May 1, 2023
Today, UBC graduate students and postdoctoral researchers are participating in a nationwide walkout to call for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers to receive needed federal funding for their scholarly activities. The purpose of the walkout is to demonstrate how integral graduate students and postdoctoral fellows are to research institutions, and to push for a federal […]
January 17, 2023
To quote the UBC Indigenous Strategic Plan, “Truth before Reconciliation,” all of our actions need to be based on a fundamental commitment to truth, to openness and transparency, and to humility. We know that this has been a difficult three months. We are deeply concerned that the issues raised and the university’s response have harmed […]
September 8, 2022
On September 26, 2021, the university community was shocked and saddened to learn of the tragic deaths of two students. Their lives came to an end all too quickly and under terrible circumstances. We have collectively and individually mourned Emily Selwood and Evan Smith in the weeks and months since, and on behalf of the […]
September 8, 2022
Today we join the global community in mourning the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Flags on our campuses will be lowered to half-staff in recognition of her decades-long service as Queen of Canada and Head of State. Since her coronation in 1953, Queen Elizabeth reigned through times of significant geo-political turbulence with a […]
July 13, 2022
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 […]
June 30, 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 […]
May 27, 2022
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 […]
April 12, 2022
Update – December 18, 2023 A year and a half ago, former UBC President and Vice-Chancellor Santa Ono issued the statement that the university does not support BDS. This remains the university’s position. We also reaffirm our commitment to respectful dialogue and reasoned debate as the best way to advance our shared knowledge and understanding of any issue. […]
January 27, 2022
Today, I join the UBC community in observing International Holocaust Remembrance Day and remembering the six million Jewish people and countless others who lost their lives during the Holocaust. We must never forget the heinous crimes perpetrated by the Nazi regime and its collaborators. I am deeply concerned that antisemitism, discrimination and violence continue to […]
January 26, 2022
I was heartbroken to learn of the discovery of 93 unmarked graves at the site of a former B.C. residential school in Williams Lake. 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 Williams Lake First Nation seeking […]
December 9, 2021
I am pleased to share that UBC has unveiled two ambitious climate action plans for the Vancouver and Okanagan campus. With the release of these plans, UBC has pledged to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 for both campuses and continue to play a leadership role in addressing the climate emergency. For Vancouver, that […]
December 6, 2021
We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Marjorie Anne Sauder, CM on November 20, 2021. Known for her consummate generosity, respect and genuine kindness, Marjorie Anne’s abundant support of her community touched the lives of countless people throughout British Columbia and Canada. A treasured volunteer and a considerate philanthropist, Marjorie Anne had […]
September 27, 2021
Dear members of the UBC community. This week we are grieving for the loss of two students, whose lives were horribly cut short. It is difficult to comprehend and express the enormity of the loss of these two bright and promising young adults, who were part of the UBC family. Words cannot express the depth […]
September 26, 2021
Today our UBC community is mourning the tragic deaths of two students, struck and killed by a car early this morning on Northwest Marine Drive. It is difficult to comprehend and express the enormity of the loss of these two bright and promising young adults. On behalf of the university, I wish to extend our […]
August 18, 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 […]
August 17, 2021
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 […]
June 21, 2021
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 […]
May 31, 2021
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 […]
May 20, 2021
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 […]
March 20, 2021
It is with sadness that I write, in my capacity as President of the University of British Columbia, to mourn the deaths of eight people murdered in an act of senseless violence in Atlanta, Georgia: Soon Chung Park, age 74 Suncha Kim, age 69 Yong Ae Yue, age 63 Paul Andre Michels, age 54 Hyun […]