Message from the UMFA President - Safety on UM Campuses

October 30, 2024

I know many of you continue to be concerned about the violent crimes that happened over the last week on the Fort Garry Campus. I would like to express my concern for the students affected. There is no place for violence on campus and everyone has the right to be safe at work and while attending university.

The UM administration has shared reminders about what to do in an emergency situation (call 911), how to contact Security Services (dial 555 from a university phone, or 204-474-9341), and the crisis supports available to faculty, staff, and students. I want to further highlight that UMFA’s staff are available as supports and resources to you about anything that involves your working conditions, or your ability to complete your work. Contact the UMFA office at 204-474-8272 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

In response to this violence, the UM administration almost immediately increased security on campus, which seems like an appropriate and welcomed first step, though it does not take into consideration that many students, faculty, and staff feel less safe when there is increased uniformed security present. Over the last year, faculty have been raising concerns about gaps in workplace health and safety measures, including physical security such as locks, doors, and other ways of regulating access to work and living spaces. I have raised these issues with the UM administration, including the UM President and Provost (Academic), and will continue discussions with the administration about ways to increase safety on campus. If you have specific safety concerns about your work environment, or if you experience a security or safety related incident, you should report these to your Local Area Safety and Health (LASH) committee. You can also copy UMFA on these reports – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..   

Additionally, I know that students come to you seeking help, feeling anxious and scared, or to report instances of gender-based and sexual violence. The UM’s Sexual Violence Resource Centre is a helpful resource on campus toward which you can direct students, or where you can seek advice and support yourself. 

Sincerely, 

Erik Thomson
President, University of Manitoba Faculty Association

The Organizing and Communications Committee needs you!

Are you passionate about making a difference? Do you have ideas and a great enthusiasm to share them? Do you have a knack for organizing social events? Maybe you're passionate about politics and want to see elected officials do more for post-secondary education.

Now is the perfect time for you to join one of the UMFA Organizing and Communications Committees. Choose from the Listening Tour Sub-committee, Election Action Sub-committee, Social Events Sub-committee, Safe Air Sub-committee, and the Bargaining Sub-committee.

Listening Tour Sub-committee

The best way to keep your colleagues connected to the Association is to talk to them one-on-one. Members of the OCC Listening Tour Sub-committee will be reaching out to UMFA Members throughout the year to hear what they have to say about their workplaces, and about how working conditions can be improved. Training and support provided!

Social Events Sub-committee

Have a knack for organizing social events? Join this OCC Sub-committee and help get your colleagues together for coffee, conversation, and other social activities. 

Safe Air (formerly the COVID-19) Sub-committee

The Safe Air sub-committee works to educate and advocate for safe, clean air for everyone on our campuses. We advocate for improved ventilation to reduce transmission of airborne viruses and pathogens, create materials to support precautions in our workplace (masking, COVID-19 Teaching FAQ) and work together to advocate for a future of safe air on campus that goes beyond the current and on-going COVID-19 pandemic.

Bargaining Sub-committee

This committee is a new initiative to help support the bargaining team, Collective Agreement Committee (CAC), and Executive with member mobilization initiatives.

Whether you're a seasoned expert or you just want to bring a fresh perspective to the table, your unique skills and ideas are valuable assets that can help shape the committees' initiatives.

For information on how to get involved and for more details on each sub-committee, contact OCC Chair Jenna Tichon at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Committee meetings are open to all members. The dates for each are on the website here: https://www.umfa.ca/news/meetings-events.