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Message from Laurie Schnarr, Vice-Provost (Students)

Dear students,

Welcome back to Winter Term! Whether you are returning to campus for classes or studying remotely, I hope you've had a restful week, with the opportunity to recharge, catch up on some studying, and reconnect with friends and family.

While we are all encouraged by the easing of pandemic-related restrictions in our community, troubling events elsewhere in the world continue to occupy our minds. My thoughts are with our Ukrainian students and those with ties to Russia and Eastern Europe who have been affected by the invasion of Ukraine. UM has many student supportshttps://umanitoba.ca/student-supports and I encourage you to reach out. We are here for you.

Those looking for avenues to show your support are encouraged to consider a donation to the Canadian Red Cross Humanitarian Crisis Appealhttps://donate.redcross.ca/page/100227/donate/1?locale=en-CA. Last week, the Federal government announced that it will match all eligible donations made between February 24 and March 18, 2022.

The Return to Campus For those returning to in-person learning and studying, check out the return to campus websitehttps://umanitoba.ca/current-students/um-commons/return-campus-students and the following information that you may find useful:

Masks KN95 masks must be worn in all indoor spaces on UM campuseshttps://umanitoba.ca/covid-19/health-safety#mask-use. The only exceptions are if you are alone in a room with the door closed, or eating in areas designated for food consumption. Masks are not required outdoors.

Several mask distribution tables will be located across campus. Say hi to the friendly staff members in blue shirts who, in addition to providing you with a KN95 mask, can offer you wayfinding advice and a campus map of study/computer lab locations that are open. Masks will be available at the tables Monday to Friday 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. until March 11 at the locations on the covid-19 health and safety websitehttps://umanitoba.ca/covid-19/health-safety#mask-use. On that site you'll also find a list of Libraries and other areas where you can pick up a mask, and the hours of operation for each. If you are coming to campus and do not have a KN95 mask, you can wear your own cloth or 3-ply mask while you go immediately to the closest mask pick-up location. After the initial mask pick-up, it's expected that you will have a supply of KN95 masks to wear, even when attending the distribution locations to access more masks.

Study spaces on campus Study spaces are available to you on both the Fort Garry and Bannatyne campuses. Detailed information can be found on this web pagehttps://umanitoba.ca/covid-19/students#resources-for-students under "On-campus services". The Libraries also have study spaces available. If you are looking for a place to eat on either the Fort Garry or Bannatyne campus, please visit the where to eat on campushttps://umanitoba.ca/campus-services#eat-on-campus web page.

Parking If you are commuting to campus for the remainder of Winter Term, you can now purchase a monthly student parking permit for March and April at the same per-month price as a full student permit. The March monthly permit includes February 28, so you won't need to worry about paying for parking on that additional day.

If you are only going to be on campus certain days of the week, you can also purchase a flexible student parking permit that is valid for select days. Please visit the parking website for details on how to purchase a permithttps://umanitoba.ca/parking/student-parking.

Campus tours If you haven't been to campus yet, or you would just like a refresher, Student Life is offering campus tourshttps://umanitoba.ca/current-students/um-commons/return-campus-students#get-oriented-to-campus every Wednesday in March featuring key buildings, study spots and offices. Visit the return to campushttps://umanitoba.ca/current-students/um-commons/return-campus-students website for details and to register.

Outside of class time, I encourage you to participate in the "Where's Billy?" scavenger hunt that begins on Monday morning (February 28) on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/p/CaVN5BRl48U/. Find all nine Billy the Bison posters at various campus locations by March 11 for your chance to win great prizes from the Bookstore.

Student services and supports Below is an update on the status of Student Affairs services and supports for the remainder of Winter Term:

Office of the Registrar and Enrolment Services Financial Aid and Awardshttps://umanitoba.ca/financial-aid-and-awards, the Registrar's Officehttps://umanitoba.ca/registrar and Admissionshttps://umanitoba.ca/admissions offices will continue to offer services remotely for the remainder of Winter Term, with the following exceptions:

* Students who request emergency pick-ups of Transcripts, Enrolment Verifications and other documents.

Student Support Student Counsellinghttps://umanitoba.ca/student-supports/counselling-resources-students, Student Accessibility Serviceshttps://umanitoba.ca/student-supports/accessibility, Student Advocacy and Case Managementhttps://umanitoba.ca/student-supports/academic-supports/student-advocacy, Spiritual Carehttps://umanitoba.ca/student-supports/spiritual-services, Health and Wellnesshttps://umanitoba.ca/student-supports/health-wellness, the Sexual Violence Resource Centrehttps://umanitoba.ca/student-supports/sexual-violence-support-and-education, and Student Services at Bannatynehttps://umanitoba.ca/student-supports/student-services-bannatyne-campus will continue to offer services and programming remotely, however:

* In-person front office staffing and/or drop-in hours are available for students on campus who visit these offices. Please contact the offices directly to identify available times. * University Health Servicehttps://umanitoba.ca/student-supports/health-wellness/university-health-service (UHS) is open for virtual or in-person appointments in its temporary location in the trailer (ACW parking lot).

Student Engagement & Success All programming and services will continue to be delivered remotely, including tutoring supportshttps://umanitoba.ca/student-supports/academic-supports/academic-learning, and advising activitieshttps://umanitoba.ca/university-1/contact-us, however:

* The First Year Centrehttps://umanitoba.ca/university-1 and Career Serviceshttps://www.umanitoba.ca/career-services/ receptions are open for those students who are on campus. * The International Centrehttps://umanitoba.ca/international reception will be open in April. * Some Student Life programming (e.g., tourshttps://umanitoba.ca/current-students/um-commons/return-campus-students#get-oriented-to-campus and programming for students engaged in in-person learning) will be taking place on campus.

Mental health If you are feeling stress or anxiety, whether you are returning to campus or are continuing with remote learning, there are many student supportshttps://umanitoba.ca/student-supports in place to help you and a range of self-care tips you can add to your toolkithttps://news.umanitoba.ca/14-ways-to-combat-stress-during-tough-times/. Regardless of your level of need there is support availablehttps://news.umanitoba.ca/stress-support/.

Attention Graduate Students The UMGSA, in collaboration with campus partners, is offering two virtual workshops on March 8th as part of their new Mental Health Morning program: · Resiliency & Hope: 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. · Climate Anxiety: 10:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Registration is requiredhttp://www.umgsa.org/calendar/.

Stay active Be sure to take care of your physical and mental health during this time. Recreation Serviceshttps://umanitoba.ca/community/sport-recreation/recreation-services offers in-person and virtualhttps://umanitoba.ca/community/sport-recreation/recreation-services/virtual-health-and-fitness options to help you stay active and relieve stress.

Get involved! Registerhttps://www.uofmcareerservices.ca/events.htm?eventId=3491 to attend a session on March 3rd from 3-4pm with Peer Helpers and campus experts to learn more about joining clubs, volunteering opportunities, recreation and more!

We are all Bisons! Cheer on the Bisons later this month when the best in the country come to play. Visit gobisons.cahttps://gobisons.ca/index.aspx for details:

· Canada West Track and Field Championshipshttps://gobisons.ca/sports/2022/2/11/cw-track-and-field-2022.aspx March 18-19

· U SPORTS Men's Volleyball Championshiphttps://gobisons.ca/sports/2019/11/26/u-sports-volleyball.aspx March 25-27

Throughout the remainder of Winter Term I will share updates with you by email, but I encourage you to continue visiting the COVID-19 websitehttps://umanitoba.ca/covid-19/students for up-to-date health and safety information, and follow @umstudenthttps://www.instagram.com/umstudent/ on Instagram.

Welcome back. I wish you all the best as you resume your Winter Term studies.

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.camailto:Marcia.Davies@umanitoba.ca:

Student Affairs: Creating opportunities for student success!

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

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