This article was written by Avery Groeneveld
Events
This past November, the Commerce Students’ Association successfully held its 29th annual National Business School Conference (NBSC). This 3-day conference took place from November 11th to the 14th and was a wonderful success for all involved. The University of Manitoba welcomed students from across Canada who are currently business student association executive members and JDC West Captains to the conference. These students had the opportunity to collaborate and discuss challenges they currently face and work together to create innovative solutions. In addition to the camaraderie established between the students, the delegates attending NBSC also had the opportunity to learn from some amazing local business leaders through various workshops and keynote speeches. This event allowed some hard-working students to take some time to re-charge and enjoy a lovely weekend with some fellow student leaders! The Asper Scoop wants to congratulate the NBSC team for all of the hard work that went into planning this conference and the amazing success it was!
Get ready Asper students, because 5 Days for the Homeless is on its way! If you’re new to Asper or if you need a refresher, 5 Days is an initiative run by the Commerce Students’ Association in support of Resource Assistance for Youth (RaY) a group that supports homeless youth in Manitoba. 5 Days has just finished its recruitment for its committee and the new team is so excited to bring some new fundraisers and initiatives to the University of Manitoba. This year, the 5 Days campaign will officially kick off with their annual textbook sale which will take place during winter break! Keep an eye out @5daysum on Instagram for updates and announcements about this year’s campaign!
Student Stories
The Holiday season is fast approaching and it’s a good time to get ahead on your gift shopping for friends, family, and other loved ones! This month in student stories, the Scoop was inspired by the University of Manitoba Indigenous Commerce Students’ (UMICS) who regularly feature Canadian Indigenous businesses to members of the Commerce Students’ Association’s General Council, and wanted to promote some phenomenal Indigenous businesses to all Asper Students! Be sure to check out the businesses below for all of your shopping needs.
If you are looking for some unique and attractive clothing, look no further than Red Rebel Armour. This Indigenous-owned streetwear brand aims to promote their message with every piece they produce. Red Rebel Armour states their message is to “reduce recidivism by creating jobs for [their] relatives that are facing barriers to employment”. If you are interested in purchasing some of their amazing pieces they are currently for sale at Hudson’s Bay at St Vital and Polo Park Malls. Check out their website at https://redrebelarmour.ca/
If you are looking to glow up over the winter break, it’s time to check out Spirit Babe Co! This heath, beauty, and apparel boutique has a lineup of handmade jewelry and certified organic, cruelty-free, and 100% vegan beauty products that will keep you looking fabulous as the year wraps up! This business is a woman and Indigenous-run entrepreneurial endeavor, and the founder Amanda aims to sell products that bring “healing and soul transformation” to her customers. Be sure to check out their website at https://www.spiritbabeco.com/
If you need to satisfy some cravings for a delicious meal, look no further than Feast Cafe Bistro! This local spot is full of some delectable eats as well as a new grab-and-go market that allows Winnipeggers to pick up, or have fresh meals delivered right to their doors! Feast promotes their message as: “We harvest, cook, and eat with good intention. We pay respect to the plants and animals that give themselves to nourish our bodies. As we eat together, we honor our connections, preserve our history, and share our stories. We are fed in mind, body, and spirit.” If you are interested in their pre-prepared meal kits or getting a gift card to dine in person, check out their website at http://www.feastcafebistro.com/
University Life
As everyone by now is most likely aware, the University of Manitoba Faculty Association (UMFA) has gone on strike. Although this decision does not affect every class taking place at the University of Manitoba, it is more than likely that all students will be affected in some ways by this strike. As things change every day, it’s important to be constantly checking in and staying up to date with the most current information. Below we have answered some common questions regarding the strike, and have linked to some helpful resources to help you stay informed in this confusing time.
- Why isn’t everyone striking?
Well, UMFA is a union that contains some of the professors teaching at the University of Manitoba. Although this union is large, it is not the only one, and some professors may not be a part of any union. The best way to confirm for your particular courses is to ask your professor. To see a list of continuing courses throughout the strike check out this link: https://umanitoba.ca/registrar/continuing-courses
2. If my professor is striking, do I still have to write tests/assignments/anything else similar?
The short answer is no, if your professors are on strike you most likely would have noticed by this point that you are not responsible for any normal course work. When the strike is resolved, you should expect your professors to update you on what your schedule will look like for the remainder of the teaching period leading up to exams.
3. I’ve heard a lot about crossing the picket lines but what does that mean?
Members of UMFA are picketing in multiple areas around the University of Manitoba while the strike is taking place. These physical picket lines are literal, but considering that a large portion of university is virtual this year, when you hear about refusing to cross picket lines it essentially refers to choosing to not attend any courses (including those unaffected by the strike) in support of UMFA. Every student has the right to do this but they are still required to complete course work and inform their professor about their choice to work out an arrangement. This conversation with your professor has to take place and cannot occur retroactively.
4. How long will this strike last?
No one can say for certain, as a student you will most likely hear speculation from every direction but it could be over right away or last a while longer, the best you can do is keep up to date with the negotiations and how the upcoming exams and semester will be affected. Depending on how late the strike ends the timeline for the academic year will be impacted in different ways. To see the possible timelines check out: https://umanitoba.ca/strike-information/student-faq
The strike is a complex thing that can be confusing and troubling for students. If you are struggling in any way, reach out to the many supports available to students at https://umanitoba.ca/student-supports Stay strong fellow Asper students, and hopefully we will return to normal soon!
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