University of Manitoba Students' Union

Infobox Canadian Student Association
name = University of Manitoba Students' Union


established = 1919
institution = University of Manitoba
president = Jonny Sopotiuk
vice president = Sid Rashid, Rita Bruce-Nanakeain, Leanne Rajotte, Mitch Tripple
location = Winnipeg, Manitoba
members = 22,000
affiliated = CFS
free_label1 = Campus bar
free1 = IQ's
homepage = http://www.umsu.ca/

The University of Manitoba Students' Union (UMSU) is the university-wide representative body for students at the University of Manitoba, located in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It was established in 1919, replacing the former University of Manitoba Students' Association established in 1914. Its head office is located at 101 University Centre, at the Fort Garry Campus of the University of Manitoba. UMSU is Local 103 of the Canadian Federation of Students.

Recent history

The University of Manitoba Students' Union has changed significantly over the past few years. The changes include two re-organizations of the Executive, an overhaul of the By-laws of the Union, the creation of a Gallery of Student Art, the addition of five community representatives to the UMSU Council, leaving the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations and joining the Canadian Federation of Students. Voter turnouts were thought to have been on the rise (as evidenced by the 18% turnout for the recent CFS referendum) however the participation rate dropped sharply in the 2006 UMSU election.

It has recently been alleged that UMSU is dominated by one particular clique, exclusive to the wider whole of the student body. These allegations suggest UMSU is undemocratic and treats elections as the inauguration of a candidate groomed by the outgoing president. Following the 2006 election, one columnist of the Manitoban went so far as to claim that 2006 election procedures were "overtly manipulated to help ensure the desired outcome of the current executive." [Carson Jerema, [http://www.themanitoban.com/2005-2006/0308/2416.the.banana.republic.of.umsu.php The Manitoban Online] (Mar. 8, 2006; URL accessed November 16, 2006).]

Services

The UMSU operates six student businesses on campus, including Degree's (a restaurant), G.P.A.'s (a convenience store), IQ's (a pool hall and coffee shop), Archives (a used bookstore for textbooks), Answers (an information booth also responsible for selling things like bus passes and concert tickets), and the Copy Centre. They also operate a number of non-business operations, such as UMSU Living (for assistance with off-campus housing), the Bison Patrol (named after the campus athletic team name, the Manitoba Bisons, it serves as a short-distance transportation service around campus), the Gallery of Student Art (which displays art installations created by students), the Grocery Run (which supplies students living in residence with an opportunity to purchase groceries from the local grocery store), a tutor registry, a carpool registry and a Food Bank for students. It also administers a number of scholarships and bursaries, travel grants, as well as providing funding for the student radio station, CJUM, more popularly known as UMFM.

Political activities

The University of Manitoba attempted to institute $465 of additional fees for students for the 2005-2006 school year, which was eventually rolled back to $150 (along with an increase in Provincial funding), in part due to organization by student groups such as UMSU.

Political structure

The UMSU is run by a five-person elected executive, which includes a President and four Vice-Presidents. The four Vice-Presidents are each responsible for a different portfolio: Internal; External; Student Services; and Advocacy. UMSU Council is the highest authority in the organization, and is made up of student representatives from each of the faculties and student residences, as well as five positions for community representatives. Each faculty has at least one representative, with some having up to five, depending on student population. The five community representatives represent particular sub-sections of the student body. The Council also has a number of committees that deal with specific areas, such as By-Laws and Policy, Student Affairs, or the Student Health Plan.

References

External links

* [http://www.umsu.ca/ University of Manitoba Students' Union]
* [http://www.umanitoba.ca/ University of Manitoba]