Updates, news and stories

UBC Vancouver — staying safe during the current heatwave

As we experience the unprecedented heatwave, please be aware of the following locations that are cooled and available for students, faculty and staff on our Vancouver campus today and tomorrow:

Update on the Integrated Renewal Program — Student

Over the past year, the university has completed major renewal projects related to our Human Resources and Finance systems under the Integrated Renewal Program (IRP). This resulted in the launch of Workday last November, which represented a significant step forward in modernizing our learning, research, and working environments at UBC. Thank you to all those who supported the launch of Workday last fall, as well as to those who continue to support the ongoing adoption of our new systems and processes. 

Extension of appointment of Dr. Pamela Ratner, Vice-Provost and Associate Vice-President, Faculty Planning

I am pleased to announce that the Board of Governors has approved the extension of appointment of Dr. Pamela Ratner as Vice-Provost and Associate Vice-President, Faculty Planning at UBC Vancouver for a second five-year term, commencing July 1, 2021.  As Vice-Provost and Associate Vice-President, Faculty Planning, Dr. Ratner is responsible for the academic leadership of enrolment planning and management, stewardship of existing and new academic space and capital projects, and has a role in the university budget planning.

Supporting our return to campus

Following the UBC Broadcast on June 8, I would like to share more detailed information about the support and resources available to facilitate a return to campus.  Thank you to everyone who has provided feedback so far. Whether you took part in one of the recent listening sessions and town halls, or provided comments through another channel, I want to offer my gratitude for your engagement in this process.

Invitation to participate in the Intercampus Air Travel Survey

In March, the university announced the development of the Climate Action Plan 2030 (CAP 2030) for UBC Vancouver and UBC Okanagan, aimed at implementing strategies that will result in emissions reductions from UBC’s core operations by 2030.

Climate activists Naomi Klein and Avi Lewis join UBC

World-renowned climate activists and journalists Naomi Klein and Avi Lewis are joining the faculty at the University of British Columbia’s department of geography. “We are thrilled to welcome Naomi and Avi to UBC to advance the urgent social, political and economic changes necessary to address the climate crisis,” says Dr. Gage Averill, dean of UBC’s faculty of arts. “This is a critical moment for the future of our planet and we are committed to highlighting climate justice in all of our priorities.”

Research in focus: Maryam S. Mirian

Maryam is a Machine Learning scientist, studying the brain and behavioural data recorded from people with Parkinson's Disease. Find out what she learned about current brain rhythms as a predictor of future behaviour.

Read the latest Letter from Santa

Letter from Santa is a regular newsletter from President Santa Ono to members of the UBC community. In this issue, Santa talks plans for Fall 2021, remote work arrangements, new and renewed Canada Research Chairs, and much more.  Highlights

COVID-19: Resumption activities and updates

A message from Shelley Kayfish, Director, Campus Operations and Risk Management; Co-chair, UBC Okanagan Resumption Planning and Coordination Committee; and Prof. Michael Burgess, Associate Provost, Strategy, UBC Okanagan; Professor and Chair in Biomedical Ethics, School of Population and Public Health, UBC Faculty of Medicine; Co-chair, UBC Okanagan Resumption Planning and Coordination Committee

Sharing community values from a distance

New Office of Indigenous Strategic Initiatives supports implementation of UBC’s Indigenous Strategic Plan

New UBC Health initiative cultivates interdisciplinary research collaborations

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated some existing trends and put a spotlight on others. We are now faced with the challenge of responding to the broad effects of the pandemic.