UBC’s Vancouver campus is so beautiful during the summer (so is the UBC Okanagan campus, but that’s worth a separate blog post). I’ve sometimes suggested (half-seriously) that we should revise the academic calendar so that the academic year begins in the summer – that way students can see the campus at its best.
In just a few weeks, those students will be arriving back on campus.
But even before they arrive, the campus is far from empty. There are hundreds of undergraduate students taking courses in the summer session. Graduate students, faculty and staff are, of course, here year-round. UBC summer camps bring thousands of young children to campus, and many visitors from outside Vancouver come to sample the university’s many attractions.
With so much going on at UBC this summer, why not check it out? Here’s just a sampling of what’s taking place on campus this month:
The Museum of Anthropology is proudly showing off selections from its most recent acquisition – a $1.1 million donation of Northwest coastal art (including early works by renowned Haida artist Bill Reid) from Margaret Perkins Hess. There are also three special exhibitions running – Arts of Resistance: Politics and the Past in Latin America, Culture at the Centre: Honouring Indigenous culture, history and language, and In a Different Light: Reflecting on Northwest Coast Art – as well as the outstanding permanent exhibitions.
The UBC Botanical Garden is at its summertime best right now. I think that summer is the best time to experience the gardens, including the world-famous Nitobe Memorial Garden, which is considered to be the one of the most authentic Japanese gardens in North America and among the top five Japanese gardens outside of Japan.
The Garden also features evening concerts this summer. The next one is at 5:30 p.m. on July 19 and features the a cappella group The Hot Teas. Bring a blanket and picnic basket and enjoy the music. Find out more here.
Speaking of gardens, don’t forget the UBC Rose Garden. It’s beautiful in every season but especially at this time of year (and the view is stunning). And it’s free to enjoy for everyone.
The UBC Farm has lots going on this summer. There’s the Farmer’s Market every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the UBC Farm Harvest Hut, 3461 Ross Drive. Besides produce, fruits, herbs, flowers and free-range eggs from the farm, the market also features a variety of other local growers, bakers, craftspeople, prepared food, and live musicians. And if you can’t make it on Saturday, there’s also the Market Stall, every Tuesday from 4 to 6:30 p.m. and the Wednesday Pop Up Markets at the UBC Bookstore. The Farm also hosts a monthly community kitchen where community members (including students, faculty, staff and neighbours) come together to prepare a meal as a group. The next ones are July 19 and August 23.
And if the weather gets too hot for you, cool off at the award-winning UBC Aquatic Centre. Take advantage of both recreational and competition pools, a lazy river, a hot tub and more.
Other events at UBC this summer include free Yoga on the Mall on August 8 and 15 and the Nature Vancouver monthly bird survey at UBC Farm on August 19. Check out events.ubc.ca for the latest updates on what’s happening.
And of course, there are numerous trails on and around campus for hiking, strolling, running or biking. I’ll be out and about on campus this summer, along with my family and our dog, Romeo. We hope to run into you!
Enjoy the rest of your summer.
Professor Santa J. Ono
President and Vice-Chancellor