“Sneaker Day is really about community, well-being and the kind of environment we want to build together,” Naomi Andrew, Vice-President (Administration), says in her opening remarks at the event. “I hope people are proud of the campus we are on and all the amazing people we work with.”

FKRM partners with the Office of the Vice President to host this yearly event as part of its goal to be a leader in promoting health and well-being across campus.

“It really brings the community together,” says Daniel Heschuk, the Program Development Specialist for the UM Science Innovation Hub. “You get to catch up with old colleagues and meet new people.”

This year, the Campus Children’s Centre joined the sunny walk around campus a complete with the children in tow. Leslie Kolmel, a Campus Children’s Centre staff member, says the event is a great way to help the kids learn about incorporating physical activity in their daily lives.

After the walk, attendees gathered on the ALC’s patio to share treats, including ice cream from UM’s dairy club. Tanya Angus, Director of Recreation Services, says Sneaker Day reminds everyone that wellness can be fun and inclusive.

“Sneaker Day is all about bringing our campus community together through movement, connection and celebration,” she says. “It’s a chance to step away from our desks, get active, and build a healthier, more connected community.”

Sneaker Day wrapped up a ten-day celebration marking the tenth anniversary of the Active Living Centre, which opened on early 2015. The building was designed to be a welcoming space that would help foster a community across campus.

A collaborative project between IDEA START and The Centre for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning, the IDEA START Podcast amplifies voices from across disciplines and corners of campus.

Hosted by Rajeev Koyal of IDEA START and Janine Carmichael of The Centre for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning, each episode dives deep into the stories and ideas that demonstrate UM’s innovative spirit and meaningful support.

“We created this podcast to celebrate and connect with the many people across campus who are reimagining what is possible,” says Koyal. “It’s also a space to learn from each other and to make the work of innovation more visible.”

Highlights from Season One:

• UM President Dr. Michael Benarroch shares his vision for entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial learning at UM.
• The 100^Th UMSU President Divya Sharma and UMSU General Manager Thomas Blumer introduce UMSU Ventures – a new space to help student entrepreneurs bring their venture to life on campus.
• Debra Jonasson-Young, Director of the Stu Clark Centre for Entrepreneurship, outlines key supports for students of all disciplines.
• Dr. Brenda Stoesz, who leads the Science of Teaching and Learning Team shares how Virtual Reality is being used to reimagine faculty development.
• Dr. Loren Oschipok, Partnerships, Knowledge Mobilization and Innovation Office Director dives into strategies for protecting and advancing intellectual property.

With episodes running approximately 30 minutes, the podcast is designed for busy students, faculty, staff, and alumni who want to stay inspired and connected.

Where to Listen

The IDEA START Podcast is available on all major platforms: Listen or watch on YouTube, Yuja, or listen on Spotify. New episodes drop monthly during the academic year.

“Whether you’re launching a venture, integrating creativity into your teaching, or just curious about how innovation shows up and is supported at UM, there’s something in these stories for you,” says Carmichael.

To listen or learn more, visit IDEA START Podcast.

Do you have guest suggestions for Season 2? Reach out to Rajeev Koyal or Janine Carmichael.

To prepare, Physical Plant implements measures to ensure a safe and respectful environment for both people and geese at the Fort Garry campus. Operations and Maintenance will be covering planters to deter nesting in areas with high human traffic; geese that nest on rooftops will be provided access ramps for their goslings upon hatching. As the geese begin to nest, signs will be posted in nesting areas to warn people of their presence. Learn more about the UM Wildlife Management Plan.

Sharing Campus Respectfully

Geese thrive in urban environments due to access to water, food, nesting sites, and protection from predators. While they are fascinating to observe, they can also be territorial and defensive—especially during nesting season. However, these geese are accustomed to campus life. They navigate our human activities daily, coexisting with cars, traffic, and pedestrians. They acknowledge our presence and respect our space. It’s essential that we do the same in return, recognizing that they are as much a part of the campus as the buildings we use.

Canada geese contribute to our university experience, and we should take pride in maintaining an environment that supports them. To ensure a safe and harmonious coexistence:

• Observe geese from a distance and avoid approaching their nests.
• Be mindful of posted signs and avoid areas with active nests.
• If a goose hisses, flaps its wings, or moves toward you, calmly back away to give it space.
• Do not take selfies with geese.
• Do not throw objects at or antagonize them.
• Do not feed them.
• Drive cautiously, being prepared for geese to cross a road.

Avian Flu Awareness:  Ways to Protect Yourself

As we welcome the geese back to campus, it’s also important to be aware of the risks associated with avian flu. This virus has been affecting wild birds across North America, including waterfowl like geese. To protect both yourself and wildlife:

• If a bird looks like it needs help, don’t approach or touch it. Sick or injured birds may carry avian flu, which can spread to humans and other animals.
• Avoid contact with bird droppings and wash your hands thoroughly if you encounter areas frequented by birds.
• Pet owners should keep dogs on a leash to prevent them from interacting with birds or bird droppings.

If you witness anyone engaging in harmful behavior toward the geese, please report it to Campus Security. For concerns about wildlife on campus, contact the Physical Plant Customer Service Desk at ppwod@umanitoba.ca.

By respecting the geese and staying informed about avian flu, we can ensure a safe and welcoming environment for both wildlife and the campus community.

It’s already been five years since our current UM brand launched. Informed by the insight of more than 7,000 students, faculty, alumni, donors and community members, our brand represents UM’s continual evolution and path to progress and change. It shines a light on our strengths, values and priorities, including our commitment to Reconciliation and dedication to inclusion.

The UM brand is the foundation of how the world sees us, and we want to ensure that each time our audiences interact with us our brand reflects the values of our university.

There have been so many updates of the logo and brand across our campuses over the past five years – thank you all for this! It’s now time to finish this great work. To complete our UM brand update, we ask you and your teams to locate and either remove or update all outstanding (non-wayfinding) physical and digital applications of the old logo and brand in your areas this year.

It’s been 147 years since the founding of UM so there are sure to be many locations where the old logo is still hiding in obvious, and some not-so-obvious, locations.

Let’s work together – and “Brand Together” – to share the UM brand with pride across our campuses, province and beyond.

To help guide your team updates, please visit our new UM Intranet support page that provides tips, templates and target deadlines.

I can’t wait to see our campuses fully showcase our “new” UM brand. We will all benefit from providing our community with a consistent and cohesive brand experience.

Please contact the Brand and Marketing team with any brand and logo update guidance you may need or if you have any questions.

Michael Benarroch, PhD
President and Vice-Chancellor

The regular series celebrates our faculty and staff, showcasing the range of positions, unique career paths, meaningful work and impact on others at the University of Manitoba. The series might open the door to someone new, or be an inspiration to those who want to build their career at the U of M.

WHAT DO YOU DO AT THE U OF M?

Carla Loewen: I currently work as a student advisor at the Indigenous Student Centre. I started advising with University 1 in 2005 and began working at the Indigenous Student Centre in January 2015. My primary focus is to create and facilitate transition programming for new Indigenous students.

WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO THE U OF M?

I did two undergraduate degrees here and then did some work in adult education and decided I wanted a change. I thought about what I really loved and I loved being at the U of M, so I started job searching and after four months I was lucky enough to be hired by University 1.

WHAT MADE YOU PURSUE STUDENT ADVISING?

I have my B.Ed. degree and I always really liked working with older students and liked the idea of working with post secondary students. I felt that my education fits the role of being a student advisor.

My passion is also Indigenous student success so when I started working here I thought about what I would have liked in terms of support when I was a student because I was a shy kind of student. So everything came together in terms of wanting to help Indigenous students find their home here.

I love the community that is on campus, particularly with all of my colleagues and peers in various offices. I feel that the U of M is very supportive of  staff getting to know others and making connections. It’s not just about doing your role, it’s about becoming part of the campus community.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT WORKING AT THE U OF M?

I love the community that is on campus, particularly with all of my colleagues and peers in various offices. I feel that the U of M is very supportive of  staff getting to know others and making connections. It’s not just about doing your role, it’s about becoming part of the campus community.

I also really like the opportunities for professional development. When I started my Masters of Education I knew there was tuition support, which was a great help.

WHAT HAVE YOU DISCOVERED ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR ABILITIES DURING YOUR TIME HERE?

Every student and situation is unique so I found that I’m a really great listener, whether it’s a student, colleagues or friends. It’s made me into a better conversationalist but I’m probably too good at asking questions because I know how to get people talking about anything but me. (Laughter)

WHAT IS YOUR LARGEST CHALLENGE IN YOUR ROLE?

Every day is different in terms of seeing students, going to meetings or participating in working groups, so it’s a challenge to sit down and  do project management because there are so many things to do on a daily basis. 

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THE JOB?

It’s those ‘aha!’ moments when students who have been struggling with course work or weren’t sure what they wanted and then they [realize], “Oh, I can actually do this.” I love those moments so much. I really just love helping students find their path.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF IN YOUR U OF M CAREER?

I developed a peer mentoring program in University 1. It was an Indigenous program where I matched first year Indigenous students with more experienced Indigenous students. When I moved to the Indigenous Student Centre, I took the program with me. Because of my interest in peer mentoring and belief in peer support, I turned it into my Master’s thesis project. I looked at student development theory and how peer mentoring can be related to first year Indigenous student success. Which is now what I do full-time, so my work has come full circle. That’s pretty amazing.

WHAT’S YOUR ADVICE TO A NEW EMPLOYEE?

You know, I’m all about mentoring!  I encourage others to find a mentor to go to for advice, support and encouragement — or even so they can say “hey you’re doing a great job!”

To learn more about the Indigenous Student Centre, visit their website.  

For additional Meet Our Community:Coffee with a Co-Worker stories, visit the human resources website.

People now looking to reserve an outdoor location on our campuses simply need to login to JUMP and fill in the required information. (Instructions can be found here.)

“We are very excited to roll out this online booking tool for use of outdoor space,” says Andrew Konowalchuk, Associate Vice-President (Administration) at the U of M. “Our IST team has done a great job in creating a user friendly platform that will make the request for booking outdoor space a much easier, more efficient process that is environmentally friendly. Rather than walking a paper form across multiple offices on campus, approvals are now handled electronically.”

The University collaborated with several units and the University of Manitoba Students Union (UMSU) to develop the online form. 

“We’re thrilled to be rolling out the online booking tool for outdoor spaces on campus after collaborating with the University,” says Tanjit Nagra, UMSU President. “The online tool streamlines the process and makes it much easier for student groups, UMSU members and others to book outdoor spaces on campus for events and other initiatives.”

The U of M is dedicated to creating a work environment that meets the needs of the campus community, and to creating efficient, environmentally friendly systems that support the work we do.

Rules and regulations

The end of term Instagram Photo Contest (#ummemories) runs from 1 p.m. CST on Wednesday, May 3 to 12 a.m. CST on Friday, June 9 on www.instagram.com/umstudent/.

To be entered to win, take a photo of what you’ll miss most about campus this summer, tag your photo with #ummemories and share the challenge # in your post. PRIVATE Instagram accounts must be PUBLIC during the contest in order to qualify for entry.

All entries between May 5 and June 9 will be considered and a favourite will be chosen. You may enter as many times as you like. The winning photo account will receive a U of M Bookstore Gift Card valued at $25.

The winning entry will be chosen by the Marketing and Communications Office and will be selected based on composition, creativity, quality and adherence to the theme. The winner will be notified by Instagram direct message and then announced publicly on the account.

Prize must be picked up from the Student Life Office in University Centre during regular business hours.

Contest is open to all residents of Manitoba, but prize must be picked up at the U of M Fort Garry campus. By tagging #ummemories, you are agreeing to allow the U of M to share your photo(s) on our social media accounts and on our news site, UM Today.

Your photo(s) will not be used for commercial purposes. This contest is in no way sponsored, administered, or associated with Instagram, Inc.

By entering, entrants confirm they are 13+ years of age, release Instagram of responsibility, and agree to Instagram’s term of use.

Rules and regulations

The April Instagram Photo Contest (#umviews) runs from 5 p.m. CST on Monday, April 3 to 12 a.m. CST on Sunday, April 30 on www.instagram.com/umstudent/.

To be entered to win, take a photo with the theme “favourite U of M views”, tag your photo with #umviews and share the challenge # in your post. PRIVATE Instagram accounts must be PUBLIC during the contest in order to qualify for entry.

All entries between April 3 and April 30 will be considered and a favourite will be chosen. You may enter as many times as you like. The winning photo account will receive a U of M Bookstore Gift Card valued at $25.

The winning entry will be chosen by the Marketing and Communications Office and will be selected based on composition, creativity, quality and adherence to the theme. The winner will be notified by Instagram direct message and then announced publicly on the account.

Prize must be picked up from the Student Life Office in University Centre during regular business hours.

Contest is open to all residents of Manitoba, but prize must be picked up at the U of M Fort Garry Campus. By tagging #umviews, you are agreeing to allow the U of M to share your photo(s) on our social media accounts and on our news site, UM Today.

Your photo(s) will not be used for commercial purposes. This contest is in no way sponsored, administered, or associated with Instagram, Inc.

By entering, entrants confirm they are 13+ years of age, release Instagram of responsibility, and agree to Instagram’s term of use.

Rules and regulations

The March Instagram Photo Contest (#umspringsigns) runs from 3:00 pm CST on Friday, March 3 to midnight CST on Friday, March 31 on www.instagram.com/umstudent/.

To be entered to win, take a photo with the theme “signs of spring on campus”, tag your photo with #umspringsigns and share the challenge # in your post. PRIVATE Instagram accounts must be PUBLIC during the contest in order to qualify for entry.

All entries between March 3 and March 31 will be considered and a favourite will be chosen. You may enter as many times as you like. The winning photo account will receive a U of M Bookstore Gift Card valued at $25.

The winning entry will be chosen by the Marketing and Communications Office and will be selected based on composition, creativity, quality and adherence to the theme. The winner will be notified by Instagram direct message and then announced publicly on the account.

Prize must be picked up from the Student Life Office in University Centre during regular business hours.

Contest is open to all residents of Manitoba, but prize must be picked up at the U of M Fort Garry Campus. By tagging #umspringsigns, you are agreeing to allow the U of M to share your photo(s) on our social media accounts and on our news site, UM Today.

Your photo(s) will not be used for commercial purposes. This contest is in no way sponsored, administered, or associated with Instagram, Inc.

By entering, entrants confirm they are 13+ years of age, release Instagram of responsibility, and agree to Instagram’s terms of use.

Rules and regulations

The February Instagram photo contest (#umcampus) runs from 12:00 pm CST on Thursday, February 9 to midnight CST on Tuesday, February 28 on www.instagram.com/umstudent/.

To be entered to win, take a photo with the theme “favourite buildings on campus”, tag your photo with #umcampus and share the challenge # in your post. PRIVATE Instagram accounts must be PUBLIC during the contest in order to qualify for entry.

All entries between February 9 and February 28 will be considered and a favourite will be chosen. You may enter as many times as you like. The winning photo account will receive a U of M Bookstore Gift Card valued at $25.

The winning entry will be chosen by the Marketing and Communications Office and will be selected based on composition, creativity, quality and adherence to the theme. The winner will be notified by Instagram direct message and then announced publicly on the account.

Prize must be picked up from the Student Life Office in University Centre during regular business hours.

Contest is open to all residents of Manitoba, but prize must be picked up at the U of M Fort Garry Campus. By tagging #umcampus, you are agreeing to allow the U of M to share your photo(s) on our social media accounts and on our news site, UM Today.

Your photo(s) will not be used for commercial purposes. This contest is in no way sponsored, administered, or associated with Instagram, Inc.

By entering, entrants confirm they are 13+ years of age, release Instagram of responsibility, and agree to Instagram’s term of use.