Weekly Update, February 5, 2021
Dear members of the UBC community. As you know, a little over a year ago, on December 5, 2019, UBC declared a climate emergency. As part of the declaration, I established a Climate Emergency Task Force with a mandate to consolidate input from both in-person and online consultations into a public report. I am pleased […]
Weekly Update, February 1, 2021: Black History Month
Dear members of the UBC community. I’d like to start off by congratulating Dr. Susan Porter, Dean and Vice-Provost, Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, on receiving the Debra W. Stewart Award for Outstanding Leadership in Graduate Education from the Council of Graduate Schools, for her passionate advocacy and invaluable contributions to UBC and the international graduate […]
Let’s Talk About Mental Health
Mental illness affects every one of us, either directly or through those we love. And it affects people of all ages and walks of life, including members of the UBC community. Suicide is the second leading cause of death in Canada for those between the ages of 15 and 24, and the second leading cause […]
Episode 15: Let’s Talk About Mental Health
https://soundcloud.com/ubc_blue_and_goldcast/episode-15-mental-health-covid-and-students/s-13DquMxoWeD In this episode of the Blue and Goldcast, I talk to Kathryn Gretsinger about students and mental health. Kathryn and her team of 80 students, journalists, and academics have been working on a cross-border investigation into mental health issues with 10 journalism schools in Canada and the US. Download the transcript here.
Weekly Update, January 22, 2021
Dear members of the UBC community. We begin the new year with hope, and anticipation of a better year ahead. Already, many vulnerable seniors and frontline workers have been vaccinated in British Columbia, and we can look forward to more widescale vaccination against COVID in the coming months. But just because vaccination has begun, it […]
Congratulations to UBC’s Killam Professors
The Killam Professorship is the highest honour that UBC can confer on a faculty member. University Killam Professors are exceptional teachers and researchers who are leaders in their fields, and have received international recognition for their talents and achievements. I would like to congratulate UBC’s new Killam Professors, who have just been announced. Janice Eng, […]
Episode 14: Fostering Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at UBC
https://soundcloud.com/ubc_blue_and_goldcast/episode-14-fostering-equity-diversity-and-inclusion-at-ubc/s-nlB7BzgjnPy In this episode of the Blue and Goldcast, I talk to Karen Ragoonaden about the complexities – and the necessity – of fostering equity, diversity and inclusion at a modern university. Download the transcript here.
Statement from the President
Late last year my elderly mother was taken to hospital by ambulance in her home city of Baltimore. Since my mother and father, who is 93, live alone, I was concerned about their welfare. There is no one in my extended family who lives in Baltimore and was able to provide support for them. On […]
UBC’s response to sentencing of alumna Loujain Al-Hathloul
The University of British Columbia is profoundly disappointed by today’s news that Loujain Al-Hathloul has been sentenced to five years and eight months in prison, with two years and 10 months suspended. Ms. Al-Hathloul, who graduated from UBC with a Bachelor of Arts in 2014, was among several women’s rights activists who were arrested and […]
Securing a “sustainable tomorrow”: How Servant Leadership strengthens UBC
Chief Human Resources Officer Executive Summit Vancouver I am delighted to be able to join you today from the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Musqueam First Nation, here in Vancouver, BC. It’s an honor to be included in your important conversations around best practices in human resources—especially in the area of organizational leadership. […]
Update on UBC’s Evolving Relationship with the RCMP
Earlier this year, the university made a number of commitments to address issues of systemic racism and ensure we are fostering an inclusive and equitable community for our students, faculty and staff. We’ve made significant progress – much of which is detailed in this recent post announcing the appointment of our new co-executive leads for […]
Weekly Update, December 11, 2020
Dear members of the UBC community. I would like to begin by acknowledging that I am speaking to you from the traditional and unceded territory of the Musqueam people. This will be my final update for the year 2020. And what a year it has been! It’s traditional at this time of year for many […]
Update: Extending the SkyTrain to UBC
As 2020 comes to a close, I’m pleased to be turning my attention to a fresh new year and what it will bring for the university and our community. While we continue to tackle the immediate challenges presented by COVID-19, I am eagerly looking ahead to the day when we can safely welcome everyone back […]
Weekly Update, December 4, 2020
Dear members of the UBC community. I would like to begin by acknowledging that I am speaking to you from the traditional and unceded territory of the Musqueam people. I’d like to share the news that for most programs the winter break has been extended until January 11. Students should keep an eye out for […]
Weekly Update, November 26, 2020
Dear members of the UBC community. I would like to begin by acknowledging that I am speaking to you from the traditional and unceded territory of the Musqueam people. In a few short weeks, exams will begin for UBC students. Exam time is always stressful of course, but this year, you may find it more […]
November-December 2020
Welcome Welcome to the November/December 2020 issue of Letter from Santa, a regular communication to the UBC community. Highlights UBC Research and COVID Fall Graduation Installation of Chancellor Point Handel Kashope Wright Appointed as Senior Advisor on Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence UBC in Top 30 in the World for Graduate Employability University Presidents Meet to […]
Weekly Update, November 20, 2020
Dear members of the UBC community. I would like to begin by acknowledging that I am speaking to you from the traditional and unceded territory of the Musqueam people. Lately we’ve heard hopeful news about COVID-19 vaccines, with two of the groups working on a vaccine announcing promising results. However, it will be months before […]
Weekly Update, November 13, 2020
Dear members of the UBC community. I would like to begin by acknowledging that I am speaking to you from the traditional and unceded territory of the Musqueam people. Chers membres de la communauté de l’UBC. J’aimerais commencer par vous dire que je m’adresse à vous depuis le territoire traditionnel et non cédé du peuple Musqueam. […]
Episode 12: UBC as a Climate Leader
https://soundcloud.com/ubc_blue_and_goldcast/episode-12-ubc-as-a-climate-leader This week on the Blue & Goldcast, Santa talks to Dr. Walter Mérida, the president’s senior advisor on climate, as well as the director of the Clean Energy Research Centre. Dr. Mérida and Santa sit down to discuss how UBC can continue its role as a climate leader in Canada and beyond. You can […]
Weekly Update, November 6, 2020
Dear members of the UBC Community: I would like to begin by acknowledging that I am speaking to you from the traditional and unceded territory of the Musqueam people. Je voudrais commencer par reconnaître que je vous parle depuis les territoires traditionnels et non cédés des peuples Musqueam. As you know, this week we switched […]