Updates, news and stories

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 about the university's first in-person graduation ceremonies since 2019, the Envisioning Equality project, UBC's participation in the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), and much more. Highlights

Leadership update —  Associate Vice-President  Enrolment Services and Registrar 

Dr. Kate Ross, Associate Vice-President Enrolment Services and Registrar, will be stepping down from her role as of December 31, 2022, and retiring March 31, 2023. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Ross for all of the work she has done to enhance the student experience at UBC.

Perspectives from LFS faculty members: how can agriculture adapt to climate change?

This summer saw unprecedented climate events in regions around the world. Canada set an all-time record high temperature when Lytton, BC, broke the heat record for three consecutive days in June, peaking at 49.6° Celsius. What does this mean for agriculture? Researchers in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems share ideas based on their research expertise. Find out more

UBC Vancouver - gas restriction extended to December 14

Please note: This Bulletin was originally issued on November 22 to inform faculty and staff about a restriction on the purchase of fuel, as a result of the recent floods. The fuel restriction has now been extended until December 14. The Bulletin has been revised to reflect this update. As you know, the BC Provincial Government has introduced a restriction on fuel, as a result of the impact of the recent floods. Unless operating an essential vehicle, residents are limited to purchasing 30 litres of fuel per trip to the gas station in these areas:

COVID-19 – Important update for faculty and staff based in health care settings

The BC Provincial Government recently published an updated Public Health Order requiring workers in certain health care settings to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to work in a designated facility.  You can view the Public Health Order here.

Dr. Eduardo Jovel appointed interim Director of the First Nations House of Learning

Powerful new antibacterial coating to be developed by UBC engineering researchers

Vice-Principal, Research and Innovation Town Hall

A message from Phil Barker, Vice-Principal and Associate Vice-President, Research and Innovation, UBC Okanagan Dear friends and colleagues, I'm excited to be back on campus and hosting my first in-person Research and Innovation Town Hall since 2019. I have many exciting updates to share and I look forward to hearing what’s on your mind too during the audience Q&A.

30-second bio: Patricia Moura

As a Senior Business Analyst, Patricia shares operational, tactical, strategic, and regulatory reports in Workday with analytics teams across UBC. Find out why her favourite quote is: "The beauty is not making things perfect. It's making imperfect things work."

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

External review of the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies

A message from Ananya Mukherjee Reed, Provost and Vice-President, Academic, UBC Okanagan; and Brad Wuetherick, Associate Provost, Academic Programs, Teaching and Learning, UBC OkanaganDear colleagues, 

New funding rounds for major federal programs

New funding rounds were announced earlier this week for two major federal research programs: the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) and the Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC).