Episode 39: Asian Heritage Month
Santa Ono and guest Henry Yu, the principle of St. John’s College, discuss Asian Heritage Month, which is taking place against a background of anti-Asian racism, and racism against other ABIPOC groups and individuals, as well as the continued tragedy of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read the transcript here.
Community Update, November 18, 2021: Emergency Funding Available for Those Affected by Flooding
Dear members of the UBC community. I would like to begin by acknowledging that I am speaking to you from the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Musqueam people. My thoughts are with everyone affected by this week’s devastating storms, flooding and mudslides. It’s at times like this that we see the best in […]
Community Update, October 20, 2021: Vaccination Declaration Non-Compliance
Dear members of the UBC community. I’m pleased to announce that eight weeks into the Fall term, we are continuing to do very well with regard to COVID-19. As of October 19, 95% of students, faculty and staff have declared their vaccination status. Of those who have declared, 96% have declared they are fully vaccinated […]
Weekly Update, June 18, 2021: The Anti-Asian Racism Forum is Over, But Our Work is Just Beginning
Dear members of the UBC community. I would like to begin by acknowledging that I am speaking to you from the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Musqueam people. Last week, UBC hosted a National Forum on Anti-Asian Racism. Thousands of people from across Canada and around the world participated in the virtual forum. […]
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 […]
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 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 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. […]
Addressing Issues of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion: An Update
UBC remains deeply committed to tackling issues of equity, diversity and inclusion in our core academic mission and to identifying and addressing gaps in supporting racialized students, faculty and staff to succeed. An inclusive university is one which actively confronts and overcomes systemic barriers faced by different groups and enables everyone to realize their full […]
Update on Systemic Bias and Anti-Racism in Higher Education Sessions
Last week, our senior leadership team attended a series of learning and dialogue activities on Systemic Bias and Anti-Racism in Higher Education. I invited Professor Malinda Smith, recently appointed the Vice Provost, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion at the University of Calgary, and my EDI team (Dr. Sara-Jane Finlay, Dr. Minelle Mahtani, and Dr. Sheryl Lightfoot), […]
Moving Forward
Dear members of the UBC community: This past weekend, Michael Korenberg, the Chair of the Board of Governors, informed the Board and the University that he was stepping down after social media interactions that, in his own words, “thoughtlessly supported regressive voices which are attempting to discredit broad-based, legal and necessary protest.” We acknowledge both […]
UBC Committee on Systemic Racism
UBC and systemic racism Recent events, including the incident involving a UBC graduate student, have brought to light the pervasiveness of systemic racism, and in particular anti-Black racism. When any population on campus does not feel included, respected, and engaged, it impacts their experience and their capacity to change the world. Since my statement on […]
Weekly Update: June 5, 2020
Dear members of the UBC community, I hope things continue to go well for you. As you know, the recent anti-black and anti-Asian violence in communities across North America has focused our attention on deeply rooted racism in Canada and globally. UBC itself is not immune to racism and injustice. Earlier this week, I […]
Together against Racism and Injustice
Dear UBC community: Recent anti-Black and anti-Asian violence in communities across North America has focused our attention on the deeply rooted racism in Canada and globally. UBC itself is not immune to racism and injustice. As a university, we need to make it crystal clear that racism and bias have no place in our community […]