June 24, 2021

Earlier this month, we were saddened by the murder of four members of a Muslim family in London, Ontario. I wish to recognize the impact that this horrifying event will have on the UBC Muslim community and Muslims across Canada.

I’d also like to take this time to honour and remember the growing numbers of children being found at Residential School sites across the country. As the Truth and Reconciliation Commission told us, the discovery of the remains of 215 children found on the grounds of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School is not an isolated incident. And now, we have heard the horrifying reports of another tragic finding of unmarked graves at a former Saskatchewan residential school.

UBC stands with all Indigenous communities across the country who are seeking the truth about the missing children. We grieve with the families, the communities, and with residential school survivors as they mourn.  Please join me in a moment of silence to honour these children.

Moving forward, I believe that it is important that both UBC community members and the broader public know that the university, through its Indigenous Strategic Plan, is committed to addressing the impact of colonialism within the university and across its campuses. The ISP is our guiding framework to help us collectively take action to advance the implementation of Indigenous peoples’ human rights at UBC.

Today, more than ever, we must make our voices collectively heard: much more needs to be done to address the significant and longstanding colonial structures and systems that have so negatively impacted many of our community members. We are committed to doing this work and to moving forward with meaningful reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

I would like to extend both my congratulations and warmest welcome to two new governors appointed by the Provincial Order in Council, Dr. Natalie Chan and Anthonia Ogundele. Welcome to you both.

Natalie Chan is President and Research Director of Be the Change Group, a Vancouver-based public and population health consulting and creative firm that she co-founded at 26 years of age.  Dr. Chan is also a family physician.

Anthonia Ogundele is the Founder and Executive Director of Ethos Lab Educational Society, a non-profit for youth ages 13-18 that provides access to emerging technologies, culture, and a community of innovators. Through this work, Ms. Ogundele has launched Canada’s first Black-led Virtual Reality environment.

Once again, welcome and I look forward to working alongside you both.

I’d like to acknowledge that it’s Pride Month, an opportunity to celebrate with and to show our respect to community members who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and 2-spirited.  As part of UBC’s commitment to EDI, Pride Month embodies our value of inclusivity, which is key to everything we do and aspire to do.

June is also Indigenous History month, a time to honour the diverse histories and cultures of Indigenous peoples across Canada and the diverse strengths, contributions, and resilience of Indigenous communities. UBC would not be what it is today without the involvement and leadership of its Indigenous community members.  Only through the full inclusion of Indigenous perspectives can we move forward in pursuit of reconciliation, justice, excellence, and UBC’s aspirations to create a better world.

I would also like to recognize that May was Asian Heritage Month, and that earlier this month, UBC hosted a National Forum on Anti-Asian racism, which Santa will comment on in his remarks.

Earlier this month, UBC hosted a send off for a number of our community members, students, staff, faculty and alumni, as they head off to Tokyo Olympic games.  I’m in awe of the accomplishments of all of these athletes – both in the classroom and on the field of play!  To add qualifying for the Olympics and Paralympics during a pandemic is quite astounding.  It makes me such a proud member of the UBC community to see the incredible and inspiring accomplishments of these athletes and I wish them the best of luck in securing their spots through the final qualifications and for success at the games.

Today’s open agenda deals with a number of long-term capital project approvals, including the Student Information System which is the second phase of the University’s Workday IRP project, aimed at modernizing the outdated and inefficient legacy systems currently in use.  This system will modernize the student information ecosystem, critical to delivering the academic mission, while also enhancing the student experience.

We will also receive the annual five-year capital building plan and several building projects for approval.  All of these requests are aligned with the long-term vision for UBC’s campuses, supporting increased academic space in the Okanagan and housing and recreation needs on the Vancouver campus.  We are fortunate as we (hopefully) near the end of the pandemic, to be in a position to considering such long-term, strategic investments in the future of UBC.

Before we move into the agenda, as we always do, I would like to acknowledge three faculty members of notable distinction:

  • In the research category we have Susan Herrington, Professor of Landscape Architecture in the Faculty of Applied Science who was honoured with the UBC Killam Faculty Research Prize in Arts & Humanities in recognition of her outstanding research and scholarly contributions. Professor Herrington’s research focuses on design theories of contemporary landscape architecture. She leads studios that investigate contested landscapes, including landscapes for risk, and seminars that explore the competing ideas underpinning modernism versus postmodernism.
  • In the service category we have Patricia Vertinsky from the School of Kinesiology in the Faculty of Education.  She has been honored with an In Her Footsteps Award from Sport BC, presented to women who have had a significant impact in support of women and girls in sport. Dr. Vertinsky’ s story will be presented and profiled in the In Her Footsteps exhibit at the BC Sports Hall of Fame. Professor Vertinsky has served UBC in multiple ways as Distinguished University Scholar, Associate Dean, Department Head and research professor.
  • In the teaching category we recognize HsingChi von Bergmann, Professor of Oral Health Sciences in the Faculty of Dentistry. Professor von Bergmann has received the Killam Teaching Prize for her transformative impact on teaching and learning at an institutional, disciplinary, and societal level. In fall 2010, she became an Education Specialist with the Faculty of Dentistry to (1) conduct and mentor educational research activities in the Faculty, and (2) design modules and professional development activities to enhance students’ educational experiences.

To these distinguished faculty members, and the others whose research, scholarship, teaching and other academic contributions have recently been recognized, we offer our recognition and appreciation.

As we all look forward to the campus reopening this fall, I would like to strongly encourage the entire UBC community to get their COVID-19 vaccines as soon as possible, if you are medically able to do so. Additionally, I ask you to encourage your friends, family and close connections to do so as well. With planning underway for a return to on campus activities, I look forward to seeing our students, faculty and staff on our campuses in September.