Community Update, August 20, 2021: Preparing our campuses for Fall 2021
Dear members of the UBC community. I would like to acknowledge that I am speaking to you from the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Musqueam people. It’s just a few weeks away from the start of the Fall term. If you’re coming to UBC for the first time, welcome! This is a significant […]
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, 2021
In June of this year, the federal government passed legislation to mark September 30, 2021 as a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Earlier this month, the Province of BC followed suit recognizing this as a day of commemoration in the public sector. UBC will be observing this day as a holiday on both campuses […]
Devastating wildfires in the Okanagan area
Dear colleagues, ‘way: We are deeply distressed by the devastating wildfires in the Okanagan area and throughout the province. Many within our UBC community and beyond are feeling the toll of increased stress and uncertainty due to these fires, coupled with the ongoing impacts of COVID-19. Our thoughts and those of our students, faculty and […]
Update, August 13, 2021: Supporting Mandatory Indoor Masking and Vaccination
Dear members of the UBC community. I would like to acknowledge that I am speaking to you from the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Musqueam people. I have heard from many members of the UBC community asking for the university to introduce mandatory non-medical masks and vaccines for those returning to campus in […]
Episode 25: Glenn Regehr on Education for Health Professionals
https://soundcloud.com/ubc_blue_and_goldcast/episode-25-glenn-regehr-on-education-for-health-professionals?in=ubc_blue_and_goldcast/sets/blue-and-goldcast In this episode of the Blue & Goldcast, Santa talks to Dr. Glenn Regehr is a researcher in health professions education in the Faculty of Medicine. Download the transcript here.
Community Update, July 16, 2021: Black Opportunity Fund
Dear members of the UBC community. I hope your summer is going well. 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 I mentioned in my last update in June, we are planning a phased approach to the return […]
Black Opportunity Fund partners with UBC to empower next generation of Black leaders
I would like to highlight an exciting new partnership between UBC and Black Opportunity Fund (BOF), to empower Black Canadian students to achieve their educational goals and career aspirations. BOF is a partnership between the Black community, businesses, philanthropists, government, and foundations, with a mission of raising a permanent pool of capital to empower the […]
Weekly Update: June 25, 2021: Return to Campus will be a transition, not an event
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 you know, the Fall term begins in just a couple of months and like many of you, I’m looking forward to getting back to campus. […]
June 2021
Welcome Welcome to the June 2021 issue of Letter from Santa, a regular communication to members of the UBC community. Highlights Statement on the Missing Children of Canada’s Indian Residential Schools Welcome New Board Members National Forum on Anti-Asian Racism Update on Plans for Fall 2021 Remote Work Arrangements: An opportunity to reimagine how […]
Statement on the Missing Children of Canada’s Indian Residential Schools
We are heartbroken to learn of the confirmation of further burial sites of children at former residential schools. These discoveries are horrifying. We can only imagine the grief and pain that the families and communities of the missing children are feeling. UBC stands with First Nations seeking the truth about the missing children. We support […]
Weekly Update, June 18, 2021: The Anti-Asian Racism Forum is Over, But Our Work is Just Beginning
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. Last week, UBC hosted a National Forum on Anti-Asian Racism. Thousands of people from across Canada and around the world participated in the virtual forum. […]
Episode 23: Fatherhood and Masculinity in the 21st Century
https://soundcloud.com/ubc_blue_and_goldcast/blue-gold-episode-23-fatherhood-in-the-21st-century?in=ubc_blue_and_goldcast/sets/blue-and-goldcast In this episode of the Blue and Goldcast, Santa talks to UBC’s Dr. David Kuhl about his research into fatherhood and masculinity. Dr. Kuhl holds the Mohammad H. Mohseni Foundation Chair in Men’s Health, Integrity and Wellbeing at Vancouver Coastal Health with support from the VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation. Download the transcript here.
Weekly Update, June 11, 2021: A Phased Approach to the Fall
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. With the start of the academic year just three months away, I’m looking forward to welcoming back our students, faculty and staff. According to BC’s […]
Statement on the Missing Children of the Kamloops Indian Residential School
We were heartbroken to learn of the confirmation of the burial site of 215 children on the grounds of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School last week. We can only imagine the grief and pain that the families and communities of the missing children are feeling. UBC stands with First Nations seeking the truth about […]
Weekly Update, May 28, 2021: Spring Graduation
Dear members of the UBC community. Earlier this week, Provincial Health Officer Bonnie Henry made it clear that BC’s Restart Plan depends on as many people as possible getting vaccinated. Vaccines are the best way to protect yourself, your loved ones and your community from COVID-19 and getting life back to normal. If you haven’t […]
Weekly Update, May 21, 2021: Plans for Fall 2021
Dear members of the UBC community. As I noted in my UBC Broadcast earlier this week, we continue to work closely on our plans for the Fall with public health officials at the provincial and regional levels. You can find more details at broadcastemail.ubc.ca. Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry is optimistic that we will […]
External Review of Campus Security
Dear UBC Community On June 16, 2020, following concerns of racial profiling, I called for an external review of Campus Security to ensure that racialized members of our community are treated equally to all other UBC members. In August of 2020, the Vice President, Finance & Operations, Peter Smailes, engaged Dana Campbell-Stevens, Workplace Investigator at […]
Weekly Update, May 14, 2021: Join the Vaccine-Nation
Dear members of the UBC community. Today I’d like to talk about COVID-19 vaccinations. More than two million vaccine doses have already been administered in BC, and tens of thousands of people are getting their vaccines every day. Everyone over the age of 18 in British Columbia can now register for a vaccination appointment so, […]
Weekly Update, May 7, 2021: Asian Heritage Month
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. This is Asian Heritage Month; an opportunity for all Canadians to learn more about the many achievements and contributions of Canadians of Asian descent who, […]