This message is delivered by President David Barnard, University of Manitoba
Last fall, a matter arose involving a University of Manitoba doctoral
student which garnered a great deal of public attention. At the time, I
committed to providing you with an update on this case when it was prudent
to do so. A court ruling was issued on the matter yesterday which brings
some closure to the case and allows me to comment further. A full version of
the ruling can be found attached to my statement at www.umanitoba.ca.
The matter revolved around a doctoral student, who cannot be named to
protect their privacy, who was provided with an accommodation by the
University of Manitoba to complete a degree based on consideration of a
documented disability. Under the Manitoba Human Rights Code and according to
the universitys own policies, the University of Manitoba was obligated to
accommodate this proven, professionally-diagnosed disability and did so.
A University of Manitoba professor, Dr. Gábor Lukács, who did not teach or
advise this student and was not involved in the decision to accommodate
their disability, disagreed with the accommodation and chose to take the
matter to the Manitoba Court of Queens Bench where it was adjudicated over
the last year. A ruling in the matter was released late yesterday.
The question before the court was whether Dr. Lukács, given his lack of
direct involvement with the student, had the legal standing to challenge the
universitys decision to accommodate the students disability. In her
ruling, Justice Deborah McCawley determined that Professor Lukács does not
have such standing and does not have the legal right to challenge the
universitys decision.
I fail to see any direct, legitimate personal or private interest as
defined by the authorities which would grant Dr. Lukács private interest
standing, wrote Justice McCawley in her ruling. He did not teach the
student in question, he was only laterally a member of the Committee, he
himself does not hold a degree from the University of Manitoba nor does he
represent in any official capacity anyone but himself. Neither has he
demonstrated any damages other than unsubstantiated statements as to what he
thinks will occur if he does not succeed in his mission.
Justice McCawley also made it clear that the decision of how and when to
confer academic degrees lies with universities, not courts of law.
While I am pleased with the ruling, I want to reemphasize that the
University of Manitoba encourages informed debate on issues related to
academic policy, such as those in the case just heard. Where it is possible
for us to improve our policies and improve transparency of our processes, we
will do so. To this end, a committee has been established to review:
· How to balance the Universitys legal obligation to offer
reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities while protecting
academic standards;
· What types of accommodations may be offered, without compromising
academic standards;
· Who should decide on whether accommodations should be offered, and
if so, what type;
· What types of evidence of disability should the decision-maker
require;
· With whom is the decision-maker required to consult;
· How to ensure timely decisions on accommodations are made, so that
a students academic progress is not compromised; and,
· How to protect the privacy of students while assessing a case and
implementing accommodations.
Discussion of these matters is ongoing and involves students, faculty, staff
and experts in these fields. A final report is expected from this committee
later this year. The University of Manitoba will use their recommendations
to reinforce our commitment to being a responsive and responsible academic
institution.
The University of Manitoba remains fiercely committed to the principles of
academic integrity and excellence. Our dedication to the highest academic
standards ensures that our graduates are well-regarded and highly
sought-after in their chosen careers. We are confident that a degree from
the University of Manitoba is widely respected and valued.
David T. Barnard
President and Vice-Chancellor
University of Manitoba
This message is sent on behalf of Mrs. Jane Lastra, Director, Financial Aid
and Awards.
Dear Student:
The 2011/12 University of Manitoba General Bursary application form is now
available!
Every year, the University of Manitoba offers a wide-range of bursaries to
both new and continuing full and part-time students who are enrolled in
school from September to April who have a demonstrated financial need and a
minimum academic standing. Bursaries - student funding which does not need
to be repaid - range in amounts from $100 to $1,000, with over $3 million
awarded annually.
Bursary awards are primarily based upon financial need (as opposed to
scholarships which are primarily based upon your academics/marks).
General bursary criteria:
* International students in their first year of post-secondary study
in Canada are not eligible to apply to the general bursary program.
* All students must complete courses in both fall & winter terms to be
eligible.
* In most cases, students must register for and complete at least 60
percent of a full course-load per term (i.e., a minimum of 9 credit hours
per term). Graduate students do not have to adhere to credit hour minimums
but must be registered as full-time students with the Faculty of Graduates
Studies.
* As always, financial need must be clearly documented on the
application. Students who will have 2011-2012 government student loans have
an easier way of documenting financial need. Student aid recipients will be
required to submit copies of their current "official" government loan
assessment (not 'quick assessments') to support their declaration of
financial need.
* Students must meet minimum G.P.A requirements. Continuing students
must have a minimum cumulative G.P.A. of 2.0. New students (from high
school) must have a grade 12 average of 70% or higher.
Results are finalized in mid-December of each year and money is applied to
tuition fees for successful students. Please check your tuition account in
Student Aurora in mid-December to find out if you have been awarded a
bursary.
Apply now...we have moved away from a paper-based bursary application to a
fully integrated, ON-LINE application process!
Please visit our site at:
http://umanitoba.ca/student/fin_awards/bursaries/index.html