Ingrid Tilstra

As we begin a new academic year, we welcome all the new students who are beginning their journey at UBC.  And to returning students, and faculty and staff on both campuses, welcome back!  On behalf of the Board, I hope the first term of the Winter Session is off to a great start for everyone.

Today will be the last Board meeting for all three of our student-elected Governors. On behalf of the Board, I’d like to say that it has been a pleasure to work with all of you!  Thank you all for your service and your contributions – we wish you all the best in your future endeavours. In addition, we recognize UBC’s new University Killam Professors – the highest honour that UBC can confer on a faculty member – as announced in January 2025.

To returning students, and faculty and staff on both campuses and beyond, welcome back! There are so many wonderful opportunities to get involved here at UBC – whether it is through taking part in student government, joining clubs and groups, visiting our museums, or attending a Thunderbirds game, I encourage all to take part in the rich experiences that UBC has to offer.

On behalf of the Board, we offer our heartfelt congratulations to all those who graduated from UBC this spring.  Achieving this milestone is something to be celebrated! We wish you all the best in carrying forward what you have learned here at UBC, and know that you will continue to inspire people, ideas and actions for a better world.

The major item on the Board’s agenda today is the 2024-2025 Budget for the University.  The presentation and materials that we will receive and consider today are the results of months of careful work undertaken across the University.  I want to thank everyone who contributed to the development of this budget. 

This Saturday, September 30, is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also referred to as “Orange Shirt Day”.  This day marks a commitment to acknowledging historic injustices to indigenous peoples, support healing and foster understanding.  This is a time for reflection, education and awareness activities, and to remember and honour survivors, their families, and communities.  One way to do that is to visit UBC’s Residential School History and Dialogue Centre to learn more.

We are very grateful to be joining you today from UBC’s beautiful Okanagan Campus in Kelowna, where we meet in June of each year. We offer our heartfelt congratulations to all those who graduated from UBC this spring.  Achieving this milestone is something to be celebrated!  We wish you all the best in carrying forward what you have learned here at UBC, and know that you will continue to inspire people, ideas and actions for a better world.