Indigenous course requirement approved

The University of Winnipeg (U of W) Senate officially approved the indigenous course requirement (ICR) proposal Nov. 20, implementing a mandatory three-credit hour indigenous studies class for new students starting in fall 2016. The ICR is in keeping with recommendations by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and makes U of W the second school in Canada (behind Lakehead University) to develop an ICR. 

 

Governments pledge help for Syrian refugees

During the federal election campaign, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pledged to bring 25,000 Syrian refugees to Canada before year’s end. But on Nov. 24, immigration minister John McCallum said the government would extend its deadline until February. Canada hopes to accept 10,000 refugees by year’s end and 15,000 more by February, McCallum says. 

 

International students meeting cancelled

U of W administration cancelled a planned consultation with international students on Nov. 27. The town hall-style meeting was meant to discuss specific issues international students face, like inflated tuition costs and the need to maintain higher GPAs than local students to stay in good academic standing. It appears there won’t be another meeting planned this semester, as per the U of W’s online events calendar.

 

Vibrant transit panel on campus

A panel talk on Nov. 26 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Richardson College for the Environment and Science Complex will explore how to make Winnipeg’s public transit system more dynamic. Three transit experts included will be Dr. Jino Distasio, director of the Institute of Urban Studies at the U of W; Dr. Barry Prentice, former director of the Transport Institute at the University of Manitoba; and Dr. Jeannette Montufar, consultant for Winnipeg’s Pedestrian and Cycling Strategies.

 

Grey Cup fever hits Winnipeg

The 103rd Grey Cup Festival runs from Nov. 25 to 29 in the city, with the title game being played at Investors Group Field on Nov. 29 between the Ottawa Redblacks and the Edmonton Eskimos. Fall Out Boy will play the halftime show, while many acts will play festival stages in the days prior, including The Sheepdogs and The Trews on Nov. 27 at the RBC Convention Centre. For a full list of events, visit 103greycupfestival.ca.

 

Exam period starts Dec. 8, school closed Dec. 23

The dreaded exam time is upon us again. Fall classes officially end Dec. 1 and the exam period begins Dec. 8. After the last exam on Dec. 21 (if you’re stuck writing that day), the U of W will close from Dec. 23 to Jan. 3 for winter holidays. After the break, winter term starts Jan. 5, which is the same day winter tuition fees are due.

Published in Volume 70, Number 12 of The Uniter (November 26, 2015)