UMSU council notes
MICHAEL OLSON STAFF
PHOTO: DAVID IAN LIPNOWSKI
UMSU held its most recent council meeting on Nov. 9. In a meeting lasting roughly one hour and forty-five minutes, two primary issues were addressed.
UMSU approves renovation of 312 University Centre
It appears that room 312 of University Centre will finally be put to use. UMSU voted in favour of the motion, “Be it resolved that UMSU Council approve $21,856 plus renovations to Room 312 University Centre.”
The UMSU executive has expressed that it does not wish to see the room vacant for another year.
As a result, UMSU plans to renovate the room and transform it into a student lounge.
The room, which had previously housed Movie Village, has been vacant since May 2005, when the video rental store ended its lease with UMSU citing poor sales.
The UMSU executive discussed various ideas for putting the room to use in June 2005. This was done “in the hope of developing a new service for students, or somehow better utilizing the space to meet student need,” according to the development of room 312 proposal.
In June 2006, the UMSU executive attempted to put room 312 to use by asking the Manitoban to move its office to the vacant space from its current location at 105 University Centre. However, those plans seem to have fallen through.
It has also been proposed that the space could be used to facilitate meetings and special events as they come up.
Renovations, including tiling, carpeting, dry-walling, painting, and electrical repairs, will total roughly $11,856 while furnishings, including chairs, tables, and stools, will total about $10,000.
UMSU asked to support Raza family
UMSU’s Nov. 9 session closed with a presentation from Troy Stozek, speaking on behalf of icePIRG, a public interest research group at the U of M.
One of icePIRG’s current initiatives is seeking to help the Raza family. For nearly four months, the Raza family has been living in sanctuary in the Crescent Fort Rouge United Church.
The Razas had been faced with deportation to their home country of Pakistan in August when their refugee claim was overruled. The family, of Shia origin, claims that it faces religious persecution from Sunnis in Pakistan. At the conclusion of his presentation, Stozek proposed that UMSU write a letter supporting the Raza family to Immigration and Citizenship Minister Monte Solberg.
“The important thing for UMSU and for the student body is to take a stand and support the family,” said Stozek.
UMSU council did not make a final decision whether or not to write a letter of support. However, UMSU has asked Stozek to attend its next meeting with an update.
IcePIRG is a group of students, researchers, and community members based out of the University of Manitoba that seeks out justice for those in need.
