Board approves balanced 2011-2012 budget

The University of Winnipeg’s Board of Regents approved a $100 million balanced operating budget for the 2011-2012 fiscal year. The budget allows the university to hire 31 tenure-track faculty, increase entrance scholarships, create $250,000 worth of new second – and third-year scholarships and bursaries, and expand money and opportunities earmarked for research. To balance the budget, a U of W press release reported that the university cut expenses wherever possible without affecting student services and academics. The university also restructured certain units and froze senior executive and middle manager salaries.

Students explore South Africa reconciliation

A group of students from the University of Manitoba and the University of Winnipeg have travelled to South Africa to learn about apartheid. The U of W’s Global College course welcomed graduate and undergraduate students to explore reconciliation as part of healing. The two-week course began in Cape Town and ended in Johannesburg and examined community-based to government-initiated reconciliation projects. Six South African students joined the group for the course. Global College vice-principal Dean Peachey said the course gives students a richer understanding of South Africa’s dealing with apartheid, a U of W press release reported. A similar course is planned for 2012 that focuses on aboriginal experiences, but will depend on funding availability to support South African students.

Green corridor to connect campuses

Construction at the University of Winnipeg continues this summer with the building of a green corridor that links the main campus to the new Richardson College campus. The university reported the project will create new community green space, improve accessibility and update an aging campus and community sewer system. By Sept. 5, the campuses will be connected by an accessible and lit path monitored by security cameras. Cisterns installed by the university and the City of Winnipeg will also be in place underground to improve sewage transport. The eco-project began June 13.

Students wins Top 20 Under 20 award

U of W human rights student Megan Fultz has received a Youth in Motion Top 20 Under 20 award, which praises 20 Canadians for their innovation, achievement and leadership. Fultz was among 20 young Canadians presented the national award and the first Manitoba recipient in two years. Fultz began working toward her B.A. in human rights at Global College while still in high school and donated much of a scholarship she received to the university’s Global Citizenship Fund. She currently acts as a student advisor, a U of W press release reported. Fultz received the award in Toronto on June 2.

Published in Volume 65, Number 27 of The Uniter (June 29, 2011)