University of Manitoba Students' Union


The University of Manitoba Students' Union is the university-wide representative body for undergraduate students at the University of Manitoba, located in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. UMSU was established in 1919, replacing the former University of Manitoba Students' Association founded in 1914. Its head office is located in UMSU University Centre—a large, Modernist architecture building designed by Canadian architect Isadore Coop at UM's Fort Garry Campus that serves as the university's activity hub.

Businesses & Services

The UMSU operates six student businesses on campus, including Degree's, G.P.A.'s, IQ's, Answers, UMCycle and the Digital Print and Design Centre.
The union also operates a number of non-business operations, such as the Gallery of Student Art, the Grocery Run, and a Food Bank for students. It also administers a number of scholarships and bursaries, travel grants, as well as providing funding for the student radio station, CJUM, more popularly known as UMFM and the student newspaper.

Political structure

The UMSU is run by a five-person elected executive, which includes a President and four Vice-Presidents. The four Vice-Presidents are each responsible for a different portfolio: Finance and Operations; Community Engagement; Student Life; and Advocacy. UMSU Council is the highest authority in the organization, and is made up of student representatives from each of the faculties, schools, student residences, the Inner-City Campus, and five positions for community representatives. Each faculty, school or residence has at least one representative, with some having up to four, depending on student population. The five community representatives represent marginalized communities of the student body: womyn students, international students, students living with disabilities, LGBTTQ* students, and Indigenous students. The Council also has a number of committees that deal with specific areas, such as Governance, Finance, Member Services, UPass and the Health and Dental Insurance Plan.
UMSU is unique among Canadian student governments in having a provincial law dedicated solely to UMSU.