UMSU holds SAGM: Quorum not met
Meeting addresses key student issues
MICHAEL OLSON STAFF
It was yet another low turnout for a University of Manitoba Students’ Union (UMSU) event, this time for the Semi-Annual General Meeting (SAGM) that took place on Nov. 17, 2006.
Despite a turnout of about 25 to 30 people — 200 were required to meet quorum and pass motions — UMSU carried on with its proceedings, summarizing its affairs of the past months, as well as discussing a handful of key student issues. UMSU executives did not express any desire to pass motions.
UMSU holds an SAGM twice a year to update students on what they have been working on in the past few months. If quorum is met, the council can pass motions and policies that otherwise cannot be passed by UMSU council alone.
International student differential fees
UMSU met with more than 70 international students on Nov. 12, to discuss ways to encourage the provincial government to freeze international students’ fees. Through the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS), UMSU is campaigning to extend the tuition fee freeze to include international students.
In 2003, the provincial government deregulated tuition fees for international students, essentially authorizing universities to increase their student fees. In 2004, differential fees required international students to pay 100 per cent more for their tuition than Canadian students.
In January 2006, UMSU launched a postcard campaign that asked students to send postcards speaking of the seriousness of the tuition freeze and rebate to the provincial ministers of advanced education and finance, and to the premier of Manitoba in hopes that the government would re-regulate the fees of international students.
In May 2006, the international student’s differential fee — the amount paid in addition to tuition fees — was increased to 180 per cent.
“It’s very important that we try to recruit and retain international students; increase their presence here on campus,” said UMSU president Garry Sran.
UMSU has been meeting with MLAs about this issue. “We’ve been having a favourable response from MLAs, with many of them agreeing that international student fees should be frozen,” said Sran.
UMSU will be demonstrating its support for a complete tuition freeze on Feb. 7, 2007, dubbed the National Day of Action.
“We’re going to keep pushing these issues and make sure that we get results,” said Sran.
Student tax rebate
UMSU’s disagreement with the newly announced student rebate policy was also discussed at the SAGM. The policy holds that students who remain within the province after graduating will be entitled to a 10 per cent tax rebate on their tuition each year for up to six years.
The decision, which was announced in the most recent throne speech at the Manitoba Legislature, has sparked controversy within the student body, particularly among those who wish to leave the province after graduating.
“Students who travel shouldn’t have to be punished,” said Rachel Gotthilf, vice-president (external) for UMSU. “Simply reducing tuition fees would have been a lot easier and more effective.”
GSA autonomy
Also briefly addressed was the issue of the autonomy of the University of Manitoba Graduate Students’ Association, an issue that has existed since the GSA became a member of UMSU in 1966.
During the fall of 2006, representatives of UMSU and GSA continued negotiations for complete GSA autonomy. “Generally, GSA is really only connected to UMSU through the fees it pays and the space it uses,” said Sran.
Moreover, GSA has held numerous referenda pushing towards autonomy. In a referendum held in Oct. 2000, graduate students voted 92 per cent in favour of separation.
In its executive report, issued at the SAGM, UMSU stated: “It is anticipated that a multi-year phase in agreement will be reached [between UMSU and GSA] by the end of the 2006-2007 academic year.”
The SAGM concluded with the UMSU executive mentioning CFS motions, which will be discussed further once the council meets with other students’ associations throughout Manitoba.
