Campus news briefs

UMSU orientation week kicks off

The U of M campus has been buzzing with activity due to the UMSU Orientation Week. Students began classes on Sept. 6, and were able to kick back during the stress of a new semester through many different outlets.

Several bands and solo artists performed including the Thrashers, the Lytics, the Bokononists, Royal Canoe, A Waste Odyssey, and many others.
A movie night, pool tournament, martial arts demo, free breakfasts, and a boat cruise were all available last week.

More events are scheduled for the upcoming days.

Orientation week continues until Sept. 14.

All time high enrolment numbers at the U of M

An increase in international students and recent high school graduates has led to an overall 2.9 per cent increase in U of M enrollment.

Over 10 per cent of students at the U of M this year are international students, with China and Nigeria having the largest representatives of students. This 10 per cent representation has been a long time goal for the university.

University 1 students have also contributed to this increase, due to the largest high school graduation numbers in Manitoba in the last decade.

Agriculture and food sciences saw the largest boost in enrolment with a 16.1 per cent increase.

Full-time student enrolment went from 23,257 to 23,994. Numbers for part-time enrolment increased from 4,735 to 4,801.

“The increase in first-day enrolment numbers is a clear message that the University of Manitoba continues to be the post-secondary institution of choice for students,” said David Barnard, president and vice-chancellor at the U of M.

U of M researchers involved in First Nations right to water discussion

A seminar series entitled “Critical Conversations on First Nations and the Right to Water” is taking place at the U of M and features research conducted by many U of M researchers.

The seminar is being organized by law professor Karen Busby and the Centre for Human Rights Research and will run from Sept. 10 until March, 2013.

The United Nations declared clean drinking water and sanitation as a human right in 2010 and since that time, U of M researchers have worked with the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak and universities to study the issue of water for First Nations.

Southwest transitway will end at the U of M

A route for a leg of the southwest transitway is under discussion. The leg will run from Jubilee Avenue to the U of M campus, ending at the future stadium at the Investors Group Field.

However, the exact route from Jubilee to the U of M is currently unknown.

Mayor Sam Katz has supported a route that would go through the Parker neighbourhood and a vacant Manitoba Hydro space along the Beaumont and Maybank areas.

Dave Wardrop, Winnipeg Transit director, would like to ask southwest residents of Winnipeg what they would like to see happen with the route.

Open houses will take place at the Holiday Inn Winnipeg South on Sept. 19 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Sept. 22 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.