Dear students,

I want to commend you on all your hard work and wish you the best as you wrap up Winter Term and head into exams. Whether you are in your first year or preparing to graduate, there are many UM resources and supports available to help you prepare for exams and end-of-term assignments. In this final email of the academic year, you’ll also find information to help you with your job search, details about financial supports, and reminders of upcoming events/activities. I encourage you to take full advantage of all that UM has to offer you.

Academic supports

A reminder that the Libraries are open during the exam period – for information about hours of operation by Library/date, check out this webpage.

The Academic Learning Centre team is here to support you during the exam period:

• free, individual tutoring for content, study skills, and writing, in-person and online
• recorded workshops (see especially Preparing for Finals)
• tip sheets (see especially Test / Exam Preparation (PDF))
• Graduate Writing Tutors

Content tutors can help you understand concepts and learn problem solving strategies. Study Skills tutors help with time management and test-taking strategies. Writing tutors can provide feedback on your academic writing, whether you are getting started or already have a draft. Graduate writing tutors help with developing and organizing ideas through to improving editing strategies. Read the tutor biographies to see which tutors can help with your specific needs and make an appointment on the Academic Learning Centre schedule.

If you consider requesting a deferred exam by submitting a Self-Declaration Form for a Brief or Temporary Absence, please be aware of the following examples of non-valid reasons for submitting a Self-Declaration form:

• Attending a personal or family event (e.g., vacation, wedding)
• Optional travel
• Technological difficulties
• Competitions or events related to personal interests (e.g., choir, acting, pageants, exhibitions)
• Employment-related commitments

Be sure to check with an advisor in your home faculty (or your faculty’s website) to confirm which reasons may be supported by use of the form. There are some circumstances in which documentation may be required by your faculty. Remember, submitting a self-declaration form either dishonestly or for a non-valid reason is the same as submitting any other false document, which may result in disciplinary action under the UM Student Discipline Bylaw.

If you are experiencing anxiety concerning your academic obligations, please use the student supports available to you. All UM services remain available during regular hours throughout the exam period. We are here for you.

Contribute to UM’s new community mural!

Last week the university launched its new strategic plan, which we're bringing to life with a mural that will serve as a reminder of our goals and aspirations for the future. Help complete the mural by responding to the prompt, “My UM will be...” online. Submissions are invited until April 12.

Learn from the best

Cheer on UM Grad students as they share their complex research in just three minutes, using only one slide! The Three Minute Thesis competition has been going strong since early March and the best of the best are competing in the finals TONIGHT at 7 p.m., Robert B. Schultz Theatre. The event will also be broadcast live on the University of Manitoba's YouTube channel.

Job search tips

Whether you are graduating and need advice to help with your job search or you’re looking for work over the summer, we have resources for you! Check out these ten tips for new grads or attend one of the many workshops offered through Career Services.  If you’re looking for summer employment check out the UM Job boards on UMConnect or the general job boards and employer lists.

Spring and summer bursary applications

If you’re looking for help covering costs while attending university this spring and summer, check out the Spring and Summer Term General Bursary application. Log into your Aurora account and access all the information you need to apply. Applications must be submitted by June 1, 2023.

Graduation Pow Wow

Mark your calendars for the 35^th Annual UM Graduation Pow Wow on Saturday, May 4 at Investors Group Athletic Centre, 9:45 a.m. to 7 p.m. All Indigenous graduates (First Nations, Inuit, Métis) are invited to participate. We look forward to honouring you as you mark the successful completion of your programs.

Spring convocation ceremonies

Over the next two months we are celebrating the accomplishments of all graduates at the following ceremonies:

• Bannatyne Campus (May 16, 2024)
• Fort Garry (June 4-June 7, 2024)
• Université de Saint-Boniface (June 10, 2024)

Visit the Convocation webpage for further details about the date/time/location of individual ceremonies. Well done, graduates!

Volunteer opportunities

Help welcome our newest Bisons at one or all summer welcome events by becoming a UM Orientation Volunteer. This is a great way to share your knowledge and experience, receive official recognition for your contributions, and have a lot of fun while you’re at it. Find more information and sign up here.

Volunteer at Science Rendez-Vous, Saturday, May 11. This science and engineering festival welcomes thousands of visitors to campus, where they watch live shows and participate in dozens of hands-on science activities. We’re excited to host this event in person once again and we need your help to make it a success. 

To those who are graduating – congratulations, and I can’t wait to join you in celebrating your achievements at Convocation. To those who are returning in the summer term, I’ll look forward to seeing you on campus. And to those who are working, travelling and playing this summer, I’ll see you when you return in September!

All my best,

…Laurie

Laurie M. Schnarr, MA (she/her)

Vice-Provost (Students)

Office of the Provost and Vice-President (Academic)

University of Manitoba

208 Administration Building

Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2

Tel: 204.474.6919

Confidential Assistant - Marci Davies Marci.Davies@umanitoba.ca: 204.474.6917

Student Affairs: Leaders in cultivating exceptional student experiences

I acknowledge, with humility and gratitude, that the University of Manitoba campuses are located on original lands of the Anishinaabeg, Cree, Ojibwe-Cree, Dakota, and Dene peoples, and on the National Homeland of the Red River Métis. As a white settler of English and German descent I am committed to walking alongside Indigenous students, colleagues, friends, and neighbours and doing the work that is necessary to honour the truth and contribute to lasting positive change.

Confidentiality notice: This message and any attachments to it are intended for the addressee only and may contain legally privileged or confidential information. Any unauthorized use, disclosure, distribution, or copying is strictly prohibited. Please notify the sender if you have received this email by mistake, and please delete it and the attachments (and all copies) in a secure manner.