BoG notes

The University of Manitoba Board of Governors met on March 15.

Peter George, president and chief operating officer of McKim Cringan George, a full service marketing communications firm, presented the new campaign concept for the university.

The university undergoes two marketing campaigns each year, based the university’s activities throughout the year. For the past three years, the university’s theme has been based on the idea of “more,” while trying to differentiate the university locally.

The new advertising campaign, which will be launched within the coming weeks, explores a new creative theme that has more resonance on the international scale, explained George.

The first execution of the new marketing campaign is to be published in the Globe and Mail on Saturday.

The marketing campaign focuses on aspects on Winnipeg in an effort to “embrace who we are, embrace where we are,” according to George.

University president David Barnard’s announcement made reference to his public response to Israeli Apartheid Week, which was published in the Winnipeg Free Press last week. Barnad noted that the article was reformatted without the context of nuances he had intended.

A recommended resolution to be passed was put forward on the Active Living Centre, asking the Board of Governors to approve the preliminary budget of $57.3 million as well as the funding strategy. Secondly, the resolution asked for the approval of the registration fee of $75 per term for full-time students and $56.25 for part-time students.

According to university vice-president (administration) Debbie McCallum, the university administration undertook “considerable consultation” before making its decisions for the centre and received positive responses from all the consultation sessions.

Meaghan Labine, president of the Graduate Students’ Association (GSA), said she was impressed with the administration’s effort to communicate with students.

An approval for room and meal plan rate increases for the four university-operated student residence facilities was also put forward. These facilities include Arthur V. Mauro, Speechly Hall, Pembina Hall and University College residences.

“Our rates are still very competitive with rates charged across the country,” said McCallum.

UMSU President Heather Laube announced UMSU election results and upcoming events such as LGBTT* Awareness Week, Movie Madness at the end of March, put on by UMSU, as well as UMSU’s Annual General Meeting.

Labine noted that the GSA is currently in the midst of elections and is undergoing pub negotiations with UMSU. Labine announced that the Gradzette is officially online as of last week.