MANITOBAN U of M responds to construction company’s lawsuit Iyanda Ajuwon, staff ment of Penn-co” — a claim which the university denies. The CMO project contract was entered in two phases with approximately $20.5 million in estimated fees. The phase 1 contract price was slightly over $14.6 million, while the phase 2 contract price was over $5.8 million. Phase 1 was entered in 2017, entailing the construction of the main building, while phase 2 was entered in 2019, covering the construction of the pumphouse and pipeline from the CMO building nearby inlet of Hudson Bay. In the defence statement, the university said that the phase 1 work reached a sub-
stantial performance on or about May 17, 2021, and phase 2 work on or about Nov 30, 2021. However, the university denied that Penn-co properly completed all phase 1 and phase 2 work in accordance with its contractual obligations. The university also refuted all Penn-co’s claims of entitlement to additional compensation. In response to their entitlement claim for compensation for COVID-19 protocols, the university, according to the defence statement, said that “any delays in Penn-co’s Cont’d p. 3 / completion
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n Sept. 20, the university filed a statement of defence and counterclaim in response to a lawsuit brought forward by Penn-co Construction at the end of August. Penn-co was contracted to by the university to build the Churchill Marine Observatory (CMO) — a multidisciplinary research facility located in Churchill that received a grand opening on Aug. 27. Three days later, Penn-co filed a lawsuit against the university seeking nearly $2.6 million in compensation. The company alleged that that the “the university has been unjustly enriched to the detri-
October marks sustainability month at the U of M Sylvester Delali Agbado, staff
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“So that intranet page will include those resources, helpful tips and tricks in the realm of waste, transportation, land use and energy,” she added. In addition, the office of sustainability has developed a campus sustainability map for both the Fort Garry and Bannatyne campuses that highlights different areas on campus where people can access different types of programs related to achieving sustainability in the university community. “So whether it be the ReShop, our local reuse warehouse, or […] where EV charging is, and where you can park your bike in a secure lockup,” she said, “those sustainability maps focus on different things that are available to everybody on both our campuses.” The green office program allows staff or faculty to sign up as a green office representative or “Go Rep.” This role helps them score their office
4 Editorial
or faculty on sustainability practices. By working with the office of sustainability, they can continue improving their scores. Another initiative the office of sustainability is considering is the “Residence Give and Go Program.” People who are moving in and out of the residences can donate the things they do not want to take with them. New residents can reuse these items, or they can be donated to a local charity. Nairn stated that this initiative will reduce waste on campus and provide items for people who may need them later. During this sustainability month, there will be a series of programs and workshops. For instance, a workshop on sustainability will be held on Oct. 23 from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in partnership with the science innovation hub at the Graduate Students’ Association Cont’d p. 3 / lounge
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October is sustainability month at the U of M. The goal is for university community members to engage in efforts that foster a more climate-friendly environment. The university’s Climate Action Plan highlights four key areas individuals can significantly impact — energy and buildings, transportation, waste and land restoration. Christie Nairn, director of the U of M’s office of sustainability, shared that her office is focusing on grassroots efforts to achieve sustainability and climate action goals for this year’s sustainability month celebration. As part of this year’s sustainability month project, a new web page has been launched to provide information and resources. “We have a new intranet page that is helping staff and faculty learn about different resources that can help integrate sustainability into their jobs,” said Nairn.
Inaccurate billing for UMSU Health and Dental Plan Students that opted out during change-of-coverage period still assessed plan fees Milan Lukes, staff Students that opted out of coverage on time from the University of Manitoba Students’ Union (UMSU) Health and Dental Plan were still assessed the fees — up to $393 — in their Aurora account by the fall term tuition deadline. The Enhanced Care UMSU Health and Dental Plan is a group insurance plan that provides health, dental, vision and travel coverage to undergraduate and graduate students. A legal consultation service is also included in the plan for undergraduate students. The plan is provided by Studentcare, a collective insurance plan administrator that serves over a million students across the country. Undergraduate students who are members of UMSU — registered in at least one on-campus course — and who are registered for least six credit hours of courses in the fall term are automatically covered in the plan. Full-time graduate students who are members of the University of Manitoba Graduate Students’ Association (UMGSA) are also automatically covered. Fees for the UMSU Health and Dental Plan are directly added to student enrolment fees in Aurora, the university’s registration and student records management system. Students can opt out of the plan during the change-ofcoverage period with proof of other equivalent health and dental coverage. For students that successfully opted out of the program during the change-of-cover-
Arts & 15 Culture
age period from Aug. 30 to Sept. 25, fees for the plan were still assessed in their Aurora account by the Oct. 2 fall term tuition deadline. An employee from the registrar’s office indicated that students who opted out on time and received an optout confirmation email would not have to pay the plan fees in their account. “And if they pay, that amount will come in as a credit on their account for winter or any future terms,” explained an employee from the registrar’s office. Carolyn Wang, UMSU vice-president finance and operations, stated that “UMSU is concerned to hear that some students were still billed for the UMSU Health and Dental Plan and Legal Plan despite opting out before the opt out deadline. “UMSU does not have control over the Studentcare website where students opt out of their plan, nor the University of Manitoba website, Aurora, where tuition fees are billed and paid,” said Wang. “However, we have raised these concerns with Studentcare and will continue to do so until all of the issues are resolved. We are awaiting a meeting with both Studentcare and the University of Manitoba to seek further information on why this issue occurred.” The Manitoban reached out to both Jeff Adams, university registrar and executive director of enrolment services, and Studentcare for comment. No responses were received by our deadline.
17 Sports
Campus convenience
Coach characteristics
Small victories
Dreams unfold
Spiking to glory
Possibility of GPA’s at Bannatyne campus
Words of wisdom for future football coach
Fuel your success this semester
An Indigenous musical journey
Men’s volleyball preseason starts strong
October 09, 2024
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VOL. 111, NO. 09