Update on Systemic Bias and Anti-Racism in Higher Education Sessions
Last week, our senior leadership team attended a series of learning and dialogue activities on Systemic Bias and Anti-Racism in Higher Education. I invited Professor Malinda Smith, recently appointed the Vice Provost, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion at the University of Calgary, and my EDI team (Dr. Sara-Jane Finlay, Dr. Minelle Mahtani, and Dr. Sheryl Lightfoot), […]
Weekly Update: October 2, 2020
Dear members of the UBC community: As we begin the second month of the fall semester, I’m grateful to see that UBC students, faculty and staff are all doing their part to ensure that our university remains COVID free. To my knowledge, most students, faculty and staff have been wearing masks on campus, and people […]
Voting in the 2020 BC Provincial Election
British Columbians will elect a new provincial government on Saturday, October 24, 2020. While this is the official Election Day, there are options to vote by mail or during advance voting days. Every eligible member of the UBC community is encouraged to take part in the provincial election. For the 2020 BC Provincial Election, the […]
Episode 11: Land & Food Systems Roundtable
Blue and Goldcast · Episode 11: Land & Food Systems Roundtable This week on the Blue and Goldcast, join Santa and guests for a roundtable discussion about how the Faculty of Land and Food Systems is integrating anti-racist and social equity frameworks into the natural sciences, while partnering with communities along the way. Dr. […]
Weekly Update: September 25, 2020
Dear members of the UBC community. Just over half a year ago, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of COVID-19 a pandemic and B.C.’s provincial health officer declared a public health emergency. In the past six months, COVID-19 has had a profound impact on all of us, on individuals, on cities, provinces and nations, […]
September 2020
Welcome Welcome to the September 2020 issue of of Letter from Santa, a regular communication to the UBC community. In this newsletter I will give a brief summary of the most significant COVID-19 developments, as well as other news from UBC. Highlights COVID-19 and UBC Fall Graduation Indigenous Strategic Plan Anti-Racism Web Page New […]
Weekly Update: September 21, 2020
Dear members of the UBC community: As you know, since September 16, masks have been required on UBC campuses. I’ve been impressed by how quickly the university community – students, faculty, staff and visitors – have adapted to the new requirements. Thank you everyone for doing your part to stop the spread of COVID-19. But […]
September 2020
Welcome Welcome to the September 2020 issue of Letter to the Board, a regular communication to members of the UBC Board of Governors. In this newsletter I will give a brief summary of the most significant COVID-19 developments, as well as other news from UBC. COVID-19 and UBC For Winter Session, Term 2, programming will […]
Welcome Back to the Blue & Goldcast!
I’m delighted to let you know that the Blue and Goldcast, my regular podcast series where I sit down with students, faculty and staff to discuss a wide range of topics, has resumed after taking a short break. We’ve recorded several new episodes, which will be released over the next few months (we’ll be recording […]
Episode 10: The Indigenous Strategic Plan
Blue and Goldcast · Episode 10: The Indigenous Strategic Plan On September 14th, UBC launched its 2021 Indigenous Strategic Plan. On this episode of Blue & Goldcast, Santa Ono sits down with Dr. Sheryl Lightfoot. She was one of the driving forces behind the strategic plan, and is Santa’s senior advisor on Indigenous Affairs. […]
Celebrating the Indigenous Strategic Plan
UBC Vancouver Unceded Territories of the Musqueam People Thank you, Coastal Wolf Pack, Elder Grant, Drs. Lightfoot and Moss for your warm welcomes. I would like to thank the UBC community for providing their input and sharing their opinions. Thank you in particular to the ISP planning team, especially Drs. Lightfoot and Moss for the […]
Weekly Update: September 14, 2020
Dear members of the UBC community: Recently, the number of COVID-19 cases in British Columbia has been increasing dramatically. This past Friday alone, there were 132 new cases. Hospitalization from COVID-19 are at their highest in four months. We all must do what we can to fight COVID19. Therefore, UBC is implementing a new measure […]
Welcome Back, UBC
Dear members of the UBC community. Welcome to the new academic year. I hope you’ve had a good summer. Whether you’re a new or returning student, a faculty member or a staff member, this year will be like none we’ve ever experienced before. But even though this year will be different, we have been working […]
Back to School 2020
Welcome Welcome to the Back to School issue of Letter from Santa, a regular communication to the UBC community. In this newsletter I will discussing our plans for welcoming students, faculty and staff back to school this Fall. Highlights Welcome Back Celebrate the new school year at UBC! Federal Funding Annoucements Re-Appointment as President […]
Weekly Update, August 28: Welcome New Students
Dear members of the UBC community. It’s hard to believe that it’s almost September. In just a few days we’ll be starting the Fall term. I look forward to this time of year. One of the reasons I like September is because I have the privilege of welcoming new first year and transfer students to […]
Weekly Update: August 21, 2020
Dear members of the UBC community. I hope your summer is going well. It’s hard to believe, but the summer is almost over, and soon the Fall term will start. Of course, it will be a very different back to school than we’re used to. I’ll be providing more information on that in the next […]
Looking Forward to the Next Five Years
Dear members of the UBC community. Earlier this month the university’s board of governors ratified my reappointment as president and vice-chancellor of UBC for a second five-year term. I would like to thank the Board for their confidence in me, and I look forward to working with them, along with all of you, to help […]
Statement on Tragic Events in Beirut
On behalf of the UBC community, I wish to express my condolences to the families and friends of the victims of the tragic events that took place in Beirut, and I wish a speedy and complete recovery to all those who were injured. My thoughts are also with the members of UBC’s Lebanese community. Please […]
Summer 2020 Newsletter
Welcome Welcome to the Summer 2020 issue of Letter from Santa, a regular communication to the UBC community. In this newsletter I will give a brief summary of the most significant COVID-19 developments, as well as other news from UBC. Highlights COVID-19 and UBC New Board Chair Systemic Racism Audain Chair in Historical Indigenous […]
Weekly Update: July 24, 2020
Dear members of the UBC community: I hope you’re all having a good summer. It’s hard to believe, but September is only six weeks away, so today I’d like to update you on our plans for the fall. As I mentioned before, this fall, UBC will primarily offer larger classes online with selected smaller […]