Please see email below, set to be sent to all students this morning.

From: Marcia Davies <Marci.Davies@umanitoba.ca>
Sent: Monday, December 9, 2024 9:05 AM
To: All Student Affairs Staff <st-affairs-all@lists.umanitoba.ca>
Subject: [St-affairs-all] Message to UM Students: December 9, 2024

Hello, please note that the following message will be sent to all students this morning.

Message from Laurie Schnarr, Vice-Provost (Students)

Dear students,

Fall Term 2024 is drawing to a close and Tuesday, December 10 marks the beginning of the final exam period for many faculties. Knowing that this can be a stressful time, I would like to share some information about resources and supports that you may find helpful over the next two weeks.

As you prepare for your exams, I encourage you to access the Content and Study Skills tutors at the Academic Learning Centre (ALC). They continue to hold one-to-one appointments throughout the exam period. Various other resources are offered through the ALC, such as Writing tutors and specialized supports for graduate students. Academic Advisors are also available to you until the last day of exams on December 20.

Often a key part of exam preparation is finding a study space that works for you. If you are in need of a space, UM Libraries are open and you can find their hours, study space options, and information about their satellite locations on their website.

We recognize that for some students, personal circumstances necessitate studying during non-traditional hours. A dedicated quiet space with on-site staff has been designated for studying throughout the period December 9 at 8:00 a.m. – December 20 at 4:30 p.m. in the St. John’s College Library, 3^rd floor, St. John’s College. The SJC Library accommodates 55 students, and will be available on a first come, first served basis. UM student ID must be presented to gain entry to the space outside regular hours (weekdays from 8 p.m. - 8 a.m. and all day on weekends). For further details and conditions for using this space, refer to this UM Today story.

Prioritizing your well-being during this intense period of academic study is vitally important. If you are in need of some support in this area, don’t hesitate to reach out and explore the resources available to you. The teams at the Student Wellness Centre, Healthy U and the Student Counselling Centre are available to offer space, resources and an opportunity to talk through challenges. Visit their websites for more information and hours during the exam period.

Exam deferrals are a privilege. Although rare, there may be extenuating circumstances that impact your ability to write your final exam as scheduled. Be sure to review valid and non-valid reasons for deferred exams and where to get support.

To fuel your study sessions or to grab a bite between exams, UM Campus Services will continue to operate. If you are craving something in particular, be sure to check the hours of operation for individual food outlets to avoid disappointment, especially on weekends. Members of the Student Affairs team are also offering free coffee and healthy treats throughout the exam period:

• During the evening on December 11 in the tunnel network between the University Centre and Asper, look for free coffee and treats handed out by Spiritual Care in partnership with UMSU Degrees Diner!
• On December 12 from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. come to the Connection Desk 109 UMSU University Centre for a free doughnut and affirmation to help power you through the day: Donut Stress, You’ve Got This!
• On December 13 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. in the Fletcher hallway and again 12 - 2 p.m. in the Armes hallway, swing by the Charge Ahead table for coffee, snacks and good vibes to keep you going!
• On December 16 from 12 - 2 p.m. stop by the Student Wellness Centre (SWC) in Room 162 Extended Education to grab some free snacks, play board games, study, or relax! Keep an eye out for SWC staff as they visit high traffic areas around campus to hand out some study fuel!

A great way to clear your head and support your mental well-being is to stay active. All UM students, through the Sport and Rec fee, have access to UM sport and recreation facilities, casual rec use spaces, and group fitness classes on both the Fort Garry and Bannatyne campuses. Check out UM Recreation Services to learn more and find hours of operation.

Safety has been top of mind for our community over the past few months.  This UM Today story provides an overview of current safety and security measures, and recent enhancements, in keeping with our commitment to provide a safe and secure environment for all students, staff and visitors.  If you haven’t already, I encourage you to download the free UM Safe App for Android or iOS devices to have ready access to safety tools, services and resources.

Given the weather conditions we have been experiencing, please travel safely over the coming days. I’m wishing you all the best during the final exam period.

Take good care.

…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

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

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, Ininew, Anisininew, 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 through meaningful action 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.