The Official University of Manitoba Students’ Newspaper
Student councils call for UMSU funding transparency Matthew Merkel,, staff Student councils are coming forward, sharing their experiences and concerns over a lack of transparency in their relations with UMSU. These concerns began over an alleged lack of transparency from the union. Funds have been withheld for months, and councils have said that the reason is unclear. Executives of the Arts Student Body Council (ASBC) and the University 1 Student Council (U1SC) have responded to comments made by UMSU president Jaron Rykiss in an article published Oct. 4 in the Manitoban. The article detailed UMSU’s scheduling of a referendum regarding its membership in the Canadian
Federation of Students. In the interview, Rykiss claimed that a “wedge” had been driven between UMSU and student associations and clubs that would rather work with the federation. He specifically named ASBC as an example of this, saying that the two organizations have had a “separated relationship,” but that they have recently been able to sit down and discuss ASBC’s concerns. “UMSU has the resources, as every other student union across the country does, to support its clubs and associations, and we would love to continue being that support for our student clubs,” Rykiss said. “We’re the one they register
through, we would love to be the one that’s helping them put on their events and initiatives.” In an email statement to the Manitoban, the Canadian Federation of Students director of strategy Taylan McRae-Yu explained the federation’s relationship with UMSU clubs. “While we can’t comment on UMSU’s relationship with specific clubs, we can clarify that the Federation does not provide campus clubs with operational funding, and we do not interfere with campus groups’ participation with their local students’ union,” the statement reads. Cont’d p. 5 / Over
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photo / Ebunoluwa Akinbo / staff
New vaccines available for students on campus
Flu shot available in UC Pharmacy, new expanded eligibility for COVID-19 booster Alicia Rose, staff The University Centre (UC) Pharmacy began offering this year’s flu shot last week. Both regular and high-dose flu vaccines are available. Appointments can be made by calling University Health Service or dropping by the pharmacy. Cara Follows, director of student services for U of M’s Science Students’ Association, was excited to see that walk-in flu shots are now available at the UC Pharmacy. “It makes it very easy to get a flu shot,” she said. Follows said that there are multiple reasons to get the flu shot this year, including the protection of the elderly and people who are immunocompromised against a constantly transforming virus. She said that she would appreciate it if her classmates would get it as well.
News
The shot is used to prevent influenza, a highly contagious respiratory illness that afflicts the throat, nose and lungs. Symptoms can be present for seven to 10 days. Although often wrongly viewed as being similar to a common cold, influenza can be extremely damaging for the elderly, infants and people with pre-existing medical conditions or who already suffer from other diseases. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, the flu shot is the best way to defend oneself against influenza. Since the flu is constantly transforming, a new dose is created every year. Last year, only 39 per cent of Canadian adults got the flu shot, a one percent drop off from the year before. Most Canadians who got the shot were vaccinated in the months of October and November,
Research & 4 Technology
during flu season, when the virus’ most highly circulated time of the year begins. Flu season typically starts around October and ends in April, peaking between December and February. Because of this, it is strongly recommended by Canadian health organizations for anyone over the age of six months to get the vaccine, in order to prevent people from getting sick, lessen the spread of the virus and reduce further stressors on the health-care system amid the ongoing pandemic. The COVID-19 bivalent booster vaccine — a new vaccine that protects against both the original and Omicron strains of COVID-19 — became available for people aged 12 and up Oct. 13. With versions from both Pfizer and Moderna, the vaccine has shown better results for people who have con-
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photo / Ebunoluwa Akinbo / staff
tracted the Omicron strain of COVID-19. Manitoba Public Health recommends anyone who is eligible for their next booster shot to get the new vaccine. Follows said she will be getting the new bivalent COVID19 booster, and listed the constant mutation of the virus as a reason for staying up to date on her vaccinations. “I just had COVID two weeks ago,” she said.
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“I am going to get it in a few months, once my so-called immunity has worn off.” Appointments can be made by booking online, contacting the vaccine call centre (1-844626-8222) or reaching out to medical clinics and pharmacies directly. news@themanitoban.com
Arts & 10 Culture
15
Pitch for mayor
Of mice and minds
All the small things
App trap
End of an era
The four front-runners share their promises
U of M researcher studies brain tumours
Finding beauty in the mundane
The inauthenticity of our social media lives
Millenium Library gift shop closing its doors
Oct. 19, 2022
SINCE 1914
VOL. 109, NO. 10