Updates, news and stories

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.

UBC’s Remote Work update

As previously communicated on April 14, UBC is developing an institutional plan for remote work. Our faculty and staff have shown their adaptability over the past year and we are now able to be thoughtful and innovative as we consider remote work for the longer term and begin to imagine the future workplace. This is an important and exciting moment for the university.

COVID-19 rapid testing clinic now open to faculty and staff

In February, UBC embarked on a COVID-19 rapid testing pilot project for a clinical trial program at Orchard Commons Residence in Vancouver for students and staff living or working in congregate housing. 

Call for letters of intent for Large TLEF Transformation projects

Faculty and staff at UBC Vancouver are invited to submit letters of intent for Large Teaching and Learning Enhancement Fund (TLEF) Transformation projects. The deadline is 3pm on Thursday, July 15, 2021.About Large TLEF Transformation projects

Scheduling time off for COVID-19 vaccination appointments

As BC continues to roll out its provincial vaccination program, the provincial government has announced that employees can have up to three hours of time off, without loss of pay, to get each dose of their COVID-19 vaccine. These amendments to the Employment Standards Act are retroactive to April 19, 2021. To read the announcement in full, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021LBR0019-000784.

New approach to coordinating surveys

Announcing the appointment of new Dean, Faculty of Forestry

It is my pleasure to announce that the Board of Governors has accepted the President’s recommendation to appoint Dr. Robert Kozak as the new Dean of the Faculty of Forestry for a five-year term, commencing September 1, 2021. For full details of the appointment please visit https://academic.ubc.ca/dean-faculty-forestry.

Update on UBC’s Budget for the 2021/22 fiscal year

The 2020/21 fiscal year was unprecedented and challenging in many ways for our community as UBC navigated the effects of COVID-19, along with other higher education institutions across Canada and around the world.  In that context, and enabled by the knowledge and experience gained through the past year, our finance teams across the university have worked hard to prepare the 2021/22 budget. The proposed budget was formally presented to UBC’s Board of Governors today, and we are pleased to announce that it has been approved. 

UBC’s approach to working remotely

This past year has demonstrated how well UBC transitioned to different ways of working in response to COVID-19. Our community of faculty and staff have shown their adaptability in the face of the pandemic and stepped up to the challenge of continuing UBC’s research, and providing learning experiences for our students, both on and off campus.

Consideration of the extension of appointment of Dr. Pamela Ratner, Vice-Provost and Associate Vice-President, Faculty Planning

As the first term of Dr. Pamela Ratner’s appointment as Vice-Provost and Associate Vice-President, Faculty Planning, comes to an end on June 30, 2021, we have struck an advisory committee to consider an extension. The Vice-Provost and Associate Vice-President, Faculty Planning, 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 university budget planning. 

2021 Celebrate Learning Week

UBC’s 12th annual Celebrate Learning Week will take place online from May 17-23. This year’s theme is Shaping Our Future, and we’d like to encourage all to take part by attending and/or hosting an event. Celebrate Learning Week is an opportunity to recognize all the hard work, talent, and teaching and learning achievements at UBC. Throughout the week, UBC Vancouver and UBC Okanagan will be working together to host a series of online events, including open lectures, information sessions, student advising activities, poster sessions and workshops. 

Extension of appointment for Dr. Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond (Aki-Kwe), Director of the Residential School History and Dialogue Centre

I am pleased to announce that Dr. Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond’s appointment as Director of the Residential School History and Dialogue Centre has been extended for a second term, commencing June 1, 2021.Dr. Turpel-Lafond has been director of the centre since its inception in 2018. Since that time, she has worked to establish the centre as a leading institution for culturally informed, reciprocal, community-led research, education and dialogues in partnership with Indigenous communities, Survivors and the university.