COVID 19 Update: March 27, 2020
Dear Members of the UBC Community: First of all, I want you to know that I’ve been thinking about you over this past week. I know that UBC, like the whole world, has been under tremendous stress during these challenging times. I hope that you and your loved ones are well and that you […]
Spring Graduation: An Update
Many people, including students, faculty and staff, have been asking about the university’s plans for one of the highlights of the year, spring graduation. Today, I’d like to update you on our plans for this special event. I love graduation. Seeing our graduating students celebrating with their loved ones, always fills me with pride. This […]
COVID-19 Update: Working Together We Will Meet The Challenges We Face
Dear Members of the UBC Community: The COVID-19 crisis has created a challenge that none of us could imagine even several weeks ago. There are many issues that we are all currently dealing with as a university, as a region, as a nation and globally. I wanted to reach out at this time to connect […]
Transition to online classes at UBC
As you know, governments and institutions around the world are grappling with the spread and impact of the COVID-19 outbreak. The situation continues to evolve and it has become an unprecedented scenario for the university. Today I am announcing the transition to online classes effective Monday March 16, 2020 for the remainder of the […]
Community update on UBC’s response to COVID-19
I’m writing to update the community on UBC’s response to the quickly evolving situation with COVID-19. UBC is a community and it’s important for our community to know that our number one priority is to ensure our students, faculty and staff are supported and safe, whether in British Columbia or abroad. For updated information on […]
Robert H. Lee, CM, OBC, 1933-2020
It is with deep sadness and a great sense of loss that we learned of the passing of Dr. Robert (Bob) H. Lee, CM, OBC, former Chancellor of UBC and Chairman of UBC Properties Trust on February 19, 2020. I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to Bob’s family on behalf of the entire […]
February 2020
Welcome Welcome to the February 2020 issue of Letter from Santa, a regular communication to members of the UBC community. Highlights Climate Emergency Update UBC Most International University in North America Beaty Biodiversity Museum and Musqueam First Nation Honoured UBC Press tops Hill Times’ list of 100 best non-fiction books Nadine Caron named founding First […]
National remembrance of those lost in Iran
Universities across Canada will join together in a moment of silence to recognize those lost and affected by the crash of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752. I ask that students, faculty and staff please pause and remember the victims, and consider the impact the impact on their families, loved ones and communities across the country […]
Update: Next Steps Following Climate Emergency Declaration and Commitment to Divestment
Summary Statement The climate crisis is one of the most pressing issues of our time and UBC wants to ensure that our community and the public is informed of the actions that the university is taking as a leader in sustainability and climate action. This update provides the context of President Santa Ono’s Climate Emergency […]
Flags lowered in memory of victims of Flight 752 tragedy
Flags have been lowered on UBC’s Vancouver and Okanagan campuses today in memory of those who died in the Ukrainian International Airlines Flight 752 tragedy in Iran, including four members of our UBC community. It is with great sadness that I can now report the death of alumna Niloofar Razzaghi who graduated with a Bachelor […]
Statement on UIA 752 Tragedy
I am profoundly saddened to confirm that two former UBC students are among those reportedly killed in the Ukrainian International Airlines Flight 752 tragedy in Iran. Details of this incident are still developing, but the names of Zeynab Asadi Lari and Mohammadhossein Asadi Lari appear on the flight manifest. Zeynab enrolled at UBC in 2016 […]
Declaration on the Climate Emergency
This morning, the UBC Board of Governors endorsed the following UBC Declaration on the Climate Emergency. I would like to thank all those who have engaged with us on this issue, especially UBC’s students, faculty and staff members. Their activism and passion were essential in getting the university to act on the climate crisis. I […]
December 2019
Welcome Welcome to the December 2019 issue of issue of Letter from Santa, a regular communication from myself to members of the UBC community. Highlights Senior Academic Advisors Shaping UBC’s Next Century Call for proposals: Advancing Education Renewal Strategic Cooperation with Osaka University U7 Executive Committee Election Congratulations to Candis Callison and Connie Eaves […]
Announcing Senior Faculty Advisors to the President
I am pleased to announce that Senior Instructor Kathryn Gretsinger, Professor Walter Mérida, Associate Professor Karen Ragoonaden, and Professor John Klironomos have been appointed as Senior Faculty Advisors to the President. Kathryn Gretsinger and Walter Mérida are based at UBC Vancouver, with Karen Ragoonaden and John Klironomos based at UBC Okanagan. Each faculty advisor will […]
Response to UBCC350 Climate Strike Open Letter
UBCC350 c/o ubcc350@gmail.com Thank you for your letter of October 4th, 2019. I appreciate the energy and dedication you have put into this cause. It is inspiring to see so many students and other members of the UBC community use the power of the collective voice to raise awareness of climate change and the need […]
Open Letter to federal party leaders
Dear Party Leaders: With the federal election campaign now officially underway, our country’s future prosperity is top of mind for me as it is for millions of Canadians. In a rapidly changing world and in the face of global and national crises, Canadians look to you for the leadership and policies that help deliver a […]
UBC and the global climate strike
Some UBC students have informed us they will join global climate strike activities on Sept. 27. We expect some members of the UBC community will choose to participate in the climate strike to draw attention to the climate crisis. This strike is a student-led initiative and we acknowledge that many of our students and community […]
UBC calls for a TMT moratorium
UBC is deeply committed to engagement and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and supports the standards of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. To advance our commitment, UBC strives to ensure that research projects involving or affecting Indigenous peoples are built on mutually beneficial, reciprocal and accountable relationships. UBC is also immensely […]
Statement regarding UBC’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion
Over the past few weeks, university community members have expressed views on freedom of expression and academic freedom on campus, and UBC’s commitment to supporting equity and inclusion. On June 23, a controversial event booked by an organization external to UBC took place on the Vancouver campus, which was critical of Sexual Orientation and Gender […]
Annual Giving – Faculty & Staff Appeal
Dear members of the UBC community, In 2017, UBC launched the Blue & Gold Campaign for Students, with the goal of raising $100 million in student support over three years. Since then, thousands of alumni, donors, faculty and staff have come together to support UBC students—making a difference in their lives by helping them to […]
Looking ahead to 2018-19
Dear friends and colleagues: Today, we welcome thousands of new and returning students to our campuses. As we embrace the energy and excitement that comes with every new beginning, I would like to take an opportunity to reflect on UBC’s recent developments – and to look ahead to the coming academic year. Welcome to our […]
UBC providing supports for students from Saudi Arabia
The University of British Columbia continues to assist students ordered to cease studies at Canadian universities by the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. UBC has about 280 new and returning students with Saudi Arabian citizenship in English-language, undergraduate, postgraduate, and graduate programs. Of that number, about 80% are sponsored by the Saudi Arabian […]
Statement of Apology
April 9, 2018 Today the Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre at UBC was opened to the public in a ceremony that included a statement of apology, which I delivered, to Indian residential school survivors and, more generally, to Indigenous people, for the university’s involvement in the system that supported the operation of the […]
Statement from Professor Ono on UBC’s commitment to Indigenous people and communities
On behalf of the University of British Columbia, I want to extend my condolences to the family of Colten Boushie. I also acknowledge that the events surrounding the trial and verdict have caused considerable distress for many Indigenous people, including our faculty, staff and students, and many others. At the University of British Columbia, we […]
Best wishes to Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin
On behalf of the University of British Columbia, I am delighted to extend best wishes to The Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin, P.C. on the occasion of her retirement as the Chief Justice of Canada. Chief Justice McLachlin was the first woman to hold the position of Chief Justice of Canada and she retires from […]
Freedom of Expression: Where do you stand?
Dear members of the UBC community: Freedom of expression continues to be a major topic of discussion at higher education institutions around North America. Here at UBC we have been encouraging discussion about our own homegrown statement (which can be found on the VP Academic website). As our academic community grows and diversifies, it is […]
UBC’s Next Century — the next phase of engagement
Dear members of the UBC community: I am pleased to confirm that we are now entering the next phase of UBC’s strategic planning process. Over the last few months we have conducted a series of events and consultation activities: from open houses on our Vancouver and Okanagan campuses, and other learning and research sites, to […]
Looking ahead to 2017-18
Dear members of the UBC community: Welcome back for the start of the 2017/18 academic year. I hope you all had a chance to enjoy the summer. Today, UBC is welcoming thousands of new and returning students to our campuses and learning sites. As we embrace the energy and excitement that comes with this, I […]
Hate is antithetical to UBC’s commitment to diversity and inclusion
In recent months we have all sadly witnessed incidents of hate, racism and xenophobia across the globe. Tragedies such as today’s attack in Barcelona, and the unrest in Charlottesville, only serve to remind us that we cannot and must not tolerate hatred and racism. These incidents are antithetical to the very fabric of a just […]
Statement from President Santa Ono
I am shocked and very concerned about yesterday’s assault on a student at Totem Park residence. Right now we are focused on supporting the victim and the victim’s family. We are also deeply concerned for the students who witnessed the assault or who have been affected in any other way and we are providing the help they may need. I appreciate this incident may make some of you feel anxious.