Partnership to provide legal assistance to low-income families

The University of Winnipeg has announced that, in partnership with the University of Manitoba, they have opened the Legal Help Centre in the MacNamara North Building on Spence Street. The centre, staffed by University of Winnipeg Global College and criminal justice students, students from the University of Manitoba’s faculties of Law and Social Work and volunteer lawyers, is part of an initiative to provide legal assistance to disadvantaged members of the community. People with household incomes under $50,000 a year will have access to free legal advice, and the centre also offers drop-in services and workshops.

Wesmen women lose at regionals, fall short of national tournament

The University of Winnipeg women’s basketball team’s season ended abruptly on Friday, March 11. The Wesmen, who had an impressive record throughout regular season (20-2), lost 62-59 to Carleton University in the CIS Central Regional Semi-Finals in Ottawa, Ont. For fifth-year players Catie Gooch, Kaitlin Rempel and Alex MacIver, this was their last shot at making the national tournament. Despite a tough third quarter, Winnipeg fought back and closed the score in the last few minutes of play, and were only down 3 points with 38 seconds left on the clock. Despite a last-shot attempt by Winnipeg, the Wesmen were unable to score and lost by three, ending their season.

Manitoba takes on FASD research

A press release from the University of Manitoba has announced that they are working with the Government of Manitoba and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem to conduct new research on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). The research will involve looking for ways of preventing FASD, new treatments, education programs and other services for those affected. Of the $11.5 million invested for FASD research this year, $750,000 has been contributed by the Manitoba Research and Innovation Fund, a project created to help Manitoba’s universities conduct such research, and the Manitoba government has promised to match funding raised by the Canadian Friends of Hebrew University.

New scholarship for rural students at U of W

The University of Winnipeg announced the Garnet Kyle Scholarship, which offers $40,000 to rural students in and around Dominion City who wish to study at the University of Winnipeg. Recipients of the scholarship would receive $10,000 each year for four years of study – enough to cover tuition fees, books and accommodations. Current students or recent graduates from Rouseau Valley High School in Dominion City will be given priority, and all potential recipients must have a Grade 12 average of 90 per cent or higher. Students seeking to enter graduate studies must have an undergraduate GPA of 4.0 to qualify.

New UWSA to be elected

It’s almost time to vote for your UWSA representatives. Voting will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday, March 21 until Thursday, March 24. There will be two voting stations, one in the Riddell Hall atrium and the other on the second floor of Centennial Hall. The results will be announced on Friday, March 25 via posters and the TV display monitors on campus. This year, there are 25 people running for 19 positions, with some candidates running duos and others running in a slate. Current president Jason Syvixay and vice-president internal Ava Jerao are not seeking re-election. Current vice-president advocate Katie Haig-Anderson is gunning for vice-president internal, while vice-president student services Lana Hastings is an uncontested incumbent. Five director positions will be vacant: part-time/mature students, international students, community liaison, recreation & athletics and business & economics.

Published in Volume 65, Number 23 of The Uniter (March 17, 2011)