Updates, news and stories

Greg Garrard named dean pro tem for the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies

A message from Rehan Sadiq, Provost and Vice-President Academic, pro tem, UBC Okanagan Dear colleagues, I am pleased to announce that Dr. Greg Garrard will serve as Dean pro tem in the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies from July 1, 2022, to January 31, 2023, during Dean Bryce Traister’s administrative leave.

Call for volunteers to support UBC Vancouver's Spring graduation ceremony

This spring, UBC Vancouver will be celebrating the achievements of nearly 10,000 students over 28 ceremonies on May 25, 26, 27, 30, 31, June 1 and 2. In total, over 25,000 people participate in the spring graduation ceremonies: from graduating students, faculty members, dignitaries and guests.

Invitation to attend the virtual launch of UBC’s Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence task force report

A message from Steven Lewis Point, Chancellor; Santa J. Ono, President and Vice-Chancellor; Ainsley Carry, Vice-President, Students; Rehan Sadiq, Provost and Vice-President pro tem, Academic, UBC Okanagan Over the last year, UBC has launched a series of initiatives addressing systemic racism within our community, including forming an Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence (ARIE) task force.

Catching fire: BC wildfires are bigger, hotter and more consequential than ever

Get active by participating in the Staff & Faculty Sports Day

Many of you may be aware that Staff & Faculty Sports Week was held virtually last year. We are so pleased that the Staff & Faculty Sports Day is set to return to being held in-person at UBC Vancouver and UBC Okanagan this year, on May 6. Whether you want to participate as an office, department, group of colleagues or an individual, there are a variety of challenges and activities to choose from. Virtual activities will also be available from May 2 to 6.  You can get involved in a number of ways:

Apply to join the UBC delegation for COP27

Join UBC’s delegation at COP27 to engage with the international climate negotiation process, share UBC’s leading research and climate actions, and build new partnerships with people from around the globe.  

UBC research says bad reviews can be good for business

There is a general opinion that negative online reviews and poor ratings can be detrimental for brands. However, a new UBC study shows that negative online comments have little effect in cases where brand relationships are strong and consumers personally identify with a brand’s products. In some instances, they found negative reviews can actually have positive effects for brands.

H5P: supporting knowledge assessment through interactivity

2022 UBC Okanagan Researchers of the Year

A message from Phil Barker, Vice-Principal and Associate Vice-President, Research and Innovation, UBC Okanagan Dear colleagues, I am delighted to announce this year’s student and faculty Researcher of the Year award recipients. Each has made significant contributions to research and creative scholarly activity at UBC Okanagan. Please join me in congratulating this year’s outstanding awardees.

Remote Work update

Last year UBC announced the introduction of a Remote Work pilot program to formalize alternate work arrangements, where operationally feasible. While the program successfully launched last November, there were circumstances that impacted our ability to fully understand hybrid work, such as floods and subsequent gas rationing, and the evolution of COVID-19 with the Omicron variant. 

Update on the death of Harmandeep Kaur

A message from Lesley Cormack, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Principal, UBC Okanagan

Leadership change within the Vice-President, Finance and Operations portfolio

A message from Santa J. Ono, President and Vice-Chancellor It is with very mixed emotions that I wish to announce that Peter Smailes, Vice-President, Finance and Operations, is leaving UBC to take up a new opportunity at Kwantlen Polytechnic University as their Vice-President, Administration.