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 […]
March 2022
Welcome Welcome to the March 2022 issue of Letter from Santa, a regular communication to the UBC community. Highlights Provost and Vice-President Academic, pro tem appointments announced New scholarship program supports Black Canadian students at UBC Annual report on UBC Okanagan’s Declaration of Commitments to the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action UBC–led research team […]
Episode 35: Research cluster Ars Scientia pairs physicist and artist for collaborative research
Ars Scientia is an ongoing UBC research excellence cluster which pairs scientists and artists, challenging them to create work that stepped outside of their respective disciplines and bridge the academic gap between arts and science. Today, Santa speaks to Daniel Korchinski and Josephine Lee. Daniel, a physicist, and Josephine, an artist were paired together to […]
Community Update, March 11, 2022: Masks Still Required on UBC Campuses
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. Yesterday, the BC Provincial Health Officer announced that the Public Health Order requiring masks to be worn in public indoor spaces is lifted as of […]
Statement on Russia and Ukraine
On behalf of the University of British Columbia, I am deeply concerned about Russia’s attacks on Ukraine and its impact on many of our university community members. These attacks are unwarranted, unprovoked, and unacceptable. We join Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and B.C. Premier John Horgan in deploring this illegal and unjust war, and echo the international community’s […]
Community Update, February 11, 2022: Thank You for a Safe Return to Campus
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. On Monday of this week, courses at UBC returned to the format in which they were originally scheduled. I want to thank everyone who has […]