The rainbow-coloured Pride crosswalk is the brainchild of UMSU’s marketing team and its installation supported through a collaboration with UM Operations and Maintenance. The crosswalk is intended to symbolize inclusivity and support for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

“We hope that this project will increase the visibility of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and we hope that members of the community feel supported, seen, and valued, as they are an integral part of the University of Manitoba campuses,” says Christine Yasay, Vice President Student Life, University of Manitoba Students’ Union.

The project is part of a larger slate of events UMSU is involved with for Pride month this June, including button-making day, the Pride Parade, and Drag Bingo.

The Pride crosswalk will continue to shine throughout the summer until September.

COVID-19 has put a heavy strain on our environment. Though there has been less air-travel, single-use plastics have increased significantly in use. Environmentally, over-consumption worsens climate change and air pollution through the production and distribution of products. Our planet’s natural resources are being exhausted to meet the demand of over-consumptive societies, rather than being conserved to sustain future generations and ourselves. For this reason and many more, Buy Nothing Day is a day for society to take a stand against consumerism.

Connection to Black Friday and Cyber Monday

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are the two days that historically have the most purchases every year. Companies slash prices and create sales to encourage consumers to purchase more, rather than encouraging consumers to purchase only what they need. This year, many companies are moving their Black Friday sales online to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Forty-three per cent of Canadians have expressed that they intend to spend money on Black Friday, with even more open to being persuaded to purchase. This adds up to nearly $4.6 billion, or approximately $362 per person. This is substantially more than the average shopper spends in a day, and puts an incredible strain on our natural resources through the manufacturing and transport of all these products. In order to meet these high production demands, companies must in turn increase their raw material (i.e. natural resource) usage. This leads to deforestation, loss of biodiversity and overall environmental degradation.

Amazon is an important example of how Cyber Monday and Black Friday can impact the Earth negatively. Online purchases on Cyber Monday are known to be even greater than Black Friday, totaling $9.4 billion in the United States in 2019. Amazon can deliver within days, sometimes even overnight, but this convenience comes at a cost. An analysis from the University of California’s Climate Lab found free and fast delivery left a larger carbon footprint up to 35 times greater than deliveries that take over a week.

How you can help

Local businesses contribute positively to our local economy and the environment. Many local businesses produce their products right here in Manitoba, shrinking the carbon emitted in the manufacturing and transportation of products. Local companies have more control and transparency over their production supply chains than larger companies, meaning they can see every step in the manufacturing process. This allows local companies to ensure production is ethical socially and environmentally. Many local businesses offer online ordering, delivery and curbside pick-up during COVID-19, making shopping safe for all Manitobans.

The University of Manitoba offers great sustainable alternatives on campus and many products are available for delivery. The University of Manitoba Fort Garry Bookstore remains open during COVID-19, and offers online ordering and curbside pick-up for all orders. The University Centre Pharmacy also remains open, with products available for delivery and curbside pick-up to fit the needs of all students. As the first store on campus to go plastic bag free, there are several sustainable products available at the pharmacy, including feminine hygiene products, bamboo-based toothbrushes, sustainable paper towels, beeswax food wrap, and a variety of reusable makeup products and bags. Masks worn by staff at the pharmacy are sourced locally, and all single-use food service items, such as plates and cutlery, are 100% compostable. For updates on what’s open on both University of Manitoba campuses during COVID-19, check out this regularly updated article on UM Today.

As Black Friday and Cyber Monday quickly approach, there are a few important questions you can ask yourself, and others, prior to purchasing:

• Would I purchase this product if it wasn’t on sale?
• Do I really need this product?
• Where was this product manufactured?
• Is this an impulse purchase?
• Will I get a lot of use out of this product?
• How will I dispose of this product when I am done with it?

Overall, being conscious of our purchases has more power than we realize as consumers, and together we can make a lasting positive impact on our planet.

Aug. 28 UPDATE:

Physical Plant – Operations & Maintenance will be shutting down partial electrical service to UMSU University Centre from 10:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. on Aug. 28.

This will only affect building lighting and plugs. Kitchen and walk-in coolers will not be affected.

Staff are asked to power down all computers and printers before leaving work for the day.

Aug. 18 UPDATE:

Complete electrical service shutdown of UMSU University Centre on Sunday, Aug. 27 from 5 a.m. until noon for temporary transformer instalment.

Electrical service to UMSU University Centre will be shut down on Sunday, Aug. 27 from 5 a.m. until noon in order to connect a temporary transformer to the building electrical system. This will include the entire building electrical system. Elevators will not be operational.

The entire building will be shut down for two or three hours. Once Phase 1 has been completed, mechanical loads and the kitchen area power will be restored. The rest of the building will have power restored no later than 12 noon. 

Please power down any computers and copiers before leaving work on Aug. 25.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Bruce Hancock at 204-474-6309.

Aug. 17 UPDATE:

Installation of the temporary transformer is in progress on the north side of UMSU University Centre.

The transformer is on campus and will be moved into place next Wednesday Aug 23. There will be a six hour building wide shutdown on Sunday Aug. 27 to connect the transformer and energize the building. It is expected that 100 per cent power will be restored to UMSU University Centre at this time.

Aug. 10 UPDATE:

Installation of a temporary transformer for UMSU University Centre is expected to begin next week. Work will take place in the area between UMSU University Centre and the Fitzgerald Building and in the 2nd floor electrical room behind the kitchen.

Any shutdowns will follow the standard notification and coordination process.

The building is expected to return to 100 per cent operation on or before Sep 1, 2017.

From now until Labour Day, UMSU University Centre will be operating on reduced power and requires efforts to manage electrical power demands.

This is being put into effect after the UMSU University Centre lost power from a main breaker Monday morning, July 24. Power has been restored with a temporary fix and the building officially reopened at 5 a.m. Wednesday morning, July 26.

In the meantime, select items within common areas and food service areas may be authorized by Physical Plant Operations & Maintenance.Small appliances in offices and administrative areas MUST be disconnected and remain unused until further notice.

DISCONNECT SMALL APPLIANCES, INCLUDING:

• Microwave ovens
• Toasters
• Kettles
• Personal coffee makers (drip and pod styles)
• Personal heaters
• Personal fans
• Decorative lighting
• Digital Message Boards or LED/LCD Monitors
• Room air conditioners
• Water coolers
• Bar fridges
• Any under-utilized community fridges

REDUCE POWER CONSUMPTION BY:
• Putting your computer and monitor into sleep or hibernate when not in use.
• Control Panel > Power Options > Change When the Computer Sleeps.
• Turning off lights in rooms and offices not in use.

Operations & Maintenance is working with units to identify priorities in the coming month.
Check back here for further updates about UMSU University Centre services.

The university community will be notified when full operations are restored.

See previous story and updates on UMSU University Centre Outage and reopening of the building.

Attendees can view the eclipse in comfort from the Degrees patio, with physics grad students on hand to help attendees view the eclipse safely through telescopes, free special eclipse glasses or projected images.

U of M Planetarium Director Danielle Pahud of the Department of Physics and Astronomy will give a brief presentation about the eclipse and what to expect here in Winnipeg.

“Having a solar eclipse essentially sweep through your backyard is a real astronomical treat that doesn’t come along too often,” Pahud explains. “The next total solar eclipse visible from here won’t be until 2024!”

During the party, Degrees will feature special eclipse cocktails and mocktails, solar cupcakes and other themed menu items. There will also be an eclipse trivia contest with great prizes.

Inside degrees there will be live streaming of the event from NASA.

This event is free and open to the public, so bring a friend!

For more information:

Jennifer MacRae
Communications and Promotions
University of Manitoba Faculty of Science
204-474-8790, or email: jennifer.macrae@umanitoba.ca
sci.umanitoba.ca