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Hello Bisons!
Welcome to the official start of the Fall term! Whether you are a new learner on one of our campuses, a returning student, or a student in one of our professional programs – welcome!! As you head into the first week of classes, this is a reminder of some of the resources and activities you should be aware of, including the full range of academic supportshttps://umanitoba.ca/student-supports/academic-supports and personal health and wellness supportshttps://umanitoba.ca/student-supports/student-health-and-wellness that are available to you.
First year undergraduate students We provide a variety of resources and information designed specifically for new students to help make your first year a success. Follow the First Year Centre on Instagram (@umfirstyearcentrehttps://www.instagram.com/umfirstyearcentre/) for updated information, events, contests, and more!
UM Commonshttps://umanitoba.ca/current-students/um-commons is another great place to lookhttps://umanitoba.ca/current-students/um-commons if you have questions or want to keep up to date with what’s happening on campus. This website is packed with information on upcoming events, academic and personal supports, tips for getting involved, and more!
First year graduate students If you are a graduate student who was not able to attend one of the orientation sessions organized by the Faculty of Graduate Studieshttps://umanitoba.ca/graduate-studies/ last week, it’s not too late! Presentations are available on the graduate student orientationhttps://umanitoba.ca/graduate-studies/student-experience/graduate-student-orientation webpage.
International students The International Centre (IC) is your home away from home! Located at 541 UMSU University Centre, the IC is where you can find staff ready to support you, answer your questions, and provide information on upcoming events and opportunities. The Tony K. Lau Global Lounge is also open – it is a casual drop-in space where you can relax and hang out, attend programs, and workshops. Check out the International Centre website for more informationhttps://www.umanitoba.ca/international, or contact them at international@umanitoba.camailto:international@umanitoba.ca.
Indigenous students The Indigenous Student Centre (ISC) welcomes all Indigenous students to campus! On Wednesday, September 10, attend Indigenous Orientationhttps://umanitoba.ca/indigenous/engagement/indigenous-orientation from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Migizii Agamik – Bald Eagle Lodge and surrounding outdoor spaces. To learn more about the services offered through the ISC, visit the Indigenous student experience webpagehttps://umanitoba.ca/indigenous/student-experience, or follow the ISC on Instagram (@umindigenoushttps://www.instagram.com/umindigenous/).
The Indigenous Circle of Empowerment (ICE) is currently accepting applications for the 2025-26 academic year! If you enjoy building community, discovering personal strengths, improving your skills, and giving back to the community - ICE is looking for leaders like you! Find more information and apply on the ICE websitehttps://umanitoba.ca/indigenous/student-experience/indigenous-circle-empowerment-ice. Applications close on September 16.
Important information regarding new data storage limits Microsoft is introducing new storage limits for all M365 applications, including OneDrive, SharePoint, MS Teams, and Outlook email. To align with this change, the University of Manitoba is setting new quotas for students, staff and faculty effective September 3, 2025. For students your new quotas are: Email – 50 GB, OneDrive – 25 GB, and SharePoint/Teams – 50 GB.
Students who are currently over quota will receive an additional 25 GB of temporary space to assist with clean-up, but this will be removed once storage is back within limits. Notifications will appear in M365 apps when you approach or exceed your quota, and IST will also reach out to support affected users. For tips on checking and managing your storage, visit the IST websitehttps://umanitoba.ca/information-services-technology/welcome-microsoft-365/manage-your-m365-storage. Questions or feedback can be submitted via this formhttps://forms.office.com/r/3U9253muf1.
Please note that if you exceed these limits, you may lose the ability to send email, and files stored in OneDrive or SharePoint may be restricted to read-only access until storage is reduced.
Some general resources to be aware of Bursaries The University of Manitoba General Bursary Application for the 2025-26 academic year is now available through the Aurora Student Portalhttps://experience.elluciancloud.ca/uom12982/. This application, with supporting documentation, must be submitted by the October 1 deadline. See Financial Aid and Awards for more detailshttps://umanitoba.ca/financial-aid-and-awards/bursaries.
Libraries UM boasts seven libraries across the Fort Garry and Bannatyne campuses! Libraries are key to student success, providing a variety of resources such as workshops, specialized research help, computer and printer access, and study spaces. Check out these links for more information:
* Library locations, facilities, and hourshttps://umanitoba.ca/libraries/locations-and-facilities * Subject guides (staff and resources to assist in your various areas of study)https://umanitoba.ca/libraries/dafoe-library/subject-help * Libraries & Archives events calendarhttps://lib-umanitoba.libcal.com/calendar/lib_events?cid=2153&t=d&d=0000-00-00&cal=2153&inc=0 * Study spaces in UM Librarieshttps://umanitoba.ca/libraries/study-spaces Residences If you are in need of last-minute housing, be aware that the St. John’s College Residence has some vacancies! For more information, check out the St. John’s College Residence websitehttps://umanitoba.ca/st-johns-college/residence.
Health, safety, and well-being Campus safety As we start the Fall Term, each one of us has the right to feel safe, and a responsibility to do our part to ensure a safe campus for all. Be sure to:
* Familiarize yourself with the UM Security pagehttps://umanitoba.ca/security/ and safety resourceshttps://umanitoba.ca/student-supports/safety-and-security available to you * Download the UM Safehttps://news.umanitoba.ca/mobile-safety-app-launched/ app * Register for an upcoming campus safety education https://news.umanitoba.ca/register-for-a-campus-safety-education-session/ session to learn more * Learn about the Safer Social Event Teamhttps://umanitoba.ca/sites/default/files/2022-10/sset.pdf * Understand UM’s expectations regarding respectful behaviourhttps://umanitoba.ca/student-supports/respectful-conduct
Sexual Violence Resource Centre (SVRC) All students deserve safety and support on our campuses and off, and you play an important role in contributing to a campus-wide culture of consent. Please ask before touching and ask before texting.
If you or someone you know needs resources or support, the SVRC is available to help. The SVRC uses a trauma-informed approach to offer information, resources, and supports for people who have experienced sexual violence, and for those supporting survivors. Any information you disclose is confidential and you are in control of how you want to move forward. You can reach the SVRC in-person at 537 UMSU University Centre (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), by phone (204-474-6562), or by email (svrc@umanitoba.camailto:svrc@umanitoba.ca). Sport and Recreation Through the Sport and Rec fee, UM studentshttps://umanitoba.ca/community/sport-recreation/recreation-services/membership-rates#um-students have access to sport and recreation facilities and can attend group fitness classeshttps://umanitoba.ca/community/sport-recreation/recreation-services/group-fitness-and-casual-rec-use free at the Fort Garry and Bannatyne campuses. Students can also participate in UM REC Clubshttps://umanitoba.ca/community/sport-recreation/recreation-services/rec-clubs-intramurals/rec-clubs, Intramural Sportshttps://umanitoba.ca/community/sport-recreation/recreation-services/rec-clubs-intramurals and Adult Programshttps://umanitoba.ca/community/sport-recreation/recreation-services/registered-programs at an additional cost. All students also get free admission to Bisons sporting events throughout the school year! Attending a game to support your peers is a great way to immerse yourself in student life at UM. Check out the game schedules on the Bisons websitehttps://gobisons.ca/. Visit UM Recreation Services https://umanitoba.ca/community/sport-recreation/recreation-services and follow them on Instagram (@uofmrecserviceshttps://www.instagram.com/uofmrecservices/) for updates. Student Wellness Centre (SWC) The SWC is located at 162 Extended Education and welcomes all students to drop by to rest, recharge, connect with a peer health educator, or check out the resources in the Wellness Resource Library. For more information, visit UM’s Health and Wellness websitehttps://umanitoba.ca/student-supports/student-wellness and follow them on Instagram (@healthyuofmhttps://www.instagram.com/healthyuofm/).
Staying connected To make the most of the school year, keep informed about what’s happening on your campus and get involved early! Here are some avenues for doing that:
Connection Desk If you have a question and aren’t sure who to ask, visit the Connection Desk. Staffed by your peers, the Connection Desk team is happy to help you find whatever you’re looking for, whether it’s help finding a building, personal supports, information on events or facilities, or academic resources. Sometimes they have snacks too!
Drop-in with Laurie and Tina Once again this year I will be holding drop-in hours at Degrees (3rd floor UMSU University Centre) with the Vice- Provost (Equity), Tina Chen. The first opportunity to connect is on September 19th from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and subsequent dates/times are posted on my websitehttps://umanitoba.ca/student-supports/student-affairs/vice-provost-students. I encourage all students with a question, big idea, or concern to please drop by. We look forward to connecting with you!
Important dates and deadlines Please familiarize yourself with the important dates and deadlines webpagehttps://umanitoba.ca/registrar/important-dates-deadlines. It includes deadlines for registration and voluntary withdrawal, dates for the first and last day of classes, exam periods, and breaks, and holiday closures.
Stay updated! Every week, you will receive UM's student e-newsletter Student Weekly https://umanitoba.ca/student-supports/get-involved/student-weekly-newsletter in your inbox. If you are looking for information on deadlines, events, scholarships, employment opportunities, student support, and university announcements, this newsletter provides the most convenient way to access it all. You can also stay updated by following us on Instagram (@umstudenthttps://www.instagram.com/umstudent/).
Have a wonderful start to the Fall Term!
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
Confidential Assistant - Marci Davies Marci.Davies@umanitoba.camailto:Marcia.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, 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.
The information contained in this transmission is confidential and intended only for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately and permanently delete the original message, attachments and all copies.
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