UMSU council notes

Day of Action a major priority

MICHAEL OLSON STAFF

The University of Manitoba Students’ Union (UMSU) held its biweekly council meeting on Jan. 11, 2007 in UMSU Council Chambers, 176 Helen Glass. In a meeting lasting about an hour and 20 minutes, UMSU council primarily addressed two issues.

Aurora woes

Each student enrolled at the U of M has a choice to join or opt out of the UMSU Health and Dental plan. However, as of the present time, UMSU still does not have a complete list of students who are included on the Health and Dental plan.

“Students will come into our office, telling us they can’t get their pharmacy drugs because they’re not on our Health and Dental plan,” said Amanda Jonson, UMSU’s vicepresident (internal).

Furthermore, many students who have chosen to opt out of the plan have been frustrated to learn that they are still included on the plan.

It is estimated that roughly 80 to 90 students enter the UMSU office each week with problems related to the Health and Dental plan. These problems are believed to arise from the fact that UMSU has yet to receive a complete list of students included on the plan.

“It’s just a huge headache for students,” said Jonson. “Some students even come in crying.”

She encouraged that all students encountering Health and Dental plan-related problems to speak with someone with UMSU right away.

National Day of Action

The vast majority of the Jan. 11 meeting was spent discussing the national student Day of Action, which is scheduled to take place on Feb. 7, 2007.

It was noted that on Jan. 10, 2007, the U of M Senate passed a motion endorsing academic amnesty to all students who wish to participate in the Day of Action. Staff members are encouraged to avoid assigning tests, assignments or anything else for grading purposes on Feb. 7.

“I think this is the first time the Senate has passed an academic amnesty of this kind,” Garry Sran stated. This was immediately followed by enthusiastic applause from the rest of the council.

“It’s really these days of action that put pressure on our governments to act,” said Rachel Gotthilf, UMSU’s vice-president (external). “And the only way it’s going to work is if we get thousands of students out.”

She noted that 13 buses will arrive at the Fort Garry campus at noon on Feb. 7 to transport students to the provincial legislature to join in the protests.

“This is the biggest student event happening in Manitoba this decade,” said Rachel Heinrichs, an Arts Student Body Council representative. “This is the biggest chance we have to show our government that students care and want to see action.”

It was also mentioned that if students are unable to attend the protests on Feb. 7, they can still show their support by signing a petition to the provincial government or by writing letters of protest.

Other notes

Near the closing of the meeting, council noted that Jan. 15 would be the opening of the new student lounge in room 312 University Centre. There will be a contest to name the lounge.

Council also discussed Celebration Week, which will take place from Jan. 22 to 26. The festivities will include aboriginal cultural performances, an anime film festival, hockey and rap battle tournaments, karaoke, and more. There will also be presentations from Borat producer Ken Davitian and political activist Justin Trudeau.