Manitoba's Top Employers

MANITOBA'S TOP 25 EMPLOYERS 2014 13 UNIVERSITÉ DE SAINT-BONIFACE Employees thrive at Université de Saint-Boniface By Jennifer McFee For the Free Press Je me vois ici. My place is here. That's the theme of the new five-year strategic plan for Université de SaintBoniface. It's also a sentiment shared by staff and students at this post-secondary institution, which has earned a Manitoba's Top Employers award for the fourth consecutive year. "When you look at the workplace culture here, you can see where the appeal lies. Faculty and staff appreciate being in an environment where the working language is French. There are not too many of those in Manitoba," explained USB President Raymonde Gagné. "Many people find that an attraction – to be able to work in Photo by Dan Harper their first language, or their second or third even." As a result, Université de Saint-BoniUniversité de Saint-Boniface since face attracts employees from around the world, 1984 when she was first hired as an with a diverse staff of approximately 200 fullinstructor. She has directed many time and 225 part-time employees. USB divisions since then, but 2014 "Ten per cent of our employees are visible miwill mark the end of an era when she norities, seven per cent are Aboriginal and two steps down as President. per cent are disabled persons," Gagné added. Université de Saint-Boniface was "We definitely believe in diversity. It's very enWestern Canada's first post-secriching for an organization and also energizing ondary institution. Today, it remains for everyone." the largest francophone university in The staff turnover rate remains low, thanks to President Raymonde Gagné, Western Canada. excellent benefits, such as a maternity top-up, Université de Saint-Boniface "We can trace our origins back to flexible work options, pension plans, paid per- Photo by Dan Harper 1818 when Father Norbert Provenchsonal days and paid time off to volunteer. er came to the Red River Colony and Every year, a gala event celebrates people who are retir- opened a small school for boys. So our story really runs paring, as well as staff members who have worked with the or- allel to the history of settling Manitoba," continued Gagné. ganization for 25 years. More than half of the regular full-time "And we have lived up to the original mission of providing staff have served for 10 years or more. opportunities for education and work in French." A long-time employee herself, Gagné has worked at This spirit of building will carry into the future through the new five-year strategic plan that takes USB up to the 200th anniversary in 2018. "This plan was carefully crafted over a two-year period, with diligence and also with passion. All sectors of the internal community and some community partners were consulted, and they all took part in its making." said Gagné. "The theme 'My place is here' illustrates that the plan is meant to inspire, since the message goes to the heart of the entire community. Our first pillar is to work on the environment of choice — as an environment of choice for students and as a responsible employer. We're going to do that by pursuing our high quality programs and services." The plan also focuses on research enhancement, strategic enrolment management and community engagement. "When we look at the end of the fiveyear strategic plan, it will coincide with our 200th anniversary. That makes the message even more fitting because we want to engage the community in celebrating their institution," said Gagné. The strategy is working since the university continues to attract a growing number of students. This September, USB saw a seven percent increase in student population, bringing the total to approximately 1,350. The recent LEED gold-certified Pavillon Marcel-A.-Desautels building provides a home base for health and social services programs. "It has added to our physical environment. Students and staff alike enjoy the new space," Gagné said. "It's a very inspirational and technologically advanced learning environment." With its proud history and rich diversity, Université de Saint-Boniface provides a unique environment for both work and learning. "Université de Saint-Boniface is one of the crown jewels of the francophone community," Gagné said. "It has history and passion and community engagement. I think that's why USB has achieved so much." Proud to be one of Manitoba's Top 25 Employers four years running /ustboniface My place is here. ustboniface.ca

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