This includes Subway and the Grill. In addition, the BookStore Starbucks and EITC Tim Hortons are open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Come on by!

Here are the top 7 gift ideas that are sure to delight and keep the season merry and bright. The holiday sale runs until December 6.

1. Book lovers, we’ve got you cover-to-covered!

What’s better than curling up with a great book during the holidays? Here are our top picks for the bookworms and lifelong learners on your list. Bonus: During the sale period, books are 20% off (general reading books only).

• Who We Are by the late Honourable Murray Sinclair [LLB/79, LLD/02] is a profound exploration of identity and history. As Canada moves forward into the future of Reconciliation, one of its greatest leaders guides us to ask the most important and difficult question we can ask of ourselves: Who are we?
• Or try these 2024 Governor General Award-winning books that feature Winnipeg:
  • Winipek by Niigaan Sinclair is a captivating collection of essays. The UM professor uses the story of Winnipeg to illuminate the reality of Indigenous life all over what is called Canada.
  • Scientific Marvel by UM alum Chimwemwe Undi [BA(Adv)/16, JD/20] is a book of thought-provoking poems marked by rhythmic drive, humour and surprise and taking its title from a beauty school in downtown Winnipeg that closed in 2017 after nearly 100 years of operation.

2. Share some Bison spirit

Hurry! Grab these while they last: ‘We Are All Bisons’ apparel and merchandise like the new logo T-shirt or a stylish UM crew neck sweatshirt. During the sale, you can score 25% off UM & Bisons clothing.

3. Horns up for Bisons Athletics

Keep warm while supporting your favorite sports teams with Bisons Athletics toques. These are also perfect for outdoor activities in the snow.

4. Keep calm and carry on

Practical and durable, UM backpacks and totes offer plenty of space and comfort for carrying books, laptops and other essentials—they’re 25% off during the sale.

Or stay hydrated on the go with UM travel mugs and bottles, also 25% off. These are perfect for coffee, tea or water and make great gifts.

5. Gift the joy of creativity

For those who love to keep busy with their latest projects and artistic pursuits, choose UM Bookstore art markers and other art supplies. Colourful, inspiring gift options for all ages!

6. Playful presents

Puzzles and games are great for friend and family fun and relaxation, making them a hit with everyone on your list. UM BookStore offers a wide variety, and all are 25% off right now. Giftware and plush items are also included.

7. Hear ye, hear ye

Enhance your audio experience with high-quality earbuds, headsets, and speakers available at UM BookStore—and until Dec. 6, you’ll get 10% off After Shokz and Skullcandy earbuds, headsets and all in-stock speakers. Great for music lovers, gamers and anyone who enjoys great sound quality.

Special Holiday Sale at the UM BookStore

Don’t miss out on the big sale on now! Many items in the store are on sale, making it the perfect time to do your holiday shopping. Look for these special prices.

• 25% off UM & Bisons clothing, backpacks, mugs, and more
• 20% off general reading books(excludes textbooks)
• 25% off giftware, puzzles, games, plush
• 10% off After Shokz and Skullcandy earbuds, headsets, and all in-stock speakers

Visit the UM BookStore in UMSU University Centre until December 6 to take advantage of these fantastic deals.

Happy shopping and happy holidays!

Changing regulations and mandates have made it difficult for business continuation to go forward, says Andrea Edmunds, executive director of UM Ancillary Services, but in order to continue to serve the UM community, many of the services offered will be transferred to other existing locations on campus.

Many services will continue to be offered at other locations

UMSU’s convenience store GPA’s and the UM BookStore will carry a variety of retail products found in the Pharmacy’s front store area, such as some over-the-counter medications, body care, household products, and nutritional supplements. 

The UM BookStore in UMSU University Centre will sell stamps, flat rate boxes, and serve as an Amazon pick up/drop off point, a Canada Post Flex Delivery and Delivery to Postal Outlet depot. Money orders and moneygram can be found just off campus at any banking institution or postal outlet.

Pharmacy services and transferring prescriptions

For prescription pharmaceutical services, there are 10 pharmacies within a 4km radius of the Fort Garry Campus, consisting of a mix of larger chain store pharmacies, grocery store pharmacies and independent pharmacies. All offer delivery services and have more accommodating hours of operation that are more accommodating to student schedules.

Customers can have their prescriptions transferred to their pharmacy of choice at any point from now until the end of April 2024. If no instructions are received by this time, the remaining prescription files will be transferred to Greencrest Pharmacy at 1-2770 Pembina Highway. The staff at the University Centre Pharmacy will be happy to help if there are questions or if assistance is required.

Director of the pharmacy & postal outlet Debra Giesbrecht adds a big thank you to the UM community for its support over the nearly 50 years the service has been in operation.

“It has been our distinct pleasure to have served the UM Community for the duration and we greatly appreciate the support!” she says.

You have several options to get an influenza immunization at the UM this season.

University Centre Pharmacy Flu Clinic

Starting Thursday Nov 5, the University Centre Pharmacy* will be offering flu shots for the campus community Tuesdays and Thursdays only between 10am and 3pm. While supplies last.

No appointment is necessary.

PROCEDURE ON FLU CLINIC DAYS

See the pharmacy website for more information.

*The UCentre Pharmacy on Fort Garry campus remains open as an essential service. 

University Health Service (UHS) influenza immunization clinics

Open to students, faculty and staff.

Two days: November 13 and 30, 2020; 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Location: Fort Garry campus in the multi-purpose (MPR) rooms, second floor University Centre

These clinics are by appointment only (no walk-ins); appointments can be booked by calling UHS at 204-474-8411.

At home the day of your appointment you must complete the online Shared Health COVID-19 self-assessment tool. If any of your responses are “Yes” please stay home, do not arrive for your appointment. If anyone at home is self-isolating due to symptoms, you must self-isolate as well, even if you do not have symptoms.

Please bring your provincial or territorial health card with you (International Students please bring your Guard Me or Blue Cross card). Please wear a shirt that allows you to expose your upper arm, and plan to stick around 15 minutes after being immunized.

You must wear a mask* at all times while on campus. Physical distancing and hand-washing will be strictly adhered to at the clinic.

Please read the Manitoba Public Health Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Fact Sheet in advance of visiting the clinic.

*You should wear a personal cloth mask when you come to campus. When you enter your classroom, lab or study space you will be given a 3-ply mask to put on immediately. When you leave, you will remove the 3-ply mask and put on your personal cloth mask. Your 3-ply mask should be disposed of. You may see people wearing cloth masks on campus prior to arriving at their destination.   

Cell Mechanics will service all smartphone users in need of repair, regardless of where they purchased their device. This location is one of six, and is also a retailer for premium refurbished phones and top accessory brands.

Cell Mechanics specializes in repairing broken smartphones and tablets from the industry’s leading manufacturers, such as Apple, and is the only Authorized Samsung Smart Service Centre in the area.

They also offer a wide selection of certified pre-owned devices as an affordable alternative to purchasing expensive new hardware in the event you lose your device, or it is deemed to be damaged beyond repair.

Being authorized by Samsung allows Cell Mechanics to repair devices that fall under the manufacturer’s warranty using genuine Samsung parts. They also boast training and experience with Apple products, and offer a lifetime warranty on repairs.

They note that with the rising costs of today’s smartphones and with an increase in the number of users that have broken phones, having a device repaired is quite often the most cost effective option available.

Find out more about Cell Mechanics in University Centre, including hours of operation. Email and phone for UM: cellmechuofm@cellmechanics.ca / 204-258-7275

Visit the Fort Garry BookStore website for more information.

Health Sciences Bookstore

The Health Sciences BookStore continues to be open for online shopping only, with free pick-up option at the Fort Garry BookStore.

The Health Sciences Bookstore will be closed during the Fall term. Health Sciences course materials, medical instruments and supplies can be ordered online or by phone.

Find more information about the Fort Garry BookStore and the Health Sciences Bookstore.

From feeding athletes the nutritious food needed to compete to setting up the Athletes’ Village and making sure the campus was tidy and beautiful, staff played a major role in the overall success of the Games.

But they weren’t the only ones, says Andrew Konowalchuk, associate vice-president (administration). He notes that there were many campus members involved in various aspects of planning, communications, hands-on set up and ongoing activities over the duration of the Games.

“I would like to acknowledge everyone involved from the planning committee to communications to the hands-on crews — including the Physical Plant, Conference and Catering and Ancillaries staff — who came together to support the Canada Summer Games Athletes Village and venues at the U of M,” he said. The U of M Canada Summer Games Planning Committee started working together on October 23, 2014.

“There was really impressive, exceptional work from all involved, with everything throughout managed smoothly and calmly — a tremendous group accomplishment.”

There were some real challenges throughout. Days prior to the athletes arriving on campus, there was a major power outage in University Centre, where the athletes’ cafeteria and food services were located. Conference and Catering Services staff came up with a contingency plan to feed the athletes while staff at the electrical shop came up with a plan and restored power quickly; communications were managed smoothly. A water main break also kept crews busy during the Games but they managed to fix it without any disruption to buildings or the parkade.

When entire teams tested the capacity of elevators and got unexpectedly stuck, crews came to their rescue fast enough to ensure that no one was hurt or missed their scheduled games.

Staff kept the campus clean, turned over 900 rooms for and fed 2,000 athletes during the holiday weekend, stayed on-call and accommodated a number of smaller requests to help make the Summer Games extra successful.

“This was a full-shop effort and we celebrate our success on a job well done!” says Steve Cumpsty, director, operations & maintenance.

“A sincere and heartfelt thank you to everyone involved in the preparations and planning for the games, the work during the games, and the cleanup after,” adds Konowalchuk.

Do you know someone on campus who put in extra effort at the Canada Summer Games? Leave a comment below to tell us about those shining stars that went above and beyond.

U of M Canada Summer Games Planning Committee

Andrew Konowalchuk – Chair, AV-P (Administration)
Vanessa Shaff – Director, External Relations
Tannis Campbell – Manager, Office of the AVP (Admin.)
Naomi Andrew – Legal Counsel
Andrea Edmunds – Director, Ancillary Services
Barry Stone – Director, Student Residences
Cameron Neufeld – Manager, Parking Services
Dean Duff – General Manager, Dining Services
Steve Cumpsty – Director, Operations & Maintenance
Lyle Morin – Manager, Grounds & General Services
Rick Jansen – Director, Security Services
Simon Wang – Director of Facilities, KRM
Gene Muller – Director, Active Living
Murray Elfenbaum – Administrative Coordinator, Ancillary Services
Doug Brown – Dean, KRM
Janice Bailey – Area Coordinator, Extended Education
Jaret Klymchuk – Director, Architectural & Engineering Services
Kevin Slippert – Analyst, Registrar’s Office
K-L Holter – Director, IST

Parkmobile, LLC, is a leading provider of mobile-enabled parking and mobility-related services.

“We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Parkmobile, providing our community members and visitors with a more convenient way to pay for parking,” says Cameron Neufeld, manager of parking services. “Winnipeg’s climate presents challenges, especially in the winter. Providing customers with a way to pay from the comfort of their vehicle or inside a building is something we have long strived to do.”

Parkmobile’s mobile payments system is very simple and easy to use. Customers first must register by downloading the mobile app in their phone’s app store or online at www.parkmobile.com. Once registered, they may use the mobile app, internet or the toll-free number listed on signage to pay for parking. After setting up their account, customers can immediately start using the system with their registered mobile phone. Mobile app users may also choose to receive alerts and reminders 15 minutes prior to their parking session expiring.

This Parkmobile service also provides customers the ability to receive alerts when their meter time is about to expire, extend their time remotely without returning to the meter, utilize credit cards in locations that do not offer manual credit card payments, as well as print and keep receipts for parking.

Enforcement officers will be able to see that a motorist has paid with Parkmobile using their wireless handheld devices, so customers should not worry when the meter does not change. Parkmobile’s mobile payment solution is an added payment option intended to complement existing parking payment options. All existing forms of payment are still valid for use.

For more information, see www.parkmobile.com

Parking Services website: http://umanitoba.ca/campus/parking/ticketserv/index.html

“Now, with the seven cash registers at each location, you stand in line once. It’s about using the space a little more effectively,” Seating will also be a vast improvement, with a mix of different options from rail seating to low leather club seating to high-top and low cocktail tables. The Fireplace Lounge will be converted to seating but remain a flex space, with moveable (and removeable) furniture.

In October, Duff told UM Today that things were progressing as planned, with a December 1 construction completion date and an opening scheduled for December 8.

See UM Today‘s sneak peak of the extensive changes here.

*Update as of Dec. 9: We have been informed that the food court will open on Thursday, Dec. 11, and this story has been changed to reflect that update. Originally, this story said that the food court would open Dec. 10.

If they so choose, respondents are entered to win the grand prize of a $150 MasterCard gift card or one of three $50 MasterCard gift cards (solely for the Fort Garry campus).

Manager of Dining Services, Dean Duff, says that because the survey is the most in-depth survey they do, the ideal is a good cross-section of people responding. “The greater number of people we have that fill out our survey, the better the data,” he says. “Our hope is always that all of the different population groups on campus are well represented — commuter students, residence students, grad students, faculty and staff.”

Unlike the “Your Voice Counts” survey, which runs all year long and is intended to quickly gather information regarding a customer’s one-time experience at one location, the Dining Styles survey captures more thorough information about the respondent’s dining habits, preferences, and satisfaction levels.

Included in the DiningStyles Survey are questions that address: days of the week the respondent is on campus and over what time periods; types of locations the respondent frequents the most and average spend; overall perceived performance of Dining Services; perceived value and convenience; satisfaction with hours of operation, food variety, food quality, speed of service and availability of healthy options; and perceived address of concerns such as sustainability and environmental impact. When giving a low or high rating, respondents will be prompted to write a few words describing or explaining their rating and specific changes they would like to see.

The DiningStyles Survey also asks about preferred methods of obtaining information from Dining Services and types of locations respondents would like to see added to campus.

Says Duff, the survey is designed to help Dining Services location managers to create action plans according to the feedback submitted. Dining Services managers receive a complete survey report, including a document with all of the written responses from respondents (anonymously submitted) and areas of success and weakness are both highlighted in the survey report.

This information is not only valuable for short-term changes but assists in long term-planning. For example, notes Duff, the availability of healthy and fresh options have been highlighted in past surveys as an area customers feel could be improved and therefore the new University Centre food court was designed with these areas of focus in mind.

The DiningStyles Survey runs until November 7 and includes two separate surveys, one for the Fort Garry sampus and one for the Bannatyne campus.

To access the surveys, go to:

college-survey.com/manitoba
college-survey.com/manitobabrodie

You can also follow uofmdining on Twitter, on like U of M Dining on Facebook or see their website, The Campus Dish.