Voting for the 2025-26 University of Manitoba Students’ Union (UMSU) annual general election will occur from Thursday, March 6 at 8 a.m. until Friday, March 7 at 5 p.m. The final timeline of the upcoming election was presented during the Jan. 16 UMSU board of directors meeting.
The timeline presentation was prepared by chief electoral officer Jodie Smith and was presented by Christopher Yendt, interim chairperson of the board, as Smith was unable to attend the meeting.
The nomination period for students wishing to run in the election starts on Monday, Feb. 3 at 9 a.m. with the deadline to submit the nomination
package being Thursday, Feb. 13 at 5 p.m.
Thirteen positions are available to be filled in the upcoming election, consisting of executive positions and community representatives. Executive positions include the president, vice-president university affairs, vice-president external affairs, vice-president student life and vicepresident finance and operations. The community representative positions consist of an Indigenous, international, 2SLGBTQIA+, women’s community, accessibility, mature and part-time, racialized and Black students’ representative.
The responsibilities and duties of each position can be found in UMSU’s governance
and operations manual.
The UMSU election manual states that the nomination package will require the candidate’s name and contact information, a signed acknowledgement accepting the nomination, confirmation from the university that the nominee is an UMSU member, a $50 deposit and a signed document indicating the name that each candidate wishes to appear on the ballot.
Students wishing to run for an executive position will also require the first and last names, signatures, faculties, years and student ID numbers of a minimum of 100 students that are UMSU members. They will also need to
UMSU chair and governance administrative coordinator resign
applications are due Feb. 17
Manitoba opens applications for new plastic health card
Modernized plastic card featuring northern lights to arrive within coming months
Taycie Adeoti, staff
Manitobans are now able to apply online for an updated plastic health card that will eventually replace the existing paper health card.
This update was announced by Health, Seniors and Longterm Care Minister Uzoma Asagwara and Innovation and New Technology Minister, Mike Moroz on Jan. 15.
Although Premier Wab Kinew initially announced that applications for a new card would be available in December 2024, he said plans were delayed due to the Canada Post strike.
In a provincial news release, Asagwara stated, “our government has been working hard to move our health-care system into the modern era and we’re thankful to Manitobans’ patience as we take time to get this process right.”
The delivery of updated health cards might face delays due to the high demand for the initiative, according to Asagwara. However, Asagwara emphasized that the government remains committed to ensuring every Manitoban receives their card as part of this modernization effort.
In September 2024, the government initiated a poll for the design of the new card. The winning design features an image of the northern lights, beating other potential designs that showcased a bison and a polar bear.
Asagwara claims that Manitobans applying for the updated plastic health card can expect them to be delivered within the next few
months. Meanwhile, the current paper health card will remain valid and will continue to be accepted by healthcare facilities. Manitoba and Alberta are the last provinces and territories within Canada that continue to use paper health cards.
There is also a plan to have a digital health card that can be accessed on smartphones in the future.
Youth and children who are listed on family health cards will now receive their own card to align with other jurisdictions across Canada, according to a provincial news release.
A provincial spokesperson said that the government chose to ask Manitobans to apply for the card, rather than simply mailing them to everybody, because many people have old addresses on their file, as reported by CBC.
The health card application also requires individuals to indicate their preferred official language. Those applying for their first health card will now automatically receive the updated plastic card, with mail and in-person pick-up options being available.
The total cost of the initiative remains unclear, but is estimated that the production cost per card is below $1.67, which was the cost of Manitoba’s COVID-19 vaccination card, claimed an official in the communications branch to CBC.
Manitobans can apply for the plastic health card online at gov.mb.ca/health.
Past chairperson of UMSU’s board of directors, Nicholas Lu (left), pictured during the Dec. 5 board meeting. Christopher Yendt (right) has since served as interim chairperson following Lu’s resignation.
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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Milan Lukes editor@themanitoban.com
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NEWS Ngozi Okose
NEWS Taycie Adeoti
RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY Divyata Gosai
COMMENT Quinn Mayhew
COMMENT Thandeka Katsika
ARTS & CULTURE Boris Tsun Hang Leung
ARTS & CULTURE Carrington Dong
SPORTS Faiyaz Chowdhury
SPORTS Israel Abejoye
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The Manitoban is the official student newspaper of the University of Manitoba. It is published monthly during the summer and each week of regular classes during the academic year by the Manitoban Newspaper Publications Corporation.
The Manitoban is an independent and democratic student organization, open to participation from all students. It exists to serve its readers as students and citizens.
The Manitoban is a member of the Canadian University Press, and our journalistic standards can be found on the Manitoban’s website.
The newspaper’s primary mandate is to report fairly and objectively on issues and events of importance and interest to the students of the University of Manitoba, to provide an open forum for the free expression and exchange of opinions and ideas and to stimulate meaningful debate on issues that affect or would otherwise be of interest to the student body and/ or society in general. The Manitoban serves as a training ground for students interested in any aspect of journalism.
Students and other interested parties are invited to contribute to any section of the newspaper. Please contact the appropriate editor for submission guidelines.
The Manitoban reserves the right to edit all submissions and will not publish any material deemed by its Editorial Board to be discriminatory, racist, sexist, homophobic or transphobic, ableist or libellous.
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Lu cites scheduling difficulties for resignation, Yendt to fill in as chairperson
Milan Lukes, staff
Chairperson of the University of Manitoba Students’ Union (UMSU) board of directors, Nicholas Lu, and UMSU governance administrative coordinator, Lauren Slegers, have both resigned. The announcement was made during the Jan. 16 UMSU board of directors meeting by UMSU president Divya Sharma.
“You’re probably wondering where our chair is,” said Sharma during the start of the meeting. “Unfortunately, our chair has resigned and we will be looking for a different chair,” she said.
No reason for the resig-
nation was provided during the meeting, though Lu clarified to the Manitoban that “I resigned due to changes in my professional life, scheduling became difficult.”
Christopher Yendt, president of the University of Manitoba Graduate Students’ Association, was appointed as chair during the meeting following a motion moved by Sharma.
“One of the things that we’re actually discussing right now is what we are going to do for the position of chair,” stated Sharma to the board. “Right now, Chris is going to lead us through the next couple of
weeks.”
Lu was appointed as chairperson of the board during the Nov. 21 board of directors meeting for the remainder of the 2024-25 academic year, ending on April 30, following Motion 0634. The appointment was at the recommendation of UMSU’s selections committee.
The board also approved Motion 0635 during the Nov. 21 meeting which granted Lu an honorarium of $250 per meeting as chairperson. According to the UMSU bylaws, the chair of the board of directors is to be awarded an honorarium at the end of the position’s term
Nomination period to last from Feb. 3-13
< Cont’d from front page
provide the name and contact information of their campaign manager who must be a student and UMSU member.
Students looking to run as a community representative will need to submit contact and identifying information of at least 15 nominators who are UMSU members and members of the relevant community group.
The campaigning period will start after the winter term break on Monday, Feb. 24 at 9 a.m. and will last until Wednesday, March 5 at 5 p.m.
Voting will occur online
using your UMNetID and UMNet password through Simply Voting — a web-based voting platform. In-person voting will take place on the first floor of UMSU University Centre from Thursday, March 6 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. to Friday, March 7 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The preliminary election results will be available online at umsu.ca/vote on the final day of voting.
For more information about UMSU’s general election, visit umsu.ca/elections.
photo / Milan Lukes / staff
with the amount being determined by the finance committee.
Yendt previously served as interim chairperson of the board of directors during the first meeting on May 9, according to the UMSU meeting minutes. Yashas Samtani served as interim chairperson during the following three meetings and then Sharma as acting chairperson.
No reason for Slegers’s resignation was mentioned during the recent board meeting. An automatic reply from Slegers’s UMSU email address indicated that she left her position with the union.
UMSU’s governance administrative coordinator position remains vacant, though Sharma indicated that UMSU is hiring for a new position — administrative assistant — which will have an emphasis on governance.
“If you know anyone, your friends or folks that you know would fit well into this role, please share this job posting with them,” said Sharma during her report to the board. Sophie George, UMSU’s policy and strategy advisor, helped coordinate the Jan. 16 meeting in absence of the governance administrative coordinator, said Sharma.
UMSU board adopts changes to election manual
Changes clarify election eligibility and ensure candidates fulfill their duties
Milan Lukes, staff
The University of Manitoba Students’ Union (UMSU) board of directors amended the UMSU election manual at the Jan. 16 meeting. The changes put forward in Motion 0636 by the governance committee followed the 2024 chief returning officer’s report which outlined changes to make to the manual.
“Most of the changes have to do with specifying terminology, definitions, while making them more clear or just removing references to things that don’t exist anymore,” said Brooke Hilland, member of the governance committee. “We just generally believe that they’ll help elections run more smoothly.”
One of the changes includes clarifying the criteria that are necessary to be nominated as a candidate.
Only a “student in good standing” with the union can be nominated as a candidate, which is now defined as “an UMSU member who has demonstrated and actively adheres to the UMSU governing documents, demonstrating integrity, professional conduct and compliance with all relevant standards and regulations, while upholding the organization’s values.”
The definition indicates that this includes UMSU bylaws, position statements, the governance and operations manual, elections manual, referendum manual and all other rules and procedures governing UMSU and conduct in UMSU spaces, the university and the community.
The student seeking candidacy must also not have been disciplined in the last cal-
endar year by UMSU, must have paid all required student union fees and comply with U of M policies.
“This status ensures that the student is recognized as a responsible member of the student body, eligible to run for a position within the student union,” states the amended manual.
The chief returning officer (CRO) also “has the jurisdiction to determine a student’s eligibility, even if specific circumstances may not strictly align with this.”
UMSU president Divya Sharma clarified that rulings by the CRO on student ineligibility for candidacy will be made public, following a question from Gurpahul Kaur, UMSU director for the Arts Student Body Council.
“Any sort of ruling that the CRO makes is made public
and is published on the website to be shared with the general public,” said Sharma. Candidates must also be able to fulfill their responsibilities in-person to be eligible to be nominated as a candidate. Other changes include substituting “pre-campaigning” for “campaign planning” in the elections manual and defining the term. A clause was added stating that “stu-
dents who take virtual classes may pay their dues at the office and run, volunteer and/ or vote.”
A requirement was also removed from the manual pertaining to the production of campaign material by the union’s digital copy centre.
For more information about UMSU’s general election, visit umsu.ca/elections.
photo / Ebunoluwa Akinbo / staff
Incoming dean and director excited to join community
Dr. Stephen Runge to lead the Desautels faculty of music and school of art
Ngozi Okose, staff
The U of M has announced that Dr. Stephen Runge, an acclaimed pianist, professor and administrator, will assume the dual role of dean for the Desautels faculty of music and director for the school of art, effective May 1, 2025.
Runge brings over a decade of experience leading the department of music at Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick. At Mount Allison, he served in multiple roles which include head of department of music, professor of piano and the director of the Local Centre Examinations in music.
In recognition of his excellence in teaching, research and service, Runge received several awards, including a Paul Paré excellence award in 2010, the J.E.A. Crake award for excellence in teaching in the faculty of arts in 2014 and the Paul Paré medal which he
received in 2020.
Runge’s musical journey began in Regina, Saskatchewan at the age of six, according to UM Today. He completed his bachelor of music at the University of Victoria, a master of music and doctorate of music in piano performance at l’Université de Montréal and an artist diploma at the Glenn Gould School of the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto.
Runge’s dedication to his craft has earned him national acclaim as a sensitive and versatile pianist, with his performance broadcast on CBC Radio Two and La Chaîne Culturelle de Radio-Canada. He has also received recognition for performances of chamber music and art song. Runge has completed recordings of major solo piano pieces of Robert Schumann — a 19th-century German composer, an album highlighting piano compositions from 1917 and a selec-
tion of English art songs with countertenor Daniel Cabena. In addition to his leadership and artistic accomplishments, Runge has contributed to music education. He has presented at conferences and workshops across Canada on topics such as performance practices, effective practice methods and teaching popular music. He currently serves as vice-president of the Canadian Music Festival Adjudicators’ Association.
“Please join me in extending congratulations to Dr. Runge on his appointment,” said Diane Hiebert-Murphy, provost and vice-president (academic) to UM Today. “Dr. Runge’s commitment to collaborative and collegial leadership, student experience, Indigenous achievement, EDIA and research and creative works excellence will well serve the Desautels faculty of music, the school of art and the U of M.”
As he prepares to join the U of M community, Runge expressed excitement about his new role to UM Today. “I am excited to join this dynamic and committed group of artists and musicians as we work together to build on our strengths and continue to offer transformative cre-
Pharmacy professor appointed senior scholar
Pharmacoepidemiology advocate Dr. Silvia Alessi-Severini retires
Sylvester Delali Agbado, staff
Dr. Silvia Alessi-Severini, a long-serving U of M professor in pharmacy who retired recently, has been appointed as a senior scholar.
According to the university’s Senior Scholar Policy, a senior scholar is an individual who has retired from a fulltime academic appointment and wishes to continue active research at the university. The policy allows senior scholars to have continued access to office or laboratory space, eligibility to apply for grants and contracts under the university and other discretionary privileges.
Alessi-Severini has taught undergraduate pharmacy students for more than 20 years and specialized in toxicology and pharmacoepidemiology. She earned her PhD from the University of Alberta in 1993, following undergraduate studies in pharmacy and chemistry in Italy.
Before transitioning into academia, she worked as a consultant for both provincial and federal governments in Canada where she provided expert advice on medication use and reimbursement policies, contributing to the Alberta and Manitoba provincial governments.
Reflecting on some significant achievements that have contributed to this appoint-
ment, she made mention of her contributions to the college of pharmacy at the U of M, where they introduced a concentration in pharmacoepidemiology. She said this initiative allowed graduate students to focus on the study of drug use in various populations, culminating in a recognition of the concentration on their transcripts upon completing a master’s or PhD in pharmacy. She also acknowledged the support of deans and a growing team of researchers, ensuring its sustainability beyond her retirement.
She said, “I’m very grateful that I got to have this appointment. I’m thankful to my colleagues, […] to be involved with the college in some sort of capacity, mostly for research.”
She added that this role allows her to remain involved with the college, especially in research as she still has ongoing projects. These projects include collaborations with nursing and physical therapy sciences.
She disclosed that the appointment to the senior scholar position is for two years, with the option for renewal. In addition to research, she also reiterated her support for the college’s courses in pharmacoepidemiology and is open to giving occasional lectures or provid-
ative experiences to our music and art students,” he said. Until Runge’s appointment with the U of M begins, Dr. Greg Smith, vice-provost (academic planning and programs), will serve as acting dean of the Desautels faculty of music and director of the school of art.
ing advice when required.
Touching on some lessons from her decades of experience in drug safety and efficacy research, Alessi-Severini emphasized the importance of understanding the use of medications, particularly antipsychotics in children. She noted that this type of research contributed to a growing body of work that informs both medical practitioners and policymakers. She highlighted the importance of using research findings to influence decisions on medication restrictions and promote the use of more effective alternatives.
She also discussed the
evolving role of academics and policymakers in combating misinformation, particularly in the age of social media. She stressed the need for trusted sources of information and the responsibility of academics to communicate evidence-based findings effectively. Alessi-Severini mentioned the importance of inspiring and attracting students to this expanding and impactful field. She said there has been tremendous growth in the student body at the college of pharmacy, evolving now to a significant and vibrant group today. She advised students both undergraduates or
graduates to follow their interests passionately.
“I always say never regret to get more education,” she said. “I’ve never heard anybody say, ‘oh, I regret [getting] my masters’ or that ‘I wasted my time.’”
Pharmacotherapy is a rapidly expanding field, according to Alessi-Severini, especially as regulators are getting more interested in high-quality and methodologically sound data produced to guide decisions. She added that this growing demand creates exciting prospects for aspiring researchers and those building careers in the field.
photo courtesy of / University of Manitoba
photo courtesy of / University of Manitoba
Enrich your degree with an Undergraduate Research Award Award applications for undergraduate students now open until Feb. 17
Taycie Adeoti, staff
Applications for the 2025 Undergraduate Research Awards (URA) are now open for eligible students until Feb. 17.
The URA is an annual award at the U of M that provides undergraduate students with the opportunity to engage with research opportunities in the community.
This award is open to undergraduate students in all fields of research, academic contributions or creative activities. The award holds a monetary value of $7,000 and is recognized as a co-curricular record activity.
Up to 205 URAs across all disciplines at the U of M are available and a minimum of 21 are available for self-declared Indigenous students. Additionally, two awards are available for community-based projects, supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.
Arshpreet Gill, a third-year psychology student in the faculty of arts, received a URA and achieved first place in the social sciences and humanities oral competition for his research at the 2024 Undergraduate Research Showcase.
“Participating in undergraduate research through the URA allowed me to explore the nuanced differences between capital-dominated and margin-dominated renewable energy projects, focusing on tailored incentives,” said Gill. “Working closely with experts and tackling real world policy challenges further cemented my commitment to sustainable development.”
Gill’s research, titled “Incentives for renewable energy: Capital-dominated vs margin-dominated projects,” explores how tailored incentives can drive progress in sectors like aviation and heavyduty trucking.
In his research, Gill revealed how these two approaches require different types of incentives. “While capital subsidies can kickstart infrastructure-heavy projects, margin-focused initiatives may benefit more from ongoing operational support,” he said. “Understanding this distinction is essential for designing effective policies to address the unique needs of renewable energy sectors.”
According to Gill, having his work recognized is rewarding and humbling.
“This recognition validates the effort and passion I’ve put into addressing such a pressing global issue. It also motivates me to continue exploring ways to make a meaningful impact through research and policy advocacy,” he said.
Gill encourages students to pursue research opportunities made possible through the URA. “They provide a platform to make a tangible difference and inspire others to join the effort for a sustainable future,” he said.
“Choose a project that excites you. That passion will carry you through any challenge,” Gill said to UM Today. “Don’t hesitate to seek guidance from your mentor and embrace the opportunity to learn, even if it feels intimidating.”
Recipients of the award are
mentored full-time from May through August by a professor of their choosing. Gill’s mentor was Dr. Maryna Klymchuk of the Asper school of business, according to UM Today.
Gill believes that platforms like the Undergraduate Research Showcase “can also inspire others and highlight the value of interdisciplinary approaches.”
“I hope to inspire others to think creatively and work
together to address the pressing issues of our time,” he said. Funding for the award is made available through the university’s office of the vice-president (research and international), the University of Manitoba Students’ Union and faculties.
Applications for the URA are only open to undergraduate students who do not hold a master’s degree. Eligible students must be enrolled in
Research
at least 24 credits at the time of the voluntary withdrawal deadline for the 2024 fall term and 2025 winter term and have a minimum GPA of 3.0.
For more information on the URA, including a complete list of application criteria, visit umanitoba.ca/ research/opportunities-support/undergraduate-research-awards.
Nine students receive Centennial Entrance Scholarship
U of M awards students with agricultural and food sciences entrance scholarships
Iyanda Ajuwon, staff
Nine students across Manitoba have been awarded the Centennial Entrance Scholarship to further their studies in the U of M’s faculty of agricultural and food sciences.
The scholarship is awarded to high school graduates looking to pursue a diploma or degree program in the faculty.
The scholarship was established 20 years ago to commemorate the faculty of agricultural and food sciences centennial anniversary, established originally in 1906 as the Manitoba Agricultural College.
Each year, the university offers Centennial Entrance
Scholarships worth $2,000 to high school students with a passion for shaping the future of the agricultural sector in Manitoba.
To be eligible, students must apply for admission to the U of M, complete courses required for admission into the university from a Manitoba high school, submit a resume, a transcript with their most recent marks and a personal reference letter.
Students are also required to submit a 700-word essay explaining how they intend to advance the agriculture and food industry in the province based on their decision to pursue further education in the sector.
Two students recognized through the 2024 Centennial Entrance Scholarship, Laura Delichte and Ava Dueck, shared their personal stories and their dedication to strengthening rural communities in Manitoba.
For Laura Delichte, who is pursuing a diploma in agriculture, the connection between farming and finances is personal.
According to UM Today, Delichte explained that growing up on her family’s sixth-generation dairy and grain farm near St. Alphonse, Manitoba, she saw firsthand the critical role financial management plays in a farm’s success.
A major renovation to her family’s dairy barn highlighted the importance of strategic decision-making, sparking her interest in agricultural finance and lending.
“Farms are businesses no matter their history, structure or output,” Delichte said to UM Today.
“Guiding farmers to make the best decisions so that they can transfer their farm to the next generation is a way to create a stable industry. I want to help guide farmers so that they make the best decision for them, their family and their farm.”
While Delichte is focused on supporting farmers with financial guidance, Ava
Dueck, a bachelor of science in agriculture (animal systems) degree student from Winnipeg has an interest in veterinary studies.
“When looking at the complex field of animal systems, I find there is infinite room for inquiry — from the intricate relationships within animal ecosystems to the nutritional and genetic areas,” said Dueck to UM Today.
The 2024 Centennial Entrance Scholarship recipients are Laura Delichte, Ava Dueck, Maria Gundrum, Alara Krahn, Emilyn Nestibo, Molly Sanders, Kadyn Smart, Serena Valdez-Soc and Skylar Winters.
photo courtesy of / Arshpreet Gill
2024 URA recipient Arshpreet Gill presenting his research findings at the Undergraduate
Showcase.
UMSU legal workshop educates students on housing rights
Free legal representation available to students on housing disputes
Milan Lukes, staff
he University of Mani-
Ttoba Students’ Union (UMSU) hosted an interactive legal workshop on housing rights in the UMSU council chambers on Jan. 14. The workshop, led by lawyer Dayna Steinfeld of RavenLaw LLP, informed students on lease agreements, the Residential Tenancies Act, the Residential Tenancies Branch, tenant and landlord rights and options if rights are breached.
“What we are really talking about is a system of rules that as a society, we have decided will govern us in the area of housing,” said Steinfeld. “And there’s different ways that those rules come about, and there are different ways that those rules are enforceable and governed.”
Steinfeld explained that a lease agreement, also known as a tenancy agreement, is a contract between the landlord and tenant which establishes rules around the use of property owned by the landlord. “In order for a lease to be valid, a lease has to comply with those standards that are set by legislation,” she said.
Through the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA), the provincial government has established the rules that govern tenancy agreements, explained Steinfeld. The RTA requires that a standard form lease be used, which contains key information such as the term of the tenancy, the rental unit, services and facilities, furniture, rent and rules and conditions.
The landlord can also provide a lease in their own form, said Steinfeld, mentioning that the lease must still contain the same information required in the standard form.
Part of the RTA creates the Residential Tenancies Branch, which serves to inform and educate the public, investigate possible breaches of the RTA, mediate and adjudicate decisions that are legally binding. Decisions issued by the Residential Tenancies Branch can be appealed to the Residential Tenancies Commission within 14 days, explained Steinfeld. “This will usually be the last stop,” she said.
Rent
to increase the rent on or after the first anniversary date, but must provide tenants with at least three months’ notice, said Steinfeld.
Increasing rent above the rent increase guideline requires approval from the Residential Tenancies Branch, and if approved, the tenant can appeal the decision.
“If someone paid more than $1,640 a month for their unit [this year], that would not be subject to that limit on rent increase,” said Steinfeld.
She added that rent discounts are a common occurrence, in which landlords and tenants can agree in writing to a discount as a one-time bonus, or for a specific period of time.
Deposits
Under provincial legislation, a landlord may charge no more than 50 per cent of the first month’s rent as a security deposit in case there is damage to the unit, said Steinfeld. For a pet damage deposit, a landlord may charge up to one month’s rent as a deposit.
“If at the end of the tenancy, the landlord feels they have a good reason for hanging on to the deposit, they can make a claim against the deposit,” she said. For a claim to succeed, the landlord must prove that they had a financial loss during the tenancy, that the tenant is responsible for the loss and the amount of the loss. A common example includes damage by the tenant in the unit which does not get fixed, stated Steinfeld.
Landlord and tenant responsibilities
“The Act has a big, long section in it that talks about what a landlord’s responsibilities are,” said Steinfeld. “And even if they don’t address this stuff in the lease, they have these responsibilities and the Act
/ Milan Lukes / staff
electricity and hot and cold water.
A landlord must also give at least 24 hours written notice before entering the unit, except for an emergency, said Steinfeld.
“The main advice that I always give, in any situation where you’re concerned about your housing rights not being respected: keep really good records”
Dayna Steinfeld, lawyer with RavenLaw LLP
—
For 2025, the rent increase guideline is 1.7 per cent effective Jan. 1, with some exceptions. The landlord is entitled
requires that they meet them.”
Landlord responsibilities include maintaining the appearance of the rental unit and doing necessary repairs, providing a written receipt for rent payments in cash, providing and maintaining doors and locks for security and ensuring necessary services are provided such as heat, gas,
Examples of tenant responsibilities include paying rent on time, only making changes to the unit with the landlord’s consent, notifying the landlord of necessary repairs, keeping the rental unit clean and not engaging in criminal activity on the property.
Ending the tenancy
Under the RTA, a landlord can end a tenancy early such as for nonpayment of rent. “If a tenant fails to pay rent within three days of when the rent is due, the landlord can
give notice,” said Steinfeld. “They have to use the required form [...], deliver the notice in-person, and then if the tenant doesn’t move out the landlord can apply for some orders and take it to the next level.”
Other reasons for a landlord ending a tenancy include unit demolition or conversion, extensive renovations, illegal activity or a significant breach of the lease. “How much notice they have to provide depends on the circumstance,” said Steinfeld.
Tenants can end a monthto-month tenancy — an agreement for one month at a time with no specific end date — by giving the landlord notice of one rental period. Fixed term tenancy — an agreement for a specific period of time — can only be terminated under certain circumstances, such as military relocation, the need for a personal care home, domestic violence or unlawful rent increase.
“The main advice that I
always give, in any situation where you’re concerned about your housing rights not being respected: keep really good records,” said Steinfeld. “Try to put things in writing in a way that’s going to be really traceable and easy to take to the [Residential Tenancies] Branch if you have to go there.”
“Take pictures when you’re moving in of the condition of the unit. Take pictures when you’re moving out of the condition of the unit, so that if your landlord tries to say ‘you damaged something,’ you can say ‘it was like that when I moved in.’”
Undergraduate students who did not opt-out of the Legal Care Program by Studentcare can receive free legal consultation on housing disputes. To request legal support, visit contact.studentcare.ca/en/contact/96.
Students seated in the UMSU council chambers during the UMSU legal workshop on Jan. 14.
photos
Research & Technology
The unseen aftermath of the pandemic
Confronting the impacts of long COVID on post-secondary students
Rhea Bhalla, staff
Long COVID is a condition where symptoms persist for weeks, months or even years after recovering from COVID-19. The symptoms, including chronic pain, brain fog, shortness of breath, chest pain and severe fatigue, can be overwhelming and disabling.
Post-secondary students are especially at risk for repeated COVID-19 infections due to shared living environments (such as dorms and student housing) and frontline jobs (like waiting tables and working in retail). Transmission is further increased by the high level of social mixing, complex schedules and crowded spaces on campuses.
“As students, we rely on our health to succeed academically and socially,” said Ryan Tennant, a doctoral candidate in the University of Waterloo’s department of systems design engineering. “I strongly believe that if we don’t address these risks proactively, we’re compromising the potential of an entire generation to be successful in our academics and to contribute to society.”
With each COVID-19 reinfection, the risk of developing long COVID increases cumulatively. Tennant reported that according to Statistics Canada, infection with COVID-19 three or more times leads to a 38 per cent chance of suffering from the symptoms of long COVID.
“COVID-19 isn’t really just a short-term illness,” Tennant said. “COVID is a pleiotropic virus, and this means that it can impact multiple organ systems and leave lasting consequences on our health.”
Tennant emphasized the potential of long COVID causing mental health issues, with depression and anxiety being two of the disease’s most common symptoms.
“That’s something that really should be highlighted for students and considered in helping make sure that they
get the best out of their education and can be successful after they graduate,” Tennant said. “That’s why I’m dedicated to making our campus safer and raising awareness.”
Tennant is involved in a variety of initiatives targeting COVID-19, including running workshops on building do-it-yourself air cleaners, which improves ventilation. He explained that the COVID-19 virus “floats in the air like smoke when people sneeze, cough, breathe, sing or speak.”
to assess the indoor air quality in lecture halls, dorms or homes. By doing so, students can determine if they need to open windows or notify building management to check the ventilation system.
Tennant’s advocacy work for better access to protective equipment resulted in free N95 respirator masks for the University of Waterloo stu-
Following distribution of the kits, a silent walk around campus will take place in recognition of the “silent suffering” for those with long COVID.
Tennant is also engaged in education initiatives.
“In a teaching program that I’m involved with, I’m exploring a new framework about health inclusive learning, specifically in the context of infectious disease transmission,” Tennant said.
“If we don’t address these risks proactively, we’re compromising the potential of an entire generation to be successful in our academics and to contribute to society”
— Ryan Tennant, doctoral candidate at the University of Waterloo
His work also includes securing carbon dioxide monitors, which are used to determine how well a space is ventilated with fresh outdoor air. These monitors are available for students to borrow from the University of Waterloo’s library, allowing them
dents and faculty, which protect the wearer from infection by trapping viral and respiratory particles. Care kits including respirator masks, educational materials and awareness items such as stickers will also be put together.
The framework is designed to “make learning environments safer and accessible to everyone, especially students with chronic illnesses or disabilities or other health risk factors, to kind of mitigate that risk of getting infected so they can thrive in the learning environment.
“It’s really about creating
actionable change, from education to advocacy to keep students safe.”
He emphasized that though society has the tools to protect itself — including ventilation, masking and education — combatting long COVID requires a collective commitment.
Tennant echoed Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization’s message in a December 2024 news conference that COVID-19 remains a persistent threat, one which we “cannot talk about […] in the past tense.”
“As much as we want to forget it, it would really be to our detriment to do that,” Tennant said. “When we prioritize health and we create a safer and more inclusive campus, and even other public spaces for everyone, that’s really the legacy that we should be striving for as a society.”
graphic / Teegan Gillich / staff
Improving soil health for sustainable agriculture
U of M professor examines nitrogen management and microbial impact on crops
Divyata Gosai, staff
M ario Tenuta is a professor of soil science in the U of M’s faculty of agricultural and food sciences and senior industrial research chair in 4R nutrient management.
“It was very clear when I went to university that I really liked soils and plants,” he said. “So, I worked and studied, majoring in physical geography and botany.”
Tenuta pursued his undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto. He discovered his passion for soil science while working part-time with a professor to develop an instrument for measuring total nitrogen and carbon in soil and plants.
During his final summer, he conducted field research in Churchill, Manitoba, studying nitrogen cycling in remote soils along the Hudson Bay coast.
This inspired him to pursue a master’s degree in soil science at the University of Guelph, focusing on nitrogen transformations by bacteria, combining fieldwork, laboratory research and connecting to environmental and agricultural practices.
“We do several lines of research in my laboratory
here at the U of M. The largest one, by far, is investigating nitrogen management, in particular nitrogen fertilizing management for the production of crops in agriculture,” he said. “We are examining fertilizers, and particularly nitrogen, for a number of reasons.”
Tenuta explained that farmers widely use nitrogen fertilizers because crops such as wheat, barley, canola and corn require substantial amounts of nitrogen for growth. This is crucial for food production, both to meet local demands and to export to other countries.
aging nitrogen in agricultural soils is a critical area of focus.
“What we’re doing with the research chair and for nutrient management is looking at practices that farmers can use to improve the efficiency of their nitrogen use to produce crops and then also to reduce losses, particularly losses of nitrogen to nitrous oxide, and
ing additives to fertilizers that slow down the work of bacteria on the fertilizer,” he said. “It reduces the amount of nitrous oxide that is emitted or leaked away from the soil to the atmosphere.”
Tenuta is studying fertilizer application methods and nitrogen fertilizer products to help farmers make better decisions. By placing fertilizer deeper in the soil, losses of nitrous oxide can be reduced.
“Canada has a target of reducing emissions of nitrous oxide by 30 per cent by the year 2030, but the only way we’re going to achieve that is by [providing] good information to farmers”
— Mario Tenuta, professor in the U of M’s faculty of agricultural and food sciences
Nitrogen fertilizers are expensive for farmers, leading Tenuta to research improving their efficiency to help reduce costs for farmers.
Furthermore, the use of nitrogen fertilizers has considerable environmental consequences. They contribute to climate change by releasing nitrous oxide and can contaminate drinking water with nitrate. Consequently, man-
that’s our greenhouse gas,” Tenuta said. “Our research is showing different directions and/or practices that farmers can use to reduce losses.”
Tenuta stressed the importance of reducing nitrous oxide emissions caused by increased nitrogen fertilizer use, which results from the demand for high-yield crops. His research promotes sustainable farming practices to limit these emissions and lessen their impact on global warming.
“We have been research-
His recent research examines whether advertised nitrogen products truly improve crop yields and reduce emissions. This work aids farmers in choosing effective and cost-efficient solutions and contributes to environmental sustainability.
“We’re contributing to the economy and food production and helping farmers, but also consumers that eat the food,” Tenuta said. “We’re also affecting change for the better in the environment by reducing losses.”
“Our hope is that by demonstrating through really good
science, and going outside to farm fields, studying how we can improve fertilizer use, in time, more and more farmers will adopt the practices.”
Tenuta emphasized the importance of adopting better practices to drive meaningful change, such as reducing nitrous oxide emissions. He highlighted that timely action is crucial and suggested strategies like using nitrification inhibitors and optimizing nitrogen application to help farmers significantly cut emissions.
“Canada has a target of reducing emissions of nitrous oxide by 30 per cent by the year 2030, but the only way we’re going to achieve that is by [providing] good information to farmers,” he explained. “Our work with our graduate students and their programs, the studies they do, and our undergraduates that help us out in the summer in the field with helping the graduate students, really demonstrate to farmers what can be done and how it can be done.”
“I’d really love if our students at the U of M appreciate or understand that there are options available to continue with studies and move more toward research and do masters and PhDs,” Tenuta said.
graphic / Teegan Gillich / staff
The hidden truth about Google Chrome web browser
Chrome’s privacy concerns, security tips and safer alternatives
Iyanda Ajuwon, staff
Let’s face it — Google
Chrome is the go-to web browser for many of us when exploring the internet. But how safe is it really? This is a question I’ve found myself grappling with recently after a lecture in my computer science course.
In that lecture, my professor painted a rather alarming picture of Chrome. And it left me questioning the trust I’ve placed in Chrome for years.
As surprising as this might sound, Google collects our data whenever we use its product or service. It doesn’t matter whether it’s through Chrome browser search, YouTube or Gmail.
Google uses this data to understand who you are, what interests you and what media you engage with.
According to DuckDuckGo, 72 per cent of the top 75,000 websites on the internet use a Google service known as Google Analytics to track user data on their website.
Google Analytics is a tool used by website owners to collect various types of personal data from visitors, such as demographics, browsing behaviour and IP addresses.
The demographic data can include the user’s age, gender and personal interests. The browsing behaviour data entails information on what pages a user visits, the time spent on the page and how the user navigates the website.
The IP address data, on the other hand, determines the user’s approximate geographic location.
This might seem harmless on the surface, but the idea of my online activity being monitored and stored is unsettling.
In fact, it doesn’t stop at data tracking. Chrome’s security issues are another concern. I’ve personally seen how vulnerable it can be. A few years ago, a
friend of mine had their Chrome browser hacked. It started innocuously
This might seem harmless on the surface, but the idea of my online activity being monitored and stored is unsettling
enough, with strange popups and a sudden slowdown. But before they knew it, their saved passwords had been compromised, and they had to scramble to secure their accounts.
It was a stark reminder that even something as familiar as a web browser can be a gateway for online threats.
This isn’t to say that other browsers are perfect, but some do a better job of prioritizing user privacy and security.
Browsers like Firefox, Brave and DuckDuckGo for instance, offer built-in protections that limit data tracking and block invasive ads.
Although they may not have Chrome’s extensive extension library, these browsers offer peace of mind for users who value their privacy.
If you’re someone like me, who finds it hard to break away from Chrome completely, there are ways to make it safer.
Disabling third-party cookies, using trusted ad blockers, fortifying your passwords with strong encryption and regularly running Chrome’s safety check tool can reduce vulnerabilities. Still, these precautions can only do so much in the face of Chrome’s inherent flaws.
As I continue learning more about computer systems and online security, I can’t help but reflect on how much we take our browsing habits for granted.
In the end, the choice of browser is a personal one. But for me, Chrome’s shortcomings have become too glaring to ignore.
Whether you stick with Chrome or explore alternatives, one thing is certain — it’s time to start thinking critically about how safe our online experiences really are.
graphic / Fumnaya Ifeadi / staff
Politics in the classroom
Should universities be teaching political studies?
Thandeka Katsika, staff
G
rowing up in Zimbabwe, public political discussions were rarely authentic. From a young age, I knew that criticizing the government in any way was dangerous, even among friends. I remember my cousin at the University of Zimbabwe telling me that government officials sometimes attended classes to monitor discussions. This stifled the conversations students and professors could have about the government and incited a fear of honesty within the university. I had the impression that it was almost impossible for institutions to be impartial when teaching, especially subjects like politics.
Obviously, the free speech landscape in Canada is very different. Here, there is open criticism and praise of the government without repercussions.
This got me curious about how universities teach politics in democratic settings. While there is no pressure from the government, another problem arises — is it possible to teach political studies without
imparting some of your biases onto students? Even without intimidation from the government, can other factors affect how free students feel to speak their minds? I registered for an intro to political studies course and attended a few classes.
One of the first things I noticed was how my professor tried to maintain neutrality. While we were discussing the assigned readings, I could tell she was doing her best to remain impartial to all the points
raised. It seemed important to her to play the role of moderator and observer, calling on students to speak and using questions to direct the conversation. Despite her efforts, at times it was hard for her to remain
indifferent to points made by students that she strongly agreed with.
I also did not detect any bias in the questions we discussed. They seemed open-ended and elicited various responses from students.
I was also impressed by how freely everyone spoke. There were so many varying opinions and perspectives, and it was refreshing to see them expressed without apprehension. People’s thoughts
were somewhat evenly distributed — there was no majority toward any single line of thinking, and often, people introduced points of view I had not considered before the class. In my opinion, no one felt pressured to agree with anyone else. I also felt comfortable voicing my thoughts on certain topics, knowing I was in a room full of differing or agreeing views — and that was okay. As political issues become more polarizing, it is important to have spaces where young people can express their graphic
views openly, exchange ideas and learn from their peers. It is also crucial for them to be knowledgeable about political matters. I believe politics affect almost every aspect of a person’s life. The decisions made at the top — concerning matters like taxes or laws — shape the way society functions, so an understanding of how things work is essential. Furthermore, learning about the theories that shape western and global political ideas can be interesting and, in some ways, explain why the world is the way it is.
Reflecting on the stark differences between political discussions in Zimbabwe and Canada has been eye-opening. It is remarkable to see how freely ideas are exchanged here, and it is something that should not be taken for granted. However, it is also important to approach these discussions with a critical mind. Being able to listen, question and evaluate different perspectives ensures that these conversations remain meaningful and productive.
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Teegna Gillich / staff
People-pleasing is ruining your life
Why we need to say no to things we do not want to do
Quinn Mayhew, staff
I am a chronic peoplepleaser. For as long as I can remember I have been relentlessly trying to make people around me like me or make them content.
I have always bent over backwards to make people happy, even if it makes me miserable. Even as a little girl, I tried to be polite and get people to like me, even if they didn’t like me or were terrible to me.
To all my people-pleasers out there, this article is for you.
Have you ever felt like people are staring at you, picking apart everything that’s wrong with your personality, appearance and intelligence? Because I sure have.
It is difficult to get over the notion that not everyone is looking at you in a world so focused on condemning everyone for everything that they do online or in person. If you’ve ever felt like everyone is watching your every move and you try to change yourself so they’ll like you, I’m sorry to say you may be a peoplepleaser.
Have you ever felt the
itch to ask the people around you if they hate you every other day because your insecurities seem too large for you? Well, you may also be a people-pleaser. Every time I feel like someone hates me, I try to appease them even more, it’s like a personal sense of torture and challenge to get them to like me.
If you’ve ever felt like you need to appease people, so they like you, you have my sympathies because I’ve also been there, and I know how it feels to feel less than.
My question is why do we people-pleasers try to fill the void of insecurity by trying to do things for people who don’t appre-
ciate it, don’t like us or stretch us thin instead of just saying no?
Have you ever felt like every social outing is clouded with doubt and unhappiness or the fear you just don’t belong in this room of happy people having the time of their lives? Because I sure do!
In The Guardian, an article titled, “‘The liberating truth is: they’re probably not think -
about you’: Oliver Burkeman on how to quit people-pleasing,” Burkeman stated, “this same overinvestment in other people’s emotions meant I was always saying yes to things I should really have
declined, because I flinched internally at the thought of the other person feeling crestfallen. And that I rarely enjoyed myself fully at social gatherings, owing to a deep suspicion that the others present, however happy they appeared, might secretly only be spending time with me reluctantly.” I’ve
always put so much at stake in how other people feel instead of valuing how saying yes to something I don’t want to do makes me feel. As a habitual peoplepleaser, I’ve always tried to attempt to go into remission but can never seem to
The hidden cost of AI How data centres are draining resources
India Schlegel, staff
Lately, anytime ChatGPT or AI (artificial intelligence) is brought up, you hear about the environmental impact. It’s often in undefined terms, “it uses so much water.” But how much water is it really using? And what is it using it for? The answer lies in data centres.
Data centres have become the backbone of the digital age, powering everything from Netflix streams to AI chatbots. But powering these services requires immense computing power, creating extreme amounts of heat.
If you’ve built a computer before, you know that managing temperature is vital for things to run smoothly. Cooling the data centres requires vast amounts of water and fans, straining water resources and using large amounts of energy.
ChatGPT and its rapid growth have made the problem much worse. In their series “Power Grab,” which inves-
tigates the impact of AI infrastructure on the environment, the Washington Post found that Open AI’s ChatGPT-4 model uses 519 millilitres of water to generate a 100-word email, a little more than a bottle of water. Recent data shows that ChatGPT has 123.5 million daily users, that’s a lot of water bottles.
Data centres require freshwater sources for cooling and humidity control, making the water bottle a perfect example of the essential resources used to maintain these services.
water training ChatGPT-3.
There are methods to try and eliminate some of the waste, such as closed-loop cooling, this is exactly what it sounds like. Water will circulate through the system and be reused, and a “heat exchanger” will dissipate the heat and blow it outside of the cooling system. However, similar to a fan-based cooling system, these systems use a lot of energy.
We should collectively share the burden of how our tech is impacting the environment and the communities around us
But, even before users can get their hands on a chatbot, water and energy usage are necessary for language model training. Months are spent training large language models such as ChatGPT, which is another strain. The Washington Post reported that Microsoft used 700,000 litres of
The tech companies that use these data centres are pledging to minimize their eco-footprint, but these pledges are hardly upheld. Google’s carbon emissions actually rose by 48 per cent since 2019 according to a 2024 report.
Another solution is water
replenishment. The companies can work with local communities to replenish water back into their water supplies. Google pledged to replenish 120 per cent of water used by 2030 but has only replenished 18 per cent, according to the Washington Post. Altogether, companies such as Google and Microsoft use billions of gallons of water. As an admitted AI user, this information is extremely upsetting and worth bringing up anytime we talk about AI. It’s important to note that data centres, while using more energy and water due to AI, also use water and energy for other services such as server maintenance and cloud storage. The problem does not go away with AI, even if conversations about AI’s environmental impact shed light on the problem.
Like many green initiatives,
get there. I always worry that people will start to hate me because of me saying no. I always forget that saying no is a complete sentence to things you don’t want to do. Despite me knowing this I cannot stop this constant cycle of people-pleasing.
Researchers from Psych Central note that people-pleasing tendencies can be linked to a trauma response or emotional dependence. Breaking these cycles is hard and tiring. Some of the aspects I’ve been trying to improve on, to move on from the emotional dependence, are ignoring other people’s perception that they think they know who I am and trying to separate what I want from other people’s desires. For all my people-pleasers, I see you. I can tell when you don’t want to do something, and I can tell when you’re forcing yourself to do something. If I can leave one message with you guys from this article, it is that other people’s emotions and perspectives are not your problem. Focus on your happiness and what you want to do, not what other people expect from you.
I propose a balance. We can control how much or how little we use services hosted by high-consuming data centres, we can demand better and hold massive companies accountable to their pledges. There are alternative solutions such as using industrial fans instead of water for cooling, building data centres in cold climates, using different sources of water and being more active in water replenishment, to name a few. Data centres can work to be greener. We should collectively share the burden of how our tech is impacting the environment and the communities around us, we can’t leave corporate responsibility out of the conversation or ignore personal responsibility, it should be both. graphic / Fumnaya Ifeadi / staff
personal use is often emphasized as the best solution. It is, of course, the one within your control.
To complete Sudoku, fill the board by entering numbers 1 to 9 such that each row, column, and 3x3 box contains every number uniquely. In Straights, like Sudoku, no single number 1 to 9 can repeat in any row or column. But rows and columns are divided by black squares into compartments. Each compartment must form a “straight.” A straight is a set of numbers with no gaps but it can be in any order, eg [7,6,9,8]. Clues in black cells remove that number as an option in that row and column, and are not part of any straight. Glance at the solution to see how “straights” are formed.
Provided by: Teegan Gillich
When Thucydides meets Tecumseh
Emily Greenwood presents lecture on ancient Greek and Indigenous histories
Boris Tsun Hang Leung, staff
THis past Sunday, classi-
cist Emily Greenwood presented a guest lecture on campus about ancient Greek and Indigenous histories. The event was part of the “Hellenic Civilization Lecture” series hosted by the department of classics. The series explores Hellenic history and culture not only in the ancient world, but across space and time.
Greenwood was born in the Cayman Islands to a Black Ugandan mother and a white British father. She first encountered classics as a child in Malawi, a newly postcolonial state in East Africa. After earning degrees in classics at the University of Cambridge, she is currently a professor at Harvard University where she examines ancient Greek and Roman history through modern, postcolonial and Black perspectives.
When prompted about the implications of using the term “classics” to study ancient Greece and Rome, Greenwood stressed the importance of critically examining the discipline.
“We can’t pretend that Greece and Rome — these two civilizations which are very heterogeneous civilizations — have a monopoly on the entirety of antiquity,” she said.
“[The adjective ‘classical’] comes from a Latin noun, which goes back to Roman property classes. So when it first gets used as a Roman adjective that is applied metaphorically, it means first class or top rank. So it’s already quite an exclusive claim. It’s already being used to sort of sift out and stratify a class system, and then it gets applied
to peoples and civilizations.”
Greenwood’s upbringing also shaped her views on the discipline.
“The president, who was the first leader of Malawi after independence from the British, a man called Hastings Kamuzu Banda […] In 1981, he inaugurated this school named after himself, Kamuzu Academy, which he made all the students do Greek and Latin, and he only recruited white European teachers to teach at the school of whom my father was one,” Greenwood said.
“I didn’t attend that school, but I grew up as a child on this campus, so that for me, immediately cast classics in these imperial or colonial terms.” Greenwood’s lecture titled “Re-reading Thucydides’ History of the Peloponnesian War in light of Indigenous Histories,” explored connections between the writings of Thucydides, a fifth-century BCE Athenian historian, and early modern Indigenous figures like Tecumseh. Tecumseh was a Shawnee leader who resisted colonial expansion in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
“I’ve been working on the Shawnee leader and warrior Tecumseh, who I think is most famous in Canada because he was fighting with the Canadians and British in the War of 1812 and died in 1813 in that war. And it became apparent to me, looking at the anthologies of Native American speeches in the U.S., that there’s one famous speech of Tecumseh where the people doing the recording and transmission have not recorded Tecumseh’s words, but instead interpolated some speeches from
graphic / Teegan Gillich / staff
book one of Thucydides,” Greenwood explained.
“So you know, this troubled me as a classicist, and I thought, what role is classics playing, not only in the transmission of modern empires, but it’s even contributing to epistemicide [the silencing or devaluing of a knowledge system], to helping to extinguish records of Native American thought and rhetoric,” she added.
“I wanted to use this paradox of Thucydides being
interpolated into council speeches to sort of actually say, well isn’t it now time to think back and think about how we might read Thucydides differently and ask about Indigenous histories?”
Greenwood highlighted the importance of conversations like these, as well as efforts toward reconciliation with First Nations at the university.
“It’s exciting, very exciting for me, a huge privilege to come to the University of Manitoba, because I know
that there are very fraught histories and ongoing dialogues with First Nations and Indigenous territories. But there are important initiatives at the University of Manitoba, press [and] scholars [...] who are sort of helping to push forward these questions.”
Greenwood’s lecture was held in St. John’s College on Jan. 19. Visit umanitoba.ca/ arts/classics for future events hosted by the department.
Exploring U of M archives with Nicole Aminian
Investigate rare books, historical photographs and 100-year-old art on campus
Boris Tsun Hang Leung, staff
I have always wondered what kinds of archives the U of M has and what archivists do every time I pass by the Archives and Special Collections on the third floor of the Elizabeth Dafoe Library. To find answers, I spoke with Nicole Aminian, the reference and discovery archivist at the university.
Aminian has worked as an archivist at the university since 2018. Her responsibilities include helping students and faculty navigate the collections, as well as engaging with the public.
“I respond to research requests from students on campus, undergrad and graduate, as well as faculty and staff that have either personal or academic interest in the archives, and sometimes I just help them with basic archival research,” said Aminian.
“I also work with the general public, so people — typically locally because we have mostly local records — people looking for genealogical research,” she explained. “I also teach a lot of classes on campus, undergrad and graduate, of how to use the archives, how to do archival research.”
On Jan. 16, Aminian hosted an online session introducing first time researchers to archives. During the session, she explained that archives are typically unpublished, unique and rare records, unlike common published books and journals found in libraries.
One example she shared was a collection of botanical watercolours painted by Arthur Henry Reginald Buller between 1905 and 1920. Buller, one of the university’s six original professors, likely used the paintings during his lectures. The university’s biological laboratories and campus greenhouse are both named after him.
Aminian emphasized that archives are important for preserving history and have the potential to serve new purposes in the future.
“I just think history in general is just so important. Knowing the university’s history, the history of Winnipeg and Manitoba, for students who are not from Winnipeg, I think it’s important. And then people who are from here, it’s always great to see familiar pictures that you may recognize [and] the changes over time,” she said.
“I think too, over time, researcher interests or societal changes reflect changes in
kinds of records that come into the archives or records that people are interested in.
“So, a really good example of this is residential school records. When they were being created and kept by archives, people didn’t see how they would be used in the future,” she said. “I think that’s just so important to have the records and the data here for people to use in new and innovative ways that we didn’t see coming when we took them in.”
When asked about her favourite archive, Aminian
shared her fondness for Letters from the Front. “It’s a book compiled of letters from students from the Manitoba Agricultural College, which is now the faculty of agriculture. But during World War One, these students wrote letters back to campus about their experience, and the letters are now bound in the rare book room,” she said.
“I just find it such a fascinating glimpse into these students’ experiences so far away from home, kind of missing that student life […] You know,
those students lived a completely different life than I did when I was a student. I can’t imagine what they went through, but that’s one of my favourite records.”
One piece of advice Aminian would give to students doing archival research for the first time is to contact an archivist.
“Reach out to an archivist, and we’d be very happy to help you, and you don’t have to struggle alone with trying to search. We can help you find a lot of different rec-
ords that are not obvious to a researcher and make those connections and help you with other archives too. So, if you can reach out to us at any point in the research […] we’d always be happy to help.”
The next workshop, “Exploring the University of Manitoba Archives & Special Collections” will take place on Jan. 30 at 1 p.m. on Zoom. Register for free by visiting lib-umanitoba.libcal.com/ event/3863351.
photo / Milan Lukes / staff
photo / Ebunoluwa Akinbo / staff
TikTok made me do it!
The impact of viral trends on the university atmosphere
Aaliyah Balogun, volunteer
“I s this recording? Oh, okay.” (Cue awkward millennial pause — if you know you know). It’s unscripted moments like these, those relatable pauses we do in real life, that TikTok has transformed into a cultural phenomenon.
The emergence of TikTok took the world by storm. In the age of digital creation and marketing, a single video can teleport you to places you’ve never been before. With the magic of TikTok, anyone can go from obscurity to internet fame in minutes. The platform has made content creation more accessible than ever before. At the U of M, students are active contributors to these fast-emerging trends. Not only do they create and consume viral content, but they also act as trendsetters. From outfit check videos filmed on campus to quirky “day in the life” videos from international students, their content captures everyday experiences in raw and authentic ways. Whether it’s showing off an overpriced coffee from Starbucks or running late for class, these creators invite viewers into their lives.
TikTok has become a stage for these students — a global platform that extends beyond the university’s walls. But
with the thrill of going viral comes a question, how do you balance staying true to yourself while still actively chasing these trends? Is it still you?
How TikTok became a global force
As of 2023, TikTok had more than 1.6 billion monthly active users. That’s about 19.5 per cent of the world’s population, which is approximately 8.2 billion people as of January 2025.
The app, launched in 2016 by Chinese company ByteDance, is now one of the most influential social media platforms in the world.
TikTok’s success lies in its ability to use data to create highly curated, personalized content through its “For You” page. By analyzing user preferences, the algorithm ensures an endless stream of engaging videos curated to each individual’s taste.
But the success of the app hasn’t come without controversy.
In 2023, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew faced a U.S. congressional hearing over allegations of data-sharing practices with the Chinese government. The trial highlighted the cultural and political consequences of a platform like TikTok, which has been deeply embedded in
the lives of young people, like U of M students.
The hearing made news waves online, birthing the most hilarious memes, with hashtags flying around the web like #freeourCEO. It was funny to witness.
Despite these challenges, TikTok still remains a cultural powerhouse.
The impact of TikTok on campus life
TikTok’s influence is evident on campus, from viral trends like the “30 days outfit challenge” to study hacks for cramming before exams. U of M students are both consumers and creators of these trends.
Take for example, a video by an international student documenting “30 days of no skipping classes.” Videos like these inspire viewers, creating a sense of community and shared experience. University clubs and societies also use TikTok to connect with students, further fostering a sense of belonging.
However, TikTok’s influence is not always positive. The pressure to chase trends can sometimes lead students to lose sight of their individuality and creativity. In the quest of chasing a viral moment, it’s easy to get lost in
the crowd.
And on top of that, you know what’s wild?
A study from the University of Minnesota found that TikTok, which so many of us turn to for mental health tips, might be messing with our heads even more. The problem is that TikTok’s algorithm doesn’t know when to chill. Once you start looking up mental health content, your “For You” page gets flooded with it — and for some people, that’s not always a good thing. Vulnerable users can end up seeing triggering content repeatedly, even when they don’t want to.
Personal reflections on TikTok
Like many students, I once dreamed of becoming an influencer. My page, @jbaaliyah, was my shot at standing out in a sea of creators. My most successful video, “What people wore at U of M: First week,” from 2022, highlighted the diversity of campus life. While many viewers loved it, others raised privacy concerns — even though I made sure to ask for consent before filming.
Then came the anxiety. I’d feel a wave of nerves every time I posted, worrying about whether people would
interact with my page or how many likes I’d get. Staying authentic in my content became a constant struggle. My experience with TikTok showed me both its incredible ability to connect people and the anxiety that comes with being in the spotlight. Even as likes and views climbed, I felt overwhelmed and started to question if I’d done something wrong.
So, should I delete TikTok?
If I am being honest, the answer isn’t black and white because people react to the app differently. Trends may be fleeting, especially in this generation, but individuality is timeless, especially for content creators. Authenticity will always win. Stay true to yourself, never lose sight of who you are and embrace collaborating with like-minded creators as this can open new opportunities.
That said, it’s important to prioritize your mental health while in the spotlight. Taking breaks when needed, setting boundaries and reminding yourself that your value isn’t defined by likes or views can make a big difference. Balance creativity with self-care!
Black History Manitoba prepares for 44th celebration
This year’s theme will be “Connecting Communities — Hearts, Hands, History”
Carrington Dong, staff
W
innipeg’s Black History Month Celebration Committee (BHMCC), now known as Black History Manitoba (BHM), was established in 1981 by Wade Kojo Williams Sr. (1949-2012). Williams, originally from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, came to Winnipeg in 1975 after serving as a police officer in his homeland. In Winnipeg, he became a prominent activist for the city’s African and Caribbean communities.
The organization was founded to plan and implement activities during Black History Month, observed every February. By 1990, BHM expanded its focus beyond Black History Month, aiming to raise awareness of Black history in Manitoba yearround. This includes celebrating the achievements and contributions of people of African ancestry both within the province and beyond.
Nadia Thompson, the current chairperson and program director of BHM, has been involved with the organization since 2008. Growing up in Winnipeg’s North End as part of a small Black community, Thompson’s early connection to the group came through her parents. However, as years went on, the organization faced challenges in engaging younger generations.
Mavis McLaren, a founding member and a former BHM president, reached out to Thompson for help. “They basically were hoping to have more young people be involved,” Thompson recalled.
Thompson and others began planning activities geared toward youth, eventually leading her to take on the role of secretary and, later, her current position. Today, BHM focuses on engaging the broader Winnipeg community in learning about Black history and its impact on Canadian and global history. One key focus is pushing for Canadian education to shine a greater light on Black history.
not learning about Black history creates more of a whitewashed way of looking at history, because the Black contributions have been overlooked for so long.”
BHM also works to reduce racism by fostering stronger connections between Can-
According to Thompson, the theme comes from the importance of understanding each other’s similarities rather than focusing on differences.
“If we can all come together to celebrate and to support each other, that would be our goal ”
— Nadia Thompson, chairperson and program director of Black History Manitoba
“If you look at the current educational curriculum for our school system here in Canada, we don’t talk and we don’t delve into much of Black history, which is a problem,” Thompson said. “There is a very high effective rate of racism and discrimination for those that you don’t know about, and the fact that we are
ada’s diverse communities.
“It’s easier to understand and to eliminate the discrimination from another person that you already know,” Thompson said.
In February 2025, BHM will observe its 44th annual Black History Month celebration.
The theme for this year’s celebration is “Connecting Communities — Hearts, Hands, History.”
“Communities” recognizes the many communities that make up Manitoba and encouraging the things that connect them.
The “hearts” portion comes from a love of the communities. “Hands” symbolizes taking meaningful action and “doing the work.” Finally, “history” symbolizes the importance of remembering the past to change the future.
Black History Month will officially kick off on Jan. 26 with an opening ceremony at New Anointing Christian Fellowship on Manitoba Avenue. The event, free to
the public, will feature entertainment, socialization, a guest speaker and a tribute to civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King.
Some of the upcoming events that Thompson highlighted include: the Black History Month Market on Jan. 23, in partnership with two organizations — Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries and Africa Centre, held to support and give a space for Black-owned businesses in Manitoba; the Black Student Union Summit on Jan. 24 to gather Black student unions from Manitoba’s high schools; guest speakers from music and sports avenues; and breakout sessions to discuss various topics.
Events throughout the month include suggestions from public feedback, ensuring programming evolves with the community’s needs.
While February is a focal point, BHM’s efforts extend year-round.
“The event planning and
what we do, we are there 365 [days a year],” Thompson said.
In the future, Thompson hopes to see increased recognition of BHM across Manitoba and greater community involvement. She particularly highlighted a desire for changes in school curriculums to learn more about Black history.
“If we can all come together to celebrate and to support each other, that would be our goal,” she said.
Thompson expressed gratitude for the ongoing support from local and federal governments, as well as the community.
“Thank you, to be here for 44 years, that’s the only reason why we are here, because we have the support of so many,” she said.
For more information on Black History Month 2025 and upcoming events, visit bhmwinnipeg.com.
BHM cooking class.
photos / Nate McLeod of MAC Photos
Opening ceremony.
Men’s basketball share weekend series with Dinos
The Bisons secures a decisive 82-75 win but fall 102-92 in rematch
Abdul-Jalilu Ahmed, staff
The U of M Bisons men’s basketball team wrapped up their weekend series against the Calgary Dinos with a split outcome. The Bisons delivered an impressive 82-75 victory on Friday, Jan. 17. However, the Bisons fell short in Saturday’s game on Jan. 18, where the Dinos bounced back to claim a 102-92 win in a hard-fought contest.
In game one, the Bisons had a challenging beginning in the first quarter as the Calgary Dinos opened the scores at 9:28 through Noah Wharton’s layup. Mason Kraus responded with a free throw for the Bisons at the 9:11 mark. The Dinos dominated the scores until Tito Obasoto delivered a layup at the 4:08 mark, which changed the score to 10-9 for the Bisons.
The Bisons held their lead, wrapping up the quarter with an 18-11 advantage following a three-point jump shot by
Kraus at 0:02.
The Bisons and the Dinos appeared to have revamped their respective strategy in the early stages of the second quarter. The Bisons progressed steadily and had a deserving 27-18 lead following Daren Watts’s three-point jump shot, assisted by Cieran O’Hara at the 6:39 mark. The Bisons reinforced their performance which resulted in a commanding 41-29 lead at the close of the second quarter, with Watts finishing it off with free throws at 0:03.
At the 9:19 mark of the third quarter, the Dinos looked to be staging a comeback when Daniels Baumanis stepped up with free throws to set the score at 41-31. The Bisons exhibited strength of will as they increased the scores to a 61-44 lead at 1:49 through Kraus’s three-point jump shot, with an assist from Brandt Lenz. The Dinos made efforts to close the gap, but they
could not stop the strong performance of the Bisons, who finished the quarter with a 63-51 lead.
The Bisons and the Dinos maintained momentum in the fourth quarter. Nate Petrone made free throws for the Dinos to set the score at 68-61 at the 7:56 mark. As the Bisons failed to capitalize on key opportunities, the Dinos were resilient in their game plan as Petrone’s free throw at the 1:40 mark set the score at 75-74. Lenz salvaged the moment for the Bisons with a three-point jump shot, assisted by Kraus at 0:48. With four seconds to wind up the entire game, Kraus made a remarkable steal and capped it off with a dunk to set the score at 82-74. Petrone made a free throw at 0:00 for the Dinos, but it was not enough to prevent the Bisons from securing a victory with a final score of 82-75.
In game two, the Dinos displayed a determined mental-
Bisons fail to tame Huskies
ity right from the start, asserting their dominance early with a 28-20 lead at the end of the first quarter. Their strong offensive execution and disciplined defence set the tone for what would be a fiercely contested matchup.
As the second quarter unfolded, the Bisons fought hard to shift the momentum in their favour, making several attempts to take control of the game. However, their efforts fell short as the Dinos held firm, refusing to give up their advantage. With a combination of precise shooting and well-coordinated team play, the Dinos extended their lead to 56-44.
The third quarter brought an intense exchange between the two teams. Despite the Bisons’ push to narrow the score, the Dinos stayed composed and focused, keeping their ambitions alive. Their efforts paid off as they entered the final quarter with a 76-64
lead, putting them in a strong position to secure victory.
The fourth quarter saw moments of open play and opportunities for both teams to shine. The Bisons jostled for a comeback, but the Dinos remained steadfast and emerged victorious, capping off a hard-fought performance with a final score of 102-92. With ten wins and two losses, the Bisons men’s basketball team are joint leaders with Winnipeg Wesmen on the Canada West Prairie league standings with a winning percentage of 0.833.
The Bisons men’s basketball team will play the Alberta Golden Bears on Friday, Jan. 24 at 8 p.m. CT and on Saturday, Jan. 25 at 7 p.m. CT at the Investors Group Athletic Centre.
Bisons women’s hockey team loses to Saskatchewan Huskies 2-0 at home game
Faiyaz Chowdhury, staff
The Bisons women’s hockey team faced the Saskatchewan Huskies on Jan. 17 at the Investors Group Athletic Centre. The herd ended up losing the game 2-0.
The first period of the game showcased a fiercely competitive tone as both teams vied for control right from the opening faceoff. The Bisons utilized a strategy focusing on aggressive forechecking and quick transitions, putting pressure on the Huskies’ defence.
At 2:48, Julianna Herman from the Huskies broke through the defence and scored, giving her team an early lead. Despite numerous scoring opportunities created by the Bisons’ sharpshooters, the goaltending for the Huskies was stellar, keeping the game scoreless. The defensive gameplay was highlighted by tight checking and quick puck clearances, setting a high-intensity pace for the match.
In the second period, the dynamics shifted slightly as both teams adjusted their strategies. The Huskies began to capitalize on their powerplay opportunities, demonstrating improved puck control and setup in the offensive zone. The herd tried to level the score but failed. However, the Huskies responded with resilience, tightening
their defence and relying on counterattacks to create scoring chances. The tension on the ice was palpable, with both teams displaying a mix of tactical play and physical confrontations.
The final period turned into a nail-biting climax as the Bisons sought to overturn the lead established by the Huskies. The Bisons increased their offensive onslaught, leading to a very dynamic and fastpaced gameplay. The Huskies, on the other hand, focused on maintaining their lead with strong defensive formations and quick breakouts. In a turbulent conclusion to the match, multiple fights broke out, escalating into brawls that overshadowed the gameplay.
The third period witnessed the focus shifting from scoring points to exchanging physical blows in a heated display of rivalry and aggression. However, in the remaining nine minutes, Ava Bergman from the Huskies capitalized on a breakaway, scoring another crucial goal that contributed significantly to their victory over the Bisons.
The Huskies managed to fend off several aggressive maneuvers from the Bisons and the period concluded with intense final minutes, showcasing the athletes’
endurance and strategic acumen under pressure. In the closing minutes of a tightly contested match, the Bisons took a bold strategic risk by pulling their goalie not once, but twice, in a desperate bid to equalize the score. This highstakes maneuver left their net unguarded, significantly increasing the risk of conceding additional goals.
The Bisons’ decision to play without a goalie underscored their aggressive approach to push for a goal, leveraging the extra attacker to apply intense pressure on the Huskies defence. Despite the increased vulnerability, the Bisons managed to avoid conceding further, although they were ultimately unable to find the back of the net. This daring strategy highlighted their commitment and urgency to try and salvage a result from the game.
Bisons forward Sophia Anderson, despite not registering any goals or assists, was recognized for her performance by achieving four shots on net. Dana Goertzen, a forward for the Bisons, played a noticeable role in the game by taking a total of five shots on net. Goertzen was actively seeking opportunities to score and make a significant impact for her team.
In a post-match interview
when asked about the team’s performance, interim head coach Jordy Zacharias stated, “I thought we played a pretty good game. First period I think we could have cleaned up a little bit and then the last 40 [minutes] I thought were pretty strong and we just ran into a pretty good goalie. We threw everything we could at her, but she played well.”
Inquiring about standout players, Zacharias remarked, “I thought all four lines were rolling pretty good in terms of offence. I don’t know if there’s one in particular, but from our forward standpoint, lots of good offensive chances.”
When questioned about the third period’s events, Zacharias responded, “I mean we play [Saskatchewan] quite a bit in the season and so now we’re into our second weekend and I’m sure our third weekend will be even more
physical. But it was a pretty clean game for the most part. It was physical where it needed to be, but nothing really to worry about.”
Regarding the strategic decision to switch the goalie for an offensive player toward the end of the game, Zacharias explained, “if you’re down by a goal or two at the end of the game, you usually pull your goalie and try and get an extra attack out there to try and get a goal.”
The Bisons faced the Huskies the following day in a rematch and won 3-2 in overtime.
The Bisons women’s hockey team are scheduled to play the MacEwan Griffins on Friday, Jan. 24 at 8 p.m. CT and on Saturday, Jan. 25 at 4 p.m. CT in Edmonton.
photo / Nischal Karki / staff
Bisons split weekend series against the UBCO Heat
Men’s volleyball dominate in straight sets on Friday but fall short in rematch
Israel Adeogo Abejoye, staff
The U of M Bisons men’s volleyball team had a mixed weekend, defeating the University of British Columbia (UBC) Okanagan Heat in straight sets, 25-16, 25-21 and 25-20 on Friday, Jan. 17 but losing 3-1 in the rematch on Saturday, Jan. 18. Despite the split, the Bisons showed flashes of brilliance and determination, leaving fans hopeful for the rest of the Canada West division.
On Friday, the Bisons traveled to the Heat’s gymnasium for the weekend face off. The Bisons came into the match looking to assert their dominance, and they did just that, taking down the Heat in straight sets.
From the opening serve, it was clear that the Bisons were on a mission. Despite the Heat winning the first point stemming from an attack error by Spencer Grahame, the Bisons quickly regained control, scoring three consecutive points to take a 3-1 lead. The first point was achieved for the Bisons as a result of Thys Weststrate’s service error, the second by Ashton South’s attack error and the third by Owen Weekes’s kill. The Heat managed to score another point, but the Bisons continued to push forward, scoring two more points from Zach Van Geel’s service error and Lucas Woelders’s attack error, to make it 5-2.
The set continued with both teams trading points. At first, the Heat took the lead with five straight points to make 13-10 but the Bisons created a significant gap in retaliation. They scored six points to make it 20-14, and eventually took the set, 25-16.
The second set followed a similar pattern, with the Heat scoring the first point, only to be met with a strong response from the Bisons’ setter, Sammy Ludwig. The Bisons scored three consecutive points, and although the Heat managed to keep it close, the Bisons’ offence was too much to handle. They edged out the set, 25-21, in large part from their ability to win the crucial points.
The third set was a tightly contested affair, with both teams trading points and neither able to gain a significant advantage. However, when the score was tied at 17-17, the Bisons seized the opportunity to take control. They scored three consecutive points from Woelders’s attack error, Weekes’s kill and another attack error by Rory O’Brien, toward the end of the set, making it 24-19, and even-
tually took the set 25-20.
The statistics from the game paint a clear picture of the Bisons’ dominance. They had 33 kills compared to the Heat’s 29, and made only 8 hitting errors, compared to the Heat’s 15. The Bisons also showed their prowess in attack, earning 72 total attempts compared to the Heat’s 68.
The Bisons’ strong serving game was also on display, as they earned 10 service aces, compared to two by the opposing team. Although the Bisons made 16 service errors, one more than the opposition, their aggressive serving paid off in the end.
The Heat’s defence was put to the test, as they were forced to make 25 digs, compared to 19 by the Bisons. The Heat also made 10 receive errors, compared to the Bisons’ two.
In terms of blocking, the Heat had two solo blocks, compared to the Bisons’ one.
The Bisons managed to surpass their opponents in blocks, with blocks of 7 and 6
for the two teams.
On Saturday, the Bisons faced off against the Heat in a highly anticipated rematch. Despite a valiant effort, the Bisons ultimately fell short, losing 3-1.
The first set was a backand-forth affair, with both teams trading points and neither was able to gain a significant advantage. The Heat scored the first point, but the Bisons quickly retaliated with four consecutive points from Seba Manuel’s service error, Weekes’s kill, Manuel’s attack error and Sam Jablonski’s attack error, to take a 4-1 lead.
The Heat managed to close the gap afterwards but the Bisons kept dominating, and later score three straight points to make it 9-7. The Bisons maintained their lead until the Heat made a comeback, scoring three consecutive points to take the lead later on. The Bisons fought hard to regain the lead, but ultimately fell short, losing the set 25-23.
The second set was a different story, as the Heat came out strong, taking an early lead and never looking back. The Bisons earned the first three points of the set, but the Heat quickly tied the game at 6-6 and then took the lead. After both teams traded points a few times, the Heat did not back down and kept soaring, scoring six consecutive points to take a commanding 16-10 lead. The Bisons managed to score a few more points, but the Heat’s lead was too great to overcome. The set ended 25-18 in favour of the Heat.
The third set saw the Bisons come out with renewed determination, earning the first three consecutive points and maintaining their lead throughout the set. The Heat managed to close the gap, scoring four consecutive points to take the lead, but the Bisons fought back, regaining the lead and holding on for a 25-21 win.
The fourth set was a mustwin for the Bisons, but
unfortunately, they came up short. The Heat scored three consecutive points to take the lead, and although the Bisons managed to score a few more points, the Heat’s lead was too great to overcome.
The Heat scored seven consecutive points to take a commanding 19-9 lead, and the Bisons were unable to recover. The set ended 25-14 in favour of the Heat, securing their win.
The match statistics also highlighted the Heat’s dominance. The Heat had 45 kills, four more than the Bisons, and made fewer hitting errors, with 15 compared to the Bisons’ 23. The Heat also had a higher hitting percentage of 0.270.
The Bisons men’s volleyball team will play the UBC Thunderbirds on Friday, Jan. 24 at 9:30 p.m. CT and on Saturday, Jan. 25 at 8 p.m. CT in Vancouver.
