Updates from the Board of Governors

August 27, 2021

The Board of Governors approved the following resolution at an in camera meeting on August 27, 2021:

IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED that the Board of Governors supports the President to move forward with a requirement of certification of vaccinations or a required testing option for faculty, staff and students for in-person attendance on campus.

August 13, 2021

The UBC Board of Governors has been engaging with President Santa Ono and the administration on the University’s response to COVID-19 over the past 18 months to ensure the long-term sustainability of this great university.  At the forefront of this has been a focus on the health and safety of our community.

We want the community to know that we are grateful for the many letters, emails and feedback received by the Board, to aid in our work.  Earlier this week, the Board passed the resolution below to reaffirm our commitment to a safe return to campus this fall.

The President and administration continue to work with the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training and the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) to ensure that The University of British Columbia will have appropriate safety measures in place for our community’s needs as we return to campus.  Please continue to closely monitor ongoing communications from the President and the administration as we approach campus reopening in September.

Resolution passed by the Board of Governors August 12, 2021:

WHEREAS the Board of Governors met in camera July 30, 2021 and August 9, 2021 to discuss the Return to Campus Guidelines and community concerns related thereto;

and,

WHEREAS the Board of Governors wishes to provide greater clarity to the President in relation to discussions and feedback at those meetings;

and,

WHEREAS the commencement of Winter Session falls on September 7, 2021 for The University of British Columbia and, therefore, urgent and timely decisions and communications are necessary;

and,

WHEREAS the Board recognizes that it is of utmost importance that the UBC community has confidence in the return to campus plans, that they feel physically and mentally safe, and that we wish to encourage a positive attitude to campus reopening;

IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED THAT:

    1. the Board of Governors requests that the UBC Administration continue to engage in ongoing discussions with the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training and the Public Health Officer regarding the measures to optimize the safety and well-being of the University community as the pandemic conditions continue to evolve and that the UBC Administration continue to seek support for the University to implement protocols appropriate to the local context and conditions in which its campuses are located, in collaboration with the rest of the post-secondary institution sector;
    2. the Board of Governors appreciates and supports the UBC Administration’s ongoing efforts to relay the community’s concerns regarding masks, vaccination, and other COVID-19 safety protocols in collaboration with the post-secondary institution sector;
    3. the Board of Governors requests that the UBC Administration convey to the Provincial Government that the Board of Governors is supportive of UBC adopting vaccination approaches and mandatory masks, as appropriate, to safeguard the community; and,
    4. the Board of Governors encourages timely, transparent, and data-informed contingency planning and communications to UBC community members, to support the mental and physical health of the community as we return to campus.