-------- Original Message -------- Subject: Fwd: UMSU election and referendum Date: Tue, 27 Feb 2007 17:41:31 -0600 From: umbagava@cc.umanitoba.ca To: godardbd@cc.umanitoba.ca

Dear Bev,

Please forward this information to all graduate students in our department.

Thank you!

Muthu

----- Forwarded message from Meghan Gallant pres@umgsa.ca ----- Date: Tue, 27 Feb 2007 15:43:45 -0600 From: Meghan Gallant pres@umgsa.ca Reply-To: Meghan Gallant pres@umgsa.ca Subject: UMSU election and referendum To: undisclosed-recipients@

Hi Councillors,

I'm writing to clarify graduate students' ability to participate in the UMSU election and referendum happening right now. Please pass this on to students in your departments.

Although UMSU has approved an autonomy settlement to the GSA, and the GSA General Meeting approved changes to our fee structure and executive to reflect this agreement, autonomy has not yet been approved by the Board of Governors. All graduate students paid membership fees to UMSU this year, and so are currently members of UMSU and eligible to vote in the election and in the referenda held alongside it.

There are three organisations requesting levies from students; there is a yes or no question for each of these organisations on the ballot that will be provided to students who vote in the UMSU election. If these levies are approved, all graduate students will pay them even after becoming autonomous from UMSU, as we are eligible to participate in the vote. Any new levies taken to referendum after graduate student autonomy will require a separate vote from graduate students.

The organisations requesting levies are: Public Interest Research Group (icePIRG) $2.00 ($1.00 per term) University of Manitoba Recycling and Environmental Group (UMREG) $0.50 increase to the existing fee Engineers Without Borders University of Manitoba Chapter $0.70 ($0.35)

Voting will take place this Wednesday, Thursday and Friday accross campus. Students can vote at any polling station.

More information is available at www.umsu.ca

Meghan