July 19, 2010 | 

A.S.H Management Group Inc. has been providing property management services to its clients on projects located in Manitoba since 1991. It is the property manager of Univillage co-op building at 99 Dalhousie Drive in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The previous owner of the property was a Non Profit Holding Company whose membership consisted of intergovernmental and University of Manitoba representatives and stakeholders.

Univillage co-op has never owned its building. Univillage co-op was established after a lease was originally signed in the 1970's with the previous owner(s) of 99 Dalhousie Drive. By leasing of the property Univillage co-op was registered with the Province of Manitoba and formed as a governing body for the housing co-op. When the lease expired on the property; a new lease was resigned between the previous owner and Univillage co-op that is to expire on August 31, 2010. No new lease has been signed with A.S.H Management Group Inc. since the acquisition of the building by 99 Dalhousie Drive Inc. 99 Dalhousie Drive Inc., a private for-profit company with 15-20 shareholders and private investors, hired A.S.H Management Group Inc. to manage the property in 2008.

December 2008 - Univillage co-op hires legal counsel of two to three lawyers to investigate the sale by the previous owner of 99 Dalhousie Drive. Legal counsel findings indicates no legal complications for the sale of 99 Dalhousie Drive based on possibly incomplete information that was provided to the lawyers.

May 19. 2009 – University Board of Govenors Meeting

“Mrs. McCallum informed the Board of a donation of $6.9 million towards the new student residence building from the College Housing Holdings Inc. Board. The College Housing Holdings Inc. Board had decided it was in the best interest to sell the apartment at 99 Dalhousie Drive and found a vendor who is willing to continue to operate it as cooperative housing. Mrs. McCallum, who has been the chair of the Board for the past nine years, noted that the Board has student representation and that Mr. Dhalla sat on the Board as well. As a result of the sale, assets became available and the College Housing Holdings Board decided unanimously to donate the proceeds to the University.” ( May 19, 2009 Board of Govenors Meeting - http://www.umanitoba.ca/admin/governance/media/bogminmay2009open.pdf) 

May 27, 2009 - A.S.H Management Group Inc. submits a letter of offer to the Univillage co-op board to renew the lease for 99 Dalhousie Drive.

November 21, 2009 - A.S.H Management Group Inc. submits a letter to the Univillage co-op board to advise of the termination of the lease and to re-negotiate a new lease.

December 18, 2009 - A.S.H Management Group Inc. submits a letter to the Univillage co-op board to advise of the termination of the lease and to re-negotiate a new lease.

January 9, 2010 - Univillage co-op AGM with A.S.H Management Group Inc. in attendance. Many students/residents unaware of the termination the lease and request for re-negotiation of a new lease.

February 4, 2010 - A.S.H Management Group Inc. submits a letter to the Univillage co-op board to advise of the termination of the lease and to re-negotiate a new lease.

April 26, 2010 - A.S.H Management Group Inc. submits a final letter to the Univillage co-op board to advise of the termination of the lease vacation notice for August 31, 2010. Offer of new lease is no longer valid.

May 14, 2010 - Nick Martin of the the Winnipeg Free Press published an article titled “Students given notice to vacate after refusing 45% rent increase”.

June 23, 2010 - The UMGSA Executive is made aware of Univillage co-op rent increases by resident students and asked to intervene in finding resolution to the problem.

July 7, 2010 - Univillage co-op membership invites the Province of Manitoba and A.S.H Management Group Inc. to attend a Univillage co-op board meeting. Univillage co-op board members disallow the Province of Manitoba and A.S.H Management Group Inc. to attend the meeting.

July 15, 2010 - Univillage co-op seeks legal counsel from a third lawyer.

Over the course of twelve months, the Univillage co-op board held its monthly board meetings to discuss the lease with the owner of the building. A.S.H Management Group Inc. was in attendance at these meetings. No decisions were made whereby A.S.H Management Group Inc. and Univillage co-op could agree. According to some observers of the Univillage co-op board meetings, other internal issues superseded the lease discussion.

The Univillage co-op board may have failed to inform its membership regarding the termination of the current lease and the re-negotiation of a new lease. It is the opinion of the investigator that the membership of the Univillage co-op was made aware of the lease situation at the Univillage co-op Annual General Meeting on January 9, 2010.

It is the investigator's impression that previous legal counsel found not legal grounds to pursue legal action regarding the business transaction of the property owner and Univillage co-op. Univillage co-op has currently hired legal counsel regarding this matter and the role of UMGSA would be limited and would not be providing legal advice between an external property owner, the Univillage co-op and the Province of Manitoba.

It is the investigator's impression that the conditions of the sale of the property by a non-profit hold company to a for-profit corporation are unclear and appears to be lacking transparency for the affected stakeholders. A more deep and forensic investigation needs to be conducted to unravel the involvement of the University of Manitoba Administration and its relationship to the property holders including but not limited to The College Housing Holdings Inc., A.S.H Management Group Inc., and 99 Dalhousie Drive Inc.

It is the investigator's impression that the University of Manitoba has been unclear in its involvement with the property at 99 Dalhousie Drive.

Regarding the dissolving of the Univillage co-op, the Province of Manitoba Cooperatives Act allows for the dissolution of the co-op if the lease is terminated and the co-op ceases to have a property for it to manage.

It is also the investigator's impression that the Univillage co-op Board may have been dysfunctional and ineffective in communicating and negotiating a new lease with its stakeholders. Good governance according to the Province of Manitoba includes five key points in reference to a cooperative:

1 - Determinate power, roles, responsibilities and respect of areas of competence

2 - Transparency and communication

3 - Democratic and/or participative management

4 - Leadership of director and members

5 - Education and training

Based on the findings of the investigator, certain elements of good governance may have been lacking that may have limited the co-op's ability to act and react to this circumstance.

The UMGSA, although sensitive to and concerned with the events of Univillage that directly impacts University of Manitoba Graduate Students, is unable to resolve the issue. Univillage co-op has hired legal counsel regarding this matter and the UMGSA encourages the students and residents of Univillage co-op to pursue the options provided by the legal counsel of the Univillage co-op board.

July 8, 2010 | The Faculty of Arts needs graduate students to participate in its committees. The breakdown of the committees are: 

2 graduate students are needed for the Course & Programs Approvals Committee.

1 graduate student is needed for the Equity, Diversity and Human Rights Committee.        

1 graduate student is needed for the Endowment Fund Committee.

1 graduate student is needed for the Local Area Safety and Health. 

1 graduate student is needed for the Research Committee.

Please fill out the form in the get involved tab to join the committee(s).

June 23, 2010 | Graduate students living in University Village Co-op Hosuing are facing rent increases of upto 50% since the Co-op Housing was sold by the University of Manitoba to a private firm.  After rejecting an increase of 50%, the Co-op Housing Baord has been dissolved by the new owners of the housing units. At the June 23, 2010 GSA Executive Meeting, the Vice President (Academic) vounteered to investigate this matter and work with the students to resolve this matter after Senator Sadek brought forward the concern from graduate students. Information will be made available on the GSA website as the story evolves.

June 23, 2010 | UMGSA will be working with its coalition partners and the Candian Federation of Students to lobby the provincial government to provide basic medical coverage for International Students. A meeting with the Minister of Health is being planned for a future date. Each province administers its own health care system and the requirements for international students to access health care vary from province to province.

Currently, the UMGSA is working at expanding and enhancing the insurance plan that students are paying for thaty does not include the state paid basic services that are offerred to citizens.Greenshield offers a comprehensive set of benefits that include:

• Prescription drugs with or without a pay-direct drug card;
• Paramedical services: physiotherapist, speech pathologist, massage therapist, chiropractor, naturopath, and psychologist;
• Dental accident costs;
• Medical equipment/appliances;
• Accident or sickness related tutorial costs;
• Ambulance costs;
• Semi-private hospital rooms;
• Out of province emergency services;
• Accidental death and dismemberment insurance;
• Vision care/prescription glasses; and
• Managed dental care.

June 11, 2010 | The 2010 GSA Awards Committee met to review the applicants for the 2010 GSA Awards. This year, two awards valued at $12,000 each will be offered to students in the Fulltime Master's Program, one award, valued at $16,000, will be offered to a Fulltime Doctoral student, and one award, valued at $5,000, will be offered to a student in the Part-time Master's or Doctoral Program. The names of the winners will be announced in mid July. All the applicants were seen as strong candidates for the awards. Everyone that applied for the GSA Awards will receive a letter from the Awards Committee Chairperson informing them of the committee's decision.

The Awards Committee has also decided that all applicants for the 2010 GSA Awards will be invited to the 2010 GSA Awards Luncheon to be held on September 8, 2010.  The committee also decided to request that any unawarded monies be allocated as bursaries for graduate students for the upcoming academic year.

June 7, 2010 | The Faculty of Graduate Studies has retracted their proposal to increase continuing fees for graduate students at the University of Manitoba.The UMGSA Executive team, under the leadership of Ms. Meaghan Labine, has been very active in opposing a 3 year cumulative increase of 333% in continuing fees for graduate students at the University of Manitoba.The Faculty of Graduate Studies has retracted their proposed increase, rather than having the increase defeated by the provincial government. A retraction allows the FGS to re-apply for an increase at a future date.

On behalf of the graduate students at the University of Manitoba I extend a cordial welcome to Mr. Harvey Sector as the new Chancellor at the University of Manitoba and express to you our warm greetings and encouragement.

On the one hand, this role demonstrates the bond of unity between the university and the broader community. The role requires special attention to assisting with the advancement of the University through collaboration with all our stakeholders in building an ever stronger post secondary institution of excellence in academics, research, and athletics.

On the other hand, through your steadfast community involvement, contribution, commitment, knowledge and understanding I am confident that you will pursue, develop  and celebrate a stronger University of Manitoba that will contribute to the personal growth and development of our students, alumni, and the greater community.

I invite you Mr. Chancellor, with the support of the graduate students, to generously pursue your continued commitment to the University of Manitoba. Within our dynamic university community, may you constantly be re-energized to carry out your duties for the good of  today’s students as they study, learn,  and graduate to become the leaders of tomorrow.

As you begin your undertaking and responsibility, I offer you my best wishes for its success, and I can assure you that you will always find here, in the student’s I represent, an attentive welcome and cordial understanding. Thank you and welcome!

- Speech by Mr. Peter Nawrot, UMGSA VP Academic delivered on June 1, 2010 at 10:00a.m.

The Graduate Students' Association exists to serve graduate students and is a powerful voice for graduate students at the University of Manitoba.  At the time same time we celebrate the accomplishments of our individual members. Graduation is an event of particular importance for you. Your hard work, zeal and dedication, and that of your professors and teaching staff, have brought you this day to have your degrees conferred. It is a time of rejoicing and celebration.

On this your graduation day, the entire executive team along with our members,  congratulate you on your tireless work, dedication, achievements, academia, and research that contributes to improving the world we collectively live in. Additionally, we thank you for being part of the student movement, at the local, regional, and national levels. By being part of this movement we have been able to work towards ensuring an accessible education for not only this generation, but for future generations who will one day be receiving their graduate degrees.  The degrees you have been awarded are especially valuable, in light of the emerging reality and threat posed by the marketization of post secondary education.

Underlying the market orientation of tertiary education is theascendance, almost worldwide, of market capitalism and the principles of neo-liberal economics. ⁽¹⁾

It is our hope and desire that you excel in your professions and future endeavors. May your contributions to society reflect a spirit of generosity, collaboration, and good will. The present is a stepping stone to a future that is malleable and yours to create. Consequently, the future needs you to ensure that the opportunities you have had for completing your degree and achieving your dreams may continue to be the same, and even better opportunity and reality for future generations to come!Congratulations!

In Solidarity,

Meaghan Labine
President

Farhoud Delijani
Vice-President (Internal)  

Liz Gonsalves
Vice-President (External)

Peter Nawrot
Vice-President (Academic)

Pawan Sharma
Vice-President (Health Sciences)

Raja Chakraborty
Senator

Ning Ma
Senator

Mohammed Sadek
Senator

Ruth Prokesch
Office Manager