UWSA 2015-16 Executive (L to R): Kevin Settee, Emily Epp, Jesse Blackman, Peyton Veitch
A surprise gift of $200,000 by The University of Winnipeg Students’ Association at last night’s I Heart UWinnipeg dinner will allow hundreds more youth who face barriers to post-secondary education get the financial support they need to attend school and follow their dreams. It is among the largest single gifts made to the Opportunity Fund since it began in 2007.
Dr. Annette Trimbee, President and Vice-Chancellor, accepted the cheque from Peyton Veitch, President of UWSA. “This is an incredible example of how our students support each other and look beyond our campus borders to strengthen the community,” said Trimbee.
The Opportunity Fund assists Indigenous students, young people from war-affected areas and refugee populations, and youth from inner-city neighbourhoods through fast-track bursaries, tuition credits, and tuition waivers for youth who have grown up in the child welfare system.
Due to competitive rates acquired for health insurance through the Canadian Federation of Students, the UWSA charged the same rate from 2007 onward, which resulted in a surplus. The Students’ Association has decided to give this money back to students through this donation, by waiving the health plan administration levy for all students for the next three years, and to charge exact amounts for services rendered, year-to-year, moving forward.
“This contribution reflects our conviction that a student’s path to pursuing their education should never be blocked by their background or socioeconomic status,” said Veitch.
Just over $3.4 million has been raised through the Opportunity Fund and 1,845 fast track bursaries have been awarded to students in financial need, supporting more than 250 UWinnipeg graduates to date (as of May 2015).
More than 300 people attended the 6th annual I Heart UWinnipeg dinner last night (May 21) at Canad Inns Polo Park. A complete tally on funds raised through the dinner will be available next week.
To donate to the Opportunity Fund, please contact the University of Winnipeg Foundation at 204.786.9995 or toll free at 1.866.394.6050, or visit uwinnipeg.ca/foundation For information on applying to the Opportunity Fund, please contact the University’s Awards Office at 204.779.8946 or visit uwinnipeg.ca/opportunity-fund.
MEDIA CONTACT
Diane Poulin, Senior Communications Specialist, The University of Winnipeg
P: 204.988.7135, E: d.poulin@uwinnipeg.ca
