News Briefs

Chelse McKee and Magally Zelaya, staff

UMSU testing new opt-out system

Next September, students who opt-out of UMSU’s health and dental plan may not have to wait for a refund cheque. Instead, the opt-out amount will be deducted from the students tuition fee account through Aurora, the university’s online registration system.

Garry Sran, president of UMSU, said students would be able to “short pay” as they were previously able to before the introduction of Aurora.

“We’re testing it out now to see how that works and hopefully come September we’re going to be into that program,” said Sran.

In November of last year, the Manitoban reported that the cost of issuing opt-opt out cheques could cost UMSU, and in turn students, up to $11,000. At the time, Sran said that they were working with the bank to get the cost closer to $5,000.

“So we did get the prices down,” said Sran. “Our final figures haven’t come in yet, but they’re around $7,000.”

Red River College gets a new centre

Red River College can be expecting a face-lift on one of their buildings as early as January 2009.

The Heavy Equipment Transportation Centre, a training building on campus, which currently can have 230 students, will be able to house up to 368 students. The centre currently offers pre-employment training programs, which Manitoba’s premier, Gary Doer, said is a main reason that the college is receiving this revamp.

“Increasing training opportunities are a priority for business and this government,” Doer said. “Moving forward, we must address the research and training needs of our growing economy, which includes emerging clean and green energy industries.”

The province recently contributed $12.6 million to the construction project.

Apprenticeships at the centre involve transport and bus mechanics as well as the option to update old skills. The centre has assisted in research for such municipal projects, like the new hydrogen-powered New Flyer bus.

Largest collection in central Canada gets largest donation since ’20s

A recent donation made to the Robert B. Ferguson Museum of Mineralogy in Geological Sciences in the Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources marks the most significant contribution since the 1920s.

Cindy and Greg Haslers, long-time donors, donated the contribution, a gift-in-kind allocation worth $18,000. The Haslers have also donated other contributions, including specimens from the Floodway.

The new addition to the collection includes scolecite from India, florite from China, and celestite from Madagascar.

The museum was erected in 1918 after Joseph Winthrop Spencer, a Canadian geologist, made a significant contribution of 1,100 specimens of rocks and minerals. It was not until 1971 that the museum was officially established.

Currently the museum has the largest rock and mineral collection in central Canada.

HPV campaign on its way: UMSU

In September 2007, UMSU president Garry Sran, said that he expected more details about an upcoming HPV awareness campaign in the coming weeks, but the campaign has yet to begin.

“The health and insurance plan committee is still trying to work out and get more information on the HPV campaign,” said Sran.

The campaign is intended to inform female students under the age of 26 that their student health plan covers the cost of the Gardasil vaccine that protects against the human papilloma virus, which can cause genital warts and changes of the cervix that can lead to cancer.

Sran confirmed that UMSU is still planning an HPV awareness campaign but he said there is no scheduled date for when the campaign will start.

“We still want to get the information out to ensure that all our members know that they have access to it and that they should be using it,” he said.

Woman on top

Jane Polak Scowcroft, a Faculty of Engineering student, has been named one of Canada’s top 100 most powerful women by the Women’s Executive Network.

The 21-year-old computer engineering student was listed in the future leaders category for “exceptional young women aged 30 or under who have distinguished themselves early in their careers and who show tremendous potential to continue making their mark in years to come,” according to the network’s website.

Polak Scowcroft is the co-president of Engineers Without Borders Manitoba.

She was born in Australia and spent time in Italy, Columbia, and Uganda before she settled in Canada by the time she was in middle school, according to the Faculty of Engineering’s newsletter.

The “Top 100 Most Powerful Women” list is compiled annually by the Women’s Executive Network, which defines itself as an organization “dedicated to the advancement and recognition of executive-minded women in the workplace,” and offers breakfast series and professional development workshops.





Volume 95 Issue 20	The Official University of Manitoba Students' Newspaper Website	Febuary 06, 2008

Home About Us Advertising Rates Contact Staff Current Issue PDF Employment Letters to the Editor Meet the Staff Online Archives Volunteer Online Classifieds St. Vincent's Academy Diaries	Font Size Respond Email Print-Friendly News Briefs Chelse McKee and Magally Zelaya, staff UMSU testing new opt-out system Next September, students who opt-out of UMSU’s health and dental plan may not have to wait for a refund cheque. Instead, the opt-out amount will be deducted from the students tuition fee account through Aurora, the university’s online registration system. Garry Sran, president of UMSU, said students would be able to “short pay” as they were previously able to before the introduction of Aurora. “We’re testing it out now to see how that works and hopefully come September we’re going to be into that program,” said Sran. In November of last year, the Manitoban reported that the cost of issuing opt-opt out cheques could cost UMSU, and in turn students, up to $11,000. At the time, Sran said that they were working with the bank to get the cost closer to $5,000. “So we did get the prices down,” said Sran. “Our final figures haven’t come in yet, but they’re around $7,000.” Red River College gets a new centre Red River College can be expecting a face-lift on one of their buildings as early as January 2009. The Heavy Equipment Transportation Centre, a training building on campus, which currently can have 230 students, will be able to house up to 368 students. The centre currently offers pre-employment training programs, which Manitoba’s premier, Gary Doer, said is a main reason that the college is receiving this revamp. “Increasing training opportunities are a priority for business and this government,” Doer said. “Moving forward, we must address the research and training needs of our growing economy, which includes emerging clean and green energy industries.” The province recently contributed $12.6 million to the construction project. Apprenticeships at the centre involve transport and bus mechanics as well as the option to update old skills. The centre has assisted in research for such municipal projects, like the new hydrogen-powered New Flyer bus. Largest collection in central Canada gets largest donation since ’20s A recent donation made to the Robert B. Ferguson Museum of Mineralogy in Geological Sciences in the Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources marks the most significant contribution since the 1920s. Cindy and Greg Haslers, long-time donors, donated the contribution, a gift-in-kind allocation worth $18,000. The Haslers have also donated other contributions, including specimens from the Floodway. The new addition to the collection includes scolecite from India, florite from China, and celestite from Madagascar. The museum was erected in 1918 after Joseph Winthrop Spencer, a Canadian geologist, made a significant contribution of 1,100 specimens of rocks and minerals. It was not until 1971 that the museum was officially established. Currently the museum has the largest rock and mineral collection in central Canada. HPV campaign on its way: UMSU In September 2007, UMSU president Garry Sran, said that he expected more details about an upcoming HPV awareness campaign in the coming weeks, but the campaign has yet to begin. “The health and insurance plan committee is still trying to work out and get more information on the HPV campaign,” said Sran. The campaign is intended to inform female students under the age of 26 that their student health plan covers the cost of the Gardasil vaccine that protects against the human papilloma virus, which can cause genital warts and changes of the cervix that can lead to cancer. Sran confirmed that UMSU is still planning an HPV awareness campaign but he said there is no scheduled date for when the campaign will start. “We still want to get the information out to ensure that all our members know that they have access to it and that they should be using it,” he said. Woman on top Jane Polak Scowcroft, a Faculty of Engineering student, has been named one of Canada’s top 100 most powerful women by the Women’s Executive Network. The 21-year-old computer engineering student was listed in the future leaders category for “exceptional young women aged 30 or under who have distinguished themselves early in their careers and who show tremendous potential to continue making their mark in years to come,” according to the network’s website. Polak Scowcroft is the co-president of Engineers Without Borders Manitoba. She was born in Australia and spent time in Italy, Columbia, and Uganda before she settled in Canada by the time she was in middle school, according to the Faculty of Engineering’s newsletter. The “Top 100 Most Powerful Women” list is compiled annually by the Women’s Executive Network, which defines itself as an organization “dedicated to the advancement and recognition of executive-minded women in the workplace,” and offers breakfast series and professional development workshops.


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