News Briefs

Final BoG meeting of 2007

The corporate governing body of the university, known as the board of governors, met on Tuesday, Nov. 20 for the last of the seven meetings held in the 2007 year.

The board of governors is responsible for making decisions that “enable the university to carry on its work” as stated on the university’s website. Its 23 members are comprised of the university’s president, the chancellor, 12 appointees of the provincial government, three members elected from senate, three elected by alumni, and three members appointed by UMSU.

The meeting commenced with a demonstration of the IClickers in use by 2,420 students on campus. The board had the opportunity to test the remote polling device, which is expected to increase in terms of use in the future.

The panel voted on their favourite colour during the demonstration with blue being the top colour.

University president Emöke Szathmáry, who had recently returned from two weeks in China, gave a brief president’s report, noting the passing of a number of motions and a new professorship of human simulation (the use of mannequins and actors to train medical students).

UMSU president Garry Sran followed Szathmáry’s report with his own, summarizing UMSU’s recent activities including a summary of recent campaigns plans for UMSU’s annual celebration week in January. Sran reported that an appearance by Jack Hannah, a well-known wildlife expert, has been confirmed.

Before the meeting moved into closed session Szathmáry made a point of extending her congratulations to the university’s recent recipient of the Rhodes Scholarship, Akosua Matthews. “[Matthews] is an outstanding and talented young woman, and I’m really pleased for her,” said Szathmáry.

Eight foot scorpion discovered!

Scientists, while digging in a German quarry, have discovered the fossil of a 46-centimetre-long claw. The 390-million-year-old claw belonged to a sea scorpion, and determined by the length of the claw, the scorpion is believed to have been 2.5 metres long

The sea scorpion belonged to a group called arthropods, which fossil records revealed included 2-metre-long millipedes, colossal cockroaches, and jumbo dragonflies with a 75-centimetre wingspan.

In the report on the discovery, the authors, Simon J. Braddy, Markus Poschmann, and O. Erik Terile, theorize that the scorpion’s massive size is mostly likely due to the its placement at the top of the food chain, in addition to other factors.

“Extrinsic factors, such as environment resources, predation, courtship behaviour, and competition may have contributed to the exceptional large size,” the report stated.

The new discovery has confirmed what was already suspected. It had been previously believed that prehistoric insects roamed but a definite size had not been confirmed, until the discovery of the claw.

The creature had an armored and jointed body, eight walking legs, flat paddle fins for swimming, and two front claws.

University appeals labour board ruling

On Nov. 19, the Manitoba Labour Board dismissed the University of Manitoba’s application for reconsideration of the ruling that found the university committed unfair labour practices in violating four sections of the Labour Relations Act.

The original labour board ruling against the university’s unilateral attempts to remove six coaches from the bargaining unit that represents professors, instructors, lecturers, and librarians - the University of Manitoba Faculty Association (UMFA) -- came on Jan. 17, 2007.

In October 2007, the board released a 73-page report detailing the reasons why it ruled against the university and why it agreed with UMFA that the university “offered incentives and made threats to the coaches’ continued employment” in a “scheme to deny coaches academic rank.”

Colin Robinson, vice-chairperson of the board, signed the appeal’s dismissal, which did not include reasons for the rejecting of the application.

In an interview with the Winnipeg Free Press, John Danakas, university public affairs director, said that the university would appeal the ruling to the Court of Queen’s Bench, the highest trial court in the province. Danakas could not be reached for comment at press time.

Fees trump GST

A recent study conducted by the Canadian Association of University Teachers has revealed that at least 50 per cent of Canadian adults polled place the most importance on issues dealing with university tuition.

Eighty per cent of those polled said that they wished that tuition fees were lowered or at least frozen, even placing tuition fees importance above that of the promised one per cent GST cut. Forty-two per cent of those polled preferred that the one per cent cut be carried through rather than tuition fees being the most important issue.

The strongest supporters of lowered tuition rates were found in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia. On the other hand, the strongest supporter, in terms of percentages, for raising tuition fees was Quebec. Quebec, this past year, has just lifted the long-term freeze they had on tuition rates.

Other issues that were polled among adults were the size of classrooms, creating more student spaces, and financial investments in research.

2007 Manitoban promises

Earlier this month, the ruling party, NDP, for the province of Manitoba revealed their new promises in the 2007 Throne speech. The promises ranged from making Manitoba environmentally green to creating more medical training positions for post-secondary students.

The province promised to, through Apprenticeship Futures Council, create 4,000 new apprentices positions over the next four years. In addition, the province also promised to create more training spaces in the University of Manitoba medical school, as well as more spaces in nursing education programs in Manitoban universities and colleges. At Red River College, the province plans to implement a primary care paramedic program to help assist in rural emergency calls.

In the past eight years, Manitoba has taken on 235 more doctors and 1,589 more nurses.

There were also plans to develop the post-secondary education of Northern Manitoba. The province announced that they plan to enhance the main campus facilities of the University College of the North in The Pas and Thompson. They said that this development comes after the decision to appoint Ovide Mercredi, the former national chief, as the first chancellor of UCN. Manitoba also hopes to provide more satellite university campuses for remote communities.

Closer to Winnipeg, the province also plans to make more capital investments on university campuses, specifically campuses in Winnipeg and Brandon.

The province has also opted to become more green, with one statement during the speech as a promise to plant one million per year for the next five years with the Manitoba Forestry Association and other associations.

Manitoba has also committed to reduce the total greenhouse gas emissions below 2000 levels over the next two years as well as setting up new legislation for Manitoba’s Kyoto target.





Volume 95 Issue 15	The Official University of Manitoba Students' Newspaper Website	November 28, 2007

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 Final BoG meeting of 2007 The corporate governing body of the university, known as the board of governors, met on Tuesday, Nov. 20 for the last of the seven meetings held in the 2007 year. The board of governors is responsible for making decisions that “enable the university to carry on its work” as stated on the university’s website. Its 23 members are comprised of the university’s president, the chancellor, 12 appointees of the provincial government, three members elected from senate, three elected by alumni, and three members appointed by UMSU. The meeting commenced with a demonstration of the IClickers in use by 2,420 students on campus. The board had the opportunity to test the remote polling device, which is expected to increase in terms of use in the future. The panel voted on their favourite colour during the demonstration with blue being the top colour. University president Emöke Szathmáry, who had recently returned from two weeks in China, gave a brief president’s report, noting the passing of a number of motions and a new professorship of human simulation (the use of mannequins and actors to train medical students). UMSU president Garry Sran followed Szathmáry’s report with his own, summarizing UMSU’s recent activities including a summary of recent campaigns plans for UMSU’s annual celebration week in January. Sran reported that an appearance by Jack Hannah, a well-known wildlife expert, has been confirmed. Before the meeting moved into closed session Szathmáry made a point of extending her congratulations to the university’s recent recipient of the Rhodes Scholarship, Akosua Matthews. “[Matthews] is an outstanding and talented young woman, and I’m really pleased for her,” said Szathmáry. Eight foot scorpion discovered! Scientists, while digging in a German quarry, have discovered the fossil of a 46-centimetre-long claw. The 390-million-year-old claw belonged to a sea scorpion, and determined by the length of the claw, the scorpion is believed to have been 2.5 metres long The sea scorpion belonged to a group called arthropods, which fossil records revealed included 2-metre-long millipedes, colossal cockroaches, and jumbo dragonflies with a 75-centimetre wingspan. In the report on the discovery, the authors, Simon J. Braddy, Markus Poschmann, and O. Erik Terile, theorize that the scorpion’s massive size is mostly likely due to the its placement at the top of the food chain, in addition to other factors. “Extrinsic factors, such as environment resources, predation, courtship behaviour, and competition may have contributed to the exceptional large size,” the report stated. The new discovery has confirmed what was already suspected. It had been previously believed that prehistoric insects roamed but a definite size had not been confirmed, until the discovery of the claw. The creature had an armored and jointed body, eight walking legs, flat paddle fins for swimming, and two front claws. University appeals labour board ruling On Nov. 19, the Manitoba Labour Board dismissed the University of Manitoba’s application for reconsideration of the ruling that found the university committed unfair labour practices in violating four sections of the Labour Relations Act. The original labour board ruling against the university’s unilateral attempts to remove six coaches from the bargaining unit that represents professors, instructors, lecturers, and librarians - the University of Manitoba Faculty Association (UMFA) -- came on Jan. 17, 2007. In October 2007, the board released a 73-page report detailing the reasons why it ruled against the university and why it agreed with UMFA that the university “offered incentives and made threats to the coaches’ continued employment” in a “scheme to deny coaches academic rank.” Colin Robinson, vice-chairperson of the board, signed the appeal’s dismissal, which did not include reasons for the rejecting of the application. In an interview with the Winnipeg Free Press, John Danakas, university public affairs director, said that the university would appeal the ruling to the Court of Queen’s Bench, the highest trial court in the province. Danakas could not be reached for comment at press time. Fees trump GST A recent study conducted by the Canadian Association of University Teachers has revealed that at least 50 per cent of Canadian adults polled place the most importance on issues dealing with university tuition. Eighty per cent of those polled said that they wished that tuition fees were lowered or at least frozen, even placing tuition fees importance above that of the promised one per cent GST cut. Forty-two per cent of those polled preferred that the one per cent cut be carried through rather than tuition fees being the most important issue. The strongest supporters of lowered tuition rates were found in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia. On the other hand, the strongest supporter, in terms of percentages, for raising tuition fees was Quebec. Quebec, this past year, has just lifted the long-term freeze they had on tuition rates. Other issues that were polled among adults were the size of classrooms, creating more student spaces, and financial investments in research. 2007 Manitoban promises Earlier this month, the ruling party, NDP, for the province of Manitoba revealed their new promises in the 2007 Throne speech. The promises ranged from making Manitoba environmentally green to creating more medical training positions for post-secondary students. The province promised to, through Apprenticeship Futures Council, create 4,000 new apprentices positions over the next four years. In addition, the province also promised to create more training spaces in the University of Manitoba medical school, as well as more spaces in nursing education programs in Manitoban universities and colleges. At Red River College, the province plans to implement a primary care paramedic program to help assist in rural emergency calls. In the past eight years, Manitoba has taken on 235 more doctors and 1,589 more nurses. There were also plans to develop the post-secondary education of Northern Manitoba. The province announced that they plan to enhance the main campus facilities of the University College of the North in The Pas and Thompson. They said that this development comes after the decision to appoint Ovide Mercredi, the former national chief, as the first chancellor of UCN. Manitoba also hopes to provide more satellite university campuses for remote communities. Closer to Winnipeg, the province also plans to make more capital investments on university campuses, specifically campuses in Winnipeg and Brandon. The province has also opted to become more green, with one statement during the speech as a promise to plant one million per year for the next five years with the Manitoba Forestry Association and other associations. Manitoba has also committed to reduce the total greenhouse gas emissions below 2000 levels over the next two years as well as setting up new legislation for Manitoba’s Kyoto target.


Terms of Use RSS Feeds © Copyright 2008 The Manitoban Newspaper Publications Corporation