Welcome Back!
03 Welcome back to campus and the start of the 2022-23 academic year! I hope you all had a good summer. Welcome Students This week, UBC welcomes thousands of new and returning students to our campuses and learning sites. Thousands of new students are coming to our Okanagan and Vancouver campuses from across British Columbia, […]
Walking the path of Reconciliation: The Indigenous Strategic Initiatives Fund
When we launched the Indigenous Strategic Plan (ISP) nearly two years ago, we hoped it would provide guidance and inspiration for the UBC community and beyond. Being able to invest in our commitments and enable student-led projects to come to life and have a genuine impact in our communities is a crucial step in the […]
Djavad Mowafaghian, CM, OBC (1927 – 2022)
It is with profound sadness and a deep sense of loss that we learned of the passing of Dr. Djavad Mowafaghian. Affectionately called “Dr. M” by those whom he’s helped through his generosity, he was one of Canada’s most visionary philanthropists and a dear friend of UBC. On behalf of the entire UBC community, […]
Douglas Mitchell, CM, AOE, QC, 1939–2022
We are deeply saddened by the recent passing of Douglas Mitchell, CM, AOE, QC, LLD (BLaws ’62). I wish to express my deepest condolences to his wife, Lois, and their family during this difficult time. A former player, Commissioner and member of the Board of Governors for the Canadian Football League (CFL), Mr. Mitchell was […]
Statement to the UBC Community
Dear members of the UBC Community: At the start of my seventh academic year as your President and Vice-Chancellor, I write to inform you of my decision to complete my term as the 15th President of UBC in October 2022. I have accepted an invitation from the Board of Regents of the University of Michigan […]
Canada Day 2022
Canada Day is a time for celebration and reflection. While we have much to celebrate this Canada Day, we still have far to go to achieve a truly representative and equitable university, province and country. We have seen progress over the past year — at UBC, we have begun to work on the 54 comprehensive […]
Community Update, June 27, 2022: End of Mask Mandate
Dear members of the UBC community. I hope that your summer is off to a great start. As you know, in April, we announced that masks had to be worn in indoor UBC public spaces until June 30. Since then, public health data has indicated that BC has passed the 6th wave of the pandemic. […]
June 2022
Welcome Welcome to the June 2022 issue of Letter to the Board, a regular communication to members of the UBC community. Highlights Peter A. Allard, QC, 1946 – 2022 Welcome Arig al Shaibah Thanks to our Donors and Alumni New UBC Vancouver student residences opens with gifted names from Musqueam Province invests $50m in […]
Peter A. Allard, QC, 1946 – 2022
We are deeply saddened to learn of the recent passing of Mr. Peter A. Allard, QC (BA’68, LLB ’71). I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to Mr. Allard’s family on behalf of the entire UBC community. He will be deeply missed. A lawyer, businessman and philanthropist, Mr. Allard has made an indelible mark […]
Statement on the one-year anniversary of the announcement of 215 unmarked graves found at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School
Our hearts are heavy as we mark the one-year anniversary of the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation announcing the discovery of the remains of 215 children in unmarked graves at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School. The discovery of these burial sites confirmed the truth that residential school survivors have long known, that the abuse […]
Vancouver Police Department Mess Dinner Keynote Address
The Vancouver Club Thank you very much for that generous introduction, Colleen – I’d love to meet that guy! We often hear speakers say that they stand between you and dinner so they’d better be brief – but luckily, we have already had dinner so the sky’s the limit! As you know, academics can talk, […]
Asian Heritage Month: A Conversation with Henry Yu
Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to discuss Asian Heritage Month with Henry Yu, the principal of St. John’s College and an acclaimed scholar in the field of Asian-Canadian history. You can watch highlights from the discussion in the video (above), or read the transcript of the full discussion below: Henry: Hello everybody. I’m […]
Blue & Gold Campaign—It’s a wrap!
On May 10, 2022, I publicly announced the close of our tremendously successful Blue & Gold Campaign for Students. I am so pleased to share that we raised over $211-million enabling us to offer life-changing opportunities for many students, including those from under-represented communities, through financial support, awards and experiential learning opportunities Students are at […]
TransLink and UBC
On April 22, I had the pleasure of speaking to members of the Mayors’ Council on Regional Transportation to show support for the Transport 2050: 10-Year Priorities Plan as well as the extension of SkyTrain to the Vancouver campus. TransLink’s proposed plan for the next 10 years includes a range of transit solutions that support […]
Community Update: Mask Requirement Extended
Dear members of the UBC community, I would like to begin by acknowledging that I am speaking to you from the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Musqueam people. As we near the end of the academic year, I would like to thank everyone for doing their part in keeping our campuses safe and […]
Episode 37: Margaret Moss
In this episode of the Blue & Goldcast, Santa talks to Margaret Moss, the Interim Associate Vice-President, Equity & Inclusion, about her current role and her work with UBC’s First Nations House of Learning. Download the transcript here.
‘Moving Beyond Talk’: Addressing the Challenges of Indigenous Peoples’ Rights and Climate Change
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Many thanks for that generous introduction, Peter – I barely recognized myself! And my thanks to you all for joining me in this important and timely dialogue. I feel very honoured to be invited to the Visiting College Leaders Program here at the University of Pennsylvania – it’s always exciting to see […]
Episode 36: Julio Montaner – Bringing Passion and Energy to HIV/AIDS research
Dr. Julio Montaner is the director of the British Columbia Center for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, the chair in AIDS research and head of the division of AIDS in the faculty of medicine at the University of British Columbia. He discusses highlights of his distinguished career as one of the world’s foremost AIDS/HIV researchers. Download the […]
Strategic Plan Update
Last week, I provided the following update on UBC’s Strategic Plan, Shaping UBC’s Next Century, to the Board of Governors: Shaping UBC’s Next Century is UBC’s roadmap, setting our collective vision, purpose, goals and strategies for the years ahead. Since the plan’s launch in April 2018, I’m pleased to say we have made […]
Community Update, April 1, 2022: Reducing Exam Stress
Dear members of the UBC community, I would like to begin by acknowledging that I am speaking to you from the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Musqueam people. Final exams will begin in a few weeks, and I realize that many of you will be anxious about how well you do. But […]