This message was sent to faculty, staff and students in Vancouver and the Okanagan.
Good morning everyone,
Today I am honoured to begin my term as President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of British Columbia. I want to thank Chancellor Point, who chaired the search committee, and everyone who contributed to the search process. It is humbling and I am grateful.
I want to start by acknowledging that we are living in challenging times. We are facing geo-political unrest on a scale not seen in several decades, including devastating wars in Ukraine and now in Israel and Gaza. The human suffering is immense and my thoughts and prayers are with everyone caught in a war zone or displaced by war, and with those who grieve or worry for their countries and loved ones.
The aftereffects of the pandemic are still felt socially and economically in British Columbia and across the country. In particular we see inflation, housing issues, and a rise in mental health challenges and substance use. The effects of climate change are also hitting closer to home, in particular the fires that had a devastating impact on the Okanagan and nationally this summer.
We also seem more divided – polarized – and less sure of the best path forward. Universities are more important than ever before as a space where different ideas and viewpoints can co-exist and be discussed with the aim of finding solutions. I call on everyone to remain respectful and compassionate with each other in all our interactions – our ability to fulfill our academic mission and societal function depends on it. Our best hope for a better world remains research, reasoned debate and education.
Higher education is my life. It saved me from my own mental health and substance use issues as I struggled to recover from growing up in a dysfunctional, unsafe home. It has given me more than I can ever repay. I started and continue to serve in these types of positions because I know that what we do here matters on a grand scale.
UBC is uniquely positioned to shape the next century in BC, Canada and globally. The incredible strengths of UBC — the talent across both beautiful campuses, quality of the programs, research strengths across so many important fields, great student experience, as well as the deep commitments to Indigenous relationships, to inclusion, to sustainability and to building a better future for all — this epitomizes a thriving world-class institution in the 21st century.
While it is too early to speak of priorities, I wanted to share that I am aware of many ongoing initiatives that are essential for our continued success. These include, but are not limited to, and in no particular order:
- The work of UBC researchers and students, spanning the full range of the arts and sciences, is outstanding. One example is the development of innovative clean technologies and climate solutions, supporting Canada’s shift to a low-carbon economy. Another is the UBC-led Canada’s Immuno-Engineering and Biomanufacturing Hub that aims to accelerate research and biomedical innovation.
- UBC is deeply committed to truth and reconciliation with Musqueam, the Syilx Okanagan Nation, and all Indigenous Peoples. I look forward to working with the entire community towards full implementation of the university’s far-ranging and ambitious Indigenous Strategic Plan.
- UBC is a progressive institution that always strives to create a safe and respectful environment where everyone can belong and contribute to their full capacity. Working together to always further enhance equity, inclusion and anti-racism at this critical moment in the world’s history will be essential to our shared success.
- The challenges of affordability and financial supports for students are also a key priority and I was so impressed that about $400 million a year is being provided at this time. It is also clear that housing is pivotal to our evolving community. Campus Vision 2050 is exploring opportunities to increase housing supply and options for students, faculty and staff in support of UBC’s academic mission.
- Addressing mental health and substance use on UBC campuses and nationally is a priority for me personally. Mental health and academic success are so intertwined that in many ways, they should be considered one and the same. I was pleased to learn that we will soon open the new Health Gateway Building and new Recreation Centre North that will both make a big difference for our students.
- If we want to reach our full potential and full impact, we need like-minded partners and friends across all sectors of society. Government, industry, not for profit, and visionary individuals. FORWARD, the campaign for UBC publicly launched last year and will supercharge and accelerate research, teaching and learning and the student experience across both campuses to shape the future in three key areas: advancing healthy lives, healthy societies, and a healthy planet.
As I begin my role, I look forward to learning so much more about the different aspects of teaching and research at UBC, visiting our great Faculties and units on both campuses, and engaging with our community of students, faculty and staff to learn from you and benefit from your experience, expertise and advice. These conversations will be essential to generate ideas and develop our shared vision for UBC. I am excited to see all that we will accomplish together. Go Thunderbirds! The future is extremely bright for UBC.
Thank you for taking the time to read this message. Have a great day.
Benoit-Antoine Bacon
President and Vice-Chancellor
Professor of Psychology