Campus News Briefs

Passing on the U-Pass

The university’s dream of providing discounted bus passes to all students has once again died, at least for this year.

The U-Pass project aimed to provide each University of Winnipeg student with a yearly bus pass at a low rate funded by a mandatory student levy. Such a pass has been pitched many times throughout the years.

The University of Winnipeg Students’ Association (UWSA) had hoped to partner with the University of Manitoba in negotiating an affordable levy fee with Winnipeg Transit.

But it seems that suburban U of M students aren’t interested. Without their co-operation, the fee is too high for U of W students to foot on their own.

Keeping cool in a recession

Although high layoff and unemployment rates have graduates fearing for their upcoming careers, experts recommend a balanced outlook.

Concerned students should try to broaden their employability through volunteering, part-time work, or internships, reported The Fulcrum, Ottawa’s student newspaper.

Although the job market is now more competitive, university graduates are not the hardest hit. Hiring levels remain generally consistent, with some firms even increasing their hiring of younger, cheaper, talent—new graduates.

So, despite the bleak economic news, grads shouldn’t rush to any available jobs simply from fear of unemployment.

U of W videos earn professional recognition

The ‘YOU of W’ ad campaign released this year has achieved high standing in an international marketing competition.

The University of Winnipeg’s ‘YOU of W’ videos, chosen from over 2,200 entries, achieved platinum standing in the Commercial / Retail category of the Ava awards, which honour creative excellence in audio-visual productions.

According to a U of W press release, the videos were successful in drawing attention and attracting new students to the university.

Fair justice

Future conflict resolution and international development graduates can check out their employment prospects at the Menno Simons College Social Justice Fair on Feb. 3-4.

The fair allows students to talk to organizations working in the fields of social justice, peace and development and to learn about local and global justice issues.

The event starts off at 7:30 p.m. with a keynote address and reading by exiled Iraqi poet Dunya Mikhail. The following day will feature discussions on the nature of justice, peace and development work from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Duckworth Centre Lounge.

Questioning youth

The future of youth in society and the barriers standing in their way will be the subject of debate in an upcoming inner-city talk.

The next installment in the Healthy Living in the Inner City series will take place on Jan. 29 from 6 to 8 p.m.

The free event will feature presentations by community workers and inner-city youth, multimedia displays and integrated discussion. Refreshments and childcare will be provided.

The event hopes to address common stereotypes about youth and their role in urban society building.

The event will take place in the Carol Shields Auditorium of the Millennium Library, 251 Donald Street.

Published in Volume 63, Number 18 of The Uniter (January 29, 2009)

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