aftersomedebatethemotionwascarried.
2. FacultyofMedicine:ChangesinAdmissionRequirements(Page56)
This report from the Faculty of medicine constituted the numerous changes to admission
requirements. First was a clarification of the definition of Manitoba applicant, secondly a
clarification to ensure consistency with Canadian Forces members to ensure the definition was
the same as was used in other provinces, the third related to Aboriginal applicants and the
documentation that required for students to declare themselves as being Aboriginal which
SCADMrecommendedbemoreinclusivetoalignwiththedefinitionsfromotherprovinces.
Ms. Gottheil (Vice Provost, Students) MOVED, on behalf of the committee, THAT: Senate
approve the Report of the Senate Committee on Admissions regarding the Faculty of Medicine
datedApril15,2011.
AftersomedebatetheMotionwascarried.
3. ProposaltointroduceaCitationinInternationalization(Page62)
This Proposal for citation on internationalization recommends that graduating students who
meet certain requirements to obtain a special citation on their degree in addition to the co-
curricularrecordsystemnowinplace.
Precisely,recognizingthatthegraduateisa'globalcitizen'thisaccreditationwillprovide'value-
added' degrees to help graduates stand out in the post-graduation labour market and thereby
attractpotentialstudents.
September2011meeting
1. Booth Colleges (See II.1): It was reported that the Senate Committee on Approved
Teaching Centres has considered the list of proposed courses and instructors as
submitted by Booth University College for cross-registration with the University of
Manitoba in 2011-2012. For more information on Booth Colleges, please see my June
reportabove.
2. Application for the University of Manitoba Research Group: (See III. 3): There was a
report about the establishment if the above mentioned group. The envisioned
outcomes of the Qualitative Research Group (QRG) are manifold. One, it will serve to
advancethevolumeandqualityofqualitativeresearchacrossmultipledisciplinesatthe
University of Manitoba. The QRG provides assistance to researchers, and mentoring to
graduate and undergraduate students engaged in qualitative research, including mixed
methods. Two, it fosters collegial research partnerships across departments, faculties
andstudents,Thiswillcontributetothefurtheringoftheuniversity'sresearchpriorities
for example, in a way that promotes a collegial climate across disciplines. Lastly, the
QRG will serve to further the University of Manitoba's profile both nationally and
internationally.
3. Submission of graduate course, curriculum and program changes: (See IX.1). It was
reported that the Faculty of Graduate Studies has responsibility for all matters relating
to the submission of graduate course, curriculum and program changes.
RecommendationsfornewprogramsorprogramchangesaresubmittedbytheFaculty
CouncilofGraduateStudiesfortheapprovalofSenate.ItwasreportedthattheFaculty
Council of Graduate Studies voted via e-mail on June 27,2011 to consider proposals
fromtheDepartmentofComputerScienceandtheDepartmentofGeologicalSciences
October2011meeting
Nothing of direct interest to students. The monthly student senate caucus meeting was
cancelledforthatreason.
A Manitoba Palliative Care and Education for Sustainable Well-Being research groups were
established. The purpose of the formation of new research groups is to encourage
collaborationsandtosecureadditionalfundsfromexternalfundingagencies.
November2011meeting
TherewerethreemainpointsofinteresttograduatestudentsduringthisSenatemeeting.
First,SenateapprovedaproposalfromtheFacultyofGraduateStudiesthatwouldintroducean
Ph.D. in Nursing. It was supported by the Planning and Priorities Committee, and intends to
admit sex doctoral students every two years (with a minimum of 12 students). Students will
haveaccesstoUofMGraduateFellowshipsandotherresearchfundingfromtheFaculty.
The Senate approved the renewal of the Manitoba Centre for Nursing and Health Research for
the next five years. The review, completed by the Senate Committee on University Research,
wasrequiredbyprocedure.
Senate also approved the re-structuring of the Senate Committees on Animal Care and the
Ethics of Research Involving Human Subjects. Under the new structure, Senate retains policy
authority, but the day-to-day issues would be handled by a non-Senate committee. The new
committee, which would include two graduate students selected by the GSA, would report to
Senateatleastannually.
Otherpointsoninterestnotdirectlyrelatedtograduatestudentsinclude:
a) Senate approved a change to the final examination regulations for the Faculty of
Science. This eliminated a requirement that all final exams be worth at least fifty
percentoftheoverallgrade.
b) Senate approved a change to the Donna R. Moore Bursaries in Medicine. The award is
nowtargetedtowardsAboriginalwomen.
December2011meeting
TherewasonemainpointofinteresttograduatestudentsduringthisSenatemeeting.
The Senate approved a motion from the Joint Senates Committee on Joint Masters Programs
BetweentheUniversityofWinnipegandManitobatoincludethenamesofbothinstitutionson
the degree parchment for the Joint Masters Program in Religion. The Senate also approved
alterationstotheregulationoftheJointDisciplineCommitteeofHistory.
Otherpointsoninterestnotdirectlyrelatedtograduatestudentsinclude:
a) TheannualreportoftheInternationalCollegeofManitoba.
b) TheFacultyofAgriculturalandFoodSciencesincreasedtheadmissionaverageforentry
to the Agriculture Diploma program from 50 to 60 percent (barring extenuating
circumstances).
c) TheFacultyofDentistryeliminatedtheTransferApplicantcategory.Ithasnotbeenused
inthepast10years.
SenatecommitteeupdatesSenatorGagn
ReportfortheSenateCommitteeonUniversityResearch
ThecommitteehasmettwicefromMay2011toDecember2011.
September2011
Acallfor3newresearchchairsallocatedtotheUniversitywassentouttofaculties(2SSHRC,1
CIHR). A new endowed chair in cardiology was recommended to be established to senate. The
termfortheManitobaCentreforNursingandHealthResearchwasreviewedandrenewedfora
term of 5 years. Subcommittees were struck to evaluate four research institutes: the Health
Leisure&HumanPerformance,Disaster,LegalandCentreforHumanRightsresearchinstitutes
December2011
ThetermfortheInstitutefortheHumanitieswasreviewedandrenewedforatermof5years.
The Centre for Human Rights Research was established. A new draft of the Strategic Research
PlanoftheUniversitywaspresentedforpotentialfurtherrevisions.Asubcommitteewasstruck
toevaluatetheManitobaInstituteforMaterialsresearchinstitute
ReportfortheJointSenatesCommitteeonMaster'sProgramsAppeals
Thecommitteehasnotmetinthereportingperiod
SenatecommitteeupdatesSenatorKarari
ReportfortheSenateCommitteeonAcademicandAdmissionAppeals
The Committee has dealt with a number of appeals in the course of 2011. In keeping with
convention,thesehearingshavebeensummarisedwithoutcompromisingtheconfidentialityof
theappellants.
SenatecommitteeupdatesSenatorReisacher
AllsenatecommitteeswerealreadyfilledatthetimeofelectionofsenatorReisacherinOctober
2011.Thereisnothingtoreport.
ExternalMeetingsandConferences
CanadianFederationofStudentsSemiAnnualMeeting-November2326,2011
Gatineau,Quebec
Attendees:
ToniaBatesVicePresidentExternal
JenChenVicePresidentAcademic
OlivierGagneSenator
CathyScofield-SinghGSACouncilMember(Nursing)
GregBoeseGSACouncilMember(Psychology)
TimiOjo-GraduateStudentatLarge(formerGSAVPE)
DoreenMollenbeck-GraduateStudentatLarge
MeetingPreparation
On November 16 from 4:30 7:00 pm the individuals representing Graduates Student

Association (GSA) from University of Manitoba gathered to discuss the Canadian Federation of
Students (CFS) AGM. There were twenty motions to discuss at this time, with several
subtractionsandadditionstothecollectionbeforethemeeting.Mostofthemotionscentered
on writing letters to various private businesses, governments and agencies in support of or in
protest of work being completed by these organizations. In our meetings several people
vocalized the concern that many of the proposed motions did not include student-centered
issues,ratherfocusedonpoliticalorgovernmentconcernsthatdidnotrelatetostudentissues.
TheGSAwroteandsubmittedthreemotionsconcerningtheworkofCFSNational,inparticular
the No Means No Campaign, the structure and time of meetings during the AGM, and the
details of the financial reporting of the CFS. The No Means No motion was written with the
supportandencouragementoftheLocal103(UMSU).
In all, we discussed each motion from the perspective of a graduate student, knowing that the
meanings,wordsandintentcanchangeduringthecourseofthemeeting.
MeetingAttendance
AlmostallattendeesarrivedonMonday,November21andreturnedtoWinnipegonSaturday,
November 26. Tonia Bates, due to academic commitments, was not able to arrive at the
meetinguntiltheeveningofWednesday,November24.BythetimeshearrivedtheNoMeans
No motion was the most controversial motion, which our GSA members realized had been
greatly misunderstood. The other motion to change the meeting times was also a topic of
serious debate. Further information about these two motions will be presented later in this
report.
AsGSAmemberswewereabletoattendmostoftheconstituenciesandcaucusmeetingsduring
which the motions were discussed and debated. The financial committee suggested
improvementsforourmotionbutcouldnotcometoaconsensusandsuggesteditsdefeatatthe
Closing Plenary. Discussion continued with our schedule motion, as currently the Graduate
Caucus and Aboriginal Caucus meetings begin at 10 pm after an already long 14-hour day,
which amounts to a long, long day. This motion was met with a mixture of support and
resistance from several groups, so much so that the vote at closing plenary was so close we
wererequiredtovotefourseparatetimesandthemotionwasnarrowlydefeated.Interestingly
enoughduringthefinalOSDmeeting,afterwesuggesteddefeatoftheschedulemotiontothe
AGM, an undergraduate student requested adjourning the meeting at 10:30 pm because she
wastootiredtocontinuemeeting.Thistypeofhypocriticalbehaviourwasevidentthroughout
theconference,especiallyduringtheNoMeansNomotion.
EventhoughtheWomensConstituencyhasrestrictionswithregardstothemotioncreationand
changes, the No Means No motion was sent to this meeting for debate. The GSA took the
opportunitytospeaktothemotionfirst,attemptingtoalleviatesomeoftheconcernsthathad
beencirculatingduringtheAGMthusfar.Thisdidnotassuagethe,whatcanonlybedescribed
as, an onslaught of negative, disrespectful and unprofessional comments and behavior
demonstratedbythemajorityoftheattendeesatthismeeting.Notonlydidthemeetingchair
(Deandra Tousignant, also the current BUSU president) not follow Roberts Rules of Order
during the meeting, the current elected CFS National President (Roxanne Dubois) passed the
microphone from person to person without adhering to Roberts Rules of Order as well. The
individualspresentfocusedonthevictimsandsurvivorsofsexualassaultandrape,asopposed
to addressing the need to revitalize and rejuvenate a campaign directed at potential
perpetrators of violence against women. The GSA was subject to an hour of orchestrated
bullying, negative comments, personal attacks, and illogical statements made by those present
in the meeting (for example it is impossible to study sexual harassment and the word
effectiveoffendsme).Thereweretwowomen(otherthanourselves)whoattemptedtospeak
totheactualmotion,ratherthanusingtacticsofdistractionandbullyingtoavoiddiscussingthe
motion, and who supported the motion. Local 103 (UMSU) who helped us write this motion
was silent during this meeting and all other meeting with regards this motion, a grave concern
which we expressed to them with no evident change in their behavior. This meeting set the
tone for the rest of the week during which, only those who had the courage or wished to the
discusthismotion,actuallyspoketomembersoftheGSA.OtherthantwoorthreeUniversities
(forexampleUniversityofWindsorandtheUniversityofGuelph),wewereostracizedfromthe
meetings and socially excluded from the rest of the AGM. The bullying we experienced was
traumaticanduponfurtherconversationwithotherswasactivelyorganizedbyalllevelsofthe
CFS, starting within Manitoba and extending to the National office in Ottawa. No apology on
behalfoftheCFShasbeenforthcoming,norhasanylocalwithinManitobaattemptedtoreach
ustodiscusstheirpartinthismatterbefore,afterorduringtheconference.Inall,wewerevery
disturbed by this experience. Interestingly enough, after some research upon our return to
Winnipeg,averysimilarmotiontoourNoMeansNomotionwaspresentedandpassedduring
the2006AGM,evidenceofmorehypocrisy.
During the closing plenary members of the GSA went to the microphone to correct statements
madebyotherlocals,toshareinformationaboutourexperiencewithorganizationsreferredto
in the motions, and attempted to reduce the conflict that arose concerning the No Means No
motion. At this point, this motion was so volatile and controversial that most locals
recommended the No Means No campaign improvement be referred back to the National
Office,andsubsequentlywasdefeated.Itwasevidenttous,andanotherlocal(Guelph),thatall
the controversial motions were being referred back to the National Office, and a Guelph
member mentioned during plenary that we are wasting money as an organization spending so
muchenergy,timeandmoneytogather,thenavoiddiscussingcontroversialissuesbyreferring
them back to CFS National. Our group agreed with this comment but others at the meeting
vocallybooedhiscomment.
Lastly, it is important to mention the CFS Campaigns meeting. All the letter-writing motions
were referred to this group and passed omnibus during their first meeting, with discussion
occurringonlywithtwomotions.Forthedurationoftheirthree-hourmeeting,localsprovided
ideasastohowtocommemoratetheDayofAction,February1.Itisimportanttomentiontwo
ideasthatweresharedduringthismeeting.Firstly,oneindividualsuggestedthatlocalsperform
illegalbutnon-violentactivitiesontheDayofActiontoobtaintheattentionoflocalgovernment
andmedia.Mostoftheaudiencerosetotheirfeetandapplaudedatthissuggestion.Secondly,
oneindividualsuggestedthatheandhiscohortswerediscussingshavingmessagesinthebacks
of their heads of hair, collecting their hair, then mailing the hair to their MLAs and MPs in
protestoftuitionincreases.Imentionthesetwopointstosuggestthatgraduatestudentsatthe
UniversityofManitobaarenotinterestedinperformingthesetypesofactivities,whetherillegal
or merely infantile. Nor would the GSA ask our members to jeopardize international visas,
individual reputations or the reputation of the GSA performing such acts, which points to an
increasinglylargedividebetweenthegoalsoftheGSAandthegoalsoftheCFS.
Post-MeetingInformation
Inall,theworkthatwasaccomplishedduringthismeetingwastowritelettersandshareideas
for the Day of Action February 1, 2012. The other work completed was the election of a new
presidency,allofwhomranunchallengedandwhoappearedtosimplymovefromtheposition
s/he had this year, to the position above for the coming year. Other than this, there was no
movementforwardbytheCFS.
The fall-out of this meeting includes the resignation of Tonia Bates as Manitobas CFS Co-
Womens Commissioner. She received the brunt of the bullying and traumatizing behaviors of
CFSmembersandisnotwillingtovolunteeronbehalfoforrepresentsuchanorganization.
Inthecomingyears,wewouldsuggestdistancingtheGSAfromsuchanorganization,astheCFS
doesnotrepresenttheideas,goalsandperspectivesofthemajorityofthegraduatestudentsat
theUniversityofManitoba.
CanadianConferenceonStudentLeadership2011-November1720,2011
UniversityofCalgary
Attendees:
ToniaBatesVicePresidentExternal
JenniferChenVicePresidentAcademic
PeterKarari-Senator
MeaghinLabineStudentatLarge(formerGSAandHSGSAPresident)
EverlynMayanjaStudentatLarge(PeaceandConflictStudies)
DoreenMollenbeck-GraduateStudentatLarge
ChadCowieGSACouncilMember(PoliticalScience)
MarionKiprop-StudentatLarge(PeaceandConflictStudies)
Wewereinvitedtoattendthismeeting,aswasUMSU,andUniversitysacrossthecountry.This
year the event took place at the University of Calgary in Alberta, and the Graduate Student
Association was able to extend the invitation to several students interested in leadership on
University of Manitoba campus and farther afield. The conference focused on improving the
understanding and training of future leaders across the country. The GSA sent a contingent of
eightindividualswhoenjoyedmanyofthepresentationsandtheadditionaleventsprovidedby
theCCSLorganizers.
The list of presenters was an eclectic mix of leaders from business, not-for-profit, government
and education sectors. These individuals included talks or presentations from the President of
the University of Calgary, Dr. Elizabeth Cannon; the current Mayor of Calgary, Naheed Nenshi;
DragonsDendragonW.BrettWilson;author,traveler,andfounderofNextGenerationNepal,
ConorGrennan,amongstotherlocalandprovincialleaders.Theconferenceprovidedattendees
an opportunity to participate in two different streams of smaller presentations: student
leadershiptraining,andtheprofessionaldevelopmentstreamforthoseprofessionalswhowork
withstudents.Wewerealsoprovidedwiththeopportunitytospendthreequartersofadayin
Banff and Kananaskis Country, enjoying the scenery, a presentation, hayrides, campfires and a
chancetotalkwithotherattendees.Inall,theconferencehadagoodbalanceoftimespentin
workshops and presentations, more relaxed time to meet other attendees, and free time to
explorecampusandthecity.
FeedbackfromtheGSAattendeesrangedfrompositivetothoseexpressingconcernatthelevel
of learning. Through feedback from several GSA attendees it was evident that the student
trainingsoftendealtwithabstractideasofdefiningleadershipforoneselfanddevelopingacore
set of values around this definition, which was very useful for undergraduate students but
seemed less useful for graduate students in attendance. The professional development series
was a better set of presentations for graduate students and those already in positions of
leadership,astheideasdiscussedweremoreconcrete.Feedbackforthekeynotespeakerswas
positive from GSA attendees, and we all enjoyed the free time using the Graduate Student
Loungewhichboastsafullmenu,bar,dancefloor,fireplaceandkaraokenight(potentialspace
andfinancialgoalsforUofManitobaGSA).
We were also able to make several key contacts with other Graduate Student Associations,
althoughtherewasmoreofanundergraduatecontingent.Thesecontactshavealreadyassisted
usinimprovingseveralofourgoalsandprocessesintheGSAandwehopetocontinueworking
withotherstudentsorganizationsinthecomingmonths.
During this meeting there were a few issues with GSA members attendance at the
presentations and workshops, as well as issues with regards to food being served by the
conference versus individuals wishing to purchase different food in hopes the GSA would
reimburse these costs. Several conversations and a motion presented at the GSA Council in
December of 2011 will provide individuals attending conferences on behalf of the GSA more
informationwithregardstoconferenceexpectationsandcosts.Thismotioniscurrentlyinfront
oftheBylawsCommitteeforreviewandimprovement.
In all, this was a conference that we enjoyed attending. For future conferences it would
behoovetheGSAtostudytheconferenceagendatoensurethattherearesufficientworkshops
and presentations that are directed to graduate students in order to maximize learning. I am
sure I speak for all attendees when I thank the GSA for the opportunity to attend this
conference.
RECEIVED NOV 15 2011

GRADUATE STUDENTS
ASSOCIATION
THE UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA
Financial Statements
For the year ended March 31, 2011
GRADUATE STUDENTS' ASSOCIATION
Independent Auditor's Report
Statement of Financial Position
Statement of Operations
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Statement of Cash Flows
Notes to Financial Statements
Supplementary Information to Financial Statements
Contents
2
3
4
5
6
7
11
Tel: 204 956 7200
Fax: 204 926 7201
Toll-free: 800 268 3337
www.bdo.ca
To the Members of the Graduate Students' Association
BDO Canada LLP/s.r.l.
700 - 200 Graham Avenue
Winnipeg MB R3C 4L5 Canada
Independent Auditor's Report
We have audited the accompanying financial statements of the Graduate Students' Association,
which comprise the statement of financial position as at March 31, 2011 and the statement of
operations and statement of changes in net assets for the year ended, and a summary of significant
accounting policies and other explanatory information.
Management's Responsibility for the Financial Statements
Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these financial statements in
accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles and for such internal controls as
management determines is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free
from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
Auditor's Responsibility
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit. We
conducted our audit in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards. Those
standards require that we comply with ethical requirements and plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free from material misstatement.
An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures
in the financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditor's judgment, including the
assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or
error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the entity's
preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in order to design audit procedures that
are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the
effectiveness of the entity's internal control. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of
accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by management, as
well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements.
We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis
for our audit opinion.
Opinion
In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position
of Graduate Students' Association as at March 31, 2011 and its financial performance and its cash
flows for the year then ended in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles.
Chartered Accountants
Winnipeg, Manitoba
November 2, 2011
BOO Canada LLP, a Canadian limited liability partnership, is a member of BOO International Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, and forms part of the international BOO
network of independent member firms.
BOO Canada s.r.l., une societe canadienne a responsabilite limitee, est membre de BOO International Limited, societe de droit anglais, et fait partie du reseau internationa2de
societes membres independantes BOO.
March 31
GRADUATE STUDENTS ASSOCIATION
Statement of Financial Position
2011 2010
-------------------Restricted--------------------
Capital
Endowment Capital Sinking Operating Total Total
Assets
Current Assets
Cash and short term
investments (Note 3) $ 861,063 $
- $ - $
706,488 $1,567,551 $1,404,427
Accounts receivable
Other 600 600
UMSU 90,752 90,752 65,535
Prepaid expense 271 271 271
Due from Operating Fund 183,163 132,684 (315,847)
$ 861,063 $ 183,163 $ 132,684 $ 482,264 $1,659,174 $1,470,233
Liabilities and Net Assets
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable
and accrued liabilities $ - $
-
$ - $ 29,644 $ 29,644 $ 51,657
Net Assets
Endowment Fund 861,063 861,063 538,816
Capital Fund 183,163 183,163 183,163
Capital Sinking Fund 132,684 132,684 73,533
Operating Fund 452,620 452,620 623,064
861,063 183,163 132,684 452,620 1,629,530 1,418,576
$ 861,063 $ 183,163 $ 132,684 $ 482,264 $1,659,174 $1,470,233
Approved on behalf of the Council:
President
Vice-President
The accompanying summary of significant accounting policies and notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
3
Statement of Operations
For the year ended March 31 2011 2010
Revenue
Student organization fees $ 162,541 $ 153,526
UMSU fees 138,020 137,723
Awards 98,585 97,094
CFS fees 43,838 40,758
General activities (Page 11) 29,504 28,487
472,488 457,588
Expenditures
Conference grants 700
CFS fees 43,838 40,758
Honouraria 54,050 45,450
Salaries and benefits 55,364 45,699
General activities (Page 11) 177,180 169,477
330,432 302,084
Excess of revenue over expenditures for the year $ 142,056 $ 155,504
4
GRADUATE STUDENTs ASSOCIATION
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Capital
Operating Capital Sinking Endowment
Fund Fund Fund Fund Total Total
Fund balances, beginning of year $ 623,064 $ 183,163 $ 73,533 $ 538,816 $ 1,418,576 $ 1,201,723
Excess of revenue over expenditures
for the year 142,056 142,056 155,504
lnterfund transfer
(312,500) 312,500
Transfer from UMSU- other
59,151 59,151 58,004
Investment income
9,747 9,747 13,001
Purchases
{9,656}
Fund balances, end of year $ 452,620 $ 183,163 $ 132,684 $ 861,063 $ 1,629,530 $ 1,418,576
5
Statement of Cash Flows
Cash flows from Operating Activities
Excess of revenue over expenditures for the year $ 142,056 $ 155,504
Endowment fund investment income 9,747 13,001
Transfer from UMSU - other 59,151 58,004
Purchases from capital fund {9,656}
210,954 216,853
Changes in non-cash working capital balances
Accounts receivable (25,817) (2,594)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities {22,013} 19,119
{472830} 16,525
1632124 233,378
Cash flows from Investing Activities
Cash flows from Financing Activities
Increase in cash and short-term investments during the year 163,124 233,378
Cash and short-term investments, beginning of year 1,404,427 1,171,049
Cash and short-term investments, end of year $ 1,567,551 $ 1,404,427
6
1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Accounting
These financial statements were prepared using the accrual basis of accounting. The
accrual basis recognizes revenues as they become available and measurable;
expenditures are recognized as they are incurred and measurable as a result of receipt of
goods or services and the creation of a legal obligation to pay.
Revenue Recognition
The Association follows the restricted fund method of accounting for contributions.
Restricted contributions related to general operations are recognized as revenue of the
Operating Fund in the year in which the related expenses are incurred. All other restricted
contributions are recognized as revenue of the appropriate fund in the year in which the
related expenses are incurred.
Student organization revenues are recognized as revenue of the Operating Fund when
earned as outlined in an agreement with the University of Manitoba Students Union
CUMSU
11
) and collection is reasonably assured. Reasonable assurance is based upon the
Associations previous collections.
Other revenues are recognized as revenue of the Operating Fund when the amount is
determinable, collection is reasonably assured and upon acceptance by the other party.
Reasonable assurance is based upon the Associations previous collections and claims
with its customers.
Fund Accounting
Operating Fund: The Operating Fund reports the revenues and expenses related to the
Graduate Students Associations operations.
Capital Fund: The Capital Fund was established through assessments of student
organization fees to help finance capital purchases of the Association.
Capital Sinking Fund: The Capital Sinking Fund was established to fund certain expenses
of the Association and is financed through student assessments.
Endowment Fund: The Endowment Fund was established to apply the income earned for
the provision of financial aid and assistance to students of the Graduate Students
Association.
7
GRADUATE STUDENTs ASSOCIATION
1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Financial Instruments
The Association utilizes various financial instruments. Unless otherwise noted, it is
management's opinion that the Association is not exposed to significant interest, currency
or credit risks arising from these financial instruments and the carrying amounts
approximate fair values.
All transactions related to financial instruments are recorded on a settlement date basis.
The Association classifies its financial instruments as follows based on the purpose for
which the asset was acquired and follows the disclosed accounting policy for each
category.
Assets/Liabilities
Cash and short term investments
Accounts receivable
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Category
Held for trading
Loans and receivables
Other financial liabilities
Measurement
Fair value
Amortized cost
Amortized cost
Held for trading items are carried at fair value, with changes in their fair value
recognized in the statement of operations.
Other financial liabilities are carried at amortized cost, using the effective interest
method.
Loans and receivables are carried at amortized cost, using the effective interest
rate method, less any provision for impairment.
Transaction costs are expensed as incurred.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with Canadian generally accepted
accounting principles requires council to make estimates and assumptions that affect the
reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingencies at the date of the
financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from council's best estimates as additional
information becomes available in the future.
8
GRADUATE STUDENTS' ASSOCIATION
1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Accounting Standards for Not-for-Profits Organizations (NPO)
In December 2010, the Accounting Standard Board (AcSB) and Public Sector Accounting
Board (PASS) issued new standards for not-for-profit organizations (NP0
1
s). Non-
government (private sector) NP0
1
S have the choice of International Financial Reporting
Standards ("IFRS
11
) or Accounting Standards for NP0
1
S (which is essentially the Accounting
Standard for Private Enterprises with the current 4400 series of NPO specific standards
added with some minor changes)
The Boards require NPOs to adopt their respective standards for the year ends beginning
on or after January 1, 2012; early adoption is allowed. Until the date of transition to the new
standards, all NPOs will continue to follow the current Canadian Institute of Charted
Accountants Handbook - Accounting part V - Pre-Changeover Standards.
2. Entity Definition
The Graduate Association is a non-profit organization and, as such, is exempt from
income taxes under The Income Tax Act. Its purpose is to administer and coordinate activities
of Graduate students at the University of Manitoba.
3. Short term Investments
Short term investments consist of high interest savings accounts with interest ranging from
0.05/o to 0.25o/o based on the balance in the account.
4. Contractual Obligations
The Graduate Association has committed to lease a photocopier with quarterly
payments of $783.51 until April 30, 2015.
5. Related Party Transactions
During the current year, the Association paid honorariums totaling $54,050 (201 0 - $45,450).
All transactions have been recorded at the exchange amount.
6. Capital Management
The association considers its capital to comprise its endowment fund, capital fund, capital
sinking fund and operating fund. There have been no changes to what the association
considers to be its capital since the previous period.
As a not-for-profit entity, the organizationls operations are reliant on revenues generated
annually. The organization has accumulated unrestricted net assets over its history. A portion
of these accumulated funds is retained as working capital that may be required from time to
time due to timing delays in receiving its primary funding. The remaining funds are available
for the use of the organization at Councills discretion.
9
7. Financial Risk Management
The association is exposed to different types of risk in the normal course of operations,
including credit, liquidity and interest rate risk. The associations objective in risk management
is to optimize the risk return trade-off, within set limits, by applying integrated risk management
and control strategies, policies and procedures throughout the associations activities.
Credit Risk
Credit risk is the risk that one party to a financial instrument fails to discharge an obligation and
causes financial loss to another party. Financial instruments which potentially subject the
association to credit risk consist principally of grants and accounts receivable. The association
is not exposed to significant credit risk as the receivable is due from UMSU and payment in full
is typically collected when it is due. The association establishes an allowance for doubtful
accounts that represents its estimate of potential credit losses based on management's best
estimate of collectibility and facts in existence at year end on a specific account basis.
The associations maximum exposure to credit risk without taking account of any collateral or
other credit enhancements is $91,352 as at March 31, 2011.
Liquidity Risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the organization will encounter difficulty in meeting financial
obligations as they become due, and arises from the organizations management of working
capital. The organizations policy is to ensure that it will have sufficient cash to allow it to meet
its liabilities when they become due.
Interest Rate Risk
Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will
fluctuate due to changes in market interest rates. The organizations cash and investments are
held in short-term products. Thus, the organization is not exposed to significant interest rate
risk.
Fair Value
The carrying values of cash and short term investments, accounts receivable, and accounts
payable and accrued liabilities approximate their fair value due to the relatively short periods to
maturity of these items or because they are receivable or payable on demand.
10
Supplementary Information to Financial Statements
Revenue Expenditures Net
General Activities
Advertising $ 600 $ - $ 600
Bank charges and interest 7,237 35 7,202
Bonding insurance 2,651 (2,651)
Donations 840 (840)
Dues and subscriptions 75 (75)
External meeting 11,204 (11 ,204)
Grad teaching award 59,724 (59,724)
Gradzette 19,717 6,336 13,381
Grants and sponsorships 13,510 (13,510)
Handbook 3,216 (3,216)
Health Science GSA 17,007 (17,007)
Holiday hampers and other 6,100 (6,100)
Miscellaneous 9,085 (9,085)
Office supplies 2,986 (2,986)
Orientation 5,787 (5,787)
Other 1,950 1,950
Photocopier 3,149 (3,149)
Professional development 310 (310)
Professional fees 14,453 (14,453)
Repairs and maintenance 1,859 (1 ,859)
Social events 1,590 (1,590)
Speaker Series 8,158 (8,158)
Special projects grants 3,945 (3,945)
University charges 1,478 (1,478)
Website administration 3,682 (3,682)
$ 29,504 $ 177,180 $ (147,676)
11

Dear Coll eagues,

For al most 135 years, t he Uni versi t y of Mani t oba has been shapi ng academi c, busi ness and communi t y
l eaders, enhanci ng our communi t y and conduct i ng research t hat changes t he worl d.

Throughout our hi st ory, we have grown and evol ved t hrough a const ant process of ret hi nki ng, re-evaluat i ng
and reassessi ng where we are, where we want t o be and how wel l get t here.

Many members of t he Universi t y of Mani t oba communi t y have heard me refer t o t he compl ex academi c
st ruct ure t hat exi st s here. Current l y, we have 20 facul t i es and school s and 78 depart ment s del i veri ng
programs t o serve over 27,000 st udent s. By compari son, t he Uni versi t y of Toront o has t he same number of
facul t i es and school s, and onl y 14 addi t ional depart ment s, t o serve 72,000 st udent s. Al most 30,000 st udent s at
t he Uni versi t y of Cal gary are served by 13 facul t i es and school s encompassi ng 70 depart ment s. At McMast er
Uni versi t y, programs are del i vered t o i t s 27,000 st udent s t hrough 6 facul t i es and 49 depart ment s. In fact ,
based on avai l abl e dat a, no ot her medi cal -doct oral inst i t ut i on of our si ze and scope i n Canada has as many
free-st andi ng facul t i es and school s or depart ment s as we do.

I bel ieve t hat t hi s overl y elaborat ed academi c st ruct ure impedes our academi c work i n at least t hree import ant
ways.

1. It affect s academi c pl anni ng and deci sion making because academi c l eaders especi al l y deans and
di rect ors are more removed from t hese processes t han t hey should be. Put simpl y, t hi s group i s t oo l arge t o
bri ng t oget her effect i vel y on t hese and ot her mat t ers.

2. Thi s st ruct ure resul t s i n t he i neffi ci ent use of our most preci ous resource, namel y, our peopl e, who should
have t he opport uni t y t o use t hei r ski ll s more creat i vely t o advance our l earni ng, di scovery and engagement
mi ssions.

3. Most import ant l y, t he need t o navi gat e wi t hin our highl y art i cul at ed st ruct ure hi nders progress on our
St rat egi c Pl anni ng Framework priori t i es, not abl y, our commi t ment t o providi ng an out st andi ng st udent
experi ence and t o enhancing our t eachi ng and research programs i n areas of st rengt h and/ or st rat egi c
i mport ance t o our province and nat i on. St udent s requi re more fl exi bl e program and course sel ect ion, and
si mpl er academi c regul at ions t o achi eve t hei r educat i onal and career goal s; facul t y, in t urn, requi re great er
opport uni t i es for int er- and mul t i -di sci pl i nary coll aborat i on t o devel op and advance t hei r t eachi ng and
research programs.

I want t o begin an import ant conversat i on wi t hi n t he Uni versi t y of Mani t oba communi t y about how we move
forward and enhance our commi t ment t o our st udent s, our facul t y and st aff, and t o t he communi t y we serve.
It i s my vi si on t o see t he Uni versi t y of Mani t obas academi c st ruct ure bet t er reflect our si ze and scope,
enhanci ng rat her t han impedi ng our abil i t y t o del i ver on our mandat e.

When t he Uni versi t y of Mani t obas St rat egi c Pl anni ng Framework was adopt ed, I commi t t ed t o ensuri ng t hat
i t woul d guide t he deci sions we make t oget her and t hat we would use i t t o pursue our ul t i mat e obj ect i ve of
achi evi ng excell ence. Ini t iat i ves l i ke ROSE and OARs have been focused on t ransformi ng our organi zat i onal
i nfrast ruct ure and approaches, i n order t o i mprove t he way t he uni versi t y conduct s i t s work. It i s now t i me t o
move forward wi t h a pl an t o simpl ify and improve our uni versi t ys academi c st ruct ure, so t hat we can more
effect i vel y achi eve our st rat egi c vi sion.

Some work desi gned t o address our current academic st ruct ure i s al ready underway. Lat e l ast year, we began
a process where deans and di rect ors of facul t i es and school s wi t h nat ural affini t i es of various sort s began
worki ng i n cl ust ers t o explore some new avenues of col l aborat i on and int eract i on. Through t hi s process, work
on new cross-facul t y academi c programming, t he shari ng of admi ni st rat i ve resources and faci li t i es, and
col l aborat i ve out reach act ivi t y has al ready begun. It has shown us t hat more and closer t i es among uni t s can
be benefi ci al - t o st udent s, facul t y and st aff and t o our communi t y at l arge.

Thi s cl ust er mechani sm, I bel i eve, can serve as a useful st art i ng poi nt i n t he devel opment of a pl an t o si mpl i fy
and improve our academi c st ruct ure. To t hi s end, I have asked Dr. Joanne Keselman, Vi ce Presi dent (Academi c)
and Provost , t o work wi t h deans and di rect ors t hrough t he clust er groups and t hey, i n t urn, wi t h t hei r facul t y,
st aff, st udent s, al umni and ext ernal st akeholders, t o ident i fy vi abl e opt ions for reduci ng t he number of
facul t i es and school s from t he current t ot al of 20 t o a number closer t o t he nat ional average of 13 by 2017.

Based on di scussions t o dat e, i t i s cl ear t hat t here are si gni fi cant opport uni t i es t o i mprove our academi c
st ruct ure i n t he heal t h sci ences area. The move t o i nt erprofessional educat ion and an i ncreasi ng emphasi s on
mul t i -di sci pl i nary research t eams, combined wi t h t he need t o address common i ssues i ncl udi ng cl i ni cal
educat i on and program accredi t at i on, provi de compel l i ng reasons t o proceed wi t h t hi s clust er as a fi rst st ep i n
t he development of a pl an. To t hi s end, Dr. Keselman wi ll work wi t h t he heal t h sci ences clust er t o develop a
proposal or set of opt ions by December 2012 for consi derat i on by our governi ng bodi es. An i nt eri m report on
t hi s work wil l be provided i n t he spri ng of 2012.

It i s cl ear t hat ot her opport uni t i es exi st t o improve our academi c st ruct ure. I encourage facul t ies or
depart ment s t hat see possi bi li t i es where closer rel at ionshi ps among t hemsel ves would be benefi ci al t o bri ng
t hei r i deas forward for di scussi on.

We remai n commi t t ed, as t he onl y medi cal -doct oral inst i t ut i on i n Mani t oba, t o cont ri but ing t o our
communi t i es and our provi nces cul t ural , soci al and economi c wel l -bei ng. Thi s process wi l l enhance our
abi l i t y t o meet t he needs of our st udent s, our facul t y and our communi t y as a whol e.

We want t hi s change t o be i nvi gorat i ng and exci t i ng. We want i t t o be incl usi ve, and wi l l engage t he
Uni versi t y of Mani t oba i n di scussions about how t his goal wi l l be achi eved. Fi nal l y, we wil l onl y move forward
where i t makes sense, and proposal s wil l be advanced, di scussed, i mproved and approved t hrough t he
Uni versi t y of Mani t obas col l egi al governance processes.

Thi s i nst i t ut ion wi l l soon be 135 years ol d. We respect and honour our t radi t ions but must adapt t hem t o
ensure a vi brant and prosperous fut ure for t he much loved Uni versi t y of Mani t oba, i t s st aff and st udent s and
t he communi t y i t serves.

~
UNIVERSITY
OF MANITOBA
J Graduate Students' Association
November 29, 2011.
Mr. Matt Mclean
President
C.U.P.E. 3909
2218 University Centre
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3T 2N2
Dear Mr. Mclean,
Winnipeg MB, Canada R3T 2N2
Tel: 204-474-9181
Fax:204-474-7560
email: gsa@umgsa.ca
Please accept this letter as your lease termination notice, as per section 1.02 of the
Lease between the University of Manitoba Graduate Students Association, Inc. and
Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 3909.
CUPE is required to make their final quarterly payment effective December 1, 2011 and
vacate Room 2218 University Centre effective March 1, 2012.
Kind Regards,
Peter Nawrot
President
www. umgsa.ca
u
UNIVERSITY
OF MANITOBA
~
I Graduate Students) Association
Winnipeg MB, Canada R3T 2N2
Tel: 204-474-9181
Fax:204-474-7560
email: gsa@umgsa.ca
What is the Relationship between CFS and UMGSA?
What is the Relationship between CFS-MB and UMGSA?
Preliminary Report by
Liz Gonsalves, UMGSA Research Assistant
Submitted on
January 19, 2012
For
The University of Manitoba Graduate Students' Association
At
The Meeting of the University of Manitoba Graduate Students'
Association Council on January 25, 2012
l
And
The Annual General Meeting of University of Manitoba Graduate
Students' Association - February 2, 2012
www.umgsa.ca
Preamble: While researching the question of an alleged monetary loan from the
Canadian Federation of Students Manitoba (CFS-MB), documents between the
University of Manitoba Graduate Students' Association (UMGSA) and the Canadian
Federation of Students Nat ional office (CFS) highlighted a question in the validity of
our membership with the above organizations as well as the Canadian Federation of
Students - Services (CFS-S). The ultimate question is:
1. Is or has UMGSA ever been a valid member of CFS, CFS-S and/or CFS-MB?
To determine if this is the case the following information is necessary:
1. When did UMGSA allegedly become prospective members of CFS, CFS-S
and/or CFS-MB?
2. When did UMGSA allegedly become full members ofCFS, CFS-S and/or CFS-
MB?
3. What were the Bylaws of the organizations at the time of prospective and full
membership with regards to said membership (i. e. What is the process?)?
4. Were all Bylaws and requirements of all organizations adhered to in the
membership processes (i.e. Was due process followed?)?
5. What documentation exists as evidence for the above?
6. What individuals had aut hority to act and/or sign on behalf of the
organizations involved?
7. Who actually acted and/or signed on behalf of the organizations involved?
The purpose of this evaluation is to determine ifUMGSA is in fact a current member
of CFS, CFS-S and/or CFS-MB with the aim to ensure an accurate and judicious
application of fees from the UMGSA membership (i.e. graduate students at
the University of Manitoba).
Methodology: UMGSA documentation (meeting minutes, letters, budgets, etc.) as
maintained within the GSA office (and digitally archived) was reviewed. UMGSA
archives were augmented and updated with documentation (meeting minutes,
referendum materials, publications and articles, letters, etc) as maintained within
the CFS and CFS-MB offices and the University of Manitoba Board of Governors
(BoG) website which were also reviewed. Communication with CFS-MB via
Marakary Bayo, CFS-MB Chairperson, and with CFS via Roxanne Dubois, National
Chairperson, and past UMGSA President 00/01 and 01/02, Amanda Jones, in the
form of telephone conversations, e-mails and in-person meetings has been
employed to obtain information.
Synopsis: Letters between the 00-02 UMGSA president and the National
Chairperson of CFS indicate a disagreement as to whether or not UMGSA is
legitimately a member of CFS (and subsequent CFS-relat ed organizations).
Prospective membership status was applied for in September 1999 and
subsequently approved by CFS. A successful referendum for full membership was
held January 23 - 25, 2001 and the membership was allegedly ratified at the
national general meeting of CFS on May 12, 2001. At the same time the UMGSA
E. Gonsalves ?
January 19, 2012
2
Council had decided to postpone the application for full membership pending a
decision of the BoG regarding UMGSA autonomy (which was only achieved this year
-June 21, 2011) and collection of CFS fees. CFS recognized the financial situation of
UMGSA at the time and promised not to collect fees for 01/02, 03/04, or
retroactively for any fees not collected by U of M. The national chairperson of CFS
indicated being in receipt of the full membership application signed by a member of
UMGSA and the "willingness to waive membership fees until such time as that
autonomy is achieved." The president of UMGSA argued that the letter sent to CFS
for application of full membership status was composed and signed by an individual,
other than the president, who was not authorized to do so. The validity of
membership with reference to.CFS Bylaws was also questioned because UMGSA was
not an autonomous organization (member ofUMSU), and through UMSU were also
members of the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA). In 2005 CFS
National Chairperson, George Soule, sent a letter to UMGSA regarding outstanding
membership fees and in September 2006 the first fees were collected by the BoG on
behalf of UMGSA for membership in CFS (CFS-S and CFS-MB).
Findings: The minutes of the UMGSA Council meetings for the 1999 - 2000 and
2000- 2001 term of office provided a framework of the initiation of prospective
membership status in CFS and the events leading up to and including the full
membership referendum. The minutes for the 2001 - 2002 UMGSA term of office
have not been located yet. There are several letters, some signed, and most dated,
disputing membership status of UMGSA immediately following the alleged
ratification of said membership at a national meeting of CFS and continuing through
most of that term.
There is some evidence that an executive andjor council member of
UMGSA, who was heavily involved with the CFS membership drive from 1999 to
2001, was also an employed member of CFS-MB staff at the same time. Their
specific roles and level of transparency within these two organizations remains
unclear at this time. A News Release from CFS dated January 26, 2001 indicates that
this individual was the spokesperson for UMGSA.
The UMGSA's copy of the CFS Bylaws, which was recently obtained (2010/11
term of office) to replace what had been missing for some time, has again
disappeared. UMGSA currently has neither a current copy of the Bylaws of CFS or
any prior versions. Requests for information from CFS either take a substantial
amount of time for a response or go unacknowledged/unanswered. Knowing that
CFS must register their bylaws federally as a federal non-profit organization means,
to determine if the Bylaws of the organization as they were at the time of the
membership question were upheld, a search of federal government documents can
be employed.
There are several filing cabinets maintained in the CFS-MB office containing a
great deal of documentation. Not all files are categorized in a way that is obvious as
to their content. This led to a need to ignore existent categories and spend time
reviewing individual contents. The disorganization and redundancy of contents of
the CFS-MB file server was also apparent. A letter addressed to the University of
E. Gonsalves { .J-7--- 3
January 19, 2012
Manitoba Faculty, dated January 15, 2001, was found among all the documents in
the files pertaining to UMGSA. It was typed up on a regular blank white sheet of 8.5"
x 11" paper with a strip of paper taped to the top of it that contained the letterhead
ofUMGSA employed during that term of office. The letter is indicated to be from
Amanda Jones, President, Graduate Students' Association, but it is not signed. An
additional blank sheet with UMGSA letterhead was within the same file maintained
in the CFS-MB office. A blank sheet of the current UMGSA letterhead was also
contained within the files of CFS-MB. There were also several printed copies of e-
mails between the UMGSA president and their legal counsel at the time regarding
questions pertaining to membership in CFS. It is unclear how these were obtained
by CFS-MB to exist within their files.
Chronology: May 26, 1999- GSA Council minutes indicate:
President: Ed Janzen
Vice President: Tami Kowal-Denisenko
Treasurer: Brady Usick
Staff: Gary Russell
In the president's report discussion with CFS has begun
to arrange a presentation to Council regarding membership
1999 - According to UMGSA letterhead Membership was as follows:
President: Ed Janzen
Vice President: Tami Kowal-Denisenko
Vice President: Douglas Lee
Treasurer: Brandy Usick
August 2_5, 1999 - GSA Council minutes indicate:
Social Director: Raj Apadoo
Senate Rep: Ehsan Latif
UMSU Rep: Stephanie Bradley
UMSU Rep: Mike Newman
UMSU Rep: Patrick Nelson
President's report indicates CFS membership
question will be raised at the October GSA General Meeting. Ed Janzen and Krishna
Lalbiharie both attended a 2-day CFS Skill-Building Weekend hosted in Brandon
August 14 - 15 and GSA Executive has begun work with CFS on Target Education
and Access 2000 campaigns.
Krishna Lalbiharie is appointed as Gradzette Editor.
September 29, 1999 - GSA Council minutes indicate:
Senate Rep: Mabelle Magsino
At Large: Paul Zita
A presentation to Council by CFS National Chairperson,
Michael Conlon, and Kemlin Nemhard. Discussion regarding current membership in
UMSU and fees paid to UMSU that go CASA, estimated to be $3/student, as well as
question of applying for prospective membership while UMGSA is part of UMSU-
response is that they do not need to be separated- and question regarding UMGSA's
membership in CASA via UMSU.
E. Gonsalves l... / !:::-=---=-==-
January 19, 2012 - -
4
What is the Relationship betwee11 CFS and UMGSA?
Motion to take out prospective membership with CFS
approved with 1 opposition and 1 abstention.
CommunicationsjPR Report identifies CFS membership,
and UMGSA autonomy as part of campaign ideas for membership
Undated letter to Michael Conlon, CFS, from Ed Janzen
applying for prospective membership with CFS as per approved motion of Council
meeting.
October 2 7, 1999 - GSA AGM minutes indicate:
Office Manager: Gary Russell
Senate Rep: William Ewanchuk
(Clothing & Textiles Rep: Amanda Jones)
A presentation to the general membership was made by
Joel Oliphant, retained by GSA to research UMGSA becoming incorporated and
autonomous from UMSU - Because GSA is unincorporated it is not constituted as a
legal person and therefore precluded from entering agreements; UMSU allocates
1/3 of all graduate student organization fees to GSA; incorporation requires
University of Manitoba Board of Governors approval
Unanimous approval to pursue incorporation under the
Corporations Act - a motion in which the clauses highlight that contracts outside of
incorporation have questionable legal status and that individuals would find
themselves personally liable for having signed contracts on behalf of UMGSA.
There is no evidence of a vote on the motion to pursue
autonomy.
Motion to constitute the position of a Director of Public
Relations approved wjth 4 abstentions.
November 24, 1999 - GSA Council minutes indicate:
99/00 carried
Public Relations carried.
UMSU Rep to GSA: Lee Seymour
UMSU Rep to GSA: Peter Spindler
Motion to select Kevin Toyne as GSA Council chair for
Motion to select Krishna Lalbiharie as the Director of
Motion to select Paul Zita as UMSU Rep. carried
President's Report indicates that pending Board of Governors'
approval incorporated name has been granted by Companies' Branch; recognizes
inconsistencies and inadequacies of Council minutes to this point.
january 26, 2000 - GSA Council Minutes indicate:
President's report indicates petitions are circulating
regarding autonomy (on both sides) and that the BoG is in receipt of GSA autonomy
application and will consider the matter at next meeting subject to legal inquiry
Director of PR report indicates GSA is in support of CFS
"Access 2000" campaign and will participate in Day of Action on Feb 2, 2000
February 23, 2000 - GSA Council Minutes indicate:
VP(HSC): Doug Lee [see letterhead]
E. Gonsalves ~
January 19, 2012
5
I
CFS National Chairperson: Michael Conlon
Dir. PR report highlights support of NGC of CFS to
support UMGSA right to pursue autonomy and incorporation as motioned at NGC
meeting on Februrary 20, 2000 and quoted in letter of support from NGC to UofM
BoG, and a suspension of CFS membership referendum to October as per Elizabeth
Carlyle, CFS Deputy National Chairperson, because oftime constraints of both
organizations.
March 29, 2000- GSA Council Minutes indicate:
Passed motions to appoint Barbara Mah as Social Director,
Anna Frias as DPR and Ed Janzen, Bill Ewenchuck and Lloyd Lawrence as UMSU
Reps for 00/01 term.
DPR report indicates BoG consulting UMSU regarding
autonomy
March 29, 2000- GSA AGM minutes indicate:
No attendance available
Motion to reaffirm pursuit of GSA autonomy carried
April 26, 2000- GSA Council Minutes indicate:
VP (HSC): Israel Mendez
Motion to accept Mabelle Magsino as Senate Rep carried
President's report indicates the following for GSA 00/01
Executive: President: Amanda Jones
Vice-President: Paul Zita
Treasurer: Vinod Varadharajan
Senator: Narjit Chadha
Senator: Tami Kowal-Denisenko
DPR: Ana Frias
Social Director: Barbara Mah
UMSU Council Reps: Lloyd Lawrence, Ed Janzen and Bill Ewanchuk
Autonomy decision at BoG expected in July
DPR Report expects a decision from BoG on autonomy at June
27, 2000 meeting and indicates a resolution drafted for consideration of NGC of CFS
regarding authorship and IP and also includes a report from the National Advisory
Group on Student Financial Aid for the Canadian Federation of Students written by
Krishna Lalbiharie.
May 31, 2000- GSA Council Meeting minutes indicate:
President: Amanda Jones
Treasurer: Vinod Varadharaj
DPR: Ana Frias
Senator: Narjit Chadha
UMSU Councilor: Ed Janzen
UMSU Councillor: Lloyd Lawrence
Chair: Krishna Lalbiharie (hand written in)
E. Gonsalves !_ ..- t;;z
January 19, 2012
6
President's report indicates that CFS has agreed to pay for all
the costs ofthe referendum being held in October.
Treasurer's report included 00/01 Budget proposal, which
notes a potential "$2,000 should be spent on CFS membership, referendum &
conferences." This is indicated to be significantly less, pending membership
referendum in October, by both Janzen and Lalbiharie who adds that it should be
less than $700 maximum and no major expense for the referendum will be incurred.
DPR report indicates that although as prospective members
GSA is eligible to attend National General Meetings of CFS nobody from GSA
attended the May meeting (May 18- 21, 2000).
November 2000- CFS National General Meeting postpones GSA referendum
again
january 7-25, 2001- Campaigning for GSA full membership in CFS
referendum
january 23-25, 2001 - referendum to join CFS with "YES" majority
April 2001 - President's year-end report states no letter was sent to CFS for
full membership
Apri/25, 2001- UMGSA Council Meeting chaired by Liz Carlyle: GSA will
apply for full membership of CFS at 39th Semi-Annual General Meeting contingent
upon item #4 of undated letter from CFS regarding fee collection; letter signed by
Elizabeth Carlyle to UMGSA assuring that CFS:
1. will not collect fees for 2001/2002 and 2002/2003;
2. will not take legal action against UMGSA for membership
fees not collected by the university
3. assures full membership is not contingent upon fee
collection
4. will not seek retroactive payment of membership fees not
collected by the university
This motion was made by Krishna Lalbiharie who is not listed to be in attendance at
that same meeting.
May 12, 2001- CFS 39th Semi-Annual General Meeting
- CFS National Chairperson: Ian Boyko
- UMGSA ratified as FULL members of CFS at opening plenary
-report of Ed Janzen to UMGSA Council regarding 39th Semi-
annual National General Meeting of CFS states "Full Federation membership for the
U of M GSA was ratified, pending receipt of a letter from our Executive."
May 17, 2001 -unsigned letter to BoG from Amanda Jones requesting
clarification of decision regarding collection of CFS membership fees (no such topic
evident in minutes of BoG meeting from April 24, 2001 as referenced)
May 30, 2001 - UMGSA Council unanimously carries motion to postpone CFS
membership pending BoG decision on autonomy and CFS fee collection (Ian Boyko
was in attendance)
Undated (2001) agreement of membership between CFS and UMGSA signed
only by Ian Boyko (no GSA signature)
june 4, 2001 - letter from Amanda Jones to Ian Boyko re May 30, 2001 motion
E. Gonsalves -( _ } " - - ~ - - ~
January 19, 2 0 1 ~
7
I
June 4, 2001- letter from Vinod Varadharajan to GSA Council and Executive
alleging pressure tactics and questionable practices of CFS supporters/employees to
obtain a signature on the letter of application for full membership to CFS
june 13, 2001 -let t er from Amanda Jones to Ian Boyko re: pressure tactics of
CFS to obtain a signature on full membership agreement
july 16, 2001 -letter from Ian Boyko to Amanda Jones defending membership
October 15, 2001 -letter from Amanda Jones to Ian Boyko defending non-
membership position
November 27, 2001 -letter from Ian Boyko to Amanda Jones validates that
CFS is in receipt of membership letter signed by Vinod Varadharajan dated May 5,
2001; states CFS "willingness to waive membership fees until such time as that
autonomy is achieved."
December 10, 2001 -letter to Ian Boyko from Amanda Jones responds that
motion at meeting ofCFS held in Brandon, Manitoba stated full membership of GSA
would be accepted "pending the receipt of a letter from the President of the GSA."
The letter also indicates that while in attendance at a UMGSA meeting on May 30,
2001, Ian Boyko "confirmed that the CFS wa$ waiting for the letter of application"
from the UMGSA president and only then would GSA be accepted as a full member.
It further refutes the above authority ofVinod Varadharajan to sign the letter
indicated above on the president's behalf and alleges that Mr. Varadharajan
subsequently sent CFS a letter confirming he had no authority to sign the application
letter and that he was pressured by three CFS members to do it.
05/06 - UMGSA President: Meghan Gallant
january 29,2005 -letter from George Soule, CFS National Chairperson, to
Meghan Gallant re: outstanding membership fees (no amount stated)
july 7, 2005 - UMGSA Executive carried motion to begin to levy fees for CFS
membership dues
March 26, 2006 - BoG approves fee collection for CFS membership
September 2006- first collection of CFS membership fees from graduate
students at the university
june 21, 2011- UofM BoG carries motion to recognize UMGSA as autonomous
organization from UMSU
ConclusionjRecommendation: The contradictory and insufficient nature of
information discovered at this early stage does not clearly provide options for
UMGSA. Additional research and investigation is warranted before it will be
possible to suggest further actions.
Notes of Interest: CFS campaigns adopted by UMGSA have remained relatively
consistent and unchanged since 1999. Autonomy of the GSA has been a documented
desire since 1973 (an achievement at least 38 years in the making!). There were
implications that membership in the CFS would aid in achieving that autonomy.
Research Issues: The binders of documents in the GSA office do not necessarily
contain what is labeled on their spines and revi ew of all documents is a necessity.
E. Gonsalves f ~
January 19, 2012
8
I
What is the Relationshi p between CFS-MB and UMGSA?
All files have been scanned and some have been itemized and filed electronically but
research of physical documents is still heavily required in the GSA office. The
research included the additional task of organizing and categorizing the documents
accordingly. Thus far only the binders in the top two left corner shelves contain
what they say they contain. There are many resources remaining to be reviewed.
The documents archived within the filing cabinets and
electronic server of the CFS-MB office are redundant and some are inadequately
organized and categorized, contradictory or incomplete/missing. Because there
was much in the files regarding UMGSA, with specific reference to the referendum
and membership, that was not within the UMGSA office, a large portion of the
limited time spent in the CFS-MB office involved copying documents for UMGSA
files. There has been far more information to acquire and retrieve than there has
been time to review it.
- -
E.
January 19, 2012
9
I

University of Manitoba Graduate
Students Association

Press Review
January 2011 February 2012

Report to the February 2012 GSA Annual General Meeting
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2
The Gradzette
GSA appoints new senator
Seat vacant since 2011 spring election
_______________________________________________
Chuthan Ponnampalam
January, 2012
Graduate student Adam Reisacher was appointed
a seat on the University of Manitobas senior
academic governing body the senate after
the seat remained vacant following the Graduate
Students Associations (GSA) 2011 spring
election.
The senate oversees all matters of an academic
nature. This means that, among others things, the
senate determines what courses of study are
offered, conditions of matriculation, and all
matters regarding scholarships. Therefore, its
membership is diverse.
Senate membership reflects the range of roles
found at the university. University
administration, faculty deans and even students,
can sit on senate. Usually students can claim a
senate seat by being elected to it, but in some
cases students are appointed.
The GSA holds three voting seats on senate, but
in last springs GSA election only two students
ran for senatorial positions, leaving the third seat
vacant.
After October, council can appoint a person to
senate, and as a collective, it was the opinion that
we should use all our seats on senate to raise
concerns and keep graduate students voices in
senate, explained GSA vice-president (internal),
Angela Freeman.
According to Freeman all senators representing
the GSA are required to sit on senate and student
senate caucus, as well as at least one senate
committee.
There is a time commitment, and council felt
that [Reisacher] was the right person for the
position, based on his previous experience, and
his statement of interest, said Freeman
discussing Reisachers appointment.
Reisacher was chosen from about a dozen
applicants to fill the vacant seat.
I am very excited about being a senator,
Reisacher told the Gradzette. I look forward to
working with the rest of the GSA to provide the
best possible representation for graduate
students. It really was an honour for the council
to appoint me to the executive.
Reisacher stated that he would be filling the
position until the next election in March, and that
he would work with the new incoming senator to
ensure, they can hit the ground running.
Reisachers primary goal as a senator
representing the University of Manitobas
graduate students is to ensure that the
universitys administration remains focused on
the best interests of students.
I guess this really should be common sense, but
given the tough economic challenges facing
universities across the country, I think its far too
easy for administrations to lose sight of what is
most important: the quality of education
provided, explained Reisacher.
Universities need to tighten their belts, and
thats understandable, he continued, but that
cannot come at the expense of students
education or safety.

Reisacher feels that the importance of the GSAs
senatorial position stems from, the fundamental
necessity of students being involved in the
decision-making process at the U of M.
Students cant complain about the problems we
face at university unless we are willing to be part
of the solution, and [ . . . ] by actively working
3
with the faculty and administration, we can
demonstrate the added value students bring to
the table, stated Reisacher.
Reisachers credits his wife for his involvement
in student politics.
My wife was the one who first got me into
student politics. She [ . . . ] joined the Arts
Student Body Council (ASBC) in her second
year at the U of M. I got to know the people and
issues on campus through her and became more
involved, explained Reisacher.
In 2006, I was elected senior stick/president of
the ASBC. It was a fantastic, and eye-opening
experience for me. Working closely with the
administration, UMSU and other student groups
on campus taught me a lot about the many
challenges students face at university. It also
showed me the many benefits organizations such
as the [ . . . ] GSA can provide for their fellow
students.

____________________________________________

4
The Manitoban
CUPE gets the boot
GSA serves union with eviction notice
_______________________________________________
Sarah Petz
January 4, 2011
After nearly a year of working side by side, the
Graduate Students Association (GSA) served
CUPE 3909 with an eviction notice on Nov. 28.
The office of CUPE 3909, which represents
teaching assistants, markers, tutors and sessional
instructors at the University of Manitoba, has
been located on the second floor of University
Centre in the GSAs office space since Dec. 1
2010. The GSA offered the union their space
after they were evicted from their previous office
in St Johns College as a temporary office until
CUPE 3909 could find a new location on
campus.
CUPE 3909 now has approximately two months
to vacate the GSAs space. GSA president Peter
Nawrot explained that GSA needs the space to
accommodate a new full-time staff member, and
that the GSA is currently short on space for their
executive members.
Space is at a premium in our office, our
executive dont even have enough terminals to
work at when the executive are here, he said.
Nawrot pointed out that the space was originally
meant to be a temporary location for CUPE. The
GSA did not expect the union to stay for close to
a year. Our whole lease agreement here was
based on the assumption that they would be
actively seeking a permanent place, he said.
Nawrot felt that CUPE had not done enough to
find an alternative location over the past year and
he had suggested possible spaces for the union to
relocate to. Having them stay in the space for a
year was in violation of their original
agreement, he argued.

I think that theyve been just busy doing their
work, that theyve maybe not been as fully
engaged in looking for a spot because thats not
whats urgent on their current agenda, he said.
Its been a year, and I felt that it was a long
enough time for them to find an alternative
space.
Matthew McLean, president of CUPE 3909, said
he was surprised by the eviction notice because
he was not aware of the GSA having any issues
with CUPE being in the space for longer than
was originally anticipated.
5
If that was an issue, we did not discuss it. Im
not sure where [Nawrot] got that from.
The only time we talked about the lease in
terms of when it would be terminated and
whatnot was after [Nawrot] provided us an
eviction notice, McLean added. McLean
explained that CUPE has found it extremely
difficult to find a permanent office location, as
space is limited on campus.
CUPE is now considering looking for space off-
campus, but are concerned that it may adversely
affect their members.
Most of CUPEs communication with its
members is via email and telephone, but moving
off-campus would make it more difficult for
members to drop by the office in person,
McLean explained.
He also argued that many GSA members are also
CUPE members, so the move will have an
impact the GSA membership.
It would definitely be a step back for us to lose
that presence on campus, he said.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

6
The Gradzette
Innovative and encouraging
Award for graduate teaching excellence presented
_______________________________________________

Ashley Gaboury
December 2011
For David Watt, a University of Manitoba
professor, teaching runs in the family. Watt, the
son of a former Grade 2 teacher, was presented
with the Graduate Students
Association award for graduate teaching
excellence at the 2011 fall convocation.
Watt, a professor at the U of M since 2004 and
specializing in medieval period manuscript
studies, currently teaches a bibliography course
required for doctoral students.
While Watt said he was surprised and delighted
to find out he won the teaching award, his initial
shock came after being nominated.
Its always nice to win an award and be
acknowledge for your work, but I know how
much time and effort it takes to put in the
application, he said.
To have students who are willing to put in an
application and get letters written and that kind
of thing, that means a lot.
But what is it that makes Watt a good teacher?
According to him, its having good students.
It helps to have really good students at the be-
ginning but then in a way to take advantage of
that, said Watt. Really good students do make
a better class as they interact with each other and
talk with each other.
Reflecting on the teachers he had as a graduate
student, Watt said the best ones were good
listeners.
Good teaching is often good listening, said
Watt. I try to do that.
Jennifer (Yijie) Chen, GSA vice-president
(academic) and chair of the GSA awards
committee, said Watts ability to integrate his
knowledge with his passion for teaching made
him stand out from other nominees.
Some of the [reference] letters said he is a great
person and hes a very energetic person, said
Chen. In one letter I remember a student
mentioned [Watt] actually made students want to
go to class.
Amalia Slobogian, a doctoral student at McGill
University, is a former student of Watts, having
taken his bibliography course in 2010.

After completing the class, Slobogian said she
and two fellow English MA students, Daria
Patrie and Dustin Geeraert, decided to nominate
Watt for the GSA teaching award.
We all thought the class was a fantastic, fun
experience and agreed that it was Dr. Watts
leadership, guidance and overall personality
which made it so memorable, wrote Slobogian
in an email response to the Gradzette.
+6%(>)88)
-PPYWXVEXMSRF]&IR'PEVOWSR
Innovative and encouraging
Ashley Gaboury
Award for graduate teaching excellence presented
)
or David Watt, a University of Manitoba
professor, teaching runs in the family.
Watt, the son of a former Grade 2 teacher,
was presented with the Graduate Students
Association award for graduate teaching excellence
at the 2011 fall convocation.
Watt, a professor at the U of M since 2004 and
specializing in medieval period manuscript studies,
currently teaches a bibliography course required for
doctoral students.
While Watt said he was surprised and delighted
to nd out he won the teaching award, his initial
shock came after being nominated.
Its always nice to win an award and be acknowl-
edge for your work, but I know how much time and
effort it takes to put in the application, he said.
To have students who are willing to put in an
application and get letters written and that kind of
thing, that means a lot.
But what is it that makes Watt a good teacher?
According to him, its having good students.
It helps to have really good students at the be-
ginning but then in a way to take advantage of that,
said Watt. Really good students do make a better
class as they interact with each other and talk with
each other.
Reecting on the teachers he had as a graduate
student, Watt said the best ones were good listen-
ers.
Good teaching is often good listening, said
Watt. I try to do that.
Jennifer (Yijie) Chen, GSA vice-president (aca-
demic) and chair of the GSA awards committee,
said Watts ability to integrate his knowledge with
his passion for teaching made him stand out from
other nominees.
Some of the [reference] letters said he is a great
person and hes a very energetic person, said
Chen. In one letter I remember a student men-
tioned [Watt] actually made students want to go to
class.
Amalia Slobogian, a doctoral student at McGill
University, is a former student of Watts, having
taken his bibliography course in 2010.
After completing the class, Slobogian said she
and two fellow English MA students, Daria Patrie
and Dustin Geeraert, decided to nominate Watt for
the GSA teaching award.
We all thought the class was a fantastic, fun ex-
perience and agreed that it was Dr. Watts leader-
ship, guidance and overall personality which made
it so memorable, wrote Slobogian in an email re-
sponse to the Gradzette.
Slobogian said Watt is both an innovative in-
structor but also a kind and encouraging advisor
and mentor.
Cheesy and clichd though it may sound, it is
the fact that he cares about his students and con-
veys this by making you feel as if he wants you to
succeed, wrote Slobogian on what makes Watt a
good teacher.
There is never a boring silence or a moment in
which you want to fall asleep in Dr. Watts classes
as he excels at cultivating a dynamic, lively atmo-
sphere, she continued. He has a great sense of
humour and an uncanny way of making you pro-
duce your best work.
Watt said as a teacher he strives to provide an
opportunity for students to pursue their own inter-
ests.
The way I really try to structure courses and
also my interaction with students is to allow every-
thing that theyre interested in and everything that
theyre good at to come out rst and then to try and
support that.
In the classroom, Watt enjoys that he and his
students can exchange knowledge and come to new
discoveries together.
You can be surprised and you can learn some-
thing new everyday as a teacher.
7
Slobogian said Watt is both an innovative in-
structor but also a kind and encouraging advisor
and mentor.
Cheesy and clichd though it may sound, it is
the fact that he cares about his students and con-
veys this by making you feel as if he wants you
to succeed, wrote Slobogian on what makes
Watt a good teacher.
There is never a boring silence or a moment in
which you want to fall asleep in Dr. Watts
classes as he excels at cultivating a dynamic,
lively atmosphere, she continued. He has a
great sense of humour and an uncanny way of
making you produce your best work.
Watt said as a teacher he strives to provide an
opportunity for students to pursue their own
interests.
The way I really try to structure courses and
also my interaction with students is to allow
everything that theyre interested in and
everything that theyre good at to come out first
and then to try and support that.
In the classroom, Watt enjoys that he and his
students can exchange knowledge and come to
new discoveries together.
You can be surprised and you can learn some-
thing new everyday as a teacher.
________________________________

8
The Manitoban
Student leaders take opposing views on
conference
___________________________________
Shuja Safavi
November 16, 2011
Student leaders at the University of Manitoba
and University of Winnipeg are taking opposing
views on the value of the fifth annual Canadian
Conference on Student Leadership, which will
take place from Nov. 17 -20 at the University of
Calgary.
The University of Manitoba Students Union
(UMSU) and the U of M Office of Student Life
are helping fund eight students and two staff
members to attend this conference. The Graduate
Students Association (GSA) is helping to send
around eight students, and the faculty of science
is sending two students to this conference as
well.
Registration costs for the conference are $250
per delegate, accommodation and transportation
fees not included.
The conference includes presentations from four
keynote speakers, including Craig Kielburger,
co-founder of Free The Children, and workshops
focusing on health and wellness, community
engagement and service learning, emerging
leadership and refining leadership, according to
the conferences website. Camilla Tapp, UMSU
president, said that the purpose of this
conference is to bring students leaders from
across Canada together to discuss ideas about
leadership.
We wanted our students to attend this
conference, come back to U of M and share their
knowledge with the campus community, said
Tapp.
The students will hopefully create some
projects to support campus community when
they are back, she said.
Tapp noted that the students who are attending
this conference will have to report back to the
campus community in some form. It can be a
presentation in UMSU council, a blog or an
article in the Manitoban.
She said that the conference will be helpful for
personal development for the students who are
attending as there will be a lot to learn and apply
in their everyday life.
There is not really a place to get training on
how to be a leader, [ . . . ] so I am hoping that
this conference will be an opportunity to do
that, said Tapp.
Lauren Bosc, president of University of
Winnipeg Students Association, said that
UWSA felt it was too expensive to attend the
conference and chose not to send delegates.
She explained that UWSA has a limited budget
to send elected student leaders to go to
conferences, and to help fund students at large to
attend academic conferences.
We are sending five delegates to Canadian
Federation of Students annual general meeting
where a lot of decision-making is done
something she didnt feel would happen at the
Canadian Conference on Student Leadership.
The [Canadian Conference on Student
Leadership] is more of a networking
opportunity, she argued. We therefore did not
see any value in sending delegates using
students money.
Brendan Hughes, director of Student Life at U of
M, said he felt this conference is a good personal
9
and professional development opportunity for
the students. We are fortunate to have some
money set aside for student opportunities like
this, said Hughes.
Hughes also noted that it is more cost effective
for the university to help fund students to go to a
conference like this than to host one.
It is a great way for us to invest, even if it is in a
small number, so that a greater good can actually
benefit down the road, he said.
He added that Student Life is also looking to
bring different student leadership opportunities
to the U of M campus so many students can
participate.
____________________________________________

10
The Manitoban
Co-curricular record recognizes
extracurricular achievement
Review committee now accepting applications
_______________________________________________
Leah Hansen
November 16, 2011
Students involved in approved activities and
students groups on campus will now be given
recognition through the co-curricular record
(CCR), a formalized record of a students
involvement.
A students CCR will be received alongside their
transcript. Any U of M facilitated contributions,
which are not for academic credit, will be
recognized on the CCR. Students must apply to
have co-curricular programs added to their
record; activities will not automatically appear
on the CCR.
However, the university is working to ensure the
application process will not be a burden to
students either. Program supervisors will need to
apply for recognition on the CCR and then
submit lists of students who are involved in the
program. Program applications are reviewed by
the co-curricular review committee to ensure that
the programs meet the criteria necessary for
acceptance.
All programs that are under the direction of a U
of M faculty, departments or administrative
units, UMSU or GSA are eligible for acceptance.
Participation in the program cannot be for
academic credit, and the program cannot be
already recognized on a students transcript, said
Brendan Hughes, director of the Office of
Student Life.
The first intake of submissions was August 15 of
this year, said Hughes. The summer application
deadline may have been the reason only few
groups applied, he added. A second deadline of
submissions for Dec. 1 has been added.
In consultation with UMSU, it was agreed that
Dec. 1 seems like the best time of the year for
this deadline to be an annual deadline, so if there
[are] any new groups that they can have their
programs organized by that time and then be able
to [apply].
Programs must apply under one of five
categories: awards, governance, leadership,
service learning, or volunteerism and
participation. Currently, volunteerism and
participation is the category most applied under.
Included in the leadership category is the World
W.I.S.E. Ambassadors Program, run out of the
International Centre for Students (ICS).
Rewarding students for their hard work and
dedication was one of the main reasons to apply
for recognition on the co-curricular record, said
Breanne Guiboche, the acting student mobility
and exchange coordinator at the ICS and
supervisor of the World W.I.S.E. Resource
Centre.
[The co-curricular record] formally recognizes
the students participation in something that is
part of their university experience, Guiboche
said.
The valuable experiences gained by being an
ambassador will be brought to the forefront
when applying for grad school, internships, jobs
or any other program where the students
transcript is reviewed.
Tyler Phill, a second-year criminology student
and frequent volunteer for programs such as U1
Orientation, stated that the co-curricular record
11
might be useful in certain job interviews, among
other things.
If Im applying for scholarships, Im sure itll
be easier to attain certain ones, he added.
As well as giving recognition for student
involvement, the CCR might also serve to
increase student participation in extra-curricular
activities. For groups who are recognized on the
co-curricular record, it could act as another way
to encourage students and serve as an incentive
for students to participate, said Hughes. A
student looking for volunteer experience is
more likely to choose one for which they will
receive recognition, Guiboche added.
On that basis, I think it will increase
involvement and retention.
Despite the intended benefits for students, none
of the 110 UMSU student groups have put in an
application to the review committee yet, added
Hughes.
Its an interesting thing for me, he said. As
long as they meet the criteria, its possible that
they could be considered and probably [ ]
would be considered. Im really trying to get the
word out.
Further information about the co-curricular
record and the application process can be found
on the website for the Office of Student Life at
umanitoba.ca/student/studentlife/ccr.html.
____________________________________________

12
The Manitoban
Victory for Manitobas international
students
Will no longer pay out of pocket for insurance

Shuja Savafi
November 2, 2011
With their high tuition fees, ineligibility to
receive student aid, and lack of employment
opportunities, international students in Manitoba
should be happy to hear about the provincial
governments recent initiative.
International students in Manitoba, who
currently pay approximately $400 per year to
cover their health benefits, will no longer have to
purchase private health coverage on top of their
UMSU Health and Dental fees.
The Manitoba government has announced that
international students whether in high school
or attending post-secondary institutions and
their spouses will be covered under Manitoba
Health as of April 1, 2012, Health Minister
Theresa Oswald confirmed.
As many other provinces offer coverage
already, Manitoba was at a competitive
disadvantage in recruiting international students.
By aligning our coverage with other provinces,
we are able to remain competitive in recruiting
international students, she said.
She noted that this regulation has several
economic benefits for Manitoba and will
encourage more international students to move to
Manitoba permanently. The University of
Manitoba Students Union (UMSU) has
welcomed the plan to remove mandatory private
health insurance for international students.
UMSU president, Camilla Tapp, said that
UMSU, along with all the student unions across
Manitoba, has been fighting for international
student health care.
We have been talking about international
student health care coverage for a quite some
time. It was very important because international
students are here in large numbers; we wanted to
make sure that they are covered by the Manitoba
health care, said Tapp.
Marakary Bayo, Manitoba chairperson of the
Canadian Federation of Students, commented
that international students, in addition to their
exorbitant tuition fees, are also vulnerable to a
host of other costs including housing, study
permits, financial prerequisites, travel and
health-related expenses.
Does this sound fair to you? he asked. It is
also beneficial to the government because this
will encourage more international students to
stay and continue to contribute to the economy,
said Bayo.
Bayo noted that in 2010, the presidents of the
University of Manitoba, University of Winnipeg,
Universit de Saint-Boniface and Brandon
University submitted letters to the provincial
government in support of student campaigns for
international student inclusion under provincial
health care.
We are grateful for the support we received on
this campaign from all the university presidents
and administration, Bayo said. This is a good
example of university administration and
students working together to achieve a tangible
goal.
13
Ramogi Nyonje, international students
representative on UMSU council, said that it is
an exciting time for all students.
We are very happy and grateful to the
government and everybody else who put in a lot
of effort to make this happen, said Nyonje.
He added that tuition fees for international
students are three times higher than those
charged to Canadian and permanent residents.
It is always good news when our costs go down,
especially for such a crucial service such as
healthcare, said Nyonje.
International students at U of M shared their
feelings about free health care coverage with the
Manitoban.
Yilang Feng, an international student in the
faculty of arts at the U of M, said that
international students are contributing to
Canadian society by paying taxes like citizens.
We should be entitled the access to universal
health care during our stay in this country, Feng
said.
Feng said that a large proportion of todays
international students are choosing to immigrate
to Canada after graduation. Making it easier for
them to complete their education will contribute
to the well-being of the nation in the long run,
she said.
If the treatment of todays international students
is fair and equal, they are more likely to become
responsible citizens of Canada tomorrow, Feng
added.
Weidong Wen, an international student who
recently graduated from U of M, said this is a
good trend.
I hope more steps will be taken in the future to
benefit international students. Salim Bana, an
International College of Manitoba student, said
that he wants to thank the government for
recognizing international students.
I no longer have to worry about my health
insurance and can go to a doctor any time I
want.
____________________________________________

14
The Manitoban
BoG notes
What your university officials have been up do
_______________________________________________
Joanna Graham
October 5, 2011
The University of Manitoba Board of Governors
met on Sept. 27. The meeting began with a
presentation on the redevelopment of Tache Hall
into the new Art Research Technology (ART)
Lab by Greg Boothroyd, project architect for the
new arts facility.
Boothroyd listed the many attributes of the site,
including its proximity to residences, parking
lots, bus stops and connection to the tunnel
system. He then reported on how rooms in Tache
will be used for studio and office spaces, as well
as how the Black Hole Theatre could find a new
home in the building.
He concluded his presentation by explaining the
next steps of the project, which will include
further architectural design and developing an
approach to sustainability.
University President David Barnard reported on
the beginning of the academic year.
He noted the media coverage given to the levels
of enrolment, which was eight people short of an
all-time record, and said as of Sept. 27, 2011,
enrolment was the largest ever with 28,456
students.
Barnard also reported that on Sept. 23 the
university got permission to occupy Pembina
Hall, but there were a few issues when moving
students in, such as lack of laundry facilities.
University of Manitoba Students Union
president Camilla Tapp gave an update on
UMSU. She noted the success of UMSUfest
during orientation week, and said that a current
priority for UMSU was the provincial election
campaign and encouraging everyone on campus
to vote.
Graduate Students Association (GSA) president
Peter Nawrot reported on a project that is
working towards launching a satellite into space,
which the university could use for up to two
years of research.
Nawrot also outlined goals for the upcoming
year, which included increasing departmental
grants and working for more representation
within departments.
____________________________________________

15
The Manitoban
Presidential review underway at U of M
David Barnard may get extension beyond current term
_______________________________________________
Joanna Graham
October 19, 2011
The University of Manitoba could have a new
president in 20 months. President David
Barnards current term ends on June 30, 2013,
but he has requested that the Board of Governors
conduct a review to decide whether to grant him
an extension.
Jeff Leclerc, secretary to the Board of Governors
and the presidential review committee, said the
university has not conducted a midterm review
for a president since 2002.
It is standard procedure in all cases if a
president wishes to serve beyond that term, said
Brad McKenzie, the University of Manitoba
Faculty Association assessor to the board.
McKenzie said that although he represents the
faculty members of the university, he has no
specific goals that govern his role on the
committee. The committee will review Barnard
according to several criteria including: his
performance as chief executive officer, his
contribution to the enhancement of the
universitys stature, his promotion of academic
excellence, and his performance as a
spokesperson for the university to related
institutions, governments and the public.
According to Leclerc, the committee contains
members that represent the Board of Governors,
the deans, the faculty association, UMSU and the
Graduate Students Association.
Due to confidentially surrounding the review,
UMSU president Camilla Tapp and GSA
president Peter Nawrot could not comment.
Leclerc said that in order to conduct the review
the committee has invited submissions from the
university community through letters,
advertisements, emails and a web presence.
The committee has also scheduled in-person
meetings with selected individuals and will also
be meeting with the president.
The committee is no longer accepting
submissions as the deadline was Sept. 29.
While Leclerc did not reveal the exact number of
submissions, he said the process involved
inviting a large number of individuals to
contribute.
The committee is scheduled to make a report and
a recommendation to the Board of Governors by
Nov. 15. Leclerc said the committee will keep
meeting through October and early November,
and that it is on track to report next month.
Leclerc explained that the review committee lets
the community provide feedback to the board
and helps it make its decision.
From this perspective, it is most helpful, he
said.
The Nov. 15 deadline was set to allow time to
search for a new president to start July 1, 2013 if
necessary.
____________________________________________

16
The Manitoban
BoG notes
What your university officials have been up do
_______________________________________________
Joanna Graham
October 5, 2011
The University of Manitoba Board of Governors
met on Sept. 27. The meeting began with a
presentation on the redevelopment of Tache Hall
into the new Art Research Technology (ART)
Lab by Greg Boothroyd, project architect for the
new arts facility.
Boothroyd listed the many attributes of the site,
including its proximity to residences, parking
lots, bus stops and connection to the tunnel
system. He then reported on how rooms in Tache
will be used for studio and office spaces, as well
as how the Black Hole Theatre could find a new
home in the building.
He concluded his presentation by explaining the
next steps of the project, which will include
further architectural design and developing an
approach to sustainability.
University President David Barnard reported on
the beginning of the academic year.
He noted the media coverage given to the levels
of enrolment, which was eight people short of an
all-time record, and said as of Sept. 27, 2011,
enrolment was the largest ever with 28,456
students.
Barnard also reported that on Sept. 23 the
university got permission to occupy Pembina
Hall, but there were a few issues when moving
students in, such as lack of laundry facilities.
University of Manitoba Students Union
president Camilla Tapp gave an update on
UMSU. She noted the success of UMSUfest
during orientation week, and said that a current
priority for UMSU was the provincial election
campaign and encouraging everyone on campus
to vote.
Graduate Students Association (GSA) president
Peter Nawrot reported on a project that is
working towards launching a satellite into space,
which the university could use for up to two
years of research.
Nawrot also outlined goals for the upcoming
year, which included increasing departmental
grants and working for more representation
within departments.
____________________________________________
17
The Gradzette
Sustainable Campus Day
U of M grad student organizes event
______________________________________________________
Tyler Omichinski
October, 2011
The University of Manitoba was host to
Sustainable Campus Day (SCD) on Sept. 30. The
Gradzette recently sat down with Aaron Short to
speak with him about the event he was
instrumental in organizing. Taking place in the
MPR, Sustainable Campus Day included a
farmers market, a speaker
series, a campus design charette and more. Short,
who is taking a masters of city planning at the U
of M, planned the event
with several intentions. He hoped the day would
be informative and educational for students,
while also creating a venue for students to
pressure the university administration to adopt
more sustainable practices. In addition, he has
hopes this event will lead into the creation of a
student group on campus, of which one purpose
will be the continuation of this event on an
annual basis. Part of the specific impetus that
SCD included a farmers market, a speaker
series, a campus design charette and more.
convinced Short this was required at the U of M
campus was the 2011 College Sustain- ability
Report published by the Sustainable
Endowments Institute, which pegged our campus
as the second worst in Canada, giving the U of
M a C grade.
The day provided an excellent opportunity not
only to get some shopping done, but also to learn
more about where the food you eat comes from.
Short hoped students would appreciate the
opportunity to take part in an interaction with a
farmer, something that is entirely different from
the increasingly dehumanized experience of
shopping in a big box store.
Throughout the course of the morning there was
a series of speakers, which culminated in a panel
discussion about sustainability issues. The
speakers provided an excellent learning
experience and an interesting chance for
newcomers to the conversation to get dunked
into the pool. Speakers discussed LEED
certification (Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design) and design, sustainable
campuses, and other similar themes. The general
theme was sustainable campus design, intended
to set the stage for conversations about how to
make the U of M campus more sustainable.
Workshops focused on tackling specific cases of
sustainability on campus were also planned. One
group, for example, tackled the development of
the Southwood golf course. The end goal was for
each group to create reasonable project proposals
with short, medium and long term goals, said
Short. He reasons that if the groups can create
reasonable proposals with definitive goals, rather
than pie in the sky initiatives, it is easier for
both students to support them and for the
administration to consider them as viable
options. For those who were not able to attend
the day, Short hopes to have video or some other
media showing the results of the day available.
SCD capped off with a networking and
socializing event. Green professionals from
around the city of Winnipeg were out in force.
This provided an excellent opportunity for
students to meet people who have made a
successful career within Winnipeg. On the other
hand, if you had enough professionalism for the
entirety of the day, a band was on hand to play
leading to a dinner and party enjoyed by all.
____________________________________________

18
The Gradzette
Your GSA and you
How the GSA works and how to get involved
______________________________________________________
Tyler Omichinski
October, 2011

In case you were not yet aware, by your very
admission into the faculty of graduate studies at
the University of Manitoba you are a dues
paying member of the Graduate Students
Association (GSA). While that may sound like
nothing special, it actually can have a significant
effect on your graduate education experience and
any subsequent career you may have.

When the Gradzette spoke to Naser Ibrahim , a
doctoral candidate in the faculty of human
nutritional sciences, he spoke fondly of his time
on GSA council.

I had so much fun serving as the Human
Nutritional Sciences GSA (HNSC-GSA)
president; it was a wonderful experience and I
really enjoyed it, says Ibrahim. As an
international student and a non-native English
speaker, any kind of interaction will certainly
help me improve my communication skills and
know more about the Canadian culture and
students life.

To be a member of this organization requires lots
of time and organization skills; you have to be
able to do your part to serve students as a GSA
member without affecting your academic
performance.

The GSAs mandate gives them the right to
represent all graduate students to promote their
collective interests. The most direct way this
affects the day-to-day existence of a student is
through the hosting or creation of social events.
Many of these events can provide a plethora of
networking opportunities, which can one day
lead to a job, either during or after your
education has finished. In a more day-to-day
aspect, the GSA represents graduate students to
the university, the government and other
organizations.

Stephanie Caliguri has been a part of HNSC-
GSA council for over a year now. She says her
time on council has been great. I made friends,
and as a result of being a part of the GSA I have
been involved in other departmental committees
[such as] symposium planning committees.

Because of being on that symposium planning
committee I have made a great friend that has
also hired me for a part-time job under her
business. Its all about getting out and making
connections; GSA has given me the opportunity
to do that.

The GSA represents graduate students to the
university, the government and other
organizations.

Included in the structure of the GSA is a series of
committees responsible for executing or
undertaking different campaigns on behalf of the
GSA. These include the awards committee,
elections committee, bylaws and policy
committee, and several more. These each
undertake different duties for the larger function
of the organization, and may even have more of
an effect on your academic life than you realize.
The awards committee, most obviously, is
responsible for GSA Awards, applications for
which can be found on the GSA website.

3 CCTC3|| 20++
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Your GSA and you

,
n case you weie noi yei
awaie by youi veiy admis
sion inio ile faculiy of
giaduaie siudies ai ile
Univeisiiy of Maniioba you aie
a dues paying membei of ile
Giaduaie Siudenis Associaiion
GSA Wlile ilai may sound lile
noiling special ii aciually can
lave a signicani eeci on youi
giaduaie educaiion expeiience
and any subsequeni caieei you
may lave
Wlen ile Giadzeiie spole
io Nasei Ibialim a docioial
candidaie in ile faculiy of luman
nuiiiiional sciences le spole
fondly of lis iime on GSA council
I lad so mucl fun seiv
ing as ile Human Nuiiiiional
Sciences GSA HNSCGSA
piesideni ii was a wondeiful
expeiience and I ieally enjoyed ii
says Ibialim As an inieinaiional
siudeni and a nonnaiive Englisl
spealei any lind of inieiaciion will ceiiainly lelp me impiove my
communicaiion slills and lnow moie aboui ile Canadian culiuie
and siudenis life To be a membei of ilis oiganizaiion iequiies lois
of iime and oiganizaiion slills you lave io be able io do youi paii
io seive siudenis as a GSA membei wiiloui aeciing youi academic
peifoimance
Tle GSAs mandaie gives ilem ile iigli io iepieseni all giadu
aie siudenis io piomoie ileii colleciive inieiesis Tle mosi diieci
way ilis aecis ile dayioday exisience of a siudeni is iliougl
ile losiing oi cieaiion of social evenis Many of ilese evenis can
piovide a pleiloia of neiwoiling oppoiiuniiies wlicl can one day
lead io a job eiilei duiing oi afiei youi educaiion las nisled In
a moie dayioday aspeci ile GSA iepiesenis giaduaie siudenis io
ile univeisiiy ile goveinmeni and oilei oiganizaiions
Sieplanie Caliguii las been a paii of HNSCGSA council foi
ovei a yeai now Sle says lei iime on council las been gieai I
made fiiends and as a iesuli of being a paii of ile GSA I lave been
involved in oilei depaiimenial commiiiees sucl as symposium
planning commiiiees Because of being on ilai symposium plan
ning commiiiee I lave made a gieai fiiend ilai las also liied me
foi a paiiiime job undei lei business Iis all aboui geiiing oui and
maling conneciions GSA las given me ile oppoiiuniiy io do ilai
Included in ile siiuciuie of ile GSA is a seiies of commiiiees
iesponsible foi execuiing oi undeiialing dieieni campaigns on
belalf of ile GSA Tlese include ile awaids commiiiee eleciions
commiiiee bylaws and policy commiiiee and seveial moie Tlese
eacl undeiiale dieieni duiies foi ile laigei funciion of ile oiga
nizaiion and may even lave moie of an eeci on youi academic
life ilan you iealize Tle awaids commiiiee mosi obviously is
iesponsible foi GSA Awaids applicaiions foi wlicl can be found on
ile GSA websiie
In addiiion io ile GSA execuiive wlom you lave lilely alieady
lad coniaci wiil in one foim oi anoilei ileie is ile GSA council
wlicl is made up of iepieseniaiives fiom eacl depaiimeni Tlis
naiuially piovides foi a gieai numbei of posiiions wleie people can
gei involved
I iecommend all ile giad siudenis io gei involved in ile GSA
in ileii depaiimenis says Ibialim I ilinl ilai ile siudeni social
life is a veiy impoiiani paii of ile academic life Someiimes aca
demic life geis veiy busy and we cannoi gei iogeilei and iall aboui
oilei ilings oilei ilan seminais couises and ieseaicl
Foi moie infoimaiion on low io gei involved visii ile GSA of
ces ai Univeisiiy Ceniie oi Biodie Ceniie ai ile Bannaiyne
Campus
The GSA represents graduate students to the university, the
government and other organizations.
Photo by Beibei Lu
19
In addition to the GSA executive, whom you
have likely already had contact with in one form
or another, there is the GSA council, which is
made up of representatives from each
department. This, naturally, provides for a great
number of positions where people can get
involved.

I recommend all the grad students to get
involved in the GSA in their departments, says
Ibrahim. I think that the student social life is a
very important part of the academic life.
Sometimes academic life gets very busy and we
cannot get together and talk about other things
other than seminars, courses and research.
For more information on how to get involved,
visit the GSA offices at 221 University Centre,
or 114 Brodie Centre at the Bannatyne Campus.
____________________________________________

20
The Gradzette
Orientation Week 2011
The quick guide for grad students
______________________________________________________

by Tyler Omichnski
September, 2011

Running from Monday, September 12th through
Friday, Sept.16, the Graduate Students
Association will be running their Orientation
Week. With several events planned, it is a good
opportunity for new students to navigate the ins
and outs of the University of Manitoba. There
are even quite a few free meals available for
people just looking to save a few bucks!
The main purpose of the events organized are to
provide new and returning students a chance to
learn about,
If your faculty offers its own individualized
orientation, the specialization may be better for
addressing your specific needs.

or brush up on, a variety of services which are
offered by organizations and departments on
campus. Peter Nawrot, President of the GSA,
says that he hopes that orientation will build a
sense of community within the graduate student
population. In this spirit, there is also a great
deal of time set aside for students to network
with their new peers, with GSA Lounge open
houses Tuesday through Thursday. In addition,
the GSA is co-hosting UMSUs party on Friday,
Sept. 16.

The highlights you should make sure to pick up
from the week include learning about your
Health & Dental plan, 10 a.m. Tuesday, and
figuring out what you can claim per year on your
tax return. This seems like a less important
portion of your orientation, and a less then
spectacular use of time, but its better to know
how much of your emergency wisdom tooth
removal is covered before you have to re-
evaluate your budget to afford it. Later that day,
at 1 p.m. is the Faculty of Graduate Studies
(FGS) Financial Aid seminar, which will
provide students information about awards,
grants and other financial aid provided by the
Faculty.

Moving into the next day, at 10 a.m. Career
Services will give you an opportunity to learn
about the career options for during and after your
program. This will be followed up by a
presentation by CUPE 3909 about working with
them as a Teaching Assistant, Grader/Markers
and Sessional Instructors. These will give you a
chance to learn about jobs and other
opportunities to make money during your
graduate studies.

Finally, there is the presentation by the Office of
Fair Practices & Legal Affairs 10 a.m. on
Thursday. This presentation will cover the
Universitys expectations as to research ethics,
copyright laws and other expectations. For
students more interested in pursuing their
graduate studies for especially research-oriented
aims, this will likely be a key presentation to
attend.

The decision as to whether or not to attend
orientation week has been made by many
students in the past. Dave Bruinsma, for
example, has never attended any of the GSA
orientation week(s) or events. His faculty, the
Natural Resources Institute, holds its own start of
term orientation and networking events, leaving
him with a lack of need to participate in the
GSAs orientation week. If your faculty offers its
own individualized orientation, the specialization
may be better for addressing your specific needs.

On the other hand, if you want to meet people
outside of your faculty or gain a better
understanding of how the University of
Manitoba functions the GSA orientation week
may be worth your time. At the end of the day,
Orientation Week, like much of the rest of the
education process, will give returns proportional
to what the individual hopes to put into it.
___________________________________________
21
The Gradzette
A Universal bus pass for students
U-Pass in the works
______________________________________________________

by Chunthan Ponnampalam
August, 2011
Since 1996, the University of Manitoba, along
with the University of Winnipeg and Red River
College have been having on-and-off
negotiations with Winnipeg Transit to implement
a universal transit pass (U-Pass). These
negotiations have never come to fruition, but
now the University of Manitoba Graduate
Students Association (GSA) is making its
implementation a top priority.

The U-Pass initiative, if implemented, would
essentially be a mandatory fee collected from all
students, which would allow students access to
public transit for the year within Winnipeg. The
mandatory nature of the fee means that students
will not have the option of opting-out.

Tonia Bates, the GSAs vice-president external,
said that [the GSA] would like to see an
agreement in place so that a U-Pass can be rolled
out at the latest for the 2012-2013 academic
year.

The history between U-Pass and post-secondary
institutions in Canada stems back to the 1970s
when the idea for a U-Pass was tossed around at
Queens University. Since then, many post-
secondary institutions have struck deals with
public transit companies to establish U-Pass
initiatives.

Bates said that negotiation have seen a great deal
of conversation between Winnipeg Transit and
the GSA, but things had been put on hold
because Winnipeg Transit was in the process of
rolling-out a new payment structure.

Despite this setback, the U-Pass remains a
priority for the GSA and we would like to see an
agreement and contract in place within this
academic year, said Bates.

Bates said that the university administration has
been supportive of the U-Pass initiative, because
it would reduce the number of vehicles o campus
and reduce the need for additional parking
spaces, which can be expensive to produce.

Although Winnipeg Transit and the
administration have been supportive, Bates said
that there had been some opposition to the
initiative from students who might not find a U-
Pass beneficial.

There are students who for personal, distance or
other reasons will continue to drive their vehicles
to the university [. . .] These individuals may
share some concern about contributing to a
service they feel they are not accessing said
Bates.

We are hoping to negotiate a pass cost that is
easy to recuperate for more causal student transit
users, so that their concerns in this regard are
addressed.

Although the current campaign for a U-Pass is
being led by the GSA, if implemented, the U-
Pass would be accessible to both graduate and
undergraduate students.

The GSA is working closely with the University
of Manitoba Students Union (UMSU), as well
as the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS),
who supported successful U-Pass negotiations in
Brandon. The negotiations in Brandon will see a
U-Pass coming to Brandon University this
September.

According to Deandra Tousignant, the current
president of the Brandon University Students
Union (BUSU), the U-Pass was a prioritized
initiative that both the CFS and BUSU wanted to
tackle since the beginning of the 2010-2011
academic year.

Tousignant said that during the BUSU elections
22
in the past winter term, the U-Pass was put to a
referendum vote approximately 69 per cent of
students voted in favor of it.

The U-Pass in Brandon will cost students $15
annually, and the fee will be collected from all
students at the beginning of the year.

Bill Menzies, manager of service development
for the City of Winnipeg, said that bigger
discounts could generally be implemented in
smaller cities where the ridership is low.
Menzies explained that the way a U-Pass system
works is that estimates are made about the
existing fares under the current system, as well
as fare revenue. Then some funds have to be
devoted to increasing service levels, because
when a U-Pass is introduced, ridership is
boosted.
Where existing transit ridership is low at a
university [. . .] the revenues would be relatively
low, and they would be spread-out over the
whole student body, so it can be a fairly low
fee, said Menzies.

He added that in the University of Manitobas
case, the ridership is about 30- 40 per cent of the
student body.

Our position is that it has to be revenue and cost
neutral, to us whether that will arrive at a fee
people are willing to pay or not, is again up to
the students to decide.

Menzies said that the numbers were calculated,
and for the university it would have been about
$250 in implement a U-Pass for the past
academic year, but the city is currently focused
on making changes to the fare system, and so the
U-Pass is not a priority.

I think our focus for the next year-and-a-half, or
two years is putting in the new fare collection
system. So I think if anything was going to
happen, it would probably happen after that,
said Menzies.

It will be completely ne equipment were
putting on the bus, and different types of ways of
paying fares on the smartcards, instead of paper
tickets. Once thats in, and if the associations
want to pursue it again, then we are certainly
willing to talk to them about it.
____________________________________________

23
The Gradzette
Meet the GSA
Providing advocacy and services to grad students
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
by Sheldon Birnie
August, 2011

The University of Manitoba Graduate Students
Association (GSA) is an association for graduate
students, run by graduate students from all
disciplines. Representing over 3,000 members,
the GSA advocates on behalf of graduate
students to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and
other levels of university administration.

Administered by an eight-member council
made up of the president, four vire-presidents
and three senators the GSA executive is elected
each spring by means of general election open to
all members.

The prioritize the needs of the organization, and
report once a month to GSA Council, the highest
decision-making body of the GSA, says Vice-
President External Tonia Bates. As a group,
these individuals guide the work that is
accomplished by the Graduate Executive during
the academic year.

As a member of the Canadian Federation of
Students, the GSA also advocates for student
issues to federal and provincial governments.
Beyond merely representing the issues and
concerns of grad students to faculty and
administration, the GSA also provides many
services for grad students, beginning with the
annual Orientation, running from September 17
to 22 this year.

Grants are available to graduate students through
the GSA, including departmental grants,
conference grants and special project grants.
Departmental grants are issued twice a year to
departmental graduate student associations
represented on the GSA Council.

Each year the GSA Council is filled by
departmental representatives (councilors) who
are elected by the graduate students of a specific
faculty or department, explains GSA Senator
Olivier Gagne. Not only is it rewarding as a
councilor to have a say in the decisions the GSA
makes, but there are also departmental grants
awarded to each group dependent upon their
attendance at Council meetings and other
committees. There are no stings attached as to
how your department spends the money, so
contact us and get involved!

Graduate students attending or presenting at
academic conferences are able to apply for
conference grants to help cover the costs of
travel and attendance. Applications are available
online and ought to be submitted after the
conference.

Special project grants are intended to facilitate
unique and beneficial extra-curricular events of
projects for the graduate student population at
the U of M. Throughout the year, special projects
organized or co-presented by the GSA include
free seminars, guest speakers and professional
development workshops.

Bursaries and scholarships are also available to
grad students through the GSA office, the
Faculty of Graduate Studies and through
individual departments.

The GSA also administers the Innovation,
Stewardship and Excellence Awards (also
known as the GSA Awards) for students without
funding who demonstrate excellence in many
areas of student life, innovation in their research
and a strong commitment to their community.

Also available at the GSA offices are computers
with free internet access, low cost printing, fax
and photocopying. We also have comfortable
couches and a kitchen where students can gather
for a chat, eat lunch or dinner and talk to GSA
executives about university related matters,
adds Gagne. The GSA offices are located both at
the Fort Garry Campus (221 University Centre)
24
and the Health Sciences Campus (114 Brodie
Centre).

Office hours have been extended this year, from
9 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. Monday through Thursday,
and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays.
We look forward to meeting you at the
Orientation in September, Bates says, and we
encourage you to actively participate in the
GSA!

____________________________________________

25
The Gradzette
Push to get international students
provincial health care continues
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Ashley Gabouri
August 2011

Student organizations in Manitoba continue to
push the provincial government in hopes of
securing basic provincial health coverage for
international students.
Currently, international students who attend
post-secondary institutions in Manitoba are
required to pay into the Manitoba international
Student Health Insurance Plan (MISHIP). Upon
registration, the cost of coverage is automatically
added to the students academic fees.
In 2010-2011 international students at the
University of Manitoba were charged an annual
rate of $408 for single coverage under MISHIP,
annual family coverage came at $1,248.
At the University of Manitoba, UMSU and the
GSA have been working towards the ultimate
goal of securing basic provincial health care for

Peter Nawrot, President of the GSA said this
potential move, to include international students,
would benefit both current and future students
who travel to Manitoba for post-secondary
studies.
This is an important issue for graduate students,
considering that the graduate student population
has a considerably higher international student
ratio than undergraduates said Nawrot.

As ov Nov. 1, 2010, international students made
up 7% of the undergraduate student population,
but 17.9% of the graduate student population.

Camilla Tapp, President of UMSU, said that this
issue is also important to her organization,
especially considering that international student
fees are 3-5 times more expensive than those
charged to Canadian students.

Anything we can do to drop tuition fee costs our
members have to pay is a positive step said
Tapp.

Tapp said that UMSU had been working for a
number of years on this issue with other local
students unions in the Canadian Federation of
Students (CFS): Brandon University Students
Union, University of Winnipeg Students
Association, the GSA and AECUSB (St.
Boniface).

She said that in addition to collaborating with
students unions, UMSU has also been
collaborating with U of M Administration and is
pleased with the positive response theyve had.

The U of M Administration [. . .] have been
supportive of our efforts to have international
students covered by provincial health care said
Tapp.

They have agreed to formally support our
proposal and have been working with other
university administrations in the province to help
us create a unified from of students and
administrators on this issue.

The Feb. 16, 2011 issue of The Manitoban
reported that a letter was written from President
David Barnard to the minister of health to
address this issue.

Jodee Mason, press secretary to the provincial
cabinet said, in an email response, that Manitoba
health is currently working with other
departments in order to make provincial health
care for international students a reality.

In the last several months, weve met with the
Canadian Federation of Students, who have
made a very articulate and persuasive case about
the importance of funding health care for
international students said Mason Weve
committed to students to make this happen in the
near future.
____________________________________________
26

The Gradzette
Freedom!
GSA autonomy agreement signed
________________________________________________
by Leif Larsen
May, 2011

After decades under the UMSU umbrella, and
much negotiation, an agreement has been signed
which will see the Graduate Stu- dents
Association (GSA) recognized as being truly
independent from UMSU.

According to Peter Nawrot, the president of the
GSA, this agreement has been 50 years in the
making, a sentiment echoed by UMSU
president Camilla Tapp.

Depending on how you look at it, this
agreement has probably been in the making
ever since there have been graduate student
members of UMSU.

When asked why it has taken so long for the
GSA to win recognition as an independent body,
Tapp said that it has only been in the last 10-15
years that UMSU executives have had any desire
to work towards this goal: past UMSU
executives have opposed any discussion of GSA
autonomy, and its only been in the past five
years that weve been able to make progress on
this issue.

According to Nawrot, graduate students will see
many benefits stemming from this agreement,
but there will also be some challenges. Its
really defined us, because Depending on how
you look at it, this agreement has probably been
in the making ever since there have been
graduate student members of UMSU Camilla
Tapp now the university administration
recognizes us formally as an individual students
group representing the interests of graduate
students, separate from UMSU. This, says
Nawrot, will take away the possibility of UMSU
blocking GSA motions they oppose, allowing the
GSA to more directly represent graduate
students.

Autonomy will also see the GSA gain more
control over their spaces on campus, and most
importantly their finances.
Under the old process the university would
submit the funds to UMSU and they would remit
them to us, says Nawrot, who went on to
explain that in the past there have been examples
where GSA funds were withheld because of
disagreements between the two organizations.
Now the university will remit student fees
directly to the GSA.

Tapp says an autonomous GSA will also have a
positive impact on undergraduate students: we
now have a full partner to work with on post-
secondary education issues on and off-campus.
On the flip side, it will be more expensive to
operate the GSA, since UMSU used to cover the
GSAs insurance costs. Furthermore, the GSA
will now have to be audited by the Auditor
General of Manitoba, which is more expensive
than the private auditors the association used to
hire.

Further complicating the issue, according to
Tapp, is the fact that because graduate student
fees are now going directly to the GSA, UMSU
will be losing out on money it uses to enhance
the experience of both undergraduate and
graduate students alike; but the UMSU President
is confident that a sharing agreement between the
two groups can be developed.

Regardless of the challenges, Nawrot is
confident that this agreement is in the best
interest of graduate students, giving them a
clear and distinct voice on campus.
___________________________________________
27
The Gradzette
GSA supports two national campaigns
taking aim at Harper government
________________________________________________

by Morgan Modjeski
May, 2011

The University of Manitoba Graduate Students
Association (GSA) has put their support behind
two national campaigns aimed at preventing tax
cuts for big corporations and subsidies for oil
companies.

The Canadian Youth Climate Coalition (CYCC)
who are targeting the Harper government for
giving oil companies subsidies and the National
Union of Public and General Employees
(NUPGE) who are criticizing Harper for giving
tax cuts to big corporations say these kind of
breaks need to stop.

Were not protecting our future [from an
environmental perspective] when were investing
in oil companies, said
to prevent deficits, but at the same time gives
corporations tax breaks across the board.
Mike Luff, spokesperson for the NUPGE said
these breaks are hurting Canadas social services
industry and the economy as a whole.
Negotiations between the federal and provincial
governments focusing on federal funding
transfers for healthcare, post-
secondary education and social services have
started as the current transfers and agreements
expire Jan. 2014, and right now the Feds are not
putting much up for grabs, said Luff.

The federal government is coming to the table
saying, We dont have any money. We have a
deficit and that is our priority. What were
saying is theres lots of money, but its a
matter of choices. Luff explained that if the
Conservative Party delivers on the promised
corporate tax cut, it will result in giving away
$10 billion dollars in tax breaks to corporations.
Its simply a transfer of wealth from public
services to rich corporations, said Luff. Thats
Cameron Fenton, National Director of the
CYCC.

Were actually actively destroying it.
Fenton said the environment and the Alberta tar
sands should have played a bigger role in the
recent federal election but noted that both
politicians and media avoided the issue and
concentrated on other talking points like
healthcare and defence.

It speaks to the fact that the current federal
government doesnt want to talk about the tar
sands [ . . . ] theyre actively on the side of oil
companies rather than people, Fenton said.

The CYCC have been bombarding the
Conservative office with a massive number of
phone calls in an attempt to explain their
concerns to Stephen Harper, but so far the
phone mobs have been unsuccessful.
The NUPGE is also putting pressure on the
Harper government for giving big corporations
tax breaks saying that this money could be used
more efficiently.

The campaign, called All Together Now, accuses
the Harper government of cutting funding to
social programs a political choice. Harper
however, argues that these tax cuts will help
build jobs and support families. Our Here for
Canada low-tax plan is designed to
complete Canadas economic recovery, protect
and create jobs and provide economic stability
for businesses and families, said Harper in a
recent press release. We will achieve these
goals through our plans for training, trade and
keeping taxes low.

+6%(>)88)

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Fenion said ile enviionmeni and ile Albeiia iai
sands slould lave played a biggei iole in ile ieceni fedeial
eleciion bui noied ilai boil poliiicians and media avoided
ile issue and conceniiaied on oilei ialling poinis lile
lealilcaie and defence
Ii speals io ile faci ilai ile cuiieni fedeial govein
meni doesni wani io iall aboui ile iai sands ileyie
aciively on ile side of oil companies iailei ilan people
Fenion said
Tle CYCC lave been bombaiding ile Conseivaiive
oce wiil a massive numbei of plone calls in an aiiempi
io explain ileii conceins io Sieplen Haipei bui so fai ile
plone mobs lave been unsuccessful
Tle NUPGE is also puiiing piessuie on ile Haipei
goveinmeni foi giving big coipoiaiions iax bieals saying
ilai ilis money could be used moie ecienily
Tle campaign called All Togeilei Now accuses ile
Haipei goveinmeni of cuiiing funding io social piogiams
io pieveni deciis bui ai ile
same iime gives coipoiaiions iax
bieals acioss ile boaid
Mile Lu spolespeison foi
ile NUPGE said ilese bieals aie
luiiing Canadas social seivices
indusiiy and ile economy as a
wlole
Negoiiaiions beiween ile
fedeial and piovincial govein
menis focusing on fedeial fund
ing iiansfeis foi lealilcaie posi
secondaiy educaiion and social seivices lave siaiied as ile
cuiieni iiansfeis and agieemenis expiie }an and iigli
now ile Feds aie noi puiiing mucl up foi giabs said Lu
Tle fedeial goveinmeni is coming io ile iable saying
We doni lave any money We lave a decii and ilai is oui
piioiiiy Wlai weie saying is ileies lois of money bui iis a
maiiei of cloices
Lu explained ilai if ile Conseivaiive Pai
iy deliveis on ile piomised coipoiaie iax cui ii
will iesuli in giving away billion dollais in
iax bieals io coipoiaiions
Iis simply a iiansfei of wealil fiom public
seivices io iicl coipoiaiions said Lu Tlais
a poliiical cloice
Haipei lowevei aigues ilai ilese iax cuis will lelp
build jobs and suppoii families
Oui Heie foi Canada lowiax plan is designed io
compleie Canadas economic iecoveiy pioieci and cieaie
jobs and piovide economic siabiliiy foi businesses and
families said Haipei in a ieceni piess ielease We will
aclieve ilese goals iliougl oui plans foi iiaining iiade
and leeping iaxes low
A spolespeison foi ile GSA said ilai boil ile CYCC
and ile NUPGE campaigns aie exiiemely impoiiani ways
io gei posisecondaiy educaiion and public seivice ai ile
iop of ile fedeial goveinmenis piioiiiy lisi
Eveiyone in sclool will eveniually giaduaie and be a
paii of ile woilfoice so iis a siiuggle foi ile fuiuie said
Emmanuel Roiimi Ojo vice piesideni exieinal of ile
GSA
Tle NUPGE iepiesenis membeis and ile
CYCC lave iouglly membeis acioss ile couniiy Tle
GSA las moie ilan membeis ai U of M
8LIGEQTEMKRGEPPIH%PP8SKIXLIV2S[EGGYWIW
XLI,EVTIVKSZIVRQIRXSJGYXXMRKJYRHMRKXSWSGMEP
TVSKVEQWXSTVIZIRXHIGMXWFYXEXXLIWEQIXMQI
KMZIWGSVTSVEXMSRWXE\FVIEOWEGVSWWXLIFSEVH
28
A spokesperson for the GSA said that both the
CYCC and the NUPGE campaigns are extremely
important ways to get post-secondary education
and public service at the top of the federal
governments priority list.
Everyone in school will eventually graduate and
be a part of the workforce so its a struggle for
the future, said Emmanuel Rotimi Ojo, vice
president (external) of the GSA.
The NUPGE represents 340,000 members, and
the CYCC have roughly 3,500 members across
the country. The GSA has more than 3,000
members at U of M.

The campaign, called All Together Now, accuses
the Harper government of cutting funding to
social programs to prevent deficits, but at the
same time gives corporations tax breaks across
the board.
____________________________________________

29
The Gradzette
Students living on campus seek more
rights
Working group to address concerns
________________________________________________
by Sheldon Birnie
May, 2011

The province of Manitoba announced in March
that they will be reviewing, alongside students
and post-secondary institutions, regulations
regarding on campus tenancy. Currently,
students who live in residences in Manitoba are
not covered under the provincial Residential
Tenancies Act, and are therefore not guaranteed
the same rights as tenants living in residential
units across the province.

According to Family Services and Consumer
Affairs Minister Gord Mackintosh, the issue was
presented to the provincial government by the
Canadian Federation of Students (CFS) earlier in
the year, upon which his department began
looking into the matter. Our government is
committed to providing secure and affordable
living environments for all Manitobans,
including students living on Manitoba
campuses, Mackintosh said in a provincial news
release.

University of Manitoba living on the Fort Garry
campus, I chose to live in res this year because
of the safety aspect. Coming from out of
province for a two-year program, Inari did not
want to buy a house or spend weeks searching
for accommodations in a city she was not
familiar with.

I know a few other graduate students living in
residences, Inari says. Most live in Arthur V.
Mauro, and most are from out of province or
international students but generally most people
within my residence are first year
undergraduates.

Inari says that her biggest concern about living
on campus is the cost. According to the
Manitoban, Students living in University
College, Authur V. Mauro and Mary Speechly
pay between $4,997 and $8,136 a year, with
payments in June, September and January,
rather than monthly rental payments, something
the On Campus Residential Tenancy Act could
address.

According to the Canadian Federation of
Students, other issues arising from lack of
provincial protection include privacy concerns,
as administrators of student residences can enter
living quarters or even be evicted with little or no
notice. Residential administrators can also place
restrictions on visitors or guests coming into
their dorms or suites.

Through the working group process, the
province, as well as other stakeholders, intend to
address these issues and provide students living
on campus with the same rights as those living
off campus.
____________________________________________

30
The Manitoban
GSA election candidate interviews
____________________________________
Sarah Petz
March 8, 2011
GSA presidential candidate
Presidential Candidate: Peter Nawrot
Experience
Senator in Social Work Students Association
(two years) GSA vice-president (academic) (two
years)
Why did you decide to run? None of the other
current executives were running, and I have
always found, in my many years of experience
working in student governance, that if one
doesnt have any carry over from the previous
years, all the good initiatives that were started
end up dying out, and when the new executive
get in they have new priorities, and its a
constant reinvention of the wheel. And so I
wanted to continue to build on our successes of
the past year.
What is the role of the GSA? It is a voice for
graduate students, to help expand and enhance
their experience here at the university. There is
the advocacy part, providing services for our
students and providing a forum for students to
get to know each other, and make studying here
and earning your degree a truly remarkable
experience.
What do you hope to accomplish as
president? There are multiple issues that
graduate students face, and as president I will
work towards bringing some sort of
improvement to those conditions, which includes
housing and healthcare for international students.
By collaborating with other stakeholders and the
executive of the GSA, I hope we can work
together to find resolutions.
GSA Vice-President Academic candidates
Vice-President (Academic) candidate: Qianqiu
Xun
Experience
Leadership in student service Experience in the
workplace Representative for workers and
members of the international and professional
community 64 pages published in academic
journals
Why did you decide to run? Im running for
this position because I have previous leadership
experience in the students union in China where
I got my first degree. I believe the university is
also a workplace for graduate students. I was a
representative for new employees from 2007-08
in the company where I worked. Right now, Im
a member of the international and professional
communities, such as the global engineering
community, American Society of Mechanical
Engineers, and the worlds largest professional
association for advanced technology.
What is the role of the GSA? The GSA is the
community for all the graduate students in the
University of Manitoba, and its the official
voice for all the graduate students in the
university. The GSA is a place where one can
demonstrate communication skills, leadership
and network.
What do you hope to accomplish as vice-
president (academic)? First of all, I think I need
to assist our members to get paid properly and
increase their financial support and scholarships.
I think the campus safety issues also need to be
addressed for graduate students. I want to
broaden GSAs reputation through national and
international organizations. I would also like to
connect Health Sciences and Fort Garry students
by co-hosting events.
31
Vice-President (Academic) candidate: Yijie
(Jennifer) Chen
Experience GSA councillor representing
kinesiology and recreation management students
GSA senator Attended Canadian Federation of
Students meetings
Why did you decide to run? Im currently a
second-year masters student in kinesiology. Im
also a research assistant at the U of M. Last
November, I attended the CFS AGM and this
February I went to Kingston for the CFS national
graduate caucus meeting. That gave me a great
opportunity to get to know about student affairs
and the inter workings of the GSA and CFS.
Thats why Im running for this position; Im
hoping I can do more for graduate students.
What is the role of the GSA? The GSA is a
powerful voice for graduate students on campus.
Also, the GSA is a voice on U of M issues on an
administrative level and on an external level. I
think its important that graduate students have
such a voice and that we can bring our concerns
to the university and to the community, and to
have more powerful support for the graduate
students community.
president (academic)? If Im elected, I want to
hold a joint presentation between the GSA and
student advocacy office, and also hold a couple
of panel discussions [on issues] such as
academic integrity and freedom, and Canadian
copyright legislation. These are issues related to
graduate students academic and research life.
Also, Id like to hold a speaker or lecturer so that
graduate students understand their rights and
responsibilities, including the academic appeal
process.
GSA Vice-President internal candidate
Vice-President (Internal) Candidate: Angela
Freeman
Experience Treasurer and president of Waterloo
Students Society Elected to board of governors
of Waterloo Public Interest Research Group
Why did you decide to run? I wanted to run for
a position in the GSA because I care about what
happens to grad students. I find that many grad
students are focused on their studies, and thats
great. But its also good to have a community to
work with.
What is the role of the GSA? The GSA works
as an in-between for a lot of things. It is an
absorber of information and brings it to a central
place where graduate students can get at it
without having to go very far. The GSA works
hard to get the best possible experience for grad
students, such as the pub, better housing for
international students, healthcare for
president (internal)? A lot of people end up
waiting a long time to receive their [awards]
funding, and Im hoping to keep a tight ship and
get people together to make sure the cheques are
being signed on time. Also, currently for the
conference awards there are two types of awards,
the in Winnipeg and outside Winnipeg, but no
international award, so I want to work within the
GSA to create an international award.
GSA Vice-President external candidate
Vice-President (External) candidate: Tonia
Bates
Experience Teacher for seven years Worked on
social development and policy review
committees Worked on wellness committees
Degree in recreation management Experience
liaising between parents groups and
administration
What made you decide to run? As a mature
graduate student, I wanted to ensure that our
organization had a voice and was active in the
community at the university to ensure that
students have a place here. We dont spend as
much time on campus as other students, so
having that place to go and that sense of
community I think is very important for graduate
students, who are all over the campus and all
over the city.
What is the role of the GSA? A lot of graduate
students focus is on our research, and for that
research you often spend your time in your
smaller area. Being able to have a space within
the GSA to collaborate with individuals outside
your faculty is very important.
32
president (external)? Id like to continue with
several of the campaigns like the international
student health coverage. We want to make sure
theres affordable student housing. As well,
theres copyright issues with the university. Also
regarding the CFS, we want to ensure that we are
having effective communication between the two
of us and that they are representing students.
____________________________________________

33
The Manitoban
GSA election candidate interviews cont
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Leif Larsen and Sarah Petz
March 8, 2011
GSA senate candidates
Senate candidate: Olivier Gagne
Experience Vice-president of departmental
students association Vice-president of U of M
tennis club GSA councillor GSA senator since
February 2011 Attended Canadian Federation of
Students AGM
Why did you decide to run? I was asked to
become a vice-president of my students
association in my department, then I got elected
vice-president of the U of M tennis club, so I ran
for a councillor for the GSA, and I have had a
really good time ever since. I want to keep going
by being a senator this time, not just a councillor.
What is the role of the GSA? To represent the
graduate students, like UMSU represents
undergrads. We have the same fights, same
goals, we share common spaces. We have a lot in
common, so its important to collaborate on
issues. So being a senator my only goal is to
voice graduate student opinion.
What do you hope to accomplish as senator?
Whatever the graduate students need; right now
we want to continue with the current executives
agenda: housing for international students,
healthcare, the pub and student rights.
Senate candidate: Peter Karari
Experience Founder and first president of the U
of M Kenyan Students Association Founder and
president of Dignitas International U of M
chapter Vice-president Peace and Conflict
Students Association Founder and president of
Bridging the Gap GSA council member
Why did you decide to run? Because I want to
serve the students. Leadership is service and I
think I can be able to give some service to the
students. I believe that there are various
challenges facing the students of the University
of Manitoba and I want to work actively with the
students and address their direct needs.
What is the role of the GSA? The GSA serves
the holistic needs of the graduate students, not
only the academic needs, but also the socio-
economic needs.
What do you hope to accomplish? As a senator
I want to focus on advocacy, by which I mean
reaching out to the needs of the students. The
students of the university may not be able to
speak for themselves, so as a senator I will be a
voice for the students, a voice for the voiceless,
and basically try to address the expressed needs
and work with them to accomplished their
academic and social goals.
____________________________________________

34
The Gradzette
GSA Lounge Renos
A space for grad students to call their own
_______________________________________________
By Noreen Mae Ritsema
February, 2011

Spaces for grad students on campus are about to
get a lot more inviting. Contrary to the signs, the
GSA lounge is located in the GSA office space,
with a small conference room beside the office.
Along with more accurate signage, these spaces
will soon see some major changes.

Meaghan Labine, president of the GSA, explains
the rationale for the upcoming renovations. The
GSA office should be a place where graduate
students feel welcome, and want to visit. Right
now the space isnt being used to its full
potential, and with this renovation, we hope to
realize that potential and give graduate students a
space that they feel is their own.

With these goals in mind, a competition was set
up where grad students were invited to submit
proposals for lounge-space transformations.
Along with a cover letter outlining project goals
and an overall vision for the space, entrants were
asked to include a floor plan drawn to scale, a list
of furniture or other items required to complete
the project, a budget of expenses and a time-line
for how long their renovation project would take.

There were a few stipulations that were
participants in the contest had to consider, such
as space for student computers, a sitting area,
space for the office managers desk, printer and
fax machine space, the inclusion of graduate
student art, information boards and shelving.
It was also stressed that the GSA office is used
for both work and relaxation, and would like for
the proposals for renovations to reflect this.

Labine is eager to see the diverse contest
submissions. We left the parameters of the
renovation fairly open, so that students could
send in something that we didnt expect.
As for the conference space next to the office
and lounge, that room will be getting some
attention as well, but not as part of the design
contest. We are looking at turning the space into
a more multipurpose room for grad students,
says Labine.

Stay tuned to the Gradzette for a full report on
the renovation contest winner and the changes
they will make happen.
____________________________________________

35
The Gradzette
Transparency and fairness
UMGSA CRO on the upcoming election
_______________________________________________

by Leif Larsen
February, 2011

A successful Graduate Students Association
(GSA) election will be one in which all the
candidates, regardless of who wins, feel that the
election was handled fairly. This is accord-
ing to Alan McGreevy, who was recently hired
as the Chief Returning Officer (CRO) for the
March 14-16 GSA election.

The Gradzette sat down with McGreevy in early
February to talk about
the upcoming election, his plans to ensure a fair
campaign and what he will bring as the CRO.
McGreevy, who served as the GSA council chair
for the 2010-11 year, feels that his experience
has prepared him for the task at hand, and that
this is why he was hired.

[The GSA] had faith in my ability to oversee
the election fairly and impartially, and to make
sure that all the rules were followed and to
execute reasonable judgment; which is a lot of
what the CRO is called upon to do over the
course of the election.

In regard to executing his judgment, McGreevy
says that a recent decision by the GSA has given
the CRO more discretion in determining what
actions can be leveled against a candidate.
In the past there has been some difficulty with
the application of the elections bylaws. They
tended to be pretty harsh. They didnt allow for a
lot of leeway in terms of innocent
misinterpretation of the rules.

The new rules, according to McGreevy, gives
[the CRO] much more leeway in terms of
penalties that are not disqualifications, for
instances where an individual may have had a
minor infraction of the policy manual, they are
no longer disqualified, and there is a lot more
transparency involved in that decision making
process.

He points out that this will go a long way toward
making GSA elections fairer, because he feels
that the students should decide who is
representing them, not the CRO.

Mention the word election these days, and it
isnt long before someone mentions social
media. The Gradzette asked the CRO if he
would be allowing candidates to use the medium
for campaigning. McGreevy said that while he
was unclear on the exact ramifications the new
wording of the bylaws would have on the use of
social media during the election, he did say that
no matter the medium, all messages would have
to go through him before being sent out
to voters.

In the past there has been some difficulty with
the application of the elections bylaws. They
tended to be pretty harsh. Alan McGreevy

If someone sends me an email
saying I would like to send this tweet please, I
have 24 hours to evaluate that tweet and grant or
deny permission for that communication.
McGreevy feels that by acting as the
intermediary for all campaigning, he can
personally make sure that rules are followed and
prevent any kind of negative messaging from
reaching potential voters.

The Gradzette asked McGreevy specifically
about negative campaigning, and whether he
foresaw it as being an issue in this election.
One of the things is that any statement of claim
or fact used in Campaign material should
provide an appropriate citation or reference.
said McGreevy.

This essentially means that if someone were to
make an accusation against an opponent, they
would need to base it on recorded facts in order
for it to be used in a campaign.
36

He expanded on this comment by saying that
GSA council documents are available online, and
that the way an individual has acted in the past,
in relation to GSA governance, is a matter of
public record.

I think its hard to run a smear campaign when
you are required to provide sources.
Throughout the interview the CRO stressed his
commitment to fairness and transparency, and
that this upcoming election be a true
representation of the will of the students.
Campaigning for the 2011 UMGSA election
begins on Feb. 28 and goes until March 11. The
election will be held between March 14 and 16.
____________________________________________

37
The Manitoban
Some international students at the U of M
denied access to health coverage
UMSU and GSA cite miscommunication, lack of access to
information as sources of the problem
________________________________________________
Talia Joundi
February 15, 2011
International students at the University of
Manitoba continue to be faced with various
complications when trying to access healthcare.
When an international student arrives in
Manitoba and enrolls in a post-secondary
institution, the cost for private health insurance
from Great West Life is automatically included
along with their tuition fees.
Currently, the annual single coverage cost for an
international student enrolled at the U of M is
$408 according to Manitobas International
Student Health Insurance Plan (MISHIP). The
premiums for the plan change annually and are
determined by Great West Life.
According to the University of Manitoba
Students Union (UMSU) vice-president
(internal), Aisyah Abdkahar, UMSU has heard
reports of some international students who were
not covered by a health plan at all.
Students who do not pay their tuition in full are
denied access to the MISHIP plan and are not
able to pick up their health card that shows their
proof of coverage, she said.
Abdkahar explained that the students are denied
care on the basis that they have not paid their
MISHIP fees, even if a student has paid a
percentage of their total fees.
Liz Gonsalves, former vice-president (external)
of the Graduate Students Association (GSA),
said that have been various instances when this
has occurred this year. Once students found that
there were others experiencing similar issues,
they brought their concerns to the attention of the
GSA.
There was one international student in
particular who actually ran into a situation where
they were told they were not covered because
they were not able to pay their fees completely,
so when they were sick they were not able to go
to their doctor, she said.
Gonsalves noted that last year an international
student who arrived during the winter slipped on
the ice and broke their leg, only to find that they
were not covered. The student ended up paying
the hospital fees out of their pocket.
However, Abdkahar noted that the problem has
started to be addressed, as the administration has
since been able to work out the administrative
problems by prioritizing the MISHIP fee,
making it the first fee paid.
According to Kristie Boutet, an analyst with Aon
Hewitt, the third-party administrators of the
universitys health plan, the only time an
international student can opt-out of the plan is
when they have health coverage through a
scholarship, under Manitoba Health Services
Commission, or if the student is covered under
another Canadian provincial health plan.
If theyre not enrolling in the insurance plan,
then they shouldnt be registering in the program
at the university, said Boutet, indicating that
international students cannot be students at the
university without a form of coverage.
38
Boutet said that students should be assessed for
the international student health plan fees upon
enrolment for classes. She noted that an
international student should never be left without
coverage, especially in the case of an emergency.
Weve had a few cases where students have
come here and got into an accident or were in
shops class at school and got cut working on the
wood working machines. [ . . . ] If they didnt
have coverage, it would be a very expensive
hospital bill, she said.
Gonsalves said that the GSA feels that
international students should be covered under
provincial health care plans.
There are questions regarding privatized health
care in general everybody always has
suspicions, she said. Its definitely not fair and
it doesnt acknowledge the contributions that
international students make to Manitoba.
The university supports this view, as a letter was
written by president David Barnard to the
minister of health to address the issue.
Weve met with the students and indicated we
are reviewing the matter. We also received a
letter from Dr. Barnard and will respond once
weve completed our review, said spokesperson
for Minister of Health Theresa Oswald, Matthew
Williamson.
UMSU and the Graduate Students Association
health plan committee, through the Canadian
Federation of Students-Manitoba, have been
working on the Manitoba Health for
International Students Campaign, which hopes to
have international student in Manitoba covered
by the basic provincial health coverage.
The province-wide campaign has involved
meeting with different levels of administration
and government, while trying to collect
signatures to present to various government
officials. Alberta, British Columbia and
Saskatchewan currently cover international
students under the provinces basic health plan.
____________________________________________
39
The Manitoban
CFS-Manitoba chairperson narrowly
avoids impeachment
Performance evaluation of provincial staff also brought into
question
_______________________________________________
Sarah Petz
February 15, 2011
The Canadian Federation of Students-Manitoba
had a particularly tense meeting Feb. 10, with a
motion on the agenda to remove chairperson
Alanna Makinson. The motion was brought
forward by CFS-Manitoba Local 96, the
University of Manitoba Graduate Students
Association (GSA), and alleged that Makinson
had failed to consult with executive members
with respect to her activities in relation to the
operations of the Manitoba CFS, according to a
copy of the meetings agenda obtained by the
Manitoban.
The motion also claimed that Makinson had
failed to communicate in the official languages
of Canada, violating National CFS Bylaw 13;
had not met with all member locals on their
campuses, which resulted in a lack of
participations and disconnect between member
locals within Manitoba CFS; and that issues of
communication, meeting timelines and
deliverables, and violations of the bylaws were
brought forward to the attention of the
chairperson by phone, email and at provincial
executive meetings without resolution.
The motion failed, with only two CFS member
locals voting in favour of the motion, UMGSA
and the Association etudiante du College
universitaire de Saint-Boniface (AECUSB).
Makinson said she was taken aback when she
first saw the motion. There were many, many
opportunities built in through our democratic
structures, the provincial executive, to direct any
concerns that they might have. Unfortunately,
those forums were not used to raise all of these
concerns, said Makinson.
Despite the uneasiness of the situation,
Makinson felt that the meeting provided a good
opportunity to air any concerns that locals might
have and address them constructively. I think
weve been able to identify that there are some
concerns from locals, which werent directly
communicated in the past, she said. Were
going to do our best to alleviate and address
those concerns.
When asked to comment on the accusations
made in the motion, Makinson stressed that
there are a number of other ways that members
can find out whats going on in the organization
in an formal and informal way, Makinson said.
However, Peter Nawrot, vice-president
(academic) of UMGSA said the association
holds steadfast to the clauses presented in the
motion.
Its really about being responsible with
students money. If were going to be paying the
amount that we do thats students money,
said Nawrot. We want to hold any organization
that we give money to accountable.
Nawrot explained that at the meeting UMGSA
found that the chairperson had been active in
some locals, but not as active with UMGSA.
In some locals, the chairperson has been very
active. [ . . . ] Im glad for that, but we just found
[ . . . ] that we were not at all getting any support
from the provincial office, he said.
40
The University of Manitoba Students Union
(UMSU) was one of the three locals voting
against the motion.
There were no substantial grounds and we felt
an action like that would do more harm than
good for the stability of the student movement in
Manitoba, said UMSU president Heather
Laube.
We should be spending our time working for
students, not causing petty intrigues.
UMGSA president Meaghan Labine felt that the
motion was not petty, but a justified attempt to
bring up serious concerns that they had with the
organization that she says UMGSA had tried to
resolve on numerous occasions.
We didnt mean to be hostile, but there were
some serious issues on the table, said Labine.
Labine stressed that the UMGSA is primarily
concerned with holding provincial staff of the
CFS-Manitoba accountable.
This isnt a high school club. You have to treat
people professionally and set clear mandates and
communicate effectively [ . . . ] said Labine.
We need to see results for our graduate
students; theres limited time, theres limited
resources, and you only get a year to be
effective.
UMGSA also presented a motion at the Feb. 10
meeting to create a development and review
committee to review the performance of
provincial office staff and full-time chairperson,
alleging that the Manitoba CFS provincial
executive and local members have questioned
the productivity and management of the
Manitoba provincial office.
The committee would be comprised of one
representative from each member local that is not
a member of the provincial executive.
If were spending students money, we should
hold any executive accountable, so that we can
see the work that theyre doing or the work that
theyre not doing, and be able to come back to
our membership and report on whats going on,
said Nawrot of the motion.
The motion was tabled for further review by the
provincial executive committee. Makinson said
that Manitoba CFS does not have a problem with
performance evaluations in any way, but they
definitely need to be done in a proper way. We
dont want to create an attacking environment;
we dont want to create a hostile environment,
said Makinson.
If performance evaluations were conducted in a
respectful, responsible manner, I think that that
is something the provincial executive really does
need to thoroughly consider.
Elizabeth Carlyle, prairie organizer for the CFS
national office, pointed out that the question is
not whether or not to have staff evaluations
the question is how.
Im sure that in the future there will be
discussion. But theres only been one round of
collective bargaining in the history of this
workplace, she said, explaining that CFS staff
has only been unionized for two years.
It just takes time to have something put in
place, and it certainly wont be put in place as a
political tool to punish people for disagreeing
with them, which is how, she said, she felt the
motion was presented.
____________________________________________

41
The Gradzette
Constitution Replaced with By-laws
2011 Graduate Students AGM sees big changes
_______________________________________________

by Morgan Modjeski
February, 2011

On Jan. 26 graduate students at the University of
Manitoba gathered in the Graduate Students
Association (GSA) lounge, located in 217
University Centre, for the 2011 GSA annual
general meeting (AGM).
At the meeting a number of things were
discussed but the topics that generated the most
interest were the reforming of the GSA
constitution into a set of by-laws, the debate over
a referendum and a proposed freeze on GSA
membership fees.

Minutes of the past GSA meeting, on Jan. 27,
2010 were voted on and approved.

The executive reports started with the
presidential report, in which Meaghan Labine
updated attending GSA students on the
executives ongoing progress of making the
association autonomous. She also reported on the
GSA office renovation project, which is an
endeavor by the GSA executive to turn our space
into something that [graduate students] can use,
work and study in.

The next executive report was given by Farhoud
Delijani, vice president (internal), who reported
that the GSA has now opened a file to get a
credit card to prevent GSA executives from
having to be reimbursed for out of pocket GSA
purchases. Delijani also reported that the GSA
budget is solid and that they expect surplus year.

Delijani also reported that since the resignation
of the Gradzette Editor in 2010, the production
of the magazine has been handed over to the
Manitoban and has already produced two issues.
He also explained that the finance committee has
dispersed the departmental grants and
encouraged students to apply. Delijani said that a
lack of applications compared to last year has
caused them to come in under budget.
Delijani also noted that the special project budget
has reached its cap and theyre trying to stop
accepting new applications. He also added that
they have dispersed $41,000 of the GSAs
$65,000 budget for conference grants. He also
added that the GSA is working on the by-laws
for a revised version of election policy to present
at the next AGM.

Vice President (academic) Peter Nawrots report
consisted of congratulating past recipients GSA
awards committee awards, and he encouraged
people to apply for awards. Nawrot also added
that the awards committee will take over the
Nursing Bursary award. Nawrot also mentioned
that he is now responsible for any advocacy
issues grad students are facing with the
university, and encouraged students to approach
him with any related concerns.

Liz Gonsalves, vice president (external), who
resigned her position on Jan. 31, gave her report
next saying that she was responsible for
establishing a better office network between the
Fort Garry Campus and the Bannatyne campus.
The process has taken over half a year, and
Gonsalves said that she is currently in
negotiations with a company and expects it will
be solidified before the end of February.
Gonsalves also talked about the issue of
international students healthcare being on hold
due to outstanding fees, and reported that it has
been resolved, blaming the problem on a
communication error.

Gonsalves added that GSA is looking for a tax-
filing service for graduate students come tax
time. She also said that one of the newest
campaigns the GSA is working on is a housing
initiative for international students who do not
qualify under the Manitoba housing initiative.

Neil Salter, Health Science senator, explained
that the Health Science GSA have continued the
42
bus-ticket program where, through the assistance
of the associate dean of graduate studies,
students traveling from the Health Science centre
to St. Boniface Hospital for classes are given
bus-tickets. He also added that they have been
involved with a number of events including the
Canadian Student Health Research Days along
side several socials.

Some concern was raised about the Inter-
national College of Manitoba (ICM) and space
issues. Labine said that the contracts signed with
ICM and the university were still valid, so not
much could be done except the continuous
posing of questions at U of M senate and Board
of Governors meetings.
The GSA budget was reviewed and the budget
audit was approved. The GSA chose BDO
Canada LLP as
their auditor for next term. The GSA also voted
to revamp their entire governing policy by
changing their constitution to a set of by-laws,
explaining that the by-laws can be changed at a
council meeting instead of only at an AGM.
Some attendees voiced concern from the floor,
but the conflict was eventually resolved and
resulted in the GSA voting for the change.

In other business, Nig Ma, GSA senator,
proposed a motion that would freeze the GSA
membership fees for the next year. After some
explanations and debate on the effect of this
motion (i.e., how this would prevent the GSA
from holding a referendum on this issue) the
motion was defeated.
____________________________________________

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Name Department Student Number Signature

The GSA Office renovation is expected to begin February 16

Total 4000 Revenue 711,400.00 353,892.95 754,520.75

4150 Other income -

4999 Office Equipmnt Fund Withdrawal -

Total 5000 Honorarium/salary/benefits 186,220.00 114,073.53 186,220.00

6005 HSGSA - Bannatyne Disbursements 17,550.00 541.29 17,550.00

6010 Campaigns 2,000.00 1.00 2,000.00

6020 Capital Expense

Total 6020 Capital Expense 101,000.00 - 146,000.00

6100 CFS Canada 26,000.00 - 26,000.00

6125 CFS Manitoba 17,500.00 - 17,500.00

6200 Council & Committees

Total 6200 Council & Committees 5,300.00 1,621.66 5,300.00

Total 6325 Elections 1,500.00 - 1,500.00

6375 External meeting Expenses

Total 6375 External meeting Expenses 15,000.00 18,489.83 15,000.00

Total 6400 Fees 2,895.00 501.49 2,895.00

6450 - Fees Paid to UMSU

Total 6450 - Fees Paid to UMSU - 37,425.29 36,603.75

6475 Gradzette 19,500.00 12,099.42 19,500.00

Total 6500 Grants 176,600.00 75,953.25 176,600.00

Total 6600 Promotions 7,200.00 5,860.36 7,200.00

6725 Long Term Accounts Payable

Total 6725 Long Term Accounts Payable -

6750 Office Expenses & Supplies

Total 6750 Office Expenses & Supplies 15,600.00 13,159.36 15,600.00

6795 Professional Development 1,000.00 571.20 1,000.00

Total 6800 Programming 50,000.00 17,671.39 50,000.00

Total 6850 Endowment 20,000.00 - 20,000.00

6925 Professional Consulting

Total 6925 Professional Consulting 46,000.00 29,424.17 46,000.00

6950 Retained Earnings Fund -

The Graduate Students Association confers peer-to-peer recognition of fellow graduate

2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012

The University of Manitobas pre-budget submission to the House of Commons Standing

The dissent of Local 96 (University of Manitoba Graduate StudentsAssociation) on the motion

1. Faculty of Education Recognition of Degrees from Booth College and Providence

On November 16 from 4:30 7:00 pm the individuals representing Graduates Student

RECEIVED NOV 15 2011

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University of Manitoba Graduate Students' Association - 2012 Annual General Meeting Package

University of Manitoba Graduate Students' Association - 2012 Annual General Meeting Package