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.

New UM Learn Training Modules

To ensure that everyone on campus is equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to maintain a safe environment, EHSO has developed comprehensive training modules available on UM Learn. These modules cover a wide range of topics, including:

• Environmental Health and Safety Basics
• Biological Safety Training
• Chemical Safety Training
• Asbestos Awareness
• EHS for Students
• EHS for Supervisors
• Office Ergonomics
• Lab Safety for Non-Lab Workers
• Visitor Safety

Course description of these and other offering from EHSO can be found in the EHS Safety Training Manual. These training modules are designed to create a comprehensive and robust safety culture. By completing these courses, participants will be better prepared to identify and mitigate potential hazards in their respective environments. See the Self-Registration tab in UM Learn to find offerings from EHSO.

In addition to the new training modules, EHSO has also enhanced its incident reporting form, which is accessible through their website.

This user-friendly platform allows for the timely and accurate reporting of any safety-related incidents or concerns. Key features of the incident reporting system include:

Ease of Access: Reports can be submitted from any device with internet access, ensuring that incidents are documented as soon as they occur.

Confidentiality: The system ensures that all reports are handled with the utmost confidentiality, protecting the privacy of those who report incidents.

Submitted reports are immediately forwarded to the appropriate EHSO team member to facilitate prompt investigation and response.   EHSO collects and analyzes data on reported incidents, helping to identify trends and areas for improvement.  The combination of comprehensive training and efficient incident reporting is crucial for maintaining a safe campus environment.

The University of Manitoba’s Environmental Health and Safety Office is dedicated to enhancing campus safety through education and efficient reporting systems. The new UM Learn training modules and the incident reporting system are essential tools in this mission. By staying informed and proactive, we can all contribute to a safer and healthier campus community. Find information on all EHS programs at https://umanitoba.ca/environmental-health-and-safety/.

Security Services would like to remind everyone about the Safe Walk Program, which allows you to request a safe walk 24 hours a day on Fort Garry or Bannatyne campuses. You are also encouraged to contact Security Services any time to report any suspicious activity.  Security Services encourages everyone to download the UM SAFE app and explore safety features such as Work Alone, Friend Walk and the instant emergency notification tool, Mobile Blue Light. The app is available free for download from the App Store and Google Play. Further information on the app can be found on the Security Services webpage.

Security Services can be reached at all hours everyday in the following ways:

• 204-474-9312 (non-emergency)
• 204-474-9341 (emergency)
• 555 from University land lines
• #555 from Rogers and Bell MTS cell phone customers

Should an incident require police, call 911 immediately. Please be mindful of your personal property and do not leave items unattended. 

Support and resources

Student supports for everyday life are available to help you succeed during your time at UM. For more info on topics such as wellness and student counselling to academic support, finance and more, visit the student supports webpage.

The UM coyote sightings occurred Mar. 28 and 29 in the vicinity of Smartpark near RTDS Technologies Building, 150 Innovation Drive.

In order to safely co-exist with wildlife such as coyotes and geese, educate yourself about wildlife and how to avoid an unwanted encounter. Janine Wilmot, a human-wildlife conflict biologist with the Province of Manitoba, says people should stay alert and aware of their surroundings while outdoors, especially in forested areas or near rivers.

About coyotes

Seeing a coyote doesn’t need to be cause for alarm, says Coyote Watch Canada, an organization that promotes “respect, compassion, and safety education” for all wildlife and for coyotes in particular.

The organization notes that most coyotes will keep their distance. Like “all other urban wildlife, [coyotes are] looking for food, water and shelter … and they mostly eat small rodents as well as local vegetation like berries, fruits and nuts.” They are also “extremely curious and intelligent animals – they often watch the events happening around them, just as a tourist in a new city would.”

Tips for peaceful, safe co-existence

However, it’s important to keep your distance, too. To reduce risk of conflict, the Winnipeg Humane Society recommends avoiding outdoor areas where coyotes might look for food such as around garbage bins.

When walking in areas where a coyote has been spotted, Wilmot recommends carrying deterrents such as a walking stick or noisemaking devices like whistles or air horns in order to scare wildlife away if a chance encounter should occur.

If you are with a dog, keep it leashed in order to prevent an unwanted encounter with a coyote, since it’s been reported that over 90 per cent of such encounters occur when a dog is running off-leash.

Winnipeg Police instructs people to report any sighting or encounter with aggressive coyotes to the non-emergency line at 204-986-6222. However, if someone is at immediate risk, call 911.

Learn more about coyotes and urban wildlife at Winnipeg Human Society and Coyote Watch Canada.

Learn more about urban wild geese through our respect the goose series.

While many in the university community are not currently attending campus, limited, approved on-campus academic and research activities continue. To increase safety during this unique time, access and access points to buildings have been limited.

Changes to parking options, such as reduced casual rates, allow students to consider parking closer to their campus destination.

Read on for more on current UM safety measures and what you can do to help keep yourself and our community safe.

Did you know?

UM safety programs include:

• Security officers on regular patrol 24/7
• Network of security cameras on campus
• Safe Walk Program
• Emergency Red Phones and Code Blue stations located throughout campus on almost every floor of every buildings and parking lots. The stations provide direct and immediate 2-way communication with the Security Services department.

In Fall 2020, a new mobile safety app, UM Safe, was introduced to enhance the safety of students, faculty and staff on campus.

UM Safe includes features such as Work Alone and Friend Walk, as well as a Mobile Blue Light feature similar to the stationary code blue lights on our campuses. UM Safe is an important tool that can sends safety alerts and provides instant access to campus safety resources.

Download Android; Download iOS

Stay safe, be aware

Even with all these measures in place, everyone on campus is encouraged to be aware of their surroundings and to try to minimize time alone on campus. Inform yourself on work alone procedures.

Let others know where you are through periodic check-ins, ensure you have access to a phone, and inform yourself on locations of the Code Blue stations and Emergency Red Phones. 

Find further information on all safety programs, including contact information for Security Services and various Emergency Contact numbers.

See also: COVID sanitization and safety protocols

In the event of a fire alarm, all building occupants are required to evacuate. To help maintain social distancing, always be aware of your nearest exit at any given time.

Most people will use familiar exits or only leave the way they came in during an evacuation. This can cause crowding and difficulty maintaining distance at popular exits.

Use the nearest exit

Utilizing the nearest exit will reduce crowding and allow for a faster evacuation. While the building may only have one controlled entrance at this time, any exit can be used to leave the building in the event of a fire alarm or emergency.

When exiting, move away from the building to ensure there is space for everyone to leave the building and to be able to maintain social distance.

When returning to the building after the all clear is given, make sure to wash your hands as soon as possible.

Call 911 and Security Services

In the event of a medical emergency, when calling 911 make sure to let them know which entrance is being used as the point of entry.

If possible, also contact Security Services so they will be able to respond and assist the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service with access to the building.

Dial 555 from any University phone or #555 on any Rogers or BellMTS cell phone. You can also call 204-474-9341 from any other phone.