If you are a manager of staff whose work is not computer-based, please print this email and display it in a common work area for them to review.
Unbelievably, this week already marks the end of winter session and the academic year. Let me congratulate everyone on the semester and wish all students the very best as we head into exam season. I look forward to seeing many of you on stage at convocation, and to seeing you go forth towards successful and self-determined lives.
For faculty and staff, this is also an important time as we support our students during the exam period. Thank you to all those who play a key role throughout this process.
It has been a wonderful adventure to discover UBC; to meet with students, faculty and staff, and learn more about this remarkable university. In recent months, I have visited many different areas of the university and will continue to do this, to experience first hand the exceptional work that is being carried out at UBC.
I would like to update you on issues that are important to our community. While there is much to celebrate at UBC, it is important to recognize that broader economic conditions, geopolitical issues, and policy changes specific to higher education are creating a measure of instability for the post-secondary sector as a whole.
Cap on international student permits
In January, the federal government announced a two-year temporary cap on study permits for international students. The cap does not impact international students already in Canada, and it does not include graduate students. However, it did cause concern for new undergraduate international students thinking about enrolling in Canadian post-secondary institutions this fall.
We have been working closely with the provincial government to ensure that all new international undergraduate students who are accepted and choose to enrol at UBC will have access to a federal study permit. We have emphasized the importance of welcoming outstanding international students to BC, while also reinforcing the important and diverse contributions international students bring to campus communities.
We are pleased that the cap that has been allocated to UBC is sufficient to move forward as planned with international enrolment for the coming year. As we speak, the Province is also issuing the letters of attestation that new international undergraduate students will need to receive their study permit. This is a good outcome for UBC and for British Columbia.
Operating Budget for 2024/25
I am also pleased to confirm that, at its meeting of March 27, the UBC Board of Governors approved the university’s 2024/25 operating budget. Despite unfavourable economic conditions and other challenges, UBC remains in a healthy financial position and will continue to prioritize investments in our key priority areas: teaching and learning excellence, research and innovation, and providing holistic support for our students. We also remain committed to driving positive social change, including advancing our Truth and Reconciliation and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion goals, as well as addressing the challenge of climate change.
Research Security
At the beginning of 2024, the federal government announced its new Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern intended to safeguard Canada’s research outputs in sensitive technology areas, such as AI.
I appreciate this new policy might be creating some uncertainty for researchers who are applying for funding through federal granting agencies. You may be wondering what these new requirements and responsibilities mean for you. The research security team in the Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation, is there to provide guidance to researchers around this new federal government policy, as well as training on research security. Please reach out as needed.
UBC remains fundamentally committed to enabling an open and collaborative research environment, while at the same time providing support to our research community to effectively safeguard research and sensitive information.
Ongoing violence in Israel and Palestine
As the term ends, the conflict in the Middle East continues to put a strain on our community. I know many of you are personally affected and deeply concerned by these events. My thoughts are with everyone who is suffering and grieving.
During my first week at UBC, on November 6, I wrote to acknowledge the many different and difficult emotions that the conflict naturally and legitimately evoked. My request to everyone was to take great care to remain respectful and compassionate towards each other and to uphold our shared commitment to fostering inclusion, dignity, and human rights at UBC. I want to thank our community for the calm, respect, and compassion that has been displayed by the overwhelming majority of students, faculty, and staff.
I also want to acknowledge that tensions emerging from the conflict continue and, as a result, some people may not feel completely safe or welcome at the university. In line with this, let me reiterate that violence, harassment, and discrimination of any kind have no place at UBC and will not be tolerated.
Maintaining a safe and welcoming environment is our priority and should be everyone’s priority. By our words and actions, we all have a direct and immediate impact on the university environment. By definition, there will be conflicting perspectives and disagreements, but it is essential to both our academic mission and our sense of community that these different viewpoints and opinions peacefully co-exist and are discussed in a respectful manner.
Respect, collegiality, and compassion for one another must not be selective to those who agree with us, but must also be extended to those with whom we disagree. Again, respect and compassion in no way curtail our ability to express our views. In fact, they protect and sustain that right by providing a safe forum for these exchanges and debates.
In closing, I would like to thank all our students, faculty, and staff for everything you do for UBC. Despite uncertainties in the higher education sector, UBC is well positioned to continue to deliver excellence in research, teaching and learning in the next academic year and beyond. Collectively, we have many opportunities to realize and much to look forward to.
Again, many thanks and congratulations for another strong year!
Benoit-Antoine Bacon
President and Vice-Chancellor
This message was sent to faculty, staff and students in Vancouver and the Okanagan.
UBC Broadcast is used to communicate time sensitive, organization-wide information to faculty, staff and students. Learn more